132: Chapter 132 The Mountain Villa's Trial: Passing Through the "Nine-Bend Corridor," Comprehending the "Way of Yin and Yang"

Section 1 Villa Entrance: The Mystery of the Nine-Bend Corridor

Chen Wu's team had just reached the entrance of Taiji Villa when two stone lions suddenly pulsed with a faint green light. Strands of Silk-Wrapping Energy billowed from their mouths, weaving into a curtain of Qi Energy in front of the gate. Yang Zhenting took a step forward, condensing Innate Soft Energy in his palm and gently pressing it against the lions' eyes. The curtain slowly dispersed, revealing the scene inside the villa: in the center of a courtyard paved with bluestone slabs, a winding corridor led to the main hall. The pillars were carved with Eight Trigrams patterns, and the lanterns hanging from the roof glowed with "Yin Green" and "Yang Gold" dual-colored light. This was the entry trial of Taiji Villa—the Nine-Bend Corridor.

"This corridor is the 'second trial' of the villa," Yang Zhenting pointed to the entrance. "It has nine bends in total, each corresponding to one of the Eight Trigrams. Inside the corridor are hidden 'Yin-Yang Qi Energy Mechanisms'. The Qi Energy in the Yin bends weakens Hard Energy, while the Qi Energy in the Yang bends suppresses Soft Energy. Only by fully comprehending the principle of 'Yin and Yang generating each other' can one pass smoothly." He also gave a specific warning: "Previously, a Xingyi Fist master tried to force his way through a Yang bend. His Hard Energy was suppressed, and he nearly fell off the corridor. Mr. Chen, since you have fused hard and Soft Energy, perhaps you can find a way to crack it."

Lin Mo's tactical tablet immediately popped up a "Corridor Qi Energy Analysis": "Detected Yin-Yang Qi Energy alternating frequency in the corridor is 30 seconds per cycle. Yin bend Qi Energy purity is 75%, Yang bend Qi Energy purity is 80%. Currently, Chen Wu's Xingji Fist consists of 35% Soft Energy and 65% Hard Energy. Upon entering a Yin bend, Hard Energy may be weakened to 50%; upon entering a Yang bend, Soft Energy may be suppressed to 25%. Real-time adjustment of energy ratios is required!" The global livestream camera focused on the energy map on the tablet. The nine bends of the corridor were labeled as "Yin - Yang - Yin - Yang - Yin - Yang - Yin-Yang Convergence - Yin - Yang," resembling a dual-colored serpent coiled in the courtyard.

Chen Wu walked to the entrance of the corridor and reached a finger inside. The first bend was a Yin bend; warm Yin energy surged in through his fingertip, and as expected, the Xingji Hard Energy in his Dantian fluctuated, dropping from 65% to 60%. "It really does weaken Hard Energy!" He took a deep breath, recalling the "Following the Qi meridians" technique taught by Uncle Li. He stopped trying to consciously control the energy ratio and instead let his hard and Soft Energy adjust naturally with the flow of the Yin-Yang Qi Energy. Miraculously, when he stopped resisting, the rate at which his Hard Energy weakened slowed down. The Hard Energy that would have dropped to 50% within 30 seconds now stabilized at 62%. "It's working!" Lin Mo's tablet showed that the Qi Energy adaptation rate had increased from 60% to 75%.

In the global livestream comments, viewers cheered for Chen Wu. "Watcher of Huangtu Slope" Old Zhao left a message: "Teacher Chen, don't resist it head-on; go with the flow of the energy!" Amir from Egypt sent his "Pyramid Yin-Yang Formation cracking experience": "Try injecting both hard and Soft Energy at the point where Yin and Yang converge to form a small Taiji diagram!" Real-time data from the Technical Department showed that 5 million Martial Artists worldwide were simultaneously simulating "Yin-Yang Qi Energy adjustment" in their own training grounds. 30% of them reported that their "Qi Energy flow became smoother," turning the corridor trial into another live traditional martial arts teaching session.

