Chapter 39: 39: Yin and Yang Meditation
After practicing the fundamental forms of Tai Chi repeatedly, Yang Xiong increasingly felt the profound depth and sophistication of this ancient art.
Especially after continuously practicing Tai Chi forms multiple times, the spirit power within his body began flowing like internal energy from martial arts stories, seeming to circulate according to some natural and predetermined pattern.
Tai Chi represented a treasured legacy of Chinese martial arts culture—very easy to learn initially and with widely accessible teaching methods. Although Yang Xiong hadn't been particularly interested in cultivation during his previous life, he had still studied similar materials extensively, especially since his grandfather had been passionate about the practice. Not to mention the endless stream of popular television shows and movies featuring Tai Chi, particularly certain masterpiece films that he had watched countless times over the years.
Many people knew the basic movements of Tai Chi, and the key principles of the techniques were quite clear, focusing mainly on three essential points: slow and gentle movements, smooth and coherent flow, and clear distinction between substantial and insubstantial actions.
Especially given the unique nature of his full-body martial soul, after achieving the Silver-level awakening of his body-type martial soul, Yang Xiong could sense spirit power movements with increasing clarity. He could now very distinctly observe the circulation of spirit power throughout his physical form. According to Yang Xiong's careful analysis, these pathways should represent the legendary meridians within his body.
Moreover, after completing the ice and fire body tempering process, the opposing ice and fire energies from the Eight Corner Mysterious Ice Grass and the Blazing Apricot Passionate seemed to have accumulated entirely within his meridian system. Although the meridians throughout his body had not yet been completely opened, they were obviously much smoother and more accessible than before his second awakening.
At this moment, Yang Xiong couldn't help but think of the Wonderful Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum among his collected immortal herbs. Purely from the perspective of beneficial effects, the Wonderful Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum was actually the most suitable choice for someone with a body-type martial soul.
The effects of the Wonderful Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum were remarkably clear and powerful. It could invigorate all four limbs and clear the eight primary meridians, enabling the cultivation of an indestructible physical form. It was definitely the most appropriate immortal herb for enhancing body-type martial souls.
However, in order to make his physical foundation even stronger and ensure his future development remained as stable as possible, Yang Xiong had deliberately chosen the more challenging ice and fire body tempering path instead.
During the following period, Yang Xiong carefully studied the flow of spirit power within his body, particularly observing the involuntary circulation patterns that occurred when practicing Tai Chi forms. Combined with memories from his previous life, he created a simple diagram mapping the human meridian system. Of course, his diagram contained only basic pathway lines without specific meridian names or detailed annotations. He hadn't been extensively exposed to such advanced concepts in his previous life and had no intention of pursuing overly complicated theoretical study.
Subsequently, through his meridian diagram and skillful application of Tai Chi principles, he reverse-engineered a completely unique meditation method of his own design.
This meditation system remained only in prototype form, but Yang Xiong firmly believed that given the profound wisdom inherent in Tai Chi philosophy, this new cultivation method would definitely surpass even Tang San's legendary Mysterious Heaven Skill.
During the subsequent period, Yang Xiong experimented with guiding the spirit power within his body to circulate according to Tai Chi principles. Especially after practicing Tai Chi forms repeatedly over many sessions, he seemed to understand the deeper artistic conception and spiritual essence of Tai Chi with increasing clarity.
Throughout this extended period, Yang Xiong's breathing patterns and conscious awareness gradually transformed. Originally, following conventional meditation methods, he had forcibly absorbed spiritual energy from the surrounding atmosphere.
However, Tai Chi emphasized the unity of the entire body, the harmonious combination of internal and external elements, complete physical relaxation during the cultivation process, and even integration of body spirit power into a single unified whole. This approach even incorporated certain insights into the relationship between heaven and earth.
After several months of dedicated closed-door intensive practice, the Tai Chi-based meditation method that Yang Xiong had been researching finally achieved a workable prototype form.
At this significant moment, Yang Xiong observed that the operation of spirit power throughout his body had become completely different from any meditation method used across the entire Douluo Continent. Using his head as the core center and the internal organs of his torso as the foundational base, the circulation of spirit power throughout his body flowed naturally and harmoniously. His meridians seemed to have gradually merged into one integrated whole. If observed carefully, the circulation pattern of Yang Xiong's spirit power within his body resembled a Tai Chi diagram, or what could be called a yin-yang symbol.
