Chapter 53 Cultivation

Wang Feiyin was immensely proud to have such a genius junior sister. Without further ado, he reeled off five essential prescriptions involving the Chinese medicinal herb bitter orange, drawing from classic medical texts such as *Emergency Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold* and others.

Fortunately, Pan Jun possessed a photographic memory. After hearing them just twice, she was able to recite them flawlessly.

Determined to etch the knowledge into their minds, Wang Feiyin had them chant the prescriptions all the way back to the Taoist temple while carrying their bamboo baskets.

Leaving Pan Jun aside, even Miaozhen, who had previously shown little aptitude for medical texts, could now recite them with absolute fluency.

After a grueling day, the three children sat down upon returning to the temple, utterly exhausted and unable to move. Yet Wang Feiyin showed no mercy: those assigned to sweep the floors swept, those tasked with tending to the incense oil refueled the lamps, and the one responsible for cooking headed to the kitchen.

As for himself, he went to fetch water.

Xuanmiao was once again in secluded meditation, while Tao Ji and Tao Yanbo remained down the mountain treating the wealthy philanthropist, Lord Qian.

Wang Feiyin had the children eat together. Once they finished bathing and changed into clean clothes, he beckoned to them, saying, "Come, tonight I will teach you the ways of cultivation."

It was nearing the hour of You, roughly six in the evening. For Pan Jun, this was simply the post-work and post-school cultivation time from her previous life, and in this lifetime, it was the exact same routine, so she accepted it with ease.

However, for Miaozhen and Miaohe, this was normally the time they prepared for sleep.

Though both girls were well-behaved and eager to learn, they could not help but let their heads droop slightly.

Wang Feiyin looked at them with a gentle smile. It was not that he was forcing them to be overly diligent; times had changed. Before Pan Jun’s arrival, although the two children occasionally dreamed of going down the mountain, they were mostly content with finding joy in simplicity, well-satisfied with life on the mountaintop.

Yet ever since Pan Jun came, though she never spoke of her life down the mountain, he could sense that Miaozhen and Miaohe held a growing yearning for the outside world, making their desire to descend the mountain far stronger than before.

And he had certainly not missed the three children secretly sneaking off to explore the southern mountain path.

Human desires are difficult to suppress, especially for children of this age. As they grew older and their horizons broadened, their desires would only multiply and intensify.

Since suppression was no longer an option, the best course of action was to have them learn more and prepare themselves for the descent. Life on the mountain was arduous, but that was still far better than losing one's life after going down.

Thus, as dusk fell and absolute silence enveloped the surroundings, the three children sat in a neat row before Wang Feiyin.

Wang Feiyin began, "Junior Sister Number Five, do you know how your cultivation differs from that of ordinary people?"

Pan Jun pondered for a moment before nodding. "Miaozhen and Miaohe cultivate internal vital energy, using it to guide external vital energy into motion for martial arts forms."

Wang Feiyin explained, "The former is internal force, and the latter is martial technique. To practice Taoism, one must first master martial arts. Whether entering the Dao through scholarly pursuits or through martial arts, one must first learn about the meridians and internal force. Only when you can achieve internal vision are you truly considered to have stepped onto the path of Taoism.

"As for you, you entered the Dao before even possessing internal force. Not only have you refined the vital energy within your body, but you are also capable of drawing the vital energy between heaven and earth directly into your body for cultivation.

"I imagine you are already capable of internal vision, aren't you?"

Amidst the astonished gasps of Miaozhen and Miaohe, Pan Jun nodded. "Yes."

Wang Feiyin’s expression remained calm. He did not ask how she had accomplished this, but instead turned to Miaozhen and Miaohe. "Do you know why I had you practice internal force first before entering the doors of Taoism?"

Miaozhen replied, "To achieve internal vision?"

