Chapter 33: Disciple, I will teach you the Descending Dragon Palm

Boom! With a single palm strike, Li Xuan’s vital energy was transformed into a torrent and unleashed on a tree several dozen yards away. The tree, as thick as a man’s thigh, was instantly shattered by the impact, its fragments flying all over the place. “The power is quite impressive, but it drains a lot of vital energy.” “Indeed, relying solely on brute force isn’t the solution. If faced with an opponent of similar strength, it will surely spell trouble.” “This palm technique, I’ve already got a sense of it. I just need to arrange a set of mnemonic chants for it and teach them to Xu Yan.” Li Xuan let out a breath. “But what about the movement technique? How should I impart that? I don't know of it myself, how should I demonstrate it to my disciple? Relying solely on brute force won’t demonstrate the intricacy of the movement technique.” The thought of the movement technique gave Li Xuan a headache again. “Did I think too far ahead? Why do I have to demonstrate it to my disciple? I could just give him the mnemonic chants, provide him the theoretical framework, and let him comprehend it by himself, right?” With this sudden realization, Li Xuan had a plan at hand. He chose a flat piece of land outside the village. “How is the Eight Diagrams drawn again?” Li Xuan recalled the pattern of the Eight Diagrams he had seen in a past life, and while swinging his arm, his vital energy gushed out, sketching it on the ground. “It seems to be like this.” Looking at the Eight Diagrams drawn on the ground, Li Xuan nodded in satisfaction. Once Xu Yan was back, he would have him practice the movement technique here. Meanwhile, he would let him ponder over the Eight Diagrams. Who knows, he might gain some insights? Everything was ready, just waiting for his disciple, Xu Yan, to return. Li Xuan was now completely relaxed. Xu Yan returned in less than ten days after he left home. Aware of his lack of martial skills after his raw display of power against the bandits, Xu Yan did not linger at home and hurried back. “Master!” Xu Yan paid his respects respectfully, pondering how to bring up the topic of learning martial skills with his master. “Hmm.” Li Xuan nodded and stood up, walking towards the outskirts of the village. “You’re back at the right time. Come with me.” Even before his disciple could ask, he decided to teach him the martial arts cultivation techniques, showing his masterful foresight. “Yes, Master!” Xu Yan was puzzled, wondering what his master was instructing him to do. They arrived at a small hill outside the village. With his hands clasped behind his back, the master began, “My disciple, although you have already embarked on the path of Martial Arts, you don’t know how to harness and utilise your vital energy, or how to face an enemy.” “Martial Arts is not just about power; the stronger a martial artist, the more exceptional and potent are his martial skills and divine skills.” Upon hearing this, Xu Yan was thrilled, “Is my master going to impart some martial skills and divine powers to me? I’m finally not just a brute relying on raw strength!” Li Xuan turned back to look at his naive disciple and said solemnly, “Today, I will teach you the Descending Dragon Palm. It is both a martial skill and a divine power. The higher your level, the deeper your understanding, and the more powerful it is.” Considering it was part of Martial Arts, Li Xuan originally wanted to name it “Eighteen Descending Dragon Palm”, but on second thought, he feared that it might limit his disciple’s avenue for understanding. So, he simply named it the “Descending Dragon Palm”. The name was not important. What mattered was its potency. Besides, his plan was for the Descending Dragon Palm to evolve along with the disciple’s progress, becoming a powerful divine martial skill. Whether it would be successful depended entirely on his disciple’s comprehension. “Descending Dragon Palm!” Xu Yan was thrilled beyond words. “Thank you, Master!” “A dragon is a mythical creature, possessing immense power and divine skills… My disciple, do you understand?” Li Xuan began his lecture. “Master, I once read about the legend of the True Dragon in an old book. It was portrayed as a symbol of supremacy, invoking storms and thunder with its movements, causing the heavens and the earth to tremble in response…” Xu