Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 4 A Good Place for Cultivation at Xiangguo Temple

"This young man surnamed Zhan has become a disciple of the Great Xiangguo Temple?"

"With such looks and such great martial arts skills, he... he just became a monk?"

Outside the Daxiangguo Temple, several constables were squatting there looking miserable.

The leader was none other than Pang Wen, who had previously disguised himself as a scholar in an attempt to apprehend the suspect. He said in a bitter voice, "We alone cannot capture him. I'm afraid the hall master will have to take action himself!"

The Great Xiangguo Temple is divided into four courtyards, and the Six Doors are also divided into four halls.

Xuanji Hall, Zhenyue Hall, Juefeng Hall, Fengjun Hall.

Each hall is headed by one of the Four Great Constables, whose subordinates are mostly referred to as the Hall Master.

The group that went to Yunqi Mountain Villa to participate in the birthday banquet was led by "Wu Xing" Li Jingming from Zhenyue Hall.

This renowned constable was strong-willed and decisive, and he could not tolerate any wrongdoing. When the manor lord Yun Heming disappeared and the guests were intimidated by the "Zhong Kui Picture," he was the first to chase after him and ordered the remaining constables of Zhenyue Hall to stay behind at the manor to search for clues.

No useful clues were found, and a second murder followed closely behind.

Inside the sealed room, the human head was severed.

After investigating, the Six Doors concluded that suicide was the only possible explanation.

As a result, a greenhorn, fresh out of school, jumped out, cracked the secret room, and pointed out the real culprit, who turned out to be a member of the Six Doors.

The Six Doors, of course, would not admit it and wanted to arrest this liar, but they were all defeated by the other party's sword.

Pang Wen didn't witness the conflict firsthand and thought it couldn't have come to this...

His eyes cleared instantly after the invisible sword energy severed his veil.

The constables were still indignant: "This kid wants to use our Six Doors as a stepping stone to make a name for himself in the martial arts world? No way!"

Thinking of the miraculous sword energy, Pang Wen vaguely felt that the other party had a good chance of becoming famous, but he did not believe that his own people would commit violence. He said in a deep voice, "This matter concerns the reputation of the Six Doors and is no longer an internal matter of my Zhenyue Hall. We need to find Xuanji Hall. They may have a way to force this person to come out. You stay here and guard the place. I will go back to ask for help!"

"Yes!"

Unbeknownst to the constables, the very person they were so wary of was sweeping the ground in front of the Zisheng Pavilion.

Zisheng Pavilion is the tallest building in Daxiangguo Temple. It is elegant and graceful with five eaves and dripping water. It is one of the eight scenic spots of Bianjing and is known as "Zisheng Xunfeng".

The Xiangguo Temple in later generations also has this attraction, but it is a reconstruction and its ancient charm is far inferior to that of the Tang and Song dynasties.

For most people, once inside the temple, their attention would be drawn to the magnificent architecture.

Zhan Zhao, however, was completely focused on cleaning without even looking up.

"Swish-swish-swish-"

The sound of the broom sweeping across the ground seemed to carry a unique charm.

It's not an illusion.

The "Chengxin Jue" comes from the "Qingjing Rulaizang" and does not necessarily require meditation. Rather, sitting, lying down, and walking are all forms of practice.

When the mind is as clear as ice, all directions are bright and clear.

Zhan Zhao is currently immersed in this state.

He happily felt the internal energy accumulating in his acupoints, and his speed increased significantly.

The extraordinary skills and techniques of this world are not only about connecting the twelve regular meridians and the eight extraordinary meridians, but also about accumulating internal strength step by step.

Instead, one should select acupoints suitable for martial arts within the meridians and refine them.

Once one has reached a certain level of mastery in refining the acupoints, and then combines the power of the acupoints, a special sea of ​​qi can be opened in the dantian.

Taking the "Six Lines Formless Sword Qi" as an example, Zhan Zhao condensed the Six Lines Acupoints.

The first line (初爻) is the Baihui acupoint on the Du meridian, located on the top of the head. Baihui is the meeting place of all Yang meridians, corresponding to the beginning of all things in the first line (初爻), governing the whole situation. After the refinement is completed, it becomes "Baihui Qianyuan".

The second line refers to the Tanzhong acupoint on the Ren meridian, located in the chest. Qi gathers at Tanzhong, which connects the upper and lower parts of the body. It is prominent yet subtle, serving as the pivot for the circulation of Qi. After successful refinement, it becomes known as "Tanzhong Tianshu".

The third line selects the Mingmen acupoint on the Du meridian, located in the lower back of the body. It is the foundation of life, storing innate primordial energy and solidifying the foundation of sword energy. After successful refinement, it becomes "Mingmen Kunyuan". The fourth line selects the Shenque acupoint on the Ren meridian, located in the abdomen of the body. Shenque is where innate fetal breathing is stored, and it also absorbs the essence of acquired food and water, transforming it into the source of sword energy. After successful refinement, it becomes "Shenque Guizang".

