Chapter 29: The Art of Object Manipulation

Three days after that, Fang Cun also rose early. Tying his robe neatly and placing his Academy badge within his pocket, he didn’t take a carriage. Instead, Xiao Qingliu led a horse for him, and he mounted it, heading directly towards the Academy. The sermon by the Elder Mentor was a major event. Not only would virtually every disciple from the Academy be present, but even some low-level Qi Refiners from Willow Lake City, with permission, would come to listen.

Therefore, the Academy on this day would undoubtedly be packed. If he took a carriage, he might not even find a place to park it.

…

When Fang Cun arrived below the Green Pine Rock of the Academy, he indeed saw the entire clearing thronged with people. Disciples who usually lived at the Academy had arrived early in the morning, waiting below the rock, hoping to hear clearly when the time came. Or perhaps, right after the Elder Mentor finished speaking and during the Q&A where disciples could pose their cultivation difficulties, they hoped a simple hand raise would catch the Elder Mentor’s eye, allowing them to ask the questions troubling their hearts.

Apart from the dense crowd of disciples below the rock, there were also many people on both sides dressed in various robes—some resembled merchants, some looked like wealthy nobles, and even some who seemed like officials serving in the City Governor’s office. Each held a jade tablet in their hand, symbolizing their identity. Only with the Academy’s permission and a bestowed jade tablet could they come to listen during the Elder Mentor’s sermon.

The Green Pine Rock was a naturally formed purple rock slope, covered with pine trees, measuring about ten zhang square. Several rush cushions were placed upon it. The foremost cushion was naturally reserved for Elder Mentor Zhong Yue; the ones behind were for the other Elder Mentors or the Academy Head.

Fang Cun arrived beside the rock and simply stayed towards the back, not crowding forward.

Slightly ahead to his left stood a group of disciples from Yuanzhi Pavilion. During such events where an Elder Mentor preached their understanding of the Dao, seating naturally had its hierarchy, and most people clumped together with acquaintances. Disciples who had made greater progress in their cultivation naturally occupied more forward positions. Those from Yuanzhi Pavilion were generally considered… underachievers. Even if they arrived early, they usually kept towards the back, somewhat sheepishly, sticking out their necks like geese.

“Oh, Second Young Master Fang is also here…” One disciple, bored, looked around and spotted Fang Cun at the back, murmuring to the person beside him.

Within Yuanzhi Pavilion’s group below the Green Rock, hearing the murmurs, a young man dressed in black robes also expressionlessly turned his head to glance towards Fang Cun. A flicker of cold indifference seemed to linger in his eyes, causing the surrounding disciples to hastily lower their heads.

Instructor Yuanzhi!

The recent incident where Fang Cun beat Shen Shiming severely, which even drew out Fairy Meng to intervene—this instructor naturally knew about it. As an instructor, it was inconvenient for him to meddle directly, but clearly, he held some displeasure.

Recalling Instructor Yuanzhi’s usual temperament, some disciples present couldn’t help but think of many implications.

Fang Cun also noticed Yuanzhi’s look in his direction, but only smiled lightly, treating it as nothing. He didn’t move forward either, just remained calmly at the back of the crowd, standing among the people from all walks of life from Willow Lake City.

Previously, Shen Shiming coming to pick a fight seemed like his own initiative, perhaps to curry favor with Yuanzhi. Yet, Fang Cun hadn’t dismissed all his suspicions. After all, as an instructor, Yuanzhi’s words, actions, even a mere look, could influence the disciples beneath him—especially impulsive fellows like Shen Shiming. Moreover, Qi Refiners practiced arts like Soul Captivation; it was possible someone could be influenced without even knowing it.

If someone like Shen Shiming had actually taught Fang Cun a lesson, who would suffer the most damage?

Not Fang Cun himself, but his elder brother, Fang Chi!

If Fang Chi’s reputation were harmed, who would secretly feel the most smug?

Fang Cun’s face remained impassive, but the corners of his lips faintly tightened.

…

The sun rose gradually, reaching the hour of Chen.

From afar, the sound of a bell slowly echoed out. The chaotic, noisy, densely packed gathering instantly became quiet and solemn. Not far off, several figures approached.

The elderly man leading them had silvery hair but jet-black whiskers. Dressed in expansive robes, he looked vigorous. This was Elder Zhong Yue, one of the four esteemed Elder Mentors delivering today’s sermon. Beside him, were two instructors: one was Master Lan Shuang, the other an old woman draped in a black cloak. Following them were several younger students.

Most prominent among them was none other than Meng Zhixue herself. She walked into the area behind the Elder Mentor. She looked earnest… and a bit simple-minded.

…

“A single breath of Innate Qi gives rise to countless methods!”

“The path of Qi Refining is at once the simplest and the most complex!”

“We, the cultivators, refine a single breath, attaining extraordinary powers. With these, we can pacify the realm, chase away demons, protect the common folk, and tame wild frontiers. Upwards, we can chase stars and grasp the moon; downwards, we can nurture our nature and cultivate our bodies. The art of Qi Refining itself is a heaven-bestowed capability, one only granted to those of profound fortune. That you have set foot upon the great path of Qi Refining is truly the favor of heaven itself. We thus hope that you will use the methods you cultivate to quell chaos, uphold the celestial order and human virtues, emulate the master of the Immortal Palace, and safeguard benevolent hearts and righteous thoughts!”

After Elder Mentor Zhong Yue sat down, he began speaking with a kind smile, delivering words of encouragement before finally producing a scroll of the “Scripture of Arts”, thus beginning the day’s lesson. Beyond the fundamental techniques of Qi Refining, Qi Refining methods generally stemmed from the core principles laid out in the Nine Classics.

And these instructors and Elder Mentors within the Academy each excelled in their own particular interpretations and insights into different components of the Nine Classics.

