CHAPTER 1-20
Initial Understanding and Innate Traits:
the His name, Li Yuan, means "The Root of Immortality and the Beginning of Understanding," indicating his destiny to understand profound things.
the Since birth, his eyes as gray as the stormy sky showed an understanding far beyond his years, as if his soul had lived many times.
the It is born with a destiny that is not written with ordinary ink, but with the imprint of understanding and the mystery of the Dao itself.
the Since childhood, he has expressed a desire to "understand the world... not just live in it." He possesses a "secret" that only Fan Tu can sense, as if the river speaks to him in a way that other children cannot. This initial conversation is "the beginning of a greater understanding."
Enlightenment Through Dreams/Visions:
the In a dream that was not just a dream, a formless voice spoke to him: "Understanding does not begin with learning… but with feeling."
the The vision also teaches: "The river flows… because it knows its way. And you too will flow… toward your own path."
the Upon waking, he knew that "something had awakened" within him, it was a "calling" that had opened "the first door on a path no one had ever trodden."
Initial Understanding of Nature and Consciousness:
the As he washed his face in the river, he could feel the flow of the water, as if he understood why it moved the way it did. He murmured: "Water doesn't choose its path… it just follows the lowest path."
the In the fields, he could feel the soil "talk" and distinguish between nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor areas. He could also sense tiny insects not with his eyes, but through his "calm awareness."
the He felt "the world slowly opening itself up to him, revealing hidden layers," and these layers were not about power… but about understanding.
Insights from Old Masters and Deep Learning:
the From his old teacher, he learned that "a written character is not just a shape… every stroke carries meaning, and every meaning can open the door to understanding."
the The knowledge he received became the "seed of true insight," he realized that the lesson was not just about letters, but "about seeing the world through words." Every sentence, poem, even silence that the teacher taught "seemed to carry a weight that words cannot express."
the He understood that "the wisest people are sometimes not the ones who live in palaces—but the ones who sit in rickety huts, speaking softly." His old teacher was "a remnant of another era—a scholar who had left the world for something far greater: truth."
the His old teacher's final words opened up a new perspective on the "opportunities," "understanding," and "meanings" that could be found in books. "The first gate of understanding has opened."
Understanding of the Hidden Library:
the When he found the library, a voice in his heart said: "Knowledge is never lost… it just waits for the right soul to find it.".
the After reading an older book, he understood that "Water… is not just a substance. It is the essence of adaptation and tranquility." He realized that "if you can feel the true nature of water, then you have touched one of the Laws of the World." This was "the beginning of something vast," namely "one who understands—not because he is taught, but because he feels."
the After understanding the essence of water, his previously silent soul "began to speak… a soft, soothing, but meaningful voice."
the He found the Inner Realm, "the place where understanding resides," and "the place where the Dao begins to grow—in silence, in stillness, and under pressure.". The sense of tightness he felt was not a burden, but rather "an insight waiting to be born.".
the He knew that "before insight can become power… it must be received, felt, and understood."
Understanding Through Loss and Life Purpose:
the After his mother's death, he said: "Mother has only returned… to the place of beginning." and "She lives in every step I take." This shows a deep understanding of the cycle of life and death and the eternal existence of loved ones within oneself.
the Losing her mother sparked a "new fire" in her, not anger, but a "deep determination" to keep going so her mother would know it was okay.
the He understands the purpose of his strength: "I want to become stronger… not for revenge, not for fighting… but so that I won't lose again… so that I can protect the people who are left."
the The Ancient Hidden Library became "a gateway… not only to knowledge, but to understanding the meaning of life itself.".
the He reads ancient writings and understands that "in every brokenness, a soul still stands. In every loss, an understanding grows." He realizes that "the traces left behind are not just words—but feelings. And those feelings will be his guide."
the He felt that reading old books was like "living in someone else's life," and that his village, Ziran, had "a deep history beneath its quiet exterior."
the He understands that books are not just to be read, but "to be lived," and that he must "wander the world. Feel it. Live it. And… understand," beyond the village boundaries.
the He understands that life is not only about strength, but also about "small habits that cultivate maturity."
Understanding Martial Arts and True Power:
the He understood that martial arts was not just about physical strength, but about "the rhythm of breathing, calmness of mind, and stability of steps."
the He understands the importance of foundations: "Foundations… Like roots to a tree… like the first stone of a temple…" The strength he received from his father is "an inheritance," "a bond between father and son," and "the first step… toward strength not only in the hands, but also in the heart."
the From ancient books, he learned that "Martial arts is not just about strength. It is the calm before the storm. An unreadable movement. An unheard breath. If all you see is the sword, you have misunderstood."
the He realized that "your movements are not just flesh—they are intention." And most importantly: "A wrong movement with a wrong intention becomes murder. But a right movement, with a pure heart, is the protection of life."
the He concluded that "true strength may not be about who hits harder, but about who understands himself more deeply."
the He understands that while not yet great, he is "moving forward every day. And with each step, he becomes sharper, stronger, and deeper in his understanding."
the When he explains why he trains in martial arts, he reiterates his goal: "I want to explore the world. I want to walk… feel… understand. The world is vast. I don't know what I'll encounter… but I want to be able to protect myself."
the He understands that his friend Fan Tu's motivation to protect his family is "noble." He also realizes that he, Mu Yi, and Fan Tu each have their own reasons for becoming strong.
the He understands that weapons are not just tools for killing, but "a reflection of one's way of life."
the He felt that "the world was changing… and I had to be ready."
the At Qinglong Academy, he observes that the building is "no ordinary place" and that "the whole place feels like a living body channeling energy." He also has a keen understanding that the academy may be "a place to filter people. As if they were looking for someone—for something greater," and that those who fail may not be sent home.
the He accepts his destiny as a "special power" or "guardian" for the unseen world, stating that if the world needs light, he must be "a flame… even if it means I have to burn in the process.".
the He understands Yu Shan's teachings that peak martial arts not only destroy, but also "liberate," "rule the battlefield without a sword," and "stop the slaughter with a single glance."
the She understands that "everything… begins with breath," and that "it's not just your body that breathes… but your soul too." Breathing exercises feel like "coming home. Coming home to oneself."
the Reading "The Roots of the Soul," he understood that "The world is not shaped by force, but by consciousness," and that "Breath is the beginning of all movement. In stillness, breath finds its purest form. The soul is not energy, but the center of understanding—the consciousness that shapes and gives meaning to all things."
the He realized that "in every true martial art movement, it is not muscle strength that decides—but the understanding of time, space, and breath."
the He understood that "Silence is the key. In silence, we can hear the heartbeat of the world. In silence, we can understand the breath of heaven and earth." The book taught him to "cultivate consciousness," not qi.
the "Don't pursue power. Pursue understanding. Because with understanding, the world will bow to you—without you having to raise your hand." This is the core philosophy.
the He realized that "Breath does not belong only to the body. Breath is the way the soul speaks to the world." He chose "the path of understanding, not conquest."
the He understood that "true change… always begins in the unseen."
the His inner realm began to take shape, and he understood that it was a "mental and spiritual space born not of force, but of true understanding."
the He understood that water represents "the softness that carves," fire is "will, it is determination," and silence is "the understanding of silence. Of the silence that penetrates." Each realization forms part of his inner nature, and this does not arise from desire, but rather "true understanding."
the It concludes: "The outer world has limits. But the inner world—if shaped by insight—may be limitless.". He is determined to "understand… until the world within me is complete.".
the In every fight, he wins because "he understands the rhythm—the rhythm of the body, the rhythm of the breath, and the rhythm of the fight," and can read the direction and intentions of his opponent.
the He doesn't use weapons because he "doesn't understand weapons yet," and he "won't touch what I don't understand."
the After injuring a tree with his blow, he understands that power must be wielded with awareness, not pride, because "with every growing power comes a heavier consequence."
the He vowed: "I don't want to be strong enough to kill. I want to understand... until my strength becomes a way to protect, not to destroy."
the Wen Zhi, the head of the academy, observed that Li Yuan's movements were not merely imitating the form, but rather "he understood it," and "his understanding of breath was beyond ordinary." This demonstrated Li Yuan's profound and intuitive understanding.
the Li Yuan himself felt "being watched" and wondered "Is the world… also watching me back?" This demonstrates his intuitive awareness of his relationship with the world.
