Chapter Six: The Kitchen is Burgled
"Sir, I have an idea, and I would like to try it now. Please assist me!" Gu Cheng pondered for a moment, his chest rising and falling, as he began to mobilize the vital energy within his internal organs, directing it into his eyes with each breath.
At this moment, Huang Chang began the lecture. After elaborating on several essays in a grand manner, Gu Cheng started to ask questions: "Sir, what does the phrase 'the essence of the five organs and six bowels is all concentrated in the eyes and becomes the essence' mean?"
However, Gu Cheng raised the previous example: if there were truly a peerless master attempting an assassination, how would an emperor without martial arts skills defend against it
He closed his eyes and activated the recently learned Yi Jin Jing, as his tendons and bones began to slowly stir.
A courtier approached and said: "Your Highness, there is no need for you to lower yourself; the medicinal meal you requested has already been prepared"
Time flies, and the month of January passes in the blink of an eye
He is cultivating the Divine Refinement system in the Immortal Martial Three Kingdoms.
After a moment, Gu Cheng let out a slow breath, nodded, and with a wave of his hand said: "You have done well, and there will be rewards. From now on, every meal must include this eight-treasure soup!"
The way of Heaven is to diminish what is excessive and to supplement what is insufficient. Therefore, the void prevails over the solid, and the insufficient prevails over the excessive
The effects may certainly not compare to rare herbs and treasures, yet they excel in stability. Daily consumption will undoubtedly provide significant benefits to the process of refining essence and transforming energy
In the world system of the Golden Book, internal skill is the most crucial aspect, and the cultivation of internal strength fundamentally cannot rely on shortcuts
This is precisely the medicinal dish he concocted by consulting "Fire" for the techniques of potion preparation.
What are the five senses
Zhang Wuji devoted himself to the cultivation of the Nine Yang Divine Skill in the valley without any distractions, and after consuming the Peaches of Immortality, he achieved great success after a full five years
In fact, Huang Shang did not wish to teach Gu Cheng martial arts. Deeply influenced by Confucianism, he believed that martial arts were a lower path. As an emperor, one should master the art of governing the country and ensuring the well-being of the people, rather than engaging in the violent and ruthless behavior typical of the martial world, which violates the law.
Their practice method is quite peculiar; it is neither standing in a horse stance nor refining techniques, but rather consists of the master and disciple sitting opposite each other, reading and explaining texts
The normal approach is to enhance the five senses through magical power. Without external assistance, this process is indeed as slow as water dripping through stone, taking even longer than cultivating internal energy to open the meridians
This was supposed to be a joyous occasion, yet unexpectedly, the eunuch in charge of the kitchen suddenly knelt down with a thud, trembling all over, and repeatedly bowed his head, saying: "Your Highness, spare me, Your Highness, spare me, the kitchen has been robbed, and precious ingredients have been stolen..."
"Your Highness is truly a prodigy!" Huang Shang's voice came from behind as Gu Cheng rose to greet him: "Sir, how do you assess my progress in martial arts?"
Huang Chang himself has thoroughly read the Daoist canon of 5,481 volumes, from which he has comprehended the profound mysteries of martial arts, achieving self-enlightenment without a teacher
It is done
Guo Jing practiced martial arts from a young age and later consumed the snake blood of Liang Zi Weng, while Yang Guo had the cold ice bed and snake gallbladder, with Xiao Long Nu guiding his training
Duan Yu and Xu Zhu, let's get to know them! Gu Chengxin silently complained in his heart, yet he also understood that what Huang Shang said was not untrue
Although it was but a fleeting moment, a sense of coolness lingered in the eyes, and the birds, insects, and the patterns of the furniture became unprecedentedly clear, even the attire of the palace maids a hundred meters away appeared as if viewed through a magnifying glass, vividly present before me
As for the heavenly materials and earthly treasures, although Gu Cheng's status is much more noble compared to that of Guo, Yang, and Zhang, the Zhao royal family has endured considerable hardships. The emperor was captured by the Jurchens, and the royal descendants emphasize diligence and frugality. Therefore, the Jia Wangfu is not as affluent as one might imagine, and the heavenly materials and earthly treasures are not readily available for the taking.
