Devouring Evil Martial Arts, Eliminating Demons from All Heavens

Chapter 159 The Origin of Internal Energy, Jianghu People
Chu Tianshu's feelings at that time were quite magical.

From childhood to adulthood, he had always heard that the proportion of spiritual enlightenment was far lower than that of martial arts masters.

The same situation occurred in the worlds I had traveled to before.

However, in this world today, internal energy cultivation is the mainstream.

If those who practice internal energy cultivation are all spiritually enlightened, then this world would be overflowing with spiritualists.

However, he quickly realized that they didn't pretend to be martial artists; they genuinely believed themselves to be martial artists.

They couldn't cast spells, and most of them had never seen ghosts or monsters.

Even when Chu Tianshu personally fought Miao Fan, he didn't feel that the other party's internal strength was anything special.

It feels similar to the internal strength that people cultivate back in my hometown.

After they gained spiritual insight, they took a sharp turn and embarked on the path of internal energy martial arts practitioners.

However, the internal energy cultivation methods in my hometown can be roughly described as "refining essence into qi".

The unique feature of internal cultivation in this world should be "cultivating spirit to transform qi".

Chu Tianshu perused many ancient books in the Southern Shaolin Temple and roughly pieced together a clue.

It is possible that long ago, when the ancestors of this place embarked on their spiritual practice, most of them entered the path of spiritual enlightenment.

It was a natural progression, following the path of cultivating mental power.

They can display wondrous abilities akin to magic, but those who follow this path rarely live long and are prone to mood swings.

Their emotions are prone to extreme highs and lows; they are easily driven to madness or depression. Despite enjoying the adoration of the world, suicides are not uncommon.

Those who live a little longer are more likely to fall into hallucinations, and may experience lethargy or delirium.

People kept searching for a way out and finally figured out a method to cultivate the feeling of Qi immediately after enlightenment.

Instead of pursuing the wonders and mysteries of magic, they focused solely on the "qi" flowing within their bodies.

As a result, people in later generations had no idea how to cultivate mental power.

They had all cultivated internal energy long before they cultivated mental power.

After learning about these things, Chu Tianshu couldn't help but think of the Misty Cloud Realm that had once trapped him.

Even with his cultivation level when he entered the realm, he felt immense pressure and was almost swept away by the undercurrent.

Those with shallow spiritual skills are likely to be easily corrupted and become abnormal.

They grow up locally, and even if they have the opportunity to deepen their mental power, pollution is always present, making it a truly dangerous path.

The high rate of spiritual awakening among the locals is likely due to the existence of that misty, ethereal realm.

It was also because of the misty, ethereal realm that everyone embarked on the path of "cultivating spirit and transforming qi".

Internal energy is not as sensitive as telekinesis, so even when the foundation is shallow, there is no need to worry about it being affected much.

After Chu Tianshu figured out these things, he thought of his "Secret Incantation Method of Vertical and Horizontal Strategies".

If the "Secret Method of Vertical and Horizontal Incantation" could be extended by another half, focusing on how to transform mental power into internal energy, it could probably be considered a martial art.

Once I've gathered enough materials, I can work through this process.

When the first part of the lesson, which focuses on the power of thought, is taught by the best teachers, the practice will be much more detailed and smooth.

It can also connect the essence, energy, and spirit, allowing one's mental cultivation to no longer be independent of martial arts.

This allows the achievements of previous cultivation to be directly inherited and carried forward.

Vajra Samadhi, Heavenly Merit, and the Laws of Horizontal and Vertical Transformation—all are self-sufficient.

However, the Southern Shaolin Kung Fu techniques lack high potential and only explain how to cultivate internal energy after achieving spiritual connection.

Contemporary martial artists do not know how to transform mental power into internal energy.

Even if Chu Tianshu read through all the internal martial arts manuals of the Southern Shaolin Temple and pieced them together with the "Secret Blessings of the Horizontal and Vertical Sects," he still couldn't connect the dots.

That's something you'll have to do yourself.

Once our power grows stronger, we can try to collect secret manuals from other sects.

Recently, he taught the introductory chapter of "The Heavenly Divine Skill" to those in Shaolin who practice hard kung fu.

Because of its complex circumstances, it is not suitable for comparison.

He planned to see how different the state of ordinary people when they refine essence into qi and cultivate internal strength was compared with that of other martial monks who had just cultivated internal strength by "refining spirit into qi".

This will help us find the true key to "cultivating spirit and transforming it into qi" and examine it further.

"Amitabha."

The monk Miaogao felt a little ashamed. "Layman, we haven't made any progress in the introductory chapter of that divine skill yet."

Chu Tianshu asked suspiciously, "It's one thing for others, but these two masters of the 'Miao' generation haven't even developed a sense of Qi yet?"

The two old monks exchanged a glance, both with bitter expressions, and shook their heads.