CHAPTER 21-40
Li Yuan has developed a variety of profound insights throughout his journey, which have not only shaped who he is but also influenced how he interacts with the world.
Understanding Breath and the World
the Li Yuan began to wonder if the world was asking how deeply he understood his breath.
the He realized that breath is the bridge between the body and the world, and when breath and steps are in harmony, understanding is born.
the He also understood that his breath was not only his own, but he borrowed it from the world.
the For Li Yuan, breath is the bridge between consciousness and the world.
the He even reached a point where he no longer breathed because he had surpassed the need for breath, demonstrating his existence beyond physical limits.
the Li Yuan understood that steps are part of the breath, and the breath is part of the world.
Understanding Strategy and True Power
the Li Yuan began to see strategy not only as a matter of war, but as human understanding, where weakness, confidence, hope, and fear can be used as weapons.
the He understood that true strategy was not about winning battles, but rather making the enemy believe there was no battle.
the True strength lies not in killing, but in knowing when and why something must be destroyed.
the True martial arts is not about how hard you hit, but how deep your understanding is.
the Killing is not the goal, but rather understanding teaches when to hold back and when to finish.
Understanding Yourself and the Inner Realm
the Li Yuan realized that understanding was not only about the outside world, but also about the world within himself.
the He believed that if he could not understand himself, how could he understand the world?
the Her inner world is shaped by her understanding. Each understanding creates ripples that affect her soul and the outer world.
the He is the unifier of all that he has understood.
the Li Yuan understood that the deeper he went within himself, the wider the world he discovered.
Understanding of the Elements of Nature and Main Concepts (Inner Realm)
the Understanding Water: Learning to flow, taking any shape, holding on without resistance, and finding strength in surrendering without breaking. The river in her soul now flows gently, maintaining freshness and balance.
the Stillness: The foundation of clear vision, seeing things as they are without the cloud of emotion, desire, or fear. Not everything needs to be confronted with force; some things can only be known by standing still and letting the world speak.
the Understanding Absence: Walking without leaving a trace, moving without being noticed. This is not physical absence, but rather the absence of ego. When there is no need to be seen or the desire to stand out, the world ceases to react, and existence becomes light.
the Understanding Fear: Fear is not an enemy, but rather an honest and harsh teacher. Fear is a shadow of what is not yet understood, and it dissolves as understanding grows. Li Yuan learned to control others and himself through understanding fear. Fear, understood, ceases to be an enemy and becomes a guide.
the Understanding the Sky: Space to grow—boundless, open, free. Teaching him to rise, see the whole, and not limit his existence.
the Understanding Earth: The foundation—the place from which all things arise and return. Teaching her that every step matters, and with every breath that touches the ground, she becomes more at one with the world. She understands the Earth as a mirror of what is within her. Her breath touches the Earth to move silently and stand firm.
Understanding the Relationship between Self and the World (Resonance)
the Resonance: His understanding radiates outward, affecting the world around him. For example, when he understands silence, the sounds around him fade; when he understands water, dew forms on his skin during meditation; when he understands nothingness, others often fail to notice. This is an unspoken acknowledgement and acceptance of the world itself.
the He began to walk with the world, not just in it.
the Confessions are not always voiced; sometimes the world speaks in ways that only those who are truly silent can hear.
Understanding Movement and Steps
the Every movement, no matter how small, is part of understanding. Steps are the most honest form of body language.
the He developed a martial art of moving silence, where steps are silent and attacks are invisible, yet still hit.
the The Art of Disappearing in One Step: Moving is not about shifting one's body, but about shifting one's existence. He understands how to move without disturbing the world, like a leaf floating without breaking the air.
the His steps are not just a way of moving, but an understanding, a martial art, and his identity.
Understanding Existence and Purpose
the Li Yuan understood that his presence was rooted in the hearts of everyone in the academy, even though he had disappeared from sight.
the The goal shifted from being a killer to clarity and understanding.
the The goal is not the finish line, but the way forward.
the He is the "path" itself, not just following the path.
the The world does not need to be conquered, it only needs to be understood.
Further Understanding
the Understanding how to ask questions and create a new inner world (Realm of Questions). This realm arises from doubt, curiosity, and the humility to admit that one does not yet know everything.
the An understanding that truth is not always visible, and that wisdom is not always noisy.
the The understanding that places can hold feelings and memories, and that the world is deep, not just vast.
the Understanding that continuous questioning is essential to continued understanding; to stop asking is to stop understanding.
the Understanding humility in understanding: true understanding is not about knowing, but about accepting that you do not yet know.
the Understanding about writing is understanding his life, not just with ink.
the Understanding of time as the breath of the world, and that understanding can also grow from lost time.
the The understanding that his unseen childhood footprints were the first paths that shaped him.
the Understanding of "sky song" as a feeling that arises when there is silence and realizing that the world is still speaking.
the The understanding of the "Silent Knock" from within himself as a call from a deeper understanding, leading him home to his center.
CHAPTER 41-60
Li Yuan was a figure whose journey was driven by a search for profound understanding, not power or immortality. Throughout his story, he attained several important insights about himself, the world, and the unique cultivation path he created, the Daojing. Here are all of Li Yuan's key insights as described in the sources:
Principles of Journey and Self:
The True Journey is an Inward Journey: His journey wasn't just about moving forward in the external world, but also about moving inward. The path he took wasn't always visible to the eye. He believed that understanding never comes to those who stop moving. Personal Understanding vs. External Guidance: His understanding must not come from the path shown by others, for that would not be his true understanding. Steps that come from within do not seek direction, but rather reveal depth. Movement of Body and Soul: A step taken outward moves the body, but a step taken inward brings the soul. The Need to Move On: Staying too long in one place would freeze his steps. Seven days was enough, he had come to the city to witness, not to stay. Not Sticking to the Final Purpose: The purpose is not always at the end. Sometimes, it hides at every step. It walks not to arrive, but to understand.
