Visiting an elder, by etiquette, required an early arrival.
The next day at daybreak, Lu Yao and the three of them joined Li Pei on the journey to White Cloud Observatory.
Li Pei boarded Lu Yao's vehicle and sat in the back with the two sisters.
The space inside the car was very spacious, and the three ladies sat with dignified and gentle manners, obviously well-cultured.
On the way, they spoke of Taoist Priest Zhou He, and Li Pei shared the information she knew:
"Priest Zhou was born into a prominent family from Jingzhou, his father being a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations. Before even reaching the age of 16, he had already reached the 'Oblivion' stage of Spirit Refinent,"
Liao Ya exclaid, "Oblivion before 16?! That truly is an exceptional natural talent!"
"Indeed," Li Pei nodded, and said:
"Later, the Imperial Court dispatched 120 students to study abroad, and Priest Zhou was among them, heading to nes to learn 'Manufacturing Studies.'
It was then that he fought with a vampire from nes while trying to save a classmate who had been captured as a 'Blood Slave'...
The details are unknown, but he was left severely injured, becoming disabled with damage to his eyes, ears, and mouth. Fortunately, there is always a way out; Priest Zhou returned to his country, joined the Wudang Sect, and his Spirit Refinent broke through to 'Fetal Breath'."
Lu Yao, driving in front, listened and couldn't help feeling that the old Daoist had really weathered the vicissitudes of life.
At that mont, the grand White Cloud Observatory ca into view. The Taoist temple was large and compactly arranged. On the stone walls of the mountain gate were carvings of flowing clouds, Immortal Cranes, flowers, and other patterns.
Two Daoists had been awaiting their arrival at the gate to welco the four visitors to the back courtyard of the temple.
~~~~~~~
The group arrived and saw Zhou He with his eyes closed, his fingers fluttering quickly as he massaged an Immortal Crane.
The Immortal Crane seed to be enjoying it imnsely, even cooperating by lifting its wings so the old priest could massage near the base. (the base of the wings)
The visitors waited patiently for about half an hour until the old priest finished his work.
The Immortal Crane shook its feathers and, in a display of pride, flapped its wings a few tis before flying off without looking back.
Lu Yao really wanted to ask the old Daoist: The Immortal Crane seems quite haughty, are you sure it will let you ride it?
Zhou He, with a contented and greatly satisfied look, watched the Immortal Crane for a while and then called out to the group:
"It seems you all know each other, that's good, co all together."
~~~~~~~~~
The group arrived at a cool pavilion, where the mountain breeze was refreshing.
Zhou He set out the teaware and a small stove to boil water. Li Pei took the initiative to light the stove and, placing her hands near the fire, channeled her Inner Breath. The flas blazed like engine exhaust, boiling the mountain spring water in an instant.
When the water had slightly cooled, Liao Qe ticulously prepared the tea according to the ritual.
As they enjoyed the fragrant tea, Zhou He said to Li Pei, "How is your master? I haven't seen her in so days."
Li Pei replied respectfully, "She is well, practicing her swordplay every day."
Zhou He nodded, his eyes, showing only the whites, scanned over everyone.
"Today you have co to listen to the old Daoist speak of the Dharma, but I must say this first — the path of Spirit Refinent is extrely arduous, difficult because there are no footsteps to follow.
Everyone perceives the world differently, and the illusionary obstacles that arise from their understanding are vastly distinct.
So cannot penetrate the enigma of life and death, others cannot let go of love and attachnt; the tumultuous mortal world grinds away at the heart.
So my words can only be listened to; they must not be wholly believed — you must walk your own path; otherwise, you'll make no progress in your lifeti!"
Lu Yao and the others hastily nodded in agreent.
~~~~~~~
Zhou He sipped his tea and started to discuss profound principles:
"You few have entered ditation, and the next step is oblivion. Oblivion cos from retaining thoughts until they are attained, and from retaining thoughts until they are forgotten.