In the hall, Gu Cheng practiced martial arts alongside Huang Shang
Gu Cheng blinked in disbelief a few times and joyfully got up
The form of the five senses, this has become ?
However, before his smile could appear, his face turned pale, and he collapsed backward as if he were completely drained of energy
This conjecture has received both recognition and caution from "Fire"; to avoid losing both the lady and the soldiers, it is better to expedite the action
On the contrary, Gu Chengjin's recent diligence and eagerness to learn greatly pleased the Emperor and Empress. Not only did they summon him into the palace to commend him, but they also bestowed numerous rewards upon Huang Chang.
Gu Cheng originally intended to continue his efforts and cultivate the other seven chapters of the "Eight Parts of the Dragon Canon," but it seems that he must take it slow for now; otherwise, he would exhaust his vital energy and be unable to save Huang Chang.
Regarding this, Gu Cheng has developed an idea and has already put it into action. Soon, we may be able to see the results.
The influence is mutual; if one delays for too long and the bond between the Dragon Spirit and this world becomes too close, then if separation becomes impossible, or even leads to being devoured, it would be the end
As early spring arrives, the grass grows lush and the orioles fly, with the fragrance of flowers wafting through the air. Gu Cheng sits in the pavilion, cultivating his energy, gazing at the pavilions and towers with a gentle expression in his eyes
Gu Cheng selected eight ingredients, blended them in a specific ratio, and simmered them with a special technique to create this eight-treasure soup
Let us take a look at a group of protagonists; although many achieved success at a young age, they also spent a considerable amount of time.
In terms of time, Gu Cheng has a sense of urgency. From Huang Shang's longevity, he perceives the changes in the world. Can it be inferred that as Long Ling enters this world to absorb dragon energy, the world is simultaneously drawing upon its power, thereby becoming stronger?
It is precisely because of the unique method that it is more secure. After all, the Song Dynasty valued civil over military affairs. If Gu Cheng, the only legitimate prince, were to practice martial arts and a servant were to inadvertently let it slip, the news would leak, causing chaos both in the court and among the people
The alchemical formulas and refining techniques mastered by "Fire" are still useless in this world, as they are too advanced. Therefore, one can only take the ordinary path, refining essence into qi, and supplementing one's own energy through external food.
I want to see for myself! Gu Chengjian strode in, pushing open the door to the kitchen. Amidst a group of maidens kneeling in fear and trepidation, he immediately spotted a pot of fragrant thick soup on the table. Taking a deep breath, he revealed a look of enjoyment.
Indeed, this worldly beauty, which encompasses the truths of the world within nature, brings a sense of tranquility to Gu Cheng, who has recently been studying Daoist classics. A tremor within him gives rise to a faint yet supremely pure flow of energy from the dantian, beginning to circulate slowly throughout his limbs and bones
Indeed, before being able to communicate with the forces of heaven and earth, the transformation of energy is always conserved
Huang Chang, feeling helpless, could only impart knowledge, but unlike the typical master-disciple relationship in the martial world where techniques are taught, he encouraged Gu Cheng to study and cultivate himself
Ke Guocheng accepted it without complaint and truly began to study earnestly
The environment of the royal palace in this world is simply like that of a rural area compared to the Eastern Palace in the Three Kingdoms of Immortal Martial Arts, yet Gu Cheng finds it rather endearing
Sometimes having a high level in martial arts is not necessarily a good thing
As expected, the energy of the five organs was transported, and the essence of the Dragon God's power surged through Gu Chengtong's body, causing a tremor. He closed his eyes and then opened them again, and to his astonishment, two beams of light, solid as substance, emanated from his body.
Huang Shang smiled wryly: "Since Your Highness is so eager to learn, I shall teach you the 'Muscle Transformation and Bone Strengthening' technique and the 'Soul Transference' method. Remember to proceed step by step!"
