Chapter 366: Chapter 265: Fond of Teaching, Eavesdropped by Chufeng 5!_2
But still didn’t take it seriously, thinking it was just a coincidence.
Until—
"Eh?"
"Talking about me?"
"’Shadowy Charm’, like ghosts and phantoms, can you see clearly enough to dare to lecture about it?"
Ding Xiang felt strange in her heart, but after all, since it was about herself, she couldn’t help but pay extra attention, and upon listening, she heard: "Body Technique Eight Diagram! Step Eight Diagrams!"
Ding Xiang was shocked!
Her "Shadowy Charm" movement technique was learned from Wei Luofang, the leader of the ’Ten Elders’ in the sixth Chuqiu Academy of the Ten Great Academies. Wei Luofang was born into a Martial Arts Family with deep roots. The "Shadowy Charm" technique was passed down in her family. Wei Luofang practiced a simplified version from a young age, and after great changes in the world, she was the first to discover the secrets of the original version. She studied diligently, and by the time Chuqiu Academy was founded, she had already reached the Postnatal Peak. From nothing, she built the Chuqiu Academy, propelling it into the ranks of the Ten Great Academies, making Wei Luofang a leading candidate for the "Earthly List".
Ding Xiang, now twenty-two, had entered the Chuqiu Academy six years ago and immediately aligned herself with Wei Luofang. In the first three years, she thoroughly grasped Wei Luofang’s primary cultivation technique "Cloud Smoke Skill" and successfully became her disciple. In the next three years, she fully mastered Wei Luofang’s comprehensive "Shadowy Charm" lightweight body technique.
Three years and another three years.
In just six years.
Ding Xiang rose powerfully, nearly becoming a half Wei Luofang, completely replicating Wei Luofang’s cultivation achievements and movement technique mastery.
Wei Luofang is qualified to be ranked on the Earthly List!
A great teacher produces outstanding students.
Ding Xiang, solely in terms of movement technique, is almost at the "Earthly List" level.
Both master and apprentice have quite the reputation.
Yet, few know of the "Shadowy Charm" they practice—
...
"How does this person know the inside details?"
Ding Xiang wondered, turning her head towards the direction of the voice coming from below the cliff. Her eyes were bright, and she immediately saw Yan Chuan standing on the rock, passionately explaining like a loud bell.
"It’s him!"
Ding Xiang recognized at a glance that this was the one with the extremely exquisite movement technique she had seen earlier. If it were this person, noticing a bit of the "Shadowy Charm" wouldn’t be surprising.
Moreover, the ’Body Technique Eight Diagram’, ’Step Eight Diagrams’ are just superficial. It’s not strange for someone to see that. The true mysteries of "Shadowy Charm" aren’t there, nor can they be gleaned by a mere outsider with simple glances. Even her mentor Wei Luofang had to study and practice for decades to achieve great success.
As for Ding Xiang herself—
"I stand on the shoulders of giants to achieve this in just six years."
She didn’t believe anyone could decipher her mentor’s decades of painstakingly honed movement technique in just a few glimpses.
That’s impossible!
But—
...
"Shadowy Charm!"
"Movement technique, step technique are both superficial."
"The true core lies in the ’Qi Skill’."
"What is tangible encompasses the four limbs, and what is intangible is Qi power, releasing Qi power is fundamental to the limbs."
"The ’Qi Skill’ of ’Shadowy Charm’ emphasizes ’Three Hearts’—the top of the heart, the palm heart, the sole heart."
"The top of the heart is crucial, the palm heart must restrain, the sole heart must clasp. All three must clasp together, concentrating the Qi. If the top of the heart is not firm, it disperses, the Qi scatters and intents are chaotic, Qi can’t penetrate into the Dantian. If the sole heart doesn’t clasp, the lower limbs open up and can’t exert strength from the foot’s root, the step technique is thus disorderly. When the Three Hearts clasp together, Qi can return to the Dantian. The Dantian energy suffices, spreads to the spleen, and extends to the limbs."
"Look at Ding Xiang, her form is ghostly, voice resounding, mind clear, heart ruthless, Qi harmonious, strength clever, intent firm, momentum fast, hands skillful, feet clear, body agile, advancement and retreat nimble, height accurate. These are the twelve essentials of ’Shadowy Charm’."
...
Yan Chuan lecturing on ’Shadowy Charm’ in public, combined with Ding Xiang’s mountain climbing, more vividly and dynamically.
In such a short time, he obviously hadn’t seen through all this, but he had people in the Traveler Department, and was even the head of it.
In the database set up by Tian Jing for Yan Chuan, there was detailed information on Ding Xiang, including the particulars of ’Cloud Smoke Skill’, its key points, and—
"The complete secret manual of ’Shadowy Charm’!"
Wei Luofang handed the manual to the court, and Tian Jing took a copy for public service, placing it in the database for Yan Chuan to access freely.
In terms of ’Shadowy Charm’ mastery, Yan Chuan had not yet practiced, naturally not as good as Ding Xiang.
