Chapter 1 Asking Qiuhua Mountain

The autumn wind is blowing and the ground is golden.

Zhou Yan, dressed in green, walked on the green mountain path, climbing up the mountain in the light and shadow.

peak.

What comes into view is a dilapidated Taoist temple.

The open door was covered with scratches and tiny cracks. The surrounding walls were not bright and beautiful, but bore the marks of wind and sand.

Looking up, there is a plaque hanging on the beam.

There are three big characters "Qiuhuaguan" written on it.

Neutral and magnanimous.

Even though it is worn out and covered in dust, one can still get a glimpse of the demeanor of the person who wrote it from the few strokes.

“I hope I won’t be disappointed this time.”

Zhou Yan pursed his lips, feeling expectant.

He had been searching for this Qiuhua Temple for a long time. He didn't know how much effort it took him to find it. The location was remote. Although it was not deep in the mountains or old forests, it was almost there and had not been visited by anyone for a long time.

I'm afraid he has been in poverty for many years.

However, according to rumors, although this Taoist temple has long been in decline, the master of the temple still has some Taoist skills and has been cultivating his mind and character on this mountain for decades.

He does not accept incense or offerings, but only practices diligently.

Perhaps, here is what he wants.

"The courtyard is quite clean and tidy. It seems that he is a serious practitioner."

Through the door, Zhou Yan saw the clean floor of the courtyard. Although it was shabby, there were few fallen leaves. Although there was dust on the blue bricks and stone tiles, it was not piled up. It was obvious that it was cleaned every day. He was a diligent person, so he felt a little good about him.

Nowadays, most Taoists and monks focus on making money.

Each of them is a precious person who can only recite some scriptures and Taoist books. Not many of them can do the work by themselves, let alone clean every day and persevere.

Where is the point of cultivation?
Cross the threshold and enter the Taoist temple.

Zhou Yan looked around and saw that the entire Taoist temple was not very big. Apart from the open space in the courtyard, there were only a few houses. Only the house in the middle looked taller, and he didn't know if it was a place for spiritual practice.

"I've heard of you for a long time, I didn't expect you to find me."

At one side, an old man suddenly pushed open the door and walked out, pointing at an old tree in the courtyard, and sighed:
"Never mind. I have come from afar as a guest. Please take a seat."

The old man had a childlike face and white hair, and was wearing a white Taoist robe. His back did not appear hunched but straight, and his eyes were not cloudy but bright. He spoke with full energy, and walked flexibly and powerfully without any stiffness.

At this age, with such strength.

Obviously not an ordinary person.

Moreover, they did not seem surprised by Zhou Yan's arrival, but they were somewhat apprehensive, wary, and helpless.

"Old Master, you are too polite."

Zhou Yan clenched his fists and pushed them forward slightly to show respect.

After saying this, he was no longer reserved, but walked under the old tree, glanced at the steaming tea and two teacups on the table, raised his eyebrows, and then sat down on the stone chair.

The old man also sat down leisurely.

"Old Master, you know why I am here."

Zhou Yan picked up the teapot with two fingers and flicked his fingertips. The teacup spun lightly and hit the old abbot. At this time, the light blue tea also fell into the teacup in front of the old man like a clear spring.

The cup is full but level, without a drop of liquid spilling over.

"Good work."

The old man was moved and began to praise.

Making the tea cup full without overflowing is something that even an ordinary person can do with more practice. However, making sure that the water column continues while the teacup is moving, without any water escaping and falling into the cup, and making the cup full without overflowing is extremely difficult.

It requires master-level skills and the concentration of all one's energy to be able to do this.

But Zhou Yan was so relaxed and at ease, doing what he wanted. If he were to be honest with himself, he probably wouldn't be able to do it so easily.

But the old man just sighed softly and said:

"Although I know why you are here, but with your martial arts skills, you have not yet achieved your wish to be the best in the world. How can an old man like me, half buried in the ground in the deep mountains and old forests, know about it?"

The old man had lived in the forest for a long time, but he was well aware of the horror of the person in front of him.

Although he is only 28 years old, his martial arts skills are unpredictable. He has challenged many heroes and won. Countless masters have been defeated by him.

It can be said that all the famous forces in the martial arts world have been defeated by him. He is a truly invincible legendary figure.

The throne of being the best in the world has long been in his pocket.

But such a person actually came to visit his small Taoist temple. Even if he thought he had some skills, he would not go to such lengths. It seems that some rumors in the martial arts world may not be false.