Understanding of Existence and Nature:
The Meaning of Falling and Existence: He asks if he too should learn to fall fearlessly, like a leaf that accepts change. He also understands that a flower lives not because of its name or to be known, but because that is its essence. Presence in Silence: Silence is not emptiness, but rather a gentle gesture, a whisper from the natural world speaking. Silence is where nature speaks. Silence is a space full of presence, holding time, change, questions, and unspoken answers. The silence that envelops it is not emptiness, but an embrace. The World Doesn't Wait, Nor Doesn't Forsake: He felt that the world doesn't wait for anyone, but it doesn't forsake anyone either. As long as one listens, feels, and is present, the world will be present with one. Understanding from Small and Unseen Things: Understanding doesn't always come from big things, sometimes it comes from things we don't notice, that arise in silence, that persist without praise, that exist even though they are not recognized. Not Every Place Needs a Name, Not Every Moment Needs a Purpose: There is a time to be still, to be quiet, and to listen. Seeing the World Through Immobility: Being still is not about hiding from the world, but about knowing the world through immobility. Understanding is not only about what he sees, but also about what he feels when he sees nothing. The Language of the Sky: The sky never answers, but always watches. The sky does not speak like humans; it speaks through time. When the wind moves, it is a letter. When clouds float, it is a sentence. When night falls silently, it is a dot. Silence Shapes Himself: Silence has shaped and awakened him that the people who talk the most are often the ones who say nothing at all. The Light That Wants to Be Kept: Not all light wants to shine. Some just want to be kept, to be remembered, to be part of time, to be stillness. Stillness is a Subtle Movement: Even stillness, in fact, is a movement so subtle that it is invisible to the eye. The Nature of Breath: Each breath leaves a trace in one's body, and one is perhaps the sum of all the breaths one has ever taken. To stop breathing is not to stop life, but to return to the source—the source before air, before form, before movement. The Worldless Essence: He understands himself without breath, without the world; only understanding remains. The light of his essence does not move, because it is not part of time. It does not shine brightly, because it does not want to be seen, only felt. Breath as a Choice: Every breath he takes is no longer a necessity, but a choice to live, to exist, to move forward without ever forgetting the breath that is not moving. Fear as a Door: Fear is not about shadows or death, but rather when one's understanding fails to explain what has been experienced. Fear is a door, a door to greater depths. If one rejects fear, one rejects the path that might lead one further. One also realizes that as one passes through time, time begins to notice one. Nature Is Never Silent: Nature is never completely silent; it is the people who do not hear it. Nature does not seek rulers, but listeners. Wisdom from Ordinary Life: There is wisdom that doesn't come from scripture, but from the slow pace of life. Sometimes, the deepest understanding comes from observing ordinary things. Breath and Everyday Life: Everyone breathes, but not everyone realizes they are living. Everyday life is a never-ending lesson. Understanding comes from observing the world without wanting to change it. Travel as Learning: Travel isn't just about moving forward, it's also about stopping and sharing. Sometimes, it's not the food that makes a person alive, but the moment of sharing that food.
Understanding the Daojing System and Cultivation:
The Space of Understanding: Every understanding gives birth to form, and every form creates space. The understandings he gains do not remain still, but create a place: The Space of Understanding. This space is where time flows differently, calm becomes power, fear takes form, and he can grow without limits. Building His Own World: He doesn't need to understand the external world if he can build his own world from understanding. Every truly touching understanding changes something. He has touched the understanding behind understanding—the root that allows understanding itself to be known. The Path Never Traveled: The path never traveled is a path born from within, not inherited, not demonstrated, not imposed, but rather formed from each understanding that continually reaches deeper. This path is not simply a ground to walk on, but a ground from which understanding grows, and each step is a resonance of meaning. This path is a reflection of its own transformation. Daojing: The Path of Meaning: He realized that his power came not from energy, techniques, bloodlines, or inheritance, but from meaning. He created his own cultivation system that did not use Qi or external forces, which he called Daojing.
the The Dao is a path, not a path of foot, but a path of understanding.
the Jing is a realm, not a place occupied by the body, but a realm through which the soul passes. Jing is also a state of calm and awareness.
The First Realm of Daojing: Ganjing: This realm is the beginning. He called it Ganjing (感境) – the Realm of Feeling. Ganjing is not about power, but about touching the essence of things.
the In Ganjing, one begins to truly experience the world, not with mind or Qi, but with understanding.
the In Ganjing, one can: hear the meaning behind a sound, feel the presence of something without needing to see it, understand the direction of the rain without looking up at the sky, feel the heartbeat of the earth beneath its motionless surface.
the Ganjing is not cultivated by effort, but is entered into through immobility.
Daojing differs from other cultivation methods: Other cultivators have been striving to conquer and impose, so they have forgotten how to feel. They want to know everything, but never truly feel anything. The Daojing system is not meant to dominate the world, but to understand it. Daojing is not about resistance or conquest, but about understanding and then transcending. While other cultivators form their inner worlds from energy, he forms his from meaning. Resonance of the Inner and Outer Worlds: One's inner world—Zhenjing—resonates with the rhythm of the outer world. Understanding can be shared, and the inner world can respond to the outer world, generating collective resonance. Understanding belongs not to one person, but to the world. And when the world begins to understand, resonance is born. Becoming a Center of Growth: Her presence in the village becomes a center of growth, not a center of power, because wherever life flows, understanding can grow. The world of Zhenjing grows because her presence awakens understanding in others. Mirror of Intentions: The world responds to Li Yuan. When people look at him, they see a reflection of their own intentions. Li Yuan is the "Mirror of Intentions" who shows others what they hide from themselves, without judgment. The World that Observes and Responds: The world is watching him. The world has eyes that see not with lenses, but with countless experiences—the collective consciousness of all existence. He is learning to meet the gaze of the world, not to resist, but to merge. His Ganjing realm is not merely a personal feeling, but a space where personal understanding meets the living world.
Enlightenment and the True Self:
Enlightenment is a Return: Enlightenment is not a great event that descends from the sky, not a divine force that destroys a mountain, not a light that splits heaven and earth. Enlightenment is back. Back to the beginning, back to the roots, back to where it all began. Enlightenment Grows from Within: Everything he understood—water, stillness, fear, formless movement, the resonance of the world, nothingness—all came from the same place, and that place was not outside, but within. Enlightenment was not something to be sought outside, but something that had been growing all along, we had just forgotten to see it. Self-Righteousness as True Enlightenment: He doesn't feel powerful or special, but he feels right with his path, his understanding, and himself. Perhaps that is true enlightenment: not because the world recognizes him, heaven grants him, or the enemy cannot defeat him, but because for the first time he understands why he walks. Accepting Weakness as Strength: Accepting the parts of yourself that are still incomplete is not a weakness, but rather the first strength on the path to enlightenment. Understanding is not about who is right, but about what has been learned from one's own shortcomings and darkness.
Understanding Water (The Basic Foundation):
Water is the Secret of the World: Water is not just a flowing substance, but a presence that holds the secrets of the world. The Persistence of Water: Water does not resist or resist, but it wears away stone. It is calm but not dead, flowing but not in a hurry. It can be gentle like mist, or violent like a storm. It embraces every form, yet never loses its own nature. Water is patience. Water never rushes, but always reaches its destination. Water as a Teacher: Water teaches gentleness, flexibility, and perseverance. The Sincerity of Water: Rain never chooses where it falls; it blesses all equally, without distinction of stone and earth, grass and steel. That is the sincerity of water. Water Shapes His Way of Thinking: Since childhood, water has shaped his way of thinking: he is not quick to anger, does not go against the current, and chooses to be calm and learn. The Power of Gentleness: If the world were fire, it would be water. If the world were demanding, it would flow. Water makes no sound, yet it carves valleys. From gentleness, strength is born. From acceptance, freedom. And from understanding, the path of cultivation without Qi arises.
