Chapter 2, Heavenly Dream Divine Skill (Part 2)
Jin's face showed joy as he said, "This is the best. The situation is as follows: there is a gang of strong bandits, numbering about twenty, led by a man named Ma Hu. They are brutal and tyrannical, often robbing refugees, committing acts of violence against women, and even stealing refugee children to cook them. We are no match for them, especially when most of us are out searching for food, making it even more difficult to resist their attacks. Therefore, we seek your chivalrous assistance."
The crowd was overjoyed, repeatedly expressing their gratitude. Li Fei thought to himself that if he didn't take the opportunity to gain some benefits now, he might not have another chance. He then said, "My skills are still a bit incomplete, so I need to focus on my training these days and cannot engage in other activities, such as eating, drinking, and... well, regarding meals and accommodation, you all need to make proper arrangements for me."
Did any suspicious outsiders stay here overnight last night
"What, are they snatching children to eat?" Li Fei felt a surge of anger rise to his head, "How can there be such inhumane people? Doesn't the government take any action?"
He was thinking to himself while babbling, "My name is Li Fei. I have been practicing in a small temple in the remote mountains of the south since childhood, sitting in meditation on a mat all day long, to the point where my mouth has become as dry as a bird's. Recently, my merciless master assessed my cultivation and shockingly said that I lack the essence of a Buddha and cannot attain Arhat status, advising me to return to the secular world in search of wealth and honor. Thus, I have traveled all the way here."
However, the methods transmitted by Shi Qian only include the cultivation techniques of "Entering the Aperture" and "Piercing the Acupoint"; the subsequent ones are only known by name, with no specific practices or effects understood.
In a fit of anger, Li Fei nearly resorted to counting sheep: I refuse to believe that I cannot master my skills as a virgin. If it comes to it, I might suffer a little, but can I treat my practice as if I were sleeping?
Li Fei opened his eyes, feeling refreshed and invigorated. Just as he was about to cheer, he noticed several people around him staring intently, and they began to approach him, including Fang Jin, Fang Zhimai, an elderly man in his sixties, and several strong men in their thirties and forties
Sit cross-legged, form hand seals, breathe steadily, and try to clear your mind of all thoughts. This step is not particularly difficult in ordinary times, but at this moment, the annoying sounds of snoring rise and fall, the stench of hundreds of people living together, and the fleas in the tattered cotton quilts prevent him from finding peace. Every time he attempts to enter a meditative state, he is pulled back into reality.
The entire set of exercises can be practiced step by step, and is even simpler than doing calisthenics. The main key is visualization. As long as one can enter a state of tranquility, achieving a state of being free from emotions and desires, and not being influenced by external factors, even the first step is not necessary; one can practice even while using the restroom.
Fang Zhi Mai said: "This Ma Hu is said to have once been a bandit from beyond the pass, skilled in the art of knife fighting, possessing immense strength, and being ruthless and merciless. He comes to demand money and grain every few days, and if he is not given what he wants, he will take away women or children."
No, no, no, young hero, please do not be agitated. We have some matters we wish to discuss with you. Seeing that you seem to be practicing, may I ask if you are a practitioner of the arts
Li Fei was also unceremonious, putting on his clothes and then donning a pair of tattered pants. Apart from his somewhat pale and youthful face, he looked just like a refugee.
In the system of the Heavenly Dream Divine Skill, it is referred to as the Spiritual Aperture
The meditation technique is indeed effective. In a state that is neither fully asleep nor fully awake, Li Fei entered a condition of self-forgetfulness, no longer perceiving the presence of others around him. There was no roof above his head, nor were there snowflakes swirling in the air. The sky was a clear blue, and a few cold stars began to twinkle, a total of one hundred and eight, forming a mysterious and intricate starry pattern. Then, he found the star that needed to be illuminated.
What if it is so? What if it is not so
Li Fei knew they were here to find him, and his heart couldn't help but race wildly. Unfortunately, those two Taoists fixed their gaze on him and began to walk over.
In an instant, a sense of sorrow washed over me, and my resolve began to waver. Perhaps I do not possess the talent for cultivating extraordinary skills, or perhaps I should seek alternative methods. All I need to do is survive in this new world...
Everyone nodded repeatedly, showing expressions of sudden realization. No wonder his hair was only about an inch long and his clothes looked so strange; it turned out he was a monk from an obscure sect who had returned to secular life
Li Fei's mind was also working faster than before, and in an instant, he had seven or eight thoughts: Was he asking for my name and what my family does to gather information for reporting to the authorities, or did he find me handsome and want to recruit me as a son-in-law? ... Or perhaps he is a reclusive master in hiding, who, seeing my rare talent and potential, wishes to take me as his disciple
The white-haired elder leaned on his rattan staff and took a few steps forward, cupping his hands in salute: "I am Jin Yong, one of the leaders among the many friends in difficulty. I have a matter I wish to discuss with you, young hero, but I do not know where you hail from or who else is in your family"
The first step is "entering stillness," which involves adjusting the body posture, breathing, and employing hand seals. This is intended to facilitate a state of calmness, allowing one to enter a mental state free from external distractions, thereby isolating oneself from outside interference
Countless faces float before me, swaying, some familiar and some unfamiliar... They open their mouths in unison, softly saying to me: "Give up, accept your fate, you are already dead, you will not return!"
In the old mill to the east, more than ten people were killed without exception for their resistance, and even the poor three-year-old child was not spared
Li Fei has also read quite a few books on cultivation and knows that in Taoism it is referred to as "Heavenly Eye," in Buddhism as "Sea of Consciousness," and in medicine as the pineal gland, which is an extremely mysterious place
"I pity you, and I won't trouble you, yet you still do not know how to live or die?" Li Fei said in great anger, leaping to his feet
How outrageous! Truly, how outrageous! Rest assured, I am the kind of person who always stands up against injustice. If that scoundrel doesn't come, he is indeed fortunate; if he does come, I will make sure he enters upright and leaves horizontally
The leaders of the refugees were discussing how to take turns guarding the temple and searching for food when suddenly the temple door was flung open with a loud "bang." A gust of cold wind accompanied by a swirl of blue light rushed in, and two Taoist priests in blue robes appeared in front of the hall. They appeared to be around thirty years old, exuding an air of arrogance. Behind them, they carried precious swords, the yellow tassels gently swaying, further enhancing their elegance and sense of intimidation.
The temple fell silent in an instant, with even the sounds of coughing and children crying coming to a halt. The two Taoist priests cast their piercing gazes over the crowd, and every person they looked at felt a shiver run down their spine.
Even on overcast days, during the daytime, or indoors without stars, practice can still be conducted; however, the effectiveness varies. Nighttime is better than daytime, higher altitudes are preferable to lower ones, and sunny days are more advantageous than rainy ones.
It is said that in ancient times, humans possessed a third eye, located in this position, which has since retreated into the brain through evolution, becoming an invisible third eye. Through the cultivation practices of Taoism or Buddhism, this third eye can exhibit many incredible functions, such as perceiving a person's aura, spirits, and the microscopic world, which is why it is referred to as the heavenly eye.
He is now facing the danger of being pursued by the authorities, and without overwhelming force, it is impossible to survive in this unfamiliar world—if it were not for the sudden increase in his strength, he would have long been killed or frozen to death. Therefore, at this moment, his desire for power surpasses everything; regardless of whether the Heavenly Dream Divine Skill is effective, he must give it his all to try.
The second step is "visualization," where one concentrates their thoughts on the "spiritual orifice" located one inch above the center of the eyebrows. Meditate on the twinkling starlight in the sky, envisioning oneself floating in the air, as the light from one of the stars shines down and is infused into the spiritual orifice.
The Heavenly Dream Divine Skill can be divided into six levels based on the cultivation realm: Entry into the Acupoint, Penetration of the Acupoint, Condensation of the Soul, Spiritual Body, Golden Body, and Divine Transformation
The location of the "spiritual orifice" is at the position of the third eye of Erlang Shen, but it is situated within the skull rather than on the surface.
Li Fei was certain that the secret mentioned by Shi Qian, which could lead to becoming a saint in the flesh and breaking through the void, was indeed the way for him to return to his own world. How could one traverse time and space without breaking through the void
Having just realized this, the fleeting images before my eyes and the unease within me immediately dissipated into nothingness. The world I envisioned was as blue as jade, and the moon was as large as a dipper.
At the beginning, there was no obvious sensation; he was even unaware of the spiritual aperture on his forehead. Nevertheless, he persevered, for this solitary path of Mount Hua was the only hope
Old Jin hurriedly approached: "No, no, Daoist, we are all refugees who have escaped from beyond the pass"
Yet a greater voice within responded: "Damn it, I haven't lived enough in the original world! No matter what method I use, even if hope is slim, I must return; I will definitely live to go back!"
As time slowly passed, Li Fei finally felt a slight coolness in his spiritual aperture, as if a group of cold light or cold air had settled there, creating an additional space.
The third step is to "conclude the work". Using one's intention, guide the essence of starlight within the spiritual orifice to flow down the body's meridians, stopping at the "Tai Xi point" located at the heel. When the spiritual orifice connects with the corresponding acupoint, the spiritual energy flows like a dragon, and the acupoint expands like a drum, indicating the successful connection of the acupoint.
As the sky gradually brightened, many people got up, interrupting Li Fei's cultivation. He slowly withdrew his energy, imagining the ball of energy within his spiritual acupoint descending through his body and settling at the Taixi acupoint located at his heel.
A chill ran through my heart; could it be that what I just experienced was merely the celestial demonic illusion that one inevitably encounters during the course of cultivation, as described in legends?
A sturdy man with a dark complexion, looking resolute and composed, said with resentment: "The authorities would be delighted if we all died, as it would bring them peace. They even rob us of our belongings and chase us down; otherwise, we would not have fallen to this state. My wife and my son, who has just turned one month old, were..."
"Young hero, rest assured, we will not let you suffer from cold or hunger," said a man named Tian Yimu as he handed over a cotton hat. The one with a black face, named Tang Chengpin, who was a blacksmith, directly took off his old cotton coat and gave it to Li Fei, while he himself changed into a tattered cotton jacket full of holes.
Perhaps due to sitting for too long, his consciousness became somewhat hazy, and many thoughts suddenly appeared in his mind: I am not a solar panel, how could light possibly be absorbed into my body? I have never heard of such a technique; the incantations must be deceptive, right? Am I merely experiencing a boring and illusory dream? When I wake from the dream, will there be nothing left?
The imagined self has taken flight, floating in the air, the body infinitely expanding, a beam of starlight shining down like a searchlight, landing on the spiritual aperture.