novelraw Chapter 222 166: Thrice a Day I Reflect on Myself
Chapter 222 166: Thrice a Day I Reflect on Myself
The next day, Bai Qi woke up early as usual and practiced the progress of the Five Grand Captures. His muscles moved fluidly with his breathing, like water rippling and flowing.
[Skill: Arhat Hand (Completion)]
[Progress: 255/800]
[Effect: Punching with ten places of power, the strength comes from Qi]
...
[Skill: Dragon Palm (Completion)]
[Progress: 467/800]
[Effect: Moving like a dragon, swift like lightning, sound like thunder]
...
[Skill: Silk Binding Strength (Completion)]
[Progress: 74/800]
[Effect: Combining hardness and softness, hidden yet not exposed]
...
[Skill: White Ape Skill (Completion)]
[Progress: 33/800]
[Effect: Legs swift as the wind, leaving no trace]
...
After about half an hour, Bai Qi let out a long breath, the boiling power within him soaked into his bones, making each bone as straight as a jade tree, producing the sound of clashing metal.
Especially the spine dragon, truly desiring to fly, bursting forth a brilliant golden color, continuously absorbing the dense Qi Blood, like rivers flowing.
"Master said, this is the Twenty-Four Section Great Keel. Once I've replaced the mercury blood and refined silver marrow, I can transform into a dragon—a great benefit for nourishing the spirit of the viscera and bowels at the Third Skin Refining Barrier."
Bai Qi focused his mind, introspecting his body. The spine supporting his frame was like a dragon lying hidden in the flesh, with twelve sections already glowing.
He stopped his stance, feeling an endless flow of powerful energy surging from his arms, making his fists and feet alarmingly heavy.
"How come there's no high-handed young master running out, giving me a chance to practice?"
Bai Qi regretted, planning to go to Tongwen Hall to comprehend and practice the last intention of the Five Grand Captures. After achieving the Second Training Great Perfection, he could step into the Skin Barrier Water and Fire Immortal Robe, beginning to select True Skill.
The disparity among the martial artists of the four major training levels often lies in the quality of their cultivation techniques.
Superior Martial Arts help refine power, completing the perfection of Golden Flesh and Jade Veins, Mercury Marrow Silver Blood.
In the Third Skin Refining Barrier, intending to cultivate the Water and Fire Immortal Robe requires understanding the true image and form of all things in heaven and earth through the True Skill Root Diagram.
Usually, only larger forces possess such foundations.
For example, Yihai Prefecture's Pai Bang or the Thirteenth Lineage.
"Tongwen Hall is said to have three Great True Skills…"
Bai Qi expectantly rubbed his hands. He scooped two ladles of cold water from the large vat, washed his face, and wiped his body.
He donned his inner clothes and outer robe, walked briskly to the main hall, seeing Bai Ming sitting upright, his eyes constantly glancing towards him.
"What's the matter? Just say it directly."
Bai Qi's smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, rarely seeing Ah Di with such a guilty expression.
"Brother, have tea first."
Bai Ming respectfully offered the teacup, then began to honestly confess.
"Ah Di, you've recognized Lady Willow God as a godmother?"
After hearing Bai Ming's account, Bai Qi was slightly surprised that Ah Di had such an encounter. The Lady Willow God, who protected the five hundred miles mountain path, once received high praise from Ninghai Zen.
"I originally just went up the mountain to deliver the name to Sparrow Immortal, she insisted on bringing me to worship Lady Willow God."
Bai Ming scratched his head, recalling that he followed Sparrow Immortal named "Yun Jin," ventured deep into the vast mountain forest, and after a long time, saw a towering willow tree, its green strands gracefully drooping.
"This is a good thing, recognizing a mountain spirit as a godparent, you can roam the five hundred miles mountain path at will. If Song Qiying knows, he would be enviously red-eyed."
Bai Qi smiled, unexpectedly finding that while he and his master Ninghai Zen broke through the Second Bone Training Barrier and replaced blood, Ah Di also had a unique gain.
"I also learned a Contemplation Method."
Bai Ming added.
"Ah Di, you've started cultivating?"
Bai Qi was astonished, looking at Bai Ming's brow.
He learned from books that cultivating differs from martial arts.
The latter lets Qi Blood travel through the limbs and bones, achieving connectivity.
The former involves fasting and consuming elixirs, gathering essential nutrients into the brow through the Qi Eating Technique, nourishing the brain and nurturing thoughts.
Thus, those newly entering the First Realm of Dao Skill, with the brow showing a spiritual luster, are easily recognizable.
"Not yet, I haven't told Brother before, I think it's unwise to try rashly."
Bai Ming shook his head. Since childhood, in poverty or prosperity, he discussed everything with Brother.
If he acted on impulse causing adverse outcomes, Brother would help solve it in the end.
Bai Ming doesn't want to be a burden, nor cause trouble, adding stress for Brother.
This, in his view, is unwise.
"Can I take a look at that Contemplation Method?"
Bai Qi inquired.
"Lady Willow God's Contemplation Method isn't written; she merely had me break off a willow twig, dip it into rootless water, and touch my brow, then my mind filled with many things."
Bai Ming seemed prepared, setting up ink and paper, laughing:
"But I remember it and can recreate it."
Bai Qi originally intended to stop here. Since it was Ah Di's opportunity and the Mountain Spirit Lady Willow God was imparting the method, there was no need to probe further.
He offered to take a look, more out of concern for the treacherous world, thinking it would be best to have the master review it to ensure its accuracy.
However, Bai Ming was insistent, stubbornly picking up a brush to paint.
