20: Chapter 20 Three Levels of Stance Training

Zhang Youdao truly did not expect this. He had only offered some pointers to the lad out of interest, never imagining he was actually a martial arts prodigy.

At the time, he had observed that although Li Changsheng practiced some Health-preserving Qigong, he lacked the necessary dietary supplements, making his efforts seem rather futile.

It wasn't that one couldn't practice without dietary supplements, just that it would yield half the results for twice the effort.

Because of this, he had assumed that even after ten years of practice, Li Changsheng's level would be quite mediocre; after all, there were no dietary supplements.

Yet, the kid had managed to reach this level regardless. If this were his own era, he would definitely have made the kid inherit his Legacy.

As for now, well, it wasn't too late for him to have discovered this.

Li Changsheng felt a bit creeped out by the old man's gaze. He had heard that the old man had married two wives, and later, he had looked up that Vajra Iron Bridge online, only to discover it was a Health-preserving Qigong technique for strengthening one's Foundation and enhancing... that kind of ability.

This old man wouldn't happen to have any special...

"Ahem, well, Old Man, this Junior feels that his progress with the Eight Brocades is acceptable, but he simply cannot grasp the essence of the Taiji Stake Training. It seems I'm stuck."

Li Changsheng hurriedly changed the subject.

Distracted by Li Changsheng's interruption, Zhang Youdao snapped back to reality.

He stroked his beard, tapped Li Changsheng on the thigh and arm, then nodded.

"Do you know the levels of Taiji Stake Training?"

"Ah? There are levels to Taiji Stance?"

Li Changsheng was a bit confused. He felt that practicing Taiji Stake Training was just like practicing the Eight Brocades; it didn't seem to have much of an effect.

If he had to say something, it was that he had incorporated the breathing rhythm of the Eight Brocades into the Taiji Stake Training.

"You don't even know this? How did you even get started? Didn't your master teach you?" Zhang Youdao was astonished.

"Er, well, I followed online tutorials to practice."

Li Changsheng scratched his head. He couldn't exactly say that the System had transmitted the knowledge to him, allowing him to get started.

"You are being way too reckless." Zhang Youdao frowned. The kid's talent was indeed surprisingly good—able to learn just by looking things up online—but he couldn't keep practicing in such an ignorant manner.

"You're lucky that you've only just stepped into the level of Moving Stance. If you were to enter the Transformative Stance while still having such a half-baked understanding, you wouldn't even know how you died."

"It's that serious?" Li Changsheng was a bit frightened.

"What do you think?" Zhang Youdao wore an expression of frustration at his lack of progress. He paused before continuing: "Taiji Stake Training has three levels in total. They are divided into Standing Stake, Moving Stance, and Transformative Stance."

"Since you have the experience from the Eight Brocades of using intent to guide Qi and Qi to guide the body, it won't be difficult for you to transition from Standing Stake to Moving Stance."

"However, Taiji Stake Training is the Foundation of martial arts practice. It is different from Health-preserving Qigong exercises like the Eight Brocades or the Marrow Cleansing Classic; the two cannot be mentioned in the same breath."

"Since your Standing Stake has reached Perfection, it is equivalent to satisfying the internal and external Three Harmonies of martial arts: the spirit harmonizing with intent, intent harmonizing with Qi, Qi harmonizing with force, the shoulder harmonizing with the hip, the elbow harmonizing with the knee, and the hand harmonizing with the foot."

Li Changsheng listened intently. He hadn't expected the Taiji Stake Training to contain so many principles.

After reaching Perfection in the first level of Standing Stake, he did indeed feel that his body's coordination ability had strengthened significantly. If his physical fitness weren't still somewhat lacking, he would be able to perform many high-difficulty movements.

Moreover, his body's reaction speed also seemed to be stronger than before.

"No wonder one must practice stances before practicing martial arts; so that's the reason."

