Carp Flow Intent is a martial arts technique that mimics the movements of carp.
Carp, one of the sacred creatures in Daoist tradition, are known as the foremost among fish.
Thus, for Luofu Mountain, one of the Daoist paradises, to have a cultivation method inspired by carp is quite normal.
"Achieving the Dao enables one to soar into the clouds or dive deep into rivers and seas. Hence, Xiao Shi flew with phoenixes to transcend the mundane, while Qin Gao rode a red carp into the abyss—this is proof."
This passage describes how high-level Dao practitioners ride red carp to explore the depths of the abyss.
Daoists believe that ascending to immortality requires riding carp because carp possess spiritual qualities, can communicate with deities, and reach both "extremes" and "realms," allowing people to ascend without being hindered by heaven and earth.
In reality, there are indeed carp capable of such feats. It is said that there was once a powerful carp demon who dominated a long river, claiming himself a deity with immense powers. He could freeze an eight-hundred-mile-wide river overnight with his magic.
However, as an Eighth Rank martial arts technique, Carp Flow Intent certainly cannot achieve such levels.
The core concept of this technique is derived from carp swimming against the current, emphasizing underwater agility, endurance, slipperiness, and adeptness at evading water currents.
Additionally, it incorporates the symbolism of carp leaping over the Dragon Gate, focusing on accumulating strength through patience and evasion before releasing it explosively, akin to a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate.
For martial arts cultivation, eating is paramount. Carp Flow Intent requires practitioners to consume at least one strand of water Qi daily, digesting it within their bodies to transform it into internal Qi.
There are several methods to ingest water Qi:
Eating Fish: Consuming large quantities of fish, extracting trace amounts of water Qi from their flesh.Drinking Water: Drinking spring water from the source where water Qi naturally accumulates.Consuming Treasures: Eating treasures containing water Qi, such as aquatic spirit beasts or Water Spirit Pearls.
The third method, though highly effective and fast with no side effects, is prohibitively expensive and thus impractical.
Li Qi felt his remaining two hundred coins in his pocket.
He needed to save money; he couldn't even afford pork, let alone aquatic spirit beasts.
Moreover, this wasn't a one-time consumption but a daily requirement!
Daily consumption every day!
Martial arts cultivation prioritizes perseverance and resources. Those lacking funds should give up, as they are not fit for martial practice.
Fortunately, they were deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains, where sources of water were abundant.
"So, here, with its dense network of waterways, finding a mountain spring each day shouldn't be a problem," Shen Shuibei explained.
"Now, I'll teach you the complete technique," she continued, demonstrating it to Li Qi.
Martial arts cultivation involves only two aspects: training (or eating) and combat techniques. Training can start immediately, whereas combat techniques require gradual refinement.
Li Qi began his second cultivation path alongside his Witchcraft practices.
According to Shen Shuibei, practicing multiple paths simultaneously is common, but priorities must be clear, and certain taboos must be observed to avoid disrupting the body's internal balance.
Moreover, mastering one path already consumes considerable energy, so most people use secondary paths to compensate for weaknesses rather than studying two major traditions.
A single Dao tradition is enough to occupy someone's entire life.
But for Li Qi, whose cultivation level was still low, there was no need to worry.
It's like saying a doctoral student would find it difficult to switch majors due to the high specialization, whereas a primary school student can easily study multiple subjects like language, math, and English.
Time passed quickly. With the help of Great Forest Wood Qi, Li Qi's injuries healed within two days.
During this period, he slowed down his journey, walking only half a day each day while searching for water sources.
Upon finding a source, he would stop, soak in the water, drink until full, and then begin practicing Carp Flow Intent.
Each punch and kick aimed to better absorb and digest water Qi, transforming it into internal Qi.
Perhaps due to his foundation in Pai-bo Technique, Li Qi's progress in Carp Flow Intent was unusually fast.
This made him reflect.
According to Shen Shuibei, even a mere Eighth Rank martial arts technique from Luofu Mountain could cause fights and thefts among sects, sufficient to establish a sect's foundation.
And yet, a fragment of this technique had become Pai-bo Technique, enabling a group of boatmen to survive and thrive, treasuring it as their lifeline.
Previously, possessing such a technique would have attracted interest groups and martial artists who would easily kill him to take it away.
Because wealth attracts danger.
But now, Shen Shuibei, with her cute demeanor, casually taught him this technique.
All of this happened within just half a month.
Reality truly was surreal.
Understanding the rarity of this opportunity, Li Qi cherished every moment.
He persisted in practicing both techniques daily, accumulating different types of Qi.
Every early morning, he rose to worship the Eastern Azure Dragon, obtaining Great Forest Wood Qi.
Then, using a peach wood charm engraved with the image of the Household God, he completed his daily Witchcraft rituals.
Next, he traveled during the morning, searching for water sources along the way, and practiced Carp Flow Intent at those locations.
Honestly, practicing Carp Flow Intent was far more strenuous than performing rituals.
Rituals required mental effort, learning etiquette, rules, and protocols, memorizing all procedures, taboos, and requirements meticulously.
These tasks were complex and prone to mistakes, which could nullify previous efforts or even lead to divine rejection, forcing one to abandon that deity.
This was the difficulty of Witchcraft.
Conversely, martial arts were simpler.
Practiced incorrectly? No problem, just try again.
Practiced correctly? Don't get cocky, you'll need to repeat it.
It was a cycle of repetition, constant practice.
Again and again, over and over.
Until the foreign Qi in the body was fully transformed into internal Qi, completing one day's worth of practice, typically taking three hours, leaving Li Qi exhausted and unable to move in the water.
But this was merely the end of training.
He still needed to learn combat techniques.
Namely, martial skills or "martial arts."
Amidst traveling half a day and practicing the other half, time passed day by day.