Starting from the world of martial arts in the Condor Heroes, practicing martial arts across the hea

As the lingering charm of the New Year fades, the spring breeze first reaches Peach Blossom Island.

While the snow still lingers and the cold wind blows in the north, this secluded paradise on the East China Sea has long since shed its winter solitude. Peach blossoms are budding all over the island, warm breezes rustle through the forests, and the sound of the tide is gentle.

The sea fog swirls around the island at dawn and dusk, making it appear ethereal and otherworldly. Tender grass sprouts beside the cobblestone paths, and streams babble and flow, everywhere brimming with the gentle vitality of early spring.

Since staying up all night on New Year's Eve, Jiangnan has never left Peach Blossom Island.

During this period, there is no need for travel or adventure, no need to worry about daily necessities, only a leisurely life like a hermit.

All those who accompany him day and night are his closest relatives. Huang Yaoshi remains as dashing and aloof as ever, but with the younger generation by his side, his brows have lost some of their coldness and gained more of human warmth. Huang Rong is still lively and charming, always clinging to Jiangnan, laughing and playing. Her bright eyes are like peach blossoms in spring. Xiaolongnu is still young and at the age of being lively and active. In the past, when she was traveling around the martial world, Jiangnan did not dare to let her go too far. Now, on Peach Blossom Island, she is surrounded by warm breezes and seas of flowers every day. She can play wildly everywhere, and there is also a silly girl to play with her.

The entire Peach Blossom Island, which had been silent and lonely for many years, was finally filled with the noise of the human world.

The Lantern Festival, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, is just around the corner.

While the Central Plains are ablaze with lights and bustling with activity, Peach Blossom Island, far removed from the hustle and bustle, possesses its own unique and elegant beauty, a tranquil haven from the crowds of the city.

During the day, the sea breeze is gentle, the sun shines warmly, and the island is full of peach blossoms in bud, their pink and white petals adorning the branches. A gentle breeze blows, the branches tremble, and a subtle fragrance fills the air, sweet and refreshing. Huang Rong is in high spirits, and early in the morning she drags Xiaolongnu and Jiangnan to tidy up the courtyard, pick the freshest peach petals, fetch the island's clear spring water, and personally knead the dough to make glutinous rice balls for the Lantern Festival.

The glutinous rice is finely ground and soft, the peach petals are washed and drained, and a little honey-soaked osmanthus is mixed in. The resulting peach blossom glutinous rice balls are exquisite and translucent, white with pink, and look sweet and delicious.

  

Little Dragon Girl was at an age full of curiosity. Under the guidance of Huang Rong and the occasional pointers from Jiang Nan, her slender, white fingers moved gently and gracefully. The glutinous rice balls she made were uniform in size, round and neat, each one exquisite and flawless, just like herself. At such a young age, she was elegant and dignified, and when quiet, she was untouched by worldly affairs.

Huang Yaoshi stood by the railing outside the pavilion, his hands behind his back, his blue robe fluttering in the wind. He quietly watched the three people in the pavilion bustling and playing, listened to Huang Rong's clear laughter, looked at Jiangnan's calm and gentle eyes, and saw Xiaolongnu's playful and lively nature. His usually aloof and detached state of mind was surprisingly calm and at ease.

Worldly fame, fortune, and renown are all fleeting to him. He has spent half his life in solitude, living alone on Peach Blossom Island, witnessing the rise and fall of the world. Only this peaceful scene of family gatherings and tranquility year after year is the most precious and rare thing to him.

As dusk fell and the last rays of sunset faded on the horizon, a bright moon slowly rose in the east, hanging high above the azure sea and sky. The moonlight, as clear as water, bathed the entire Peach Blossom Island, covering the forests, flower fields, green stones, and streams with a hazy silver glow, creating a tranquil and ethereal scene, like a fairyland on the moon.

The pavilions and towers on the island are all illuminated with glazed lanterns, their warm yellow glows scattered among the trees and along the paths, reflecting the bright moon in the sky and the shimmering waves on the sea. A sea breeze blows, the lantern shadows sway, the flower shadows dance, and the interplay of light and shadow creates an elegant and exquisite beauty that surpasses the bustling lights of countless cities in the Central Plains.

Inside the stone pavilion, the wooden table was already laden with exquisite food.

The soft, sweet peach blossom glutinous rice balls are steaming hot, along with island-made candied fruits, pastries, tea cakes, and even several plates of exquisite mooncakes carefully preserved from the Mid-Autumn Festival. The mooncakes are soft and chewy with lotus seed paste, sweet red bean paste, and mellow five-nut filling, sweet but not cloying, and have a smooth texture.

