Ritual Implements in Cultural Relics

At dawn the following day, Fang Yi strolled into the residential complex where Master Sun resided, having purchased some breakfast. Initially, he had intended to prevent his teacher from descending the stairs, considering that the recent injury to Master Sun's leg would make movement difficult. However, upon entering the community, he was surprised to find his teacher engaged in conversation with several elderly individuals. 

"Ah, this is the graduate student I am preparing to take under my wing, named Fang Yi…" 

Upon noticing Fang Yi's arrival, Sun Lianda waved him over. After a certain age, one cannot turn back the clock physically, yet the mind can retain a youthful exuberance. Naturally, having taken on Fang Yi as his sole disciple, Sun Lianda felt a sense of pride. 

"Good morning, esteemed teachers…" Hearing Master Sun's greeting, Fang Yi hurried over. The residents of this community were either employees of the museum or professors from Jinling University, all part of the cultural sphere, so addressing them as teachers was certainly appropriate. 

"The young man appears quite spirited, splendid indeed…" 

"Congratulations, Brother Sun! When he passes the exams, you must host a discipleship banquet…" 

The elderly residents, familiar with Sun Lianda and of similar standing, offered their congratulations, as taking on a disciple is indeed a significant event in their eyes. 

"Alright, you all carry on; I must return home for a meal…" After basking in the attention, Sun Lianda, satisfied, headed home with Fang Yi. 

"Teacher, you might consider practicing some martial arts in the mornings…" After setting out the breakfast, Fang Yi remarked. Observing his teacher's complexion, he noted that Master Sun appeared somewhat depleted in kidney energy, which could lead to osteoporosis—a concern for the elderly. 

"Are you suggesting Tai Chi?" Upon hearing Fang Yi's suggestion, Sun Lianda chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. "I practiced for a few days in the past, but felt it was of little benefit, so I abandoned it…" 

"Teacher, Tai Chi is indeed beneficial…" Fang Yi was somewhat speechless at his teacher's dismissal. Tai Chi, with its external fluidity and internal solidity, is a genuine Daoist cultivation method. The fact that his teacher had not experienced its energy was likely due to having learned one of those rudimentary thirty-six or seventy-two forms, which were fundamentally flawed. 

"Hmm, perhaps I shall take it up again tomorrow…" Sun Lianda was open to the idea, recognizing that both walking and practicing Tai Chi were forms of exercise. 

"Teacher, allow me to teach you a method of internal guidance tomorrow…" Fang Yi proposed after a moment of thought. 

"Oh? A Daoist cultivation technique?" 

Sun Lianda's eyes brightened at Fang Yi's words. He understood that his seemingly simple disciple possessed profound insights. Moreover, not only Fang Yi but also the old Daoist master he spoke of must have had significant credentials, as evidenced by their influence in the Daoist Association. 

"It isn't precisely a cultivation technique; rather, it consists of several simple movements combined with breathing methods…" 

Fang Yi, well-versed in Daoist texts, knew of certain practices even if he had not personally practiced them. The guidance method he referred to was derived from Hua Tuo's Five Animal Play, albeit simplified. 

"Fang Yi, since we both rise early, you should come over at dawn. After an hour of practice, we can study for another hour…" 

After breakfast, Sun Lianda glanced at the time; it was still before eight o'clock. He understood that the antique market typically became busy only after nine, making an early visit somewhat futile. Instead, he deemed it more prudent to spend quality time tutoring Fang Yi. 

In his youth, Sun Lianda had been quite the individualist, reluctant to share his knowledge with anyone he deemed unworthy. However, with age, he felt a sense of urgency, eager to impart all he had learned to Fang Yi. 

"Very well, Teacher, I shall arrive each day at six…" 

Fang Yi nodded in agreement. Daoist practices emphasize early morning sessions to absorb the fresh eastern chi, and Fang Yi typically rose before five to practice, lacking the habit of returning to sleep. Even without his teacher's encouragement, he would read and learn as much as possible. 