Li Yuan is a creator of meaning, and it is meaning that shapes his world.
CHAPTER 61-80
Of course, here is a list of insights Li Yuan gained, taken from the sources you provided:
Li Yuan felt his consciousness begin to tremble; something quieter and more personal was stirring within him. Her inner world trembled, as if a thin curtain was beginning to part. A point of light appeared in his inner darkness, a recognition that he had achieved something beyond words. Li Yuan sees himself, the world, and the thin line that connects the two. When he realized that, a gate opened inside him. A space formed within him: Calm, Silent, Empty, but not emptiness; a place not made, but found; a space not explored by steps, but by understanding. He knew: The world within him had been born. He saw a glimpse of understanding in his reflection in the well, realizing that the outer world no longer stood alone; it was a mirror of the inner world. He whispered, "The outer world… reflects the inner world." In a drop of water, he saw mountains, villages, and himself sitting, silent, observing. He saw a choice: that everything he understood would reflect back into the world. He knew: "The inner gate opens the mirror outside" and "The world is no longer a place separate from me". He knew: From then on, every understanding would not only change him but would also shape the reality around him. He understood that the outside world was not a territory to be conquered, but rather a territory that responded to the understanding he brought into it. He realized that the world also breathes. Her breath became a bridge between her and the world; the wind on her skin was a response, and the falling leaves moved by resonance, not just gravity. Li Yuan began to feel the breath of the world: slow, deep, unhurried. He dives into the breath of the earth and sky that continues unaffected by major changes. He understood: "This is Daojing… Not to take from the world, but to become one with it". Within him, Zhenjing began to grow, filled with true breath, a single consciousness that flowed with each breath. He meditated to understand, and that understanding would change everything. Li Yuan understood that the cracking of the stone was not due to force, but rather to harmony, a breath that was in harmony with the fundamental order of the world. He wondered, "Is this what the ancestors meant... by one breath, a thousand ripples?" Within his Zhenjing, a nameless lake appeared, its waters formed from understanding, reflecting the deepest truth. He understood that this was not the end, but just one breath. He began to notice something he had never felt before: not a voice that could be heard, but a voice that was never spoken. The stones beneath his feet seemed to whisper with complaints, not from being stepped on, but from being forgotten. The passing wind is not just wind, but a message that is never fully written down. The fallen leaves seemed to sing a long farewell that no one could ever truly understand. He whispered, "They all spoke… But none of them spoke in words." For him, silence has become the deepest conversation. His insights into the Zhenjing gave him the understanding that sound need not come from the mouth, for the world itself speaks without ever uttering a word. He understood that the crow was watching him not because he wanted to know who he was, but rather to see if he could also hear his silence. He realized: "This path… leads nowhere, except inward." He called it the "Bridge Inward," built from understanding. He began to realize: Zhenjing was not just a place, but a map of his journey of understanding. Every time he understood, nature within him responded by creating something. He understood: "The journey within… is not to be pursued, but always to be discovered." He muttered: "This mist… isn't just a veil. It feels like… a memory." He realized that the mist brought back all the understandings he had ever gone through, all the feelings he had ever buried, every breath he had taken in silence. He understood that it was not his memory, but the memory of the world itself. He whispered, "The world remembers… and I now walk among its memories." His Zhenjing opened something: the Door of Memory. He understood: "To understand what lies ahead, sometimes one must walk through what the world has forgotten." He heard a shadow say that he wasn't ready to name it yet, but that it would stay with him until his understanding grew enough to recognize what he had been through. He realized that the world was answering him for the first time. He began to realize that this world—both within him and without—was always breathing, like a breath that connected origin and direction, stillness and movement, emptiness and form. He understood that he was no longer breathing from the body, but from the world itself. He heard a voice: "Before there was Dao, before there was law, even before understanding, there was I—the Oldest Breath." In one breath, he felt: The first sun-warmed stone, the first rippling water, the first falling leaf, and the first understanding born of silence. He didn't gain strength or technique, but he remembered, and that was much deeper than the others. He named it: "They call you Dao. They call you Heaven. But you… are the Oldest Breath." Something inside him opened, like an invisible gate—a threshold between the outer world and the inner world, between time and eternity. His breath became calm, not just as a tool for living, but as a knot between reality and understanding. One breath, one world shift; he had entered the Daojing Path. A world unfolded within him, born of his understanding—the understanding of stillness, breath, and motionlessness. He realized: the outer world and the inner world are not two separate realms; they are connected through the breath, and meditation is the invisible bridge that connects the two. His understanding grew, forming new inner structures, and the Ganjing Realm lived in every beat of his heart. He heard a silent voice: "It's not time that changes you… it's understanding." He saw shadows like memories of a life not yet lived. He understood: The Daojing Path is not about strength or speed in cultivation, but rather a path to understanding the world, and more deeply to understanding existence. His entire being was enveloped in silence; his soul resonated with something indescribable: the First Breath, the origin of all things, a gentle vibration—eternal, the Oldest Breath. In that vibration, he slowly dissolved, no longer "Li Yuan," but a part of everything. He understood the silence of the stone. He caught the reflection of the lake—the ungraspable one. He knows the earth never stands still. He realized that in five days in the outside world, he had gone through fifty years of inner learning, and this was only the beginning of the Daojing Path. His meditations redefine cultivation as profound understanding rather than mere progress. His breath was no longer just breath, but a light that burned from within, a light within the breath. He knew: this light was not meant to be seen, but to be felt. His breath became a bridge, connecting him to the world. He understood: "This path is not meant to be rushed. This path… is meant to shine slowly." He knew: the light within the breath would guide him, step by step. He understood: Coming home wasn't about making up for lost time, but about filling the space that remained. He understood: Daojing didn't just understand the outside world. It's also about understanding what can't be left out. He understood that the earth remembered him. He declared, "I… am part of this place," by knocking on the ground twice. He understands: Love doesn't always require a lot of words. He ponders: "Is this home a place… or a feeling?", "Is my home my father… or a past version of myself?". He realized: "Home is a place where silence does not drive me away." He realized: "A place where I don't have to be anything." He realized: Home never leaves. He realized: "Maybe home is not a shelter from the outside world… But a place where my inner world… feels enough." He pondered: "Is that what home is? A place where the past is not denied?" He understood: "Home is the understanding… that I don't have to look for myself… Because I'm never really lost." He understood: Rivers do not change; only those who grow too far. He understood: Not everything can be told; some things can only be understood. He whispered in his heart: "I can destroy it… or I can make it disappear. But what is power, if not used for understanding?" He felt something from the water: not power, not aura… but meaning. He understood: The library taught him how to see, not how to fight. He understood: "These books… are not about strength. They are about those who came before us—how they failed, and how they finally understood". He understood: "They don't see this place, because they don't look for it. They look for power. I look for… understanding." From the writing in the untitled book, he understood that the author was not a cultivator, never sought power, only listened. He understood from the book: The author rejected cultivation not because he was weak, but because he felt he was stealing from himself. He understood from the book: The author heard a voice from within that did not speak in words. He understood from the book: The writer is no longer lost because he is not walking to arrive, but rather walking to understand. He understood from the book: "If you read this, then don't follow my path. Your own path… is enough." He realized: "These people don't want to be followed. But they show me that understanding doesn't come from finding direction—it comes from listening to your own steps." He felt a vibration like a distant echo, like a sound that didn't use sound, and wondered if this was the next realm. He understood about falling leaves: it takes a whole season for them to fall. He understood: "Understanding… is not measured by how long it takes." He understood: "Flying is not about speed… but about knowing the direction of the wind." He understands about teaching children: it's a small, quiet step, but it can have meaning. He realized: The world silently records small decisions that might change things. He calculated: The village had more than a hundred inhabitants, and among them, eight children were still open to learning to read the world. He believes: "Knowledge is not something that can be bought, but rather understanding that must be cultivated." He taught: The character for humans (人) means not that we are tall, but that we stand. He taught: The character for