Enjoying the moon and eating mooncakes during the Lantern Festival, though out of season, has a unique and elegant charm.

Huang Rong held a small mooncake, her eyes crinkling with delight as she took a bite. "In previous years, the Lantern Festival only had glutinous rice balls," she said with a grin. "Today, we have cakes and mooncakes, flowers and the moon, and I have Father, Long'er, and Brother Jiangnan with me. This is the most comfortable and lively Lantern Festival I've ever had!"

His words elicited slight smiles from everyone.

With the bright moon hanging in the sky and a gentle sea breeze blowing, four people sat around a stone pavilion, brewing tea and gazing at the moon, chatting and joking, enjoying the peaceful moments.

After several rounds of wine and tea, Huang Rong's interest remained high. She had already prepared dozens of riddles, all of which she had learned from reading and studying classical texts. They contained hidden words, meanings, and secrets, making them very interesting.

"Today the moon is full and everyone is here, so let's play a riddle-guessing game to liven things up. The loser must accept a cup of tea as a penalty!"

Huang Rong is known for her intelligence, wit, and cleverness. She excels at word puzzles and ingenious reasoning, posing a series of questions right from the start, each one ingenious and interconnected.

At first, they were all ordinary and interesting riddles, simple and easy to understand, yet full of wit and humor. Jiang Nan, with his profound experience and calm demeanor, answered them with ease, almost without missing a single one. Although Xiao Longnv was still young and not good at worldly entertainment, she was exceptionally talented and had a photographic memory. She had studied the Daoist canon with Jiang Nan and was quite knowledgeable. Ordinary word puzzles and allusions were easy for her, and she would often solve them with a single, casual remark. Only the proud and learned Huang Yaoshi was occasionally stumped by Huang Rong's tricky and ingenious riddles. He would ponder for a moment before slowly answering.

After several rounds, the riddles became increasingly difficult, involving ancient allusions, martial arts philosophy, and the mysteries of heaven and earth.

Huang Yaoshi was a learned scholar, knowledgeable in both ancient and modern times. He was proficient in astronomy, geography, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, martial arts, and Taoist scriptures. The more profound the mystery, the more adept he became, dissecting the answer with ease, his words clear and his sentences exquisite.

The bright moon shone, a gentle breeze rustled through the pavilion, and the four of them chatted back and forth, asking and answering questions, their laughter light and airy. There were no swords of the martial world, no conflicts between good and evil, no worries of life and death, only the beautiful moon, the gentle breeze, the blooming flowers, and their loved ones—the most perfect harmony in the world.

As night deepened, the moonlight grew ever brighter, the sea shimmered, and the evening breeze was gentle and intoxicating.

As the commotion subsided, the four sat quietly admiring the moon, chatting about their past experiences in the martial world and the vastness of the land. Huang Rong listened to Jiang Nan recount the everyday life of the Central Plains and the interesting stories of the martial world, her eyes filled with curiosity and longing; Xiao Longnv sat quietly to one side, listening to the conversation, her eyes reflecting the gentle moonlight, a sense of peace and tranquility; Huang Yaoshi looked at the young man before him, his eyes full of admiration and praise.

Jiangnan possesses a clear mind, a broad vision, and exceptional martial arts skills. What's even more rare is his gentle and insightful nature, his calm and composed demeanor, his lack of arrogance or impatience, and his non-competitive nature, yet he harbors a wealth of wisdom within. To have such a young man by one's side, protecting Rong'er and treating Long'er kindly, is both fate and a blessing.

On the night of the Lantern Festival on Peach Blossom Island, there is no bustling city, but it holds the most exquisite gentleness and perfection in the world.

After the Lantern Festival, spring is in full bloom on the island, with warm breezes and seas of flowers every day, and the years pass by leisurely.

Jiangnan continued to diligently practice martial arts, refine his moves, and hone his foundation every day. In his spare time, he would accompany Huang Rong to admire flowers and read books, sit quietly with Xiaolongnu to watch the sea, and discuss martial arts and philosophy with Huang Yaoshi, studying music and formations. Several peaceful and leisurely days passed in the blink of an eye.

Until the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, spring was in full bloom, the sea breeze was gentle, and there were no clouds in the sky.

Jiangnan felt that after a long period of quiet recuperation on the island, his foundation was solid and his mind was clear. It was time for him to take a new step, travel the world, and broaden his horizons in martial arts.

He had already planned this all along.

