A Thousand Years of Qi Mastery

I get 3 cents per thousand words, so I hope everyone will support me. Two updates a day, totaling 5000 words, only earns me 15 cents. If you scold me or give up on Qiyu because of this 15 cents, I won't keep you. You can vote in the Flower VIP PK now, hehe. By the way, ignore that bird ticket thing below; it's useless to vote for it.

I think readers would be moved if they saw this scene.

New reader group: 121708804

Seeing today's baby delivery reminded me of something I'd like to mention. What makes Jiuqiu, the author, unique is her excellent blend of suspense and cultivation, which is rare in online novels, and the story is quite compelling. I only noticed this characteristic of Jiuqiu when the protagonist opened his own coffin and found a corpse that looked remarkably like himself. Every successful author has their strengths, and I hope Jiuqiu can maintain this unique style and avoid becoming just another face in the crowd. Also, I have a suggestion. I generally don't recommend prefaces/prologues, but this isn't a hard and fast rule. Jiuqiu could make the chapter where she opens the coffin and sees herself a prologue, placing it before the first chapter. This would create suspense and attract new readers, allowing them to immediately see the novel's unique features.

In the blink of an eye, some time has passed since Qi Yu was completed. Thinking back to when Qi Yu was still being updated, the first thing I did every morning was check it to see if there were any updates. Back then, I was deeply captivated by the plot, whether it was the brotherly bond between Yu Chengfeng and Jingangpao, the romance with Xu Zhaopei and Bai Jiuyu, or the humor in the book—all were excellent. What attracted me most was the book's depiction of traditional Taoist culture. Jiu Qiu described the Taoist incantations very well, making them feel very real. The ending was also good, leaving a lot of room for imagination. After achieving the Great Luo realm, could Lao Yu return? If he could, everything would be like a fairy tale, with an ending everyone would love. If he couldn't return, what would happen to Xu Shuangyi, who had waited for Lao Yu her whole life? What about Yao Jia, who had committed evil throughout his life but was genuinely kind to Lao Yu? Would things change in the modern world without Lao Yu? Thinking about these things always brings a little sadness. What's comforting is that although Qi Yu is finished, the Qi Yu fan group is still active. The book club is full of like-minded friends, and chatting with them is always a pleasure (I won't mention their names, or someone will get cocky ^_^). Jiuqiu also chats with us in his spare time from writing, which surprised me and showed me how easygoing he is (because I've never seen the author appear in other book clubs). It's just that I feel a lot of sadness that Qi Yu is finished, but thankfully Jiuqiu will be writing another book, and Qi Yu is about to be published, which I'm really looking forward to.