Grandpa Wang's tobacco pipe made a muffled thud against the side of the corridor. The old man flipped through the "Yin-Yang Chapter" of the tombskeeper team records, where a yellowed photo of the corridor from 1956 was tucked between the pages. "Your great-grandfather used the 'Yijin Energy Harmony Method' when he passed through this corridor, injecting Hard Energy in the Yin bends and supplementing Soft Energy in the Yang bends." The pipe bowl pointed at the Eight Trigrams pattern on a pillar. "Today, you have Uncle Li's True Intent of Taiji; perhaps you can pass even faster than he did back then!" The bronze "Taiji Guardian" plaque in the camphor wood box suddenly glowed. Faint golden Qi Energy spread along the corridor, drawing a miniature Taiji diagram on the ground of the first Yin bend, as if guiding the way.

Section 2 Danger at the Third Bend: Interference of Mirror Energy

Chen Wu successfully passed the first two bends (Yin and Yang). Just as he entered the third bend, which was a Yin bend, the Eight Trigrams pattern on the pillar suddenly lit up. A "Qi Energy Mirror" identical to him stepped out from the pattern. The mirror's Xingji Fist energy was exactly the same as his: 65% Hard Energy, 35% Soft Energy, and even its punching posture was identical.

"This is the 'Mirror Energy Mechanism'!" Yang Zhenting's voice was filled with anxiety. "The third, sixth, and ninth bends of the corridor hide these mechanisms. The mirror will mimic your Qi Energy and Moves. If you use Hard Energy, it uses Hard Energy; if you use Soft Energy, it uses Soft Energy. Fighting it head-on will only result in mutual destruction. Some Martial Artists exhausted their Qi Energy here and were forced to give up the trial!"

As expected, the mirror launched an attack. The Hard Energy of a Xingji Collapse roared toward Chen Wu, identical to the Move he had used before. Chen Wu instinctively used Soft Energy to deflect the force, but the mirror simultaneously used Soft Energy to easily neutralize his defense. Lin Mo's tablet showed that the mirror's energy mimicry was 100%, and ordinary offense and defense simply wouldn't work. "I can't follow its rhythm!" Chen Wu suddenly remembered a record from the Record of True Intent of Taiji: "The Dao of Yin and Yang is not about confrontation, but transformation. Hardness can transform into softness, and softness can give birth to hardness."

He suddenly changed his Move. When the mirror struck with Hard Energy, he didn't use Soft Energy to deflect it. Instead, he instantaneously transformed his own Hard Energy into Soft Energy, flowing along the trajectory of the mirror's Hard Energy. The mirror's Hard Energy lost its target and struck the pillar, creating a slight energy explosion. Seizing the moment the mirror paused, Chen Wu's Soft Energy suddenly turned into Hard Energy, accurately striking the mirror's "Qi Energy Core." The mirror instantly dissipated into the Yin energy. "Cracked it!" Lin Mo's tablet showed that this success earned 5,000 Legacy base points, which doubled to 10,000. The total points broke 17.06 million, leaving only 2.94 million more needed to exchange for the Fusion module.

The trial at the fourth bend, a Yang bend, was even more troublesome. As soon as he entered the bend, Chen Wu's Soft Energy was suppressed by the Yang energy, dropping from 35% to 30%. The Yang Gold lanterns on the roof suddenly lit up, and countless tiny strands of Yang energy shot out like arrows. "This is the 'Yang Energy Arrow Rain'!" Yang Zhenting's voice was tense. "You need to use Soft Energy to form a protective shield, but your Soft Energy is suppressed, I'm afraid..." Before he could finish, Chen Wu suddenly injected Hard Energy into the ground. The Yang energy of the Yang bend was drawn by the Hard Energy and actually converged along his energy trajectory into a small Yang energy vortex. He then injected his remaining Soft Energy into the vortex. The hard and soft energies fused instantly, forming a dual-colored protective shield. The arrow rain hit the shield and was instantly transformed into harmless Qi Energy particles.

"Brilliant!" Uncle Li's voice suddenly came from the bamboo forest beside the corridor. The old man walked out leaning on his cane, his eyes full of praise. "You can not only follow the Qi meridians but also 'guide and transform Qi'. This is the true meaning of the Dao of Yin and Yang! It took me ten years of practice to fully grasp this principle; you are much faster than I was!" He also revealed that the seventh bend of the corridor was the "Yin-Yang Convergence Point," where the Qi Energy was most chaotic, but also the best opportunity to enhance one's energy, telling Chen Wu to be prepared.

