Volume 1: The True Purple Void Dragon – Chapter 7: The Innate Realm

Another five years passed. By now, everyone knew that the Chu family had produced a fool—a child over five years old who could only grin foolishly, drool all day long, and utter no words other than “”gurgle gurgle”.” His name was Chu Tianyu…

Some said that when Chu Tianyu was born, he was struck by lightning, injuring his head. Others claimed it was punishment from heaven for the Chu family’s excessive greed. Still, others thought, what’s wrong with being a fool? To be the family’s fool was enough for a lifetime—better than losing one’s job and struggling to make ends meet…

Yet fools indeed have their blessings. To outsiders, Chu Tianyu seemed to enjoy unparalleled indulgence. It was said that Chu Fangshan even hired a high priest to recite scriptures and perform rituals for him daily. Unlike his two brothers, Chu Tianyu not only had his own residence but also a dedicated tutor who came regularly to teach him. He didn’t have to endure Chu Fangshan’s strict demands or attend kindergarten or school like his brothers.

Bu Chan stayed at the Chu family, guiding Chu Tianyu’s energy pathways on a regular basis. At first, only a small amount of energy was infused to help integrate his meridians and dragon energy, while also monitoring the operation of the Purple Void Dragon Core from time to time. As Tianyu grew older, more energy was gradually introduced. It was discovered that the Purple Void Dragon Core circulated within Tianyu’s body along the paths of the thirty-six celestial circles. For now, it seemed to cause no interference or harm to Tianyu.

Xianyun the Hermit returned to gather herbs and refine pills, coming by several times a year to give Tianyu the pills he had prepared. As for the tutor who came regularly, needless to say, it was the Mad Scholar.

In the Chu family’s secret chamber, Xianyun, Bu Chan, the Mad Scholar, Chu Fangshan, and his daughter-in-law Han Yixue gathered together. Of course, there was also a child sitting cross-legged, seemingly practicing breathing exercises in a proper manner. If not for his dull eyes, muttering to himself, and uncontrollable drooling, one might have thought he was a disciple of some master meditating and cultivating…

Chu Fangshan said gratefully, “Elders, for the sake of my grandson, over the past few years… well, how can Fangshan express his gratitude? It’s truly impossible to repay such kindness!”

Han Yixue also agreed repeatedly.

As the two kept exchanging thanks, it left the three of Xianyun at a loss. It was theThe Confucianist who stepped in to defuse the situation, saying, “There’s no need for further formalities when it comes to guiding someone. We masters do this for the sake of our own disciples. In the future, Tianyu will not only inherit our teachings and take over my Xuanji Sect but may also bear responsibilities beyond your imagination. Though we can’t predict the future with certainty, the selection of a master in the Land of the True Dragon is no trivial matter! This child is no longer an ordinary person…” As he spoke, he gently stroked Tianyu’s head. Suddenly, a tremendous force struck, knocking his hand away instantly. TheThe Confucianist was shocked—his martial skills, though not invincible, had reached a level where he could glimpse the laws of the universe. It was unimaginable that such a young child could use qi to repel him. He then turned his puzzled gaze toward Bu Chan.

Everyone else also noticed this anomaly. Bu Chan gave a wry smile and said, “This is the energy generated when the Purple Void Dragon Core operates. Wherever it moves, if any external force is applied, it will inevitably rebound… This is a phenomenon I’ve only discovered recently. It might be a form of protection from the Dragon Realm for its master, or it could be a negative side effect of Tianyu’s inability to control the Dragon Core.”

Han Yixue, deeply concerned for her son, quickly asked, “Then, Master, what impact will this have on Tianyu?”

Bu Chan pondered for a moment before saying, “It’s hard to say exactly what the impact will be for now. So far, it seems there’s no harm. But I do have good news for you—Tianyu’s damaged brain nerves are slowly recovering.”

Han Yixue immediately asked excitedly, “Is it true, Master?”

Even Chu Fangshan couldn’t hide his excitement upon hearing this news and asked, “Is it really true, Master?”