I recall drinking on the bridge at noon, surrounded by many heroes. The moon flowed silently down the long canal, and amidst the sparse shadows of apricot blossoms, we played the flute until dawn. More than twenty years have passed like a dream; it is astonishing that I am still alive. I idly climb the small pavilion to clear my mind, contemplating the many events of the past and present, as the fisherman's song rises at midnight. — Set to the tune of "Linjiang Xian" The moment the Concealing Qi Technique was released, celestial music and fragrant flowers filled the air, the world restarted, and Chengfengzi traversed three different time periods, experiencing countless changes, finally achieving enlightenment and returning to his rightful place. Although many mysteries remain, such as the soul of Yanpei, the love of Jiuyu, the bones of Shuangyi, and the prophecy of Qingzhu, the two years of continuous updates, covering the past and present, the affairs of the world, the ends of the earth, and the vast landscapes, have left readers in awe and full of praise. To be fair, *Qi Yu Qian Nian* is one of the highest quality online novels I've read in recent years. When it was first serialized on Tianya, its title was incredibly eye-catching: special forces, Taoist adventure—it evoked both the anticipation of military action and the allure of Taoist magic, its profound and mysterious power. As you read on, the book is incredibly rich in content, covering modern military affairs, Taoist cultivation, feng shui, destiny, tomb raiding, time travel, history, war, weaponry, magical duels, brotherhood, suspenseful cases, unofficial histories, fantastical creatures, and magical techniques… The sheer volume of content is astonishing, showcasing the author's profound knowledge. Even more impressive is the author's insightful understanding of many things. He offers unique perspectives on love, friendship, grudges, Buddhist scriptures, the I Ching, and Taoist theories, with many brilliant arguments that are truly remarkable. While these arguments may not be flawless, they fully reflect Jiu Qiu's sincere, straightforward, and clear-cut character. Many times, it feels like the descriptions of Chengfeng are more like a portrayal of Jiuqiu herself. A veteran, a worker at a scrap metal recycling station, she poured her heart and soul into writing this book, enduring the incomprehension of her family and the pressures of life. Every time I see the pictures Jiuqiu posts—coffee cups stained with tea, ashtrays overflowing with cigarette butts—it's heartbreaking. This book is author Feng Yu Jiuqiu's debut work, and Jiuqiu herself is not a professional online writer. The quality of the writing and the dedication she shows are remarkable. Although there may be occasional moments of impatience and off-key moments, we should also believe that perhaps it's the frustration of striving for perfection and unfulfilled ambitions, or perhaps we don't understand the darkness of the night, but the author's tireless pursuit of her dreams deserves our utmost respect. The book's captivating plot and accessible explanations naturally attracted a large readership, quickly transforming online forums, QQ groups, and websites into platforms for interaction between the author and readers. As the story unfolded, readers gained considerable knowledge from the text, while many others enriched their content with their own imaginations. The readers came from all walks of life: soldiers, doctors, clerks, students, professors, Taoist priests, accountants, architects, engineers, small business owners, factory managers, civil servants, and renowned scholars… covering a wide age range, from the elderly to children. Their diverse knowledge bases and life experiences contributed to the discussions, offering insightful perspectives and practical encyclopedic knowledge. Beyond the book's content, the discussions opened up a vast space for exploration and created a valuable platform for exchange among people from all walks of life. Thanks to Qi Yu Qian Nian, through this platform, we've met the righteous and chivalrous Master and Boss, the gentle and tender Qingyi and Shuangshuang (I don't know why, but seeing these two names reminds me of Shuangyi...), The stunningly beautiful Fox and Erniu, the breathtakingly beautiful Xiaoyu and Yaopian, as well as the admirable Laoshi and Meiduo, the highly skilled Ziyan and Cunzai, and Jingjing who's been featured on CCTV... The group is a vibrant and picturesque place, teeming with heroes. Special thanks to Jiuqiu, who not only wrote a complete plot and meticulous details but also included many readers in the book, allowing everyone to enjoy role-playing while discussing the plot. I especially want to thank him for dedicating a chapter to me, where I played a fortune-telling old man, greatly increasing my popularity within the group. It was through this group that I was fortunate enough to make a group of good teachers and friends, and some of my friendships even went from online to real life. I can't forget Fox's tea, Scale's books, and Breeze's wine... And I can't forget Brother Dalang's superb cooking skills. Our two families met many times, with a few dishes, two cups of ginseng and deer antler wine, and a cup of wine to toast the moon on the river! Time flies, and the past is gone. After two years of following "Qi Yu Qian Nian" (a popular Chinese novel), I must also lament the current cultural trends. I once thought the influx of Western learning would cause Eastern civilization to wither and fade. The pervasive fast-paced culture gives more and more people time to scroll through Weibo, but no time to settle down and read a long novel, let alone repeatedly study the classics. Thankfully, the flourishing of traditional culture around us has begun a new spring, a revival of its former glory. Many online novels with traditional elements provide us with platforms to trace our roots; and looking around at life, more and more elements of traditional culture and classical Chinese studies offer us a broader stage. No one is now a complacent spectator; everyone must participate. Humans will always have the value and belief in the pursuit of freedom. The body is constrained by objective reality, but the spirit seeks boundless freedom. We love life because its stories span five thousand years, inspiring endless imagination; we love nature because "all things compete freely under the frosty sky," a timeless hymn to life!

Learning that *Qi Yu Qian Nian* was about to be published filled me with a bittersweet feeling, like watching my daughter get married. I can't recall when I started reading it, as I checked it daily, browsing the group chat with friends, a leisurely and pleasant routine that had become a part of my life. Reflecting on it, I realize that while I've read many books since 2006, only *Qi Yu Qian Nian* is the one I've actually read in its original form. It's not that I lack appreciation for other books, nor that I'm financially strapped; it's that none of them resonated with me. I can admit I'm a scoundrel, but I have no need to pretend to be a hypocrite. Anything without moral value is discarded by me. What makes *Qi Yu Qian Nian* so captivating in recent years is that careful reading reveals many lost beauties, allowing my soul to find its way back. I was even more shocked to learn of the author's current situation; very few people can be so genuinely passionate and radical in such circumstances. Regarding the current spread and negative impacts of online culture, "Qi Yu Qian Nian" serves as a kind of spiritual tonic, helping lost souls find their way home, like a lighthouse for a ship that has lost its way...

