Months had passed since Liu Yang's arrival in the small village. He had made great strides in his cultivation, mastering several techniques and improving his physical strength and endurance. But despite his progress, he knew that he was still far from being on the same level as the other cultivators in the village.
One day, he decided to seek out the village elder for guidance. He had heard that the elder was a renowned cultivator who had trained many successful disciples over the years. He hoped that the elder could help him unlock the secrets of cultivation and take his training to the next level.
Liu Yang found the elder meditating in a small temple on the outskirts of the village. He approached him respectfully, bowing deeply. "Elder, I am Liu Yang. I seek your guidance in my cultivation."
The elder opened his eyes, regarding Liu Yang with a keen gaze. "I have heard of you, Liu Yang," he said. "You have shown great potential in your training. But potential alone is not enough. You must have a clear path to follow, a direction in which to channel your energy."
Liu Yang nodded eagerly. "I understand, Elder. That is why I have come to you. I need your help in finding that path."
The elder smiled, rising to his feet. "Very well, Liu Yang. Come with me."
He led Liu Yang to a small room in the back of the temple. The room was filled with books and scrolls, covering every surface. The elder gestured to a cushion on the floor. "Sit, and we will begin."
Liu Yang sat down, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. He knew that he was about to learn something important, something that could change his life forever.
The elder began to speak, his voice low and measured. "Cultivation is a journey, Liu Yang. A journey of self-discovery, of unlocking your inner potential. But it is also a journey of discipline, of hard work and dedication."
He picked up a small scroll and unrolled it, revealing a diagram of the human body. "This is the foundation of cultivation," he said. "The body is the vessel through which we channel our energy. It must be strong and healthy, able to withstand the immense power of cultivation."
He pointed to various parts of the diagram, explaining the importance of each. Liu Yang listened intently, absorbing every word.
"The next step is to cultivate your energy," the elder continued. "There are many paths to do so, but the most common is to focus on the dantian, the energy center in your lower abdomen. You must learn to control and manipulate your energy, to use it as a weapon and a shield."
Liu Yang nodded, his mind racing with the possibilities. He had heard of the dantian before, but he had never fully understood its significance.
The elder reached for another scroll, unrolling it to reveal a complex diagram of energy pathways in the body. "This is the cultivation path," he said. "The path that every cultivator must follow in order to reach their full potential."
Liu Yang gazed at the diagram, feeling a sense of awe. It was intricate and beautiful, yet also intimidating. He knew that he had a long way to go before he could even begin to understand it.
The elder placed a hand on his shoulder. "But fear not, Liu Yang. You have the potential to follow this path, to become one of the greatest cultivators in the universe. But it will not be easy. You must be willing to work hard, to push yourself to the limit."
Liu Yang looked up at the elder, feeling a sense of determination. He knew that.