In the past, when Ah Brother made money from fishing, he would occasionally treat them to some meat, always giving the big pieces to him.
Now that he finally received some valuable gains, how could he enjoy it all alone?
Moments later, the Contemplation Method obtained by Bai Ming was successfully copied in full.
"This..."
Bai Qi frowned slightly, looking at the drawing paper, which depicted a towering giant tree like a dragon ascending to the heavens, exuding a rich vitality of eternal youth.
This feeling was overwhelming, as if imbued with a trace of spirituality, capable of permeating the mind and revealing its mysteries.
"Ah Di, have you tried contemplating it?"
Bai Qi glanced over it briefly before diverting his gaze.
"No, I haven't."
Bai Ming shook his head.
"But when I sleep, I unconsciously dream of Lady Willow God's external form, sketching it in my mind. The whole person feels tranquil and serene, without dreams all night until dawn."
Bai Qi nodded:
"I'll look for Uncle Dao or Master later to ask about it. There shouldn't be any harm. In the past, Mountain Spirits were regional deities, and forming a good relationship with commoners like us was quite common."
He thought for a moment and then instructed:
"Make two pots of the Jade Rice given by He Jingfeng. Since you've started cultivating, you need to nourish your body well; this is called taking elixirs.
Additionally, send a pot to Qi Yan and Lv Nan. They are Maoshan disciples, and though they haven't been given official status by the Dragon Court, they don't seem like those from unorthodox sects. Befriending them could provide some guidance."
Bai Ming kept this in mind. Ah Brother always manages to handle various matters properly, bringing a sense of reassurance to people.
"The master is a formidable figure who suppresses the Seventeenth Lineage. If Ah Di can become a Daoist Official, and if I expand the business, dominating both black and white paths..."
Bai Qi changed into a clean outfit and greeted Qi Yan and Lv Nan, who were housed in a nearby mansion. After some pleasantries, he headed to Tongwen Hall.
...
...
Today was rare and sunny, with the melting snow turning into water, dripping and tapping on the roof eaves.
Bai Qi walked along the not-too-wide bluestone street. The vendors on both sides and the passing pedestrians, upon seeing him, would all call out "Master Bai."
This marked a certain local prominence.
The benefits it brought weren't merely about satisfying vanity but were indeed about building a solid reputation.
Whenever someone needed to take charge of the overall situation, the surrounding neighbors would come to the door, willingly handing over the discourse power. Over time, your influence would grow, making it easy to mobilize a large crowd to do your bidding.
The fisheries, Chai Market, and fire kilns in Black River County expanded this way, becoming powerful local bullies.
"Earning silver, one must know how to spend it. The external items needed for Ah Di's cultivation must be gathered. After spring, besides the fishery, open a blacksmith shop to improve smithing skills and learn Master Li's craftsmanship..."
Bai Qi reflected that since his rise, his life remained quite frugal. He still lived in the old house at Erxian Bridge in the Outer City, without several beautiful maids or personal maidservants attending to his daily needs, let alone consuming elixirs like He Jingfeng, who didn't even need to train hard.
"Used to poverty, unable to enjoy life. From today onwards, let's indulge in luxury and pleasure!"
The young Master Bai Qi decided that he must spend silver lavishly to cultivate a sense of elegance and wealth.
He was bold and grand, carrying three large bags of snacks and two jars of aged wine, striding into Tongwen Hall's main gate.
"Young Master Qi strides with the poise of a dragon and tiger. What good fortune has come your way now?"
Lao Dao was sweeping away the snow in the courtyard when he spotted Bai Qi's silhouette, displaying a kind smile.
"I heard from Old Liang that there were demon disturbances in Dayu Town. Young Master Qi slew a few of them overnight, bringing peace to the locals. This spread quickly, and everyone praises your chivalrous righteousness!"
Bai Qi thought to himself:
"Why does it sound like a fabricated publicity stunt... But doing good deeds indeed deserves recognition."
He put aside miscellaneous thoughts and, with a smile at Uncle Dao, said:
"It was just a chance encounter. I heard that the rising Turbid Tide triggered the Celestial Fiend Day phenomenon, causing unrest around the villages of Black River County.
I'm planning to discuss with the masters of several martial arts halls in the Inner City to organize the drilled militias for territorial defense and public safety.
The demon disturbances in Dayu Town have already been reported to the County City. By the way, during this trip, I also teamed up with two Maoshan Daoists to take down a fierce villain from the Ghostwriter Human-Demon List."
Lao Dao raised an eyebrow:
"With that Big Flood Dragon protecting you, Young Master Qi shouldn't have much to fear in Black River County. Many on the Human-Demon List are skilled in Daoist techniques; clashing with them could add to your experience.
For us martial artists, the ultimate focus is nothing more than figuring out how to eliminate those... cultivators."
Lao Dao initially meant to say "Daoist Officials," but considering he was no longer the Red Eyebrow Leader of Fulong Mountain, he opted to behave more like a good citizen and restrain his rogue tendencies.
"Uncle Dao, is Master in Tongwen Hall?"
Bai Qi asked.
"He returned early in the morning, muttering something about 'thrice examine oneself daily,' like a monk reciting sutras."
Lao Dao curled his lips, clueless about what had recently spurred the young master.
Thrice examine oneself daily?
Why is Master suddenly reading The Analects for no reason?
Bai Qi was a bit puzzled.
He bid farewell to Lao Dao and headed straight to the True Tower in the backyard. As expected, he heard muttering whispers:
"Am I being too polite... Am I giving him face... Should I take action!"
Is this what's called thrice examining oneself daily?
Which unfortunate fool with no foresight has provoked Ninghai Zen again?