In both his past and present lives, he has read countless martial arts manuals, and his own skills are exquisite. With the help of the panel, his talent for deducing, creating, and improving martial arts is unparalleled. Of course, his talent is the main factor. But he knows that the path of martial arts has no end, and there is no reason to be complacent.

Working in isolation will ultimately limit one's scope.

No matter how profound one's own cultivation is, without countless martial arts references and numerous methods to learn from, one's vision will eventually become narrow, and one's creative and deductive ideas will gradually dry up.

What he seeks now is no longer the ultimate perfection of a single technique, but the all-encompassing and comprehensive martial arts path that integrates all schools of thought.

All martial arts under heaven, though different in their paths, ultimately lead to the same goal.

Shaolin Vajra Zen Martial Arts, Quanzhen Pure and Tranquil Taoist Kung Fu, Imperial Secret Arts of the Imperial Palace, Lingjiu Palace Beiming Xiaoyao—all the major sects in the world have their own traditions, their own exquisite techniques, and their own unique methods.

Some are fierce and domineering, breaking all laws; others are pure and tranquil, following the natural course; still others are upright and steady, with profound knowledge; and still others are ethereal and unpredictable.

Every famous martial art that has been passed down through the ages is the culmination of countless predecessors' life's work, containing the true essence of martial arts and the ultimate principles of heaven and earth.

Jiangnan made an ironclad rule in his heart: to collect and record all martial arts techniques in the world that have a name and a surname, to keep them all in his sight and in his heart.

I do not seek to master all the skills in one go, nor do I seek to immediately integrate them into my understanding.

The goal is to broaden one's horizons in martial arts, accumulate a vast knowledge of martial arts, observe the strengths and weaknesses of various schools, understand their advantages and disadvantages, and absorb the essence of each school.

With more exposure, broader knowledge, and deeper understanding, countless martial arts paths intertwine in the mind, naturally enabling one to draw inferences from one instance to another, providing endless ideas and inspiration for developing new moves, creating unique skills, and perfecting the great path.

In martial arts training, vision comes first, accumulation is the foundation, and creation is the pinnacle.

With his mind made up, Jiangnan no longer hesitated and immediately proposed to Huang Yaoshi the idea of ​​traveling around the world, stating that he wanted to visit all the holy sites of martial arts, collect martial arts from all schools, and improve his own martial arts foundation.

Upon hearing this, Huang Yaoshi not only did not object, but clapped his hands and nodded, expressing his deep agreement.

"In the art of martial arts, the worst thing is to be confined to one's own corner and have a narrow view of the world. You have such a broad mind and vision, and you want to learn all the martial arts in the world for your own use. This is far beyond the self-imposed limitations of ordinary martial artists. It is very good."

Having spent half his life traveling the world, he naturally knew the vastness of the martial arts world and the complexity of martial arts. He knew that closed-door solitary cultivation was ultimately limited, and only by traveling thousands of miles and observing the techniques of various schools could one make great progress in the path of martial arts.

So, on the morning of the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, as dawn broke and the sea fog began to dissipate, the sky cleared and the air was crisp.

The three from Jiangnan packed their simple belongings, bid farewell to the springtime beauty of Peach Blossom Island, and, with Green Ox and Big Yellow, pulled their RV, boarded a boat, and set sail westward, officially embarking on their long journey to explore the martial arts of the world.

Jiangnan had already planned out the order of his travels in his mind: the four great martial arts holy sites, one after another, step by step, in a clear and orderly manner.

Our first stop was Shaolin Temple on Mount Song.

The saying that all martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin is no exaggeration.

Shaolin Temple, with a history spanning a thousand years, is a towering figure in the Central Plains martial arts world, possessing unfathomable depth and an immense, boundless heritage. Its seventy-two unique skills are renowned throughout the land, including the Vajra Indestructible Technique, Prajna Palm, Vajra Finger, Arhat Fist, Dragon Claw Hand, Flower-Picking Finger, Yi Jin Jing, and Xi Sui Jing…

For thousands of years, Shaolin martial arts have been inclusive, passed down from generation to generation, and constantly improved. They combine strength and gentleness, and clearly distinguish between good and evil. They are the most orthodox, largest, and most comprehensive martial arts treasure trove in the Central Plains.

If one wants to gather all the martial arts in the world, one must start with Shaolin.

Only by thoroughly understanding the various schools of Shaolin Chan and martial arts, and grasping the foundation of orthodox martial arts, can one gain insight into the origins of Central Plains martial arts. Only then can one accurately compare and learn from the strengths of other schools.

