In the quietude following the night of celebration, Zhang Liwei found himself alone in his guest room within the estate of the Li Clan, its walls whispering tales of ancient valor and wisdom. The sun, barely cresting the horizon, cast a soft glow through the lattice window, illuminating the intricate patterns on the wooden table where Liwei sat. Before him lay the unrolled bone slips, each character etched with the weight of history and knowledge. It was the Great Earth Breathing Cycle technique—a treasure he had unearthed from the depths of the underground city's forgotten library.
With the solemnity of a sage and the focus of a seasoned warrior, Liwei poured over the ancient script. He understood the gravity of his endeavor; navigating the complex paths of Qi cultivation without a guide was akin to traversing a labyrinth blindfolded. Each character, each phrase, he committed to memory with absolute precision, aware that the slightest misunderstanding could lead to disaster.
The Great Earth Breathing Cycle technique was a profound departure from his familiar Mountain Breathing Method. Whereas his previous cultivation practice had emphasized the extraction and refinement of Earth Qi from the surroundings to fortify oneself, this new method proposed a symbiosis with the Earth Qi itself. It spoke of becoming a part of the great cycle of the earth—where life springs from the earth and, upon its end, returns to it. This cycle of giving and receiving, of birth and death, resonated deeply with Liwei. He marveled at the wisdom of its creator, who had perceived and distilled such a fundamental truth of existence into a cultivation technique. To Liwei, this was not just a method but a revelation, offering insight into the very essence of life and the universe.
As the morning waned, Liwei carefully rolled the precious bone slips and tucked them into his knapsack. Though he had memorized the technique, he knew he would return to these ancient words repeatedly, seeking deeper understanding and connection with the profound insights they held.
With the slips secured, Liwei stepped out of his room, his mind still echoing with the revelations of the Great Earth Breathing Cycle. He sought out Steward Yang, remembering the assurance given by Patriarch Li that they, as esteemed guests, could approach the steward for any necessities. The estate of the Li Clan was vast, a testament to their power and heritage, but Liwei's purpose was singular—to find a place where he could delve into the depths of his new cultivation practice without disturbance.
Steward Yang, upon hearing Liwei's request for a seclusion chamber, nodded with an understanding smile. Such requests were common among cultivators, for whom the quest for advancement often required isolation from the external world's distractions and dangers.
The steward led Liwei through the serene paths of the estate, past gardens where the morning dew still clung to the petals of blooming flowers, and finally to a building set apart from the liveliness of the inner courtyards. This seclusion chamber, designed with both safety and solitude in mind, stood as a fortress of tranquility amidst the bustling life of the estate. Its walls, thick and imbued with protective runes, promised to shield the occupant from the outside world and contain any unforeseen consequences of intense cultivation.
As Liwei entered the chamber, he felt a profound sense of anticipation. Here, he would embark on a journey into the depths of the Great Earth Breathing Cycle, exploring the resonances between his Qi and the eternal cycle of the earth. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but for Zhang Liwei, each step was a stride toward a deeper understanding of the world and his place within it.
Upon entering the seclusion chamber and closing the door behind him, Zhang Liwei felt the bustling noises of the world outside cease, enveloping him in a blanket of silence. This immediate transition into tranquility signaled the beginning of his deep dive into the realms of cultivation. Surveying his surroundings, he noted the chamber's simplicity, designed not for comfort but for the singular purpose of aiding those on the path of cultivation. The natural stone tiles underfoot gleamed with a pearlescent sheen, their cool surface a reminder of the chamber's connection to the earth's essence.
In one corner, porcelain pots were arranged with meticulous care, some filled with water to quench physical thirst, others with Nourishment Pills to sustain the body during prolonged periods of cultivation. These pills, crafted from grains and precious ingredients, were vital for a cultivator secluded from the world, ensuring their physical form did not wither as their spirit soared.
At the heart of the chamber sat a soft cultivation cushion, bathed in a shaft of natural light that pierced the otherwise dim surroundings. Around this focal point, formations had been meticulously arranged to draw Qi from the environment and concentrate it at the center, enriching the space with an abundance of life force.
Zhang Liwei felt a wave of gratitude towards Li Yunxian and her family for providing such an ideal environment for his cultivation. He made a silent vow to repay their kindness when he became more capable.
Settling onto the cushion, Zhang Liwei began his practice. He first stilled his breath, letting the rhythm of his inhalations and exhalations smooth out the wrinkles of his mind, preparing him for the intense focus required. With his body and spirit aligned, he silently recited the verses of the Great Earth Breathing Cycle, turning his attention inward to the orb of Qi nestled within his Dantian.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Responding to his focused intent, the Qi Orb began to glow with a golden yellow light, a beacon in the depths of his being. Taking a deep breath as instructed by the ancient technique, Liwei felt a surge of dense, golden yellow Earth Qi rush towards him, entering his body through the Baihui acupoint at the crown of his head. This Qi, rich and vibrant, encircled him in a large ring before part of it flowed into his meridians, nourishing his body with the essence of the earth.
