Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Please, Senior Brother, Teach Me

Wang Xi picked up the other card to examine it.

Its details were as follows:

「Taohua Mountain Traveling Post (Technique Card)」

「Quality: Green One Star (Upgradeable)」

「Master Chu, a skilled calligrapher and a practitioner of Cultivation. At the age of forty-nine, he achieved the Fivefold Return to Origin and the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top. One night, his spirit wandered to Peach Blossom Mountain. He entered a cave and saw fine fields, beautiful ponds, and crisscrossing paths. The men and women there were all unusually robust, and neither the young nor the old suffered from illness. Their strength surpassed that of the experts of the mortal world. Upon inquiry, he learned they were people of a blessed land who had lived there for a thousand years. When he awoke, he tried to find it again but could not retrace his steps. He only remembered the peach blossoms before the cave, red as blood, their strange fragrance lingering.」

「This essay was written by Master Chu, recording his dream travels, calligraphy, Inner Power Heart Method, and insights.」

「Upon use, you will master this heart method. Through continuous practice, you can nourish your internal organs, refine your Essence, Energy, and Spirit, and improve your calligraphy and Inner Strength. Each use will consume a certain amount of stamina and mental energy.」

’This is an Inner Strength technique that uses calligraphy as its skin and a heart method as its flesh and blood.’

Wang Xi thought to himself.

’And the Traveling Post describes a story about dream-traveling to Peach Blossom Mountain... Does the Profound Mysterious Realm truly have these grotto-heavens and blessed lands?’

This bore many similarities to the tale he remembered, of the fisherman from Wuling who stumbled into the Peach Blossom Spring.

But in Master Chu’s dream, any random villager from that spring was stronger than a Martial Arts expert, which was truly incredible.

And Master Chu himself was not skilled in Martial Arts. He practiced only the Inner Family arts and had reached their highest state: the "Fivefold Return to Origin, Three Flowers Gathering at the Top."

The Five Energy referred to the energies of the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and spleen. These five organs corresponded to the five elements: heart to fire, liver to wood, kidneys to water, lungs to metal, and spleen to earth.

Nourishing the Five Energy and harmonizing them with nature, eventually sinking them into the Dantian, was known as the "Return to Origin."

The "Three Flowers" were the sublime forms of Essence, Energy, and Spirit—the sublimation of these three subtle energies in the human body. They ultimately gathered in the single aperture of the Mud Ball Palace, illuminating the "Celestial Terrace" as if with a brilliant light.

"Once at this stage, with Essence, Energy, and Spirit fused into Primordial Energy, an Inner Family expert would possess Extraordinary Power."

Wang Xi murmured softly, absorbing the stream of information from the 「Taohua Mountain Traveling Post」.

"The nine truths of the Mud Ball Palace each have their chamber; Primordial Energy is the raft on the river of the Dao."

The cultivation system of the Profound Mysterious Realm was rather different from the wuxia stories he remembered. It didn’t even emphasize meridians or cosmic cycles. Everything felt unfamiliar.

The Outer Family forged muscles, bones, and skin. They opened the Nine Palaces and Two Instruments through the four limbs, head, and torso to wield the strength of "Nine Oxen and Two Tigers." Their blood flowed like mercury, they could bear a thousand pounds, and weapons could hardly harm them. They were like human weapons.

The Inner Family nourished the internal organs, fusing Essence, Energy, and Spirit to achieve the Fivefold Vital Bloom and master the "Innate Primordial Energy." They achieved the Unity of Heaven and Man, with wind arising from their every pore. They could walk on water without sinking and fast for seven days without hunger.

Regardless of whether one practiced Inner or Outer Family arts, reaching the pinnacle meant you could be called a Grandmaster.

And if one mastered both, they would become a Great Grandmaster!

’The 「Nine Rhymes of Pear Garden」 is clearly an Outer Family Cultivation Technique. Now that I’ve maxed it out to the Ultimate level, I’ve already cleared the Nine Palaces. Am I just missing the Two Instruments?’

Wang Xi mused.

’And the 「Taohua Mountain Traveling Post」 is an Inner Family Cultivation Technique that will help me nourish my organs and reach the highest state of the Fivefold Vital Bloom.’

For some reason,

an image suddenly popped into Wang Xi’s head—

"Liuli!"

"What is it, Master?"

"Fiend, I need you to help me with my Cultivation!"

