Zhang Teng did not need to speak for Lin Bei to know what he was thinking.
Most likely, they had arrived at the same thought.
"Come..."
Lin Bei wasted no words. He turned and headed toward the Martial Arts Grounds.
Zhang Teng followed close behind.
As soon as they reached the Martial Arts Grounds, Zhang Teng saw Tieniu standing frozen in place, then noticed the paper and brush in his hands.
In particular, the paper bearing the words "Tai Chi" gave him food for thought.
Just then.
Lin Bei's voice sounded beside Zhang Teng's ear.
"Some roads, you have to walk yourself."
Zhang Teng immediately realized something.
He understood that Lin Bei was reminding him not to try to help Tieniu work things out.
As they spoke, they entered the Martial Arts Grounds, and many apprentices from the martial arts hall greeted them along the way.
"Teng, I know what you're wondering. You want to ask why cultivating the Breath-Absorbing Art became faster after your Tai Chi broke its limit?"
Zhang Teng nodded repeatedly, his face full of admiration.
His expression seemed to say that his master truly knew everything.
Lin Bei smiled faintly. "Now, I have those same words for you."
Lin Bei said calmly, "Some things can only be understood, not conveyed in words. Some roads, you have to walk yourself."
Zhang Teng nodded obediently.
"You're right, Master."
Just then.
Lin Bei stepped into an open space in the Martial Arts Grounds and raised his hands slightly.
Seeing Lin Bei assume the opening stance of Tai Chi, Zhang Teng immediately focused all his attention.
The instant Lin Bei raised his hands, Zhang Teng suddenly experienced a wondrous sensation.
He could sense that as Lin Bei began practicing Tai Chi, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth seemed to resonate with him.
Every move and stance, every motion and stillness, seemed to embody the principles of heaven and earth, Yin-Yang.
At that moment.
Seeing that Zhang Teng seemed on the verge of understanding, Lin Bei immediately recalled Laozi's description of Yin-Yang.
Striking while the iron was hot, he spoke softly.
"All things bear Yin upon their backs and embrace Yang, blending their energies to achieve harmony. Only by understanding the principles of Yin-Yang can one comprehend the Dao of heaven and earth."
Zhang Teng listened carefully to every word. Watching Lin Bei's Tai Chi, he felt flashes of inspiration burst through his mind.
"Tai Chi... breath absorption... breath absorption... Tai Chi."
Zhang Teng murmured.
"All things bear yin upon their backs and embrace yang, blending their energies to achieve harmony?"
Suddenly, a brilliant light flashed in his eyes.
The bewilderment in his murmuring voice gave way to understanding.
"Blending their energies to achieve harmony!"
The instant Zhang Teng uttered those words, an expression of profound enlightenment appeared on his face.
Along with that enlightenment came a hint of confidence and wild joy.
It was as though he were saying... I've got it!
At the same time.
A voice sounded in Lin Bei's mind.
[Your disciple has comprehended the principles of Tai Chi, integrating Tai Chi with the Breath-Absorbing Art and gaining enlightenment in the (Tai Chi Breath-Absorbing Art): first limit-breaking.] [Your Breath-Absorbing Art has advanced to the (Tai Chi Breath-Absorbing Art): second limit-breaking.]
In an instant, all manner of insights flooded his mind.
Many profound principles that he had previously only half understood were now completely clear!
At that moment.
Lin Bei was deeply shaken.
The Tai Chi Breath-Absorbing Art merely had the words "Tai Chi" added to its name.
Yet its cultivation speed had skyrocketed tenfold.
And that was not even the most important part!
What was the most important part?
The Tai Chi Breath-Absorbing Art had completely opened up Lin Bei's thinking...
Previously, he had still been fumbling around for a way to fabricate Dao-method wielding, as insubstantial as a castle in the air.
But now, not only did he have an idea of how to proceed, he also had a clear direction for establishing the foundations of Dao-method wielding.
The gains.
Were tremendous!
Just then.
