A Chronicle of Li Yuan
In a state of loss, a memory of himself reappears that will reshape him. In his inner world, the world trembles. Li Yuan feels life again.
Birth and Early Childhood (Ages 0-7)
Birth: Li Yuan was born in a remote village on Earth. His name, given by his parents Ye Ling and Li Houming, means "root of eternity and beginning of understanding."
A Unique Self: From a young age, Li Yuan was unique with his deep gray eyes and a calmness that belied his age.
Early Curiosity: At age seven, Li Yuan expressed his desire to "understand the world" and questioned natural phenomena like the flow of water.
Dreams and a Calling: He had a dream that marked his first "calling," in which he received the realization that "understanding begins not with learning... but with feeling," opening the first door to his understanding.
Education and Early Discoveries (Ages 7-10)
Learning from an Old Scholar: Li Yuan secretly learned to read, write, and study philosophy from a wandering old scholar who saw unique potential in him.
Discovery of a Hidden Library: After the old scholar's departure, Li Yuan found a hidden ancient library where he began to absorb knowledge.
Understanding the Essence of Water: He achieved a deep understanding of the essence of water—its adaptability and stillness—which became the early foundation of his Daojing. The world around him began to subtly respond to his presence.
Development of the Inner Realm: Li Yuan began to feel the formation of an "Inner Realm" within himself, where his understanding settled and grew.
Death of His Mother: At age ten, Li Yuan's mother, Ye Ling, passed away. This loss strengthened his resolve to become stronger to protect those who remained.
Martial Arts Training and Academy Selection (Ages 11-14)
Decision to Explore the World: At age eleven, Li Yuan told his father of his desire to explore the world. His father began teaching him the basics of martial arts for self-protection.
Self-Development: For three years, Li Yuan diligently practiced martial arts and continued to read in the library, integrating physical movement with inner understanding.
The Calling of Qinglong Academy: Envoys from Wuyin City came to the village to recruit young talents to Qinglong Academy. Li Yuan, along with his friends Mu Yi and Fan Tu, was chosen.
Leaving the Village: Li Yuan, Mu Yi, and Fan Tu left the village of Ziran for Wuyin City and Qinglong Academy.
Years at Qinglong Academy (Ages 14-17)
Journey and Arrival: The journey to Wuyin City took ten days. They arrived at Qinglong Academy.
Consciousness Training: They were trained as a "special force" for an upcoming conflict, emphasizing the importance of breathing and inner peace.
The Academy Library and Wen Zhi: Li Yuan found the academy library and delved into a book called "Roots of the Soul," which taught the cultivation of consciousness, not Qi. Wen Zhi, the academy master, noticed Li Yuan's unique focus on understanding, not power.
Further Inner Realm Formation: Li Yuan's Inner Realm continued to take shape, filled with the understanding of water, resolve, and stillness.
Development of Passive Power: Li Yuan unintentionally displayed the power of his Daojing, such as splitting a tree with a light touch, and developed the "Art of Disappearing in One Step."
Leaving the Academy: After three years at the academy (at age 17), Li Yuan decided to continue his journey.
Solitary Journey and the Discovery of Daojing (Ages 17-20)
Parting Advice: Instructor Yusang gave Li Yuan advice, stating that he had learned "direction," not technique, and now it was time to teach the world.
Exploring Wuyin City and the Forest: Li Yuan spent seven days in Wuyin City, then continued his journey into the forest, where he observed nature and understood existence without labels.
Breathless Experience and Time Dilation: He achieved the ability to exist without breathing, experiencing time dilation where a month passed in the outside world in a single internal "breath." This caused his first fear, making him realize the depth of the world yet to be understood.
Discovery of Daojing: Li Yuan finally named his unique cultivation system Daojing, "The Path of Understanding," with its first realm called Ganjing (感境) - The Realm of Feeling.
Age 20: Li Yuan had spent three years in the forest after leaving the academy.
Return to Ziran and Building a Library (Ages 20-27)
Living in a Nameless Village: He spent three years in a small nameless village, passively inspiring its residents to find meaning in their daily lives. He developed the "Mirror of Intention."
Journey Home: He decided to return to Ziran village, feeling it was important to understand what must not be left behind.
Return to Ziran: At age 25, Li Yuan returned to Ziran after nearly ten years away, reuniting with his father and old friends, Mu Yi and Fan Tu.
