The mountain peak was steep and perilous, yet Xiang Yang stood upon the slope, gazing at the blood and qi above the heavens, which rose straight as wolf-smoke and condensed into the shape of a mysterious tortoise. His hands clasped behind his back tightened slightly, and he was somewhat tense.
"This should be the true divine manifestation of the Great Patience Divine Skill, as well as its true martial intent. If she followed the proper steps and broke through by conventional means, what she would prove should be the Dao of Great Patience.
"So-called patience is like a sharp blade pressed over one's heart, preventing a person from speaking or doing what lies within. That is patience. Yet when applied to martial arts, the two are somewhat at odds.
"The Great Patience Divine Skill actually excavates the power belonging solely to the spirit and will from endurance. Acquired, Innate, and Celestial Human realms all aim to temper the spirit through the torment of the flesh. After proving the Dao, one must instead accumulate power through the spirit.
"To endure one's nature is to restrain one's temperament; to endure one's mouth is to suppress one's appetite; to endure one's feelings is to restrain one's emotions. One must also endure evil, tears, laughter...
"There were too many such things to list. Although every act of restraint allowed one to draw great power from it and strike at the Spiritual Divine Treasury in the shortest time, it ultimately ran contrary to human nature. Given enough time, it would likely grind away even a martial artist's edge.
"Presumably, when Fifth Zhongqi taught Ning Ke this martial art back then, he understood the cold looks and hardships she had endured in childhood, and knew how tenacious and powerful her will was.
"However, now that she