As he directed this Qi through his meridian pathways, Zhang Liwei observed the transformation within. The Qi, once golden and vibrant, dulled to a muted yellow as it circulated, losing its initial vitality. This phenomenon, while unexpected, aligned with the teachings of the Great Earth Breathing Cycle; inhalation brought in fresh Qi, enriching the body, while exhalation expelled the impurities, a process of purification and renewal.
Zhang Liwei continued this cycle, drawing in the earth's Qi and expelling the tainted remnants, each breath a step deeper into the profound mysteries of the Great Earth Breathing Cycle. With each cycle, his understanding deepened, not just of the technique, but of the interconnectedness of life and the earth, of the cycles of giving and receiving that bound all things.
This moment of cultivation, secluded from the world in a chamber built by those who understood the cultivator's journey, was more than just a step in Zhang Liwei's path; it was a profound connection to the earth itself, a realization of the delicate balance between taking and returning, between growth and decay. In the silence of the seclusion chamber, Liwei not only cultivated his Qi but also nurtured a deeper wisdom, a recognition of his place in the great cycle of the earth.
Lost in this blissful communion, time ceased to exist for Liwei. When he finally emerged from his deep state of cultivation, he felt reborn, imbued with a fresh sense of purpose and vitality. Unsure of how much time had passed, he moved to nourish his body with the provided Nutrition Pills. The burst of flavors from the pills was a delightful surprise, each one a meticulous blend of grains and precious ingredients that revitalized him thoroughly.
Feeling reinvigorated, Liwei decided to take a brief respite from his intensive Qi cultivation. His thoughts turned to the scroll given by the patriarch, detailing the Eternal Daoist Sect and their disciple selection rites.
As Zhang Liwei unfurled the parchment detailing the Eternal Daoist Sect. This document, while concise, offered a window into the esteemed sect that he and Feng Hao aspired to join, sketching out the framework of its hierarchy, foundational beliefs, and the rigorous disciple selection process.
The sect was named in honor of its esteemed founder, the revered Grandmaster Liang Wen, who is also known by his spiritual title, Eternal Dao. This distinguished Daoist master focused his teachings on the principles of harmony and balance, leading the sect to prosper in the lush surroundings of the Wuyi Mountains. The sacred territory of the sect is divided into five major divisions, each dedicated to a specific path of cultivation: divination, spiritual alchemy, martial prowess, inner harmony, and geomancy. These divisions together create a comprehensive framework for the cultivation journey, guided by the wisdom and insights of Grandmaster Eternal Dao.
Liwei's gaze lingered on the descriptions of these divisions, his heart pulled in multiple directions by the allure of their specialized knowledge. The path of a cultivator was marked by the choices one made, and here lay five diverging roads, each promising its own brand of enlightenment and power. Yet, the wisdom of his journey thus far whispered caution against the temptation to scatter his focus. "Mastery demands dedication," he reminded himself, resolving to discuss these options with Feng Hao, whose insights had always served as a beacon in moments of indecision.
The scroll detailed further the hierarchical structure within the sect—a system designed to nurture growth and excellence among its disciples. Initial acceptance as an Outer Sect Disciple was but the first step in a ladder that stretched towards the heavens. Progress was marked by one's ability to excel in the chosen division's examination, a test of both skill and spirit. Yet, those who proved their mettle could ascend to the Inner Sect Disciple status, gaining access to deeper mysteries and more potent cultivation methods. The ultimate honor lay in being chosen as a Core Disciple, a recognition of one's contributions to the sect and a testament to their potential to shape the future of the Daoist way.
Liwei pondered the journey of cultivation that lay ahead, from the foundational steps as an Outer Sect Disciple to the lofty heights of Core Disciple. Each rank offered not just a deeper immersion into the sect's sacred arts but also the chance to embark on missions that would forge his will and refine his abilities. The prospect of earning contribution points and exchanging them for treasures and techniques stirred a fire within him, fueling dreams of the day he might stand among the sect's most revered practitioners.
As he rolled the scroll back, his mind teemed with visions of the path ahead. The challenges that awaited him were as numerous as the stars, yet the promise of ascending through the sect's ranks filled him with a resolve as enduring as the mountains themselves. In his heart, Zhang Liwei harbored no illusions about the arduous journey to mastery. Yet, the very thought of treading this path, of dedicating his life to the pursuit of the Dao under the guidance of Grandmaster Eternal Dao, kindled a determination that burned brighter than the noonday sun.
Standing alone in the seclusion chamber, the scroll clasped firmly in his hands, Liwei felt a profound connection to the generations of cultivators who had walked this path before him. The journey to the Eternal Daoist Sect was more than a quest for power—it was a pilgrimage towards the essence of existence, a trial by fire that would forge his spirit in the image of the eternal Dao. With a heart full of dreams and a spirit unyielded, Zhang Liwei was ready to step forward into the unknown, ready to embrace the trials and triumphs that awaited on the path to enlightenment and beyond.