mountain (山) does not speak, but teaches silence. He mused: "Maybe this is my path now—to teach words, while discovering new understandings about the world and myself." He observed Shui: the child learned differently, not through repetition, but through absorption. He understood Shui's explanation of 'hearing': it contained 'ears', 'eyes', and 'heart'. He understood Shui's answer: "Sometimes… the birds are louder than you. But… I hear everything." He realized: Shui wasn't just absorbing lessons—he was absorbing the rhythm of the world. He wrote in his mind: "Today, I found a student. But maybe I won't be the one to teach him. Maybe I'll just watch… him grow, like the sky watches a flower bloom." He taught about water: "Everyone lives from water, but not everyone learns from it." He taught about water: "Water does not force its way, it flows to the lowest place. But that is precisely how it penetrates the rock. Water can be as gentle as dew, or sweeping like a flood. But it never ceases to be itself." He taught: "Characters aren't just things to read about… They're windows. Open one, and you see the world. Open deeper… and you see yourself." He confirmed: "Yes, and we all learn to flow." He taught about the wind: "You can't see the wind… But don't we always know when it's coming? The wind moves the leaves, carries sounds, cools the skin. It's invisible, but it leaves traces." He taught: "The wind is like a thought. You can't touch it, but it can change your path." He taught: "This character… is the form of something that has no form." He taught: "Writing characters is not just about drawing shapes. You have to feel them. Let your hand move like the wind itself—gently, but with direction." He understood from the child's murmur ("The wind comes and goes, but it never stays"): "That's why understanding sometimes comes without us realizing it, and goes away before we can hold it." He taught: The three characters (Silence, Longing, Understanding) are not in any book because they have never been written before. He taught: Silence cannot be written; it only appears when you are truly alone—and unafraid. He taught: Longing cannot be read; it is something you feel, when you long for something you don't even fully understand. He taught: Understanding is not something given; it comes, when your heart is quiet enough to hear the world speak. He realized that teaching letters touched his heart: the children wrote with dirty hands, but their hearts were clean; their voices changed not because they knew more, but because they began to feel. He felt the urge to stay. He understood: It wasn't the characters they would remember, but the feeling of writing their own names for the first time. He realized: He came to the village so that he, too, could be known… by the world he had forgotten. He taught about water: "Not from books, but from rivers, from rain, from the tears in your wife's eyes when she is sad." He taught about the earth: "It's under your feet every day. But that doesn't mean you know its name." He taught: "We don't learn to surpass others. We learn… so we don't get lost when we speak. So the world knows we were here." He asserted: As long as one can still see and hear, as long as one's heart still desires, then yes—it is always possible to learn to read. He understood: Those letters from parents were for children who never had a chance to grow up. He taught: "Before this, the earth only knew your footsteps. Now, it knows who you are." He taught: "A name carved in stone may be lost to time. But the name you write on this earth—it will be imprinted in the heart." He knew: The names were no longer written in the ground—but in themselves. He taught Meng about the earth: It didn't start out perfect, it received rain, it stepped on, it was dirtied, but it always received—and reciprocated. He taught Meng: "It's not about being perfect… It's about having the courage to finish." He taught Meng: "The letter is yours. It doesn't have to look like anyone else's." He taught Meng: "It's not about right or wrong. It's about starting to write. And choosing to finish it." He whispered in his heart: "We all write only one letter in life… and try to write the next one". He asserted: "Even if you draw a slash on the board, as long as your intention is to say who you are, the world will understand." He noted: "They once knew no letters, Now the letters have become part of them." He understands about the blank slate: It is "For those who have not written their names. Because not everyone dares to say, 'I am'". He knew: "You don't just give them names. You give them the courage to fill the space." He knew: those names—though simple—shined in the darkness like tiny stars finally finding their way into the sky. He corrected the children: "Don't call me teacher… I'm just someone who walks a few steps ahead of you. What I know isn't necessarily true. What you understand may one day be deeper than I ever could." He taught about 'Life' (生): "Characters are just symbols. Life is the movement behind them." He lets children make mistakes: "Understanding does not come from instant correction, but from the courage to keep trying." He knew: He was not a guru, but if his journey could enlighten even one soul, then that was enough. He understands: "Understanding is not about teaching. It's about walking together". He gained a deep understanding: Learning is not about being smart; it's not just about knowing letters or sentences. Learning is a path that binds the heart. Bond with memory. Bonds with those who are gone, but still live in us. He told the child: "This character… is not just on the board. It is written in your heart." He felt: letters could be a bridge between this world and the world beyond. He knew: "Words may be forgotten. But characters written with the heart will remain forever." She knows when children ask, "Why does this word sound like water?" or "Why does this character feel like wind?": those are the questions that lead to understanding. He realized: "Character shapes words. Words shape understanding. And understanding shapes the world within." He knew: "Respect is not demanded. It grows from sincere silence." He knew: "And a person who is understood will be honored not by his voice, but by his presence." He told the travelers that Ziran village was peaceful "Because no one is being chased here". He told the tourists it was "A place to walk. And sometimes, stop". He answered the question about becoming a teacher: "I don't know enough to teach yet." He told the young man: "Maybe I am just a mirror… so they can see themselves more clearly." He understands: "Sometimes, small places can open up vast understandings." He understood: "And the one who does not claim to know… may teach everything." He whispered in his heart: "Everyone leaves something behind. Even when they don't mean to." He knew: "The steps left behind are not always meant to be followed. But to remind us… that someone once walked there." He noted about the children making nameplates: it was a sign that they had learned something that couldn't be bought. He replied to Mu Yi: "Even if they forget the letters, the feeling of writing for the first time will still be there." He wrote: "From earth to writing, from silence to meaning, from not knowing to the desire to understand. This is how a path begins—not with a leap, but with a single word understood." He thought: "That library… Maybe it's time to take them—the villagers and the children—to see it. To witness the writings left behind by those who came long before. They don't realize that words have power—far more than mere letters and sentences." He felt an obligation to share the knowledge from the library. He knows: Children need to understand what they are inheriting in this world—not just jobs or crafts, but the thoughts written in these books. He knew: if they wrote, read, and took the time to think, they would know what he had found there as a child. He taught: "This… is the place of knowledge. The place where the thoughts of those who came before us are left for us". He taught: People write in books because they want the world to know what they have learned, felt, and thought, and even though they are gone, their voices remain behind these letters. He taught: "Letters are not only for speaking… But for remembering. For understanding." He said that the greatest legacy is not power or wealth, but rather the thoughts shared and understood by those who come after. He says of the library: "This place doesn't just store books. It stores memories… and possibilities". He told the boy about the imperfect nameplate: "If your intention is clear, then the meaning will be understood. Not because the letters are perfect… but because you wrote them." He thought: "Change doesn't come with a loud bang. It comes when someone moves one plank… and the others follow." He named the library "Roots of the Soul" because writing is the root, and understanding is the soul. He knows: The library is not just for reading, but for remembering, for growing, like roots. He knew: The library had spoken—not with voice, but with presence. He understood: Everyone learns the courage to come, the silence to listen, and the humility to start from nothing. He understood: Akar Jiwa is not just a place to read, but a place to return to curiosity and the realization that understanding is not the privilege of a few, but the right of every soul willing to sit and listen. He knew: "in silence, understanding forms itself". He knew: "In the world of understanding, it is not explanations that teach, but the willingness to listen—even if all you hear is silence." He touched the blank book and felt his childhood return, realizing that he had found himself. He wrote: "Understanding does not always begin with words, but with unprintable silences." He describes a blank book: "Because it has not been written on" and implies someone might write in it without realizing it. He understands: Not every book is meant to be read; some are meant to be felt. He understood from his father: "Happiness… is not a place, Yuan. It is when I see you drinking tea with me, without a burden on your forehead… at that moment, I am happy." He realized his father was someone who protected this land from being lost. He heard a gentle rumbling within him, like an open door—a door made of honest words, born of a learning hand. He knew: children's first books are evidence that they have seen, felt, and tried to understand the world. He knew: the day was not about teaching, but about listening to the voices that grew from the silence.
