Chapter 3: The One Yang Finger

Master Kuro, I have heard that many masters in your esteemed temple possess profound martial arts skills and are well-versed in the One Yang Finger technique. I wonder if I might have the opportunity to broaden my horizons.

The ancestors of the Duan family who became emperors often renounced their positions to become monks, and they did so at the Tianlong Temple. Therefore, Tianlong Temple serves as the ancestral temple of the Dali royal family, holding the highest honor among all temples in the country. After each emperor became a monk, his descendants would visit the temple to pay their respects on his birthday, and with each visit, there would be offerings and renovations made. The temple features three pavilions, seven towers, nine halls, and a hundred buildings, showcasing a grand scale and exquisite construction. It is comparable to the renowned Buddhist mountains and temples in the Central Plains, such as Wutai, Putuo, Jiuhua, and Emei, yet it is less known due to its remote location in the southern frontier.

This is fine here. Wang Lie smiled and said, "May I ask the master's Dharma name?"

After the sound faded, a series of images suddenly appeared in Wang Lie's mind. A transparent figure sat cross-legged on the ground, with a bright line moving continuously within its body. Behind this luminous figure, similar figures practiced various finger techniques of the Yang Finger one by one. Like scenes from a movie flipping by, the figures merged into one, transforming into specks of light and shadow that vanished from his mind

Greetings, Master, I have matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave for now and return another day to pay my respects. Having said this, he ignored the bewildered Ku Rong and strode away. At this moment, for Wang Lie, the golden finger was paramount above all else; he decided to study it first before considering anything else.

Hello, Master. May I ask if this is Tian mhetushu .com com Longsi?" Wang Lie walked over and asked

Tianlong Temple is located to the north of Zhongyue Peak on Cangshan Mountain, outside Dali City. The official name of the temple is Chongsheng Temple, but the local people in Dali are accustomed to calling it Tianlong Temple. It is situated against the backdrop of Cangshan and faces Erhai Lake, making it a site of great scenic beauty. The temple features three pagodas, built in the early Tang Dynasty, with the largest standing over 200 feet tall and consisting of sixteen levels. An iron-cast inscription at the top of the pagoda reads: "Constructed by Wei Chi Jingde during the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty." It is said that Tianlong Temple possesses five treasures, with the three pagodas being the foremost of these treasures.

"Not at all, I merely have a bit of talent in martial arts," Ku Rong said, feeling a bit embarrassed as he scratched his head

Indeed, Ku Rong is still just a young monk. At that time, even Duan Zhengchun was unaware of the Six Meridians Divine Sword, and he probably has not heard of it yet.

"Wow, 1.3 meters, that's quite a wide attack range. No wonder the Six Meridians Divine Sword has such impressive long-range attacks," Wang Lie thought to himself.

The master is being modest; given some time, I fear the master might even master the Six Meridians Divine Sword.

The young monk paused in his sweeping, brought his hands together in prayer, and said: "I am merely a novice monk who has just embarked on the path, and I do not dare to accept the title of master from the benefactor. This temple is called Chongsheng Temple, though some benefactors indeed refer to it as Tianlong Temple"

Master Ku Rong is only this old, it seems I have indeed traveled through time too early. This is troublesome; it will take at least another fifty or sixty years before the world of Tianlong that I am familiar with comes to be. At this time, it is likely that even Mu and Tu Shurong's father has not yet been born.

"It worked! So there really is a golden finger!" Wang Lie was overjoyed, "Could it be that as long as I see others using their martial arts, I can obtain a manual? Regardless of whether it's true or not, at least I've got the One Yang Finger now. I'll find an opportunity to try it again." Wang Lie closed his eyes for a moment and realized that everything from just now was clearly etched in his mind.

In this world, there exists such a finger technique. My Duan family’s Yiyang Finger is already the best among all finger techniques in the world, even surpassing the Shaolin's Nianhua Finger and Wuxiang Jiejian. Could it be that the so-called Six Meridians Divine Sword is even more powerful than the Yiyang Finger? Ku Rong, after all, was still a young monk and had not yet gained as much insight as he would later.

Wang Lie set out early in the morning from Dali City to search for the Tianlong Temple, based on the information he had gathered

"I wonder how far the master's finger technique can reach?" Unexpectedly, Ku Rong turned out to be a martial arts enthusiast, prompting Wang Lie to quickly change the subject

To achieve the Six Meridians Sword Qi as you mentioned, I fear that no one in this world possesses such profound internal strength

According to Wang Lie, the One Yang Finger is divided into nine ranks. When Duan Yu sought help at the Tianlong Temple, those old monks had only practiced to the fourth rank, while Ku Rong, at a young age, had already reached the seventh rank, demonstrating indeed remarkable talent

Two big words sprang to Wang Lie's mind, "What the hell!"

It turns out that the master is indeed a member of the Duan clan. I did not expect the master to be so formidable at such a young age; he must be the foremost among the younger generation.

It may seem complicated, but in reality, it is merely a momentary effort of flourishing and withering; Wang Lie has already returned to normal.