The Flower Girl's inheritance grass bloomed beside the corridor. Its eight-colored petals unfurled toward the Yang bend, and dewdrops rolled on the leaves, reflecting the trajectories of the Yang Energy Arrow Rain before Chen Wu's eyes. With the "Qi Energy Guidance" of the inheritance grass, Chen Wu could more accurately predict the direction of the arrow rain, and the shield's defense efficiency rose to 95%. "Elder Zhou said, 'Though Yin-Yang Qi Energy is dangerous, it is the best cultivation resource,'" the young girl said, her fingertip lightly touching a petal. "Look, your Soft Energy has actually become more refined in the Yang bend; it has already risen to 32%!"

In the global livestream comments, viewers cheered wildly for Chen Wu's success. "Nurse Emily" left a message: "Hard Energy draws the Yang energy, and Soft Energy transforms the arrow rain—this must be Yin and Yang generating each other!" Amir sent a "Mirror Mechanism replication plan": "I'm going to build a small mirror formation at the Pyramid teaching site so the children can learn energy transformation!" The Technical Department also turned Chen Wu's solution into a "Yin-Yang Qi Energy Transformation Instructional Video," distributing it for free to traditional martial arts teaching sites worldwide. That day, 800 schools began teaching it, turning the corridor trial into a popular classroom for the "Dao of Yin and Yang" of traditional martial arts.

Section 3 Breakthrough at the Seventh Bend: Epiphany at the Intersection of Yin and Yang

Chen Wu successfully passed the fifth and sixth bends and arrived at the seventh bend—the Yin-Yang Convergence Point. The scene here was completely different from the other bends: the Eight Trigrams patterns on the pillars glowed with both Yin Green and Yang Gold light, the lanterns on the roof were half Yin and half Yang, and the Taiji totem on the ground pulsed with faint golden light. Yin and Yang Qi Energy collided violently here, forming a Qi Energy vortex five meters in diameter. An ordinary person would be torn apart by the energy just by getting close.

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"This is the most critical bend of the corridor, and also the most difficult one," Yang Zhenting's voice was heavy. "Yin and Yang Qi Energy converges here, creating 'Qi Energy Tearing Force.' A previous Taiji successor tried to forcibly fuse Yin and Yang energy here, which caused their Qi Energy to become chaotic, and it took them three months to recover. Mr. Chen, you..."

Chen Wu stepped forward, entering the edge of the Qi Energy vortex—the Yin and Yang Qi Energy instantly enveloped his body. The Hard Energy was weakened by the Soft Energy, and the Soft Energy was suppressed by the Hard Energy. The Qi Energy core in his Dantian fluctuated violently; the hard and Soft Energy of his Xingji Fist felt like it was about to be torn apart. "Don't panic!" He closed his eyes, recalling the records in the *Taiji True Meaning Record*: "When Yin and Yang converge, do not resist and do not just follow; it is symbiosis. Hidden softness within hardness, hidden hardness within softness, only then can balance be achieved."

He stopped adjusting the ratio of Qi Energy and instead allowed the hard and Soft Energy to form a rotating Taiji diagram within his body. The Hard Energy flowed along the trajectory of the Yang energy, and the Soft Energy moved in the direction of the Yin energy—when the rotation frequency of the Taiji diagram synchronized with the Qi Energy vortex, a miraculous scene occurred: the originally tearing Qi Energy actually merged into his body along the trajectory of the Taiji diagram. The Yin energy nourished the Soft Energy, and the Yang energy strengthened the Hard Energy. The Qi Energy core in his Dantian glowed with dual-colored light. The Soft Energy of the Xingji Fist increased from 32% to 40%, and the Hard Energy increased from 65% to 70%. Moreover, they no longer repelled each other but coexisted like the Yin and Yang fish.

"I've realized it! This is the Dao of Yin and Yang!" Chen Wu's voice was filled with excitement. He suddenly unleashed Xingji Fist within the vortex. The Hard Energy was as fierce as Yang gold, but when it hit the corridor pillar, it turned into Soft Energy, causing no damage at all. The Soft Energy was as gentle as Yin green, yet when it deflected the Qi Energy of the vortex, it hid Hard Energy within, allowing him to use the Qi Energy for his own purposes. Lin Mo's tablet showed that Chen Wu's Qi Energy Fusion rate had increased from 75% to 90%, reaching the Realm of "Yin and Yang Symbiosis." The Legacy Points System automatically recorded "Epiphany of the Dao of Yin and Yang," awarding 10,000 basic points, which doubled to 20,000. His total points exceeded 17.08 million, just 2.92 million away from redeeming the Fusion module.