The plot is okay

I closed my laptop and looked out the window. The afternoon sun was at its warmest. Suddenly, I instinctively reached out and held my hand up to my eyes, squinting at the sunlight. The light was split by his fingers, slightly dazzling—naturally, nothing could be seen. He just remembered the beginning, when Yu Chengfeng had just taught Jin Gangpao how to observe qi. Jin Gangpao, who knew nothing, grabbed Yu's hand, squinted for a while, and rambled on, "Yu, I see it, it's multicolored." Yu Chengfeng laughed and scolded him, "Do you think I'm Guanyin Bodhisattva? Multicolored?" When did that happen? It seems like it was a year ago. No, it happened a year ago for us, but in the parallel world created by Jiu Qiu, in the world of Yu Chengfeng and Jingangpao, perhaps even they don't remember that time anymore. The sunlight seemed to thin out, and a sense of reluctance filled the air. Why does time pass so quickly, yet stretch on for so long that we can't see the two ends of time, can't see those who were once at the other end of the story? It's as if so much has happened in a blur, and before we know it, it's all coming to an end. The curtain is about to fall, and the clamor will return to dust. When I first started reading this story, did I ever imagine it would end this way? It's unbelievable, it can't be like this. When Yu Chengfeng stood blankly before Ye Aofeng's corpse, that moment probably signified a dramatic change and an end. History, of course, will never change; after the Northern and Southern Dynasties came the Sui Dynasty. It's just that the process was unexpectedly arduous, turning into an even more brutal war of deification. Not a single word is left in the historical records; it must have been Yu Chengfeng, who ascended to the highest rank, who erased everything. I want to believe that this is true, that these events really did happen. Yet sometimes it suddenly feels somewhat laughable that such a momentous event as dynastic change, with countless lives lost, was ultimately just a game played by the gods. A sense of absurdity inevitably arises. But the more absurd it seems, the more poignant it becomes. Are the events depicted on paper merely the joys and sorrows of others, unrelated to us, or could they truly be stories unfolding in another time and space? We exist in different times and spaces, perhaps our lives overlapping, or perhaps we simply brush past each other. Sometimes we vaguely see them, and they may wonder if they have seen us. Some people are so engrossed in books that they seem to have transported themselves into the world depicted within them. Let me think carefully about what kind of story *Qi Yu Qian Nian* actually tells. The synopsis says it's a story of special forces soldiers' magical adventures, but such a succinct description is far too general. It fails to capture the essence of the story and doesn't do justice to the soul that Jiu Qiu has imbued it with. However, how can such a massive work of millions of words, a story so rich in wonder and thought, be condensed into just a few dozen or even a few hundred words? The beauty of Qi Mastery is beyond words; without personal experience, it pales in comparison. Jiuqiu has meticulously poured the accumulated wisdom of his thirty years into Qi Mastery, drop by drop, with unwavering care, resulting in its current depth and breadth. To think that Qi Mastery is merely about brotherhood, romance, or the path to power and advancement would be a desecration of Jiuqiu's hundreds of days and nights of dedication and effort. It's not just about sitting at a desk, fingers flying across the keyboard, or the flickering cigarettes and sudden flashes of inspiration; it's about sleepless nights and countless hours of painstaking, meticulous work. What we read in six minutes might take Jiuqiu sixty minutes to write, and how many sixty-minute intervals would it take to create the intricate plot, the grand framework, and the endless surprises and astonishments behind it? (Due to the character limit in the book review section, the book review has been split into two parts. The remaining half is in another post. Feel free to continue reading.)

