Ye Qiu practiced the form etched on the bluestone for a while, but couldn’t grasp its essence.
Though it appeared as just one form, it was profound and vast.
So, he sat cross-legged, eyes fixed on the manual, focusing intently.
Gradually, his brows furrowed.
He discovered, almost magically, that this seemingly simple move contained countless variations.
Time slipped by quietly.
In a blink, ten minutes passed.
Yet Ye Qiu remained seated, motionless.
Not far off, Shangling said, “Looks like Sect Leader Ye’s hit a wall.”
Chongxu smiled, “It’s Master Zhang’s divine technique, after all. How could it be grasped so quickly?”
Shangling asked, “Master, how long do you think it’ll take Sect Leader Ye to master this form?”
Before Chongxu could answer, Shangzhen said, “Master took three years to learn this form. For Sect Leader Ye to master it, I’d say at least three years.”
“I don’t think so,” Shangling countered. “Sect Leader Ye’s martial talent is terrifying. Maybe he’ll need just two years to grasp it.”
“Master, what do you think?”
Chongxu pondered, “Though Sect Leader Ye’s talent is exceptional, mastering this form isn’t easy.”
“Master Zhang poured immense effort into creating this technique.”
“In my view, it’ll take him one or two years. No matter how gifted, he can’t grasp it in half a year…”
Before he finished, Shangling exclaimed, “Master, look, Sect Leader Ye’s moving!”
Chongxu looked up and saw Ye Qiu rise, squatting into a horse stance.
Then, Ye Qiu slowly raised his arms, channeling strength, striking the opening pose of the Taiji Thirteen Forms’ first form!
Shangzhen gasped, “Did Sect Leader Ye grasp the first form?”
“Impossible,” Chongxu said. “It took me three years to understand it. No matter how prodigious he is, he can’t…”
Boom!
A loud blast cut off Chongxu’s words.
Ye Qiu pushed his hands forward, his inner energy surging, shattering a thousand-pound boulder ten meters away into dust.
“Heavens, Sect Leader Ye’s got it,” Shangling said, stunned.
Chongxu, equally shocked, muttered, “How is this possible?”
“How did he grasp it so fast?”
“Is this kid a freak?”
Shangzhen said smugly, “Looks like I was right, Sect Leader Ye really mastered the first form.”
Smack!
Chongxu slapped Shangzhen’s forehead.
Shangzhen winced, whining, “Master, why hit me?”
“Hmph, it’s your jinx mouth’s fault.”
Chongxu glared at him, never expecting Ye Qiu to master the first form so quickly.
“This kid’s a monster!”
Chongxu looked at Ye Qiu, his eyes mixed with jealousy and admiration.
Shangling said, “Master, since Sect Leader Ye’s grasped the first form, he should share the Cloud Ladder’s cultivation method, right?”
“I’ll ask him,” Chongxu said, starting toward Ye Qiu.
Just then, he saw Ye Qiu sit cross-legged again.
Chongxu paused, puzzled, “What’s he doing?”
Shangling said, “The Taiji Thirteen Forms are profound. Most who learn one form become experts. Sect Leader Ye just grasped the first, he’s likely consolidating it.”
“I don’t think so,” Shangzhen said. “I bet he’s trying to practice the second form.”
Shangling laughed, “With only one form’s manual, how could he practice the second?”
Shangzhen said, “With his terrifying talent, maybe he can deduce the second form from the first.”
Shangling chuckled, “That’s even less likely. Master tried that too, ask him, did he succeed?”
“Master can’t compare to Sect Leader Ye…”
Before Shangzhen finished, he felt a chill, turning to see Chongxu’s icy glare.
Shangzhen wanted to slap himself.
I blurted out the truth and offended Master, what now?
He quickly thought of a way out.
“Shangzhen, you think I’m inferior to Ye Qiu?” Chongxu asked, his face dark.
“Master, how could you think that?”
Shangzhen said righteously, “Master, you’re the sect leader, a Taoist pillar, revered by thousands.”
“Ye Qiu’s just an underworld boss, how could he compare to you?”
“I meant that if you couldn’t do it, Sect Leader Ye can’t either.”
“Master, I’ve held back some words for a long time, if I don’t say them, I’ll burst.”
Chongxu asked coldly, “What words?”
“Master, you won’t get mad if I say them, right?” Shangzhen looked nervous.
Chongxu barked, “Speak!”
Shangzhen adjusted his robe, “Master, I’ve wanted to say this for ages, but never found the right moment.”
“Today, I can’t hold back, even if you hit or scold me, I must tell you.”
“Master, in my heart, you’re not just the person I respect most, but my lifelong role model.”
“Though you practice in Wudang, your fame spreads across seas.”
“Though your hair and beard are white, your charisma never fades.”
“You guided me from immaturity to maturity.”
“You led me from ignorance to wisdom.”
“You tirelessly, selflessly, poured your heart into training me.”
“My gratitude is beyond words, I just want to say, I, I, I love you!”
Shangling stared, shocked, speechless you’re shameless enough to say that?
“Shut up!”
Chongxu scolded, “As a monk, how dare you say such things?”
“No more of that.”
“Thank you, Master,” Shangzhen thought, relieved, knowing he’d dodged punishment.
“But Shangzhen, you said one thing right.”
“Ye Qiu’s just an underworld boss, how could he compare to me?”
Chongxu said, “I spent years trying to deduce the Taiji Thirteen Forms’ second form and failed, he can’t possibly succeed either…”
Boom!
A sudden loud blast rang out.