When a person's position reaches the peak, he will pursue things at a higher level.

Either immortality or transcendence.

"You are a Taoist priest, don't you believe in Taoism?"

Zhou Yan took a sip of tea with an indifferent expression.

"I am not a talented person. At twenty, I was impetuous and eager to seek fame and fortune. At thirty, I achieved success and fame. At forty, I became calm and retired to the mountains and forests to seek the truth. Now I am over eighty years old, and my legs and feet are still quite flexible. I can say that I have a way to prolong my life, and I can barely be considered to have achieved success in my upbringing."

"But in the end, I still don't know what the so-called 'Tao' is."

After drinking the tea, the old man asked:

"So, even if I am a Taoist priest, why should I believe in Taoism?"

This way is not that way. It is not about faith or gods and Buddhas in the sky. It is the omnipresent truth of heaven and earth in the vast universe, the laws governing the operation of the world, and the end point of all doubts.

It is also the key to achieving extraordinary success.

But in this great world, for thousands of years, where is the real "Tao" or the so-called extraordinary?

What difference does it make whether you believe it or not?
"Ah."

Zhou Yan was not angry, but looked around the quiet and secluded courtyard with a playful look on his face:

"If you don't believe it, then why do you live in this remote place and lock yourself in a cage?"

If Zhou Yan was not a fellow seeker of truth, he would not have come to him.

Zhou Yan would not pay attention to a person who only knows how to practice asceticism or indulges in a life of luxury.

"."

The old master was silent for a moment, then slowly said:

"I have long given up the thought of seeking the truth."

"As usual, we'll fight and compete fairly. If you beat me, my gains will belong to you, and vice versa, you have to lend me the inheritance of Qiuhua Temple."

Zhou Yan ignored him, stretched out his right hand and probed slightly.

You have spent your own time and traveled thousands of miles to come here, how can I refuse you?
"Fellow Daoist, why do you have to force me so much?"

The old master's face was bitter, and wrinkles appeared on his face. This so-called "old rule" was actually Zhou Yan's one-sided opinion, and he imposed a statement to "legitimately" read the martial arts secrets and inheritance methods of various schools.

But no matter how much we complain, we can't win the fight.

Therefore, over the years, it has become the default 'old rule' in the martial arts community, and everyone understands it tacitly.

Fortunately, this number one in the world is also an ambitious man. Although he has mastered all the martial arts in the world, he also created his own methods and spread them throughout the world. All in all, it is not a loss.

"please."

Zhou Yan said no more.

"Well, I still have to do it."

The old temple master took a deep breath, straightened his back again, and stretched out a hand, "I am Li Qiuhua, Taoist name Qingyuan, I am sorry for the offense!"

Before he finished speaking, the outstretched hand shook.

With a flick of his wrist, he mobilized the strength of all his muscles and bones, concentrating them all in his arms. The moment his shoulders lowered and his arms extended, he pushed his palm forward and hit Zhou Yan.

Although he was sitting upright, he could not use most of his strength.

However, Li Qiuhua's attack already demonstrated his sophisticated skills. As the sound started and ended, his limbs were like a taut bow. If he loosened his grip a little, he would deliver a fatal blow.

It looks ordinary, but it actually contains murderous intent!
"Wudang's soft palm is soft yet firm, firm yet soft. When still, the power is squeezed but not released, like spring water, but when moving, it is as fierce as thunder, with wind and clouds at its mercy."

Zhou Yan's eyes lit up when he saw this:
"That's the right way. Why are you being so timid?"

The five fingers curl slightly, turning the palm into a claw.

While Li Qiuhua was testing him first, Zhou Yan also counterattacked. Different from Li Qiuhua's soft palm that combined both hardness and softness, the martial arts he used was a method of using only a little force to achieve a great effect.

One probe, one grab.

One push, one pull.

Tai Chi flowed in his hands, and with a flip of his palm, he grabbed Li Qiuhua's wrist and completely neutralized the attack.

"Is this the art of releasing force, using a little force to move a great force?"

Li Qiuhua's face changed, and he was surprised:

"Your martial arts have actually reached this level?"

The most famous saying of "a little force can move a great object" comes from Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang.

It seems that he is defeating the strong with the weak and using the opponent's force to counter the opponent, but in fact it is because his own fundamental strength far exceeds that of others, which makes it easy to achieve a great result with just a little effort.

It is usually the masters who teach their disciples, allowing them to experience the connection between martial arts methods and the changes in power before using them.

To use this method, one must have a huge difference in martial arts skills.

