Under One Person: My Inner Realm Connects to All Worlds!

Chapter 66 Lion Dance Heritage
Lion dance was called "Taiping Le" in ancient times. It is divided into northern and southern styles. The southern lion is also called the awakening lion, while the northern lion is divided into "civil lion" and "martial lion".

Originating during the reign of Emperor Zhang of the Eastern Han Dynasty, lion dancing was a highly regarded form of entertainment in the Tang Dynasty, primarily performed in the form of lion dances for the emperor's enjoyment.

Bai Juyi once wrote a poem titled "Western Liang Dancers": "Masked Hu people and fake lions, with wooden heads and silk tails; gilded eyes and silver teeth, their fur coats fluttering and their ears swaying..."

However, the northern lion dance is based on realism, with a shape that closely resembles a real lion. The lion's head is relatively simple, and the whole body is covered with golden fur, making the lion's head look majestic.

Southern lion dance, on the other hand, emphasizes rapid changes, agility, and a balance of strength and gentleness.

This is actually related to the lineage of extraordinary individuals in both factions.

The inheritance of lion dance is mainly divided into two parts: steps and imitating the transformation of qi into form.

The footwork is the Qilin Step, which is actually a type of Stepping the Divine Path, and can be cultivated into a special Heavenly Divine Qi.

The so-called Tiangang Qi is mainly absorbed by absorbing scattered energy from living things in nature through stepping on the Big Dipper. This energy can be used to maintain the user's energy or repair physical damage.

This technique allows one to control external forces without requiring a talent for weapon crafting, but it requires continuous power accumulation through stepping on the steps of the Big Dipper.

Lion dancing can be extremely tiring, especially in Singapore. Whether it's a literary lion or a martial lion, the lion tamer and the lion dancer are all martial arts practitioners or even qi practitioners, with a deep foundation in the art.

A traditional lion head weighs seventy or eighty pounds, and the lion skin weighs twenty or thirty pounds. Holding such heavy things and performing various difficult movements for a long time is something that ordinary people would find very difficult to do. Only with the blessing of celestial energy can the lion dancer maintain his vitality.

As for imitating Qi and transforming it into form, that is the method of combat.

The inheritance of lion dance involves experiencing lion dance firsthand, understanding the form and movements of the lion, and mimicking and transforming one's own inner energy into the shape of a lion, enveloping oneself within it.

In battle, it's like a lion dance, where you control the lion's aura to fight.

Among them, the Northern Lion focuses on the transformation of Qi into form, so the lion is more realistic and easier to cultivate the lion-shaped Qi. In addition, the Northern Lion Dance is often given the meaning of suppressing evil spirits and protecting the area, so it is ferocious, simple, rough and grand.

As for the Southern Lion, it is associated with blessings, auspiciousness, and harmony. Therefore, the Southern Lion is exquisite and beautiful, and its tradition emphasizes footwork, with its twists and turns and great agility.

Han Yun, through divination within his inner vision, learned that there was indeed a lion dance inheritor in Lion City named Zhao Yuanxing, who was already old.

It's a sad story.

The renowned Lion Dance of Singapore almost fell into decline, with no successors. Only in the last two years has it gained attention and begun to develop.

Even if it were developed, very few people would have the talent to cultivate Qi, and most would only be able to use modern lion heads that weigh only a dozen kilograms.

The difference is huge; anyone with eyes can see the difference in force. For example, wielding a metal object will feel more powerful than wielding a wooden one.

Dusk always comes especially quickly in Singapore. The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the old streets paved with bluestone slabs, making Zhao Yuanxing's hunched figure look very long.

He stood in front of the lion dance hall, looking up at the faded "Zhao Family Martial Lion" plaque, a hint of sadness flashing in his cloudy eyes.

"Master, it's getting cold, please go inside," the young apprentice behind him whispered.

Zhao Yuanxing waved his hand but didn't move.

His gaze passed over the eaves, looking towards the towering skyscrapers in the distance. There, the lights were bright and the traffic was bustling, a stark contrast to this almost forgotten old street.

"More than thirty years have passed..."

The old man muttered to himself, his calloused hands unconsciously reaching for his waist, where a copper bell used to hang, which he would attach to the lion's neck during his lion dances.

It's completely empty now.

The shouts of young disciples practicing their basic skills could be heard from inside the hall, sounding full of youthful vigor.

But Zhao Yuanxing knew that none of these children could truly inherit his mantle. Lion dancing is divided into North and South, and the Northern Lion Dance is further divided into Civil and Martial styles. His lineage of Martial Lion Dance requires even more profound strength and inner energy, and is a true method of combat. They had been practicing for three or four years without making any progress, while his own body was already too impatient.

"Master, someone is looking for you!" A disciple rushed over, interrupting the old man's thoughts.

Zhao Yuanxing frowned: "Who is it?"

"He said his surname was Han, and he was a young man who came from Zhili."

In the reception room, a young man who looked to be no more than twenty years old was facing away from the door, carefully examining an ancient painting hanging on the wall. It was the Zhao family's ancestral painting, "The Green Lion Subduing Demons".

The painting depicts a blue-maned lion with bulging muscles, a spirited demeanor, its claws treading on ghosts, devouring demons and subduing monsters, and an exceptionally ferocious appearance.

"Mr. Zhao, I have long admired your name."

The young man respectfully clasped his hands in a salute: "This junior is Han Yun."

Zhao Yuanxing looked the newcomer up and down. Although the young man who called himself Han Yun was dressed plainly, he was very handsome and had an inexplicable air about him. He gave people a sense of otherworldly elegance and being in harmony with the Dao.

Especially his eyes, gentle and warm like jade, clearly indicating a person of uprightness and affability.

Zhao Yuanxing nodded slightly, gesturing for Han Yun to sit down. He slowly sat down in the armchair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrests, producing a dull sound.

"From Zhili?" The old man's voice was hoarse, but his gaze was sharp as a knife. "What business do you have with this old man?"

Han Yun smiled slightly, took out a porcelain bottle from his pocket, and said, "I would like to see the martial lion dance that you personally performed, and of course I won't let you go to waste."

"There are five pills in this bottle, personally certified by Master Bai of Renxintang in the capital. They are good for your health."

With the Embracing Simplicity Elixir Classic, Han Yun no longer needed to beg and plead for its inheritance. At least he received a gift, and one that was extremely precious.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuanxing paused in his movements, a glint of light flashing in his cloudy eyes.

"Old Master Bai of Renxintang?" Zhao Yuanxing's voice trembled slightly: "Seventh Master Bai?"

Han Yun nodded: "Not bad!"

Zhao Yuanxing slowly took the porcelain bottle, uncorked it, and took a gentle sniff. Instantly, a refreshing medicinal fragrance permeated his heart and lungs, and even the pent-up frustration in his chest dissipated a bit.

"What a wonderful elixir!"

"This gift is quite generous!"

He gave a thumbs-up, then looked at Han Yun with a hint of consideration, and tentatively asked, "Young man, do you want to learn lion dancing?"

Han Yun nodded, but then shook his head: "I'm just interested, I'll just take a look."

"Just to take a look?"

Zhao Yuanxing looked at the porcelain bottle in his hand, somewhat unsure of Han Yun's condition.

Han Yun said half-jokingly, "It's up to me how much you can learn from your demonstration. If I learn it all, don't worry."

"Hahaha!"

Zhao Yuanxing couldn't help but laugh loudly, "If someone learns my Martial Lion, I'll be overjoyed. At least I'll have the face to face my father!"

(End of this chapter)