Chapter 148: Chapter 117: Third Layer Mystic Barrier_2
"Second Brother, have you broken through to Full Qi?" Yang Luochen was overjoyed.
Chen Ku released his eldest senior brother’s palm, bowed to his master, and said, "That’s right. I came to consult you, Master. After reaching Great Perfection of Inner Qi, the subsequent Cultivation relates to the Mystic Barrier. How should I begin?"
Yang Shaoqi shook his slightly swollen palm, feeling as if it had been squeezed by a small giant, and hurriedly added, "Master, I also want to ask for guidance."
Yang Luochen looked at his two disciples with delight. Both had achieved Full Qi before the age of twenty, especially Chen Ku. To have such an achievement after being in Medicine King Hall for just half a year... no wonder Old Nong and Chai Bao practically drooled at the sight of him.
Feeling immensely proud and satisfied, he said, "Very well! Since both of you have reached Full Qi, it’s time to pass on the Cultivation Dharma Method for the Mystic Barrier. Come in."
The two entered the room. Yang Luochen sat in the Taishi Chair, lit his pipe, and took a puff. His gaze swept over Chen Ku and Yang Shaoqi before he spoke leisurely, "As for the Mystic Barrier, we’ve discussed it before. All Martial Practitioners know it lies within the brain. However, its exact location and how to ’circulate Qi to the brain’—the dangers involved and the secret techniques—are closely guarded secrets of each family’s Inner Strength. In our Medicine King Hall’s ’Everlasting Youth Classic,’ the method of practice is as follows..."
With that, he explained in detail how to ’circulate Qi to the brain,’ the specific Qi Pathways to follow, the dangers to be aware of during the process, and the essential preparations required beforehand. His explanation totaled over three thousand words.
Chen Ku listened only once and, with his Spirit Dove’s memory, committed it all to heart.
After Yang Luochen finished teaching the cultivation method of the "Mystic Barrier Chapter," he earnestly and solemnly admonished, "Unlike the Inner Qi Realm—where even without a Magic Skill to mobilize Blood Qi, one will naturally develop Qi Sensation as long as there is Sufficient Qi, eventually achieving ’Natural Formation of Skill’ through years of accumulation—the Mystic Barrier in the brain must be actively broken through by oneself to enter the next Realm."
"Life-and-Death Mystical Pass?" Chen Ku asked, reflecting on the content of the Mystic Barrier Chapter. "It sounds like if one fails to break through, they might die immediately?"
"The brain is inherently the most mysterious and fragile part of the human body," Yang Luochen seriously taught the key to breaking through the Mystic Barrier. "Sending Inner Qi rushing into it is like an armed person entering an antique porcelain shop; the slightest bump could shatter everything. Therefore, one must follow the Qi Pathway explored by predecessors. It’s like walking a narrow bridge, carefully avoiding the ’porcelain,’ to find the door at the end of the path—that is the ’Mystic Barrier’—and use Inner Qi to break it open."
He continued, "The Mystic Barrier... why is it called the Life-and-Death Mystical Pass? The reason is that it contains three layers, or ’gates.’ The First Layer is known as the ’Life Gate.’ Breaking through it fully awakens the Vital Energy in the brain and unlocks hidden potential. This layer offers only benefits, no harm. However, the Second Layer, beyond the Life Gate, is different. Breaching it plunges one into a ’Feigned Death’ state. Awakening from this state depends entirely on one’s spiritual Will and the body’s innate instinct for survival. Countless Martial Practitioners have perished at this stage, never waking again, which is why it’s called the ’Death Gate.’ But if one can awaken after passing the Death Gate, they will truly perceive the reality of the Mystic Barrier: the Third Layer, the ’Mystic Gate.’"
"As for the Mystic Gate, it is truly Mysterious. After opening it, what one obtains is not Vital Energy but Spiritual Power. Once a Martial Practitioner breaks through this third layer, they can control every inch of Blood Essence Qi throughout their body with Exquisite Precision. They can even Spiritually Introspect their own body and compress Inner Qi with spiritual willpower to achieve a multitude of incredible feats. For example... while I was talking just now, my mouth didn’t actually move."
Only then did Chen Ku belatedly look towards his master.
