Chapter 139: Zhang Liuzhen

Pan Yun happily returned to Phoenix Nest Courtyard, just bumping into Zhang Wei and Zhang Qin, who both had slightly faded greenish hues on their faces but still hadn't washed them clean—these past two days, they'd stayed indoors whenever possible.

After Zhang Weiliang packed his bags and left yesterday, their hatred toward Pan Yun had lessened considerably, replaced by a touch of fear.

Now, meeting her at the gate, they hesitated only briefly before scowling and stepping aside.

Pan Yun, who had been about to step aside to let them pass, immediately stepped forward into the courtyard; Miao Zhen paused, then followed.

Miao He didn't think at all, stepping right over the threshold behind them.

Behind her walked a black cat, its paws moving gracefully past the two men, then lifting its head to let out a soft "meow" toward them.

Zhang Weigang's face turned ashen. After the three and the cat entered the house, he turned to Zhang Qin and asked, "Was that damn cat just mocking us?"

Zhang Qin: "Didn't we already confirm it's just an ordinary black cat?"

"I still feel this cat is too clever—not ordinary at all," Zhang Weigang said. "Black cats are said to be spirit-connected; even an ordinary one might have supernatural qualities. Find a chance to catch it and test it."

Zhang Qin urged, "Better not. Pan Yun isn't someone to provoke—she holds grudges. Look what happened to Weiliang."

Zhang Weigang's expression darkened further.

Zhang Qin whispered, "In the end, we were just used as tools by someone else. Now that we know, why keep charging ahead? Weiliang has his second uncle to cover for him—what do we have?"

Though both Zhang Weigang and Zhang Qin belonged to the Wei generation, they were distant branches of the Zhang family; they lived in Phoenix Nest Courtyard partly through their own efforts, partly by currying favor with Zhang Weiliang.

Now that Weiliang had been exiled for training, if they caused trouble again, no one would protect them.

Zhang Qin whispered to Zhang Weigang, "If you don't want to see her, let's apply for off-mountain training—go find Weiliang. We've been here four years already; it's time for our training."

Zhang Weigang seriously considered it.

Seeing him swayed, Zhang Qin quietly exhaled in relief, finally persuading him to enroll together at the Punishment Hall for off-mountain training.

Pan Yun didn't know that after one brief encounter, she was about to lose two more courtyard mates—her attention was fixed on tomorrow's class.

She just realized a problem: class was about to start, and she hadn't received a single textbook.

The black cat mocked, "The Academy doesn't provide textbooks—only small booklets, all written and compiled by students, and you have to pay for them."

Pan Yun asked, "How much?"

"Whatever price you want," Pan Xiaohei said. "Yesterday I walked around and heard several groups discussing how to price them, how to squeeze money out of you new students—not one of them was honest."

Pan Yun: "All hand-copied?"

Pan Xiaohei: "Of course they're all hand-copied."

Pan Yun said, "Next year we'll do this business—hand-copying can't compete with printing."

"Why would anyone buy your booklets?"

"Because I'm the top student, because I'm number one," Pan Yun said. "I know this business inside out—I did it for over a decade in my past life, from elementary school until the day I died. This year I'm too new to start, but next year, watch: the Academy's booklets will be mine."

Pan Yun's eyes sparkled with confidence; Pan Xiaohei fully believed she could do it.

To prepare, Pan Yun specifically went down to the town below the mountain and bought a large stack of blank booklets.

She gave four each to Miao Zhen and Miao He: "Use them for notes—good memory isn't as good as bad handwriting. Trust me, write down what you hear, and when you review later, you'll find new insights."

Miao Zhen and Miao He were deeply moved, hugging the blank booklets: "Thank you, little master aunt."

"Little master aunt is so thoughtful."

Pan Yun beamed. "No thanks needed—I'm your master aunt, it's my duty to look after you."

Miao Zhen: "But Senior Master said we were supposed to look after you..."

Pan Yun waved her hand. "Mutual care, mutual care."

The next day, the three brought their white booklets, small pens, and ink bottles to the square.

Knowing the square lecture might be popular, they arrived early.

They thought they were early enough—yet the square was already filled with people.

All the cushions in front were taken; newcomers had to stand at the back.

Pan Yun immediately pulled Miao Zhen and Miao He forward, about to grab three corner cushions, when a loud shout rang out: "Pan Yun! There you are!"

Pan Yun looked up and saw Xuan Li waving frantically above a sea of dark heads.

The three quickly sidestepped the crowd and ran forward. Xuan Li complained, "Why are you so late? We agreed to meet here early—waited nearly fifteen minutes!"

Pan Yun said, "We got here early."

"Didn't I say? Senior Brother is amazing—so many want his class. And last night I found out he was sick; he hasn't taught in two years. This is his first class in two years—how could arriving fifteen minutes early possibly get you a seat?"

