Chaiyi let out a loud shout and charged toward Qiu Bai position.
"Master, here I come!"
"Watch my fist!"
Chaiyi raised his fist and struck at Qiu Bai!
Qiu Bai watched as Chaiyi charged toward him, the corner of his mouth curling into a slight smile.
He extended one hand and caught Chaiyi fist with ease. Then, with a twist of his body, he sent Chaiyi flying into the air.
"This is what we call 'receive, neutralize, release'—receiving the force, neutralizing it, then releasing your own force."
"Simply put, you first receive your opponent's attack, then neutralize it, and finally counterattack with your own force."
Qiu Bai explained as he jumped backward, watching Chaiyi slowly rise to his feet.
"Receive, neutralize, release? Why did Master only teach us the neutralizing part?"
Chaiyi asked respectfully as he stood up, gazing at Qiu Bai with admiration.
Qiu Bai still kept one hand behind his back while extending the other, maintaining a serene expression.
"Master, Chaiyi has learned much!" Chaiyi bowed respectfully to Qiu Bai.
Then he charged forward again, throwing another punch!
"Watch carefully, Chaiyi. I'll only show you once. How much you remember depends on you."
Qiu Bai caught Chaiyi punch.
"This is called receiving the force."
Qiu Bai palm followed Chaiyi's momentum, moving backward.
"This is called neutralizing the force."
Qiu Bai said with a smile as he faced Chaiyi.
"And this..."
"This is called releasing the force."
After neutralizing Chaiyi's punch, Qiu Bai positioned two fingers against Chaiyi chest.
To Chaiyi astonishment, Qiu Bai delivered an inch punch that sent him flying off the combat arena!
Of course, Qiu Bai hadn't used much strength and he had applied external force so that it wouldn't hurt Chaiyi too much.
"I understand now!"
"Receive, neutralize, release..."
Chaiyi bowed politely to Qiu Bai on the combat platform, then respectfully said:
"Even if I don't become your disciple, Master, I will carry forward these principles of receive, neutralize, and release!"
Chaiyi declared loudly as he looked up at Qiu Bai on the platform.
Having said that, Chai Yi determinedly walked toward the exit, the principles firmly etched in his mind.
"Wait, Chaiyi."
"Take this."
Qiu Bai smiled as he watched Chaiyi departing figure, then tossed him a book.
"What's this..."
Chaiyi looked at the book, which had a taiji symbol on its cover, and glanced at Qiu Bai with confusion.
"This book is called 'The Art of Taiji Boxing.'"
"I'll pass it on to you now."
Qiu Bai smiled as he spoke to Chaiyi below the platform.
"Chaiyi will immediately resign from the Lingshan Sect. I'll go back and dedicate myself to studying this Taiji Boxing. Thank you, Master!"
Chaiyi bowed respectfully to Qiu Bai, then headed for the exit.
"Wow, Mr. Qiu Bai is so amazing!"
"So cool!"
"Receive, neutralize, release—I want to practice that too when I get back!"
The contestants outside the arena exclaimed in amazement at Qiu Bai fighting style.
Even Beidou and Kaedehara Kazuha, who had just arrived, were surprised by Qiu Bai skills.
"I wonder if Chai Yi took it seriously."
"Receive, neutralize, release—doesn't that sound too simplistic?"
Paimon said with confusion to the Traveler beside her.
"No... I can feel that Qiu Bai was using real martial arts."
The Traveler turned to Paimon and explained calmly.
"What?! This guy knows this too? Paimon thought he was just making it up."
Paimon exclaimed in surprise as she looked at Qiu Bai in the arena.
"Hehe, receive, neutralize, release... it's actually just the traditional taiji concept of receive, neutralize, strike..."
Qiu Bai mumbled to himself as he stood in the arena.
Of course, the concept of Taiji Boxing didn't exist in Teyvat. But as the God of Yin and Yang, it was natural for him to know Taiji, right?
Lost in thought, Qiu Bai walked down from the platform toward the Traveler and Paimon.
"Hey you, can you give the Traveler a copy of that Taiji Boxing book too?"
"Hehe, let the Traveler practice it as well."
Paimon said with a smile as Qiu Bai approached.
"Hahaha, of course, but it might not suit you."
"Here, take this one instead."
Qiu Bai smiled at the Traveler.
Another book appeared in his hand, this one with "The Art of Taiji Swordsmanship" printed on it.
"Taiji Swordsmanship? What kind of technique is that?"
Paimon flew over, curiously examining the book title.
"It's a sword technique."
"I figured that Lumine might not be suited for boxing, so I'll give her this sword technique instead."
Qiu Bai explained with a smile to the confused Paimon.
"Thank you, Qiu Bai."
"But this sword technique is your own creation, isn't it?"
The Traveler asked with a smile.
"Hehe, I suppose so."
Qiu Bai smiled and nodded without denying it.
Though it was called Taiji Swordsmanship, it was a technique he had created a thousand years ago after twenty years of practice, comprehending the forces of yin and yang.
"Come to think of it, since Qiu Bai is a god, it's only natural that he would create his own techniques."
Paimon spread her hands as she spoke.
After all, ancient books of Liyue recorded that Rex Lapis had passed down many forms of spear techniques and methods for using other weapons.
"By the way, Lumine, come here."
"I want to test something."
Qiu Bai said thoughtfully as he looked at the Traveler.
"What is it, Qiu Bai?"
"What do you want to test?"
The Traveler asked curiously, placing a hand on her chest.
"You can use multiple elemental powers."
"So I think you should also be able to withstand my power."
Qiu Bai said with a smile.
Then, yin and yang energies appeared in his palm, slowly rotating.
"Put your hand on mine Lumine."
Qiu Bai said with a smile.
"I'll try."
"Maybe it will work."
The Traveler said with furrowed brows.
Logically, since Qiu Bai was the eighth god in the mortal realm, he should be able to resonate with her too.
"Let's try it!"
"I feel like his power might be even stronger than elemental power!"
Paimon exclaimed excitedly, stomping her feet as she looked at the yin and yang energies in Qiu Bai hand.
The Traveler nodded at Paimon and placed her palm on Qiu Bai.
Then she slowly closed her eyes, focusing on feeling Qiu Bai yin and yang energies.
In an instant, the golden points of light on the Traveler's chest and the golden glow emanating from her clothes—which naturally represented Geo elemental power—gradually transformed into a chaotic state where black and white were indistinguishable.
Seeing the points of light on the Traveler body slowly transform into this chaotic yin-yang state, Qiu Bai furrowed his brows in astonishment.
He truly hadn't expected that his power could also resonate with the Traveler.
Now, what could the Traveler do with his power?
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Read 20 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)