Yan reverently replied. “There are dragon legends in this world as well? I wonder if the book Xu Yan read was a made-up story or based on real events that took place in this world.” Li Xuan was taken aback for a moment. Since this world also contains legends of dragons, and Xu Yan has even read related legendary stories, things will be much simpler. “Master, do true dragons exist in this world?” Xu Yan asked with excitement and curiosity. “That is too far beyond your current reach, whether they exist or not, you will know naturally when you become stronger.” Li Xuan naturally would not provide a definitive answer to such questions. “Yes, Master!” Xu Yan nodded respectfully. “Good, I will teach you the Descending Dragon Palm. With the name ‘Descending Dragon,’ you should understand its power.” “I understand, Master!” “Observe.” As Li Xuan spoke, he lifted his hand and struck out with a palm. Boom! The powerful, vital energy, terrifyingly potent, instantly shattered a tree as thick as a human thigh dozens of feet away. Xu Yan was dumbstruck! Was the power of the Descending Dragon Palm really this terrifying? Li Xuan was extremely satisfied with his reaction, pulling back his hand and placing it behind his back, he began bluffing, “This is the power the Descending Dragon Palm can display at the entrance level of vital energy cultivation. “However, I did not use the Descending Dragon Palm form when demonstrating, so as not to interfere with your comprehension of the true meaning of the Descending Dragon Palm.” Xu Yan listened respectfully, his face flushed with excitement, reflecting his inner agitation. “Just a casual palm strike from Master at the beginner stage of vital energy cultivation can have such terrifying power, and he didn’t even use the form of the Descending Dragon Palm. The Descending Dragon Palm is truly incomparably powerful!” With a grave expression, Li Xuan began to explain the Descending Dragon Palm, “The form of the Descending Dragon Palm, with one palm strike, unleashes a palm force shaped like a dragon. The more deeply you comprehend it, the more true dragon palm forces you will be able to strike…” Then he casually struck out a few palms, explaining to his disciple, “I did not demonstrate the true dragon palm force to you because I don’t want you to get entrapped in the intent of my Descending Dragon Palm. Once you are caught in it, you will not be able to cultivate your own Descending Dragon Palm. “I do not wish for you to be bound in my shadow. The Martial Path is endless, and I hope you can cultivate the true intent that belongs to you. “Do you understand?” I’m doing this for your good! It’s not because I can’t demonstrate the dragon-shaped palm force that I didn’t give a demonstration! Li Xuan looked stern. Xu Yan was deeply moved in his heart, “Master is indeed a rare genius. By accepting me as a disciple, he’s not only passing on his Martial Arts but also showing great expectations of me. He hopes that I will develop my own Martial Path true intent. “And not to remain in the shadow of Master, unable to surpass him my entire life!” His eyes reddened with emotion, and he nodded, “Master, I understand!” “Very good! This Descending Dragon Palm, like the Martial Arts techniques I’ve taught you, emphasizes comprehension and true intent, not outward form. You need to comprehend and realize its true essence. “When you can simultaneously strike out eighteen true dragon palm forces, you can consider yourself to have made initial progress.” Li Xuan, speaking as he always does, once again patiently counseled his disciple, emphasizing the importance of comprehension and true intent, and not to pay too much attention to the few palm strikes he had just demonstrated. He should derive his understanding from the theoretical framework of the Descending Dragon Palm. “Yes, Master, I understand!” Xu Yan nodded. Lixuan nodded in satisfaction. Before teaching him the fabricated chants of the Descending Dragon Palm, he asked, “My disciple, do you have any questions?” It was a routine inquiry. After finishing his teachings, he always asked to see if the disciple had any questions. “Master, I have one question.” Xu Yan spoke up. “Speak.” “Master, since the Descending Dragon Palm is about ‘descending the dragon,’ why do we strike out with palm forces shaped like a dragon?” Xu Yan asked, looking puzzled. Li Xuan:….