I Fabricated the Techniques, but my disciple really mastered them? Chapter 3 - 3: Xu Yan’s Hard Training_1

“Maintain a steady horse stance. Regulate your breathing, quiet your thoughts, concentrate on the Dantian, and attempt to perceive your own Qi and blood…”

Following Li Xuan’s instructions, Xu Yan held the horse stance while adjusting his breath and trying to sense his internal Qi and blood.

As he provided guidance, Li Xuan spoke up: “The essence of my cultivation path lies in ‘insight’ and ‘intention’ rather than mere physical form. You must stabilize your mind, discard all distractions, and seek a profound understanding to find the ‘intention’ hidden within…”

Regardless of what he said, the whole thing was a fabrication. He didn't actually have any techniques to pass on. He certainly couldn't instruct Xu Yan in aerobics; that would be far too pathetic.

Thus, Xu Yan was left to hold his horse stance and attempt to figure out the nature of Qi and blood on his own.

If he failed to sense it, that would simply be attributed to a lack of natural aptitude.

It certainly wouldn't be a flaw in the cultivation technique being taught.

“Sensing your Qi and blood is entirely dependent on your own comprehension. If you can grasp the ‘intention’ and feel the Qi and blood, then you must try to circulate them to refine your entire skin, thereby entering the skin refinement stage…”

With a look of utmost gravity, Li Xuan continued to teach Xu Yan the way of cultivation.

“This represents the very Foundation of martial arts. As the saying goes, ‘the master leads the way, but the disciple must walk the path.’ You have to be diligent in your practice and deep in your meditation. Rest when you are weary. Balance your efforts with relaxation, but never be in a hurry.”

“The more restless you become, the more difficult it will be to perceive your Qi and blood. Do you understand?”

Xu Yan answered with deep respect: “Yes, Master, your disciple understands!”

“Excellent. Continue your cultivation with diligence!”

Li Xuan turned and walked away with his hands tucked behind his back, feeling quite pleased with the offerings Xu Yan had provided as a discipleship gift.

“That Nine-leaf Ginseng is truly a rare find. I should boil some and see what it does!”

With that thought, Li Xuan took a small blade and carefully sliced a piece of the Nine-leaf Ginseng. He then grabbed a chicken from the coop, slaughtered it, and began stewing it with the medicinal herb.

“Since this apprentice is staying here to cultivate, he needs to be fed. Given the extravagant gifts he brought, it would be quite heartless of me not to at least provide him with meals.”

Li Xuan whispered to himself.

While the pot simmered, he glanced over at Xu Yan. The boy was still maintaining his stance, though his body was trembling slightly as his strength began to wane.

After a short while, Xu Yan reached his limit and took a break.

This was already the third time he had paused to recover.

“I’ll just keep up the act for as long as possible. I never intended to deceive anyone, but you practically forced yourself upon me.”

Li Xuan shook his head and looked away. It would be quite some time before the boy realized the truth.

Furthermore, Xu Yan’s presence gave Li Xuan an opportunity to finally depart from this small village. He might actually be able to cross the dangerous Evil Forest safely now.

He had already mapped out his flight. Once clear of the village, he would make his way to the Wu Country.

By putting a vast distance between himself and Qi Country’s DongHe County, he ensured that even if Xu Yan discovered the ruse, the boy wouldn't be able to use his family's influence to seek vengeance!

…

Once more, Xu Yan dropped into his horse stance, focusing every ounce of his will on sensing his Qi and blood.

“Qi and blood reside within the body and flow through every part of it. How am I supposed to feel them? How do I make them move? Master said it is a matter of comprehension and intention, not the physical form…”

Xu Yan struggled to sense his Qi and blood, but aside from the burning ache in his legs from the stance, he felt nothing at all.

“I cannot lose heart. It hasn't been long. Surely, persistence will bear fruit!”

Encouraging himself, Xu Yan’s gaze turned resolute as he maintained his horse stance, searching for any sign of his internal Qi and blood.

The chicken soup was finally finished.

Li Xuan noted that Xu Yan was still preoccupied with his training, so he didn't interrupt and began eating his portion alone.

“Ah, this Nine-leaf Ginseng. A legendary treasure of the world. It’s said that consuming it wards off all sickness, keeps hair from turning white, and adds twenty years to one's life… I wonder if those claims are just tall tales!”