Whether it was the “Herbal Canon,” the “Classic of Calculation,” the Classic of Spirits, the Classic of Documents, or the “Scripture of Arts” – as long as one cultivated their understanding deeply within any one of these classics, it was possible to comprehend extraordinary skills and secret techniques suited to Qi Refiners. Elder Zhong’s area of mastery was precisely the Dao within the “Scripture of Arts.” To put it simply, his understanding and manipulation of the Art of Object Manipulation was profound and profoundly mystical. He was indisputably a Great Qi Refiner.

Furthermore, the Dao of Object Manipulation was one of the two foundational pillars; it was essential for everyone to comprehend it.

It was precisely for this reason that when Elder Mentor Zhong Yue began his lecture on the subject, so many people came to listen.

“The Art of Object Manipulation amounts to naught but directing the Internal Breath, borrowing the strength of the heavens and earth. It is fundamentally simple, like the extension of one’s own limbs, like giving form to one’s intent. Yet, when paired with exquisite craftsmanship and alignment with the wondrous nature of all things, it gives birth to marvels, revealing the mystical and the divine. Common variations of Object Manipulation include the use of the Flying Sword, the art of Lightness (fleeing/flying), and the setting of protective barriers. Though they appear endlessly varied, they all stem from the same root. What they require, what one seeks to understand, is but the single concept: ‘The Ingenuity of Manipulation’!”

“All Qi Refiners believe the power of an art resides in Internal Breath alone. This is mistaken!”

“It is not that greater Internal Breath yields more profound artistry. The greater emphasis, instead, lies upon purity of breath and state of mind.”

As Elder Zhong spoke, young attendants had already placed three lacquered boxes before him. With a barely perceptible flick of his finger, an unseen force stirred. The lids of all three boxes lifted, as if taken by invisible hands, and were gently placed side by side, neatly arranged. Then, without him making any visible motion later, as he lectured calmly step-by-step, items flew from each box in turn as he described their use.

The first to rise was a dark green Flying Sword—imposing and majestic, covered in mystical inscriptions—which floated steadily in the air.

“Wielding the Flying Sword requires the Manipulation power to be blended and solid; only then can its movement follow your command…”

He spoke of the Dao of the Flying Sword, his mind commanding the object. Instantly, the Flying Sword shot out with a terrifying whoosh, its speed whipping up a fierce gust of wind. Those sitting closer to its flight path felt the gale brush their faces, making them close their eyes and raise their sleeves to shield themselves.

Just as the sword seemed about to impale an ancient pine on the opposite side, it abruptly halted, mere hairbreadths away.

Such exquisite control was no different from that of martial masters, drawing murmurs of awe-filled praise.

“Is this the legendary Flying Sword?” Fang Cun felt subtle ripples in his own heart. He thought privately, “Driven purely by the Art of Object Manipulation, it harms enemies dozens of feet away. Truly formidable. No matter how exquisite the martial arts, facing a Flying Sword like this would be a severe disadvantage. What’s most terrifying is the legendary heights of this art: the tales speak of flying swords striking from a thousand li away to sever heads. Forget precision; just how mighty must the practitioner’s Internal Breath be to project a sword that far?”

“As for making iron pellets fly… the force must be fierce and unyielding, allowing speed like lightning!”

While he pondered, the second box yielded objects: one after another, round iron pellets each the size of a thumb floated into position behind Elder Zhong Yue. They seemed to multiply, dense like a constellation of black stars. As Elder Zhong Yue’s thoughts shifted, these iron pellets suddenly shot forth one after another, their speed rendering them completely invisible.

In the blink of an eye, these pellets were simultaneously embedded in the rock wall opposite him, poised perfectly still. Almost as if to demonstrate their destructive potential, Elder Zhong Yue lightly flicked one finger. One pellet shot directly into a large nearby stone with an exploding sound. Rock fragments sprayed everywhere as powder smoke filled the air… a hole pierced clean through stone almost eight feet thick.

The gathered crowd could only suck in breaths of astonishment.

Fang Cun felt the deepest shock. He mused inwardly, “Isn’t this basically just a gun?!”

Then, observing the several dozen pellets hovering perfectly still in the air, responding to the Elder’s thoughts like extensions of his own arms, he amended his thought: “That’s basically a goddamned gatling gun!!”

“Whereas employing this art for lightness and flight… requires gentle, continuous softness…”

Elder Zhong Yue spoke of the third variation. Everyone watched as the object flying from the third box was a young, multi-coloured long-tailed lynx. It was held aloft in mid-air by an invisible force, seeming a little bewildered as it cast glances from side to side. Elder Zhong Yue lightly raised his hand. The little lynx was lifted higher and higher until it eventually hovered just below the pine branches… looking as if it had sprouted wings.

The lynx seemed completely unfazed; instead, drawn by the forest’s flitting sparrows, it peered with large, round eyes.

Elder Zhong Yue offered a faint smile. With the merest motion of his palm, the lynx suddenly shot forward several times faster. In the blink of an eye, it reached the flock of sparrows! With a rustle of feathers, the birds fluttered in panic. But before they could scatter, the little lynx was upon them. Crunch. It caught one in its mouth.

“The art of flight requires the vastest expenditure of Internal Breath and is the hardest to cultivate, my good students. Should you practice this method improperly, expending your Magical Power mid-flight…” Elder Zhong Yue paused for effect, “…and taking a fall? Getting half-crushed is trivial. But being witnessed publicly? Ah, losing face… that is a matter of serious consequence indeed!”

Elder Zhong Yue’s words were met with a wave of knowing laughter throughout the assembly.

Qi Refiners embodied the Immortal way; social standing and dignity were paramount. Suffering public humiliation? For many, it carried a sting far exceeding the pain of broken bones.