Chapter 38: Tai Chi
At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi had just returned from the birthday banquet of Emperor Xue Ye in Heaven Dou City, with Sword Bone Douluo by his side.
After the Ninth Elder returned, he detailed the journey, especially the part where Yang Xiong entered the poison formation.
Sword Bone Douluo remained expressionless the entire time, while Ning Fengzhi's smile gradually disappeared, and his expression turned serious.
"Ninth Elder, you've worked hard this time. The poison formation you spoke of should be the one in Dugu Bo's medicine garden in the Sunset Forest. Was everything cleaned up?"
The Ninth Elder nodded, "Sect Master, I've removed all traces from the outer areas. Even Dugu Bo would not find a single clue. However, I was unable to go deeper into the poison formation."
Ning Fengzhi then smiled, "Thank you for your hard work, Elder. Now, you should take a good rest."
The Ninth Elder didn't say anything else and left. Now, only Ning Fengzhi and Sword Bone Douluo remained.
After a long period of silence, Ning Fengzhi finally spoke, "Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, what do you think of Yang Xiong's journey this time, especially his entry into Dugu Bo's medicine garden?"
Bone Douluo thought carefully before speaking, "Fengzhi, Yang Xiong has always been very cautious in his actions. This time, however, he entered Dugu Bo's poison formation. He must have received some information. There's something in Dugu Bo's medicine garden that he really wants, and it's definitely something crucial."
Ning Fengzhi nodded, "Yang Xiong has always kept a low profile. Even when he contributes to the sect, he does so very discreetly. Given the contributions he's made, he's earned the right for us to plan things for him. It seems there must be something extraordinary in Dugu Bo's medicine garden, which is why he dared to take such a risk."
"After all, this kid has been hiding an external soul bone and hasn't revealed a single soul skill. That shows how cautious he is."
Bone Douluo seemed a bit angry upon hearing this, "What is this kid hiding? If he had told me, he wouldn't have needed all these schemes and wouldn't have to take such risks. Dugu Bo isn't worth all this trouble."
"Fengzhi, should I arrange for Yang Xiong to come and personally explain? I always feel like this kid is hiding something."
Ning Fengzhi was silent for a moment before replying, "Forget it. As long as Yang Xiong is loyal to our sect, his little secrets will eventually be revealed. We don't need to worry about his small tricks. If one day Dugu Bo finds out, we can just have Sword Uncle step in and deal with it. If necessary, we'll bear a little cost."
Sword Bone Douluo nodded in agreement, clearly accepting Ning Fengzhi's words. Of course, they were slightly dismissive of Dugu Bo, the weakest of the Title Douluos.
In the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eye, Dugu Bo stood amidst the ruined ground, his face filled with fury.
"Which bastard stole my herbs? If I find out who it is, I'll make you suffer the pain of the Phosphorus Snake's poison and have your whole family wiped out."
At this moment, the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eye looked utterly devastated. All the herbs had been dug up, and even the ground appeared to have been turned over, with everything underneath thoroughly dug out. Not even the poisonous plants Dugu Bo had grown remained.
Dugu Bo's face twisted in anger, but he quickly calmed down. The Ice Fire Yin Yang Eye had a unique position, and there was a poison formation he had set up outside. Even a Soul Douluo wouldn't be able to break in—only Title Douluos could enter.
Moreover, the poisonous plants inside the Eye, particularly the two red and white poisonous plants, were dangerous even for him. They had to be the work of a Title Douluo. There were only a handful of Title Douluos in the world, and every one of them had to be cautious. The most likely suspect was his old rival, Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Dugu Bo's eyes gleamed with intense anger, "Chrysanthemum Pass, Spirit Hall, this matter will not end here. I will not let it go so easily."
Spirit Hall: ...
After returning home, Yang Xiong greeted his parents and then immediately retreated to his room to cultivate. He hadn't left his room for many days.
During the Ice Fire Body Refinement, Yang Xiong had experienced immense pain. It felt like his body and martial soul were undergoing a transformation, and he had sensed something unknown within his body.
That was the meridians, the true blueprint of meditation.
In the Douluo world, the concept of meridians didn't exist. Especially in the first school of Douluo, there were only some relatively simple meditation methods.
But Tang San's Xuantian Gong was completely different. It operated through the meridians, and its efficiency was far superior to the current meditation methods.
During this process, Yang Xiong's understanding of his body deepened. Especially with the influence of the Ice and Fire poisons, it seemed that they had impacted his meridians, expanding them.
He thought of an alternative method to practice, using the powers of Ice and Fire, which could be seen as Yin and Yang forces. To balance these forces within his internal organs, he realized that soul power must circulate rapidly within his body to form a balance. This solution came to him during the intense pain of the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eye.
At the core of this idea was a concept he remembered from his past life—Tai Chi.
In every martial arts world, Daoism held an undisputed leadership position, and Tai Chi was considered the pinnacle of Daoism.
In his past life on Blue Planet, although Yang Xiong didn't study martial arts extensively, he had been exposed to Tai Chi. He saw many people practicing Tai Chi in parks, and there were numerous TV shows and movies explaining it. His grandfather had taught him a bit, but he didn't think it had any effect, so he didn't dive deeper into it.
Now, Yang Xiong reflected on it again. Tai Chi might not be suitable for combat, especially in the soul master world, but for meditation in the soul master world, it was on a different level.
With this thought in mind, Yang Xiong casually performed Tai Chi, and to his surprise, it felt entirely different from his previous experiences. It felt very natural, and as he performed the movements, the soul power in his body seemed to flow as if guided, like a torrent.
Yang Xiong remembered that Tai Chi, according to legend, could harmonize the Yin and Yang energies within the body, enhancing flexibility and coordination. In combat, Tai Chi was known for using softness to overcome hardness, using stillness to counter movement, cleverly deflecting an opponent's attacks. It also promoted blood circulation and improved bodily functions, making it a powerful martial and health technique.
Yang Xiong had never believed in such things, but at this moment, he felt inclined to believe. If Tang San could cultivate with Xuantian Gong in the world of soul masters, then Tai Chi could work as well, possibly even stronger.
Originally, Yang Xiong had planned to practice Bajiquan, but Tai Chi seemed more widespread, and he had learned a little as a child. Moreover, Tai Chi was a true heritage and pinnacle passed down by the ancestors, and even outsiders would try to learn it.
(END CHAPTER)
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