Chapter 39: The Will of Heaven and Man

Moreover, even if the old man truly harbored some ulterior motive, facing a martial artist who had reached at least the Dan-Forming stage, Chen Xian would find it impossible to resist. Rather than worrying, it was better to listen intently to the old man’s insights on martial arts. Regardless of the outcome, this could only be beneficial to him.

With this thought, Chen Xian quickly gathered his focus and concentrated on listening to Old Zhang’s discourse on martial cultivation. Seeing this, a trace of approval appeared on Old Zhang’s face. The young man before him possessed a commendable state of mind; he had shown no panic despite knowing the old man’s status as a martial artist.

"That is very good," Old Zhang thought to himself, then began to speak.

"Martial cultivation is divided into two paths: the first is the transformation of the body’s sinews and bones, and the second is the mastery of the changes in internal force. The two complement each other; neither can be dispensed with. Without internal force, the transformation of sinews and bones alone results in nothing more than an ordinary person with brute strength. Without the transformation of the physical body, mastering internal force alone is like a tree without roots—a mere paper tiger."

Old Zhang’s voice drifted slowly, and Chen Xian listened carefully.

"Only by cultivating both can one walk further on the path of martial arts. Ming-Jin is the path of bone-tempering. An-Jin is the path of tendon-tempering. Hua-Jin is the path of marrow-cleansing. Dan-Forming is the path of organ-refining. Gang-Jin is the path of blood-changing. And the God-Seeing stage is the path of perfection and wholeness.

"In martial cultivation, Hua-Jin is the first true threshold and a stage that connects the past to the future. Since you are already an An-Jin martial artist, I will skip the first two stages and focus today on the Hua-Jin stage. The path of Hua-Jin requires the realization of one's own divine intent; only through divine intent can one govern the forces of hardness and softness, achieving a balance between the two. This is the common martial knowledge circulating in the world, but this stage holds deeper truths that are not widely known.

"There is a reason why Hua-Jin is called the stage that connects the past to the future. 'Connecting the past' refers to the ability of this stage to harmonize Yin and Yang, govern hardness and softness, and move Ming-Jin and An-Jin forces at will. 'Opening the future' refers to the God-Seeing stage, which is also linked to Hua-Jin. The God-Seeing stage is about breaking through the void to behold the gods. This 'void' is not the great void of the external world, but the barrier between the small universe of the human body and the great universe of the external world."

"These 'gods' are not the fictional deities from novels or the idols worshipped in temples, but the inner spirits of the body—more precisely, the subtle aspects of the human body, such as cells, internal organs, sinews, bones, and blood. To break through the internal and external void of the body at the God-Seeing stage requires one's own divine intent. However, there are distinctions in this divine intent. The most suitable intent is neither the human heart’s desire nor the intent of the external heavens and earth, but the intent of the 'Unity of Heaven and Man.'

"Only by realizing the divine intent of the Unity of Heaven and Man can one have a greater chance of breaking through the internal and external void. Human intent alone remains trapped within the body and finds it extremely difficult to break out; those who have reached the God-Seeing stage through this alone in the past few thousand years are few and far between. The intent of Heaven and Earth alone also finds it hard to penetrate the human body to bridge this void. Similarly, the number of martial artists who have reached the God-Seeing stage through that method is no more than two or three. Only when human intent resides within and the intent of Heaven and Earth lies without, and the two join forces, is it the most effective way to break through the barrier."

Old Zhang’s voice grew slower, and Chen Xian became increasingly shocked. He realized that what Old Zhang was expounding was unknown to him, not even recorded in the Dragon-Tiger Elixir Classic, and he had never heard of it before. At this moment, Chen Xian formed an incredible guess about the old man’s identity.

"In fact, the principle is simple. It is like drilling through a wall; starting from only one side is certainly difficult, especially when the wall is incredibly hard. But if you attack from both sides, it becomes much easier. The path to breaking the void is the same. Therefore, this is not only a shortcut to the God-Seeing stage but also the most correct path. Every disciple of a great sect is told these secrets by their elders before reaching Hua-Jin. Those who do not know these secrets, even if they are true geniuses, struggle to reach the path of realizing the Unity of Heaven and Man, and thus face a nearly insurmountable chasm after the Gang-Jin stage.

"Therefore, Hua-Jin is the most important stage in martial cultivation. Whether a martial artist has any hope of reaching the God-Seeing stage is already determined at the Hua-Jin stage. The difference at this step is as vast as heaven and earth."

Old Zhang’s voice faded. Chen Xian was immersed in these secrets, feeling profoundly shaken. This was the first time he had heard of the Unity of Heaven and Man. If not for Old Zhang’s explanation, he would likely never have known.

"Alright, I believe this will be of some help to you, little brother. As for what lies beyond Hua-Jin, I assume you have your own lineage, so I will say no more." Old Zhang paused for a moment and spoke slowly.

At this moment, while feeling fortunate, Chen Xian’s heart was in turmoil. The secrets the old man had shared were undoubtedly a massive opportunity. Yet, such profound secrets were spoken so casually by the old man before him. How incredible was this? What was the identity of this old man, and what other secrets did he know?

"Thank you for your guidance, Old Zhang!" Chen Xian regained his composure and thanked him respectfully. This was an immense favor and a grand opportunity. In Chen Xian’s view, this guidance was no less significant than the time he obtained the Dragon-Tiger Elixir Classic.

"Wait, the Dragon-Tiger Elixir Classic!" A flash of light crossed Chen Xian’s mind like a brilliant lightning bolt, shattering the fog that had shrouded him. He realized something, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Surname Zhang... ancestral ancient books stolen..."

"Could it be..."

He had a few guesses about the old man’s identity, but he dared not be certain.

"No need for thanks; I only spoke of some secrets, not actual cultivation techniques," Old Zhang said with a smile, waving his hand. He was very satisfied with Chen Xian.

"You have reached the point of realizing divine intent, but in my eyes, you carry a profound sense of the vicissitudes of the world, as if you have lived for decades or even a century. What you lack now is the realization of Heaven and Earth. Perhaps you should visit Mount Mai in Su Province to see the world, the mountains, and the rivers. That place might move you. I have some private matters to attend to; come to Jiang Province when you have the time."

With that, Old Zhang departed gracefully. Chen Xian stood silently for a long time, watching the old man’s retreating figure. Only after a long while did he come to his senses. The words Old Zhang had spoken echoed in his mind. He had sensed a familiar feeling of the world's weariness upon him—that was likely due to those dreams. Apart from that, Chen Xian could think of nothing else that would grant him such a sense of age.

...

A few days later, in Meng Province of the Black Eagle Nation, an old man carrying a hoe appeared.