After getting thrashed by Zhang Ruohan, Zhang Chu felt terribly wronged.
But he still refused to give up.
He could not understand it. They both had a copy of the Stance Cultivation Notes, so why could Li Yun grasp it so easily and advance by leaps and bounds, while he could not?
He walked up to Li Yun.
Then gave him a deep bow.
With a somewhat shameless grin, he said, "Li Yun—oh, no... brother, teach me. Teach me, will you?"
Li Yun: "..."
He felt a little helpless.
"I can teach you, but can you stop talking like that? It's a little scary."
Pfft!
Zhang Ruohan could not help but smile. Those two really were a pair of living treasures.
Still, she did not interfere.
She also wanted to see how Li Yun would teach Zhang Chu.
Li Yun walked to one side. "Zhang Chu, let's make this clear first... I've never taught anyone before, so I can't guarantee it'll work just because I teach you. If you can accept that, come over now and perform the Zhuang Gong."
"I'll use my own understanding to correct you a little. What do you think?"
"Alright!"
Zhang Chu agreed at once and hurried to one side, beginning with the first stance.
"Stop! That's wrong!"
He had barely begun before Li Yun interrupted him.
Zhang Chu had only made half a movement before freezing in place. He had no idea what he had done wrong.
"What is it?"
Zhang Chu looked utterly bewildered.
Even Zhang Ruohan was somewhat puzzled. In her view, Zhang Chu did have some problems, but they were not intolerable. Still, she said nothing and merely watched quietly.
Li Yun said solemnly, "Your movements are wrong. You're too stiff!"
"The first stance of the Basic Stance Cultivation is called the Green Pine Stance. Standing should resemble a pine tree. A green pine is straight, yes, but it should be upright, not rigidly straight!"
"You've been rigid from the very beginning. You're forcing yourself straight for the sake of being straight, and in doing so, you've lost that natural, free-flowing ease. How can you comprehend the true essence of a green pine standing tall?"
"Ah... isn't it all just straight? There's a difference?"
"The difference is enormous. A tiny discrepancy can lead to an error a thousand miles away. Martial Dao is rigorous. Don't underestimate such a small deviation—the effects it has later on will be huge."
Hearing this, Zhang Ruohan could not help falling into thought as well.
She could not resist saying, "That's right. Li Yun is right. No wonder I always felt something was off whenever you performed it... It should be upright, not rigid... Zhang Chu, you brat, listen to Li Yun and correct your movements."
"Fine!"
Zhang Chu shrugged helplessly. Since his sister had spoken, the consequences of disobedience would be severe. He did not want to invite another beating.
Yet although rigid and upright differed by only one word, their meanings were worlds apart.
Zhang Chu could understand the difference, but when he actually tried to change, he became at a loss instead.
If he used strength, he became stiff.
If he did not use strength, he collapsed.
He adjusted himself several times in a row, yet still failed to achieve the naturally upright, straight-but-not-stiff effect Li Yun had described.
Left with no choice.
Li Yun could only step in himself and demonstrate personally.
The moment he stepped forward, it was entirely different.
He merely stood there, seemingly in the simplest manner, yet he was like an ancient green pine weathered by wind and frost, rooted firmly in place—neither stiff nor slack. There was even a unique charm to it, giving off a pleasing sense of beauty.
Zhang Ruohan's eyes shone brightly. She had come up through the Outer Sect herself, and her Basic Stance Cultivation had once reached the Great Success Realm.
But after reversing the Innate and cultivating Innate True Qi, she no longer needed to stand in stances, so she had not continued studying Zhuang Gong in detail.
If she were asked to perform it now, she felt that she would not be able to stand in such a richly expressive Green Pine Stance either.
But Zhang Chu's realm was insufficient, so all he could see was confusion.
He simply could not distinguish what exactly was different between his Green Pine Stance and Li Yun's.
Fortunately, after demonstrating for a while.
Li Yun carefully explained the intricacies within it as well, including the angles of the posture and the rhythm of breathing. He explained it all in plain language, and only then did the dazed Zhang Chu gradually gain some understanding.