But if it was just about watching Ding Xiang climb mountains, watching her perform ’Shadowy Charm’ and then explaining this movement technique, Yan Chuan had plenty to say.
Deeper and lighter.
Deep and superficial.
Yan Chuan analyzed Ding Xiang thoroughly.
Deriving numerous thoughts and feedback, which further prompted his deeper understanding and mastery of ’Shadowy Charm’—
[Your ’Shadowy Charm’ has improved, First Realm: Beginner→ Second Realm: First Glimpse.]
[Your ’Shadowy Charm’ has improved, Second Realm: First Glimpse→ Third Realm: Entering the Hall.]
[Your ’Shadowy Charm’ has improved, Third Realm: Entering the Hall→ Fourth Realm Slightly Accomplished.]
...
Shadowy Charm!
Achieved slight success instantly!
And not just that, also ’Ladder Cloud Jump’—
...
[Task Five: Ladder Cloud Jump]
[Inspiration: 91]
...
The inspiration for ’Ladder Cloud Jump’ grew once more, soon to be successfully developed.
Specialty matches!
The grandmaster’s aid!
Yan Chuan experienced unprecedented ease!
...
"Good!"
"Really well said!"
"So that’s how it is—"
"Rise, fall, drill, flip, burst, pick, horizontal, vertical!"
"Yin, Yang, jab, vertical, more, center, pinch, fall!"
Ding Xiang listened to Yan Chuan’s explanation, gradually getting serious, until later when she was blessed in her spirit. In Qinggong, in movement techniques, in ’Shadowy Charm’, she unexpectedly made new progress, advancing to a new level, seemingly surpassing Wei Luofang, cultivating ’Shadowy Charm’ to a novel level.
A moment of indescribable joy.
Upon returning to her senses, she was more shocked: "I didn’t know ’Shadowy Charm’ actually had these changes, changes even my master didn’t comprehend, yet this person could see?!"
Ding Xiang turned her head to look at Yan Chuan again, and at this moment, Yan Chuan had already completed his explanations on the changes in ’Shadowy Charm’, and once again changed his focus, beginning to talk about others.
"He is—"
Ding Xiang’s mind turned, instantly understanding Yan Chuan’s intention: "He is observing our Qinggong movement techniques, rejecting the dross and selecting the essence to enhance himself!"
Besides observation!
Besides clandestine learning!
There is no other explanation for Yan Chuan’s actions.
"Exquisite movements are hard to find in the world."
"Smart and studious, with quick progress."
"This indeed is a promising seedling, but I don’t know his surname, given name, or background. After all, ’Mind Reading Technique’ takes three years to master, I can’t act recklessly."
Ding Xiang’s thoughts raced in her mind, catching sight of ’Flying Bodhisattva’ Situ Fei not far off, she hurried to ask: "Does Sister Bodhisattva know anything about this person’s background down the mountain?"
Situ Fei, like a fairy, even when using both hands and feet, exuded fairy-like aura in her every move. Listening to Ding Xiang’s inquiry, she herself was unsure, guessing: "The one pushing the giant boulder should be Wang Zhengyi of Jian Province. He displayed this skill at Chess Stone Peak a few days ago. The person down the mountain who can help Wang Zhengyi out of trouble, his voice now resounding like a great bell, clearly possesses the ’Lion Roar’ skill, judging by this, it’s highly likely this person is Jian Province’s Yan Chuan."
Situ Fei’s nature wasn’t easily perturbed, yet her observations were meticulous.
From ’Shakyamuni Elephant Throwing Skill’ deducing Wang Zhengyi, then from Wang Zhengyi and ’Lion Roar’ identifying Yan Chuan.
Rational and convincing.
"Right, right, right!"
"It is indeed Yan Chuan!"
Ding Xiang immediately confirmed, that person is Yan Chuan, swiftly recalling everything she knows about Yan Chuan—
"Currently twenty-seven, quite an age."
"But up until twenty-six, he was cooped up in a small Martial Arts Hall, only starting to venture out last year, breaking the limit near the end of the year, just half a year ago, yet he could make the ’Hidden Dragon List’, ranked eighty-first, with such outstanding movement technique mastery."
Ding Xiang weighed repeatedly.
Eavesdropping on Yan Chuan’s lecture, every word striking deeply, as she listened attentively, she found much enlightenment. Just from Yan Chuan’s words could she discern that his movement technique mastery was absolutely a level above hers.
"Exquisite movements."
"Fast progress too."
"In the next three years, he may grow even more."
"Plus, he has a close personal relationship with an Innate Grandmaster."
The last point became the last straw, Ding Xiang couldn’t restrain the eagerness in her heart, looking back at the eloquent Yan Chuan, her heart flickered with a spark of inspiration, shooting straight into Yan Chuan and disappearing at his brow.
"Mind Reading Technique!"
"Eavesdropping!"
"Binding to Yan Chuan!"
"Qinggong!"
"Movement technique!"
Once the thought settled.
In the next moment—
Boom!
A fierce tide of thoughts surged forth!
"Ugh~"
"So overwhelming~"
Ding Xiang felt her head spinning, her hands and feet stalling, then she fell backward.
...