"Eternal Spring Skill?"
Zheng Yi exclaimed in surprise, "An Immortal Cultivation Technique?"
No wonder Zheng Yi was so surprised; the name was simply too iconic.
Anything with names like Eternal Spring Skill, Scripture of Eternal Life, or Eternal Spring Scripture is definitely an Immortal Cultivation Technique!
"An Immortal Cultivation Technique?"
Yang Shaoyong paused for a moment, then laughed awkwardly, "You must be joking, Noble Lady. Such cultivation techniques are only legendary. I've lived for over forty years and I've never seen one."
Zheng Yi's interest was piqued, "Then does Master Yang know if there are any Immortals, or perhaps Qi Refiners or Cultivators in this world?"
"Well..." Yang Shaoyong hesitated for a moment, "I don't think there are... I just remember that thirty years ago, when Great Yu conquered Nanyue, there was a group capable of commanding poisonous insects to attack. Unfortunately, they were still annihilated by our Great Yu Army."
"And in places like Shuzhou and Yunzhou, there were also rumors of Immortals appearing, but no one has ever seen one."
"I see..."
Zheng Yi murmured, but he still kept this matter in mind.
Immortal cultivation...
As a transmigrator, who wouldn't want to?
"Noble Lady, don't dwell on those illusory dreams. I will teach you the Eternal Spring Skill now."
Yang Shaoyong advised, "When practicing martial arts, remember not to aim too high, but to ascend step by step."
"Especially the Five Spirits Body Refining Technique and Eternal Spring Skill, they both lean towards health cultivation techniques, requiring years of accumulation."
"Otherwise... practicing martial arts without refining your skills is all for naught when you're old!"
"What's the difference between the Eternal Spring Skill and the Five Spirits Body Refining Technique?"
"Of course there are differences," Yang Shaoyong explained, "The Five Spirits Body Refining Technique is just a common Body Refining Technique, while the Eternal Spring Skill is the most renowned health cultivation technique of Taiyii Dao."
"Practicing the Eternal Spring Skill can refine inner strength, nourish blood and repair hidden injuries, making one smart and spirited."
"Most importantly, the Eternal Spring Skill is also a health cultivation technique. The deeper your cultivation, the longer your lifespan."
"Our Taiyii Dao's ancestor lived to be 221 years old relying on the Eternal Spring Skill!"
"My master's master, the current Sect Leader of Taiyii Dao, is already 156 years old!"
"Countless individuals within Taiyii Dao practice the Eternal Spring Skill, and they're all long-lived individuals."
Zheng Yi's eyes lit up suddenly, and he asked eagerly, "How long does it take to grasp the basics of the Eternal Spring Skill?"
"Those with ordinary aptitude can sense inner qi within three months. Those with excellent aptitude, around one month."
"How long did it take you?"
"I took three days."
"Hiss... what is that about?"
"That's the standard for Inner Sect Disciples," Yang Shaoyong said with a bit of pride, "In Taiyii Dao, only about thirty people have managed to sense inner strength in three days."
Zheng Yi was intrigued, suddenly asking, "Master Yang, where does your current skill rank in the Martial Arts? Are there specific rankings or realm divisions?"
"Martial Arts rankings?"
Yang Shaoyong thought for a moment, "Indeed, many enthusiasts in the Martial Arts classify martial artists based on techniques, combat strength, and fame."
"But since Taiyii Dao is the Great Yu National Religion, our disciples are considered half-officials, and thus they don't enter Martial Arts rankings."
"Regarding Martial Arts realm divisions, they're generally divided into Third-grade Experts, Second-grade Experts, First-grade Experts, Grandmaster Realm, and then the most powerful Innate Experts!"
With Yang Shaoyong's explanation, Zheng Yi quickly understood the so-called martial artist realms.
Those who can single-handedly fight ten fully-armed soldiers are regarded as Third-grade Experts!
Don't underestimate Third-grade Experts; to be called an 'expert' requires over ten years of arduous training to reach that realm.
Ten years of daily exercises, cultivating techniques arduously, and mastering combat make them superior to 99% of martial artists.
After all, the Martial Arts world is vast.
A significant portion of people just practiced some subpar skills or ventured into the Martial Arts world recklessly.
These individuals are merely cannon fodder in the Martial Arts!
Those who can single-handedly fight a hundred fully-armed soldiers are considered Second-grade Experts!
Those who can single-handedly fight a thousand fully-armed soldiers are considered First-grade Experts!
As for Grandmaster Realm martial artists, they are the founders of a sect or the head of a clan and are the strongest in their faction.
Such martial artists defy common sense, able to kill in an instant.
Taking the head of a general amid a sea of soldiers, that describes Grandmaster Realm martial artists!
As for Innate Experts...
When mentioning them, Yang Shaoyong's eyes filled with admiration and reverence.
Innate Experts have inner qi that transitions from acquired to innate, enabling them to restore their own energy just by breathing.
They can condense qi into silk and slay enemies with sword control, with the added ability to wield spiritual secret techniques, invisibly manipulating minds, which is genuinely terrifying.
The number of such martial artists is minimal, countable on one hand in the entire Great Yu!
Concerning Yang Shaoyong's remarks, Zheng Yi fully agreed.
Achieving fame in the Martial Arts means you are one in a thousand, or even one in ten thousand.
It's akin to...
In a past life, there was a Go player named 'War Eagle' ranked last among all professional players on the internet.
However, when facing amateur players, even after giving them a five-piece handicap, she could still crush them effortlessly.
It speaks volumes about her true capabilities, doesn't it?
It's the same in this world.
So-called Third-grade Experts have fought through countless martial artists!
"Innate Experts..."
Zheng Yi longed for that status. If he became an Innate Expert, how could a mere Imperial Palace confine him?
"Noble Lady, aim to concentrate on gathering inner strength first," Yang Shaoyong chuckled, "In half a month, I'll be heading out on official business, and someone else will come to instruct you in my stead."
Zheng Yi was moved at heart—Yang Shaoyong was leaving?
This seemed like one of Emperor Zhengyong's ways to control him.
Stay with outsiders too long, and they'd eventually figure out his identity.
After all, those who remain in the Imperial Palace, and are followed by eunuchs, are pretty much narrowed down to a few.
"Thank you, Master Yang."
After teaching the Eternal Spring Skill's Inner Power Heart Method, Yang Shaoyong highlighted many practice tips and precautions.
Zheng Yi meditated cross-legged for over half an hour without any results.
Yang Shaoyong had already left.
In the following half month, Yang Shaoyong kept teaching him the Eternal Spring Skill.
Unfortunately, possibly due to his root bone and aptitude, Zheng Yi never sensed any inner strength and felt a bit discouraged.
Nevertheless, he didn't give up but diligently practiced according to Yang Shaoyong's guidance.
Other than that, he also engaged in Dual Cultivation with Bi He daily, arranged by Wang Zhongyi.
While the Eternal Spring Skill showed no progress, the White Lotus Reincarnation Divine Skill kept advancing.
Now, the White Lotus Reincarnation Divine Skill was nearing the peak of its first level, about to break through!
...