Where is the true elixir field located?

As the water jar shattered, Chen Jue remained silent for a long time.

The vague illusions and fantasies he once held about traditional martial arts and national fighting styles in his youth completely collapsed at that moment.

The so-called "Three Forces" contained none of the mystical or arcane elements he had imagined; they were simply techniques of body mechanics and combat skills.

Yet, upon reflection, it all seemed perfectly reasonable.

If the martial arts masters of the late Qing and Republican eras were truly as formidable as claimed, foreign guns and cannons would never have forced open China’s gates. The real power always lies in the cold and hot weapons of the battlefield.

The exaggerated tales that circulated were merely self-aggrandizements within their own circles, a means to earn a living and support their families.

Much like how wuxia dramas and martial arts films have reignited interest in qigong and martial arts, the principle is simple: a layer of theatrical filter is added for the public, making it look impressive and mysterious.

“After watching these three types of force, is there anything you want to learn?” asked Master Shi Zheng, the old Taoist.

Chen Jue scratched his head. “That hidden force is fascinating! Could you teach me?”

“Of course! After the apprenticeship ceremony tomorrow, I will teach it to you.”

“Nowadays, young people care too much about worldly gains; few are willing to learn these skills. If not taught, they will soon be lost,” Master Shi Zheng chuckled.

The demonstration had drained much of his energy, and with water splashed all over him when the jar broke, after chatting briefly with Zhi Qing and Zhao Jianguo, the old Taoist retired to his room to rest.

Meanwhile, Zhi Qing led Chen Jue to register inside the White Cloud Temple.

The White Cloud Temple is the headquarters of the Chinese Taoist Association, overseeing the entire nation’s Taoist sects. Every practitioner of the Way makes a pilgrimage here at least once in their lifetime.

The registration was straightforward since Chen Jue only wished to be a lay practitioner cultivating at home. He simply filled out a few forms and registered his Taoist identity on the association’s app.

By the time he finished touring the White Cloud Temple, evening had fallen. Chen Jue and Zhao Jianguo found a nearby hotel to stay.

“Since your master is willing to take you as a disciple, spend the next few days learning well at the White Cloud Temple.”

“For orthodox skills like Iron Sand Palm, your master knows quite a few. How much you learn depends on your own ability,” Zhao Jianguo said during dinner.

“Anything I want to learn? No tuition fees?” Chen Jue asked curiously.

“Master only accepts disciples based on fate. He can tell your aptitude just by touching your pulse.”

“As for money, what use is it to a centenarian? The temple provides food, lodging, and free medical care. The old man now just enjoys a peaceful life, no need for money,” Zhao Jianguo explained with a smile.

“I see! I thought there’d be tests of character and all that nonsense…”

Chen Jue glanced at Zhao Jianguo’s rosy complexion and recalled the man’s acquaintance with Old Master Wu. Surely, his conduct had been inquired about behind the scenes.

Even the old master’s granddaughter had become his girlfriend; as the son-in-law, his character must have been thoroughly vetted.

After dinner, Chen Jue returned to his room to rest and video-called Wu Fang, who was far away in Hangzhou.

Since he might stay in the imperial capital for several days, he naturally missed his newly acquainted girlfriend.

Hearing about Chen Jue’s experience with hidden force and transformed force, Wu Fang was amazed. She practiced traditional martial arts herself and was a national-level competitor, so she was naturally very interested in such traditional matters.

After hearing Chen Jue’s description of the conical hidden force, Wu Fang suddenly understood. “Brother Jue, what you described as hidden force is actually a kind of power delivery technique found in boxing and combat sports! It’s the way force is channeled during a punch!”

She then sent a video demonstrating this, featuring the legendary Bruce Lee and his disciple Ted Wong.

Ted Wong, wearing boxing gloves, struck an 80-kilogram punching bag. The bag vibrated but showed no obvious dents.

However, when Bruce Lee struck the bag barehanded, he left a conical dent on its surface, and the bag lifted off the ground with a folded appearance.

“No wonder Master Shi Zheng said the hidden force is power generated from the tendons and bones!”

“Gloves prevent the knuckles from directly contacting the bag, so they can’t create the same concentrated impact,” Chen Jue pondered after watching the video.

They chatted until past 10 p.m., then Chen Jue went to sleep.

Early the next morning, while it was still dim, Zhao Jianguo took Chen Jue to the White Cloud Temple’s backyard altar for the initiation ceremony.

The altar was set with various Taoist ritual items. Yesterday, Master Shi Zheng wore simple Taoist robes; today, he donned an elaborate ceremonial outfit with an ancient high hat and bright Taoist vestments.

Chen Jue couldn’t make much sense of it but stepped forward respectfully and quietly stood before the offering table.

Besides Master Shi Zheng and Zhi Qing, several unfamiliar Taoists of various ages were present; the youngest appeared to be in his forties.

The two senior Taoists leading the group eyed Chen Jue curiously and whispered to Shi Zheng, “Brother, are you really admitting him so casually?”

“He’s just a lay practitioner. Consider it a way to maintain some folk incense for the sect,” Shi Zheng replied, flicking dust off his hand before lighting candles and incense to begin the formal apprenticeship and initiation ceremony.

He recited a poetic passage from the Dragon Gate lineage: “Virtue connects to profound stillness, true constancy embraces Supreme Clarity, the return of Yang’s origin, uniting teachings eternal and bright...”

As the sun rose, he proclaimed, “The auspicious hour has arrived! Bestow the immortal precepts!”

Then he lightly tapped Chen Jue’s shoulders and forehead thrice before waving his hand to dismiss the others from the altar.

