Chapter 38: The Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique
Shi Hao channeled the energy of the Immortal Ice Technique to its peak, directing it towards his feet.
The moment his foot touched the water’s surface, it froze, and he lightly stepped onto the ice.
He took a few steps forward, maintaining a clear and focused mind.
Before him, Ye Zi Yin’s graceful figure, her white robe fluttering, was reflected in the water.
His heart stirred, his focus wavered, and he began to sink.
His shoes barely touched the water before Ye Zi Yin appeared beside him, grasped his hand, and gently lifted him.
A soft, gentle force, like a breeze, supported him.
This further emphasized the vast difference in strength between him, a “seventh-rank expert,” and these two women.
He still couldn’t comprehend how he had managed to… be with them last time.
Ye Zi Yin, walking effortlessly on water, had noticed his misstep and, in an instant, appeared beside him, lifting him with a mere touch.
What level of mastery was this? If he hadn’t witnessed it with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have believed it possible.
And even more unbelievable was that such a celestial being had been… with an ordinary man.
“Focus your mind on your dantian, clear as a mirror. Don’t let your thoughts wander,” she said.
Shi Hao quickly gathered his thoughts, clearing his mind of distractions.
Ye Zi Yin said softly, “I’ll teach you the Flowing Pearl Seven Star Steps. These seven steps correspond to the Big Dipper’s position, combined with the principles of the I Ching. Each step has seven variations, totaling forty-nine steps. Memorize them.”
Ye Zi Yin led him across the water’s surface.
Supported by her true energy, Shi Hao felt weightless.
He followed her steps, one by one.
Although it was just forty-nine steps, the variations were incredibly complex. Ye Zi Yin explained each one in detail, and it took Shi Hao half an hour to memorize them.
Ye Zi Yin said with a smile, “You have an excellent memory and learn quickly. That’s rare.”
Shi Hao said modestly, “It’s because you’re a good teacher, Immortal.” He felt that calling her “my lady” or “Miss” was inappropriate, but “Immortal” seemed acceptable.
As a transmigrator, although there were no martial arts in his previous world, his ability to learn new things was undeniable.
Ye Zi Yin said, “I thought it would take you at least an hour to memorize the Flowing Pearl Seven Star Steps. We’ve saved quite a bit of time.
“These steps are different from the Soul Chasing Locking Steps that witch taught you. They’re not for combat but for cultivation. I’ll also teach you an energy cultivation technique called the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique, the seventh-rank cultivation method.
“This technique must be used in conjunction with the Flowing Pearl Seven Star Steps. As the saying goes, ‘Lead flies, snow waves roll, pearls tumble, returning to the slumber of true earth.’ Combining these two will further refine the Daoist foundation formed by merging your Mysterious Charm Technique foundation and the seventh-rank Flying Elixir, transforming it into External Scenery True Energy.
“This will allow you to easily achieve Sword Heart Unity and project your true energy…”
Ye Zi Yin continued teaching him the energy cultivation technique as they practiced the Flowing Pearl Seven Star Steps.
Their figures moved across the lake, never stopping.
Shi Hao, following her instructions, circulated the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique. Suddenly, Ye Zi Yin released his hand.
In the next instant, Shi Hao found himself walking on water, his movements graceful and effortless.
Although she had let go, with each step, before his foot even touched the water, his true energy flowed outwards, the water swirling beneath him, creating an invisible support.
Before the support faded, he took another step.
Ye Zi Yin, standing motionless on the water, watched him, a smile appearing on her face as he moved with increasing speed and precision, his steps like a fleeting white horse or footprints on snow, leaving no trace.
She recalled her own struggles when first learning this technique, sinking into the water multiple times despite her master’s guidance, before finally mastering it.
This man’s talent surpassed even hers.
Although losing her virginity had been an accident, not his fault, she was a proud woman, known for her intelligence and talent, a Daoist prodigy.
Deep down, she had always hoped that the first man in her life wouldn’t be ordinary.
Now, knowing this man risked his life to save those abducted children, that despite being forced to cultivate demonic arts, he refused to harm the innocent, a man of courage and righteousness, and possessing such remarkable talent in martial arts, even surpassing her own at his age…
If it were anyone else, she might have felt a pang of jealousy.
But this man, after all, had been with her, and his exceptional talent brought her a sense of relief, even joy.
Shi Hao, circulating the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique and using the Flowing Pearl Seven Star Steps, continued circling the lake.
He felt his Daoist true energy circulating with every forty-nine steps, the power flowing from his dantian increasing.
He focused his mind, continuing to practice, his Immortal Ice true energy transforming into the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl true energy.
This new true energy, although built upon the Immortal Ice Technique, was even more profound. It flowed freely, like pearls, responding to his every thought.
Eventually, he no longer needed the Flowing Pearl Seven Star Steps. He could move effortlessly across the water, his movements relaxed and unhurried, simply by channeling his newly enhanced true energy.
“Come here,” a gentle voice called from the shore.
Shi Hao turned and walked towards her across the water, the surface barely rippling.
The Holy Jade Immortal said softly, “Your progress is beyond my expectations. You should stop for now. You’re a dual cultivator. Wait until Su Mei teaches you her new technique, and then cultivate both together. Focusing too much on the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl true energy now will be detrimental to your demonic foundation.”
Shi Hao said, “Thank you, Immortal.”
Ye Zi Yin shook her head slowly, “Don’t call me Immortal. That’s just a formality for outsiders. Although I’m teaching you the Taisu Immortal Pavilion’s techniques, I can’t be your master. Just call me Sister.”