With that, Wang Xi would grab the cat and place it on his head. Instant success. Three Flowers Gathering at the Top.

...

...

Wang Xi eagerly began his first Inner Strength cultivation session.

It wasn’t seated meditation and breathing exercises.

Instead, he lit a lamp and began to write through the night.

He found an ink brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone in his room. He carefully ground the ink at the desk opposite his bed while simultaneously activating the 「Taohua Mountain Traveling Post」.

Instantly, Wang Xi felt himself enter a wondrous state of Profound Mystery.

His mind was clear of all distractions, his focus absolute.

He picked up a purple bamboo wolf-hair brush, dipped it in ink, lifted it, and began to write with a slanted tip.

SCRITCH, SCRITCH—

"Before the Purple Cloud Void of the Highest Purity, the Supreme Daoist Lord Yu Chen... The one in the Yellow Court wears crimson robes, the gate is strong and its two doors are shut."

"In the Ninth Year of Yongsheng, the year of Gengchen, in the beginning of Late Spring, we gathered at the Orchid Pavilion on the shady side of Peach Blossom Mountain, with nothing in particular to do..."

"In the Third Year of Zhaohui, I was returning to the capital and crossed the Luo River. The ancients spoke of a deity, the God of Si Water, whose name was Fufei..."

Using the reign titles of the Ancient Daluo Dynasty, Wang Xi scribbled out a chaotic, mashed-up version of the Yellow Court Scripture in regular script, then dashed off a flamboyant rendition of the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection in running script, and finally finished with a cursive flourish of The Elegy of the Luo Goddess.

He had never felt such exhilarating freedom while writing.

As the brush moved, each stroke contained the true principles of cultivation. In the process, his five viscera and six bowels began to regulate themselves, and a warmth spread through his abdomen.

Even his breathing became slow and deep.

Wang Xi didn’t stop until the fourth watch of the night.

Seven or eight scrolls of Xuan paper lay spread across the desk before him, densely covered in ink. There were regular, running, and cursive scripts. His various techniques and brushwork were still immature and slightly stiff, but they far surpassed his previous skill level.

He closed his eyes to feel it out, and a stream of information flowed through his mind:

「Taohua Mountain Traveling Post (Technique Card / Green One Star): 3/200」

He had gained 3 Experience Points from one practice session.

’Is it because I have the 「One Stroke of Mountains and Rivers」? Or is it that I just have some natural talent for calligraphy, making me a good match for this Cultivation Technique?’

Wang Xi couldn’t help but speculate.

’Hmm... It might also be because of my powerful Physique. With the Nine Palaces Pass complete, my Essence is abundant, which should make practicing Inner Strength twice as effective with half the effort.’

’I need to find a chance to ask the vendor what conditions one must meet to become a Cultivator.’

...

...

「The next morning.」

"Senior Brother, did you write all this?"

Huo Qiao’Er stood by the desk, holding a scroll of the modified Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection, her eyes filled with amazement.

She looked particularly well today, with a bit of the rouge her senior brother had given her on her cheeks and lips, truly embodying the line "her face and the peach blossoms reflect each other’s red."

"Mhm, just some casual writing from last night,"

Wang Xi said with a smile, eating the breakfast his junior sister had brought in.

"Qiao’Er, you look especially beautiful today. So lovely I’ve almost lost my appetite for breakfast."

Huo Qiao’Er’s cheeks flushed red, and she was left speechless.

She turned her head away, forcing her attention back to the calligraphy. She had practiced calligraphy and Martial Arts with her senior brother since childhood and knew his skill level was barely passable... but the scrolls on this desk were breathtaking.

"Senior Brother, have you been practicing behind my back?"

Huo Qiao’Er asked curiously.

Her gaze shifted to Zhang Fuyun, who was staring blankly off to the side. "Junior Brother, what do you think of Senior Brother’s writing?"

"Ah..." Zhang Fuyun seemed to snap out of a daze. He glanced at the desk and forced a smile. "It has the air of a great master. My uncles couldn’t write this well."

"Fuyun, what’s wrong with you?"

Wang Xi keenly noticed his junior brother’s odd behavior and asked softly,

"Did something happen at home?"

"Senior Brother..."

Zhang Fuyun’s eyes dimmed, and he lowered his head.

He hesitated for a moment before saying listlessly:

"There was a break-in at my house last night, and my grandmother was so frightened she fell gravely ill. Ai, when it rains, it pours... On top of that, Miss Zhao from the Zhao Family sent another letter this morning, making excuses to call off the engagement. I asked around privately, and they said..."

