The origins of internal cultivation and people of the martial world

Chu Tianshu's feelings at that moment were quite surreal.

From childhood to adulthood, he had always heard that the rate of Spirit Communication Aperture Opening was far lower than that of Boxer Aperture Opening.

The same situation occurred in the worlds I had traveled to before.

However, in this world today, internal energy cultivation is the mainstream.

If everyone who practices Spirit Communication Aperture Opening, then this world would be overflowing with spiritual beings.

However, he quickly realized that they didn't pretend to be martial artists; they genuinely believed themselves to be martial artists.

They couldn't cast spells, and most of them had never seen ghosts or monsters.

Even when Chu Tianshu personally fought Miaofan, he didn't feel that the other party's internal energy was anything special.

It feels similar to the internal strength that people cultivate back in my hometown.

After they gained Spirit Communication Aperture Opening, they took a sharp turn and embarked on the path of internal energy martial arts practitioners.

However, the internal energy Refining Essence into Qi ".

The unique feature of internal energy cultivation in this world can be described as "Refining Spirit into Qi".

Chu Tianshu perused many ancient books in the Southern Shaolin and roughly pieced together a clue.

Long ago, when the ancestors of this region embarked on their spiritual cultivation, most of them entered the path of Spirit Communication Aperture Opening.

It was a natural progression, following the path of cultivating Mind Power.

They can display wondrous abilities akin to magic, but those who follow this path rarely live long and are prone to mood swings.

Their emotions are prone to extreme highs and lows; they are easily driven to madness or depression. Despite enjoying the adoration of the world, suicides are not uncommon.

Those who live a little longer are more likely to fall into hallucinations, and may experience lethargy and delirium.

People kept searching for a way out and finally figured out a method to cultivate the feeling of Qi immediately after Aperture Opening.

Instead of pursuing the wondrous mysteries of magic, they focused solely on the "qi" flowing within their bodies.

This practice has been passed down through generations, leaving later generations completely unaware of how to cultivate Mind Power.

They had all cultivated internal energy long before they developed Mind Power.

After learning about these things, Chu Tianshu couldn't help but think of the Mist and Rosy Clouds Realm Layer that had once trapped him.

Even with his cultivation level when he entered the realm, he felt immense pressure and was almost swept away by the undercurrent.

Those with shallow spiritual skills are likely to be easily corrupted and lose their minds.

Growing up locally, even with opportunities to deepen their Mind Power, they are constantly surrounded by pollution, making it a truly perilous path.

The high rate of Spirit Communication Aperture Opening among the locals is likely due to the existence of that Mist and Rosy Clouds Realm Layer.

It was also because of the Mist and Rosy Clouds Realm Layer that everyone embarked on the path of "Refining Spirit into Qi it into qi".

Internal energy is not as sensitive as Mind Power; even when one's foundation is weak, there's little need to worry about it being affected.

After Chu Tianshu figured out these things, he thought of his "Secret Incantations of Vertical and Horizontal Method".

If the "Secret Incantations of Vertical and Horizontal Method" could be extended by another half, focusing on how to transform Mind Power into internal energy, it could probably be considered a martial art.

Once I've gathered enough materials, I can work through this process.

When the first part, which mainly discusses the Mind Power, is taught, it will be as if you have received the best guidance from a master, making your practice much more detailed and smooth.

It can also connect the essence, energy, and spirit, allowing one's Mind Power cultivation to no longer be independent of martial arts.

This allows the achievements of previous cultivation to be directly inherited and carried forward.

Vajra Samadhi, Sky-Spanning Art, and the Vertical and Horizontal Method —all are self-sufficient.

However, the Southern Shaolin Kung Fu techniques lack high potential and only explain how to cultivate internal energy after achieving spiritual connection.

Contemporary martial artists do not know how to convert Mind Power into internal energy.

Even if Chu Tianshu read through all the internal martial arts manuals of Southern Shaolin and pieced them together with the "Secret Incantations of Vertical and Horizontal," he still couldn't connect the dots.

That's something you'll have to do yourself.

Once our power grows stronger, we can try to collect secret manuals from other sects.

Recently, he taught the introductory chapter of "The Sky-Spanning Divine Art" to those in Shaolin who practice hard kung fu.

Because of its complex circumstances, it is not suitable for comparison.

He planned to observe the differences between the state of ordinary people Refining Essence into Qi and cultivating internal strength, and the state of other martial monks who had just cultivated internal strength through "Refining Spirit into Qi".

This will help us find the true key to "Refining Spirit into Qi and transforming it into qi" and examine it further.

"Amitabha Buddha."

Miaogao was somewhat ashamed, "Layman, we haven't made any progress in mastering the introductory chapters of that divine skill yet."

Chu Tianshu asked suspiciously, "It's one thing for others, but these two masters of the 'Miao' generation haven't even developed a sense of Qi yet?"

