On the eastern side of Three Immortal Islands, in a quiet valley, Six-Eared was reclining halfway against a bluestone with one leg crossed over the other. He held a slender bamboo switch in his hand, casually waving it now and then.
Not far away, Wu Zhiqi was drenched in sweat as he practiced a staff technique, though his movements looked somewhat stiff.
"Stop, stop, stop!" Six-Eared suddenly shouted, pointing the bamboo switch through the air. "Wu Zhiqi, your staff technique is all wrong! How many times have I told you? A staff has to be alive, not dead! Come on, watch me demonstrate—"
He sprang to his feet with a carp leap, his figure drifting as elusive as a ghost. The rod in his hand seemed to come alive. Though he swung it with apparent casualness, every movement carried a certain rhythm.
"Did you see that clearly?" Six-Eared shook his head smugly. "You have to feel it with your heart!"
Wu Zhiqi pulled a long face. "I saw it clearly, but I'm a little tired. I've worked hard for so long and want to rest for a while."
Six-Eared widened his eyes. "Back when I learned from the Dao Venerable, that was what real hardship looked like! The Dao Venerable could pin me down with a single finger and make me stand beneath a waterfall for three whole years! What does your little bit of suffering amount to?"
As he spoke, he lay back down on the bluestone, crossing his legs again with a thoroughly contented expression. "But now... hehe, it's finally my turn to teach someone else. Wu Zhiqi, put some more effort into it. Master this Chaos Staff Technique today."
Wu Zhiqi's mouth twitched, but he did not dare argue. He could only lower his head and continue