Uncle Li walked out of the bamboo forest, holding a red sandalwood box containing a Yin and Yang fish jade pendant: "This is the Villa's 'Yin and Yang Guide.' You have realized the Dao of Yin and Yang, so you are qualified to possess it." The old man handed the jade pendant to Chen Wu. "Wearing it will help you better cope with the Yin and Yang Qi Energy formation in the Taiji Secret Realm, and you can also use it to trigger Yin and Yang energy at critical moments to resolve crises." He also revealed that this jade pendant was of the same Origin as the Taiji Secret Realm's supreme treasure, the "Taiji Xingji fusion jade," and that combining the two could make the Yin and Yang Fusion of the Xingji Fist more thorough.

In the global live stream chat, a barrage of comments instantly flooded the screen: "So amazing!" "He realized the Dao of Yin and Yang!" "Teacher Chen has had a Breakthrough! Yin and Yang Symbiosis is absolutely incredible!" "The Yin and Yang Guide jade pendant will definitely help with the Secret Realm exploration!" "Looking forward to Teacher Chen using Yin and Yang energy to dominate the world!" The Technical Department's real-time data showed that Chen Wu's Epiphany of the Dao of Yin and Yang had increased the average Qi Energy Fusion rate of 10 million Martial Artists worldwide by 5%. Many people reported, "The previously stuck Qi Energy is now smooth." The "Yin and Yang Teaching" section of the traditional martial arts universal benefit plan had received 1,500 new teaching point applications.

Fourth Section: Passing the Nine Bends: Welcome to the Main Hall and New Expectations

Chen Wu, wearing the Yin and Yang Guide jade pendant, successfully passed the eighth and ninth bends. When he walked out of the winding corridor, the main hall of Taiji Villa was already filled with the Villa's successors and representatives from various global schools. Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan, wearing a cyan Taiji uniform and holding a Taiji Sword, saw Chen Wu approaching and immediately stepped forward, cupping his hands: "Mr. Chen, to be able to realize the Dao of Yin and Yang and successfully pass through the winding corridor, you are truly a talented youth! On behalf of Taiji Villa, I welcome your arrival!"

Representatives from various schools also stepped forward to congratulate him: the successor of the Xingyi Sect praised Chen Wu's "Qi Energy conversion"; the expert from the Baji Sect admired his "Yin and Yang Symbiosis"; even the Wudang successor, who had previously had doubts about the Fusion Energy Technique, gave Chen Wu a thumbs up: "I previously thought the Fusion Energy Technique was inferior, but today, after seeing Mr. Chen's Dao of Yin and Yang, I realize it was my narrow-mindedness!"

Yang Zhenting led Chen Wu into the main hall. In the center of the hall stood a Taiji Qi Energy furnace, glowing with Yin and Yang dual-colored light—this was Taiji Villa's "Qi Energy Origin Furnace." "This furnace can nourish the Qi Energy of any school," Yang Zhenting said, pointing to the furnace. "You just passed through the corridor, and your Qi Energy is not yet stable. You can Cultivate here for half an hour to let the Yin and Yang energy fuse better." Chen Wu walked to the furnace and placed the Yin and Yang Guide jade pendant close to the furnace wall—the Qi Energy inside the furnace instantly surged out, flowing into his body along with the jade pendant. The Qi Energy core in his Dantian rotated more smoothly, and the Fusion rate of the hard and Soft Energy increased from 90% to 95%, increasing the power of the Xingji Fist by another 10%.

Lin Mo's tablet showed that the Legacy Points System had added 3,000 points for "Qi Energy Origin Nourishment," which doubled to 6,000. His total points exceeded 17.086 million, just 2.914 million away from redeeming the "Taiji Xingji Fusion module." Su Qing brought good news regarding public welfare: "During the 'Corridor Teaching,' global public welfare donations exceeded 1 million yuan. We have purchased 'Yin and Yang Qi Energy Cultivation Mats' for 20 rural teaching points. Children can simulate the Yin and Yang Qi Energy of the corridor on these mats and learn Qi Energy conversion!"

