Chapter 3: Dare You Say There's No Divine Skill in Wudang
"This time, it must be successful."
In the early morning forest, the mist had not yet fully cleared, and dew covered the grass and trees.
A teenager around sixteen or seventeen, with a determined gaze, looked towards Wudang Mountain, gritting his teeth.
His name was Yun Chuan, outwardly a high school student, but in reality, a martial arts fanatic. He adored various martial arts movies and TV shows, no matter how trashy or sense-shattering; as long as there were martial arts displays, he watched with keen interest.
What his friends and family found most unacceptable was his unwavering belief that martial arts truly existed. Otherwise, why would there be such elaborate setups and so many classifications of martial arts and internal energy?
Thus, on a night of parental quarrel, he embarked on a journey to skip school and seek martial arts.
As the saying goes, all martial arts under heaven originate from Shaolin.
However, Yun Chuan didn’t want to become a monk and disliked the rules of Buddhism. After much consideration, he chose Wudang Mountain.
After all, the reputation of Zhang Sanfeng was quite resounding, and Tai Chi was one of the divine skills.
Although Wudang Mountain is now a tourist spot, Yun Chuan believed that behind this tourist facade lay the true inheritance of the Wudang Sect. If he could find it and prove his sincerity, he could surely join them.
Unfortunately, although he found the Wudang Sect behind the scenic area, he was not accepted and was even driven away.
This was his fifth attempt. If he failed this time, his saved New Year’s money would be gone.
So, if unsuccessful, he would call his parents.
Just as Yun Chuan was preparing to climb the mountain, a middle-aged Taoist priest jumped out, glaring at him furiously.
“You again? When will you ever stop? I’ve told you a hundred times, there are no secret martial arts in Wudang; those are all movie special effects. We are just ordinary Taoists devoted to our spiritual quests. How many times do I have to tell you?”
The Taoist’s anger was understandable.
If you want to be a Taoist, join through the proper channels. Copying TV shows and asking to become a disciple is absurd. Do you really think that just because Wudang Mountain is a tourist spot, you can just come and go as you please?
"Daoist Bai, stop deceiving me. If Wudang isn't a cultivation sect, then why won't you let me see your back courtyard?" Yun Chuan stubbornly argued, clearly unconvinced.
The middle-aged Taoist laughed in exasperation: "Who do you think you are, going wherever you please? Why don't you just ascend to heaven? Little kid, if you're uneducated, study hard; if you're brainless, drink six walnuts. We're Taoists, not your parents."
Just as Yun Chuan was about to speak, his eyes widened, pointing excitedly at a small peak in the distance: "Look, you're still lying to me, what is that, what is that?"
The Taoist looked over in astonishment, his eyes widening.
What the hell?
The peak was only two to three hundred meters away. Despite the fog, a circle of purple light was unmistakably visible.
And within that purple light, a figure was vaguely discernible.
Damn, are there really cultivators in Wudang Mountain?
The Taoist’s mind buzzed.
He had been cultivating in Wudang for over twenty years and had never seen such a sight.
"I told you, I told you, there must be a master in Wudang Mountain, there must be martial arts. That is the purple light, definitely the Zixia Divine Skill, a master cultivating internal energy by absorbing the morning purple qi." Yun Chuan’s body trembled with excitement.
The Taoist snapped back to reality, annoyed: “You think I haven’t seen 'The Swordsman'? What does Zixia Divine Skill have to do with our Wudang Mountain?”
"It must be some kind of Taoist divine skill. Only Taoist martial arts can create such a magnificent scene. I chose correctly; Wudang does have divine skills," Yun Chuan said, his eyes more determined than ever.
The Taoist was about to speak when suddenly he paused, seeing the figure surrounded by purple light on the peak suddenly stand up and leap down.
"Not good, the master is leaving, he must have spotted us," Yun Chuan panicked.
The middle-aged man cursed: "Spotted what? Go save him!" Saying so, the middle-aged man ran quickly towards the direction.
Although he didn't have movie-like martial arts, as a disciple of the Wudang Sect, his body was strong and accustomed to the mountain paths, making him no slower than on flat ground.
Yun Chuan watched with bright eyes.
Still denying you know martial arts? That must be the Wudang ‘Cloud Ladder’ technique, just not fully mastered, unable to fly yet.
Although not a master, at least he’s at a third-tier level.
Thinking so, Yun Chuan also chased after.
The master was just ahead; he couldn’t miss this chance.
On the small peak, the jumper was Zhang Kai.
His internal energy had transformed into Zixia true qi, breaking through to minor achievement in an instant. After all, sixty years of internal energy was no joke.
However, suddenly having such powerful strength, he felt a bit inflated and couldn't help but want to move around, subconsciously leaping up four to five meters high and three to four meters far.
After this jump, Zhang Kai came to his senses, horrified.
Have I lost my mind?
I’ve never practiced lightness skills, why would I dare to jump around on a mountain peak?
If I fall, I won't die, but I’ll be crippled.
Although panicked, several months of hard training hadn’t been in vain. His body’s coordination had improved a lot. The Zixia true qi flowed, making him feel light as a feather, not like a heavy object falling, but somewhat floating, able to control his movement.
This sensation made Zhang Kai’s eyes light up. As he landed, he touched a tree branch with his foot, stopping his descent and gently landing on a slope.
Feet firmly on the ground, he was ecstatic.
Zixia Divine Skill, indeed miraculous. Without practicing lightness skills, I can make myself light as a feather. If I learn something like 'Grazing the Grass' lightness skill, cliffs and precipices won't be an issue at all.
The more he thought about it, the more excited Zhang Kai became. His eyes blazing, he leaped up again.
This time, prepared mentally, he landed directly on a tree after his jump, then used it to propel himself further, landing farther away.
Though lacking the grace of lightness skills, this soaring feeling made Zhang Kai’s eyes moist.
Months of effort were not in vain. Finally, I have a bit of transcendence.
Leaping along, it didn’t take long for Zhang Kai to descend the mountain, his mood buoyant, leisurely returning to his own secluded residence.
He had come to the mountain top mainly because of the Zixia Divine Skill’s setting of absorbing the morning purple qi, which might assist in cultivation.
But with sixty years of internal energy already overwhelming, he didn’t need any morning purple qi. Zhang Kai immediately abandoned the idea of cultivating on the mountain top, planning to focus on cultivating in his secluded residence, reducing the risk of exposure.
However, an hour later, a young Taoist who took care of him came to deliver breakfast and mentioned something that made Zhang Kai’s heart skip a beat.
That morning, a Taoist had seen purple light floating on the mountain top and someone jumping off a cliff, but no body was found. Wudang Mountain had already called the police.
Damn it, someone didn't see me, did they?
It shouldn't be; there was fog in the morning, and I didn’t stay long after cultivating. If they knew it was me, they would have come to find me, not call the police.
But in the future, I can’t take such risks lightly. Even if I need to go out for cultivation, I must go to deep, uninhabited mountains. I don’t believe I can still be discovered.
Launching a new book, I thank many old friends for their support, most of them familiar names, accompanying me for two or three years, feeling just like family. This support I will never forget, and I hope you don't forget me either. Let’s sleep together when free. And to the new readers, although many haven’t interacted or joined group chats, I truly thank you. Your support has allowed me to persevere through ups and downs in this field.
A new year, a new beginning, wishing all readers a New Year with new atmospheres, turning the tide and making a fortune.