Chapter 1, Embracing the Dan

Only because he was the sole individual in his sect, unlike other internal sects with numerous disciples who supported each other and thrived, successfully transforming into social elites. He originally intended to keep pace with the times, striving to develop some cultural industry based on the ancestral heritage of his sect, a legacy of a thousand years, in response to the national call, aiming to contribute to the country's GDP as soon as possible. Unfortunately, having entered the path at a young age and disliking worldly affairs, after taking on a few external disciples (the so-called external disciples, who do not receive the true teachings) and finding it bothersome, he retreated to the mountains. He truly became a genuine Taoist.

Having experienced the last rays of the late Qing and the Republic of China, the internal martial arts have long since declined. Even the once peerless Bagua Zhang practiced by Cheng Tinghua was ultimately met with a tragic end. However, in order to prevent the lineage of the ancestors from being severed, Li Zhichang was strictly required by his master from a young age to begin practicing the internal martial arts of the school.

The sword sheath is engraved with two small characters in seal script, which read "Impermanence." Li Zhichang's several disciples are not true inheritors; they have only casually taught a few sets of exercises for strengthening the body, and thus do not possess the qualifications to inherit this sword. He understands in his heart that this attempt at alchemical refinement is a matter of life and death, which is why Li Zhichang carries it with him. If he does not succeed, the inheritance of this lineage will naturally be severed, and this sword will hold no significance. Now that the alchemical refinement has not succeeded, he is unharmed, yet this encounter is indeed rare throughout history. He understands in his heart that this attempt at alchemical refinement is a matter of life and death, which is why Li Zhichang carries it with him. If he does not succeed, the inheritance of this lineage will naturally be severed, and this sword will hold no significance. Now that the alchemical refinement has not succeeded, he is unharmed, yet this encounter is indeed rare throughout history.

Li Zhichang became an orphan as soon as he was born. The people in his clan resented him for having caused the death of his parents at birth, and thus did not wish to raise him. Just then, his master—a venerable Taoist priest—happened to pass by, and for reasons unknown, took him away. The old priest seemed to know some of the elders in his clan and did not encounter any trouble. The priest's age was uncertain, but since childhood, Li Zhichang had heard him recount many stories from the Republic of China era, all of which were firsthand experiences of the old priest. In his youth, the priest had ventured out into the world, but later, when his senior brother did not take on disciples, he had no choice but to return to Wudang Mountain to inherit the Taoist tradition, at a time when the country was undergoing reform and opening up.

The internal martial arts do not distinguish between martial skills and medicinal knowledge. For instance, Huang Feihong not only possesses remarkable martial arts skills but also excels in medicine. This is because, upon reaching a certain level in internal martial arts, one gains a profound understanding of the body, making the study of medicine much more effective. Over the years, as he deepened his thoughts, his martial arts became increasingly refined, and his understanding of the human body grew deeper, significantly advancing his medical skills

Since the establishment of the sect, no one within has reached the current realm of Li Zhichang. He is uncertain about the path ahead. In this era of decline, it is also difficult to find someone to communicate with, so Li Zhichang can only rely on his intuition. After handling mundane affairs and adjusting his mood, he has traversed the Three Mountains and Five Peaks with a bamboo staff and straw sandals over the course of six months. Along this journey, he has gained insights into the geography of mountains and rivers, the sun and moon, and the stars, harmonizing with the four seasons and mastering the six energies, unknowingly grasping the spiritual realm of the unity of heaven, earth, and humanity. One day, upon arriving at Zhongnan Mountain, he was inspired and sensed that the opportunity lay within. He found a stone cave nestled between perilous peaks. After sealing the entrance with a large rock, he began to enter a state of deep meditation.

Li Zhichang could not help but feel a sense of sighing; it was both fate and destiny. His body seemed to transform into a black hole, continuously absorbing the surrounding ions, rays, and energy substances. Eventually, his entire consciousness was drawn into a suddenly appearing black hole. It was unclear how much time had passed when Li Zhichang regained his senses, only to find himself lying naked in the snow as an infant, with a pitch-black sword sheathed beside him. This was a magical sword forged by the founder of his sect, serving as the token of the sect leader, and it was also the means by which the leaders of past generations transcended during their final moments.

