Old Technique

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Old Technique (旧术)
Alias(es)	Old Techniques; Old Technique martial arts
Affiliation	Old Technique faction
Occupation/Role	A martial cultivation path distinct from Psionic Ascension
Status	Revived and publicly established as Earth’s official martial path 169
First Appearance	3

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Transformation Stage	27	Practitioners break through the limits of the human body and begin condensing Vitality; this is the entry point for cultivating the Old Technique.
Lower-Rank: Embracing the Core and Returning Strength	12	Qi and Blood condense in the Dantian into a core, allowing the practitioner to become a true Lower-Rank Martial Artist.
Mid-Rank cultivation	144	Li Changqing’s published route emphasizes condensing willpower, selecting an Artistic Conception, and developing a nascent Yin God.
Heaven-Man Resonance	129 143	The initial form of Dao Rhyme; practitioners begin resonating with heaven and earth and can draw power from their surroundings.
Unity of Heaven and Man	129	The realm of a Martial Arts Grandmaster. Reaching it allows a practitioner to perceive Qi in the universe.
High-Rank through Qi	129 150	Qi transforms the body in place of Psionic Energy. Li Changqing confirms that the Old Technique can directly convert the power of heaven and earth into Qi.
Qi Practitioner / Immortal Path	151 165	A more difficult path beyond ordinary Old Technique cultivation, requiring perfected Blood Essence and the activation of the Nine Palaces of the Dao.

Background

Old Techniques originated from ancient Chinese boxing arts. During the rise of Psionic Ascension, Psionic Users discovered that certain traditional martial arts could mobilize Psionic Energy. These arts were consolidated and modified into a psionic martial path known as the Old Technique. Chengtian Tai Chi Fist, a twenty-four-form art built around yin and yang, is one such system. 3

The path initially developed alongside psionic research. Kang Tianchen participated in the development of Chengtian Tai Chi Fist while working in the Old Arts Department of Qingzhou Psionic University; the work involved repeated testing and corrections, and some volunteers injured their Dantians during its development. 46

Over time, Old Technique research declined and became subordinate to Psionic Energy cultivation. Kang Tianchen and Zhang Bairen’s generation found little usable research material beyond a stone tablet suspected to have been written by Lü Dongbin, while the Old Technique department itself lacked funding. 64 The later suppression of the path was tied to a decades-old decision by Psionic Users: widespread Old Technique cultivation was believed to risk attracting stronger extraterrestrial civilizations, leading the Martial Arts Association to favor Psionic Ascension and appeasement instead. 171

Li Changqing’s cultivation overturned the belief that Old Techniques could not surpass the Mid-Rank. Beginning with Chengtian Tai Chi Fist, he developed its Flowing Water True Meaning, created Tai Chi Soft Strength from a throwing method, and eventually demonstrated Qi as an energy equivalent to Psionic Energy. 12 13 129 He subsequently published cultivation methods from Lower-Rank through High-Rank and enabled former Psionic practitioners to convert their power into Qi. 143 150

Following Ye Haotian’s public conversion, research institutes and martial arts halls across Earth abandoned experimental psionic projects in favor of Old Technique research. Li Changqing then declared the beginning of the “era of the Old Technique.” 169

Principles of Cultivation

Body, Vitality, and Will

Old Techniques are training methods that use martial forms to mobilize the body’s muscles, fascia, Vitality, and Qi and Blood. Their consumption is extreme: practicing a single form can expend more energy than a long-distance sprint, and completing a full routine requires a practitioner to surpass ordinary human limits. 5 9

Willpower is essential to the path. The principle of “subduing the heart’s monkey and tethering the mind’s horse” enables a practitioner to push beyond physiological exhaustion and break through bodily limitations. 3 9

Yin and Yang

Tai Chi-based Old Techniques seek balance rather than simple force. Their core is the evolution of yin and yang: hardness and softness, motion and stillness, water and fire. Purely explosive strength is considered inefficient for Tai Chi cultivation. 12

Dao Rhyme and Qi

The higher path of the Old Technique is founded on Dao Rhyme rather than Subspace. After achieving Heaven-Man Resonance and Unity of Heaven and Man, a practitioner can sense and absorb Qi from the universe. Qi can then transform the body for High-Rank advancement without relying on Psionic Energy. 129

Qi is described as a power that does not depend on Subspace and may be a fundamental unit of the universe. Psionic Energy can be converted into Qi through Heaven-Man transformation. 157