Bu Chan smiled and replied, “Indeed. Five years ago, I told you all that there’s no need to worry about Tianyu’s intelligence. With just a little of the ten-thousand-year dragon energy, an ordinary person can purify their body and open the Governor Vessel and Conception Vessel. Moreover, since Tianyu has absorbed all the scattered external qi, if this injury weren’t in the brain area—requiring slow healing—it would take only a week of qi circulation to heal in any other meridian in the body.”

Han Yixue then asked, “Master, how much longer will it take for Tianyu to fully recover?”

Bu Chan smiled and said, “Hehe, it’s best to let things take their natural course. We don’t need to force them. But based on my estimation, it will probably take another five or six years. Moreover, only the brain region that controls speech and behavior has been damaged; everything else remains intact. On the contrary, after its own dragon energy merged with it, describing it as a ‘natural genius’ is no exaggeration…”
Xian Yun, who hadn’t returned in over a year, suddenly interjected, “So what level has Tian Yu reached now?”
Bu Chan thought for a moment and said, “Amitabha. It’s hard to predict the ways of heaven. Good fortune and misfortune go hand in hand. Although Tian Yu has obtained the realm of the true dragon, he almost lost his life and suffered damage to his brain region, leading to his current situation. Yet precisely because of this, from my guidance in regulating his energy flow to him forming his own great circular energy system, it was purely through the exchange of energy pathways. While other children were still learning to speak and exploring the world, Tian Yu focused solely on establishing a foundation within his body, creating a natural energy that could operate on its own—what people call the highest realm of internal strength: innate true energy. What a remarkable coincidence! Even when we were cultivating our foundations back then, we relied on our masters’ guidance or secret methods, starting from the outside in, which was like taking a long detour. It took me nearly sixty years to return to the innate realm through hard work and study. To be honest, Shaolin martial arts are profound and extensive. What are famous today are mostly external techniques, while the true masterpieces are Shaolin mental techniques. But these techniques are easy to learn but difficult to practice and even harder to master. They require not only a pure heart, Buddhist nature, and patience but also enlightenment. Without decades or even centuries of Buddhist study or life experience, who can truly achieve enlightenment…”
“So, in a way, Tian Yu has turned misfortune into fortune. It allows him to set aside all worldly distractions, aligning with the practice of Buddhism and cultivating his character, avoiding the danger of going astray. In just a few years, at such a young age, he has reached the stage where he can master Shaolin mental techniques. No matter how much he practices in the future, he won’t risk his life. Moreover, although Tian Yu’s mind isn’t fully developed, his cultivation has become an instinct of his body. Acting without conscious effort is already the highest realm of Buddhism.”
“Master, if we use you and me as a standard, what level is Tian Yu at now?” Xian Yun continued to ask.
“Just in terms of internal strength, Tian Yu already exceeds the skill level of someone who has practiced for sixty years!” Bu Chan replied directly.
Xian Yun was surprised and looked astonished. TheThe Confucianist beside him remained expressionless, likely because he had been visiting often and was already aware of this situation.

“In just under two years, the progress of Tianyu’s cultivation has been so rapid?” Xianyun said, shaking his head.
Buchan smiled and replied, “Apart from the help from Longyu, it’s also thanks to you, old ox-nosed man. The spiritual herbs you bring from time to time greatly enhance Tianyu’s cultivation efficiency. I truly must admire your Taoist sect—you can create all sorts of miraculous medicines. I wonder where you find so many thousand-year or ten-thousand-year-old Ganoderma and Zhu Guo. Hehe, it really makes life easier for Tianyu…”
After that, everyone discussed Tianyu’s situation further. Buchan suggested that Tianyu no longer needed his daily guidance in cultivation, and instead, focus should be placed on developing his Buddhist wisdom and teaching him Shaolin Zen techniques. He also asked Yixue to let Tianyu engage with the secular world to aid in the recovery of his mental abilities and the awakening of his mind.
Everything else would remain as before. They would reunite once Tianyu fully regained his mental clarity…