Chen Jue was confused but obeyed the beckon to lean in close and heard the recited scripture:

“Ancestor’s breath of primordial energy, the Way’s heart must be diligent.
Two immortals seek the mystery, bamboo and pine match Kan and Li.
Refining elixirs and treasures, ascending Kunlun’s peak.
Guard the tortoise and serpent method, thus is the path of the renunciant.”

“This is the secret oral formula of our ancestral hidden school. Chen Jue, you must remember it! Originally, there’s a concluding line added by later generations: ‘Transcend the mundane, enter the sage realm, bow to the Three Pure Ones,’ used to claim seniority.”

“Since you’re not ordained but here to learn skills, seniority doesn’t matter. Our Dragon Gate hidden school isn’t formalistic; everything follows fate.”

“If you want a Taoist name, I’ll give you the character ‘Xin’ (heart). Among fellow disciples, you may call yourself Lay Practitioner Xin Jue.”

Chen Jue was momentarily taken aback, murmuring, “Dragon Gate hidden school... Lay Practitioner Xin Jue... Xin Jue—that’s a fine name.”

Watching Master Shi Zheng sit serenely on the altar cushion, smiling kindly, Chen Jue bowed deeply and greeted, “Xin Jue pays respects to Master!”

“To accept such a fine disciple of excellent constitution at a hundred years old—great virtue!” Shi Zheng nodded approvingly and then called over several Taoists from a distance.

“These two are your Senior Uncles Shiye and Shiya; the others, besides Zhi Qing whom you know, are Zhi Dan, Zhi Guan, and Zhi En—your senior brothers in the hidden school,” Shi Zheng introduced.

Chen Jue greeted each in turn and exchanged WeChat contacts with some middle-aged senior brothers.

Nowadays, Taoists and monks keep up with the times, many holding master’s or doctoral degrees. Some trendy ones even became online video bloggers or Taoist influencers—using a smartphone is perfectly normal.

After the ceremony, the day was bright.

They went to the temple’s dining hall for a vegetarian meal. The orthodox Dragon Gate monks observe strict precepts, unlike the Zhengyi sect who may eat meat and drink wine freely. They can consume eggs and dairy for nutrition but avoid heavy meat dishes.

As a newly initiated lay practitioner, Chen Jue had fewer restrictions.

After eating and socializing briefly with his senior uncles and brothers, Chen Jue followed Master Shi Zheng to the backyard.

“Disciple Xin Jue, you said yesterday you wished to learn hidden force. Today I will teach you the method of energy cultivation.”

“This is the key to inner alchemy practice. Master it well, and training other orthodox skills will be far more effective.”

With that, Master Shi Zheng drew a character resembling a grid on the snow with his foot, but the center was pressed down.

“Do you know what character this is?” he asked.

Chen Jue shook his head; as a college underachiever, he was unfamiliar with such obscure characters.

“This is the oracle bone script character for ‘Dan’ (elixir)!”

“To learn hidden force, which we call Dan force in Dragon Gate, you must understand it emanates from the Dan Tian (elixir field).”

“Do you know where the Dan Tian is?” Shi Zheng asked again.

“Dan Tian?”

“In traditional Chinese medicine, it’s said to be the Guanyuan, Yin Jiao, Qihai, and Shimen points—all located below the navel,” Chen Jue recalled from his acupuncture and meridian studies and answered promptly.

“No.”

“We in orthodox Dragon Gate cultivate pure Yang inner alchemy. The true Dan Tian is only one place—the abode of the Northern True Warrior Deity.”

Shi Zheng shook his head again and added several strokes to the oracle bone character on the snow.

A vivid tortoise figure appeared! But this tortoise was unique—its shell bore a Dan character, and its tail resembled a small snake rather than a tail.

“The True Warrior Deity, also known as Xuanwu, is symbolized by the tortoise and serpent.”

“Generations of high adepts have derived cultivation methods from the tortoise and serpent, not mere legend but because the human body indeed corresponds to these structures.”

“See, the serpent’s tail corresponds to the root bone, entering the body’s perineum via Changqiang point; the tortoise’s head faces north, just above the navel by two finger widths—this is the true Dan Tian, called Shangqu in TCM.”

“This point is also called the Blood Gate, connecting the blood of the five viscera and six bowels, governing detoxification and blood nourishment. Martial artists emphasize ‘Qi circulating in the Dan Tian’ or ‘Qi sinking to the Dan Tian’—not sinking downward, but inhaling with chest out and back straight to press lung Qi onto the Blood Gate. Long-term cultivation here replenishes essence, enhances stamina, and harmonizes yin and yang.”

After explaining, Master Shi Zheng wiped the tortoise figure from the snow and smiled at the bewildered Chen Jue.

“Enough talk! Practice is worth a thousand words. Disciple Xin Jue, watch carefully!”

The old Taoist pressed a point just above Chen Jue’s navel. Instantly, Chen Jue felt an electric-like stimulation through his clothes, gentle and tingling like the sensation he felt when his pulse was examined at the Changqiang point.

Then warmth spread through his lower abdomen, as if a fire was burning inside, and his body entered an excited state, like after a warm-up combined with a nitrogen pump.

At this moment, a notification appeared:

——————

[ Ding~ ]

[ Your body has received special external stimulation. The vagus nerve is in a stressed state, adrenal hormones secrete rapidly, heart rate increases, blood circulation and metabolism are greatly enhanced, muscles and fascia contract abnormally. ]

[ Temporary Strength Attribute +0.25 ]

PS: The Dragon Gate school does have a hidden branch, but I have fictionalized many aspects.

Also, do NOT try to hit the Shangqu point yourself; severe cases die within five months, mild cases within ten months—death is the only outcome. (Facepalm)

(End of chapter)