"By the way, Teacher, I would like to trouble you to examine an item today…" Fang Yi said, removing a string of Bodhi beads from his wrist. He had further empowered them during his meditation the previous day, and their luster now appeared even richer. 

Fang Yi was now certain that while reciting scriptures or channeling energy, manipulating the beads could alter their age, transforming new beads into those aged over twenty years within a single night. As for the technique of merely channeling energy without reciting scriptures, he had yet to attempt it. He planned to visit the antique market today to acquire some inexpensive beads for experimentation, determined to unlock the secrets of his newfound abilities. 

"Hmm? This old Bodhi bead is quite remarkable…" Upon receiving the beads from Fang Yi, Sun Lianda's eyes sparkled. He donned his reading glasses and examined them closely. 

"The material is merely average, but the wear is exceptional…" 

After scrutinizing the beads for a while, Sun Lianda set them down and remarked, "They have clearly been polished for at least twenty years. The only flaw is that the initial polishing was somewhat careless, as dust and grime were not meticulously cleaned from the crevices, leaving behind some dark marks. However, the luster of these beads is exquisite, and their patina is impressively rich. Given their age, they qualify as a fine piece of cultural relic." Fang Yi, where did you acquire this treasure? 

Though Sun Lianda was not an expert in miscellaneous artifacts, he possessed a keen eye. He could deduce the age of the beads simply by observing their patina—a skill not easily mastered by the average person. 

"Teacher, I have been polishing these since childhood…" 

Upon hearing Sun Lianda's assessment, Fang Yi felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had been somewhat anxious, fearing that the aged item might reveal some flaw, but if even his teacher could not discern anything amiss, others would be even less likely to notice. 

"You polished these yourself? Then this item must be a ritual implement…" 

Sun Lianda realized that Fang Yi had been a Daoist for over a decade, and the beads in his hand were likely used for daily practice. He quickly donned his glasses again for another look, as he sensed a layer of spiritual light within the beads' patina, reminiscent of the ritual implements he had encountered in religious temples. 

"Teacher, you are familiar with ritual implements?" 

Having heard the term from Zhao Hongtao yesterday and now from his teacher, Fang Yi couldn't help but wonder—could it be that even in this age of scientific advancement, beliefs in Buddhism, Daoism, and the supernatural still thrived? 

"Fang Yi, ritual implements constitute a significant proportion of cultural relics…" 

Seeing Fang Yi's puzzled expression, Sun Lianda explained, "Not to mention, throughout history, emperors have either believed in Buddhism or Daoism. They would utilize the most precious materials to create vessels for these faiths, and once these vessels were imbued with the power of the scriptures, they transformed into ritual implements…" 

As a contemporary master of cultural relic appraisal, Sun Lianda had encountered countless ritual implements. Just considering the documented Buddhist ritual implements left by the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong emperors, there were likely over ten thousand items. 

Ritual implements and ordinary cultural relics may appear indistinguishable at first glance, yet through extensive contact, Sun Lianda could sense a unique aura emanating from ritual implements—one that instilled calmness and focus in the holder. This quality was absent in ordinary relics. 

"Listening to you, Teacher, I realize how limited my knowledge truly is…" 

Fang Yi understood immediately upon hearing his teacher's words. While the number of individuals practicing Daoism and Buddhism in modern society might have dwindled, it was entirely reasonable that some ritual implements had been passed down from centuries past. 

"You will encounter them in due time…" 

Pleased with Fang Yi's receptive demeanor, Sun Lianda nodded approvingly. "Ritual implements are often found in large temples or royal households. Our Jinling Museum was once the Daoist sacred site of Chaotian Palace, which houses numerous precious relics and ritual implements. In the future, I will take you to observe them…" 

"Thank you, Teacher…" 

Fang Yi readily agreed. As a member of the Daoist community, he could sense the potency of the ritual implements, enabling him to gauge the cultivation level of the individuals who had empowered them in the past. He was eager to discover the levels of mastery achieved by practitioners from centuries ago.