CHAPTER 81-100
Li Yuan possesses a variety of profound insights that shape his path and how he interacts with the world and the people around him. These insights are often interconnected and evolve over time. Here is a summary of Li Yuan's insights:
Daojing (The Way of Understanding) Daojing is a path of understanding, not strength or mastery. The goal of Li Yuan's quest is to understand the journey, not to find the final destination. The journey is not always upward; sometimes it leads inward, then outward again, making one smaller, simpler, and more like oneself. He believed that true understanding is not a climb or a straight line, but a current that flows like water. Understanding cannot be forced; it only grows when the mind is calm enough to allow its seeds to grow. Enlightenment is not discovering something new, but rather returning to the source, to the beginning, to within oneself. All his insights came from himself, from feelings and experiences, from silence, from asking himself whether it was the right path. It brings understanding, not strength; feelings, not heritage. His role is to create empty space for others to grow. Ganjing (Sentimental Realm) and Zhenjing (Inner Realm) Ganjing (Feeling Realm): A field where the inner and outer worlds can feel each other without touching. This is an echo of understanding, not will, and cannot be turned off or on.
the Ganjing is not a boundary, but a gateway to understanding the outside world as perceived by the world itself.
the The Ganjing Realm does not open because it breaks through, but because it has become deep enough to be received.
the Li Yuan understood that his passive Ganjing could be directed through understanding, and he was able to wrap and release it.
Zhenjing (Inner Realm): The reflection of every understanding that is planted, nurtured, and lived in inner silence; the inner realm that is born from the depths of understanding.
the The Zhenjing in Ganjing serves as a bridge, through which inner understanding flows out as resonance, not force or technique.
the Zhenjing becomes deeper, not broader, with layers of understanding that carve out form and become space itself. He understands that this understanding lives and breathes with the world.
the Time within the Zhenjing can flow more slowly; one year outside can become a hundred years inside, not an illusion but the result of understanding that the inner space is not bound by external time.
Specific Understanding (Elements & Concepts) Air:
the Flowing, accepting, adapting without losing its true form.
the Not just elements, but meaning; it flows because it understands, not resists but overcomes, not rejects but carves the stone.
the Is a will that refuses to settle down.
the It is a symbol of dynamic calm, a force that does not crash but erodes, and a lesson in how the world moves without appearing to move.
the It is a way to understand change.
the Never in a hurry, but getting where he wants to go.
the Never pick the ground where it falls.
the The water inside him only knew one thing: to flow.
Silence:
the Something that grows the most among words.
the Not a place without sound, but rather a state where sound no longer disturbs.
the It is the most elusive power—power without desire.
the Not stagnation, but awareness without grasping.
the Is the highest form of protection for meaning.
the Change born from silence will last longer than change born from noise.
the Can be a container that encapsulates emotions without rejecting them.
the It is a welcome.
Absence/Absence:
the Not empty space, but the absence of space; a place to let go.
the Not emptiness, but a space where everything can grow; everything becomes possible in nothingness.
the True presence arises from emptiness.
Afraid:
the Not an enemy, but a mirror.
the It is not something to be fought, but something to be understood; within it waits for courage to be born.
the Not a sign of weakness, but meaning; from fear it forms the strength to understand, not to fight.
the It is part of the world, not the enemy.
Envelopment:
the How to protect meaning without erasing it; holding rather than limiting.
the Protecting meaning from causing harm, and maintaining silence as the highest form of protection for meaning.
the Not to hide, but to accept.
the It is not a wall or a boundary, but a veil that encloses another space, protecting without trapping.
the Not to divide, but to guard, like the night that embraces the world.
the When understanding is wrapped up in one point, its power does not weaken, but rather deepens.
the When understanding is wrapped up too broadly, its meaning will evaporate.
the The wrapper is also a bridge between separation and unity.
the Its deepest effect is to hold meaning without showing it, to be full without spilling out.
the Not holding back out of fear, but out of respect.
the The key is not to close off the world, but to create a space where the world can feel without fear.
the It is the highest form of care.
the It is the silence that keeps the meaning from spilling out.
the Not technique, but gentle protection.
Concepts Related to Learning & Communication Writing: Allowing others to find themselves in words. Not for grandeur, but for truth. Writing from the heart keeps memories alive. It takes courage to express what is voiceless. It's not just about character, but about listening to one's own breath. Reading & Books: A book is never finished because its readership continues to grow. The first book in this village wasn't about history or power, but about fear and longing, and that was enough. Not all books are written with a pen, not all words need letters. If the heart can hold something, then anything can become a book. The blank page isn't a place to search for answers, but rather a place where the answers within begin to listen to themselves. Learning: Learning is not a race, but a journey. Children learn not by memorizing but by experiencing. Communication: There is something deeper than words. Words are sometimes more powerful than voices. Listen to the heart. Listening to oneself is the beginning of understanding. Some things cannot be taught, only felt. Words that come from the heart need no correction. When understanding is shared too often, it becomes distracting; but when it is stored, it remains, becoming something unspoken but felt by the world. Emotions & Relationships Loss: A form of love that can no longer be held, but continues to grow within. A form of love that remains, even when the body is gone; a love that becomes a voice in the silence. Beneath the loss, something grows again, not to replace what was lost, but to inherit a meaning that never dies. Remembering is not about crying; remembering is keeping something alive—in memories, in words, and in the silence learned together. Peace: A peaceful heart cannot fight. Feeling peace is not about being calmed, but about being understood. Self: Children are given the opportunity to write their own meaning, not just fill it in. Each person becomes closer to what lies within. The ultimate goal is honesty—a place where they can say, "This is me. And I am enough." The stars don't ask to be understood; they simply exist. Other Concepts Time: Is not a line, but a space. Maturity & Strength: Maturity is not about the ability to kill, but about what you do after you can kill. Strength can destroy, but that is not its ultimate goal. The pinnacle of martial arts is not about killing, but about recognizing the boundary between life and death, and choosing not to cross it. Its movements are not violence, but continuity; its breath is not explosion, but resonance. Release can be the ultimate form of power. Growth: Growth without cost; increase without loss, because challenges are met not with reaction, but with understanding. Legacy: True footprints are never left on the ground, but in the hearts of those who have walked with us. Giving: When we write, we not only give, we also allow others to find themselves in the words. Role of the Teacher: Li Yuan only shows the key; it is the students who must open the door themselves. The World: He understands that the world can be heard in many ways, even through a city. He also understands that the outside world is a mirror of his own changes.