Shi Hao also felt that calling her “Immortal” was too formal, so he smiled, “Sister Zi Yin.”
The Holy Jade Immortal said, “Since we still have some time, I’ll teach you the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique.”
She smiled, and in that instant, her beauty became even more radiant and otherworldly.
Shi Hao, who had just felt closer to her, now felt the immense distance between them, like a celestial being and a lowly ant.
He even felt that being so close to her was disrespectful, a sudden wave of anxiety washing over him.
Ye Zi Yin deactivated the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique and asked, “How do you feel?”
Shi Hao sighed in relief and whispered, “Sister Zi Yin, is this an immortal technique? It’s so powerful.”
Ye Zi Yin smiled, “There are no immortal techniques in this world. Even if there were, they would ultimately just be more advanced forms of martial arts.
“The Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique is a profound mental technique used in conjunction with the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique. Although I appeared motionless, not using any true energy,
“That is the essence of the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique. Internal Scenery manifests externally, projecting your mental state outwards, subtly influencing even those two or three ranks higher than you.
“Although it’s a martial art, the true energy is formless, following the natural Dao, without color or shape. High-ranking Daoist and demonic cultivators have ways to defend against it, but ordinary martial artists, even at the high ranks, can’t see through it. So, if you insist on calling it an immortal technique, that’s not entirely wrong.
“Our Taisu Immortal Pavilion has always been composed of women. Although we’re Daoists, pursuing the virtues of water, we also engage with the world, guiding its destiny. The Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique is used to prevent unwanted romantic entanglements and also to resist mind control techniques of the demonic sects.”
Shi Hao asked, “Since this is a secret technique of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion, are you sure it’s alright to teach it to me, Sister Zi Yin?”
Ye Zi Yin sighed softly, “Three hundred years have passed in the outside world. The chaos in China is partly our fault, due to the martial world catastrophe we triggered. Now, you are, in a way, a disciple of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion. You can carry on our legacy, guide the Chinese martial world, and restore order.”
She lowered her voice, “It will also give you a way to resist that witch’s seductions.”
Shi Hao said hesitantly, “But…”
Ye Zi Yin looked at him intently and snorted, “That woman is cunning. Don’t trust her.”
“Demonic witches are known for their deceitful tricks. Countless young martial artists have been seduced and led astray by them, becoming a disgrace to their sects and villains in the martial world.”
“Although Su Mei is a talented demonic cultivator, holding her own against other demons with her martial arts skills alone, she must have also learned those despicable methods. Her attempt to seduce you earlier is proof of that.”
Shi Hao whispered, “With her power, killing me would be effortless.”
Ye Zi Yin shook her head, “You don’t understand! Killing you would be like crushing an ant. Where’s the fun in that? Because of that accident, you were with both of us. But you have a strong will and a righteous heart, unlike those unscrupulous demonic cultivators. You’re not like them…”
Shi Hao’s expression changed, “So she’s starting to dislike me?”
He was destined to cultivate both Daoist and demonic arts. If Su Mei decided to harm him, he would be doomed.
Ye Zi Yin covered her forehead and sighed, “No, with that witch’s playful nature, she’ll see you as a challenge and try to seduce you. She’ll tempt you to the dark path, corrupt you, and make you obsessed with her. She… alas!”
Shi Hao suddenly understood… Su Mei would likely find it amusing that he, the first and possibly only man in the Holy Jade Immortal’s life, a man with a righteous heart, a hero admired by Ye Zi Yin, would “willingly fall from grace” for her, a demonic witch, becoming a villain in the martial world, a pathetic man obsessed with her beauty… It would be a great amusement for her.
Ye Zi Yin said seriously, “You must understand, I want what’s best for you, for you to maintain your righteous heart and save China. She’s different. She’s a demonic witch, cunning and unscrupulous. She’ll use all sorts of tricks to seduce you, pretending to help you, but once you’re no longer useful, she won’t hesitate to destroy you.
“The more she likes you, the more she’ll want to play with you until you die. That’s the way of the demonic sects. Don’t fall for her tricks.”
Shi Hao nodded seriously, “I understand, Sister Zi Yin.”
The Holy Jade Immortal began teaching him the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique. After he mastered it, she taught him many complex Daoist terms, had him memorize and explained several Daoist scriptures.
The language used in Daoist martial arts manuals was archaic and difficult to understand. Even if outsiders obtained them, they wouldn’t be able to comprehend them.
Those who thought they could cultivate unparalleled martial arts simply by obtaining a Daoist manual were delusional.
These complex terms and obscure references were hidden within classic Daoist texts that weren’t actually related to martial arts. Only true Daoist disciples, who had studied the scriptures diligently, could understand their hidden meanings.
Since Ye Zi Yin had directly established his ninth-rank foundation and then taught him the seventh-rank cultivation method, he didn’t have to worry about this for now.
But as his cultivation progressed, he would eventually need to be able to understand any manual she gave him.
This required a deep understanding of Daoist scriptures and the hidden meanings behind their terminology.
After six hours, Ye Zi Yin told him to leave…
Shi Hao left and headed in another direction.
Passing through the tilted archway he had seen before, he arrived at the partially collapsed hall.
Su Mei wasn’t there. He looked around, about to call out, when her melodious voice came from within, “Come in.”
He entered the hall. White jade pillars, carved with intricate dragons and phoenixes that seemed to come alive, stood throughout the hall.
He even felt their eyes watching him, their gaze imposing and unsettling.
“Down here!” The voice came from beneath a stone staircase. Mist and moisture emanated from the entrance.
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