Lu Feng's security team and Taiji Villa's guard team had completed the "Exchange Meeting Security Deployment": "We have deployed defense at the main hall, corridor, and Secret Realm entrance, and installed 'Yin and Yang Qi Energy Warning Devices' that can identify abnormal Qi Energy fluctuations," Lu Feng said confidently. "If overseas imitation organizations want to cause trouble again, we are confident that we can subdue them within 5 minutes!"

The Flower Girl's inheritance grass bloomed in the main hall. The eight-colored petals unfolded towards the Qi Energy Origin Furnace, and dew rolled on the leaves, reflecting the flow of Yin and Yang Qi Energy inside the furnace—the petals of the inheritance grass glowed with Yin and Yang dual-colored light, completely synchronized with the Qi Energy inside the furnace, proving that the Qi Energy here could further enhance Chen Wu's Yin and Yang Fusion. "Elder Zhou said, 'The Qi Energy of Taiji Villa is the treasure of traditional martial arts,'" the little girl said, lightly tapping the petals with her fingertips. "Cultivating here for one day is more effective than cultivating for three days outside. You must seize this opportunity!"

Fifth Section: Eve of the Exchange Meeting: Inheritance and Expectations of the Dao of Yin and Yang

In the night at Taiji Villa, the main hall was brightly lit. Representatives from various global schools surrounded Chen Wu to discuss the application of the "Dao of Yin and Yang." The successor of the Xingyi Sect asked for advice on the technique of "Hard Energy turning into Soft," and Chen Wu demonstrated it on the spot, converting Xingyi Hard Energy into Taiji Soft Energy, leaving the other party amazed. The expert from the Baji Sect asked about the method of "Soft Energy generating Hard," and Chen Wu combined his experience from the Yang bend of the corridor to explain how to use Yang energy to trigger Hard Energy, giving the other party a sudden enlightenment. The Wudang successor hoped to cooperate to jointly compile the *Yin and Yang Energy Technique Textbook* for global traditional martial arts teaching, to which Chen Wu readily agreed.

Grandpa Wang's dry tobacco pipe made a muffled sound as he knocked it on the discussion scene. The old man took out the "Inheritance Chapter" of the *tombskeeper team records* and added the record of the "Dao of Yin and Yang": "In the thirty-eighth year of traditional martial arts, Chen Wu realized the Dao of Yin and Yang in the Nine-Bend Corridor of Taiji Villa, achieving symbiosis of hard and soft, and Qi Energy conversion, opening a new path for the Fusion of traditional martial arts." He pointed the pipe bowl at the record. "If your great-grandfather could see this scene back then, he would surely laugh until his tobacco pipe fell off. The future of traditional martial arts lies in your hands!" The bronze plaque of "Secret Realm Guide" and the "Taiji Guardian" bronze plaque in the camphor wood box lit up simultaneously. The pale golden Qi Energy resonated with the Yin and Yang Guide jade pendant, forming a huge "Yin and Yang Taiji diagram" in the main hall, symbolizing the great Fusion of traditional martial arts schools.

The final image of the global live stream stayed on a group photo of Chen Wu and representatives of various schools—Chen Wu stood in the center, holding the Yin and Yang Guide jade pendant. Beside him were Yang Zhenting, Uncle Li, and Grandmaster Yang Mingyuan. Surrounding them were successors of the Xingyi Sect, Baji Sect, Wudang, and other schools. Behind them were the Qi Energy Origin Furnace and the Nine-Bend Corridor. In the distant night sky, drones formed a huge "Yin and Yang" character, illuminating every corner of Taiji Villa. The final row of neat text scrolled in the chat: "Realizing Yin and Yang in the Nine-Bend Corridor, Qi Energy symbiosis spreads traditional martial arts; The Villa's grand meeting begins tomorrow, the Secret Realm's supreme treasure awaits your possession!"

This message was lit up by 88 billion viewers at the same time, like a river of dual-colored light, illuminating the night sky of Taiji Villa. Chen Wu knew that the test of the Nine-Bend Corridor was not only an introductory test but also the inheritance of the "Dao of Yin and Yang." The upcoming traditional martial arts exchange meeting would be a grand event for various schools to share and fuse, and the exploration of the Taiji Secret Realm would be a new Breakthrough for the Yin and Yang Fusion of the Xingji Fist. And all of this would continue to write a new chapter of traditional martial arts in this Taiji Villa that had been passed down for three hundred years—Yin and Yang symbiosis, hard and soft combined, and the radiance of traditional martial arts would become even more brilliant here.