These understandings formed the foundation of Li Yuan's teachings and actions, often conveyed through silence and example, enabling others to discover their own understanding.
CHAPTER 101-120
Li Yuan possessed several profound insights that formed the core of his being and passively influenced the world around him. These insights manifested in his internal realm, called Zhenjing.
Here are Li Yuan's main insights:
Ganjing Realm
the This was Li Yuan's inner core or realm that was always awake and gently pulsing, like a lake that reflected the sky even when no one was looking.
the Li Yuan initially wrapped it up carefully to prevent it from trickling down to a world not yet ready to be touched, because profound understanding, if shown too quickly, could disturb people who only wanted to live simply.
the Even though he was not called or moved by Li Yuan, Ganjing could not be silenced.
the It is passive yet ever-present, like a calming water that threatens to overflow.
the When touched by Meilang's zither notes, Ganjing trembled slightly before calming down again.
the It remains as clear as a calm lake flowing beneath the surface, undisturbed.
the Ganjing can "breathe" slowly, wrapped, neither emitting nor absorbing.
the Its Passive Ganjing cannot be turned off; it is the resonance of its being, like a flower that cannot choose not to smell fragrant or a fire that cannot choose not to give warmth.
the Ganjing continues to function even when misunderstood, and it cannot be turned off, stopped, or released because that is the nature of true understanding.
Water (First Understanding)
the It appeared like the whisper of an invisible river—gentle, yet relentless.
the In the realm of Ganjingnya, water becomes the floor, the walls, and the sky; everything flows slowly, never asking where to or doubting when to stop.
the The effect is a calm; not a forced calm, but one that permeates everything.
the The people who unconsciously entered his Ganjing became slower, their voices softened, their steps lightened, and conflicts turned into dust that forgot how to rise.
the Water doesn't just flow downwards; it can also flow inwards, touching dry places without force or sound.
the It never chooses which way to flow, but always knows how.
the Clear and calm water can reflect the truth without judgment.
the Li Yuan noticed it as something that created ripples and returned to calm after the stone was thrown.
the He remains clear, calm, and eternal, always present when needed.
the Water does not flow for Li Yuan, but through Li Yuan to those who need it.
the True understanding is like water that always finds a way to flow, even if its surface is covered in debris.
Wrapping/Enveloping (Second Comprehension)
the It emerged from within Li Yuan, like a blanket of consciousness gently draped over reality.
the This understanding does not attack, does not touch, does not speak; it simply exists, forming boundaries, forming skin.
the The effect is protection and silence among understanding.
the By Wrapping, Li Yuan can separate the world from himself, separating what he understands from those who are not yet ready.
the Doubt was released because Li Yuan was late in using the Enveloping comprehension.
the Wrapping up not only hides, but also diverts attention from the truth towards something safe to analyze.
the It does not force the world to forget, but rather wraps itself around itself like the night wraps around the stars without erasing them.
Doubt (Third Understanding)
the This was the understanding that began to stir in Li Yuan's inner world when he arrived in Qinlu.
the Doubt is not a barrier, but rather a space where understanding grows wild and cannot be contained.
the It is a new kind of silence, born from the absence of any ground to stand on.
the It divides illusions, infiltrates between two opposing beliefs, taking no sides, not oppressing, but merely disturbing—not to bring light, but to awaken awareness that a question was never asked.
the It becomes the soil where new understanding will one day grow, fertile because it is disturbed by silence.
the Doubt is the first door, which the world sometimes forces open.
the In Zhenjing, Doubt appears as an unfinished feeling, a dense mist without form, without light, like a suppressed question.
the It answers with presence, not with words.
the It has no lines, beginnings, or edges, and continues to expand, silently consuming every clarity that approaches.
the Doubt is a form of understanding that has not yet found language, and sometimes silence is the only way to embrace it.
the It grows from sincerity to accept the never-ending questions.
the He erodes certainty, not to erase it, but to ask where it comes from.
the It is a mirror for all previous spaces, revealing that no single understanding is completely complete.
the His first gift is a willingness to not know.
the It can be a seed of understanding.
the When released, it spreads outward like a fine mist, causing people to stop and feel that life is no longer dense.
the The effect is that questions ("Why?", "How?", "Is this true?") loosen the meaning of every object, thought, and memory.
the It opens the cracks between understanding.
the It turns one's gaze inward.
the Doubt doesn't leave scars like wounds do, but it does leave small cracks in the walls of beliefs that were previously unquestioned, allowing a little light/openness to come in.
Existence/Presence
the This was a newer understanding for Li Yuan, which he gained after five months in Qinlu.
the It is a simple state of "being," without the need for reason, purpose, or justification.
the Like water that never asks why it's wet, or rock that doesn't seek permission to become solid, or silence that doesn't prove itself through sound.
the Li Yuan realized that he didn't need to be anything—not a teacher, not a servant, not someone who understood—he just needed to be.
the In that simple state of "being," others find space to be themselves.
the His insight came like the morning dew—slowly, without force, without a sound.
the Li Yuan's presence gives people space: to feel tired without having to be strong, confused without having to understand, silent without having to speak, and human without having to be perfect.
the In Zhenjing, the space of Existence resonates with the other insights (Water, Stillness/Enveloping, Emptiness/Doubt), uniting them as one.
the Every action now comes from presence, not obligation; every word from silence, not duty; every silence brings space, not just the absence of sound.
the Existence does not require validation; it simply needs to exist.
the It offers space for another existence.
the Existence cannot be reproduced through technique; it can only be allowed to grow.
the Li Yuan is concerned when his existence is seen as a "phenomenon" that can be studied, measured, and categorized, because this threatens the very core of his understanding.
the Existence is not for Li Yuan, but through Li Yuan for those who need space to breathe.
the It is always there, even when misunderstood by a thousand interpretations.
Li Yuan's understandings are not isolated but interconnected within his Zhenjing, forming a unity in which all understandings can coexist. He constantly grappled with the challenge of protecting the essence of these understandings from being misunderstood, replicated, or commercialized by others. He recognized that true truth cannot be lost, but the tranquility in which it grows and others' access to it can be damaged by superficial interpretations.
CHAPTER 121-140
Li Yuan possessed a series of profound insights he gained through his Daojing path, often residing within his Ganjing (mature and integrated insights). These insights guided his actions and presence in various situations.
The following are Li Yuan's understandings identified from the sources given:
Gaining Understanding (Integrated Insight):
At one point, it is mentioned that Li Yuan had eight understandings in his Ganjing, then nine, and once again eleven. Based on the consistency in the text, there are nine main understandings explicitly mentioned as residing in his Ganjing:
Air (Water)
the Water flows to where it is needed most.
the Water does not choose sides when it flows.
the Water finds its own way.
the Truth, like water, cannot be destroyed by misinterpretation; it simply continues to flow, continues to be present, and offers what is needed to those who truly seek it.
the What's important is ensuring those who truly need real water can still find it, not stopping interpretation.
the Li Yuan compares himself to water flowing between rocks—present but unobtrusive.