Miao Ji said, "After much thought, we feel that it is difficult to get started, and it is not only due to our limited aptitude. This divine skill manual is already quite difficult and profound at the introductory stage, and its intention is very high, making people feel the charm of many Taoist mystical principles."

“We are all Buddhist disciples, and our views are different, so it is really difficult for us to understand.”

Chu Tianshu was stunned.

After his cultivation method was deduced by the token, it was as if he had been taught by a top master. Moreover, even without the token, he had been cultivating since childhood and had no prejudice against any particular sect.

After all, "The Ghost Doctor" contains all sorts of medical techniques, including Taoist and Buddhist medical techniques, as well as some acupuncture and incantation techniques from unknown sects.

The key to witch doctors' annotations is to "write down what is useful first".

As for how exactly it produces results, and which company's philosophy is more correct.

Don't worry about anything else, just focus on saving them.

As for the rest... let's trust in the wisdom of future generations.

The lineage of witch doctors has developed in a complex and slow manner, always remaining a side branch and unable to emerge from the mainstream. This may be because they lack strong cohesion and have not established an unbreakable lineage.

But this also prevents them from blindly believing in the technological concepts of any era.

This can be described as the most superficial lineage in terms of sectarianism.

"Oh, there's that factor too."

Chu Tianshu pondered for a moment, "Alright, let me think of a way to modify it. How's your practice of other boxing techniques going?"

The monks get really excited when this is mentioned.

Judging from everyone's expressions, they all wished they could rehearse with Chu Tianshu.

The sight of so many bald men bustling about, their enthusiasm and energy making the entire training ground even brighter.

"Among the Shaolin boxing styles, there were several forms that the monks practiced with great enthusiasm."

Miao Gao, however, prevailed over the crowd, saying, "This humble monk is not only quite proficient in those boxing stances, but also has some understanding of the Immortal Force."

He walked toward the large vat and began to speak.

"As the saying goes, 'drawing water from the pit and filling fire from the fire, lead and mercury embracing each other,' it is a metaphor for the strength of the heart and kidneys, which accumulates into a perfect whole."

Miao Gao stretched out her palm, moved her five fingers, and her palm turned bright red as she swept it across the outside of the large water vat.

Suddenly, the water tank made a buzzing sound, and the spring water inside actually started to swirl.

Miao Ji, seeing the opportunity, was delighted and went over as well.

“The highest good is water. Blood and water are both soft yet powerful. With the softest thing in the world, one can overcome the hardest thing in the world. Blood flows around the bones and drives the strength of the bones.” Miao Ji stood to the side of a large vat and slapped it with his hand.

The large vat wobbled and bumped into another vat.

Suddenly, the water in the other vat burst into a large spray.

The water in the two jars swayed for a long time, but neither jar was damaged.

Chu Tianshu clapped his hands in praise: "Excellent!"

Good heavens, this is just the introductory chapter of the Heavenly Hanging Divine Skill, and you're telling me there are too many Taoist mystical principles.

You guys seem to be practicing the immortal strength of the Golden Toad Sect Taoists quite diligently.

Chu Tianshu suspected that their prejudices were not due to any sectarian differences between Taoism and Buddhism.

Instead, he was so used to physical training that he never thought he could practice internal martial arts.

Should we find some young people who haven't yet mastered hard skills to teach them?

However, the difficulty of the beginner's guide to the Divine Skill is indeed quite high.

Feng Jianhua said at the time that several people with above-average aptitude had learned the Hentian Kung Fu.

But that above-average aptitude was based on comparisons with himself, and even with Chu Tianshu.

"That's good, that's good."

Miao Gao was overjoyed. "I never imagined that external martial arts could be practiced to such a degree that one could achieve such a perfect balance of hardness and softness."

"After receiving guidance from the lay Buddhist recently, it was as if I suddenly understood everything."

“When these skills are mastered to their peak, they may not be inferior to the abbot’s internal energy cultivation.”

All the monks nodded in agreement.

Originally, most of these people could have been selected when the sharpshooter was chosen.

However, Chu Tianshu saw that their foundation was very solid. Once they practiced the exquisite boxing techniques, they could be said to have accumulated a lot of experience and made significant progress in a short period of time.

Even if most people can't cultivate internal strength, practicing fist techniques first will significantly increase their combat power when they take up arms in the future.

Therefore, all the monks who practiced martial arts were left in the temple.

When the monks learned of this decision, they had no complaints.

Within the Southern Shaolin Temple, although overt discrimination is forbidden, the entire martial arts world considers external martial arts to be crude.

These monks were willing to stay in the temple, practicing diligently day after day, which had long since tempered their character into something extremely resilient.

After Chu Tianshu taught them several styles of boxing, the monks went from having "no complaints" to being overjoyed.

Looking across the entire Southern Shaolin Temple, this group must be the most supportive of Chu Tianshu.

