C20 Comprehension

Three months had flown by in the blink of an eye.

Hanyu Xiaotian appeared somewhat disheveled at this juncture. His hair was unkempt, and his complexion, having been deprived of sunlight for a quarter of a year, had grown even paler. His body, which had begun to show signs of strength, had once again become lean, though he had retained his increased stature.

Yet, upon closer inspection, one would notice the vibrant spark in his eyes, brighter than ever before. His body moved unconsciously, yet each motion seemed to follow a mysterious rhythm, exuding a natural grace. His spirit had ascended to a level beyond the comprehension of the average person.

From the arcane texts of Taoism to the scriptures of Buddhism, from the ancient wisdom of philosophers to the modern musings of saints, from the esoteric art of astrology to the contemporary quest to unravel the cosmos, Hanyu Xiaotian had lost himself in his studies. He had forgotten himself, the passage of time, and all worldly concerns, immersing himself solely in the elusive yet omnipresent Dao...

Had it not been for the automated reminder he had programmed into his Holo-Brain, he might well have remained in his seclusion indefinitely.

"The Great Emperor presides over the head, the Niwan Palace within governs the assembly of gods. It illuminates the soul, the essence of humanity. The heart commands life, drawing in vitality. The Yuan Shen resides on the left, controlling the three souls, while the Bai Yuan sits on the right, shaping the three spirits. The peach pit dwells at the navel, the root of deep essence, illuminating all joints, giving life to a hundred spirits. Thus, the body is never void. The literary Qi enters through the nose, filling the Niwan Palace, ensuring the spirit and form are securely rooted. In motion and in stillness, the heart is the gatekeeper, hence life flows naturally." Hanyu Xiaotian slowly closed the final volume, "Taoist Canon: The Supreme Elder Lord's Internal Viewing Scripture."

"The brain is the sea of marrow, the upper dantian; the heart, the purple fire, the middle dantian; three inches below the navel lies the lower dantian. The lower dantian houses essence; the middle, Qi; the upper, the divine spirit. As stated in the 'Zhong and Lu Transmission of Taoism,' there are three dantians: the upper is the divine abode, the middle the Qi repository, and the lower the essence region. Essence begets Qi, Qi resides in the middle dantian; Qi begets spirit, spirit resides in the upper dantian. True water and Qi combine to form essence in the lower dantian. Refine essence into Qi, Qi into spirit, spirit back into the void, and the void merges with the Dao."

"Our Chinese civilization, with its thousands of years of history, truly abounds with sages and countless capable individuals!" Hanyu Xiaotian exclaimed in admiration.

Taoist practices emphasize the cultivation of the body and life force, particularly the study of bodily transformations. Thus, they meticulously observe the cosmic cycle, the activation of the dantian, and the nurturing of the embryonic core.

Taoism treasures refined water, divine fire, and Italian soil as the ultimate treasures. Refined water is the Qi of the innate true one, divine fire is light, and Italian soil is the celestial heart. With divine fire as the function, Italian soil as the substance, and refined water as the foundation, the divine spirit resides within the soul, and consciousness within the spirit. When essence is abundant, divine fire emerges, Italian soil solidifies, and thus the sacred embryo can be formed. Rotating the Niwan Palace, the sphere generates purity, and divine power infuses the spirit. The primordial spirit dwells within the square inch, the miraculous light coalescing into a Dharmakaya, gradually achieving spiritual powers on its own!

The essence of modern martial arts might be summarized as such: it involves refining the human body's essence into vital energy, which flows throughout the body, clearing the meridians, breaking through the governing and conception vessels, and establishing the bridge between heaven and earth. From that point on, life flourishes unceasingly. Subsequently, this energy coalesces into the Yuan, where Yin and Yang ebb and flow, restoring one's true nature and giving rise to the true essence. Beyond this, one develops the Spiritual Sense, attuning to the mystical and linking with the Two Souls of Heaven and Earth. Then, one gains insight into the cycles of the sun and moon, the shifts of the seasons, and can refine the body's major acupoints, harmonize with the five elements, and navigate the nine palaces. Ultimately, one ascends to the immortal platform, where the will transforms into divinity, influencing reality, and finally, merges with the Dao in a return to the formless.

In the ten levels of martial arts—yellow, black, earth, and heaven—Hanyu Xiaotian's words perfectly reflect the contemporary classification of martial arts realms. It's remarkable that although Hanyu Xiaotian is unable to practice martial arts, his comprehension of the discipline now exceeds that of some of the most formidable experts.

The literature Hanyu Xiaotian has immersed himself in over the past three months may lack direct teachings on martial arts, yet it captures the profound mysteries of the Great Dao, elucidates the rationale behind numerous divine techniques and arts, and unveils the boundless wonders of the human body, akin to a microcosm of the universe itself.