But he has been practicing in the Taoist temple for decades. Although his body is declining, his kung fu is getting more and more proficient. It's not that he is arrogant. In today's world, including those old guys who live in seclusion, he estimates that he is among the top ten.

Although it was a trial move, it was also a stage for displaying skills. But now it was broken by one move and the transport capacity was interrupted.

What realm has Zhou Yan reached?
However, Li Qiuhua was also a person who was unwilling to be controlled by others.

"drink!"

Just as his wrist was grabbed, Li Qiuhua exerted his strength in a deep voice, using his waist and abdomen to mobilize the strength of his entire body's bones and muscles, with the spine as the source, and shook it violently.

While breaking free from Zhou Yan's grip, he also stood up.

Although Li Qiuhua was over eighty years old, he was incredibly strong. The heavy stone table and chairs were pushed aside in an instant, and the teapot and teacups fell into the mud.

Snapped!
The porcelain cracked for a moment, then shattered.

When the tea just rose up and had not yet fallen into the soil, Li Qiuhua had already connected with the next move. He stepped on the ground with his legs and feet, and the force rose from the ground to his arms, while his shoulders spread out like wings.

Then his five fingers turned into claws and pounced towards Zhou Yan.

This is Eagle Claw Kung Fu, one of the many variations of this boxing technique circulating in the martial arts world. It can be said to be a relatively basic skill among all martial arts, but Eagle Claw Kung Fu is easy to learn but difficult to master. It is practiced with various medicinal liquors and hot sands. Once it is perfected, its power is extremely terrifying and it can easily tear the enemy's throat.

With one claw, even the smaller trees would be torn apart.

The speed and strength of his movements were so great that he didn't look like a man in his eighties at all.

Instead, it is more like a lion that has been sleeping for a long time. After being awakened, it finally shows its power and wants to kill prey with the force of thunder, not for filling its stomach, but for majesty!

Huhu~
In the blink of an eye, another fist is coming!

"Yeah, it's OK."

Faced with such a deadly move, Zhou Yan still did not stand up, but nodded slightly to show his approval, and even had the leisure to comment, until Li Qiuhua stepped in front of him, then he put his five fingers together to make a sword gesture.

He tapped lightly on Li Qiuhua's hand.

In the blink of an eye, Zhou Yan touched the many acupoints on Li Qiuhua's palm, and with the force, he immediately cut off Li Qiuhua's fierce attack.

This is the skill of acupoint pressing.

The acupoints in the human body have the function of regulating Qi and blood. Acupressure is to temporarily disrupt the smooth flow of the enemy's Qi and blood through external force, thereby causing Qi stagnation and affecting the body's functioning.

boom!
The fist was in the air and then fell to the ground.

Just for a moment, Li Qiuhua's body suddenly stiffened, his strength was not flowing smoothly, and he fell to the ground, splashing a large amount of dust. At this time, Zhou Yan stood up and helped Li Qiuhua up with a stunned look on his face.

The winner was decided between the two within just a few moves.

"So, are you convinced?"

Zhou Yan lowered his eyes slightly, his expression still indifferent.

He originally thought that Li Qiuhua would be a person who was wholeheartedly seeking the truth, otherwise he would not have built a temple on a lonely mountain to cultivate his faith in the Tao.

But now it seems that he has given up long ago. Now that he is older, he has become much more stubborn, which is why he has maintained some of his character.

But the determination to seek the truth alone was long gone.

The purpose of seeking the Tao is to grasp the energy in the great world, to sublimate and transcend, and no longer be trapped in a cage.

What does a little sectarianism matter?

What's more, this Qiuhua Temple was originally built for the purpose of seeking the truth, but now it has long lost its original purpose. Even the plaque on the gate cannot match it.

I felt very disappointed.

"I'm old and useless."

Li Qiuhua's expression darkened, but it was not because of his failure in martial arts.

At this moment, he also came to his senses.

But things have changed and people have changed. Li Qiuhua is not Zhang Sanfeng, nor is he Bodhidharma, nor is he a figure like Prince Siddhartha or other saints.

Integrate knowledge and action, spread the Dharma throughout the world, and educate all living beings.

That is the merit of a saint.

But, is he not as good as Zhou Yan?
"Fellow."

Li Qiuhua paused, then said dejectedly: "Mr. Zhou is truly a master of martial arts. I will abide by the rules and send the secret book to you. Please wait a moment."

Then he straightened the overturned tables and chairs and turned into the house.

(End of this chapter)