Chapter 6 - Zhang Sanfeng Emerges

The disciples looked towards Song Yuanqiao, and they heard him continue, “Our junior brother is such a prodigy; the path of martial arts is his true calling! If he’s willing to cultivate his martial skills seriously, there’s no doubt he’ll surpass our master and ascend to become a legendary Land Immortal in the future!”

He couldn’t sit still any longer. Although Ning Changge had displayed some extraordinary talents before, this was on a whole different level. Song Yuanqiao couldn’t help but imagine how astonishing Ning Changge could become if he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to martial cultivation. Perhaps, within a few years, he could surpass them all.

Originally, he had thought that Ning Changge would eventually come back after facing difficulties on his own. But now, it seemed like every day wasted was a torment.

“That’s right, we must inform our master as soon as possible and let him decide! I’m sure when Master learns about our junior brother’s incredible talents, he won’t allow him to continue down this chaotic path,” Fourth Senior Brother, Zhang Songxi, nodded.

The other disciples also agreed, and Sixth Senior Brother Yin Liting asked with confusion, “Why not try to persuade our junior brother directly?”

Song Yuanqiao was helpless, “You all know our junior brother’s stubbornness. If we annoy him, he might not come back even if we want him to. This matter can only be handled by our master. Let’s hope our junior brother can change his mind when our master talks to him.”

He then turned to instruct, “Little Seventh, for the time being, try not to bother our junior brother. He already had limited time for martial training. If you disturb him, be prepared for I will beat you up!”

Seeing that the eldest senior brother had spoken, Mo Shengguo could only smile bitterly and nod.

“Now, we’ll wait for our master to come out of seclusion. As for this Yin-Yang Infinite Technique, we can start practicing it to make breakthroughs as soon as possible!”

The disciples all nodded. They had been holding back their efforts for the upcoming Divine Sword Villa Tournament, and now, with this extraordinary technique, it was the perfect time to cultivate diligently. They were determined to make significant progress in the next opportunity.

…

Ning Changge, unaware of his senior brothers’ deliberations, was still engrossed in the Wudang classics. He carefully studied the superior light-foot technique known as “Ladder to the Clouds” and concurrently practiced the technique to enhance his perception of spiritual energy.

He was well versed in these books. The scriptures were to be read. It contained the rich truths and mysteries, and the roots of the path to immortality, were hidden within it, which would also transform into the underpinnings of Ning Changge’s heaven-defying enlightenment. Martial arts masterpieces were also to be read.

Among them was the method of running internal energy, and how to refine the ambient spiritual energy into internal spiritual energy and carry it freely was the next challenge Ning Changge would’ve to overcome. A process that could be borrowed from martial arts to a certain extent.

At this moment he was able to feel the strands of ambient spiritual energy weaving and hovering over the surface of his body. He tried to take in the energy. But it was tough. It couldn’t be done. Ning Changge frowned.

Unknowingly, Ning Changge fell into deep thought.

[You’ve read the superior light-foot technique and have created an unparalleled body technique, ‘Floating Clouds and Heavenly Feathers.’]

His hands, which had been holding the scripture, returned it to its original place without him noticing. Ning Changge lightly tapped the ground with his toes, and his highly condensed internal energy allowed him to float effortlessly to the second floor. His control over this remarkable technique was astounding. If he had even more profound internal energy, he could possibly achieve ‘walking on air’ or ‘riding the wind and skimming the clouds,’ becoming a true immortal.

However, Ning Changge remained unfazed. Regardless of how powerful this technique was, it was still a martial art. It may have seemed like magic, but it was not true immortality. He had only one obsession – to become an immortal, to attain eternal life.

Light as a feather, he landed softly on the second floor. Ning Changge carefully held a Daoist scripture in his hand – the “Zhuangzi.”

He pondered, “To become an immortal, the first step is to use spiritual energy, absorbing and assimilating it into my body. But the challenging part is how to move the energy efficiently. There are two possible solutions: one is to use a specific method, which requires exceptional absorption skills, and the other is to use brute force, which relies on strengthening my spiritual power, or shall I say, spiritual awareness?”

Without realizing it, Ning Changge became deeply engrossed in his thoughts.

The words of the first chapter of Zhuangzi’s “Wandering at Ease” continuously appeared before Ning Changge’s eyes, scrolling and emitting a radiant light.

“In the North Sea, there is a fish called Kun. It is so huge that its size cannot be measured in thousands of miles. When it transforms into a bird, it becomes the Peng…”

Ning Changge completely transformed into a statue, holding the Daoist scriptures in his hands, standing in his original place.

It’s unclear how much time had passed.

The golden crow was setting in the west, and the moon rabbit was rising high in the sky.

Ning Changge finally regained consciousness, his eyes filled with joy and contentment.

[You have sensed spiritual energy, observed it, and gained inspiration from the “Wandering at Ease,” you have created the North Sea Ingestion Technique!]

“He couldn’t wait to try. The spiritual energy sensing technique was activated, and the spiritual energy in the world became vividly active. The North Sea Ingestion Technique began to capture spiritual energy frantically, forming small whirlpools. The previously immobile spiritual energy outside his body was instantly sucked into his body.

“It works!” A smile appeared on Ning Changge’s lips. Although he couldn’t yet apply the spiritual energy, he had achieved the first step of ingesting it. The next steps could be resolved gradually. Solving one problem after another, creating immortal techniques was a matter of course.

“Now, the ingestion speed seems a bit slow. I can continue to refine the North Sea Ingestion Technique. In addition, I need to create a method to temper my spirit, transforming it into divine consciousness as soon as possible. This way, ingesting spiritual energy will become twice as efficient with half the effort!” With his extraordinary comprehension, Ning Changge had confidence. He just needed to keep experimenting and move step by step in the right direction. Creating immortal techniques was only a matter of time.

Ning Changge was immersed in the Taoist scriptures, forgetting both sleep and food.

…

Time passed by.

Ning Changge was alone in the scripture library, engrossed in the Daoist texts, with no one to interrupt his peaceful study.

Meanwhile, the Seven Heroes of Wudang were diligently practicing, eagerly awaiting Zhang Sanfeng’s emergence from seclusion. However, they didn’t anticipate that their master’s seclusion would last longer than expected.

Ning Changge had turned four years old by this time.

Several times, Song Yuanqiao had been tempted to enter the scripture chamber personally to persuade Ning Changge, but he knew Ning Changge’s temperament too well. Thinking about the obstinacy of his junior brother, Song Yuanqiao quickly abandoned the idea. Fortunately, Zhang Sanfeng was not a stickler for convention.

This half a year had been tormenting for the disciples.

Finally, one day, Zhang Sanfeng emerged from seclusion.

“Master, we pay our respects!” Each disciple respectfully knelt and saluted without hesitation.

Seeing his beloved disciples, Zhang Sanfeng’s lingering frustration from his unsuccessful seclusion dissipated.

He glanced around and saw that there were only seven disciples, and said with a smile: “Is Changge still in the scripture chamber?”

“Yes, master. Changge is persistent. Do you want to call him over?”

“It doesn’t matter, let him stay there. I’ll go see him later.”

Zhang Sanfeng was particularly fond of Ning Changge, and he was not the kind of person who cared about secular rules.

All the disciples replied quickly.

Zhang Sanfeng sat with ease, taking the refreshing tea from Song Yuanqiao, took a sip, and carefully scanned his disciples with a critical eye. After not seeing them for half a year, they had indeed made considerable progress.

Suddenly.

He gasped in surprise and noticed that something was wrong.

These disciples of mine seem to have made considerable progress in their cultivation, some even by leaps and bounds!