"Imitation Primordial Qi, Soul Sensing, these are your strengths."
As the two continued on their journey, Yu Ci, still basking in the praise, found Elder Jie Liang shifting the conversation:
"However, if you possess a particularly prominent strength, your thoughts naturally gravitate towards it, often focusing on one aspect and neglecting others. You must understand that each realm of cultivation consists of a combination of heart, skill, body, essence, energy and spirit. These aspects are interrelated, and focusing on one may bring temporary benefits, but eventually progress will stagnate until all aspects are perfected, only then can true stability be achieved.
"The Primordial Root Qi Method I am about to teach you emphasizes the unity of the Physical Spirit at the beginner stage. It is crucial to have a comprehensive grasp, without bias or neglect, you need to understand this."
"A comprehensive grasp?"
"Correct, consider yourself as an indivisible Physical Image, from this, cultivate a Mental Image, allowing the Mental Image and Physical Image to resonate with each other. After the initial stage, focus solely on cultivating the Mental Image, by enriching the Mental Image, the Physical Image can be perfected."
Yu Ci, overwhelmed by the constant mention of Mental Image and Physical Image, hurriedly asked, "Master Jie Liang, what exactly are Mental Image and Physical Image?"
Elder Jie Liang explained calmly, "In the Primordial Root Qi Method, the so-called Physical Image refers to your Physical Spirit. It encompasses your physical body, muscles, bones, essence, energy, Divine Soul, and cultivated temperament. However, it cannot be viewed in isolation. Understand that it is an inseparable whole, the real self that exists in the world!
"As for the Mental Image, it is based on the comprehensive understanding of oneself, abstracting from concrete elements, starting with self-perception, using metaphors. For instance, if someone feels invigorated and his thoughts soar, picturing himself as a giant roc soaring in the sky, then his Mental Image is the roc. If someone is gloomy and mysterious, considering himself a venomous snake slithering through rock crevices, then his Mental Image is the venomous snake.
"Furthermore, mountains, stones, plants, the sun, moon, and stars, all can serve as Mental Images. The key point is that the Mental Image is based on self-perception. To form a Mental Image, one must first know oneself. The Mental Image is not a figment of imagination, it requires a clear understanding of oneself. Those who do not know themselves will struggle to form a Mental Image. Secondly, one must not deceive oneself or others. The exuberant cannot become venomous snakes, the secretive cannot become rocs. Deliberately changing the Mental Image is meaningless and only invites trouble."
After pondering for a while, Yu Ci finally began to understand.
"It's like the Storing Thoughts Technique."
The "Nine Houses & Moon Method" he had previously practiced was a typical example of the Storing Thoughts Technique, known as "Chasing the Moon with Colored Clouds". It uses the five internal organs' Primordial Qi as clouds, and the Brain Palace Divine Soul as the moon. These two common forms in nature are used as objects for contemplation. Through thousands of suggestive body movements, the mind and form are aligned. By then, the "cloud" is the five internal organs' Primordial Qi, and the "moon" is the Brain Palace Divine Soul, they become indistinguishable.
During his cultivation, he would focus on the concept of "Chasing the Moon with Colored Clouds". This would naturally stimulate the flow of Qi and blood, enhancing his Cultivation Level. This process allowed him to disregard the tedious details of Qi and blood transportation, adhering to the principle of "undivided attention leads to spiritual concentration". It was particularly effective in calming the mind, purifying the intentions, and nourishing the Divine Soul. After Yu Ci entered the Nature-Connecting Realm, his progress accelerated significantly, which was largely attributed to this.
Elder Jie Liang seemed to discern his thoughts, "Did you also practice the Storing Thoughts Technique before?"
"Yes."
Yu Ci explained his cultivation method, and Elder Jie Liang nodded, "My technique indeed starts with storing thoughts. It's good that you have a foundation, but the objects of our thoughts come from different origins. The moon you used to focus on belongs to the external image storing method, which is a fixed pattern taught by the classics."
At this point, he furrowed his brows in thought, finally providing a suitable analogy, "Those fixed patterns are like molds. However, the Mental Image you will focus on next is based on your own Physical Image, which needs to be derived from it."
Seeing Yu Ci nodding repeatedly, Elder Jie Liang was not as optimistic, "Understanding is easy, but implementation is difficult. You must break away from your previous obsessions and break the mold, otherwise, your previous foundation will become your greatest obstacle."
As Yu Ci responded, they had unknowingly arrived at the Still Heart Temple.
By this time, night had fallen. Yu Ci saw the gas lamps lit in front of the temple, casting chaotic shadows of people who seemed busy with something.
From afar, they spotted the figure of Bao Guang. The young Taoist also noticed them and quickly approached, greeting Elder Jie Liang first, then complaining, "Just now in the temple, a rat went mad and bit someone. It might have been infected with evil energy. The master said there might be a powerful demon lurking nearby, and we need to be on guard."
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Yu Ci and Elder Jie Liang exchanged glances, both thinking of the demonized crow.
Powerful demons had a significant influence on the Aura, and because they were incompatible with the Cultivation World, they would emit an aura of evil, unconsciously altering their surroundings to suit their needs. Weaker living beings lacked resistance and would either die or mutate under the influence of this evil aura. Mutated beings were usually aggressive and their life force greatly enhanced, but their lifespan was significantly shortened.
At this point, it was almost certain that there was a demon in the vicinity!
Upon hearing this news, Elder Jie Liang naturally wanted to discuss it with Yu Zhou. The matter of the Primordial Root Qi Method was temporarily set aside, and Yu Ci had to return to his residence first.