"Precisely," Wang Feiyin said. "The human body is a universe in miniature. When you can achieve internal vision and clearly perceive your own body, only then can you perceive the universe and touch the very edges of the Dao. Following internal vision, you will be able to clearly see the meridians within your body, the vital energy, the internal force, and even the vital energy outside your physical form.

"When you can perceive all of this, you can consciously attract external vital energy. Only then can you truly be considered to have entered the Dao."

Pan Jun interjected, "When they practice, I've seen spiritual energy enter their bodies, but... then it leaves again."

Miaohe immediately asked, "Is spiritual energy the same as vital energy?"

Wang Feiyin nodded. "They are merely different names for the same thing. Spiritual energy, vital energy—regardless of what it is called, it represents a form of energy. The broader concept is known as *Qi*. It is formless and featureless, the primordial energy and the source of all life. The Way of the Body is the refinement of *Qi*, allowing the human physical form to possess an inexhaustible source of life to attain longevity.

"The Way of the Heart, on the other hand, is tracing the origin back to the source. If you can comprehend how the universe was formed and grasp the laws of its operation, you will be infinitely close to the Dao.

"Ultimately, the physical body is merely a vessel. The foundation of a person lies within the soul and spirit. The eternal existence of the soul is the ultimate pursuit of those who cultivate the Dao.

"However," Wang Feiyin added, "the foundation upon which a towering terrace is built is still part of the terrace itself. Therefore, the stage of practicing martial arts and tempering the physical body can never be omitted."

With this, Wang Feiyin was no longer just teaching Miaohe and Miaozhen; he was imparting lessons to Pan Jun as well.

Once the theoretical knowledge was covered, Wang Feiyin guided them into their cultivation practice.

Miaohe and Miaozhen practiced their internal force, striving for an early breakthrough to internal vision and formal *Qi* refinement.

Meanwhile, Pan Jun practiced her Kunyuan Technique, drawing in vast amounts of spiritual energy.

Wang Feiyin had them sit together for cultivation precisely so that Miaozhen and Miaohe could bathe in the abundant spiritual energy. Even if they could not actively absorb it, under the circulation of their own techniques, perhaps the incoming spiritual energy would naturally harmonize and circulate alongside the vital energy already within their bodies.

Even if the probability was merely one percent, it could still help their internal force grow at a faster rate.

Perhaps because her body instinctively recognized this as a safe environment, after going through two minor celestial cycles, Pan Jun’s mind and body became completely immersed in deep cultivation.

Seeing that she had entered a state of profound meditation and was even undertaking a major celestial cycle, Wang Feiyin could not help but raise an eyebrow.

In less than an hour, Miaozhen and Miaohe quietly cracked open one eye. Though they remained seated, their bodies swayed involuntarily, and they slumped to one side.

Wang Feiyin glanced at Pan Jun, who was still deep in meditation, and sighed inwardly. This, he thought, was true talent.

He picked up the horsetail whisk from the table, gave it a light flick, and gently tapped both girls on the head.

Miaozhen and Miaohe opened their eyes and offered him ingratiating, sheepish smiles.

Wang Feiyin gestured for them to get up and go outside so as not to disturb Pan Jun.

The two girls scrambled to their feet at once.

Stepping outside, they were greeted by a pitch-black expanse, yet the sky was ablaze with a dense cluster of twinkling stars, resembling a handful of diamonds pressed tightly together. The celestial vault hung so low that it felt as though one could simply reach out and grab a handful of starlight.

Though Miaozhen and Miaohe had lived in the mountains since childhood, they rarely witnessed such a breathtaking starry sky.

After all, most nights they went to sleep early, and on the rare occasions they stayed up late, the weather seldom offered such pristine skies.

Miaozhen murmured dazedly, "With so many stars, and shining so brightly, why is it still so dark in the mountains?"

Wang Feiyin replied, "Precisely because it is so dark can you see a sky full of such brilliant stars."

The three of them placed woven cushions on the steps outside and sat together to gaze up at the stars, while Pan Jun continued her cultivation inside the hall directly behind them.

