Chapter 106: Mental Hypnosis
Of course, regarding the twelve forms of birds and beasts, the little girl naturally has her own preferences. Some forms she is more adept at and lively with, while others appear somewhat unfamiliar and stiff.
This phenomenon doesn’t only affect Zhang Miao; it’s a common experience for everyone studying the "Basic Body Forging Exercises"—except for Ling Yi, the creator.
After all, one’s energy is limited, and the twelve forms of birds and beasts are all different.
Even for Zhang Miao, who is not yet six, or adults like her father Ling Xiaoshan, her uncle Zhang Dahe, and her cousin Zhang Lei, they wouldn’t dare claim they’ve perfectly mastered all twelve forms in every aspect.
Pointing out the issues Zhang Miao is currently facing, Ling Yi paused for a few moments to give her time to digest his words.
Seeing the look of confusion on her face, he continued, "Miaomiao, you’re less than a month away from the awakening of your martial soul. My suggestion to you is to focus first on the forms you are most familiar with—the dog, cat, and rabbit forms.
I’ll have Ah Huang and Meow Meow help you, and you should also go to the farm to choose a rabbit you feel a connection to.
Spend time with it, observe its every move…"
"Remember, becoming adept at the movements of the 'Basic Body Forging Exercises' only means you’ve learned, entered the door.
Only when you forget the standard movement routines I taught you and discover movements that suit you the best, feeling your muscles and bones come alive with your heartbeat and breathing in rhythm, can the 'Basic Body Forging Exercises' truly be mastered—”
Listening to Ling Yi, Zhang Miao nodded with a sense of vague understanding.
Beside her, Zhang Lei looked thoughtful, while Ling Shan and Ling Si seemed to be in contemplation.
They had all been through this stage that Zhang Miao was experiencing.
Initially, they all had to learn all twelve forms of birds and beasts in the 'Basic Body Forging Exercises' and, through long-term practice, discern which forms resonated best with them.
Back in the day, Ling Yi had told Zhang Lei this, and Zhang Lei in turn shared it with Ling Xiaoshan, Zhang Dahe, and the others.
This time, it was a coincidence that Ling Yi returned just in time to explain to Zhang Miao, allowing Ling Shan and Ling Si to deepen their understanding as well.
Previously, Zhang Lei simply advised them to focus on the most skilled forms from the twelve bird and beast shapes in the "Basic Conditioning Exercises," practicing those more and maintaining proficiency in the others without regression.
To explain, when Ling Yi first created the "Basic Conditioning Exercises," many movements were derived from observing the postures of Ah Huang and Miao Miao during their walking, sitting, lying, and hunting.
He integrated fragmented routines from broadcast gymnastics, Tai Chi, Eight Extremes, Xing Yi, Wing Chun, and others from the previous world.
With the dog form and cat form, one could exercise the vast majority of human tendons, bones, and muscles.
The subsequent addition of rabbit, bird, bear, ape, and horse forms was not superfluous. On the one hand, it targeted muscles not yet covered, ensuring all areas received suitable training. On the other hand, the overlapping forms provided further enhancement, even if only slightly.
Most importantly, it laid the foundation for creating the "Beast Martial Soul: Xing Yi Fist Form Set."
Having practiced the "Basic Conditioning Exercises" mimicking common animal actions, progressing to involve the beast martial soul and corresponding spirit rings and skills wasn't baseless.
The "Beast Martial Soul: Xing Yi Fist Form Set" currently consists of nine forms. Individually, each is a secret technique to train the physique and can be applied in combat.
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that it was a self-created soul skill derived from soul ring techniques.
The "Basic Conditioning Exercises" in twelve forms can also be practiced individually, each form paired with moves from the "Beast Martial Soul: Xing Yi Fist Form Set," creating a graduated 'legacy'.
After giving an insightful explanation, Ling Yi asked Ling Shan and Ling Si to demonstrate the twelve forms of the "Basic Conditioning Exercises" they had mastered.
