Chapter 36: Glimpse of the Path
"As easy as it sounds, the actual execution is pretty tough. Everyone has their individual circumstances and the difficulties they need to overcome in order for the three elements to harmonize are also varied. In your case, Shen Luo, you seem to be in the prime of your youth and your energy and spirit are abundant. However, your vitality seems to be lacking a bit, have you fallen seriously ill before?” Yu Yan looked Shen Luo in the eyes and pinpointed his problem.
"Uncle, your observation is spot on. I was attacked by Yin Qi a few years ago and it took me several years to recover from my illness”, Shen Luo responded by nodding his head in agreement.
"That explains it. When you drew the talisman earlier, your energy and spirit were well integrated but the combination of your spirit and Qi was lacking. The talisman you drew ended up being merely form without substance; naturally, you were bound to fail.” Yu Yan took a sip of his Snake Gallbladder Wine and grinned.
"So, what should I do? Do I need to nurse my body back to health and replenish my vitality before I can draw talismans?” Now that Shen Luo finally understood where his problem lied, he asked anxiously. He even remembered to pour wine for Yu Yan.
"Of course, replenishing your vitality is necessary. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t draw talismans right now. You should just pay more attention to the integration of your spirit and Qi when you draw talismans.” Yu Yan was rather pleased with Shen Luo, who seemed eager to learn.
"How can the spirit and Qi be integrated?”
"In order to make your spirit and Qi merge as one, you must let it arise from your heart and not force anything. When you draw talisman, you have to stabilize your spirit, and distribute your Qi in your chest…” As Yu Yan was drinking, he gave Shen Luo some pointers on how to merge the spirit and Qi.
Shen Luo was holding his breath and listening attentively so that he wouldn’t miss any single word.
Yu Yan was well-versed in talisman and his casual remarks already helped to clear half of the doubts in Shen Luo’s mind, enlightening him greatly.