When he performed it again, it slowly began to look more or less right.
Then came the second stance, the third stance...
Nearly three hours passed.
Before they knew it, Li Yun had led Zhang Chu through all Twelve Stances of the Basic Stance Cultivation.
Once they were done.
Zhang Chu was so excited.
"Hahaha... Initial Accomplishment Realm?"
"I actually brought my Basic Stance Cultivation to the Initial Accomplishment Realm... Sis, did you see that? Your little brother's Basic Stance Cultivation has reached the Initial Accomplishment Realm! Hehe, I'm amazing, right?"
Zhang Ruohan rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Amazing, my foot. If Li Yun hadn't taught you step by step, could someone like you have reached Initial Accomplishment so quickly?"
"Uh... right, right, right... Li Yun, you're incredible!"
"Really, I've never admired anyone in my life, but you... I'm truly convinced now, heart and soul."
Li Yun immediately gave Zhang Chu a smile that was not particularly warm, yet remained polite.
He actually only wanted to say two words.
So tired!
Martial Dao was one thing when cultivated by oneself, and an entirely different thing when teaching it to someone else.
If he had not wanted an excuse to stay at Clear Reflection Residence a while longer and observe that Sword Testing Stele, he would have found an excuse to return to Rank 95 Academy long ago.
Still, it was not without benefits.
By teaching Zhang Chu like this, he had unconsciously sorted through the Basic Stance Cultivation once more himself. That review had actually earned the system's recognition, silently granting him an additional 300 Cognition Points.
This also allowed him to discover another method of earning Cognition Points.
If he truly could not find a suitable object to observe in the future, he could try guiding others. He could gain Cognition Points and earn goodwill at the same time—killing two birds with one stone.
Just like now.
After bringing Zhang Chu's Basic Stance Cultivation to the Initial Accomplishment Realm, Li Yun could clearly feel that Zhang Ruohan's gaze toward him had become friendlier. Invisibly, he had gained Zhang Ruohan's goodwill and friendship.
This would clearly benefit him in establishing himself within the Celestial Martial Sect in the future.
However, it was getting late.
No matter how reluctant he was to leave Clear Reflection Residence, Li Yun had no choice but to take his leave.
Zhang Ruohan nodded and asked Li Yun to wait a moment.
She then entered the house and brought out a book with a blue cover.
"Li Yun, your Basic Stance Cultivation has already reached the Proficiency Realm. Once you return and find Zhang Cong, you can go to the Martial Armory and claim a martial skill. But from what I've seen, your comprehension is quite extraordinary. One martial skill may not be enough for you to cultivate."
"This Entangling Silk Force of mine shall be given to you!"
"Ah... Senior Sister Zhang, isn't that inappropriate?"
"There's nothing inappropriate about it. You wasted half a day guiding Zhang Chu. I had promised to take you around the Inner Sect, but I failed to do so. Consider this Entangling Silk Force an apology."
"Don't worry. This Entangling Silk Force belongs to me personally. Giving it to you does not violate any rules, so you may study and cultivate it openly."
"Next time, when I have time, I'll go to the Outer Sect to find you. Then I'll properly take you around the Vermilion Bird Courtyard or some other courtyard, and introduce you to several Inner Sect senior brothers and sisters while I'm at it."
"Haha, Senior Sister Zhang... you're too polite. Then I'll accept it without further ceremony?"
Li Yun knew that Zhang Ruohan had truly accepted him and intended to draw him closer, so he did not stand on ceremony as he accepted the Entangling Silk Force.
Just as Zhang Ruohan was about to personally see Zhang Chu and Li Yun out, a figure hurried toward the entrance of Clear Reflection Residence.
Before he entered, his voice arrived first.
"Haha, Ruohan, I heard you returned after completing your mission and even brought Outer Sect Disciples in. Why didn't you let me know first, so I could prepare in advance?"
Zhang Ruohan's expression changed abruptly.
Even Zhang Chu grew nervous. He hurriedly tugged on Li Yun's sleeve and whispered, "My future brother-in-law, Zhao Chuanfeng, is here. This guy's a little petty, so don't talk nonsense..."
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