Known Techniques and Branches

Technique	Classification	Description
Chengtian Tai Chi Fist	Old Technique	A twenty-four-form Tai Chi system developed from ancient boxing arts; its movements embody yin and yang and can mobilize Psionic Energy. 3
Old Technique Tai Chi (Flowing Water True Meaning)	Advanced Old Technique	Li Changqing’s evolved Tai Chi, attained after Embracing the Core and Returning Strength. It emphasizes fluidity and the transformation of force. 12
Tai Chi Soft Strength	Self-created Old Technique	Born from Tai Chi Throwing Style after Li Changqing used Flowing Water True Meaning to reverse a charging bear’s momentum. 13
Spirit Turtle Breathing Technique	Self-comprehended Old Technique	A breathing method inspired by a snapping turtle’s slow, heavy respiration; it supports Vitality condensation and long-duration exertion. 11 17
Universe Breathing Technique (Heaven-Man Resonance)	Heaven-Man Resonance technique	A breathing art gained through communion with nature, strengthening the practitioner’s connection to heaven and earth. 28
Ten-Step Divine Fist	Artistic Conception combat technique	A fist technique that uses Artistic Conception to extend a strike’s effective range to ten meters. 28

Combat Application

Training Methods

Old Techniques strengthen the body and refine Qi and Blood through systematic movement. Their purpose is to improve martial prowess rather than mere athletic performance. 6

• Practitioners use complete-body movement to mobilize muscles, fascia, Vitality, and Blood Essence. 5 23
• Water resistance, weighted training, and natural environments can improve cultivation efficiency by matching Tai Chi’s fluid principles. 10 11
• Heaven-Man Resonance allows practitioners to replenish themselves directly from heaven and earth rather than relying solely on food or nutrient solutions. 144

Fighting Methods

Combat techniques are distinct from training methods. They focus on defeating opponents rather than refining the body. 6

• Tai Chi Throwing Style uses an opponent’s center of gravity and force against them. 7
• Throwing methods treat gravity and the ground as weapons, using the planet beneath the practitioner’s feet to smash an opponent. 7
• At higher levels, Supernatural Abilities are regarded as elevated combat techniques that apply an understanding of universal laws rather than only the human body. 170

Conflict with Psionic Ascension

Psionic Ascension relies on resonance with Subspace and the transformation of the body through Psionic Energy. By contrast, the Old Technique uses heaven and earth as its source, cultivating Dao Rhyme and Qi without requiring high innate psionic resonance. 129 132

For decades, the Psionic faction portrayed Old Techniques as a dead end, arguing that their ceiling was the Mid-Rank and that they obstructed future advancement. 118 125 This view persisted despite Old Techniques being a required foundation for many Lower-Rank and Mid-Rank Martial Artists, where they improve Qi and Blood and mental power. 120 125

Li Changqing’s revelation of Qi during the provincial finals directly challenged the Psionic faction’s claims. His victory over Bai Tianci established that Old Technique practitioners could reach High-Rank through Heaven-Man Resonance and Unity of Heaven and Man. 129 Subsequent conversions by High-Rank Martial Artists and Innate Supernatural Talents shifted public support decisively toward the Old Technique. 157 164 169

Relationships

• Li Changqing — Pioneer who restored the Old Technique’s independent path, demonstrated Qi, and published its cultivation methods. 129 143 169
• Kang Tianchen — Former Old Arts researcher and coach who taught Li Changqing Chengtian Tai Chi Fist; later became vice-director of the Old Technique Research Institute. 3 170
• Zhang Bairen — Longtime Old Technique researcher whose despair over the path’s decline was reversed by Li Changqing’s achievements; appointed interim director of the Old Technique Research Institute. 64 170
• Psionic Ascension — Rival cultivation system based on Subspace resonance and Psionic Energy; its supporters suppressed Old Technique research for decades. 129 171
• Bai Tianci — Former advocate of Psionic Ascension who initially challenged the Old Technique, then converted after witnessing its potential. 113 164 169
• Ye Haotian — High-Rank Innate Supernatural Talent whose public conversion became a decisive victory for the Old Technique faction. 169

Notable Quotes

“Your research was not in vain. The Old Technique indeed holds a path completely separate from Psionic Ascension.” 132

“Heaven and Earth, the profound, the celestial, all originate from Qi. Everyone, remember this phrase. To comprehend Qi, Dao Rhyme is the key.” 129

“Starting today, Earth’s martial arts officially enter the era of the Old Technique!” 169