Once Li Xuan had finished eating, he felt a surge of vitality. Whether it was a placebo effect or the herb's true power, his entire body felt remarkably light and refreshed.

“There’s some left over; I’ll give the rest to Xu Yan.”

Muttering to himself, he stood up and strolled over to where the boy was practicing.

“How goes the progress?”

Xu Yan broke his stance, looking somewhat dejected: “Master, I still haven't been able to sense the Qi and blood.”

“Do not worry. In the pursuit of martial arts, a steadfast will and persistence are what matter most!”

Li Xuan offered these words of comfort.

Inwardly, however, he thought: “Of course you can’t feel anything. Everything I taught you is total nonsense. If you actually sensed Qi and blood, you’d have to be some kind of freak of nature.”

“You have an entire year ahead of you. Aren't you hungry? Go and eat something.”

At these words, Xu Yan realized how famished he was and said gratefully: “Thank you, Master!”

“That soup was brewed with the Nine-leaf Ginseng. Drink it up; it will serve as a good tonic for your body.”

“Yes, Master!”

Xu Yan was moved. He had given the Nine-leaf Ginseng to his master as a gift, yet his master was using it to nourish him instead. It was clear his master didn't care for material wealth; just as he had said, their meeting was simply a matter of fate!

As he ate the meat and drank the broth, Xu Yan asked, “Master, how much time does it typically take for someone to sense their Qi and blood and truly begin their Cultivation?”

“Well, that depends entirely on the individual.”

“Master, then how long did it take the most talented person to start?”

How long did it take?

Li Xuan rolled his eyes mentally. According to this fake method, a person wouldn't start even if they practiced for a hundred years.

“If I set the bar for success too low, he’ll get suspicious when he fails to progress. I need to make the standard of a genius seem much higher.”

With that in mind, Li Xuan stated: “In the eras of old, a true genius would finish skin refinement in five days, bone refinement in ten, and organ refinement in fifteen. They would then reach the ‘thunderous bones’ stage, making their Qi and blood as potent as the Gan, successfully completing their initiation.”

“The entire process took roughly one month.”

Xu Yan’s eyes grew wide with shock.

Five days for skin refinement?

Initiated in only a month?

Was this the benchmark for a genius in his Master’s eyes?

“Can I really finish skin refinement in five days? I couldn't even sense my Qi and blood today. There’s no way I can do it in five days. Does that mean my talent is lacking?”

Xu Yan immediately grew anxious.

Observing the boy’s expression, Li Xuan saw that his words had the desired effect. He added: “Of course, those were the geniuses of ancient times, one in a million. There is no need for you to rush. As long as you can manage to start within a year, you will be considered qualified in my eyes.”

“So, to Master, taking a full year just to start is merely the bare minimum!”

Xu Yan’s resolve hardened. He declared with absolute sincerity, “Master, please do not worry. Within a year, your disciple will surely have started. I will not let your guidance go to waste!”

Li Xuan patted him on the shoulder, looking very satisfied. “With such a mindset, it seems I wasn't wrong to make an exception and take you as my student!”

Xu Yan felt a deep sense of emotion.

Simultaneously, the pressure he felt increased. He quickly finished his food and stood up. “Master, I am going back to my practice!”

“I must work harder and ensure I do not fail my master’s expectations!”

With a heart full of determination, Xu Yan hurried back to his spot and resumed his horse stance to seek out his Qi and blood.

“What a gullible kid!”

Li Xuan shook his head and sighed—he hadn't really wanted to trick the boy.

But there was no going back now.

From the moment he accepted the gift and began teaching the fake Cultivation technique, Li Xuan knew he had to play this role to the very end.

Night had already fallen.

Before retiring for the evening, Li Xuan stepped outside and saw that Xu Yan was still practicing. He couldn't help but admire the boy's grit.

Feeling a bit of pity, he didn't want the boy to collapse from exhaustion, so he said: “Ensure you balance your training with rest. Overextending yourself can damage your Foundation. It is vital to sleep when the time is right!”

“Master, I understand!”

Xu Yan answered with a respectful bow.

Li Xuan shook his head, shut his door, and went to his bed to sleep.