Zhang Teng Arrived

The commotion outside the door carried a note of joy.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Knocks sounded at the door, followed immediately by Zhang Teng's voice.

"Master, are you there?"

Zhang Teng's voice was like a death summons from an underworld imp.

Lin Bei felt as though the sky had fallen!

Just then.

A voice suddenly sounded in Lin Bei's mind.

[Your disciple Zhang Teng has grasped the key to Tai Chi and crossed the threshold (beginner). Your Tai Chi has advanced to (perfection).]

Previously, his skill had only been at the amateur level of an old man practicing in the park.

At that moment, his understanding of Tai Chi underwent a heaven-and-earth upheaval.

Had his Golden Finger finally activated?

He had transmigrated to this world a year ago, and just as he was giving up...

Could happiness really arrive so suddenly?

Lin Bei immediately felt brimming with confidence.

"Come in."

Lin Bei's voice was calm and easygoing, with confidence as its defining note.

Zhang Teng pushed the door open and entered.

"Master, I've grasped the principles of Tai Chi, but I still have a few questions. Please enlighten me."

Lin Bei's understanding of Tai Chi had now reached a transcendent level.

Hearing that Zhang Teng had questions, he was instantly filled with confidence.

"A master's duty is to impart the Way, teach his skills, and dispel confusion," Lin Bei said with a smile. "Ask whatever you wish."

Zhang Teng hesitated, then spoke.

"Master, Tai Chi is exquisite, but it seems to have nothing to do with the Immortal Cultivation Method."

Although his tone was humble, the doubt in it all but pierced Lin Bei's eardrums.

Oh, no!

Was this kid starting to suspect he was a fraud?

Martial artists really weren't easy to fool!

Stay calm!

He had to bluff his way through this.

Lin Bei took a deep breath and swept a cold gaze over him.

Zhang Teng immediately felt an invisible pressure.

"You study without mastering anything and know only the barest surface, yet you reach so far beyond your grasp. You want to learn the Immortal Cultivation Method? You aren't qualified yet!"

Zhang Teng jolted, hastily lowering his head and cupping his fist.

"Please calm your anger, Master... I was too impatient. My dantian is shattered, and I've heard that the Immortal Cultivation Method is profoundly mysterious. But after learning Tai Chi, I felt it was no different from an ordinary martial skill... That was why I began to have doubts."

Although Zhang Teng was apologizing.

Lin Bei knew that unless he gave a satisfactory answer...

That seed of doubt would only grow larger and larger.

Tai Chi could fool people who had never practiced martial arts, but not martial artists.

He took a deep breath.

Lin Bei's expression softened somewhat.

"It's only natural for you to have such questions. After all, you've only just crossed the threshold."

Zhang Teng assumed the posture of someone listening respectfully to instruction.

"Teng'er, immortal cultivation places great importance on comprehension. It seems you still haven't found the proper approach."

At those words, although Zhang Teng still appeared to be listening earnestly...

A flicker of suspicion crossed his eyes.

Lin Bei understood that this kid was doubting him. He immediately stopped wasting words, brushed off his clothes, and stood with a sweep of his sleeves.

"Teng'er, today your master will impart the method. Follow me, and I'll show you what true Tai Chi is! And why I call Tai Chi a foundation establishment method for immortal cultivation."

With that, Lin Bei strode through the doorway, his steps light, carrying something of a grandmaster's bearing.

Along the way.

Drawing on his memories from before transmigrating, Lin Bei began bluffing for all he was worth.

"What we call tai chi is the principle of Yin-Yang, the source of heaven and earth..."

"Teng'er, you've crossed the threshold of Tai Chi, which means you already understand how to combine hardness and softness."

"Next, you must comprehend Yin-Yang, bring yourself into harmony with heaven, and ultimately reach the realm of unity between man and heaven."

Lin Bei continued his bluff.

"Only through unity between man and heaven can you enter a state of clear emptiness and qualify to approach the threshold of cultivation."

"When that time comes, I will teach you the Breath-Channeling Method. Only then will you truly have crossed the threshold. Do you understand?"

The suspicion on Zhang Teng's face diminished somewhat.

They arrived at the training ground.

The many apprentices all turned to look.

"Today, I will demonstrate what tai chi truly is! Remember: watch closely... and contemplate deeply!"

Without further ado, Lin Bei assumed Tai Chi's opening stance.

He shifted his weight to the right, lifted his left foot to step outward, then raised both hands.

Lin Bei's seemingly casual movements gave off a profound, mysterious air.

Zhang Teng's pupils narrowed slightly...

To his eyes, every move Lin Bei made seemed utterly natural, in an indescribable harmony with heaven and earth.

Man in harmony with heaven.

Unity between man and heaven.

Those mysterious phrases that had once left him bewildered...

Now seemed to have taken tangible form.

Although Zhang Teng had only just crossed the threshold of Tai Chi...

At that moment, he felt that his own fist technique and Lin Bei's were entirely different things.

Between stillness and motion, between softness and hardness, profound principles seemed to lie hidden.

Many of the village apprentices studying Tai Chi around them also became absorbed in it without realizing.

"Incredible! I haven't even crossed the threshold, but I can still feel how profound Tai Chi is!"

"As expected of Master. This demonstration is different from the previous ones. I can barely make sense of it."

"Obviously. We haven't even crossed the threshold, so of course he taught us the basics. Senior Brother Zhang Teng has already crossed it, so naturally the demonstration is different."

At that moment, Zhang Teng's doubts about Lin Bei vanished without a trace.

Vaguely, he even felt as though he had achieved a sweeping enlightenment.

As expected, the Immortal Cultivation Method and the martial path were entirely different! I had to cast aside my mistaken ideas, or I would never cross the threshold of immortal cultivation.

The demonstration of the full routine ended.

Lin Bei brought his practice to a close.

Seeing the enlightened look in Zhang Teng's eyes, he inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

He'd awed him into submission!

"Teng'er, have you gained any insight?"

Zhang Teng abruptly dropped to one knee. "Honored Master, I actually doubted the Tai Chi you taught me based on nothing but my own feelings. I am deeply ashamed."

"Your fist technique is truly profound... I haven't been able to comprehend it in such a short time."

Lin Bei answered with a smile. "If you haven't comprehended it, then contemplate it properly! Remember, you must not grow restless or impatient. Empty yourself and feel heaven and earth."

"Your disciple has learned his lesson."

"Go practice diligently. I hope you can become the first disciple under me to knock open the door to immortal cultivation."

Lin Bei casually offered a word of encouragement.

Zhang Teng immediately seemed as though he had been injected with chicken blood.

"Rest assured, Master. Your disciple will do everything in his power."

Outwardly, Lin Bei nodded in satisfaction, but inwardly, he wished he could slap himself.

His habit of bluffing had flared up again!

Zhang Teng was already a martial artist. What if he quickly comprehended Tai Chi's mysteries and reached perfection?

What the hell was he supposed to teach him the Breath-Channeling Method with?

He hadn't made one up yet! Martial artists weren't easy to fool.

Just then.

A male villager suddenly came running over from nearby, his face full of anxiety.

"Something's wrong! Master Lin, something's wrong! There's been trouble!"