Technique Stages

Be Huang, a senior outer disciple, sat across from Jo Yuan in the quiet training hall. He tapped the wooden floor gently as if marking the stages of progress in cultivation.

"Techniques," Be Huang began, "they have stages. You start at Initial, move to Proficient, then Expert, and finally, Perfect." He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing.

"At the initial stage, you're just learning the movements. You understand the basics but don't feel the flow yet. It's like you're fighting against the technique, forcing it to work for you."

Jo Yuan nodded slowly, his mind picturing his own struggles with new techniques.

"When you reach Proficient, the technique becomes smoother. Your movements are more natural and less forced. You know it, but it's still not a part of you yet. You'll feel the difference when you move from Proficient to Expert. That's where things change." Be Huang's eyes sharpened. "At Expert, it feels like the technique knows you. Your body moves before your mind even thinks about it."

Jo Yuan absorbed the words, understanding that he had barely scratched the surface of cultivation.

"And Perfect?" Jo Yuan asked.

"Ah, Perfect," Be Huang exhaled softly, leaning back. "Perfect is rare. Very rare. When you reach Perfect, the technique is like breathing. You don't even think about it anymore. It becomes part of your soul. You'll know you've reached it because... it just happens. People can sense it. The air changes when you move."

"But," Be Huang added, "getting there... It's hard. From Initial to Proficient? It's not easy, but it's doable with time and practice. But going from Proficient to Expert? That can take years, even decades. And Perfect? Some people, they spend fifty years, and they still don't reach it. It takes more than just effort. You need luck and enlightenment. Some rare insight."

Jo Yuan's mind wandered, imagining the struggle. Fifty years of work, only to fall short of perfection. It was a humbling thought.

"Most people can reach Expert if they have high comprehension," Be Huang said, "or at least if they work themselves to the bone. But Perfect... only the Sect Master and one elder have reached the Perfect stage in two or three techniques. That's why they are so powerful."

Jo Yuan's eyes widened in surprise. "Only two people?"

Be Huang nodded. "Reaching Perfect in a technique can help you fight across realms. A cultivator in the Qi Building realm who has reached Perfect can stand a chance against someone in the Foundation realm."

Jo Yuan's thoughts raced. If he could master his techniques to that level... His monologue played out silently in his head. So, the Moonshadow Blade… If I can reach Perfect with this technique, maybe... just maybe, I won't be stuck forever in the lower realms. I need to push harder. Luck, insight—yes, those are things out of my control. But effort, discipline, that's mine to give.

Be Huang's voice interrupted Jo Yuan's thoughts. "But remember," he said, his tone serious, "not everyone gets there. Some spend their lives chasing it and fail. It's rare for a reason."

Jo Yuan clenched his fist lightly. He knew that this shit wasn't going to be easy, but hearing the potential, the idea that a lower realm cultivator could challenge those above, filled him with insatiable desire. He had to try, right? As a regressor, he had unlimited time. No matter how many lifetimes or decades, he must learn it!