In a realm invisible to Miaozhen and Miaohe, a massive torrent of colorful spiritual energy surged toward Pan Jun like a rainbow. Yet, the two girls could sense that the night air was exceptionally pleasant and the atmosphere remarkably crisp, making them instinctively want to take deep breaths.

Wang Feiyin could indeed see the spectacle, but he paid no mind to the swirling and penetrating energies that made him appear completely enveloped in a chaotic aura.

It was rare for the master and his disciples to share such a peaceful moment.

However, half an hour later, Pan Jun was still deep in meditation.

Miaozhen could not resist asking, "Eldest Granduncle, is Junior Grandaunt's such deep focus a result of her cultivation technique, or is it pure talent?"

Wang Feiyin answered, "It is a combination of talent and hard work."

He continued, "I have heard that when she first began her cultivation in her early childhood, she was exceptionally capable of sitting still. Every day, aside from eating and sleeping, she spent all her time practicing, never even stepping outside the door."

Miaozhen and Miaohe gasped in awe, looking at Pan Jun with eyes full of admiration.

Wang Feiyin explained, "The practice of internal vision is the process of stilling the heart. The stages of Taoist cultivation are divided into five times and seven periods. Although we have never strictly categorized them for practical use, it is still beneficial for you to understand them."

Miaohe, who had been feeling drowsy, instantly perked up upon hearing this. "Eldest Granduncle, what are the five times and seven periods?"

Wang Feiyin elaborated, "As the names imply, there are five times and seven periods. The first time is called the Period of Myriad Realms; the second is the Period of Human Stillness; the third is the Period of Heart Stillness; the fourth is the Period of Capturing the Mind; and the fifth is the Period of Fixing the Mind.

"When you practice until you reach the Period of Fixing the Mind, you will be able to achieve internal vision. Surpassing that, you enter the first period of the seven periods, formally stepping onto the path of Taoism and refining *Qi*."

Miaozhen asked, "Eldest Granduncle, how can we determine what stage we and others are at?"

Wang Feiyin replied, "You can simply have a fight, or cultivate together and observe the duration of your meditation and the power generated from your practice.

"Though the latter is not entirely accurate... so really, you should just have a fight."

Miaozhen: "..."

Miaohe chimed in, "Eldest Granduncle, Eldest Granduncle, what stage are we at right now?"

Wang Feiyin glanced at the two girls and said, "Both of you are still in the first time."

They felt slightly disheartened.

Miaozhen asked, "And Junior Grandaunt?"

"Her?" Wang Feiyin frowned. "Judging by her cultivation and meditation, she is already at the first period. But if you were to fight her, her actual combat output is still only at the third time."

She was merely touching the threshold of the third time. When she had first arrived at the mountain, Wang Feiyin had tested her, and the accumulated power within her body was only at the second time.

The more Wang Feiyin thought about it, the deeper his frown became. Pan Jun was truly peculiar; there was a vast discrepancy between the *Qi* she accumulated within her body and the cultivation proficiency and years she outwardly demonstrated.

Ah, well. Children had their little secrets, which was entirely normal. Besides, she was not like Miaozhen and Miaohe, who had been raised on the mountain since infancy, leaving him aware of every detail about them.

Sensing that the surging spiritual energy behind him was beginning to subside, Wang Feiyin knew she was about to emerge from meditation. He instructed Miaozhen and Miaohe, "You two should go back to sleep."

Neither Miaozhen nor Miaohe moved. True friends sleep together and wake up together, so they insisted on waiting for Pan Jun.

Wang Feiyin did not wish to disrupt the bond between the friends, so he nodded in agreement and simply continued the conversation. "Do you know why I never told you about these cultivation stages before?"

Both girls shook their heads.

"Because I didn't want the two of you running off to pick fights or fretting over such comparisons."

Miaozhen thought: *So telling us now... means you want us to go pick fights?*