Xuan Li pointed to three cushions beside her. "Here—Cui Huai and I claimed these."

Cui Huai immediately stood and moved two seats over, leaving the cushions free for them.

Pan Yun sighed in relief. "Thank you both—if not for you, we'd have had to stand at the back."

Cui Huai blushed slightly. "No thanks needed. Xuan Li's right—we're both from Yushan County; we should help each other."

Xuan Li nodded.

Soon after they sat, the class bell rang. A young acolyte stepped up and struck the bronze bell beside the stage; everyone fell silent, the vast square suddenly as quiet as a chicken coop.

Those seated on cushions rose; Pan Yun stood too. She saw everyone turning their heads sideways, so she turned too—only shoulders and heads met her gaze.

!. ead

She silently tiptoed, but still saw nothing.

Then, soon, she saw a young man walking down the side aisle.

Dressed in a green Daoist robe, wearing a carefree headband, slender and with a gentle aura, he stepped onto the stage and looked down at the sea of seated and standing young Daoists, smiling. "Didn't expect so many junior brothers and sisters today."

His voice was soft, not loud, yet clearly reached every ear.

Even students at the very back felt as if he stood just five paces before them.

"Most of you here are new students. Let's begin with the simplest aspects of Dao cultivation."

To Pan Yun's surprise, he offered no pleasantries, no self-introduction—just began teaching.

"Most people enter Dao through martial arts or insight. Those who enter through insight are one in ten thousand; most first cultivate internal strength and martial arts before entering Dao."

"The Academy's current cultivation method is the 'Taiqing Cunshen Qi Refining Wushi Qihou Jue.' The Five Times and Seven Stages are ancient benchmarks for measuring cultivation levels."

The Five Times and Seven Stages—Wang Feiyin had told Pan Yun this when she first arrived at Mount Sanqing.

She'd assumed every Daoist and martial artist in this world knew it—but now, seeing their reactions, clearly they didn't.

Zhang Liuzhen also knew many didn't know, so he carefully explained the meaning of the Five Times and Seven Stages.

"But the first five times are merely martial artists. The highest martial artists reach only the Fifth Time. Only upon entering the First Stage does one truly enter Dao."

Zhang Liuzhen said: "After entering the First Stage, old ailments vanish, the body grows light, the mind clears, and one begins to transcend the mundane. Bonds with family in the secular world weaken. Hence, the First Stage is called 'Attaining Dao'—the first phase of refining essence into qi."

"In this stage, illness no longer arises; the body grows light and strong," he said slowly. "Since we've mentioned essence and qi, let's discuss cultivation qi."

"The human body contains essence-qi. Right now, as you train in martial arts, you refine essence-qi. You transform it into internal strength—but the body's essence-qi is limited; it cannot be endlessly refined. How does the body replenish it?"

Seeing him pause, Pan Yun slowly raised her hand.

Zhang Liuzhen's gaze settled on her, studied her a moment, then smiled faintly and gestured. "Please, this junior sister, rise and answer."

Pan Yun stood. "By consuming grains and other foods, and by taking elixirs."

Zhang Liuzhen's smile deepened. He nodded. "Correct. Grains nourish the body; after consumption, they transform into essence-qi within, thus aiding cultivation."

"Senior Brother," a tall Daoist raised his hand high and stood before Zhang Liuzhen could grant permission. "Why must we first cultivate internal strength, reach the Fifth Time, before entering Dao and practicing yuan-li? I heard Senior Brother can directly absorb spiritual energy and cultivate yuan-li, yet you haven't entered the First Stage either—still, you've gone through the Five Times like us martial artists."

Pan Yun sat down, curious about his understanding.

Zhang Liuzhen said: "Different Daoist schools and martial artists use various names for internal qi—some call it qi, others spiritual power, yuan-li—but regardless of the term, it's a cluster of energy in the dantian."

"This energy flows through the entire body, strengthening meridians, bones, and blood—but its composition affects meridians, bones, blood, and consciousness differently."

He said: "Internal strength, refined from the body's essence-qi and food essence, has less impact on the body than yuan-li, refined from the body's essence-qi and spiritual energy from heaven and earth."

"Thus, those who directly absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth are considered naturally born Dao bodies—they enter Dao faster than others."

Behind the crowd, Zhang Ziwang frowned slightly. "Liuzhen explains too much. Teaching should emphasize insight and karmic connection—hint lightly, let them discover the rest themselves. To break it all down like this is like stuffing rice balls into their mouths—they'll take it for granted and not value it."

Lin Jing le said: "Some disciples have low insight. Liuzhen just doesn't want them to fall too far behind—he's helping them along?"

"He's still too soft-hearted," Zhang Ziwang muttered disapprovingly, frowning as he continued listening.

(End of Chapter)