The young monk noticed that Wang Lie still referred to him as Master, and he did not correct him again. He felt a bit pleased in his heart and replied: "I am called Ku Rong, and the World-Honored One, Shakyamuni, attained Nirvana between the twin Sala trees in the city of Kushinagara. To the east, west, south, and north, there are twin trees, with each pair representing one flourishing and one withering, referred to as 'Four Withering and Four Flourishing.' According to the Buddhist scriptures, the twin trees in the east signify 'permanence and impermanence,' the twin trees in the south signify 'pleasure and lack of pleasure,' the twin trees in the west signify 'self and non-self,' and the twin trees in the north signify 'purity and impurity.' The flourishing and prosperous trees symbolize the true nature of Nirvana: permanence, pleasure, self, and purity; while the withered and decayed trees reflect the worldly phenomena: impermanence, lack of pleasure, non-self, and impurity. The Tathagata Buddha attained Nirvana between these eight realms, signifying neither withering nor flourishing, neither false nor empty. My master gave me this Dharma name, hoping that I could penetrate the Zen of withering and flourishing and attain Buddhahood right here and now." The young monk explained incessantly.

At Mount Diancang, I wonder if there is the Diancang Sword Sect; it seems that there are no formidable characters from the novel "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" associated with Mount Diancang. I will first visit the Tianlong Temple to gain some insight.

This cannot be measured by quantity. "The monk solemnly said, 'To transform finger strength into sword energy, it must be based on profound internal power. The One Yang Finger, when practiced to a high level, can barely achieve this. The Grand Elder of our temple can easily extinguish a candle flame at a distance of ten feet using finger strength to manipulate objects.'"

No, no, it is not about competing with others in strength. The Buddha said, helping others is the foundation of happiness. It would be good for the master to demonstrate this so that the young one understands the heights of the heavens and does not get into trouble in the future

This temple indeed has quite a few senior monks with profound martial arts skills, including the One Yang Finger. However, the purpose of monks practicing martial arts is to strengthen their bodies, not to show off in front of others

I am not a master" The young monk said shyly, scratching his head

It seems inappropriate. Ku Rong was somewhat hesitant, yet also eager to try. Just now, Wang Lie had spoken so highly of the Six Meridians Divine Sword, and he wanted to prove that his own One Yang Finger was not just a name without substance.

"That is also a technique of finger movements, and it is also a swordsmanship. Once mastered, it can be considered invincible in the world." Wang Lie boasted without restraint, casually rambling.

With a soft sound, just as the finger of decay and prosperity was pointed, Wang Lie felt a darkness before his eyes, and a ethereal voice echoed in his mind: "The One Yang Finger, a supreme skill of the Duan family of Dali, is based on internal energy. By using the index finger of the right hand to apply pressure on acupoints, the speed of the finger can be either slow or fast. When slow, it is graceful and ethereal; when fast, it is as swift as lightning. It is divided into nine grades, with the first grade being the highest, and it serves as the foundation for the unparalleled martial art, the Six Meridians Divine Sword."

He stood with his legs apart and waist bent slightly, gently circulating his energy. In an instant, his right index finger pointed out, producing a soft sound like a hiss. A leaf, half a meter away from the book, fell from it, with the stem slightly charred.

You wouldn't understand this. Wang Lie pulled one side of the door of the Ku Rong Temple, avoiding the occasional passing pilgrims and the monk in charge, and continued speaking to the librarian: "Let me tell you, the Six Meridians Divine Sword is not a real sword; it is the transformation of finger strength into sword energy, having substance yet formless, which can be called a formless energy sword. The so-called six meridians refer to the six meridians of the hand: the Taiyin Lung Meridian, the Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, the Shaoyin Heart Meridian, the Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, the Yangming Stomach Meridian, and the Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian. You only have one finger for the One Yang Finger, while the Six Meridians Divine Sword requires six fingers; who do you think is more powerful?" The so-called six meridians refer to the six meridians of the hand: the Taiyin Lung Meridian, the Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, the Shaoyin Heart Meridian, the Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, the Yangming Stomach Meridian, and the Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian. You only have one finger for the One Yang Finger, while the Six Meridians Divine Sword requires six fingers; who do you think is more powerful?

Are you Master Ku Rong

"Six Meridians Divine Sword? What kind of ultimate skill is that? This monk has never heard of it," Ku Rong said with a puzzled expression.

Wang Lie arrived at Tianlong Temple without stopping along the way. On the outside, it appeared no different from an ordinary temple, with not much incense burning. Only three to five worshippers were coming in and out, and a young monk was sweeping the ground at the temple entrance

Although Ku Rong did not quite understand Wang Lie's logic, he still managed to nod in agreement

Is that so? Master, can you perform the One Yang Finger?" Wang Lie did not enter the temple but kept pestering the young monk with questions. It was not easy to meet someone who knew names and surnames, so he had to establish some connection.

"Wow, that's amazing!" Wang Lie exclaimed. "Master, could you let me have a look? Come on, how about striking that leaf over there?" Wang Lie pointed to a tree just a step away.

The young monk's One Yang Finger is merely at the beginner stage, having just reached the seventh rank. Ku Rong felt a bit embarrassed, yet there was also a hint of pride.

The withering and flourishing is somewhat embarrassing, "The little monk is dull-witted, and can only extinguish the candlelight within three feet; beyond three feet, I am powerless."