「The next morning.」
「In the backyard of the Nanjiang Xuanxin Boxing Club.」
Gong Shouzhuo, dressed in a modern white Tang suit, and Zhou Yuanjue, still wrapped in white bandages, sat facing each other at a stone table in the backyard.
Behind Gong Shouzhuo, the tall A Nan stood with his head bowed. anwhile, Lin Heng carefully brewed tea at the table, filling both their cups.
"I didn’t expect you to co see at a ti like this."
Gong Shouzhuo said after taking a small sip of hot tea.
"I’m injured, so I have nothing better to do. I figured I’d take a walk."
Zhou Yuanjue said, his expression calm.
Hearing this, Gong Shouzhuo, who understood the real reason, couldn’t help but laugh. "That’s true. Aside from my place, I doubt anywhere else in Tianlu Prefecture would welco you to just ’take a walk.’ But I imagine your reason for seeking out is a bit more complicated than that, isn’t it?"
"Indeed. There are so questions I need to ask you."
Zhou Yuanjue nodded.
"A great master like you has sothing to ask ? Let guess... it has sothing to do with Tianji Swordsmanship, doesn’t it?"
Gong Shouzhuo said with a light chuckle. Given the timing, he could already guess so of Zhou Yuanjue’s intentions.
"You’re right, it is about Tianji Swordsmanship. Your Profound Heart Fist cos from the Ancient Daoist Family’s Mystic Heart Sword. Tianji Swordsmanship and Mystic Heart Sword can be said to be of the sa lineage, both being Martial Arts that evolved from the Ancient Daoist Family’s swordsmanship system. They share many similarities in their core concepts and characteristics—ethereal, unconstrained, and unpredictable. As the successor of Profound Heart Fist, I thought you might have considerable knowledge on this matter."
"Actually, I’m also curious. Since Profound Heart Fist cos from Mystic Heart Sword, it should be a First Grade Fist Technique. But why have I never seen you use its Secret Techniques?"
Zhou Yuanjue asked, puzzled.
"You’re correct. Profound Heart Fist is indeed a First Grade Fist Technique secretly passed down by the Daoist Family. However, what I received was incomplete. Back then, I failed to earn my master’s recognition, so I lack the Secret Training Technique component. What I practice is, in effect, a Second-class Fist Technique."
Gong Shouzhuo said, shaking his head with a sigh.
"What exactly is the secret behind the Secret Training Technique?"
Zhou Yuanjue asked.
"Legend has it that all First Grade Fist Techniques were passed down by a Saint Awakening, and this is actually true. A Saint Awakening breaks through their limitations to comprehend so of life’s deeper Mystical Techniques. They then simplify the Mystical Technique they are most skilled in, creating a thod even ordinary people can cultivate. That is the Secret Training Technique. Thus, after mastering a Secret Training Technique to the point of Great Success, one’s body will often possess abilities far beyond the ordinary."
"In that case, if soone were to cultivate multiple Secret Training Techniques at the sa ti, couldn’t their strength increase indefinitely?"
Zhou Yuanjue asked.
"Theoretically, yes, if anyone could actually do it. But that’s nearly impossible. Secret Training Techniques have extrely strict requirents for aptitude and Talent. After all, they are simplifications of Saint Awakening Level Mystical Techniques; they aren’t so easily mastered. Besides, different Saint Awakenings have different Daos and Spirits. There is also the matter of compatibility with the Cultivator, so trying to combine different Secret Techniques in one person is exceptionally difficult."
"I wasn’t taught the secret teachings for Profound Heart Fist back then because my master felt my temperant was a poor match for them."
Gong Shouzhuo said, shaking his head.
"Do you know any specific details about the Secret Training Techniques?"
Zhou Yuanjue was very interested in this.
"I do know a bit about that. A Secret Training Technique is divided into a ’Heart Technique’ and a ’Posture.’ The so-called ’Heart Technique’ is actually a form of psychological training or self-hypnosis, similar to ditation. The ’Posture,’ on the other hand, is more complex. It can include dicinal formulas, body conditioning thods, and even the specific arrangent of objects. In short, the traditions of each school vary greatly."
"But the most difficult part is actually the ’Heart Technique.’ This component transcends the scope of Fist Techniques and is nearly impossible to trace or replicate. Even during Cultivation, one needs a master for specialized guidance and correction; otherwise, it’s very difficult to achieve anything. For this reason, the descriptions of the ’Heart Technique’ for so First Grade Fist Techniques aren’t even secrets, because ordinary people couldn’t practice them successfully even if they knew the details."
"From what I know, among the two First Grade Fist Technique schools in Tianlu Prefecture, the Heart Technique for the Thunderbolt Rushing Palm is called the ’Ten Thousand Arrows Piercing Body Visualization.’ It is said that by repeatedly visualizing one’s body being pierced by sharp arrows, combined with the ’Posture’ cultivation, one can ultimately enhance intuition and reaction speed, making the body’s reflexes incredibly sharp and allowing one to master the ’startled’ state."
"As for the Tianji Sword Sect’s Tianji Inner View, it actually has deep connections to the famous ’Sleeping Immortal’ of ancient Daoism. Their Heart Technique originates from the Sleep Skill created by this ’Sleeping Immortal,’ which is also known as the ’Corpse Sleep Technique.’ As everyone knows, the Dream Realm is where humans are most imaginative and creative. Therefore, by using this Heart Technique, practitioners of Tianji Inner View can enter a state of self-hypnosis and regain a child-like imagination, making every single move an act of brilliant creation."
"That’s all I know. As for other secretive details, they are beyond my knowledge."
Gong Shouzhuo didn’t hide anything in response to Zhou Yuanjue’s questions, slowly revealing everything he knew.
’Ten Thousand Arrows Piercing Body Visualization? Corpse Sleep Technique?’
Zhou Yuanjue was very interested in the "Heart Techniques" Gong Shouzhuo spoke of. Unfortunately, Gong Shouzhuo’s information was quite limited, and he didn’t know much about the true details of these Heart Techniques.
A Nan and Lin Heng, who were listening from the side, also felt their horizons broaden. This was the first ti they had heard such secrets from their master. They had never imagined that such mysteries were hidden within the schools of Fist Techniques, and for a mont, they were captivated. At the sa ti, they felt a tinge of regret that their master had not been taught such a Secret Technique.
"Actually, you don’t need to worry about these secret teachings. They were created by people, after all. They might help one break through to Saint Awakening, but you have already walked your own path. Being Holy and Bright—isn’t that the strongest secret teaching of all?"
Gong Shouzhuo said.
Zhou Yuanjue nodded slightly at his words. After chatting a bit more with Gong Shouzhuo about so of the Martial Arts Realm’s secrets, he stood up, said his goodbyes, and left the Xuanxin Boxing Club.
On the way back to Wuhai, Zhou Yuanjue was still thinking about what Gong Shouzhuo had said.
’Heart Technique’ and ’Posture’... the combination of ’heart’ and ’body’ giving birth to abilities beyond those of ordinary people...’
He seed to have reached so sort of understanding, but many questions still remained.
He had a faint feeling that these secret Heart Techniques concealed even more mysteries than Gong Shouzhuo knew.
When he returned to the villa, Li Qingxuan was the first to approach him.
"My request for an authority upgrade was approved. All the paperwork will be completed soon."
Li Qingxuan said to Zhou Yuanjue.
"Oh?"
This news surprised Zhou Yuanjue. He hadn’t expected the "process" to be so fast; he’d thought it would take at least half a month.
"Soone gave it special approval. That’s the other thing I wanted to tell you. There’s soone who wants to et you."
Li Qingxuan said, her expression serious.
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