The two old monks exchanged a glance, both with bitter expressions, and shook their heads.

Miaoji said, "After much thought, we feel that the difficulty in getting started is not solely due to a lack of aptitude. This divine skill manual, even at the introductory stage, is already quite difficult and profound, and its intent is extremely high, giving one a sense of the essence of many Daoist mystical principles."

"We are all Buddhist disciples, and our views differ, so it is truly difficult for us to understand."

Chu Tianshu was taken aback.

After his cultivation method was deduced using the token, it was as if he had been taught by a top master. Moreover, even without the token, he had cultivated since childhood and had no prejudice against any particular sect.

After all, "The Ghost Gate Witch Doctor" contains a hodgepodge of medical techniques, including Daoist and Buddhist medical methods, as well as some acupuncture and incantation techniques from unknown sects.

The key to shamanic annotations is to "write down what's useful first."

As for how exactly it produces results, and which company's philosophy is more correct.

Don't worry about anything else, just focus on saving them.

As for the rest... let's trust in the wisdom of future generations.

The lineage of witch doctors has developed in a complex and slow manner, always remaining a side branch and unable to emerge from the mainstream. This may be because they lack strong cohesion and have not established an unbreakable lineage.

But this also prevents them from blindly believing in the technological concepts of any particular era.

This can be described as the lineage with the shallowest sectarian bias.

"Oh, there's that factor too."

Chu Tianshu pondered for a moment, "Alright, let me think of a way to modify it. How's your practice of other boxing techniques going?"

The monks get really excited when this is mentioned.

Judging from everyone's expressions, they all wished they could rehearse with Chu Tianshu.

The sight of so many bald men bustling about, their eager and enthusiastic expressions, made the entire training ground even brighter.

"Among the Shaolin Fist, there were several forms that the monks practiced with great concentration."

Miaogao, however, prevailed over the others, saying, "This humble monk is not only quite proficient in those boxing stances, but also has a slight understanding of the Immortal Force."

He walked toward the large vat and began to speak.

"As the saying goes, 'Drawing water from the pit and filling fire from the fire, lead and mercury embracing each other,' this metaphorically describes the strength and gentleness of the heart and kidneys, accumulating gentleness to achieve perfection."

Miaogao stretched out her palm, moved her five fingers, and her palm turned bright red as she swept it across the outside of the large water vat.

Suddenly, the water tank emitted a buzzing sound, and the spring water inside began to swirl.

Miaoji, seeing the opportunity to hunt, was delighted and went over as well.

"The highest virtue is water. Blood and water are both soft yet powerful. With the softest thing in the world, one can overcome the hardest thing. Blood flows around the bones, and blood drives the strength of the bones."

Miaoji stood to the side of a large vat and slapped it with his hand.

The large vat wobbled and bumped into another vat.

Suddenly, the water in the other vat exploded into a large spray.

The water in the two jars swayed for a long time, but neither jar broke.

Chu Tianshu clapped his hands in praise, "Excellent!"

Good heavens, this is just the introductory chapter of the Sky-Spanning Divine Art, and you're telling me there are too many Daoist mystical principles.

You guys seem to be practicing the Immortal Force of the Golden Toad Sect Daoists quite diligently.

Chu Tianshu suspected that their prejudices were not due to any sectarian differences between Daoism and Buddhism.

Instead, they were so used to physical training that they never thought they could practice internal energy cultivation.

Should we find some young people who haven't yet mastered hard skills to teach them?

However, the beginner's guide to this divine skill is indeed quite difficult.

Feng Jianhua said at the time that several people with above-average aptitude had learned the Heaven-Hating Art.

But that above-average aptitude was based on comparisons with himself, and even with Chu Tianshu.

"That's good, that's good."

Miaogao was overjoyed. "I never imagined that external martial arts could be practiced to such a degree that one could achieve such a perfect balance of hardness and softness."

"After receiving guidance from the lay Buddhist recently, it was as if everything had suddenly become clear."

"If these skills are practiced to their peak, they might not be inferior to the abbot's and others' internal energy cultivation."

The monks couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Originally, most of these people could have been selected when the sharpshooter was chosen.

However, Chu Tianshu saw that their foundation was very solid. Once they practiced the exquisite boxing techniques, they could be said to have accumulated a lot of experience and made significant progress in a short period of time.

Even if most people can't cultivate internal strength, practicing fist techniques first will significantly increase their combat power before they take up arms in the future.

Therefore, all the monks who practiced martial arts were left in the temple.

The monks who practiced martial arts had no complaints when they learned of this decision.

Within the Southern Shaolin, although overt discrimination is forbidden, the entire martial arts world considers external martial arts to be crude.

These monks were willing to stay in the temple, practicing diligently day after day, which had long since tempered their character into something extremely resilient.

