Jiangbei, Tianxin Village.
The afternoon warm sun streams through the old wooden lattice windows, casting mottled shadows on the blue brick floor.
The air is permeated with a thread of sandalwood, mingled with the fresh sweetness of fruits and the fragrant aroma of cooked meat on the offering table.
On the table facing the door, three long incense sticks are inserted in the copper incense burner, with wisps of smoke rising gracefully.
Red candles burn quietly on the candlesticks, the firelight reflecting on the entire back wall filled with ebony spirit tablets. Follow current novels on novel fire.net
The spirit tablets are arranged in several rows, tiered and layered, each representing a departed ancestor.
In the center at the highest point is a notably larger spirit tablet.
On it, the seal script reads "Spirit tablet of Ma Family Ancestor Yun Teng, the Grandmaster of Tai Chi Boxing."
Beneath it are the spirit tablets of "Manifest Ancestor Ma Zhenbang" and "Manifest Parent Ma Chengzong," solemnly arranged.
They silently narrate the centuries-old heritage of this Martial Arts Family.
Ma Jianguo finished offering incense, bowed respectfully, and then turned around to Fang Cheng, who was standing quietly behind him, saying:
"Ah Cheng, the reason I chose today to teach you visualization has deep significance..."
He spoke slowly, his voice remarkably steady in the austere incense hall.
"Ancient books say that when people die, their Spirit does not perish but merges with the universe, becoming a kind of mark."
"My Ma Family ancestors practiced Martial Arts generation after generation, and their Spiritual Marks are especially vigorous. Normally, these marks remain quiescent in the universe, hard to sense."
"But today is different."
A glimmer of peculiar radiance flashed in Ma Jianguo’s eyes:
"Five-star alignment, Yin Yang conjunction, magnetic field convergence between heaven and earth, the auspicious qi permeating—this is the best time to comprehend the Dao and cleanse the mind."
"Starting cultivation at this moment, your Spirit is most likely to resonate with the marks left by the ancestors, and in a mysterious way, they will lend you a helping hand, assisting you across the most perilous threshold of entry."
"Thank you, Master Ma, for your effort."
Fang Cheng nodded slightly, signifying understanding.
Although he found these words profoundly mystical, the earnest and anticipative expression of the speaker conveyed a sincere and unfeigned sentiment.
Ma Jianguo, hearing this, smiled faintly, with a hint of being tested, saying: "Do you still call me Master Ma now?"
Fang Cheng’s heart stirred.
He looked at the elder who had imparted much Martial Arts knowledge to him, already having the reality of a master-disciple relationship, and then at the solemn environment around him.
Instantly, Fang Cheng comprehended the "deep significance" Ma Jianguo mentioned.
After careful consideration, he solemnly stepped back half a step, deeply bowed, and clasped his fists:
"Master above, please accept the disciple Fang Cheng’s obeisance."
Ma Jianguo laughed heartily, his voice resonant, not caring that Fang Cheng did not kneel and pay worship.
After all, the young generation these days does not follow the old-fashioned manners; as long as the intention is there, it suffices.
Allowing Fang Cheng to complete the disciple ceremony before the ancestral spirit tablets, Ma Jianguo then personally stepped forward to help Fang Cheng up.
"I will accept you on behalf of the ancestors as a Martial Arts Genius. From today onward, you are the authentic heir of Ma’s Tai Chi Boxing!"
Fang Cheng straightened his back accordingly, looking at the genuine joy on the elder’s face, feeling a surge of warmth in his heart.
Through this solemn ceremony, the relationship between them quietly transformed, from ordinary teacher-student to shared honor and disgrace, and transmitted wisdom as master-disciple.
"Ah Cheng, rest assured."
Ma Jianguo stroked his goatee, his face reflecting a gratified smile:
"Since you have entered my Ma Family’s threshold, inherited Tai Chi Skill, the ancestors will regard you as family and give you extra care."
As he spoke, his gaze fell on Fang Cheng’s face and suddenly halted:
"Hmm? Why does your complexion appear somewhat red, and your forehead is sweating?"
"Did you not bathe, change clothes, and purify your mind before coming as I instructed?"
Fang Cheng heard this, his mouth tugging slightly.
He couldn’t exactly say he still harbored a substantial piece of an undigested monster’s flesh inside his stomach, a thing that incessantly released enormous heat energy, could he?
Fortunately, he had prepared beforehand, explaining immediately:
"Perhaps recently my cultivation in Qigong reached a junction where the Dantian True Qi is excessively abundant, causing some rising qi and blood."
Ma Jianguo nodded thoughtfully at this statement.
Although he had never experienced what "excessively abundant True Qi" felt like, he still displayed a masterful demeanor as if understanding deeply:
"I see, this is a normal phenomenon happening after the initial forging of True Yuan. Your foundation is not yet firm, Dantian True Qi is abundant, frequently overflowing outward and impacting the flesh."
"If you find it unbearably hot, you can strike sandbags and wooden stakes to actively expend some True Qi to relieve the symptoms."
"Of course, if you can endure it forcibly by will, letting qi and blood repeatedly temper muscles, bones, and skin, it will greatly benefit your body."
While saying this, he patted Fang Cheng’s shoulder, his tone encouraging:
"The path of Martial Arts is exceedingly dangerous, and Qigong cultivation is like walking on thin ice. But I believe with your Talent, you can easily resolve these minor issues."
"What I’m going to teach you today is the Visualization Method, an advanced Magic Technique in controlling True Qi mentally. If you can smoothly initiate it, and cultivate it together with the Breathing Technique, it will have extraordinary effects in stabilizing your realm and regulating internal anomalies."
"The disciple understands, thank you, Master, for the guidance."
Fang Cheng bent over and replied.
Ma Jianguo felt greatly elated, lovingly gazing at the exceptionally gifted and well-mannered disciple before him:
"Given the current richness of your True Qi, you may reach the ’Inner Scenery External Manifestation’ realm already attained by previous masters within a few years..."