After undergoing the trials of the mortal world, Li Zhi increasingly felt that worldly affairs were dull and that fame and fortune were merely fleeting illusions. Instead, he subtly grasped the principle of 'not being here, not being there, not being in the midst.' His skills advanced remarkably, and in recent years, he naturally cultivated his vital energy to a state of 'freedom and unpredictability.' By passing the Hundred-Day Death Barrier, he could successfully embrace the elixir and step into an unknown realm, thus embarking on the path to the supreme heavenly way, gaining the qualification to unravel the mysteries of life and death. However, although he had attained the qualification to embrace the elixir, the Hundred-Day Death Barrier, as it is called, is naturally extremely difficult. An ancient saying goes, 'It is difficult for the souls of countless calamities to enter the sacred realm,' which aptly conveys this experience.

Encountering an unknown change, Li Zhichang once again transformed into the body of an infant, which was indeed peculiar. Returning to an infant's form, the sense of helplessness was enough to drive an ordinary person mad, yet Li Zhichang found it somewhat novel. He recognized eight or nine out of ten plants around him, all of which were common flora on Earth. Unfortunately, it seemed as if he had returned to the moment of his birth; although he could think and perceive, he could not act independently. Li Zhichang understood that in this desolate wilderness, if he remained here, he would inevitably encounter tigers, leopards, jackals, and wolves. Even without these threats, he would be unable to withstand heavy rain or scorching sun in his current state. However, there was no point in dwelling on these thoughts; as the saying goes, 'Heaven does not close off all paths for a person, and a boat will naturally reach the bridge.' Therefore, he decided to fully experience his current physical condition. The Dao De Jing states, 'By concentrating the breath, one can achieve softness; can one be like an infant?' Li Zhichang calmed his energy and blood, transitioning from stillness to tranquility, and from tranquility to wisdom. His mind was like a clear mirror, allowing him to sense everything within a hundred meters, even the sound of a spider spinning its web twenty meters away, almost akin to divine abilities.

Since ancient times, Wudang Mountain has been frequented by many distinguished individuals. After inadvertently saving the life of a noble person, his reputation gradually grew. With the support of that noble, he treated many high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants, and it could be said that he mingled with scholars and had no dealings with the unlearned. Unbeknownst to him, he stepped into the upper echelons of society, and at a young age, he became a member of the Taoist Association, achieving a status that even his master had not reached in his time.

The Taoist then resided continuously on Wudang Mountain, teaching Li Zhichang. According to the Taoist, his sect is a branch of internal martial arts that was passed down from Zhongnan Mountain around the end of the Yuan Dynasty, and it should belong to the Quanzhen Longmen sect, having experienced a decline in population over the course of several generations. After the old Taoist passed away ten years ago, he was left all alone.

There exists a substance that is formless, born before heaven and earth. Silent and desolate, it stands alone and unchanging, circulating without peril, and can be regarded as the mother of heaven and earth. Its name is unknown, but it is forcefully called: Dao, and it is forcefully named: Great. The Great is called the Transient, the Transient is called the Distant, and the Distant is called the Return. In a secluded cave on Mount Zhongnan, Li Zhichang often embraces the primordial unity, gradually sensing the vibrant life force of all things. He seems to hear the sounds of the mountains, the sounds of the trees, the sounds of the clouds, the changes in the magnetic field, and feels the rotation of the Earth. Everything that happens to him can be remembered. In this secluded cave on Mount Zhongnan, Li Zhichang often embraces the primordial unity, gradually sensing the vibrant life force of all things. He seems to hear the sounds of the mountains, the sounds of the trees, the sounds of the clouds, the changes in the magnetic field, and feels the rotation of the Earth. Everything that happens to him can be remembered. The phenomena of all laws are empty, and the five aggregates are all delusions. Time seems to lose its meaning at this moment. From the void comes life, the primordial spirit illuminates the void. Just as Li Zhichang is about to return his mind and spirit to extinction, a massive magnetic storm occurs, disrupting electronic devices worldwide. It coincides with a significant eruption of solar flares. Although ordinary people cannot perceive it, Li Zhichang, at a critical juncture of celestial and human resonance, is severely affected. From the void comes life, the primordial spirit illuminates the void. Just as Li Zhichang is about to return his mind and spirit to extinction, a massive magnetic storm occurs, disrupting electronic devices worldwide. It coincides with a significant eruption of solar flares. Although ordinary people cannot perceive it, Li Zhichang, at a critical juncture of celestial and human resonance, is severely affected.

Since the grandmaster Sun Lutang visited Wudang, sought out Shaolin, studied Xingyi, and integrated Bagua, the sectarian divisions within the martial arts community have gradually diminished over the past century. Coupled with the advancement of modern information, Li Zhichang has indeed synthesized the strengths of various schools. Unfortunately, in today's world where money reigns supreme, Li Zhichang's unparalleled martial arts skills, which surpass all contemporaries and overshadow the masses, remain of no practical use