After introducing everyone, Yuan Nandou was about to bring up the topic for discussion when a middle-aged man stood up and said, "Master Yuan, Masters Huo and Li from Hong Kong are here in Donghai to examine residences. Why don't we discuss Yang Zhai feng shui today?"
Seeing that someone wanted to discuss Yang Zhai feng shui, Yuan Nandou looked at the others. No one objected, so he nodded and said, "Alright, let's discuss Yang Zhai feng shui."
There are many schools of thought regarding Yin and Yang Zhai feng shui, but they can be broadly divided into two major factions: the Tianxing School and the Dilü School.
The Tianxing School advocates for observing the stars to determine feng shui, while the Dilü School relies on observing geographical trends.
Donghai's metaphysics includes research into both the Tianxing School and the Dilü School. Soon, the opposing sides began to argue.
Long Xiao merely lowered his head, sipped his tea, and watched the show. Regarding Yin and Yang feng shui, the "Long Zang" offered different perspectives, completely unlike the Tianxing and Dilü Schools.
The two masters from Hong Kong, like Long Xiao, also just drank tea and watched, not participating in the discussion.
An hour passed, and the argument became heated. Everyone knew that these two schools had been arguing for thousands of years without resolution, yet they remained passionate about their debates.
As everyone remained at an impasse, someone asked, "Master Lin, what are your thoughts?"
Lin Wei smiled and said, "I primarily study physiognomy. My research in kanpü is limited, and I don't have any particularly insightful views."
Someone else then asked, "Master Yuan, what do you think?"
Yuan Nandou's primary research was in feng shui kanpü and formation arrays. This manor was arranged by his own hands.
The moment Long Xiao entered the manor, he sensed that the Five Elements' spiritual energy was balanced and dynamic, and richer than in other parts of Donghai.
Yuan Nandou indeed possessed some skill. Long Xiao also put down his teacup, waiting for him to speak.
Before Yuan Nandou could speak, Huo Tianxing said, "Feng shui kanpü is connected to formation arrays; they are natural formations constructed by heaven and earth. Formation arrays emphasize the flow of qi. Whether it's Tianxing or Dilü, as long as the qi flows smoothly, everything is easily resolved."
Feng shui is about wind and water, about capturing essence and qi, and obtaining wind and water for one's own use.
Seeing Huo Tianxing mention formation arrays, Yuan Nandou asked, "Master Huo, natural formation arrays are based on the contours of mountains and rivers, and the configurations of stars. Can man-made formation arrays alter natural formation arrays?"
"As long as one has sufficient strength, of course, they can. However, the waters of Donghai are too shallow to hide a flood dragon. For the people of Donghai, altering natural formation arrays is as difficult as ascending to heaven," Huo Tianxing said with a dismissive curl of his lip.
Huo Tianxing's statement insulted the entire metaphysical community of Donghai. Immediately, someone stood up and began to retort to Huo Tianxing.
Li Chengru let out a cold snort and said, "Your Donghai metaphysical community only knows how to talk. If you could alter natural formation arrays and effectively arrange Yang Zhai, Ji Tianyi wouldn't have had to invite us."
Li Chengru's words utterly belittled the Donghai metaphysical community, portraying them as mere braggarts with no real knowledge.
The words of the two men made the dozen or so people present feel a burning sensation on their faces. Yuan Nandou said, "Master Li, how do you find the arrangement of my manor?"
"Trash."
Li Chengru showed Yuan Nandou no mercy whatsoever. Yuan Nandou's face immediately darkened, and everyone else felt a sense of suffocation.
In Donghai, in the field of feng shui kanpü, Yuan Nandou had the highest level of skill and was recognized as a master of kanpü.
"You call Master Yuan's arrangement trash. If it were you, how would you arrange it?" someone stood up and asked.
"Is there any need to tell you? I'm not your teacher."
"If you can't explain how to arrange it reasonably, on what grounds do you call Master Yuan's arrangement trash?" someone questioned.
Li Chengru chuckled and said, "I call it trash, and there's a reason for it. This manor can neither defend against the invasion of evil spirits nor draw spiritual energy into the body. It only draws spiritual energy into the manor, with limited effect."
Drawing spiritual energy into the manor was already an extraordinary feat. Arranging a formation array to draw spiritual energy directly into the body was almost impossible for humans.
For Long Xiao, arranging a manor to draw in spiritual energy was not difficult, but drawing it into his own body was something even he could not achieve.
Long Xiao looked at Li Chengru curiously, wanting to see how Li Chengru intended to draw spiritual energy into his body.
"Master Li, to my knowledge, drawing a large amount of spiritual energy into the body is extremely difficult. Could you demonstrate it?" Long Xiao said.
Li Chengru looked at Long Xiao, his eyes filled with disdain.
Apart from Long Xiao, the others present were not young; none were even forty years old, with the youngest being forty-seven or forty-eight.
"You little brat who knows nothing, you want me to demonstrate drawing spiritual energy for you? Do you think this is a monkey show?"
"Do you not want to do it, or can you not do it?" Long Xiao asked again.
Li Chengru was a renowned feng shui master in Hong Kong, respected by all circles. No one dared to speak to him without the utmost politeness.
Long Xiao's words completely enraged him. Li Chengru looked at Long Xiao and said coldly, "You want to see drawing spiritual energy into the body? Fine, I'll show you today, but don't regret it."
"Why would I regret it? Everyone wants to see how you can draw spiritual energy into a person's body."
"Spiritual energy is invisible and intangible, so to know if spiritual energy has entered the body, one must experience it personally."
Having said this, Li Chengru looked at Long Xiao, a cunning smile on his face, and continued, "You want to know if I can draw spiritual energy into the body? You'll know by experiencing it yourself."
Long Xiao had initially thought he was just boasting, but he didn't expect him to actually try.
Long Xiao nodded and said, "Alright, I will experience it personally."
Lin Wei found the situation suspicious and worried that Li Chengru had ill intentions. "Long Xiao, drawing spiritual energy into the body is very dangerous. You shouldn't try it."
Li Chengru said, "Exactly. If you don't have the guts, don't try it. It's not hard to be a coward. That way, if something happens to you, I won't have to bear any responsibility."
Long Xiao's understanding of qi had reached a very high level. He believed that even if a large amount of qi entered his body, there would be no danger.
"Don't worry, I won't make you responsible."
Li Chengru stood up and said, "Good, everyone heard it. I will now perform the demonstration of drawing spiritual energy into the body. If anything happens to this young man, it will be his own fault, and it will have nothing to do with me."
Yuan Nandou, Hua Xianfeng, and a few others also wanted to stop Long Xiao from trying, but Long Xiao refused them all.
Everyone followed Li Chengru out of the pavilion and went to a patch of bushes.
Li Chengru surveyed the surrounding environment and said, "Good, this spot will do."
Long Xiao stood in the spot Li Chengru had chosen. Li Chengru had his assistant take out several magical artifacts from his bag and began to set up a formation array around Long Xiao.
Li Chengru set up the formation array quickly, but every movement was meticulously memorized by Long Xiao.
As soon as the formation array was completed, Long Xiao understood that this formation array could indeed draw out some of the qi from Xipíng Mountain.
What people call spiritual energy is a portion of qi in nature that is suitable for absorption by the human body. The content of spiritual energy varies depending on the environment.
Xipíng Mountain has ordinary terrain and does not gather much spiritual energy. Even if a grand spirit-gathering array were set up here, it would not draw much spiritual energy.