At that moment, a mountain wind swept past, and Ling Xian'er's robes fluttered lightly. She said calmly,"The Seven-Perfection Palms possesses the might to push mountains. When it is unleashed, foes find themselves helpless, their spirit crushed; the very release of its force chills the enemy's heart."This was the general doctrine of the Seven-Perfection Palms.
Elder Shen Er of the Black Tortoise Hall nodded again and again, committing every word to memory despite the pain wracking his body. Forcing himself upright, he clasped his fists and said,"Today I have been instructed, and the benefit is immeasurable—my life is not lived in vain!"In his heart surged the sentiment: If one hears the Way at dawn, one may die at dusk without regret.
The great masters of martial learning often recorded the essence of their life's cultivation in secret volumes, their oral formulas and mental methods kept as hidden lore. Those who train in martial arts know that qi must flow through the meridians, strength through skin and bone—two paths vastly different.As the saying goes: "Within, train the breath; without, train sinew, bone, and flesh."
Literary skill is the body; martial skill its application. To understand martial theory, one must examine it through the lens of yin and yang. Yang is rooted in yin; yin rooted in yang. Without yang, yin cannot grow; without yin, yang cannot transform. They complement and constrain each other, eternally in flux.
Thus, in the martial world, all arts possess both yin and yang attributes, intertwined and mutually convertible. Broadly, martial cultivation is divided into civil refinement and martial tempering:
Civil refinement is yin, soft in nature, emphasizing intent, cultivating inner qi and inner strength—concerned with internal arts.
Martial tempering is yang, hard in nature, emphasizing technique, applied to combat—concerned with external arts.
Earlier, Elder Lin Ping of the Qilin Hall fought Ling Xian'er intending to pummel her harshly as a warning. Yet the incomplete, formless palm techniques he executed were instantly revealed and dismantled by her. Though she struck him thoroughly, Lin Ping bore no hatred—instead, gratitude welled within him.For Ling Xian'er had revealed to him the very essence he lacked in his palm arts.Because of this, calamity became fortune: after pondering her formulas, his skill deepened, his inner and outer cultivation both leapt forward. But this is matter for later.
A poem says:
Seven-Perfection now revealed — broken, broken, level, levelThe welcoming palm seals forth — level, level, broken, broken, levelEach move meets with guidance — level, level, level, broken, brokenCalamity and blessing paired — broken, broken, broken, level, level
Just then, two shadows flashed into view—Kuṇlun Right Envoy Ling Yun and Kuṇlun Left Envoy Li Han.Right Envoy Ling Yun said curtly,"Since the items are in hand, well done. We leave now!"
Elder Shen Er and Elder Lin Ping exchanged a glance, turned, and with several leaps vanished without a trace.
Ling Yun's voice turned cold,"Miss Liu—who would have thought I'd encounter you even here on Tianshan!"
Liu Yun replied,"Ling Yun, it has been some time. Your skill remains sharp, yet you still busy yourself with filth and villainy."
At this, Ling Yun's anger flared."Our Jiuxiao Palace Lord is unmatched in martial prowess, and our halls overflow with heroes. You, a mere young woman, dare insult our reputation? I, Ling Yun of the Right Envoy, will not swallow this!"
Liu Yun said coolly,"Boasts won't save you. Jiuxiao Palace's theft of the Tianshan Snow Lotus is no glorious deed."
Hearing this exchange, Left Envoy Li Han's fury erupted."Your tongue is insolent! I shall show no mercy!"
He shot forward like an arrow. In an instant a fierce palm whistled toward Liu Yun, its force like a tiger's roar.Liu Yun did not dodge—instead, she countered with the Limitless Palm (Wuji Palm).
A loud boom sounded; both were shaken back several steps.Li Han gasped,"How can one so young possess such power?!"
Liu Yun smiled faintly."I recently chanced upon the Tianshan Snow Lotus. My inner strength is no longer ordinary."
Li Han growled,"No wonder you dare spout arrogance! Take a few more of my palms!"
With a shout, he launched 'Qi Strikes the Ox and Constellations', spinning sharply and kicking toward her. Liu Yun slipped aside, but Li Han pressed in again, leaping forward, his palms whipping down like a storm.
Liu Yun met every strike—fist and palm weaving unpredictably. For a moment, they clashed fiercely like thunderstorm winds. Suddenly Li Han lunged, his speed astonishing. It appeared Liu Yun could not evade.
Liu Yun spoke a strange incantation,"The evil shall tremble before the subduing finger!"
She stepped into the 'Treading the Constellations' footwork, causing Li Han's palm to strike empty air. In the same breath she countered—a single palm flicking outward.Caught off balance, Li Han hurriedly struck back, but another boom sent him staggering backward several steps, while Liu Yun remained motionless.
Li Han, long accustomed to pride, felt his dignity shatter."This is sorcery! Witchcraft! How could this be a mere palm technique!?"
Liu Yun, calm as ever, replied,"This is no sorcery. This is the Wuji Palm."
Li Han, hot-tempered by nature, roared,"Liu Yun! You disrespect your elders—are you relying on the fact that the Heaven-Venerable Sect Master is your father!?"
Before his words finished, rage consumed him. He charged forward, fist chopping downward. Liu Yun raised her left arm and pushed with her right; the two clashed again.
Suddenly Li Han's five fingers snapped together, turning his fist into a blade-hand. His palms sliced forward with fierce power. He spun, right arm circling, chopping toward Liu Yun's face.
Unshaken, Liu Yun changed techniques instantly—unfolding 'Cloud Hand', again paired with Treading the Constellations.Li Han's blade-like hands struck only empty air.