Zhang Teng looked at Lin Bei, his face full of reverence.
"Master! I understand! I've comprehended the Tai Chi Breath-Absorbing Art."
Lin Bei could see Zhang Teng's joy and eagerness!
He understood that Zhang Teng was anxious to enter seclusion, organize and consolidate his insights, and fully integrate his understanding of the Tai Chi Breath-Absorbing Art.
"Go into seclusion!"
"Please forgive your disciple's discourtesy!"
After bowing, Zhang Teng said nothing more and flew back to the Quiet Chamber where he cultivated in seclusion.
At that moment.
Lin Bei glanced at Tieniu.
Tieniu had already moved into a small pavilion nearby, where he sat staring intently at the paper and brush.
Originally, Lin Bei had only had a bold idea about how to teach Tieniu.
He had no confidence whatsoever that it would work.
But now that he had mastered the Tai Chi Breath-Absorbing Art, that bold idea had gone from a blind gamble to something with a slim chance of success.
I hope you can understand my intentions and prove your comprehension. Otherwise, how could you fish out my "flowers in a mirror and moon in the water"?
With that silent thought, Lin Bei wasted no more time and turned to leave.
Zhang Teng was eager to return and enter seclusion. Was he not just as eager himself?
Previously, reaching the fourth stage of body refining might have taken another half day. Now, if he seized this opportunity while his insights were fresh, he might break through in less than an hour!
Time passed.
Elsewhere.
In Qingyun Town, a young woman was trussed up in full view of everyone and dragged straight into an inn.
"Who are those people? How can they be so brazen, tying that young woman up and hauling her into an inn in broad daylight?"
"I saw Martial Artists from the White River Martial Arts Hall. They didn't intervene, so perhaps it isn't anything criminal?"
The White River Martial Arts Hall was responsible for maintaining order in this area.
At those words, understanding dawned on many faces.
"What did that young woman do?"
"Who knows? But the people who caught her are wearing clothes similar to hers. Perhaps they're from the same lineage?"
At the same time.
At the Prosperous Fortune Inn.
Three attendants from the Zhang Household seized Zhang Xiaoxiao and tossed her directly before a young man.
"Young Master, we've brought her back!"
The young man looked at Zhang Xiaoxiao, a contemptuous smirk curling his lips.
"Zhang Xiaoxiao, you ran pretty fast, didn't you? Did you go to tip him off?"
The speaker was none other than.
The current young master of the Zhang Household.
Zhang Tao!
"Zhang Tao, what is the meaning of this? Aren't you afraid the lineage elders will punish you for treating me this way?"
Zhang Xiaoxiao struggled, but the ropes were too tight for her to break free.
"Punish me?" Zhang Tao sneered.
"I'm here to arrest Zhang Teng, and you, the one who tipped him off, still dare to spout such insolent nonsense?"
"Who's the criminal?"
"You! Don't think no one knows what you've done."
Zhang Xiaoxiao shouted angrily, "My elder brother is not a criminal!"
Without another word, Zhang Tao slammed his hand on the table and splashed the wine in his hand onto Zhang Xiaoxiao's face.
"The victor is king; the loser, a bandit."
With that, Zhang Tao walked straight up to Zhang Xiaoxiao and clamped both hands around her chin.
"Now you're a prisoner, and you've committed an offense. As the young master, I'll teach you a proper lesson!"
Smack!
A resounding slap struck her face!
Tears streamed down Zhang Xiaoxiao's face like rain on pear blossoms.
"When I heard news of Zhang Teng, I even gave up my chance to obtain a Martial Intent Pill and rushed here at once."
"If Zhang Teng escapes because of you, can your branch bear the consequences?"
Zhang Xiaoxiao protested through her sobs, "I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Playing dumb? Do you think you can get away with that?"
Zhang Tao sneered, stood up, and instructed the attendants beside him.
"Let's go! To the Martial Arts Grounds!"
"Seal off every road around the Martial Arts Grounds. Zhang Teng must not escape!"
Before you continue