Taiji Boxing Becomes a Divine Ability

Bai Jin stood before Taiqing Palace and knocked on the hall doors with a bang, bang, bang. "First Martial Uncle~"

With a creak, the hall doors opened. Bai Jin poked his head inside for a look, then grinned and stepped in.

Inside the hall, Taishang sat before a table upon which rested two cups of tea, wisps of immortal mist drifting above them.

Bai Jin bent at the waist, about to bow.

Taishang raised a hand and said with a smile, "No need for formalities. Come, sit!"

Bai Jin could no longer bow and could only walk over to sit opposite Taishang.

Taishang said, "Try the tea I brewed!"

Bai Jin picked up the teacup and took a sip, praising it, "Fine tea! Martial Uncle brewed it wonderfully, far better than I could."

Taishang also smiled. "It is indeed fine tea. I quite like the tea tree you gave me."

Bai Jin hurriedly said, "It is its honor that First Martial Uncle likes it."

Taishang asked again, "Does this tea tree have a name?"

Bai Jin shook his head. "No!"

"Today, I saw the boxing set you practiced. It carried the essence of Taiji and Wuji. Let this tea be called Taiji Tea!"

"Taiji Tea—First Martial Uncle chose such a fine name. It suits it perfectly." Bai Jin immediately flattered him.

"Hehe~" Taishang chuckled, lifted his teacup, and savored a sip. After setting it down, he said, "Practice that boxing set from before once more."

"Yes!" Bai Jin quickly rose and walked to the center of the hall, where he slowly began practicing Taiji Boxing.

He spread his feet apart and slowly raised both hands—the opening stance.

"Wrong!" Taishang flicked a finger. With a crisp bang, pain shot through Bai Jin's shoulder. He cried out instinctively, and his hand position immediately changed as he turned to look at Taishang in confusion.

Taishang said with a smile, "Continue!"

"Yes!" Bai Jin answered doubtfully and continued practicing.

"Wrong! Taiji combines hardness and softness, but you have yet to truly grasp it."

Taishang's fingers flicked repeatedly, and a series of bangs rang out from Bai Jin's body.

Bai Jin's fists and feet shifted constantly with every strike, sometimes solid, swift, and fierce, sometimes slow and supple. Under the movement of his hands, ripples spread through the surrounding space.

After finishing one round of the Taiji Diagram, Bai Jin braced his hands on his knees and bent over, gasping for breath. He was drenched in sweat, and every part of his body ached.

Taishang asked, "Do you wish to continue?"

Bai Jin looked up at Taishang and said speechlessly, "First Martial Uncle, is my Taiji Boxing really that bad? Was everything wrong?"

Taishang said slowly, "Your boxing contains a trace of Taiji intent. It is already rare for you to have gained such insight from observing me, but you are still far from entering the gate of Taiji."

Bai Jin straightened up, took a deep breath, and said, "Please continue to guide me, First Martial Uncle. Again!"

Taishang nodded, a trace of approval flashing in his eyes. "Good!"

He flicked a finger. Bang~ A dent immediately appeared in Bai Jin's clothing.

"Ah~" Bai Jin cried out instinctively and raised his hand at once. Space rippled wherever his hand passed.

As the sounds of bang, bang, bang grew fewer, Bai Jin's movements became increasingly fluid. Movement and stillness merged, hardness and softness complemented each other, and the space around him distorted.

One month later, buzz~ A Taiji Diagram unfolded within Taiqing Hall. Bai Jin stood silently at its center with his eyes closed, neither sorrowful nor joyful, his body one with heaven and earth, tranquil and natural.

Taishang revealed a satisfied smile and beckoned. A scroll flew out from Bai Jin's body and landed upon the table.

Bai Jin suddenly opened his eyes, and the Taiji Diagram surrounding him abruptly contracted into his body.

After a moment of daze, Bai Jin cupped his hands toward Taishang and said excitedly, "Thank you, First Martial Uncle, for the grace of imparting the Dao."

Taishang said with a smile, "This boxing art has now transformed into a divine ability. Study it carefully in the future, and it will keep you safe."

"Yes!" Bai Jin answered respectfully.

Taishang waved a hand. "Go!"

"This disciple takes his leave." Bai Jin bowed respectfully, then turned and walked out.

After leaving the hall, Bai Jin looked over the vast mountain range stretching for thousands of miles and let out a long breath. I'm finally out! At the slightest movement, pain coursed through his body, making him bare his teeth. First Martial Uncle had truly struck hard.

Bai Jin calculated the time on his fingers, and his whole body stiffened. A month had passed? Damn it, he had stood up Second Martial Uncle. The lecture they had agreed he would give three days later had long been delayed.

Bai Jin hurriedly flew toward Yuqing Peak. After landing there, he jogged to the front of the hall and knocked on its doors. Bang, bang, bang~

Creak~ The hall doors opened a crack, and a delicately beautiful young attendant poked his head out. He looked suspiciously at Bai Jin and asked, "Who are you looking for?"

Bai Jin asked, "And who might you be?"

The young attendant lifted his chin proudly. "I am Bai He, the attendant under my master."

Bai Jin's heart sank. It's over. Second Martial Uncle has already found a replacement.

Bai He the Attendant frowned. "Hey~ Who are you looking for?"

Bai Jin immediately put on a brilliant smile. "I'm looking for Second Martial Uncle. Is Second Martial Uncle here?"

"My master?"

Bai Jin nodded.

Bai He the Attendant looked up at Bai Jin and said, "Master has entered seclusion to comprehend the Dao and will not receive visitors!" He casually moved to close the door.

Bai Jin raised a hand, and a miniature sword appeared in his palm. He handed it to Bai He the Attendant and said with a smile, "Second Martial Uncle has entered seclusion? Since this is our first meeting, I have nothing particularly good to offer. I'll give this immortal sword to you, Junior Brother."

Bai He the Attendant's eyes lit up, but he hesitated slightly. "Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

"What is inappropriate about it? Fellow disciples should live in harmony and care for one another. Hurry and take it."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Bai He the Attendant accepted the immortal sword, his face alight with joy.

Bai Jin said with a smile, "Junior Brother, when my Second Martial Uncle comes out of seclusion, please come notify me. I'm right next door on Shangqing Peak."

Bai He the Attendant nodded repeatedly. "All right!"

Bai Jin cupped his hands in a bow. "Then I'll be relying on you, Junior Brother."

Bai He the Attendant hurriedly returned the bow. "Senior Brother, you are too polite."

Bai Jin rose with a smile. "Junior Brother, come visit Shangqing Peak when you have time. There are quite a few disciples there, so it is very lively."

Bai He the Attendant's eyes lit up. "May I?"

Ever since his master had accepted him as an attendant and brought him to Mount Kunlun, Bai He the Attendant had discovered that Yuqing Peak contained only himself and his master. After his master suddenly entered seclusion, he was left entirely alone. Every day had been unbearably boring.

Bai Jin said warmly, "Have you ever heard the saying, 'Red flowers, white lotus roots, and green lotus leaves—the Three Pure Ones were originally one family'?"

Bai He the Attendant shook his head. "No!"

Bai Jin said with a smile, "Well, now you have! Since we are family, do not be so distant. Whenever you have nothing to do, come stroll around Shangqing Peak. Senior Brother will introduce you to the senior brothers and senior sisters of Shangqing Peak."

Bai He the Attendant nodded repeatedly and said happily, "Mm! Thank you, Senior Brother. You really are a good person."

"Be good now! Senior Brother will be leaving first. Come visit when you have time. Remember to notify me when Martial Uncle comes out of seclusion."

"All right!" Bai He the Attendant answered.