After Chu Tianshu taught them several styles of boxing, the monks went from having "no complaints" to being overjoyed.

Looking across the Southern Shaolin, this group's level of support for Chu Tianshu must be the highest.

Chu Tianshu also intended to train them into a unit with endurance far exceeding that of ordinary martial monks.

"Morning exercise shouldn't be too strenuous; you should eat something."

Chu Tianshu smiled and asked, "Are we having milk porridge again this morning?"

The monks of the Southern Shaolin also have a tradition of drinking milk porridge. However, most of the monks who practice internal martial arts have a light diet and do not like the smell of milk porridge.

Those who practice hard skills often have a wider diet and a larger appetite.

After tasting it once, Chu Tianshu told the monks not to be reluctant to add sugar.

Milk porridge tastes much better now.

Chu Tianshu had filled a pot with tea and pastries at the foot of the mountain, and now he wouldn't mind having a bowl of thick, fragrant porridge as well.

Everyone went to have breakfast together and then returned to the Arhat Hall.

Chu Tianshu lived here. He cultivated in the morning, simplified the beginner's guide to the divine skill in the afternoon, took over news and intelligence from the outside, and went to the weapon workshop in the evening.

These days, the news has spread far and wide, causing a sensation in the martial arts world of the South.

Once the banner of resistance against Japanese pirates was raised, no one could utter a single word of dissent against the Southern Shaolin.

As for external resistance, it has not yet penetrated into Eight Min Province. The Southern Shaolin is not in a hurry to attack. Instead, it recruits local militia and sends monks to teach them swordsmanship and martial arts for self-defense.

The government has already sent commendations several times, and Miaofan and his group have covered up any inquiries about the Southern Shaolin's movements.

Many gentry and wealthy merchants also came to offer incense and worship Buddha, and donated money for incense offerings.

Although Chu Tianshu only cared about training troops and didn't often go to the front hall, he frequently heard the sounds of gongs and drums.

These past two days have been particularly lively, seemingly because those wealthy merchants, realizing they might not be able to compete with their peers in terms of donations alone, have resorted to different methods.

They always had to spend some money to hire a large number of villagers from the surrounding area to make it look like the villagers had spontaneously presented a plaque to the Southern Shaolin.

"In the coastal areas, there are indeed people who spontaneously express their gratitude by sending gifts, but sending plaques..."

Chan Master Miaokong was also in the Arhat Hall today, sitting at the stone table, shaking his head and laughing, "Since the villagers nearby have already earned some money, I won't expose them."

Chu Tianshu seemed to be lost in thought, holding the calligraphy brush, and didn't hear Miaokong speak.

But as soon as Miaokong paused, he interjected, "I think you're actually very happy. The endless stream of pilgrims and the widespread renown are exactly what a monk has always wished for."

Miaokong chanted a Buddhist prayer and smiled without saying a word.

"Officials, merchants, and the common people are all showing goodwill towards the Southern Shaolin, but those with true insight are probably waiting for the Japanese pirates' reaction."

Chu Tianshu asked, "Any new intelligence?"

Miaokong's smile faded, "I've heard that Chen Zuqi often operates in Japan and has even sailed as far as the Western Regions Barbarian lands. It's hard to say where he is now, but we have already pacified the coastal areas of Eight Min and cracked down on many pirate gangs."

"His business of Japanese swords has been severely impacted; he will definitely receive the news."

The monk frowned. "In our estimation, even before he makes a move, one of his adopted sons should have already started to stir."

"But we haven't been able to find out where his adopted sons are going. Do they really intend to wait for Chen Zuqi to personally take action and finish the job in one fell swoop?"

Chu Tianshu licked the inkstone with his pen.

"I instructed you to obscure my presence in all your communications; you did a good job."

He pondered, "Do you think it's possible that Flowing Cloud Manor believes Southern Shaolin can't withstand the Japanese pirates' counterattack, and therefore is helping to weaken some of their forces?"

When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits; the fight must be made even fiercer.

Miaokong's eyes flickered, and she was about to speak.

Chu Tianshu suddenly looked up at the wall, his eyes gleaming, and said loudly, "My friend, you must have come up the mountain in the procession with the gongs and drums, right?"

"But the speed at which you broke away from the crowd and circled around to the back mountain is something those guards hired by the merchants couldn't match."

Miaokong looked surprised and got up to look.

A young man dressed in black appeared on the wall. He looked to be under thirty, with sharp features, thin lips, and a long sword at his waist.

Miaokong said in a deep voice, "Who are you, trespassing into the Southern Shaolin Temple?"

"Southern Shaolin has been making quite a splash lately. Let those who know what's good for them go up the mountain, and let those with discernment wait and see."

The young man's voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't had water in a long time.

"But in this vast world, besides these two types of people, there are always other kinds of people."

Chu Tianshu calmly asked, "What kind of person?"

(End of this chapter)