Zhang Fuyun’s expression was a mixture of grievance and sorrow as he clenched his fists.

"They said Miss Zhao finds me weak-willed, just a pretty-faced good-for-nothing from the Zhang Family."

"That Miss Zhao is too much! How could she talk about you like that!"

Huo Qiao’Er said indignantly.

"A great man need not worry about finding a wife. Junior Brother, don’t let this get to you. You’ll definitely find a more well-mannered and virtuous wife than her in the future."

As she spoke, she patted Zhang Fuyun’s shoulder with the air of a senior sister. But he only forced a smile and murmured in agreement.

Clearly, her attempt at consolation had no effect.

Wang Xi glanced at the five Ancient Bronze Coins hanging from Zhang Fuyun’s waist and mused to himself:

’That 「Five-Cent Duck」 from the vendor is supposed to increase one’s luck. How come it seems to have made Zhang Fuyun even more unlucky...’

Soon, Wang Xi had a realization.

Perhaps this was just the fate of a simp.

Even good fortune couldn’t get near him. If a lucky star appeared, it would probably spit on him before running away.

"Fuyun, an ancient poem says, ’A fair lady, a fine match for a gentleman.’ For a gentleman to win a lady, he must be like ’the vibrant lord, ah, a Kirin among men!’ You must first become a real man, like a Kirin, before a fair lady will give you her heart."

Wang Xi put down his porridge bowl and said slowly:

"Miss Zhao calls you weak and a good-for-nothing. If you just wallow in misery like this, you’re only proving her right."

Zhang Fuyun looked up, staring blankly at his senior brother.

He opened his mouth, his voice low.

"Then what should I do to become the real man you speak of, Senior Brother? To make Miss Zhao see me in a new light!"

"There are so many women in the world. Why hang yourself from a single tree?"

Wang Xi said casually, chewing on a steamed bun:

"Have you read the Nine Chapters of Mathematics?"

"I have, but I’m not very good at math..."

Zhang Fuyun looked embarrassed.

"But Senior Brother, what does this have to do with gentlemen and ladies?"

"Courting a woman is like solving a math problem. This is the first principle I’ll teach you: equivalent exchange."

Wang Xi didn’t even look up as he spouted, "If you are merely a dependent of the Zhang Family, no different from something with gold and silk on the outside but rotten cotton on the inside, how can you expect a woman to ’bring harmony to your household’?"

Zhang Fuyun seemed to half-understand, then asked again:

"Senior Brother, are there other principles?"

"Of course." Wang Xi held up two fingers. "Second, maintain your frame. It’s like the calligraphy in Qiao’Er’s hands. When using the center-tip technique, the brush must be like a cone drawing in sand. Too tight, and it becomes rigid; too loose, and it falls apart. You can be gentle with a woman, but you must not lose your own judgment. You must have your own bottom line and principles."

Huo Qiao’Er and Zhang Fuyun were both stunned.

They then saw their senior brother raise three fingers and say leisurely:

"Third, and this is the final principle. The old saying goes, ’A knight dies for one who appreciates him; a woman adorns herself for one who desires her.’ But nowadays, a man must understand the logic that ’only by pleasing yourself can you please others.’"

He drank the last of his porridge, wiped his mouth, and said:

"Fuyun, from this day forward, take all the time you spent trying to please Miss Zhao and use it to improve your Martial Arts, to read, and to cultivate your character."

"You must have faith in the workings of fate. The woman who is truly meant for you will be someone you meet on the path forward, not someone you have to deliberately seek out in some remote corner."

"Your Senior Brother would not lead you astray."

"Senior Brother!"

Zhang Fuyun was deeply moved. He took two steps forward and was about to bow when Brother Xizhi waved a hand, and a gust of palm wind lifted him up.

"What are you doing, Junior Brother?"

"Please, Senior Brother, teach me!"

Zhang Fuyun cupped his fists in a salute, his expression fervent.

"Whether it’s Martial Arts, calligraphy, or philosophy on life, I also want to become a real man like you, Senior Brother!"

"..."

Huo Qiao’Er stood rooted to the spot.

Her beautiful eyes darted, staring straight at her senior brother.

A real man?

In her heart, her senior brother was exactly that.

But as for Junior Brother Fuyun, it seemed his road was still very long.

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