Body Technique

"Our Zhang family is a respectable household with strict principles. How could we casually resort to silencing people? Although Flowing Water Steps is a secret technique, it's not absolutely forbidden to teach it outside. I'll teach you secretly, and you'll learn secretly. Nothing will happen. If anyone finds out, just say I taught you and take all responsibility off yourself..." Zhang Lan said confidently.

"If you won't do anything to me, why should I push the blame onto you? I'll just say I coincidentally learned it through some kind-hearted uncle passing by, not remembering his name or appearance," Mo Hua blinked his eyes and whispered.

Zhang Lan frowned, "What you say actually makes some sense..."

If the Zhang family didn't trouble Mo Hua, why would he take on any responsibility?

If this matter were exposed and the elders in the clan found out, he might face a few months of confinement. Although he was used to it, being confined and kneeling in the ancestral hall was never a glorious affair. Better to avoid it if possible.

"Then you need to come up with an excuse," Zhang Lan advised.

"I'll say it was a kind uncle passing by who taught me. If they ask for his name, I don't know it, and for his appearance, I've long forgotten," Mo Hua replied.

"Alright, just make sure that kind uncle isn't me."

Zhang Lan had no worries anymore and said, "I'll teach you Flowing Water Steps now. Practice whenever you have time."

"Flowing Water Steps is a body technique specialized for spiritual cultivators, using spiritual power to control the physical body to move freely within a small space."

"The key to this body technique lies in finely controlling spiritual power through divine sense, guiding it through corresponding meridians to manipulate the physical body swiftly within a tiny area, dodging enemy attacks."

Zhang Lan explained the essence of practicing this body technique to Mo Hua and handed him a diagram of the meridians.

"This meridian diagram records the sequence and specific acupoints where spiritual power flows during different movements of Flowing Water Steps. Take it back with you, study it thoroughly, memorize it, and then burn it. Leave no trace behind."

"On the back of the meridian diagram, there's also a simple body refining technique..."

"Isn't it a spell? Do I need body refining too?"

Mo Hua lacked confidence in his body refining talent.

Zhang Lan corrected Mo Hua's understanding, "Spiritual cultivation refers to cultivators who rely on spiritual power to cast spells for attack, not just those who cultivate spiritual power. Both the physical body and spiritual power are fundamental to cultivators. Even though spells are crucial for spiritual cultivators, physical cultivation shouldn't be neglected. However, compared to spells, physical cultivation seems less important."

After Zhang Lan finished explaining, he reassured Mo Hua, "You don't need to worry. The body refining technique accompanying Flowing Water Steps isn't about enhancing physical strength but about improving limb flexibility and body coordination."

"Flowing Water Steps uses spiritual power to control the physical body. If your body is out of sync, legs stiff, it's likely the technique won't execute properly, and you might end up injuring yourself due to the strain of spiritual power..."

...

Zhang Lan explained meticulously, and Mo Hua listened attentively. Before long, Zhang Lan finished teaching, saying, "Now, give it a try and see how much you comprehend."

Mo Hua manipulated his spiritual power according to the meridian diagram of Flowing Water Steps and indeed felt lighter and more agile in his movements.

Mo Hua was an array master with powerful divine sense, even stronger than most array masters. Combined with his cultivation of Celestial Expansion Scripture, his control of spiritual power in Flowing Water Steps proceeded smoothly without any hindrance.

This body technique turned out simpler than Mo Hua had imagined.

Attempting to take a step forward with Flowing Water Steps, Mo Hua found his right leg's spiritual power moving too quickly, while his left leg lagged behind slightly. His foot slipped...

Mo Hua fell flat on the ground.

He lifted his head, wiped the mud off his face, and muttered in a low voice, "This doesn't seem as simple as it looks..."

Seeing this, Zhang Lan thought to himself, "This is more like it. Learning arrays quickly is one thing, but learning spells is never that easy."

Mo Hua tried several more times but still couldn't succeed. Either his hands and feet weren't coordinated with the spiritual power, causing him to slip, or he ended up sitting on the ground with same-side hand and foot.

Watching Mo Hua covered in dirt and looking frustrated, Zhang Lan remained composed on the outside but inwardly felt pleased, thinking, "Now you understand how difficult it is to learn spells..."

Zhang Lan's main focus was on other body techniques, and even Flowing Water Steps wasn't his specialty. This particular technique wasn't outstanding in terms of offense or defense within the Zhang family's secret techniques. Its offensive capabilities were lacking in sharpness, and its defensive aspect was too challenging in terms of spiritual power control. That's why there weren't many practitioners of Flowing Water Steps in the Zhang family.

It was also for this reason that he dared to secretly teach it to Mo Hua.

If it were a mainstream technique like Falling Petals Steps, which everyone in the clan learned and could easily recognize upon seeing it used, Zhang Lan would be in big trouble if it were exposed.

Flowing Water Steps was just right—it had decent techniques and remained low-profile. Not many learned it, so it was unlikely to be recognized if used discreetly.

After practicing Flowing Water Steps for half a day, Mo Hua fell on the ground again.

Zhang Lan helped Mo Hua up, dusted him off, and said, "Alright, go back and practice on your own. Learning spells is similar to learning arrays; it's all about practice makes perfect. If it doesn't work the first time, keep trying."

"Okay," Mo Hua nodded.

Zhang Lan escorted Mo Hua back to the eatery, gave him a few reminders not to tell anyone that he taught him the technique, and to practice quietly on his own. After happily accepting Mo Hua's "bribe" of several jars of wine and pounds of meat, Zhang Lan left contentedly.

Liu Ruhua took out a cloth, dampened it with water, wiped Mo Hua's face, and asked, "Did Officer Zhang teach you something?"

"Uncle Zhang told me not to say," Mo Hua replied with a smile.

"Alright, then study hard. When you have time, thank Uncle Zhang properly," Liu Ruhua said gently.

"Okay," Mo Hua nodded.

After that, Mo Hua began his days of practicing Flowing Water Steps.

He found a corner in the courtyard and started by manipulating his spiritual power to move his hands and feet simply.

This was the simplest and the foundation for all movements after mastering Flowing Water Steps.

At first, there were discomforts during practice, occasional imbalance leading to falls. However, after several practices familiarizing himself with guiding spiritual power through meridians, his movements gradually became smoother.

In the corner of the backyard, Mo Hua's legs were wrapped in faint blue spiritual power, resembling misty water. Even when his feet were still, his body could gradually move forward or backward.

Mo Hua tried more difficult movements afterward, such as front flips, back flips, handstands, and back handsprings, but inevitably, he fell a few times...

Reflecting on the reasons, Mo Hua realized his physical body was too weak, lacking strength and agility.

Mo Hua took out the body refining techniques given by Zhang Lan.

These techniques were straightforward, focusing on basic movements. Unlike physical cultivation, they didn't aim to increase strength but rather to enhance limb flexibility and coordination.

The figures in the diagrams moved naturally and lightly, like flowing water.

Mo Hua suddenly understood why it was called Flowing Water Steps.

Mo Hua practiced each movement according to the diagrams.

Initially, his limbs felt sore, making it hard to get out of bed. However, after persistently practicing for several days, the soreness subsided, and his qi and blood flowed smoothly. Although his physical strength was still weak, his movements—whether walking, stepping, sitting, or lying down—became light, graceful, and natural like water.

Mo Hua felt the timing was right and began practicing the more challenging techniques in Flowing Water Steps.

(End of the Chapter)