Perhaps due to the mutation of living beings, the Still Heart Temple was far from peaceful. Both Outer Disciples and Freelance Daoists were engaged in heated discussions. On his way home, Yu Ci was stopped by two groups of people for a discussion. There were those who were worried and those who were excited, a stark contrast to the usual tranquil atmosphere.
Yu Ci's mind was already filled with the concepts of "Physical Image" and "Mental Image" as explained by Elder Jie Liang. He didn't engage in much conversation with others, returning early to sit in the Meditation Room, carefully pondering over Elder Jie Liang's theories, his mind flickering with divine light.
When Elder Jie Liang mentioned the need to fully grasp oneself, Yu Ci was stirred. He thought back to the time under Sky Rift Valley, when Ye Tu expounded on the "Concentric Circle Theory".
At that time, Ye Tu divided the Divine Soul into three parts: Original Soul, Hidden Consciousness, and Manifest Consciousness. He regarded refining the Hidden Consciousness as the entrance to the Nature-Connecting Middle Stage, a sign of achieving the Yin Spirit. His main point was to recognize the myriad of emotions and feelings hidden within the Hidden Consciousness, and to harness the enormous potential concealed within.
Ye Tu’s discourse was limited to the Divine Soul, whereas Elder Jie Liang considered the "self" as an indivisible whole. Though the two discussed different scopes, their underlying spirit was consistent.
In a nutshell, it was about refinement!
Ye Tu once said that a qualified Longevity Method must have its unique method of "refinement". According to Yu Ci's understanding, this so-called "refinement" is essentially self-realization.
On the level of the Divine Soul, one must recognize the emotions and feelings hidden deep within the soul, utilizing what suits oneself and discarding what doesn’t; on the level of "self", the process of "birthing" the Mental Image from the Physical Image is also a process of fully understanding and deeply grasping the "self".
With this combination, Yu Ci understood where the beginning of the Primordial Root Qi Method lay and how to approach it.
Having understood the principle, Yu Ci eagerly awaited Elder Jie Liang to finish his discussion and teach him the real method. He had already informed Bao Guang, asking him to notify him once the discussion was concluded. He intended to strike while the iron was hot, pursuing Elder Jie Liang to learn this Superior Primordial Qi method.
However, it was already midnight, and Bao Guang had yet to relay any news.
Feeling somewhat impatient, Yu Ci calmed his mind, closed his eyes to meditate, gradually sensing something. Unconsciously, he began to practice the familiar "Nine Houses & Moon Method", allowing the cloud of Primordial Qi from his five viscera and the moon of Divine Soul from his Brain Palace to rub against each other, mutually resonating, entering a state of self-forgetfulness.
At some point, a cold snort suddenly sounded in his ear.
Yu Ci jolted, emerging from his contemplative state. Opening his eyes to see who sat before him with a stern face, who else could it be but Elder Jie Liang?
His heart leapt with joy, only to quickly discover that the venerable Immortal Elder Jie seemed to be somewhat displeased.
"Master Jie Liang?"
"Were you not just Chasing the Moon with Colored Clouds?"
All Yu Ci could do was nod.
Elder Jie Liang frowned, "I've already explained to you the principles of Physical Image and Mental Image, so why are you still using such a rigid model?"
"Uh, Master Jie Liang hasn't taught me yet..."
"What does that have to do with whether or not I've taught you?"
Elder Jie Liang scolded softly, "Even if you disregard the Physical Image and Mental Image, do you understand what the moon you've been pondering on is?"
Yu Ci could not answer.
Elder Jie Liang shook his head, "You still don't understand. The subtlety of a thought is paramount. You've been contemplating the moon for many years, and changes have subtly taken place, already connecting with your own Aura, as if they were one. The moon you see now is not what the scriptures have told you, but what you need the most. Is the moon seen by others the same as the moon you see?"
Yu Ci was stunned by Elder Jie Liang's words. They were not very detailed, but the meaning was crystal clear.
"In the end, it's just an obsession. Always taking what's yours as something taught by others, thinking that your moon is above others' heads. Without passing this hurdle, all talk of cultivation is empty. Has the one who taught you ever said what her moon is like?"
Yu Ci gave a bitter smile. That person probably didn't have the concept of a "moon in the heart".
He took a deep breath and suddenly closed his eyes.
At this moment, he reflected on his past, filled with deep emotion. The so-called "Nine Houses & Moon Method" was nothing more than a fragmentary method that the Red Yin Immortal found in a Taoist book for him to try. Ever since he left the Twin Immortal Sect, there was no one to guide him. He relied solely on himself, using some similar methods in the "Shangqing Star Secret Talisman Book", gradually exploring and guessing, diligently cultivating and refining, raising his Cultivation Level from the insignificant Aura Stage, to Qi Breathing, then to Acupoint Developing, and finally accumulating little by little to Divide Thoughts & Transform Consciousness, entering the Nature-Connecting Realm.
The method he was practicing now, compared to the original version, had probably changed beyond recognition. It was just that the changes over the years were so subtle that he himself was completely unaware. Now that Elder Jie Liang had pointed it out, he suddenly realized:
"The moon in my heart, has always been mine, how could there be any trace of others?"
With this thought, a halo suddenly appeared before his eyes. A bright moon rose from his Niwan organ, traversing the nine palaces, like crossing the sky. At the same time, all the mantras related to the "Nine Houses & Moon Method" in his heart collapsed without leaving a trace. Only the moon was like a wheel, illuminating the void, naturally attracting the surrounding Primordial Qi, like a surging tide.
His obsession was gone, he had passed this hurdle!
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I have also posted the following more chapters [All free] on: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e