The yin-yang symbol represented the fundamental foundation of Tai Chi philosophy and also the ultimate goal that Tai Chi practitioners pursued. The spirit power within his body circulated continuously like the eternal dance of yin and yang forces. Although the circulation speed wouldn't be exceptionally fast initially, the flow remained steady, powerful, and completely natural.
Especially with his dedicated training over the past several months, Yang Xiong's spirit power finally reached level twenty-six on the very day when the yin-yang pattern fully formed within his body. However, according to Yang Xiong's careful projections, his spirit power would become increasingly dense and substantial in the future, and with continued improvements to his Tai Chi meditation method, his cultivation speed would accelerate dramatically.
In terms of Yang Xiong's current development level, his Tai Chi meditation method only encompassed his torso and head regions—his limbs had not yet been fully integrated into the system. Further refinement of the meditation technique would be necessary to achieve complete coverage.
However, according to Yang Xiong's theoretical calculations, when the meditation method reached full completion, his entire body should function as one unified organism. Not only would his cultivation speed increase substantially, but the energy flow could become endless and continuous. This represented the true essence and ultimate goal of Tai Chi philosophy.
Yang Xiong decided to call this newly developed meditation method the Yin-Yang Meditation Method. According to his careful analysis, this meditation technique would definitely prove superior to Tang San's Mysterious Heaven Skill when fully perfected.
After all, the Mysterious Heaven Skill had been developed within a relatively ordinary martial arts world context. Yang Xiong's Yin-Yang Meditation Method was based on fundamental Tai Chi principles, combined with his extensive research into spirit power circulation and meditation techniques, plus detailed analysis of his body's meridian system during his body-type martial soul's second awakening process. This comprehensive approach had gradually enabled him to develop something truly revolutionary.
Although the Mysterious Heaven Skill represented a top-tier Taoist cultivation method, the Tang Sect had been merely an ordinary organization within the martial arts world. The Mysterious Heaven Skill itself seemed more closely associated with tempering and utilizing various hidden weapons rather than pure cultivation. Yang Xiong couldn't understand how the Tang Sect had ever acquired such an advanced technique. The Tang Sect was essentially an assassination organization that could only be considered a second-rate sect in any martial arts world—it might even be described as a force that everyone would unite against.
However, in any authentic martial arts tradition, Taoism maintained an undisputed position of leadership, and the yin-yang symbol served as the absolute core of Taoist philosophy, representing the fundamental belief system of Taoist practice.
The reason Yang Xiong had chosen not to directly name his technique the "Tai Chi Meditation Method" was to avoid revealing that he wasn't originally from this world. This represented Yang Xiong's greatest secret, especially since Tang San might recognize the significance of the term "Tai Chi" if he ever heard it.
On this particular day, Yang Xiong finally emerged from his home after months of intensive cultivation, primarily because his school was approaching graduation, and Yang Xiong hadn't attended classes for almost half a year. The school administration had specially arranged for someone to notify Yang Xiong that his attendance was absolutely mandatory.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School maintained very relaxed policies regarding student management under normal circumstances, but became extremely strict at certain critical times.
Since most students came from spirit master families, they could request leave from regular classes to practice at home using their family's unique cultivation methods, each of which possessed distinctive advantages and characteristics.
For example, Ning Rongrong, in addition to attending basic required courses, primarily focused on intensive spirit power cultivation and distraction control exercises. Ning Fengzhi would even provide personal guidance, which proved far more beneficial than large classroom instruction.
The school's strictness manifested in regular examinations of students' spirit power development. After sixth grade, students were even required to demonstrate their combat abilities. The sect maintained detailed records for every individual, including precise documentation of spirit ring absorption, breakthrough moments for spirit power levels, and numerous other developmental details.
Moreover, the sect created comprehensive training plans for all disciples, ensuring that students wouldn't be allowed to pursue any incorrect developmental paths. This systematic approach represented one of the primary reasons why the sect continued maintaining its strength over generations.
From what Yang Xiong understood, school teachers had spoken with his father Yang Lin multiple times regarding his cultivation progress. However, Yang Xiong maintained his own cultivation plan, and his parents didn't possess extensive knowledge about body-type martial souls, so they avoided excessive interference beyond occasional guidance.
Yang Xiong felt confident that his Yin-Yang Meditation Method would eventually prove superior to the renowned Mysterious Heaven Skill through dedicated practice and continued refinement.
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion