Chapter Thirty-Nine: Lightness Skill

  It seems simple to turn around, but in fact it's not easy. Let alone three hundred turns, after ten turns you will feel dizzy and unstable, if you continue to force yourself, you will see stars, feel nauseous and vomit.

  Learning with others has its advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage is that the respected elder cannot teach according to individual abilities, but the advantage is that as long as one person persists, the rest will follow suit. At this time, Bai Li Kuang Feng showed extremely strong perseverance, getting back up after being knocked down, continuing to persist even after vomiting, and the others seeing him like this all supported themselves strongly without slackening off.

  A lame Taoist priest was accompanied by two young apprentices who did not understand why the crowd suddenly started circling around them. Their job was to clean up the filthy things that people vomited in a timely manner.

  Among the crowd, Mo Xiang and Liu Sheng's physical condition was the weakest. They were also the most severely dizzy and vomiting. Mo Xiang had been gritting his teeth to persevere, and he felt that it was worth suffering this hardship. After spinning around in circles, people would stumble and be unable to stand steadily. At this time, they would unconsciously move their feet to try to stabilize themselves and not fall down. This unconscious movement is not controlled by human consciousness, but rather a kind of instinct. Sima Feng's training was aimed at developing the crowd's ability to stabilize their body shape when they were about to fall down, relying on this instinct.

  This single move has already distinguished itself from the ordinary martial arts routine, ordinary martial arts require a stable foundation and belong to seeking stability in stillness, while the Wind Chasing Ghost Step trains the ability to stand upright without falling when moving, belonging to seeking stability in motion, seeking stability in motion can gain a greater advantage in fighting with others.

  To do things well, one must be willing to do them voluntarily. If forced by others, they will not be done with all one's might. The taste of vomiting is not pleasant, but when everyone volunteers for it, no one can help but persevere. With Sima Feng absent and not urging them on, the crowd actually became even more diligent.

  Whether studying scriptures or practicing martial arts, it's all about gradual progress. There's no such thing as becoming a world-class master overnight. Before achieving fame and success, one must have spent years accumulating momentum or practicing diligently for many years. Most people practice until dusk with little effect, and after thirty rounds they will vomit, but by then there's nothing left to throw up, just some greenish acidic water.

  Dinner was served, but no one touched the food. Dizzy and disoriented, everyone supported themselves against the wall as they returned to their rooms. Back in their rooms, no one asked about sitting in meditation or reciting scriptures. Alas, after sitting in meditation, dizziness and blurred vision ensued, with the sky spinning and the earth revolving. After several attempts, all could do was give up.

  The next morning, Yuling came and everyone became familiar with the medicine refining Dan medicine. In the afternoon, they continued to circle around on their own. After that, for a long time, the whole day's life of the crowd was spent in smoke and fire in the morning and dizziness in the afternoon.

  From spring to summer, summer goes and autumn comes, until the autumn leaves fall and the first snow falls, all the medicinal herbs in the main hall have been exhausted. Although no one has refined edible elixirs, they are already familiar with the properties of various medicines and have grasped the general steps of alchemy. After the medicinal herbs were exhausted, Yuling did not see her again, and she disappeared for more than ten days without a trace. When asked by Old Five who came to deliver food, he said that the package she brought was still in the room, so she should come back.

  At this time, everyone had already placed the small altar left by Xuan Yuanzi on the wooden platform in the East Hall. It would disappear by dawn tomorrow, and it was certain that Xuan Yuanzi had come to take away the altar in the dead of night. However, Xuan Yuanzi never showed up again, and the crowd remembered his kindness but couldn't thank him.

  The Jade Manual of Medicine was memorized by everyone and then burned in front of them. During this time, the greatest progress made by everyone was in martial arts and light body techniques. Sima Feng's Pursuing Wind Ghost Step was extremely mysterious, but he taught it without hiding anything. Every time he pointed it out, he would explain its key points. After everyone had spun around and was no longer dizzy, he confined them to the East Hall, where they spun around each other without touching anyone else. The previous spinning was only to make people seek stability in motion, while confining them to the East Hall for rapid spinning without touching each other was to seek accuracy in stability, raising their subconscious reactions to follow their hearts' desires, landing with ease and precision, and changing positions with precise accuracy.

  The Wind Chasing Ghost Step is the foundation of learning the Wind Catching Ghost Hand. With the mysterious displacement and replacement of the Wind Chasing Ghost Step, learning the Wind Catching Ghost Hand is not difficult. The Wind Catching Ghost Hand mainly uses palms, with fists and claws as supplements, attacking the enemy's vital points from unexpected angles. There are 36 moves in the Ghost Hand, 18 of which attack fatal points, while the other 18 attack energy points. Although Sima Fengyuan himself cannot control his internal energy, his 18 moves that attack energy points are precisely suitable for dealing with practitioners who cultivate their internal energy. Practitioners have spiritual energy flowing inside their bodies; as long as they block or disrupt this flow at different positions, they can achieve nine strange effects: numbness, deafness, dizziness, maniacal laughter, and so on.

  Everyone had previously received the transmission of Xuan Yuanzi's method for cultivating Qi, and day and night they practiced without stopping or slacking off. Inside their bodies, there was already some spiritual energy. This small amount of spiritual energy brought great benefits to everyone. Normally, this spiritual energy only circulated in the Ren and Du meridians and did not disperse. However, once it was needed, it could reach all four limbs instantly. With the assistance of the spiritual energy, capturing the Wind Ghost's hands became effortless, and their fists and feet moved with mighty force.

  Everything has its pros and cons, and the spiritual energy within people also brings disadvantages. Sima Fengyu had no spiritual energy cultivation, so his Wind Chasing Ghost Step relied solely on physical strength rather than spiritual energy. After intense training, a person's physical strength can propel them to jump several feet high, making it easy to fly over rooftops and walk on walls. Since Sima Fengyu lacked spiritual energy cultivation, his Wind Chasing Ghost Step was not suitable for people with spiritual energy to practice. This is because the human body's spiritual energy resides in the lower abdomen, like an anchor, keeping the body stable regardless of external movements, which contradicts the fluid movement principle of the Wind Chasing Ghost Step. Therefore, the version of the Wind Chasing Ghost Step learned by most people was overly stable but lacked agility.

  Sima Feng did not force the issue, although he had come to pass on his art. He was not close to the crowd, and they were not particularly concerned about their lack of mastery. After all, the most important thing for a Taoist is the magic spell, while physical martial arts are only effective against ordinary people, but magic spells can subdue evil spirits and drive out ghosts.

  Although seven people can't make the Wind Chasing Ghost Step perfect, one person can, Old Fifth can.

  After Sima Fengyuan arrived, Lao Wu came to the East Hall to ask Mo Xiang for guidance. Mo Xiang naturally knew what to say and what not to say, but at the same time also warned Lao Wu that he must not practice in a bright place, lest he be discovered by Sima Fengyuan. Stealing skills is a great taboo of the Taoist school, if someone finds out, the consequences will be unpredictable.

  It turned out that Mo Wu's worries were unnecessary. Lao Wu was in charge of cooking, and he took advantage of this to go to Sima Fengxu every day to deliver meals, with a respectful attitude and proper service. In addition, Sima Fengxu loved wine, and Lao Wu was just a miscellaneous servant, so he didn't need to attend morning and evening classes, and had more free time. With the silver money on his body, he would often go out to buy wine for Sima Fengxu.

  Simafei Anguo was a man of great insight, yet he couldn't see through the intentions of Lao Wu. Although he didn't explicitly instruct him in person, he also didn't stop Mo Wen from secretly teaching him in private. Lao Wu was grateful for his kindness and bowed his head in thanks. Simafei Anguo saw that his heart was sincere and pitied him for not having any self-defense skills in the chaotic world, so he accepted half of his bow and occasionally gave him pointers.

  When luck comes, no one can stop it. Sima Fengyuan originally wanted to pass on the Wind Chasing Ghost Steps and the Wind Capturing Ghost Hands to Lao Wu, but Lao Wu only asked for the Ghost Steps and declined the Ghost Hands. He did this because he was not interested in the Ghost Hands, but in Sima Fengyuan's eyes, his actions became a sign of being well-behaved and knowing one's place. Therefore, Sima Fengyuan taught him the Wind Chasing Ghost Steps even more carefully. Lao Wu originally had no spiritual energy cultivation, but the Wind Chasing Ghost Steps suited him perfectly. After half a year, he had already made some progress. Ba Li Kuangfeng once competed with him, and on their way to East Mountain and back, he was actually left behind by half the distance.

  Although many people practiced the Wind Chasing Ghost Steps, none of them achieved great success. However, climbing walls and getting on top of houses was no longer a difficult task. The only problem was that they couldn't control their strength precisely, so when they jumped onto the rooftop, their momentum would sink down, causing their landing to be heavy, which could even shatter tiles or break through the roof. At this time, Old Fifth had already mastered the skill of quietly getting on top of houses, moving stealthily like a cat.

  Lao Wu, still with the heart of a young man, after learning the body method came to compete with everyone. Several "masters" were defeated, and it was inevitable that they would be humiliated after their defeat. If Lao Wu came again to compete with everyone in body method, people would drive him away. Bai Li Kuang Feng, angry and frustrated, suddenly scolded Mo Wen loudly, "I understand now, the master sent Sima Dao Chang not to teach us skills, but to teach your family's slave!"

  Everyone lived together day and night, sharing the same joys and hardships, and had long been as close as brothers. No one asked or blamed Bai Li for his rude words, but just smiled and didn't respond. Lao Wu had this skill to protect himself, and in the future, he would definitely be able to ensure his safety. Even if he couldn't win a fight, it wouldn't be difficult for him to retreat safely.

  Huan Xi was delighted that Lao Wu had mastered his skills, but Mo Xun couldn't help but worry in secret. For nearly a year, Lao Wu had been cooking in the cafeteria, and although he hadn't grown taller, he had become plump with a big head and ears. He didn't know how to cultivate his inner energy, and living a life of ease and comfort would inevitably give rise to lustful thoughts. Now that he had acquired the Lightweight Technique, what if he were to become a thief, sneaking over rooftops and walls?

  Don't ask, the more I think about it, the more worried I become. Lao Wu has a record in Xiyang County and can't guarantee that he won't relapse into his old ways. However, at present, being in the Taoist temple, I also can't arrange for him to get married and start a family, so I can only temporarily put him off.

  When the mind is calm, the breath is harmonious. When the breath is steady, the spirit is at ease. During this period of time, I have been persisting in my morning and evening meditation, practicing my inner energy without any slackness. Therefore, there has been no sprouting of romantic thoughts in my heart. Occasionally when I have some free time to let my mind wander, I think about my deceased family members and Lin Ruochen. Alas, I have not been able to go out for a long time, so the clue that Old Five brought back on that day has been unable to be verified.

  For some time now, Sima Feng had not come again, letting everyone practice on their own. That Jade Linglong had also disappeared for half a month, and it was unknown where she went.

  In the afternoon, everyone gathered again outside the East Hall to study martial arts. Lao Wu arrived and shouted a round of "grandfather" as usual, then pulled Mo Wen to the corner of the wall and asked, "Old Master, is there any medicine that can take effect three days later?"

  "What are you going to do again? Don't make trouble." Mo Wen said with a frown.

  "Don't worry, I didn't use it in the Taoist temple." Lao Wu said gritting his teeth.

  "Who provoked you?" Mo Xiong asked in puzzlement, Lao Wu was skilled in worldly affairs, and it was rare to see such a ferocious expression on his face.

  "No one has offended me, I heard that a high-ranking official from the Hu people will come to our Taoist temple tomorrow." Old Five lowered his voice.

  "What are you barbarians doing in our Taoist temple?" Mo Wen frowned and asked.

  "It seems like they've come to invite the Taoist priests from the temple to help with the battle..."