Huang Shang stroked his long beard and said: "Your Highness, to be able to comprehend the sensation of Qi and to cultivate true energy within a month is truly remarkable, a talent rarely seen in this world. However, internal martial arts training requires perseverance and determination, akin to water dripping through stone; it cannot be achieved through haste."
Currently, both of them are relatively lacking in support.
Fortunately, Huang Chang appeared behind Gu Cheng in an instant, placing a palm on his back. A vast and profound energy, akin to the surging rivers, flowed into his body, compensating for the severe depletion of his vitality. At the same time, he spoke with utmost seriousness: "Your Highness, when practicing, one must maintain a sense of reverence and proceed cautiously, never rushing for quick results!"
The introductory section of the "Eight-Part Dragon Canon" discusses the achievements of the divine dragon in the sea of spiritual consciousness, which constantly emits a wondrous energy.
This energy is known as magical power, which is more versatile and incredible compared to true energy, but it is also more difficult to strengthen
As for Gu Cheng himself, he had indeed consumed them, but the response from "Huo" left him feeling quite helpless: "Those Seven Aperture Linglong Pills have all been absorbed by me, and it is precisely because of their medicinal power that I can barely manifest..."
Gu Cheng disregarded etiquette and picked up the bowl, drinking it down with a slurp. He felt a lingering fragrance in his mouth, and a wave of warmth flowed down his esophagus into his abdomen
It is evident that possessing a secret manual of divine skills is not sufficient; it also requires at least several years of time, along with the aid of rare materials and treasures to accelerate the cultivation process, in order to become a master
Heavenly materials and earthly treasures, I must find an effective alternative! A sense of urgency surged within Gu Cheng as he fixed his gaze on Huang Chang, revealing a sincere expression: "Sir, can you impart some martial arts techniques beyond internal energy to me now?"
As for that pair of cheap parents in the palace, they are truly extraordinary oddities. Gu Cheng has no feelings for them, yet he does not pretend to be astonishing; he remains as compliant as Zhao Kuo was in the past, merely going through the motions.
Form, sound, smell, taste, and touch, which are the five sensory organs of humans: vision, hearing, olfaction, gustation, and tactile perception
If this were to get out, the world's number one master teaching his disciple like this would surely make the martial arts community laugh to death. Perhaps even Huang Shang himself did not believe that Gu Chengzhen could learn it, hoping that he would know when to back down.
Look at the word "forced"; with so many exquisite elixirs, even a pig could become a peerless powerhouse. Yet, "Fire" possesses not even one ten-thousandth of the strength of the Great Han's Flame Dragon, which is truly frustrating
Huang Shang said: "The essence of Jing is the eye, the essence of Qi is the white eye, the essence of tendons is the black eye, the essence of bones is the pupil, the essence of blood is the veins, the essence of flesh is the restraint. This is what is stated in the 'Huangdi Neijing'. The specific cultivation method is ... ... "
After successfully entering a meditative state, the refining of the spirit system proceeds to the next level of the five senses
The initial encounter with the methods of the immortal family is shocking, and being immersed in it inevitably feels distant, especially when one's own strength is too weak, which evokes a sense of humility
However, now, after consolidation and exploration, Gu Cheng has cultivated the pure Taoist true energy derived from the Nine Yin Manual as a supplement, transporting the essence of the five internal organs, and further refining his eyesight through magical power, thus employing a dual approach that yields twice the result with half the effort
It is unrealistic to refine elixirs from the Xianwu Three Kingdoms, but the ideas can be applied. Similarly, no matter how impoverished the royal residence may be, he is still the only son of the current emperor, and ingredients such as deer antler, ginseng, and snow lotus will certainly not be in short supply
Gu Cheng took a moment to catch his breath before nodding and saying, "Thank you for the reminder, sir. I was too hasty!"
... ...
Several hours later, Gu Cheng, full of spirit, bid farewell to Huang Chang and headed towards the kitchen in the backyard
... ...
He resorted to magical shortcuts for rapid cultivation, the cost of which was a significant depletion of his vital energy. Without the timely replenishment from Huang Chang, he would face serious illness at best, or at worst, lay the groundwork for future calamities.