Chu Tianshu also intended to train them into a military unit with endurance far exceeding that of ordinary martial monks.

"Morning exercise is not suitable for anything too strenuous; you should eat something."

Chu Tianshu smiled and asked, "Are we having milk porridge again this morning?"

Buddhist scriptures record that Shakyamuni once accepted milk porridge offered by a shepherdess to restore his strength.

The monks of the Southern Shaolin Temple also have a tradition of drinking milk porridge. However, most of the monks who practice internal martial arts have a light diet and do not like the smell of milk porridge.

Those who practice hard skills often have a wider diet and a larger appetite.

After tasting it once, Chu Tianshu told the monks not to be reluctant to add sugar.

Milk porridge tastes much better now.

Chu Tianshu had filled a pot with tea and pastries at the foot of the mountain, and now he wouldn't mind having a bowl of thick, fragrant porridge as well.

Everyone went to have breakfast together and then returned to the Arhat Hall.

Chu Tianshu lived here. He would cultivate in the morning, simplify the beginner's guide to the divine skill in the afternoon, take over news and intelligence from the outside, and visit the weapon workshop in the evening.

These days, the news has spread far and wide, causing a sensation in the martial arts world of the South.

Once the banner of resistance against Japanese pirates was raised, no one could utter a single word of dissent against the Southern Shaolin Temple.

As for external resistance, it has not yet penetrated into Fujian Province. The Southern Shaolin Temple is not in a hurry to attack. Instead, it recruits local militia and sends monks to teach them swordsmanship and martial arts for self-defense.

The government has already sent commendations several times, and Miao Fan and his group have covered up any inquiries about the Southern Shaolin Temple's movements.

Many gentry and wealthy merchants also came to offer incense and worship Buddha, and donated money for incense offerings.

Although Chu Tianshu only cared about training troops and didn't often go to the front hall, he frequently heard the sounds of gongs and drums.

These past two days have been particularly lively, seemingly because those wealthy merchants, realizing they might not be able to compete with their peers in terms of donations, have resorted to different methods.

They always had to spend some money to hire a large number of villagers from the surrounding area to make it look like the villagers had spontaneously presented a plaque to the Southern Shaolin Temple.

"In the coastal areas, there are indeed people who spontaneously express their gratitude by sending gifts, but sending plaques..."

Zen Master Miaokong was also in the Arhat Hall today, sitting at the stone table, shaking his head and laughing, "Since the villagers nearby have already earned some money, I won't expose them."

Chu Tianshu seemed to be lost in thought, holding the calligraphy brush, and didn't hear Miaokong speak.

But as soon as Miaokong stopped speaking, he interjected, "I think you are actually very happy. The pilgrims are coming in droves and your good name is spreading far and wide. This is exactly what the monks have always wished for."

Miaokong chanted a Buddhist prayer and smiled without saying a word.

"Officials, businessmen, and ordinary people are all trying to curry favor with the Southern Shaolin Temple, but those who are truly discerning should be waiting for the Japanese pirates' reaction."

Chu Tianshu asked, "Any new intelligence?"

Miao Kong's smile faded: "I've heard that Chen Zuqi often operates in Japan and has even sailed as far as the Western Barbarian lands. It's hard to say where he is now, but we have already pacified the coastal areas of Fujian and cracked down on many pirate gangs."

"His business of Japanese swords has been severely impacted, and he will definitely receive the news."

The monk frowned. "In our estimation, even before he makes a move, one of his adopted sons should have already started to make a fuss."

"But we haven't been able to find out where his adopted sons are going. Do they really intend to wait for Chen Zuqi to personally take action and finish the job in one fell swoop?"

Chu Tianshu licked the inkstone with his pen.

"I instructed you to obscure my presence in all your messages, and you did a good job."

He pondered, "Do you think that Liuyun Mansion believes that Southern Shaolin Temple cannot withstand the counterattack of the Japanese pirates, so it is helping to eliminate some of the pirates' wings?"

When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits; the fight must be made even fiercer.

Miao Kong's eyes flickered, and she was about to speak.

Chu Tianshu suddenly looked up at the wall, his eyes gleaming, and said loudly, "My friend, you must have come up the mountain in the procession with the gongs and drums, right?"

"But the speed at which you broke away from the crowd and circled around to the back mountain is something that the guards hired by those merchants could not match."

Miao Kong looked surprised and got up to look.

A young man dressed in black appeared on the wall. He looked to be under thirty years old, with sharp eyes, thin lips, and a long sword at his waist.

Miao Kong said in a deep voice, "Who are you, and why are you trespassing on the Southern Shaolin Temple?"

"The Southern Shaolin Temple has been making quite a splash lately, inviting sensible people to the mountain while discerning individuals wait patiently."

The young man's voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't had water in a long time.

"But in this vast world, besides these two types of people, there are always other kinds of people."

Chu Tianshu calmly asked, "What kind of person?"

(End of this chapter)