The fifth line refers to the Laogong acupoint of the Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, located in the center of the palm. Laogong belongs to the Yin within fire, and when Yin reaches its extreme, it generates cold. It can store the most gentle true Qi, and after being condensed and refined, it becomes "Laogong Xuanming".

The upper line represents the Shaochong acupoint of the Shaoyin Heart Meridian, located on the little finger. The heart belongs to the Shaoyin and governs fire. When Yin turns to Yang, it can absorb the essence of the sword. The sword energy nurtured in the body circulates through this point and breaks through the air. After being condensed and refined, it becomes "Shaochong Liming".

If one were to look inward, one would see that within Zhan Zhao's body at this moment, six acupoints emanated different lights, radiating to the surrounding meridians, and true qi thus formed a small circulation of yin and yang, with the heaven and earth flowing back and forth, in accordance with the principle of the six lines of divination.

The advantage of this method of acupoint condensation is that it can specifically tap into the human body's potential.

It greatly enhances the storage, circulation, and burst of true qi.

Furthermore, as long as the six key "nodes" are opened, the unique skill of "Six Lines Formless Sword Qi" can be used smoothly.

It can be said that this greatly reduces the difficulty of using divine skills.

Of course, this path of cultivation does not mean that one does not need to accumulate internal energy at all.

With Zhan Zhao's natural talent and ability, he laid a solid foundation from a young age and began formally refining his acupoints at the age of nine. Over six years, he refined six major acupoints and initially mastered the "Six Lines Formless Sword Qi".

Then, according to the wine master's judgment, after ten years of hard work, the six major acupoints will be filled and the innate Qi Sea will be opened in the Dantian, and the "Six Lines Formless Sword Qi" can then enter the hall.

Until then.

He can roam the world freely, and go anywhere in the vast land.

Zhan Zhao was content.

With this model and this setup, he could become a top expert in the world before the age of 25. What more could you want?

However, since he comprehended the "Clarity of Mind Technique," based on his current speed of accumulating true energy, he initially judged that this time should be achieved six months earlier.

Don't underestimate half a year. As his teacher who taught him since childhood, the Wine Master had a clear understanding of Zhan Zhao's aptitude and talent, and his expectations were already extremely high.

Taking another step forward is extremely difficult; it's not something that can be achieved simply by learning more martial arts techniques.

The "Chengxin Jue" may only be the beginning of the "Qingjing Rulaizang".

"What a wonderful mental technique!"

"Buddhism also has its merits. I don't know about other things at the Great Xiangguo Temple, but they certainly treat their disciples exceptionally well. If there's an opportunity, we should lend a hand..."

After thoroughly cleaning, Zhan Zhao reported to the monk in charge and returned to his own monk's quarters.

In a place like the capital where land is incredibly valuable, even the Great Xiangguo Temple wouldn't allow a novice monk to have a private room.

The monks' quarters were similar to a large dormitory, with eight novices crammed into one room.

Before they even reached the door, they could hear discussions coming from inside—

"The temple will first teach us the Arhat Staff Technique. This is the primary skill for monks protecting the temple. When mastered, it is like the golden body of an Arhat, and no enemy dares to stand against it!"

"Isn't the Arhat Staff Technique too common?"

"Yes, our Great Xiangguo Temple gathers Buddhist teachings from all over the world, and this is what we're taught?"

"I enjoy martial arts, and I'd like to learn the Dragon Claw Kung Fu, a unique skill from the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song. This technique has few moves, but it is incredibly powerful and fierce, capable of breaking an opponent's bones and tendons!"

Just as the group was discussing animatedly, a slightly shrill voice rang out: "Ha! Dragon Claw Hand? Why don't you learn Shaolin's 'Bodhidharma Martial Arts Technique'? That's a peerless divine skill ranked sixth on the White Jade Pavilion's mental cultivation list!"

The novice monks who had been fantasizing about martial arts paused, their voices immediately lowering: "This... how could we dare to even think about that?"

The shrill voice continued, "Our Great Xiangguo Temple possesses the 'Great Sun Tathagata Mantra,' a supreme mental cultivation method. If no one had mastered it for many years, it would never have been surpassed by Laozi Temple's 'Martial Morality Sutra,' relegated to second place! But all this is in vain. Without apprenticing to a high-ranking monk as a master, how can one expect to learn true kung fu?"

"Brother Hu is right!"

"Everyone knows about Brother Hu's friendship with the steward monk. We hope that, out of consideration for our shared dormitory, he can lend us a hand!"

Just as the atmosphere shifted from discussion to flattery, Zhan Zhao pushed open the door and walked in.

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(End of this chapter)