Teaching in the Village: At his father's suggestion, Li Yuan began teaching the village children to read and write, introducing unwritten characters like "Stillness" and "Understanding."
Rebuilding the Library: Li Yuan invited the villagers to renovate the hidden library, which was then named "Root of the Soul."
Death of His Father: At age 27, Li Yuan's father, Li Haoming, passed away. Li Yuan buried him under a plum tree.
Preparing for the Second Departure and Ganjing Development (Ages 27-30)
Departure Plan: Li Yuan planned to leave the village again in two years.
Deeper Passive Ganjing: Li Yuan further understood "Passive Ganjing," where his presence passively calmed his surroundings and the people around him.
Understanding Wrapping: He spent "ten years" in his inner world (about one day in the outside world) to understand the concept of "wrapping" within Ganjing.
Second Departure: At age 30, Li Yuan said goodbye to the villagers, Mu Yi, and Fan Tu, and left Ziran again.
Continued Journey and Cave Meditation (Ages 30-31)
Exploring the Mountains: Li Yuan continued his journey toward unnamed mountains. His Zhenjing continued to develop.
The Resonance Cave: After a month of walking, he found the "Resonance Cave" containing a "Phosphor Stone."
One Hundred Years in the Inner World: Li Yuan meditated in the cave, spending one hundred years in his inner world, while only one year passed in the outside world (Ages 30-31).
Meeting a Traveling Merchant: After another month of walking alone in the forest, he met Qin Hu, a traveling merchant, who invited him to go to the Qin Capital, "The Iron City." Li Yuan decided to go along.
Arrival in Qinlu (Age 31)
He arrived in Qinlu, the capital of Qin, a cityscape he had never seen before.
He observed a city filled with tension and danger, where power was for survival.
His Ganjing responded, sensing the hidden understandings of others in the city.
He reflected on his purpose in this city after "one hundred years" in his inner world.
Meeting with Meilang (Age 31)
Walking aimlessly, guided by something "voiceless," he entered the home of Meilang, a zither player who played notes "not meant to be heard, but to be understood."
Meilang was a "translator between the world and its meaning."
Li Yuan felt a vibration older and quieter than silence itself—not Ganjing or Zhenjing.
Meilang allowed Li Yuan to stay.
The Beginning of Life in Qinlu (Age 31)
Meilang gave him provisions and contact names.
Li Yuan explored the morning market, observing human interactions.
He found an old room, an unofficial place of study, where "understanding is sometimes born from a non-intrusive togetherness." Qin Su, the cleaner, allowed him to stay.
He realized that understanding isn't always sought; sometimes, it just wants to be seen.
He sat with Qin Su, understanding that "not all understanding comes from questions."
Working at a Noodle Shop and Ganjing Development (Age 31, a few months later)
He started working at Master Cheng's noodle shop.
He built a Stone Circle in the yard, which passively attracted the attention of people who "no longer knew the questions."
Li Yuan's passive Ganjing began to influence his surroundings, causing people to stop and reflect.
Doubt began to grow, forming the Realm of Doubt in his Zhenjing; its first gift was the "willingness to not know."
The Spread of Doubt: Li Yuan released the Ganjing Realm of Doubt, causing passive doubt to spread within a one-hundred-meter radius. This happened because he was late in using his Understanding of Wrapping.
The Three Main Understandings (Threshold of Three): Water (stillness), Wrapping (protection/enclosure), and Doubt (fissure) were now an inseparable part of him. They formed the Resonance That Was Never Taught.
Chen Weiqi's Visit: A palace scholar, Chen Weiqi, came to the noodle shop, sensed the "phenomenon," and began to investigate. Li Yuan realized that Chen Weiqi saw him as a "phenomenon" to be understood, not as a person.
Development of Existence: Li Yuan entered his Zhenjing and understood Existence—the state of "being" without needing a reason or purpose. Existence resonated with Water, Stillness, Emptiness, and Fear, unifying his Zhenjing into a cohesive whole.
Age 31, 5 months: Li Yuan had lived in Qinlu for about five months. His reputation as a "phenomenon" began to spread.
Decision and Departure from Qinlu (Age 31, about 8 months later)
Chen Weiqi wrote a letter to Li Yuan, worried that true understanding would be buried under shallow interpretations.
Li Yuan realized his Passive Ganjing couldn't be turned off. He decided to change its path (wrapping) so it wouldn't be misunderstood.
He met Chen Weiqi at the Pavilion of Quiet Moonlight, explaining that "truth cannot be destroyed by misinterpretation" and that he needed to "find the true water."