Silence
the Silence stretches wide, deep, patient, and ready to offer space.
the Li Yuan often uses his silence to create a space where others can return to themselves, without forcing them to explain.
Emptiness
the This understanding is listed as one of those found in Li Yuan's Ganjing. Its essence is not explicitly explained in detail in the text, but it is generally implied in its role as "empty space."
Fear
the This understanding is listed as one of those found in Li Yuan's Ganjing. Its essence isn't explicitly explained in detail in the text, but Li Yuan often helps others face and overcome their fears.
Wrapping
the This is the insight of the older Ganjing.
the Used to moderate the resonance range of other understandings, such as "Breath" or "Sky".
the His goal was to protect the world from Li Yuan's overpowering influence and to protect his understanding from a world that was not yet ready.
the Wrapping is not concealment, but protection.
Doubt
the This understanding is listed as one of those found in Li Yuan's Ganjing. Explicit details of its essence are not provided in the text.
Breath
the The breath is not his own, but belongs to the world, flowing through him as a channel.
the Li Yuan realized that he was merely a channel through which life flowed, and the same breath that sustained others also sustained him.
the Every breath he takes can draw the resonance of life around him, and every breath he exhales can release the resonance of his Zhenjing into the world.
the His breath can affect those around him, making them breathe easier.
the Every breath is a prayer, every inhale is gratitude, and every pause in between is space for the world to rest.
the He learned to not only breathe correctly, but to be the right kind of breather.
Sky
the The pure essence of vastness: limitless presence, endless space, freedom that is not threatened because nothing threatens it.
the The sky accepts everything but is not changed by anything.
the To become limitless, he does not need to lose himself, only stop limiting himself.
the Freedom is not the ability to do anything, but rather the need for nothing to be whole.
the When there is nothing to desire, there is nothing to take; when there is nothing to fear, there is nothing to threaten; when there is nothing to protect, there is nothing to lock up.
the War is a storm, and Li Yuan is the sky through which the storm passes.
the Li Yuan understood that he didn't need to defend who he was, because he couldn't disappear, just as the sky couldn't disappear behind the clouds. He didn't need to be anyone to exist.
Body
the The body is a temporary home, but as long as it is a home, it holds every story.
the Every wound is a story, and every healing is a lesson.
the The body never lies; it always reveals the truth about one's inner state.
the Healing is not about fixing what is broken, but about reminding the body how to be whole again.
the Li Yuan can feel others' pain, not as his own, but understand its roots and how to alleviate it. Every illness has a story, and sometimes healing the story is more important than treating the symptoms.
the The body is a temporary container for something imperishable—consciousness, spirit, essence—which is eternal.
Other Important Philosophical Insights and Principles:
In addition to the above-mentioned understanding of Ganjing, Li Yuan also adheres to several core principles that guide his actions:
Truth and Misinterpretation: Truth cannot be destroyed by misinterpretation; it just keeps flowing and present, and needs to be experienced by those who are ready to receive it. Presence: Being a clear space where others can find what they need. It's not about doing big things, but rather being a safe space where others can return to themselves. Presence is like a small stone dropped into a still pond, sending ripples far beyond its point of impact. Humanity and Compassion: Seeing others as human beings, not just as roles (e.g., soldiers or spies), and easing their burdens. Healing is about easing burdens, not always saving lives. Nonviolence and the Purpose of Power: The hand that can crush a tree to dust is the same hand that can peel fruit for children; once it is used to crush, it may never be able to peel fruit gently again. Li Yuan chooses not to use his martial arts abilities for destructive purposes. Choice and a Meaningful Life: Choosing to live (peacefully) can be more honorable than dying in war. One can find meaning by living well and rebuilding after conflict, and by helping others discover choices they might not otherwise have. Enough: There is a peace born from the understanding that some problems do not need to be solved, that being part of the flow is enough, and that existence is not defined by being understood but by being needed.
CHAPTER 141-153
Li Yuan possesses a set of profound insights that form the core of his power, called Ganjing. Ganjing is the realm of the five senses, meaning his insights are passive, influencing the environment and those within it through resonance of meaning, not active force. Li Yuan does not force change, but rather offers space for others to discover their own choices and truths.
Following are all the understandings contained in Ganjing Li Yuan:
Ten Initial Understandings (Before the Soul): Originally, Li Yuan had nine understandings. A tenth understanding, Loss, was later added to his Ganjing. Although some understandings are named differently in the text, their function and essence remain consistent. The final list of the ten understandings, as revealed when all their ties are untied, is as follows:
the Water: Flows where it is needed most; brings life to the driest places; symbolizes love that fears no loss. Its resonance can extinguish anger like fire surrounded by morning dew.
the Silence: Creating space amidst chaos; making shouting feel out of place; and inviting people to listen to their own hearts. Originally called "Stillness".
the Existence: Floods every corner of the soul with light, helping people see their true selves; making seeing others as enemies seem absurd; and helping the soul feel its own worth. Originally called "Emptiness."
the Doubt: Restrains hasty action; creates space for healthy questions; and helps people question their own honesty or decisions.
the Breath: Spreads calm; aligns movement with universal rhythm; and helps the soul breathe in its true rhythm.
the Sky: Offers a broader view; indicates that all will pass; and provides limitless space for the soul to express itself.
the Body: Ready to heal the wounded; help the soul feel at home in its vessel; and bring awareness to the simple wonder of movement.
the Loss: Teaches surrender; that true love does not end when life does; and helps let go of false identities.
the Fear: Be ready to face and transform it; sit with those who fear death; and show that fear is natural and human.
the Wrapping: Wrapping and protecting; allowing understanding to be conveyed bit by bit so as not to shock the unprepared soul; protecting the soul that is not ready for full transparency. This was the first understanding that Li Yuan learned. It was originally called "Enclosure".
Eleventh Understanding: Soul After Li Yuan's physical body was destroyed and he chose to remain himself as pure consciousness, he developed a new understanding of Soul. This is a unique understanding, one that can only be understood by becoming a pure soul itself.
the Function and Nature: The Soul's understanding is unlike the other ten understandings. If the other ten are instruments, the Soul is the conductor of the orchestra. It has no sound or melody of its own, but it harmonizes all the others, giving meaning to each note.
the Radius and Quality: Although the radius of Li Yuan's Ganjing returned to three meters after his body was destroyed, the quality of that space fundamentally changed. Soul Insight touches the "core" of consciousness and identity of every being within its range. This helps people see their true selves, beyond social roles and the expectations of others.
the Influence: Souls allow for direct recognition between souls, where true identities are addressed. However, Li Yuan also acknowledges that not everyone is ready for such inner transparency, and some may flee from clarity. Li Yuan's job is not to force them to change, but rather to respect each soul's unique journey.
In short, Li Yuan's understanding, especially after the understanding of the Soul is formed, works harmoniously to help each soul discover and honor its own uniqueness, without coercion. They flow like water, never stopping, and always flowing to where it is most needed—namely, the hearts of those who have forgotten who they truly are.