Chapter 5: Visualization Technique
For four months, Shi Xuan had limited interaction with his neighbors, exchanging pleasantries during meals. Aunt Zhang mentioned her daughter a few times, but Shi Xuan remained distant, so the topic was dropped. Conversations revolved around various news, such as the compilation of Daoist scriptures by scholars summoned by the emperor, a popular poem by Jiang scholar in Hangzhou, and the intriguing tale of a ghost-human romance shared by a hermit. Gossip also included the success of the matchmaking temple in Liangzhou and the remarriage of a widow to a merchant from the Western Regions. Simple domestic affairs were discussed among families in the neighborhood.
On this cool morning in late autumn, Shi Xuan drank the Qianyuan Essence Exchange Soup and began practicing The Ten Dragon Subduing Demon Fist in the small courtyard. After practicing for a long time, he quickly entered a focused state, gaining a clearer understanding of the sensations in his body and soul.
With moves like the Barbarian Dragon Turning Waist, Blue Dragon Suppressing Waves, Fire Dragon Burning Sky, and White Dragon Freezing Sea, each punch helped to strengthen his body even more. However, the feeling of not fully grasping the essence deep inside him grew stronger. It had been four months without overcoming this hurdle, and he felt a sense of frustration building up inside him.
As Shi Xuan reached the moment of the Soaring Azure Dragon, he suddenly entered a state of emptiness and clarity. His punches flowed with his thoughts, thoughts followed his spirit, and spirit followed his soul. His essence, energy, spirit, and soul seemed to be closely connected, and the feeling of not fully grasping the essence inside him seemed like it could be broken in an instant. Shi Xuan concentrated all his strength, let out a loud shout, and delivered a punch known as the Black Dragon Playing in Water. It felt like breaking through a barrier, and at the same time, he sensed a majestic and profound ancient power, as if the dragon's energy that could manipulate the air was released with that punch.
After that punch, Shi Xuan's bones made a slight cracking sound for a while before finally stopping. It was a sign of his strength reaching deep into his bones, a sign of achieving mastery over his body. Shi Xuan had only been able to control his muscles and bones before, but now he felt a significant increase in spiritual strength, becoming more sensitive and able to control even the deepest corners of his bones and body.
At that moment, a warm energy rose from his bones and seeped into his internal organs. Shi Xuan was delighted and didn't dare to delay. He closed his eyes, controlled the flow of this energy through his five vital organs and twelve meridians, eventually guiding it back to his lower abdomen. Only then did he close his eyes and rest, a smile of joy on his face, as he had unexpectedly broken through to the Period of Strengthening the Qi and Soul.
Due to having previously trained to open the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, Shi Xuan did not need to painstakingly open them again, saving a significant amount of time as his internal energy had dissipated with the death of his soul.
Typically, for experts in internal martial arts, it takes around fifteen years to accumulate enough internal energy and open the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. This process requires dedication and focus, and those with less talent may take even longer or never achieve it in their lifetime. Exceptionally talented individuals with unique opportunities may still need seven to eight years to complete the training.
How could Du Bai open the Eight Extraordinary Meridians in just three years? There were three reasons: Firstly, he practiced the authentic teachings of the Daoist sect, which were vastly superior to other martial arts techniques, creating a distinct advantage. Secondly, Daoist training prioritizes nurturing, relying on techniques and tools for combat, while martial arts focus on injuring opponents. Nurturing the soul strengthens internal energy, leading to better results when opening the meridians. Although martial arts also have a soul-nurturing effect, it serves a different purpose. Thirdly, Du Bai had exceptional talent, catching the eye of Old Taoist Xu who accepted him as a disciple.
Since Shi Xuan had entered the Qi Strengthening Period, he could stop using medicinal soups and baths. This natural progression into the Qi Strengthening Period indicated that his body had reached a limit, surpassing which could be harmful. The next step was to accumulate internal energy, transform the essence of his body, and naturally strengthen his physical form. He needed to increase his meat consumption daily to support the refinement of his essence into energy. When all his twelve meridians and Eight Extraordinary Meridians were filled with internal energy, he could open up smaller meridians to form a complete secondary circulation system, reaching the peak of the Qi Strengthening Period.
At this time, Shi Xuan's spiritual strength could also start visualizing. However, Shi Xuan did not immediately go back to his room to meditate, because the practice was both urgent and slow. Shi Xuan had just made a breakthrough and was feeling extremely happy, so forcing himself to meditate and visualize would be harmful.