Li Changsheng had a sudden realization. After all, if your body's coordination and reaction aren't up to par, practicing martial arts will only result in being clumsy and unable to grasp the essentials.

At this moment, Zhang Youdao continued:

"Moving Stance is different from Standing Stake. In particular, Taiji's Moving Stance is very different from the Stance Training of other fist techniques. For example, the Stance Training in Wing Chun and Hung Ga is similar to a posture for explosive power accumulation."

"But Taiji's Moving Stance is like a Taiji itself. To master it quickly, you must find a suitable ball and practice Standing Stake on it. When you can maintain consistency, remaining stable no matter how it wobbles, you will have just caught a glimpse of the path."

"This trains Integrated Force and spiral force. The Stance Training of Wing Chun, Hung Ga, and other styles have similar practices, though they can also practice through performing their fist forms."

"Once Moving Stance is mastered, your lower body will be as stable as a rock, and force will flow through your entire body. Furthermore, the spiral force of the Taiji Stance is the ultimate method for close-quarters entanglement and neutralizing force."

"As for the Transformative Stance, you still lack the necessary experience. At the very least, you need to practice Moving Stance for a year or so."

It wasn't that Zhang Youdao underestimated Li Changsheng; he now recognized Li Changsheng's talent. However, the difficulty of Moving Stance is indeed high, especially when it comes to the Taiji Internal Martial Arts stance.

Generally, it takes about five years to see results; otherwise, so many martial artists wouldn't spend years practicing Standing Stake.

However, Li Changsheng didn't think so. He could solidify his insights every time through the System. After thinking about it, he pressed on:

"Old Man, could you just tell me about the Transformative Stance? What did you mean when you said it's easy to go wrong with it?"

Hearing this, Zhang Youdao shook his head and sighed: "The Transformative Stance is based on the Foundation of Standing Stake and Moving Stance, where one remains in a state of stance during walking, standing, sitting, and lying down. So, asking now is just a waste of time."

Well, that was a wasted question.

However, Li Changsheng was still quite excited. Today, he had finally understood what the next step for Taiji Stance should be.

Taiji Stance can enhance physical strength and will be of great help for Cultivating martial arts forms in the future.

"By the way, Old Man, the effect of that ten-ingredient decoction is getting worse and worse. Could you prescribe me a new formula?"

"Hmm, that's about right. Your situation is special, so I'll prescribe you something even more potent this time."

Zhang Youdao nodded. Through taking his pulse earlier, he knew that this kid, Li Changsheng, couldn't be judged by conventional logic.

Ordinary people certainly couldn't handle strong medicine, but Li Changsheng was different. He practiced multiple Health-preserving Qigong techniques, utilizing the medicinal effects to the fullest extent. There was no risk of him being unable to absorb the supplements, as the medicinal effects were either dispersed or used to strengthen his body.

"Alright, I'll go back, think about it, and send it to you. The time is about up; I still have to go teach a class."

"Teach a class?"

Li Changsheng was a bit confused. The old man was over ninety years old; what kind of class was he teaching?

"What kind of class would an old man of my age take? Of course, I'm teaching others. There's a martial arts gym here in Shenzhen that asked me to be a technical consultant. I go over occasionally to give some pointers. If you're interested, you can go take a look. I'll send you the address."

Hearing this, Li Changsheng didn't find it strange. As his own Cultivation continuously improved, he could see more things in the old man.

The old man likely knew some martial arts, and his attainments were not low. He was probably following the path of Internal Martial Arts.

After agreeing with the old man to go observe and learn when he had time, Li Changsheng didn't rush home but instead headed toward the Nanshan District Hospital.

He had a follow-up appointment today.

It wasn't that he thought the cancer was cured; he just wanted to see the current status of the cancer's spread.

"I reckon by the time I finish the check-up, the old man will have sent the prescription over. I'll go pick up the medicine then."

Li Changsheng was quite sensitive about time, stemming from his past experience of working overtime on projects.