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Join the ServerThe back mountain of Wudang was shrouded in drifting clouds, peaceful and silent.
An elderly Daoist with snow-white hair stood atop a large boulder, leisurely practicing an unfamiliar boxing art.
His movements were smooth and natural.
The surrounding air currents rotated with each movement of his fists, creating a visible distortion around his body.
Song Yuanqiao arrived at the back mountain and quietly waited beneath the boulder.
After quite some time, the old Daoist slowly finished his routine.
The distorted air gradually settled before erupting into a powerful gust of wind that swept away the surrounding mist.
“Eldest, what brings you to visit this old man today?”
With his hands clasped behind his back, Zhang Sanfeng lightly leaped down from the boulder.
“Master, I have something important to report. A truly joyous matter.”
Song Yuanqiao smiled as he respectfully bowed.
“What kind of good news could make the Sect Leader of Wudang wear an expression like that?”
Zhang Sanfeng chuckled as he turned to walk away.
But after only a few steps, he suddenly stopped.
His head snapped around toward Song Yuanqiao.
“Don’t tell me… You’ve found Fifth’s whereabouts? Where is he?”
Song Yuanqiao’s smile froze.
He cupped his fists and bowed deeply.
“Master… forgive me. I’ve continuously sent disciples throughout the martial world to search for Fifth Brother. But we’ve found no trace of him. We’ve also been unable to locate the daughter of Yin Tianzheng, the Eagle King of the Heavenly Eagle Sect.”
Zhang Sanfeng slowly shook his head in disappointment.
“So it is Heaven’s will.
If we can’t find him, then so be it. I refuse to believe Fifth would die so young. Perhaps he’s simply trapped somewhere. We’ll wait. One day… He’ll return.”
His mood visibly dimmed as he resumed walking.
Song Yuanqiao silently followed behind him.
Soon they arrived at Zhang Sanfeng’s secluded residence.
It was nothing more than a simple stone cave.
Outside stood a stone table surrounded by several stone stools.
A teapot rested quietly atop the table.
Zhang Sanfeng sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it in one gulp.
Only then did he look up at Song Yuanqiao, who still stood respectfully beside him.
“Eldest. Since this isn’t about Fifth… What else on Wudang Mountain could possibly deserve such excitement?”
“Master, although we haven’t found Fifth Brother… What has happened is no less significant.”
Song Yuanqiao composed himself and smiled once more.
This time, he decided not to keep Zhang Sanfeng guessing.
“Among Wudang’s third-generation disciples is a nine-year-old Daoist novice.
Based on the Basic Internal Art you originally created…
And inspired by the effects of the Qi Gathering Pill…
He developed a new high-level foundational cultivation method.
Its ability to convert vitality into internal energy is just as fast as taking a Qi Gathering Pill.”
“Oh?”
A sharp gleam flashed across Zhang Sanfeng’s eyes.
“A nine-year-old Daoist novice… Created an advanced foundational cultivation method?”
He stared directly at Song Yuanqiao’s face, confirming that his disciple wasn’t joking.
Slowly stroking his beard, Zhang Sanfeng fell into deep thought.
Putting the child’s age aside…
Even if it had been an ordinary disciple who created such a cultivation method, it would already be astonishing.
“Qi Gathering Pill…”
Zhang Sanfeng murmured quietly.
He carefully recalled the Basic Internal Art he had created years ago.
Then his thoughts shifted toward the effects of the Qi Gathering Pill, the Pure Origin Pill, and other medicinal pills capable of increasing internal energy.
After pondering for a long while, he simply couldn’t connect the cultivation method he had created with the effects of those medicinal pills.
Even at his current realm…
He had no idea how one could increase the efficiency of converting vitality through a foundational cultivation method until it matched the effects of a medicinal pill.
“How did he do it?”
Unable to contain himself, Zhang Sanfeng scratched his head.
His face was filled with intense curiosity.
“Master, your disciple has no idea how the boy managed it either. But the results are real. I’ve personally cultivated the technique. So have my fellow martial brothers. It truly produces the same effect as a Qi Gathering Pill.”
“Is that so… But how exactly is it possible?”
Zhang Sanfeng continuously searched through every cultivation experience and martial arts manual he had accumulated over his lifetime.
He tried approaching the problem from every conceivable angle.
Attempting to recreate the result in his mind.
Yet the more he thought… The more he realized that this area of knowledge was a complete blank spot for him.
He knew perfectly well what happened after someone consumed a Qi Gathering Pill.
But knowing the result wasn’t enough.
He still couldn’t build a bridge between a foundational cultivation method and the medicinal effects of the pill.
The less he understood… The stronger his curiosity became.
It had been decades since he had felt like this.
Even when he created the Pure Yang Wuji Art, his desire to investigate hadn’t been this intense.
His neatly arranged white hair gradually became loose and disheveled as he repeatedly scratched at it.
Little by little, he began looking almost crazed.
Seeing this familiar sight, the corners of Song Yuanqiao’s mouth twitched slightly.
It had been many years since he had last seen his master like this.
He cautiously spoke.
“Master… Should I simply tell you how the cultivation method works?”
“No! Don’t tell me what it looks like!”
Zhang Sanfeng immediately waved him off.
“This cultivation method is of little use to me anyway. You decide for yourself. If it’s appropriate, then pass it down. Now go. Stop bothering me.”
To Zhang Sanfeng, Song Yuanqiao’s offer felt like someone trying to spoil the answer to a puzzle before he had solved it himself.
Song Yuanqiao naturally didn’t dare disturb his master’s contemplation any further.
After respectfully bowing, he quietly withdrew.
The back mountain of Wudang once again fell silent.
Only Zhang Sanfeng remained before his cave, pacing back and forth while scratching his head.
“Just how did he do it? It doesn’t make any sense. With my brilliance… How could I lose to a nine-year-old child?”
He paused before muttering to himself.
“Damn it… Could there actually be someone in this world who’s an even greater genius than me?”
Three days later…
Song Yuanqiao had just stepped out of the Hall of Zhenwu when a streak of white flashed before him.
Zhang Sanfeng suddenly appeared in front of him.
“Master? Why are you here? Are… are you alright?”
Song Yuanqiao asked with concern after seeing his master’s appearance.
Zhang Sanfeng lowered his head and looked at himself.
He casually ran both hands through his messy white hair, smoothing it down as best he could.
“I’m fine. What could possibly be wrong with me?”
Had it not been for the bloodshot eyes that betrayed his exhaustion…
Song Yuanqiao might actually have believed him.
After spending decades together as master and disciple, however…
He knew Zhang Sanfeng far too well.
Choosing not to press the matter, Song Yuanqiao respectfully lowered his head.
“Master… May I ask what brings you here today?”
“Oh, nothing particularly important.”
Zhang Sanfeng replied with feigned indifference.
“I’ve spent the last few days contemplating the cultivation method you mentioned… And I’ve gained a few insights. Now then… Where is that nine-year-old Daoist novice who created it? I’d like to meet him.”
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