Under One Person: Starting with the Dual Cultivation of Body and Soul

Lu Jin calmed himself down and exclaimed, "These are all rules that predecessors summarized through countless practices. You were able to figure them out on your first attempt at Qi circulation... Your observation skills are truly extraordinary."

"It's mainly because my great-grandfather taught me so well!" Li Chang'an said with a smile.

"I know in my heart how well I've taught you, so you don't need to be modest. This is your innate talent in 'observation'!" Lu Jin said.

"Observe?" Li Chang'an asked, somewhat puzzled.

He knew that one of the Eight Extraordinary Skills was the Great Luo Cave Observation, but he was somewhat mysterious about the specific effects of this ability, and he even only had a vague understanding of the concept of observation.

Lu Jin explained, "All the methods of internal cultivation in this world can be summed up in one word: 'observation,' which is 'seeing.'"

"Different viewpoints can lead to fundamentally different results, which is the origin of many schools of thought."

Some people look inward and focus on themselves, while others look outward and try to see the changes contained in everything around them.

"Although both are 'seeing,' they should not be confused, and one should never easily judge the superiority or inferiority of different methods, because each has a different perspective."

Upon hearing this, Li Chang'an asked in confusion, "Is the 'circling the river cart' also a form of 'viewing'?"

"yes!"

Lu Jin said, "When you were cultivating, you saw Qi, meridians, acupoints, the dantian, and the laws governing the circulation of Qi. Isn't that a kind of 'contemplation'?"

"I see," Li Chang'an thought for a moment and then said, "Grandpa, since the essence of the internal cultivation method is 'contemplation,' doesn't 'contemplation' mean doing nothing at all?"

"It's not about doing nothing," Lu Jin corrected. "It's about watching, watching quietly!"

"Is observing quietly also a form of spiritual practice?" Li Chang'an asked.

"Yes, but this is a theoretical state. Theoretically, as long as you are still enough, to the point of being detached from the outside world, even without effort, just by quietly observing, the Qi in your body will automatically circulate, and you will become stronger."

Upon hearing Lu Jin's words, a somewhat adorable figure flashed through Li Chang'an's mind.

Without cultivation or techniques, the Qi within the body can circulate automatically. Isn't that just like Feng Baobao?

Seeing that Li Chang'an looked like he was thinking seriously, Lu Jin reminded him:

"What I just said is just a theory; there is no such person in the world. What you need to do now is to work hard and cultivate yourself diligently."

"Grandpa, I know." Li Chang'an didn't mention Feng Baobao.

"Good to know. As for your talent in 'Observation'..."

Lu Jin paused for a moment and then said, "Grandpa is not very good at observing the Dharma. There are many things that Grandpa cannot see through or understand, so he cannot guide you in this regard."

"However, my grandfather knows a few people who are highly skilled in meditation. We can ask them to give you some guidance."

As she spoke, two figures involuntarily appeared in Lu Jin's mind.

One stands tall, overlooking the world.

One is striving to climb.

"Who is it?" Li Chang'an asked curiously.

"Don't worry about who it is for now, you'll find out later!"

Lu Jin waved his hand and said, "As for the pattern you observed, just be aware of it, but don't rely on it too much."

"Why?" Li Chang'an asked, puzzled.

Lu Jin explained, "These are just strange and ingenious techniques. There were books written by predecessors in the past that regarded the Three Chariots Power as evil and heretical. Relying on this method to circulate Qi will only result in something that is neither high nor low. By the way, you should have read Journey to the West, right?"

Li Chang'an nodded: "I've seen it."

Lu Jin said, "I don't know if you remember, but there's a scene in the book where a cart that even five hundred monks couldn't pull was easily passed by the monkey in one go."

Li Chang'an recalled: "That scene did indeed happen in Chechi Kingdom."

Lu Jin nodded and said, "That's right. The monkey here is actually the mind monkey. What this means is that no matter how many strange and ingenious skills you have, it is not as good as the mind monkey's movement. Focusing on yourself and being firm is more useful than studying any skills. Seeking life within is endless, while seeking it without will not bring you anything."

"Although you succeeded in moving the Zhou Tian meridian on your first try, one success does not guarantee success every time. Try a few more times, but don't use the force of three carts; use your inner strength to pull, and see if you can succeed," Lu Jin said.

"Grandpa, I'll give it a try right away!"

Li Chang'an entered meditation again. This time, he was much bolder and his Qi circulation was much faster.

After the Qi traveled from his dantian to his coccyx, he stopped thinking about any techniques and focused all his attention on that Qi, pushing forward with all his might.

At the start, he felt a subtle resistance, but with his full effort, this resistance was like gravel on the road, causing only a slight bump.

Soon, he rushed all the way to Jiaji Pass. He still did not use any special techniques, but continued to push forward with the same momentum. Then he rushed all the way to Yuzhen Pass, successfully entered Niwan Palace, transformed into jade liquid through Tianchi Acupoint, descended the twelve-story tower, passed through Jiang Palace, and landed in Qihai.

At this point, the small cycle of energy transfer was successfully completed. He opened his eyes and looked at Lu Jin: "Grandpa, I'm done."

"You didn't use the power of three carts?" Lu Jin asked.

"No techniques were used; it was simply the pure flow of Qi forward."

Lu Jin nodded, raised his hand to look at his watch. He had noted the time when Li Chang'an had just entered meditation.

He noticed that Li Chang'an's Qi circulation this time was three minutes faster than the first time, which made him somewhat uneasy. Shouldn't it be slower and more strenuous without using any techniques? Why was it faster?

"How do you feel about using three vehicles?" Lu Jin asked.

"I feel more refreshed."

Li Chang'an was telling the truth. If the first time was about driving carefully, then the next two times were about speeding, so it was naturally more exhilarating.

"Good lad!" Lu Jin praised, "You have a strong will and a resolute mind!"

It's becoming more and more appealing to me.

"It's all thanks to Grandpa's excellent teaching!"

"Don't flatter me!" Lu Jin chuckled. "That won't work on the old master!"

Li Chang'an smiled too; he thought it was quite useful.

"Now that you've learned how to turn the river wheel, go and get some rest," Lu Jin said.

"Grandpa, I'm not tired!" Li Chang'an was in high spirits.

"Aren't you tired? You've been observing the natural circulation and circulating your Qi through the microcosmic orbit for over a day without rest. Cultivation is a gradual process, not something to be rushed. Don't ruin your health. Go, go and rest. Even if you don't rest, you can go and relax. Remember, you're not allowed to cultivate today. Cultivation is for tomorrow."

Lu Jin sent Li Chang'an to rest, not wanting to force him to grow too fast and ruin his promising future.