Chapter 259: This Is Your Meridians

"The first point is at the Dantian, where the flow of Qi deviates from the midline by a full half-inch; the second is at the Gate of Life, where the angle of the turn reaches forty-seven degrees, which is too rigid; the third is at the junction of the Ren Meridian and the Du Meridian, where the connection is not smooth enough, causing a loss of about twenty percent of power with every circulation. If these problems could be solved, the power of the Dan-Devourer would increase by at least thirty percent."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire canyon fell into a deathly silence. Everyone looked at Lin Xuan with incredulous eyes, as if they were looking at an Immortal who had descended from the heavens. Even the usually composed Tang Miaoxing could not help but twitch the corner of his mouth at this moment, and the bamboo slip in his hand nearly fell to the ground.

This was, after all, the ultimate technique that the Tang Sect had studied for hundreds of years, an achievement attained only through the painstaking efforts of many generations. Lin Xuan had only glanced at it, yet not only did he grasp its mysteries, but he also pointed out the specific problems directly? This level of comprehension was completely beyond their range of cognition.

"This... how is this possible?" Xu Xin knelt on the ground, muttering to himself, not even bothering to wipe the blood from his forehead, "Even for a genius, it is impossible to..."

"There is nothing impossible about it." Lin Xuan's voice remained calm, carrying a transcendent quality, "The principles of the Dao of Elixirs are fundamentally interconnected. Although your Dan-Devourer has its unique aspects, in the final analysis, it cannot escape the scope of the ultimate laws of heaven and earth. As the saying goes, 'Dao Follows Nature'; all techniques must eventually return to their source."

These words left everyone present lost in deep thought. Especially the younger disciples, who suddenly realized that their previous horizons had been far too narrow. A true master could actually reach such a level of cultivation. At this moment, the so-called pride and complacency in their hearts became laughable.

The night grew deeper, and the torches in the canyon cast the shadows of the crowd against the rock walls, flickering in the dark. At this moment, everyone was thinking about the same question: how many more astonishing methods did this young Daoist before them have that he had yet to reveal? And could the Tang Sect's Dao of Elixirs truly usher in a brand-new era because of his arrival?

Yet Lin Xuan remained as calm and detached as ever, as if everything that had just happened was the most ordinary of affairs. Only Xiao Qing and Xiao Bai knew how many years of accumulation and insight lay behind this casual glance from their benefactor. This was the true Dao.

The late-night wind blew through the canyon, bringing a hint of chill. But in the hearts of the Tang Sect members, a fire had been ignited. The events of this night were destined to leave an indelible mark on their path of cultivation. And the appearance of Lin Xuan might truly lead the Tang Sect's Dao of Elixirs toward a brand-new realm.

The moon climbed above the willow branches, and the backyard of the Tang Sect was silent. Lin Xuan was meditating in a pavilion, his figure shrouded in moonlight, like a jade statue. The surrounding air was permeated with a faint medicinal fragrance, the lingering effect left over from refining elixirs during the day.

Footsteps sounded softly, breaking the stillness of the night. The figure of Xu Xin appeared outside the pavilion, his breathing somewhat rapid, clearly agitated.

"Lin Daozhang." Xu Xin suppressed the excitement in his voice, "I apologize for disturbing you so late at night. It is just that I have a request, and I must speak my mind."

Lin Xuan opened his eyes, his gaze beneath the moonlight as deep as the sea: "Speak."

Xu Xin solemnly took a rosewood box from his bosom and opened it to reveal a scroll of golden silk. His movements were very cautious, clearly pinning great expectations on this scroll.

"This is the fruit of my labor over these days." There was an unconcealable pride in Xu Xin's voice, "After studying the Dan-Devourer for many years, I have finally created a new technique. I would like to ask Lin Daozhang to take a look."

Lin Xuan took the scroll and his gaze swept lightly over it. The dense, intricate Runes seemed to come alive in his eyes, and no detail could escape his sight. Soon, a trace of disdainful laughter appeared at the corner of his mouth: "This is it?"

"What does Lin Daozhang mean by this?" Xu Xin's face instantly turned ugly, and his tone carried a hint of anger, "This technique of mine incorporates the essence of the Dan-Devourer and has been tested many times; it is absolutely..."

"Full of holes." Lin Xuan interrupted him directly, his voice calm but every word like a blade, "The path of Qi circulation is raw and awkward, just like carving with an axe, with no method to speak of. The control of the heat is even more improper, and there are serious deviations at three key nodes. Such a crude technique, if practiced, will not only be of no benefit but will instead damage your foundation."

These words were like a basin of cold water poured over Xu Xin's head. He had been working tirelessly for these days to finally create this technique, believing it to be quite perfect, yet he had not expected it to be so unbearable in Lin Xuan's eyes.

"Lin Daozhang is being too arrogant!" Xu Xin gritted his teeth, his chest heaving violently, "Since you speak so lightly, why don't we have a contest? Let me see what kind of ability you have to dare to belittle my hard work like this!"

Lin Xuan remained sitting there, his figure in the moonlight motionless: "Are you sure?"

"Please, Lin Daozhang, grant me your instruction!" Xu Xin had already set his stance, the Qi in his body circulating wildly, and a powerful aura erupted from him. The air around the pavilion began to distort because of this power.

Lin Xuan shook his head slightly and just raised a finger, pointing it out gently. This casual finger seemed plain and unremarkable, but Xu Xin felt an irresistible force rushing toward him. Just as he was about to unleash his newly created technique, he suddenly felt the Qi in his body stagnate, and he felt as if he had been struck by lightning, flying backward and crashing heavily to the ground.

"This... how is this possible?" Xu Xin lay on the ground, looking at Lin Xuan in disbelief. The technique he was so proud of could not even withstand a single finger from Lin Xuan? This gap made him feel a deep sense of despair.

"Your problem lies in pursuing superficial changes too much." Lin Xuan's voice remained calm, carrying the pity of a wise man, "True techniques focus on the fundamentals. Take your move just now: if you accumulated three parts more Qi at the Dantian and let it permeate like spring rain instead of rushing like a flood; if you slowed down by two parts at the turn of the Ren Meridian to make the Qi flow more harmoniously; and finally, if you paused slightly at the junction of the Du Meridian and the Ren Meridian to let the two forces merge naturally... if you did this, the power would increase by at least fifty percent."

Xu Xin carefully savored Lin Xuan's words and suddenly felt as if he had been enlightened. He hurriedly tried the method Lin Xuan described and immediately felt an unprecedented power surging within his body. That feeling was like a withered flower regaining its vitality, an indescribable sense of relief.

"This... this is too miraculous!" Xu Xin's voice was trembling with excitement, "Lin Daozhang, your insights are truly unfathomable. I feel that you are the most suitable person to serve as the Tang Sect Leader! Only a master like you can lead the Tang Sect to new glory!"

"No matter." Lin Xuan waved his hand, "I have no interest in these worldly affairs. Just cultivate well."