Yang Luochen’s lips remained still as he used his Inner Qi to produce sound, "This is a minor technique gained from the Spiritual Power of the Mystic Gate: using Spiritual Power to compress Inner Qi to create the method of ’Sound Transmission into Secret.’ Furthermore, it is said that some exceptionally talented individuals receive vastly superior Spiritual Power gifts at the First Layer of the Mystic Barrier. Merely through eye contact, they can use their Spiritual Power to overpower others. If such a person were to further cultivate some incredible Martial Arts, their abilities would be unimaginable. They could influence another’s soul with just their gaze and spiritual focus—a fearsome prospect indeed."
Chen Ku listened, terrified. Merely with a gaze... one could enslave others’ minds! Isn’t this a bit excessive? Everyone is practicing martial arts, yet this person is already manifesting Divine Skills.
"Master, can you do it?" Chen Ku asked cautiously.
Yang Luochen shook his head. "I can’t. When I was at the Third Level of the Mystic Barrier, I didn’t receive many spiritual gifts. It’s a matter of Talent, just like your Bloodline; it’s innate and cannot be sought."
Yang Shaoqi also felt a twinge of fear. "Are there many such people? If so, when we encounter them in the future, could they just look at us and make us strip, or even force us to cut our own throats, and we’d have to comply?"
Chen Ku felt a chill. That was what he feared most: losing control over his own body and mind, becoming someone else’s puppet. It was too terrifyingly fatal.
"Is there any way to deal with such people?" he asked.
"There is," Yang Luochen replied. "The best method is to be stronger than the opponent. The Cultivation of a Martial Practitioner is ’Life and Spirit Dual Cultivation.’ As long as one’s physique and Blood Qi strengthen, their intangible Spirit will naturally strengthen as well. A Martial Practitioner of the Fourth Realm, even with powerful Mystic Gate Psychic Abilities, would absolutely be unable to control or enslave a Martial Practitioner of the Five Realms. This is the solid foundation of life and Spirit."
Yang Luochen continued, "However, when traveling the Jianghu, one cannot always be stronger than others. So, there are other methods to deal with such people. Items like the ’Spirit Awakening Pill’ and ’Thin Ink Oil’ can stimulate the Spirit and prevent enslavement. Another method involves the horn of a Demon called the ’Dust-Avoiding Rhinoceros.’ Its horn can be made into Amulets that protect the mind."
Chen Ku silently committed these items to memory and asked for more details. Spirit Awakening Pills and Thin Ink Oil were available for sale at Medicine King Hall, but they were extremely expensive, worth their weight in gold, and couldn’t always be relied upon in every situation. It would be best to find a horn from a Dust-Avoiding Rhinoceros, or even better, hunt one down himself and awaken its endowed Root Bone.
Speaking of which, County Magistrate Shangguan Yun can manipulate Miss Xu of the Xu Family so easily. I’m afraid he might possess a Mystic Gate Spiritual Endowment or some similar Martial Arts, right? Chen Ku’s thoughts grew heavy.
Seeing this, Yang Luochen took a long drag from his pipe, tapped the bowl against the sole of his shoe, and said with dissatisfaction, "What are you afraid of? Improve your own skills, and there will be nothing to fear. Besides... don’t you have a little confidence that you might be the one to obtain Psychic Abilities after breaking through the Mystic Gate?" He had high hopes for Chen Ku.
Yang Shaoqi said excitedly, "You’re right, Master! Perhaps I also have an aptitude for Psychic Abilities!"
Yang Luochen looked at his eldest disciple. His brain is all muscle, he thought, took a deep breath, and said, "That’s absolutely impossible."
Yang Shaoqi was taken aback. "Why not?"
Chen Ku, however, bowed and said, "Master is right. Your disciple will certainly strive his utmost."
"No need to rush," Yang Luochen advised. "You’ve just broken through, so stabilize your Cultivation first. Before you attempt another breakthrough, it would be best to notify me or your Master Shang. We’ll have someone watch over you while you make the attempt." Yang Luochen wasn’t worried about whether Chen Ku had enough Qi Power to surge into his brain; he was concerned that Chen Ku might act with reckless haste. Inner Qi rushing to the brain was no trifling matter.
"Thank you, Master," Chen Ku said.
Having acquired the Cultivation Dharma Method for the next Realm and received plenty of reminders and valuable experience, he took his leave and departed.