Qinlu City prepared for war. Master Cheng was called to train recruits, and the noodle shop would be closed.
Li Yuan decided to go to Lu—the battlefield—because that's where "water is most needed." He wrote a farewell letter to Mu Yi and Fan Tu.
Journey to Lu and the Growth of Understanding (Ages 31-32)
He began his journey south, against the flow of refugees.
He met Xiao Mei, a refugee child, and felt a deep empathy.
He reached the Understanding of Breath in Ganjing, allowing him to influence the breathing rhythm of his surroundings. This was his 7th Ganjing understanding. He used Wrapping to moderate the effect's range.
He reached the border of Lu, feeling the tension of war.
He spent 50 years of inner time (5 days of outer time) to reach the Understanding of Sky in Ganjing. Sky is freedom without desire, without boundaries, because it has nothing to lose. This was his 8th Ganjing understanding. He used Wrapping to moderate its effect.
He met Wei Dong, a border guard, and passively influenced his calmness. Wei Dong felt more peaceful near Li Yuan.
Serving in the State of Lu (Age 32)
He entered the territory of Lu, sensing the rising tension.
He provided a calming presence in fear-stricken villages, such as Xiao Hua's village.
He arrived in Nanping, helping to organize water lines and calm the city.
He helped Chen Lu, a refugee leader, calm the children.
He arrived in Yangzhou, a center of commerce, and began helping at the Emergency Care Center.
He achieved the Understanding of Body in Ganjing after 10 years of inner time (1 day of outer time). Body is the understanding that the body is a temporary home that holds every story, and healing is about reminding the body how to become whole. This was his 9th Ganjing understanding.
He began to feel the pain of others through the Understanding of Body.
He helped Commander Chen ease the tension with a farmer accused of being a spy, teaching him that "being a good soldier means being hard on yourself so you can remain gentle with those who need protection."
He realized that his 9 Ganjing understandings (Water, Stillness, Emptiness, Fear, Enclosure/Wrapping, Doubt, Breath, Sky, Body) resonated with an increasingly subtle harmony.
Towards the Battlefield and Self-Sacrifice (Age 32)
He helped a group of defectors (including Wang Tao and Xiao Bing) find a new purpose: to help other defectors escape the war, showing that "living for peace may be more glorious than dying in war."
He achieved the Understanding of Loss in Ganjing, which he understood as "the love that teaches surrender" and that "what is truly loved is never lost." This was his 10th Ganjing understanding.
He arrived at the battlefield, seeing thousands of soldiers. He saw the aura of powerful commanders.
He walked into the center of the battlefield, calming the soldiers and triggering their doubt with questions.
He faced a furious commander, releasing Existence fully, making everyone see "their true selves." He halted the battle, and the first day ended without bloodshed.
Loss of Physical Body: He took a blow meant for a child. At that moment, all 10 of his understandings exploded, affecting a one-kilometer radius and causing him to lose his physical body. He became a pure soul.
Long Meditation as a Pure Soul (180 years of outer time)
The Spread and Re-wrapping of Ganjing: His ten understandings spread uncontrollably to a radius of two hundred kilometers, causing confusion in more distant areas. He then used his Understanding of Wrapping to pull his understandings back to a three-meter radius.
Leaving Traces: Although pulled back, seeds of understanding remained in a vast area, making people "a little calmer," "a little more questioning," etc. The war ended because of a choice to stop and ask questions.
He spent 10 years understanding his new state as a pure soul.
He spent 50 years understanding the Understanding of Soul. This became his 11th Ganjing understanding. Soul acted as a "conductor" that harmonized all other understandings, and his Ganjing now touched the "core" consciousness of every being within his radius.
He felt a "nameless energy" or chaotic Qi, a trace of the struggle against harmony.
He spent 100 years understanding Chaos Qi. This became his 12th Ganjing understanding, giving him the ability to sense "possibilities that do not yet exist."
He spent 20 years understanding the Understanding of Chaos. This became his 13th Ganjing understanding, making his other understandings more adaptive and giving him the wisdom to use Chaos Qi.
Total time as a pure soul: 10 + 50 + 100 + 20 = 180 years.
Li Yuan's Age (if he were physically alive): 30 (age of death) + 180 (as a soul) = 210 years.
Seeing the Outside World (after 180 years): The battlefield had transformed into a dense forest. He felt nature's surrender to time.