Chapter 27: Gods and Demons Five Animals In fact, Qiu Zhen also had expectations in his heart. This time, he was noticed by Master An and accepted as his disciple. Given Pharmacist An's unfathomable martial arts prowess and his status in Medicine King Valley, it would not be an exaggeration to say that becoming his disciple would be a meteoric rise to heaven. Top-notch martial arts, resources and connections. Things that were lacking before will become much easier after becoming a disciple. But, after all, it's just a thought. After touching his bones, his innate aptitude was clearly revealed. Not some "genius". Pharmacist An attributed his ability to practice martial arts to his "fate", but he himself did not believe in fate. From what he said, it seemed that he had no intention of accepting him as a disciple. However, Master An gave him a second option, allowing him to practice martial arts under his tutelage.
"Master An wants to accept me as his disciple?" Qiu Zhen's mind raced, and he quickly figured out Pharmacist An's intention. Both "disciple" and "mentor" mean "student disciple", but there is still a big difference between the two. Martial arts masters and Confucian masters taught students, ranging from dozens to hundreds or even thousands. Only "disciples" had the opportunity to listen to teachings face to face, and these were the so-called "personal disciples." Students who have no chance to listen to the master's teachings in person will have their teachings passed down by disciples or senior people in the sect. These people who are "passed on" are "disciples" In the martial arts world, most "martial arts schools" follow this model: ordinary people join a martial arts school, and the ones who really teach them martial arts are not the school owner, but their senior brothers and sisters. In the imperial examinations, those who passed the examinations would also have disciples who became their teachers, and these were called "disciples and former officials." "Disciple" nominally has a master-disciple relationship, but there is no actual dependent relationship. Instead, it has more of the meaning of "taking refuge" or "helping". Qiu Zhen read a lot of miscellaneous books in the An family's collection, and his knowledge became much better than before. The "innate martial artist" in martial arts corresponds to the initial stage of "refining essence into qi" in the immortal alchemy practice. Although the elder-level figures of Yaowang Valley are also at the "refining essence into qi" level, their martial arts realm is more profound, and most of them have the potential to become martial arts masters. There is a huge gap between the strength and status of the two sides. Are you seeking to become a disciple of a Xiantian martial artist and inherit his legacy? Or become an “elder” disciple? If an ordinary country boy were faced with this kind of life choice, he would probably be confused and at a loss. Qiu Zhen just thought for a moment. He knows his fate best. He is an immortal cultivator who defies heaven and changes his destiny. Instead of going far away to the gate of Yaowang Valley to become a disciple of a congenital martial artist, it is better to stay in the familiar Qingmu Town, wait for an opportunity to seek immortal fate, and accumulate strength. Then, he looked calm and bowed to Pharmacist An: "I am your disciple. I wonder if I can read your collection of books?" Pharmacist An was a little surprised when he heard this.
He originally thought that the young man in front of him would ask him important questions such as martial arts and who taught him, but unexpectedly, he was actually concerned about his collection of books. He knew about the collection of books in the pharmaceutical courtyard. "Of course you can. Except for some secret books that record untold secrets, you can borrow and browse the rest of the books." Qiu Zhen was delighted and did the disciple's greeting without hesitation: "Disciple greets sir." Pharmacist An nodded slightly, feeling quite satisfied. "Great kindness." After all, disciples are not “direct disciples”. If a true disciple wants to become a disciple, even if there are no formalities, he still has to inform relatives, friends, and fellow disciples, set up a banquet, and it is very ceremonial. There are not so many requirements for a disciple to become a disciple. However, Qiu Zhen still went to the street as soon as possible, bought six gifts and sent them to An Mansion. "Your gift is accepted by the young master." In the living room, Ankang looked at Qiu Zhen with a smile, his face full of admiration, and said with a smile: "This is given to you by the Master." As he was speaking, a servant of the An family came over with a long wooden box. A dark metal longbow lay quietly in the wooden box. "Qiu Zhen, you shot three arrows into the forehead of the ferocious wild boar and killed it. You must be very good at archery. This is a ten-stone iron frame heavy bow. It takes a thousand pounds of force to pull it. See if you like it." Ankang smiled and pointed to the precious bow in the wooden box. "Thank you sir!" Qiu Zhen bowed towards the backyard, feeling very happy. This precious bow really touched his heart. He had long planned to buy a heavy bow. The bows and arrows he had bought before were fine for ordinary hunters to use for hunting, but they were too light and not powerful enough for him. Especially now that he has become a martial artist and his strength has greatly increased, the need has become more urgent. If you go to buy it yourself, a ten-stone iron frame bow will cost at least dozens or even hundreds of taels. This gift is quite valuable. "Hmm~" Ankang was very satisfied with Qiu Zhen's performance and said: "You have practiced martial arts to a high level and have the strength of a thousand pounds. You can easily pull this ten-stone iron bow. However, that is only temporary. You only have this strength when your blood and energy are surging. After a few days, your blood and energy will dissipate and you will no longer have this strength." Qiu Zhen actually had some understanding of this. What he is currently learning, the [Medicine King Five Animal Exercises], is an introductory guiding method, a health-preserving exercise for "refining grains into essence", and is not a "martial art" in the true sense. In addition to standing meditation and techniques, martial arts also include corresponding martial arts mental methods.
Ankang must be trying to teach him real Kung Fu when he said this. Qiu Zhen was not polite either. He became Master An's disciple and was considered one of his own. He spoke immediately: "Please give me some advice, Chief Steward An." "It's easy to talk about." Ankang walked with Qiu Zhen as he spoke, and came to an empty courtyard, entered the study, and said: "[Medicine King Five Animal Exercises] has five levels, corresponding to the five levels of the acquired 'tendons, skin, bones, flesh and veins'. Therefore, the acquired martial arts masters are divided into levels one to five. If you can calm the surging Qi and blood in your body right now, you will be a first-level martial arts master." After saying that, Ankang took out five scrolls from the desk in the study and placed them on the desk. "These five volumes are the [Divine and Demonic Five Animals Diagram]. Contemplating the Five Animals Fist Diagram can stabilize the Qi and blood in your body, nourish your body, and help you refine tiger bones, deer tendons, ape muscles, bear skin, and bird veins. The [Five Animals Exercises] without the mental method is just an ordinary health-preserving exercise. With it, it is a top-level entry-level martial art. How many people in the martial arts world dream of obtaining it." Qiu Zhen's heart was moved: "Manager An, can you visualize any fist posture diagram?" "Yes, any one of them will do, depending on the individual's situation." Ankang nodded, but reminded: "However, it is best not to visualize at the same time. When you have mastered the first level of the Five Animal Exercises, your Qi and blood will be surging. It will take at least two or three days, or at most five or six days, to master a set of fist postures and pass this first level of martial arts. If you are distracted and greedy, you will easily miss the opportunity." "Once the surging blood and qi fade away, you will have to start all over again, and you will never become a first-level martial artist." "The boy has learned a lesson." Qiu Zhen doesn't know much about these, so I would like to ask humbly: "Manager An, what do you think I should choose for the first level?" "As the saying goes, strength can defeat skill. When you first become a martial artist, improving your strength is the most important thing. Tiger bones, deer tendons, and ape muscles can all help improve your strength." Ankang looked at the bow and arrow beside him and said: "You are proficient in archery, and you just want to pursue pure strength. This [Vajra Demon Ape Diagram] is the most suitable. After learning this diagram, you can stabilize your blood and strengthen your muscles. You will have the strength of a thousand pounds right from the start." Qiu Zhen's eyes lit up. That's it. (End of this chapter)
