At this moment, Xie Lingyun did not notice Zhang Chen’s peculiar expression, but instead explained the True Dragon Form to him in detail, even more meticulously than Xiaodouding.
"Did you understand?" Xie Lingyun asked Zhang Chen after demonstrating.
Zhang Chen wasn’t a fool; Xie Lingyun explained it almost as if she was feeding him piece by piece. If he still didn’t understand, he would indeed be a fool.
Then Zhang Chen began to perform the movements, and Xie Lingyun extended her hand to correct his posture.
As she corrected Zhang Chen’s movements, her slender fingers brushed across his acupoints, and she couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed: "Just an ordinary person? There’s no mysterious aura on him at all."
Although disappointed, she still earnestly guided Zhang Chen in the True Dragon Form:
"In essence, Ming Jin or Dark Force—all are techniques. It has nothing to do with how long you have been practicing martial arts. Some people understand the technique of Emitting Force in months, while others practice their whole lives without grasping its essence."
Hearing Xie Lingyun’s words, Zhang Chen pondered. Though he was cultivating immortality himself, he kept his true nature hidden, mingling daily with martial artists, laboring tirelessly to practice martial arts—it truly was tough for him.
However, at this moment, Zhang Chen thought: How does the noble lady before him know the True Dragon Form of the Yellow Heaven Dao? Could it be she is also a part of the Yellow Heaven Dao?
But it doesn’t seem like it! If the noble lady were a part of the Yellow Heaven Dao, would Huangli Temple have needed to stop their daily lessons?
Under the noble lady’s supervision, Zhang Chen earnestly practiced the True Dragon Form, and Xie Daoyun nodded with satisfaction as Zhang Chen’s movements became increasingly accurate: "Not bad. To comprehend Ming Jin, integrating all the body’s strength is crucial. The key lies in stretching the fascia between the limbs, feeling the course of the major tendons of the human body, stretching them open, and strengthening them until they can naturally control all the power."
"Does the noble lady also understand martial arts? Have you practiced the True Dragon Form?" Zhang Chen asked, seeing Xie Daoyun approachable.
"Hehe, although I’m not part of the Yellow Heaven Dao, I’ve studied their cultivation techniques. Didn’t Yellow Heaven Dao loosen its control on martial arts techniques a few years ago? For me, it’s not difficult to collect a glimpse of Yellow Heaven Dao’s martial arts techniques." Xie Lingyun continued, "A few years ago, I heard the True Dragon Form from Yellow Heaven Dao was marvelous beyond words. If combined with Flood Dragon blood and flesh, it would have unimaginable effects, able to refine a method called Qi Blood. So, I borrowed the True Dragon Form for research and even slaughtered countless snakes, unfortunately, without verification."
"It’s said that in ancient times, in the golden age of martial arts, some entered the Dao through martial arts, consuming the blood of exotic beasts, which could refine Qi Blood with incredible power. Sadly, people today haven’t witnessed it." Xie Lingyun stated.
Qi Blood?
This was a new term for Zhang Chen.
Mystery in this world is extremely rare, let alone wild beasts possessing mysterious power. The only mysterious beast Zhang Chen had vaguely encountered was the Flood Dragon transformed by the ancestor of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion.
"Eh, the Flood Dragon transformed by the ancestor of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion..." Suddenly, Zhang Chen’s heart stirred. If he could obtain the Flood Dragon’s flesh, might he also refine Qi Blood?
But alas, even if he had the Flood Dragon’s flesh, it would be useless because he lacked the formula to refine Qi Blood.
"I wonder what mystical qualities Qi Blood possesses?" Zhang Chen inquired curiously.
"I don’t know," Xie Lingyun replied bluntly, "Ancient texts only briefly mention it. There are no exotic beasts in this world, so no one has ever successfully cultivated it. But now there’s a Flood Dragon appearing around the Yellow River, perhaps there’s hope in the future..."
Saying that, Xie Lingyun quickly clammed up, realizing she might have said too much and revealed information, so she immediately stopped talking.
Seeing this, Zhang Chen wisely chose not to pursue the matter further, focusing instead on practicing martial arts and stretching his tendons diligently.
Xie Lingyun guided Zhang Chen as they trained for half an hour together. When Zhang Chen was exhausted and drenched in sweat, he paused to look at Xie Lingyun: "Thank you for the guidance, noble lady. May you join me inside for further discussion."
Hearing this, Xie Lingyun nodded after a moment of consideration and followed Zhang Chen inside. Zhang Chen hurriedly wiped down the chair once more—even though it was spotless—just to demonstrate a certain attitude.
Living in this world, one must climb upwards, connect with influential people and forces. Thinking one can single-handedly conquer the world is foolish.
Especially before one grows strong, it’s crucial to make useful friends aplenty and enemies few. That’s the key to lasting development.
Xie Lingyun, too, was a keen person. Watching Zhang Chen’s actions, she felt quite pleased with the young Daoist before her.
But when she looked Zhang Chen up and down, she detected nothing mysterious about him, not a bit. Observing him busily brewing tea, Xie Lingyun thought inwardly: "Could it be that burst of Golden Light last night wasn’t him? Was it that little girl?"
She remembered Chengyu, a very adorable little girl, but after several meetings, she didn’t find anything particularly unusual about her.
But Xie Lingyun wasn’t in a rush; she had all the time to investigate. Instead of directly approaching with an offer of benefits, she preferred to build connections slowly.
As they talked, Zhang Chen poured tea for Xie Lingyun. Despite the tea leaves being the kind Xie Lingyun typically disdainfully sips, she courteously took a small sip.