The second stop was the Quanzhen Sect in Zhongnan Mountain.

Quanzhen is the foremost Taoist sect in the world, the orthodox lineage of Xuanmen, and inherits the Taoist martial arts of pure cultivation for thousands of years.

In stark contrast to the powerful and vigorous Zen martial arts of Shaolin, Quanzhen martial arts emphasize purity, naturalness, inner cultivation, and the refinement of mind and character.

Quanzhen Swordplay, Tiangang Big Dipper Formation, Xiantian Gong, Xuanmen Breathing Technique, and Chunyang Internal Power are all the essence of Taoist martial arts, emphasizing harmony between man and nature, subtle influence, overcoming strength with gentleness, and controlling movement with stillness.

One is Buddha, the other is Tao; one is firm, the other is gentle; one is worldly righteousness, the other is otherworldly purity.

By combining the two orthodox martial arts of Shaolin and Quanzhen Buddhism and Taoism, one can encompass half of the martial arts world in the Central Plains and lay the most solid and comprehensive foundation for martial arts.

The third stop was the Imperial Palace of the Song Dynasty.

Martial arts of the Jianghu are free and unrestrained, depending on one's own fate; royal martial arts are well-organized, rigorous, and a synthesis of all traditions.

Throughout history, the imperial palace has been a gathering place for the finest martial arts techniques from across the land. Countless reclusive masters and extraordinary talents from the martial arts world have served in the palace. The martial arts of the imperial guards, the secret teachings of the palace, the family skills of the royal family, assassination techniques, grappling techniques, and self-defense techniques have all been selected, standardized, and perfected over thousands of years, making them highly practical and effective in both offense and defense.

The martial arts of the Jianghu, the inheritance of sects, and the secret arts of the royal family are three completely different paths, each with its own unique and exquisite features.

Visiting the imperial palace can fill the gaps in martial arts sects, allow one to see orthodox and standardized martial arts, and improve one's own martial arts system by addressing its shortcomings and blind spots.

Last time, I didn't finish reading all the books in the palace; this time, I'm determined to read them all.

The fourth stop was the Kunlun Mountains, where we searched for the ruins of Lingjiu Palace.

The Xiaoyao lineage is the most mysterious, transcendent, and ethereal, standing out from the orthodox Buddhist and Taoist traditions.

The Tianshan Lingjiu Palace and the Xiaoyao Sect's heritage include the Beiming Divine Skill, Lingbo Weibu, Tianshan Liuyang Palm, Tianshan Zhemei Hand, and Life and Death Talisman, all of which are heaven-defying martial arts with unpredictable and unparalleled styles.

However, the lineage of the Xiaoyao Sect has declined, and Lingjiu Palace is hidden deep in the Kunlun Mountains. Few people know its exact location, and its ruins are hidden in the misty mountains.

Jiangnan's journey here is to venture into the Kunlun Mountains, traverse countless mountains and valleys, search for the remaining ruins of Lingjiu Palace, unearth the lost martial arts of the Xiaoyao Sect, and complete the most elegant, unique, and heaven-defying path of martial arts in the world.

Of course, it's uncertain whether Jiangnan can find it, after all, a hundred years have passed, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the world has changed drastically. However, even if they can't find it, collecting some precious medicinal herbs commonly found in the snowy region, such as snow lotus, would be a good alternative.

The four stations represent the journey from Buddhism to Taoism, from the martial arts world to royalty, and from orthodoxy to freedom.

It encompasses all martial arts systems, including mainstream, side branches, and hidden ones, covering a wide range of topics.

Traveling westward, the four of them took their time, enjoying the magnificent scenery along the way, discussing the ways of heaven and earth, martial arts, and the history of the martial world.

Huang Rong observed with curiosity along the way, memorizing the local customs, traditions, and stories of the sects; Xiao Longnv, under the guidance of Jiangnan, observed things and her mind became more open, seeing the vast landscape before her, no longer confined to a small island.

Standing at the front of the RV, Jiangnan gazed at the vast winds and magnificent landscape, his heart filled with even greater conviction.

The path to immortality in martial arts is not limited to secluded training, honing techniques, and accumulating internal energy.

The true path of martial arts is to study all martial arts under heaven, see through the true meaning of all methods, absorb the strengths of all schools, form one's own path, and ultimately transcend constraints, perfect one's true self, and be eternally immortal.

With Mount Song in sight ahead, the ancient Shaolin Temple is within reach.

The invincible path of martial arts belonging to Jiangnan, encompassing everything and connecting the world, officially begins here.