Since arriving in this world, Shi Xuan has always felt a sense of danger, knowing that his own strength was not enough for self-protection. So, besides eating and buying medicine, he rarely went out, focusing on improving his own strength. This was a symptom commonly seen in time travelers.
Now that Shi Xuan has finally reached the Qi Strengthening Period and is considered a skilled martial artist in the martial world, combined with his talisman techniques for self-protection, he had more than enough ability to relax and let go of most of his pressure. This was the perfect time for Shi Xuan to relax and rest, not suitable for further training.
Sitting on the ground with his back against a small well, Shi Xuan held a small pot of yellow wine he found in Old Taoist Xu's room in his right hand, and in his left hand was a scroll collected by Old Taoist Xu from a senior in the Daoist sect, titled "Discussions on Various Ghost and Spirit Matters from the Golden Coffin". It described external ghosts and spirits and various strange and eerie tales, reminiscent of 'Liaozhai'. The weather was clear and breezy, as Shi Xuan read a page or two, sipping the yellow wine, he felt a sense of leisure and enjoyment in his free reading.
In this world, after people die, if there is no one to offer sacrifices for them, their souls slowly lose their memories after seven days, gradually merging into the heavens and earth after ten days, and completely dissipating after a hundred days. Unless there is a strong resentment or attachment, or they encounter a place filled with yin energy, their souls can be stabilized and transformed into dark ghosts. However, the souls of cultivators are affected by the laws of heaven and earth, and will perish once their bodies die, unless they have reached the Yin Spirit Stage to resist such a fate. Therefore, people often offer sacrifices to ensure their souls persist, with the number of sacrifices and offerings determining the duration of the soul's preservation.
Those with strong resentment or attachment slowly become dark ghosts with a vengeful focus. Their actions are driven by this vengeful attachment, rarely retaining their sanity and consciousness. Some may maintain their sanity if their attachment is not too intense, but their cultivation is usually unconscious. Generally, the longer they exist, the more formidable they become, with those without consciousness gaining wisdom after ten years. Those who encounter places with yin energy transform into dark ghosts as well, but without vengeful attachments. They possess consciousness and wisdom, but lack a lineage in cultivation. To persist, they must feed on blood, yang energy, or soul power. These spirits, along with those not yet dissipated after a hundred days, are collectively known as external ghosts and spirits.
As external ghosts and spirits need to feed on blood, yang energy, or soul power, they often harm people. However, if their cultivation is insufficient, they may not be able to approach individuals with strong life force, as their strong energy can burn the ghosts' yin bodies, leading to their destruction. Those without reaching the Astral Projection Stage often incite emotional turmoil in cultivators during their practice, leading to inner demons and potential soul draining opportunities.
The ability of external ghosts and spirits to incite emotional turmoil is innate and can be deployed from a distance. Strategies to counter this ability include setting up formations to isolate oneself, focusing wholeheartedly during cultivation to prevent distractions, or possessing a magical item that suppresses souls. However, Shi Xuan had none of these at the moment.
Although Shi Xuan lacked such defenses, the soothing incense from Old Taoist Xu could help enhance his concentration, slightly suppressing the influence of external ghosts and spirits. In conclusion, as long as Shi Xuan remained focused during cultivation, there would be no danger. But if he felt his consciousness waver, risking soul injury, he should immediately stop his practice.
Shi Xuan had a relaxing day and by evening, he felt calm and peaceful. After bathing, changing clothes, burning incense, and praying, his mind and spirit reached a peak state of tranquility. With practice, he could achieve this calm state more easily in the future without needing so many steps.
Shi Xuan sat cross-legged on a cushion, closed his eyes and focused. He quickly entered a state of meditation. While meditating, he visualized the meaning of "True Divine Method of Clear Wind and Bright Moon" from the book "Treasure Record". At first, he would get distracted easily, like when normal people try to focus on something but their thoughts wander.
Shi Xuan wasn't discouraged and started practicing the technique of focusing his thoughts as described in the book. He imagined himself as a powerful ruler looking down on his thoughts swirling in his mind, and he commanded them to calm down and stay in his mind, without wandering.
The goal wasn't to eliminate all thoughts completely, as that might make him emotionless. The key was to control his thoughts, observe them calmly, and prevent them from wandering. The ultimate goal was not to have no thoughts at all, but to have the power to stop them from arising uncontrollably, which was essential in this spiritual practice.
Following this practice, Shi Xuan subdued his thoughts, allowing them to come and go within his mind without losing control. Gradually, he felt focused and began visualizing the divine essence of the clear wind and bright moon.