The state of 'forgetting' is achieved by using the mind and body to seek the true way, not a form of self-intoxication or numbness.
Practice the way without seeing its practice. Forgetting is not necessarily bad, and rembering is not necessarily good; what suits oneself is the best."
The young listeners all fell into deep thought after these words, each gaining so insight.
Zhou He did not continue to speak but instead gave these young people plenty of ti to think.
When he saw that the young people's eyes gradually beca clear again, Zhou He was about to speak more, but suddenly noticed that sothing was very wrong with Lu Yao—
The lad was clearly sitting there, but there was no sense of his presence!
Zhou He, blind, used the power of Mind Force to see and imdiately noticed this. First, astonishnt appeared on his face, and then delight.
Li Pei and the other two won also noticed and did not dare to speak out loud, their beautiful eyes full of amazent.
Especially Li Pei, in her heart she had an unbelievable suspicion—this young rogue was about to experience oblivion!!! How could there be such injustice! How could he enter oblivion!
At this mont, Lu Yao felt sothing wonderful. He had completely forgotten his own existence and felt as though he was rising steadily, being carried off by the wind… His perspective on things had also beco third-person.
Having heard Zhou He's "preaching," he suddenly had an epiphany as though sothing in his mind had shattered, naturally entering this state.
Now, he could clearly see the sister's excited expressions, as well as Li Pei's rapidly heaving chest.
This state lasted for about ten seconds before it gradually faded. Lu Yao excitedly stood up and bowed his fist to Zhou He, saying, "Thank you, Taoist priest, for your guidance."
Zhou He smiled and said, "Young friend, you were due for a breakthrough. I just happened to be there at the right ti."
"Taoist priest is too modest."
Afterward, Lu Yao bowed to Liao Qe to express his thanks, and the girl's pretty face turned slightly red.
Li Pei watched, full of question marks…
~~~~~~~~
"Congratulations to young friend on your breakthrough, for you have taken a significant step in Spirit Refinent," Zhou He stood up and bowed, then said, "I have traveled abroad in my early years and will use fresh thods to explain the state of oblivion in detail."
Zhou He spoke at length: "The greatest characteristic… or benefit of this state is that it greatly increases one's reaction speed.
It takes an ordinary person over 0.2 seconds to issue a command from the brain and for the body to react, even a Martial Artist needs 0.1 seconds. But in the state of oblivion, where Divine Soul integrates with the body, only 0.03 seconds are needed—three tis as fast!
Along with this cos heightened senses, more precise control of the flow of qi and Inner Breath, and even the ability to precisely sense incoming cannonballs and so on. The specific details you will need to experience for yourself."
The old Taoist spoke in detail. Lu Yao kept bowing his thanks and then began excitedly and curiously to control the flow of Inner Breath in his body.
Originally, controlling Inner Breath was like bumper cars, crashing around if not careful; now, with the super quick response ti, it beca like a sports car, moving exactly as intended.
Seeing their junior brother's breakthrough, the two sisters were exceptionally joyful; while Li Pei's face was full of unwillingness, finding herself surpassed by this young rogue in the path of Spirit Refinent!
But she quickly composed herself, thinking: This person has already beco extrely talented in Spirit Refining Oblivion; how can I bring him into my fold!
~~~~~~~~
Seeing that the young people had no intention of listening anymore, Zhou He lightly tapped the stone table with his fingers, the "tap tap" sound instantly calming the soul, casting off impatience, and he then solemnly said:
"People often say that Spirit Refinent greatly aids the Martial Path, but that statent is not entirely correct.
The Martial Path and Spirit Refinent are interdependent. As the saying goes, the spirit never leaves qi, and qi never leaves the spirit.
To achieve sothing significant, one must cultivate both the mind and body completely; neither the practice of the Martial Path nor Spirit Refinent can be neglected. Be sure to rember this!"
The four people hurriedly made a serious bow in response: "Thank you, senior, for your guidance."
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