After offering guidance similar to what Zhang Miao received, Ling Yi personally took the field and performed the twelve forms of the "Basic Conditioning Exercises" three times.
The first time was at Ling Yi's normal speed, the second at 0.8 times speed, and the third at 0.5 times speed.
In the eyes of his three younger siblings, it was only during the third demonstration that they could keep up with Ling Yi's movements and imprint the essence of the twelve forms deeply in their minds.
"Alright, start now with the full twelve forms, then gradually transition to focusing on the ones you’ve chosen. Right here, give it some thorough consideration—"
Upon hearing this, Ling Shan, Ling Si, and their sibling's eyes gleamed slightly, their expressions dazed.
Without a word, their bodies naturally settled into position and began to move through the forms one by one.
Seeing this, the onlookers Zhang Lei, Zhang Mufeng, Qingqiu Xin, and Long Yin looked on with envy, while Ling Yi remained calm and composed.
Mastering the second stage of deep sleep, paired with spiritual power far exceeding that of soul masters of the same level, Ling Yi found no difficulty in influencing his younger siblings who trusted him deeply. Even strangers with a cautious mindset, unless they had strong mental strength or exceptionally strong willpower, could be led into Ling Yi's rhythm if given time and space, allowing him to hypnotize them.
Just now, the gradually decreasing speed of the three rounds of 'Basic Conditioning Exercises,' along with the mental power channeled by Ling Yi, was enough to immerse Ling Shan and the others into the practice of these exercises.
The effectiveness of learning in a fully concentrated state is something one would know only by experiencing it.
Seeing the three young ones absorbed in their exercises, Ling Yi softly instructed Zhang Xiaoyu and Ling He, who had come over upon hearing the commotion, before leading Zhang Lei, Zhang Mufeng, and the others into the large warehouse behind them.
As they watched Ling Yi and the others leave, Zhang Xiaoyu and Ling He didn't ask much. Instead, they turned to their maids, instructing them to prepare food and water so that Ling Shan and the others could quickly replenish their energy after their training.
Inside the large warehouse, as the wooden door wrapped in thick iron was shut, outside sounds were minimized. Yet, Ling Yi, with his extremely sensitive five senses, could still perceive the movements and breathing rhythms of Ling Shan and the others, and hear the soft instructions his mother Zhang Xiaoyu and aunt Ling He gave.
The quiet warehouse appeared vast at first glance, with rows of tall shelves neatly arranged in an orderly fashion.
Whether it was the first time visitors like Zhang Mufeng and the others or Zhang Lei, who had watched the establishment and setup of this place, the arrangement of these shelves gave a mysterious impression.
Standing at the entrance was acceptable, but as they followed Ling Yi, weaving between the wooden shelves of a natural color, the place where Ling Yi previously fetched the boxes housing 'Blue Silver Grass,' and entered the dark green shelves, a sense of navigating a maze began to emerge.
Long Yin shook his head, the first to regain his senses. He turned and surveyed the surroundings; the previous bewildering feeling had vanished completely, as if it had been merely an illusion caused by changes in light and shadow inside and outside the warehouse.
“Yi…”
Long Yin glanced at Ling Yi, who stood a few meters away. Just as he was about to speak, Ling Yi silently gestured with his right index finger placed against his lips: “Shhh—”
Swallowing both his emerging voice and the doubts in his heart, Long Yin nodded silently and looked towards Qingqiu Xin and Zhang Mufeng, who were still in a daze nearby.
As for Zhang Lei, he was standing next to Ling Yi, casting a regretful glance at Long Yin.
Barely a few seconds passed. As soon as Long Yin received the signal, Qingqiu Xin was the first to snap out of it. Like Long Yin, he shook his head and prepared to speak, only to be stopped by the quick-witted Long Yin.
Following that, after a full ten seconds, Zhang Mufeng shuddered as if from a chill, finally waking up.
“Yi... Yi Bro—” Zhang Mufeng greeted the four pairs of eyes looking at him somewhat blankly, finally meeting Ling Yi’s eyes, which were as calm as an ancient well.
(End of Chapter)