I summon a purple aura from the east, and unparalleled divine powers are at my command; I sigh at the enduring love of heroes, for love and hate have been difficult to sever for a thousand years. It's just unknown whether this is what they truly wanted. When Yu Chengfeng and Jingangpao first entered that cave, if they could have foreseen all of this, would they still have chosen to take that step? Possessing cultivation levels sufficient to dominate the world and wealth amounting to hundreds of millions, yet the price they paid was incredibly heavy; the burdens they carried were beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. Perhaps at the very beginning of the story, those two boisterous young people, even if told the road ahead would be difficult, would still have gone without hesitation. Between mediocrity and extraordinary achievements, how many people can truly settle for mediocrity? Adventure is the most alluring and irresistible temptation. Every man yearns for the extraordinary, to look down upon the world, to hold a beautiful woman in his arms—what a carefree and exhilarating feeling, how heroic and unrestrained! We, the outsiders of the story, look up to the characters as they grow step by step, becoming stronger and stronger. It's as if those thoughts that have always existed in our hearts but could never be put into action have secretly sprouted. They are not only achieving their own goals, but also our dreams. In truth, there was no room for choice. Everything was ordained by fate, or perhaps a game of chess orchestrated by those in power. Spanning millennia of past and present lives, love and hate have entangled for countless centuries, an unsolvable mystery, words passed down through generations—when will it end, when will the scheming cease? Boundless Heavenly Venerable, the will of Heaven is beyond the comprehension of mortals. The world is a game of chess, and I am content to be a pawn. Even if Heaven intends to use me, I can leverage its power to rise to new heights. I wonder if this is what Yu Chengfeng truly desires. Heaven and earth unfold their scroll, freely depicting the myriad aspects of human life. The lyrics go like this: "What's wrong with defying the heavens for me? You should always remember that you were once bewitched by love." Xu Zhaopei waited for a thousand years, and Bai Jiuyu also waited devotedly for a thousand years. But for a man like Yu Chengfeng, a young man who was willing to defy the heavens and even venture into the underworld for them, no matter how bitter the years were, they could eventually transform into blooming flowers that reached the depths of their hearts. Jingangpao could have honestly joined the army, retired, married an ordinary rural woman, had a healthy son, and lived a peaceful, uneventful, or perhaps even arduous, life, perhaps even with a lifetime to live. Why, at the age of thirty, did he start planning his own funeral? But how could he bear to abandon the struggles he had shared with his brothers, the promise he had made with Murong Zhuifeng in their previous life? They had stumbled and fallen along the way, filled with helplessness, but mostly with a yearning for what was to come. Well, there are many other people and things in the story who are happy, even those who have suffered greatly in the past, yet ultimately find happiness: Wen Xiaofeng, Da Meier and Gongyang Yifeng, Old Li, even Sanyin Bishui, the White Wolf, Gan Jiang and Mo Xie. Perhaps this isn't happiness and contentment in the conventional sense, but they all experienced a vibrant life, like summer flowers in full bloom, which is something that worldly happiness can't compare to. The story of Qi Yu cannot be simply described as "exciting." It possesses a thrilling and exhilarating quality, making you want to laugh out loud and shout. The story is filled with a mesmerizing light that can be dizzying, so you have to persevere and keep going. It also has heart-wrenching and deeply moving moments, such as the profound brotherhood that can touch your heart unexpectedly, like swaying spring water. So, although Jiuqiu is a hot-tempered and rough man, I believe that he must be very gentle at heart. Ziyang Temple, Qixuan, is like a dream home, existing in everyone's heart. I only started following serialized novels online last year, and I never expected to end up following such a long and epic work. During this time, I followed Qi Yu and Jiu Qiu through thick and thin, and I don't know what kept me from giving up on Qi Yu. Perhaps it was Qi Yu's unique magic, or perhaps it's the kind of determination that makes you never give up once you've made up your mind. Along the way, I witnessed Qi Yu's ups and downs, its immense popularity, and the injustices it suffered. Jiu Qiu once used the word "wandering" to describe his journeys with Qi Yu, and I almost teared up at that moment. It was just a bad start that led to so much hardship. I can also imagine how difficult Jiu Qiu's creative journey has been; he practically risked his life writing Qi Yu. Such unwavering stubbornness is admirable, yet also frightening. Jiu Qiu, you must take good care of yourself, keep writing well, and even if you stop writing, live a good life. When you grow old and think back to the amazing debut novel you wrote in your youth, Jiuqiu, you should feel that your life was worthwhile. And for us, having had such a book and such a person as you in our lifetime makes even our memories shine brightly.