Chapter Six: Liezi Commands the Wind

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Number recorded: One hundred and nineteen!
Endowed, one may comprehend the myriad subtleties of Qi refinement!
According to Senior Brother Chi Songzi, cultivation is divided into seven realms. The first realm is Foundation Establishment. For those with sect lineage, under the protection of senior disciples, achieving this stage is feasible. Even without a master, practicing common Foundation Establishment methods found in the world, aided by medicinal decoctions, is also possible.
Next comes the second realm: Qi Refinement!
By inhaling and exhaling the primal energy of heaven and earth, one refines it into the body, opening the meridians and acupoints one by one. If one can fully connect all meridians and unblock all acupoints, it marks the completion of Qi Refinement and the entry into the Primal Innate Realm!
After the mysterious phenomenon in his mind was activated, this number appeared, transmitted from the scripture pavilion guarded by the elders atop the mountain. Returning to his room, he murmured softly to himself.
The cultivation methods of the Thirty-Six Scrolls of the Taoist Canon manifested clearly at the Gate of Wonders. Under the inexplicable power of the number, it seemed as if he suddenly grasped all the secrets, and faint internal energy began to stir within him.
The dense primal energy infused his body, quickly filling every part. Waves of power emerged, subtle and wondrous sensations spreading throughout. At this moment, Zhou Qing seemed to understand the purpose of the number.
“One hundred and nineteen, what exactly does it mean?”
With a slight leap, he soared two or three meters backward. To be able to perform such a feat upon first entering Qi Refinement was impressive. Based on his current understanding of the number, if he could elevate its level, it might accelerate his cultivation.
Ordinarily, mastering the Thirty-Six Scrolls of the Taoist Canon would take months, but under the number’s protection, he digested everything within moments. If he so wished, even the legacies of Liezi and Zhuangzi could be absorbed for cultivation.
Under the dominion of the Gate of Wonders, myriad rivers return to the sea, all things revert to the origin!

******

“Junior Uncle Xuanqing, how is your cultivation today? Senior Master Chi Songzi sent me to check on you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”
Having yet to fully comprehend the meaning of the number and lacking external aid, he could only cultivate steadily. Facing the morning sun, he inhaled the purple energy from the east, refining the primal energy of heaven and earth into his body, continuously strengthening his internal power.
Suddenly, footsteps approached from afar. Even before the person arrived, their sound echoed in Zhou Qing’s ears. Sensing this, Zhou Qing remained still, continuing his practice.

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“Zong Quan, how long have you been cultivating?”
Zhou Qing was familiar with the disciples under Senior Brother Chi Songzi’s sect. Without turning to look, he knew who had arrived, prompted by the smooth circulation of his internal energy. He then spoke.
“Nine years. I am about to connect my tendons and meridians fully, and almost done opening all acupoints. In about three more years, I should complete Qi Refinement. But Junior Uncle Xuanqing, you’re different from us.”
“According to the master, you are exceptionally talented. At most, you’ll complete Qi Refinement and enter the Innate Realm within three years. At that time, you won’t even be ten years old. Tsk, tsk, I reckon I will only reach the Innate Realm in my lifetime!”
The young man beside Zhou Qing, clad in a blue-white Taoist robe, appeared no older than seventeen or eighteen. His handsome features and otherworldly aura caused him to pause slightly at Zhou Qing’s words before responding calmly.
The founder once said that the path of cultivation has its order; some cultivate like turtles, others like horses, some like rushing streams, and others like flying arrows...
In this, Zong Quan was not discouraged. Though unremarkable within the sect, he was considered excellent across the seven kingdoms.
“Hmm, what’s going on over there? Why are so many disciples gathered?”
Zhou Qing leisurely rose. Though he felt his power growing rapidly each day, with meridians and acupoints opening swiftly under the Gate of Wonders’ governance, a lingering question remained in his heart.
“Oh, a new disciple has just joined the sect today. Many senior and junior brothers have gone to get acquainted. Junior Uncle, do you want to take a look?”
Following Zhou Qing’s gaze, the gathering was at the lowlands of the sect’s base, near the mountain gate entrance, bustling with dozens of disciples.
“A new disciple joining? That’s rare!”
Hearing this, Zhou Qing’s interest was piqued. The entire Celestial Sect had only about seventy to eighty disciples—a respectable number for such an extraordinary sect.
Now with a new disciple admitted, there must be something exceptional about them—perhaps outstanding innate talent; otherwise, the sect would not have accepted them.
As he finished speaking, Zhou Qing lightly pushed off the ground, his body drifting as if floating in the void, swiftly heading toward the mountain gate.

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“Oh, the founder Liezi’s Wind-Riding Technique—Junior Uncle’s progress is so fast!”
Zong Quan brightened at the sight. This technique, mastering the whirling winds, was the founder Liezi’s supreme art. It was said that at its peak, one could truly ride the wind, roaming freely between heaven and earth.
Of course, since Liezi, no other inheritor had reached such heights.
After an incense stick’s time, the welcoming ceremony for the new disciple concluded. The newcomer was accepted under an elder of the Celestial Sect and became acquainted with everyone. Zhou Qing also learned some information: though the newcomer was already twelve or thirteen years old, being chosen by an elder was no small matter.
“Hm, this is... Number recorded: One hundred and twenty!”
“How did it suddenly increase by one? It was one hundred and nineteen just now. How come there’s one more now?”
Life within the sect was simple: cultivation, enlightenment, discourse, meals, and rest. As Zhou Qing stepped out of the sect’s main hall, a sudden shiver ran through him, sensing the change in the number within his mind, his eyes clouded with suspicion.
For days, he had been pondering the evolution of the number, but now it increased abruptly. Reflecting on today’s events, nothing seemed out of the ordinary within the sect... Suddenly, Zhou Qing seemed to grasp something instantly.
“Could it be...?”
“Perhaps...?”
If what he suspected was true, then today’s new junior disciple might truly be his lucky star. The thought sparked and deepened within him, seeming ever more possible.
Could it be that as long as his name circulates and becomes known to outsiders, the number would increase? The entire Celestial Sect had only seventy or eighty disciples, but his true identity was likely known to many in Xianyang City.
If so, this could truly explain the shifting numbers!