QQR surpassed 1Deng.

[Ken Cheng]

When Cheung Mo Gei defeated Ah 3, the external form that he used was Tai Chi Fist Technique. Granted, he was backed by 9 Yeung Jen Ging inner power and Keen Kwun Dai Loi Yee, but if he had used a hard technique to defeat Ah 3, it would not have been nearly as graceful. Inner power matters, and if yours is insufficient compared the opponent's, you're in for an upward battle, but if the inner power is comparable, then a soft technique such as Tai Chi increases survivability against aggressive, hard techniques.

[Western Eccentric]

When Cheung Mo Gei defeated Ah 3, the external form that he used was Tai Chi Fist Technique. Granted, he was backed by 9 Yeung Jen Ging inner power and Keen Kwun Dai Loi Yee, but if he had used a hard technique to defeat Ah 3, it would not have been nearly as graceful. Inner power matters, and if yours is insufficient compared the opponent's, you're in for an upward battle, but if the inner power is comparable, then a soft technique such as Tai Chi increases survivability against aggressive, hard techniques.

As I remember throughout HSDS Tai Chi only use against lesser opponents and even doesn't work against ZZR evil 9 Yin White Bone Claw..

[hyoyatika]

I think JY contradict himself here..

He walked slowly to the centre of the hall. Turning to Yin Tianzheng he said: “I appreciate Brother Yin’s good intentions. In the past few years I’ve created a new set of fist techniques called ‘Taiji Fist’. I believe it is quite different from other forms of martial arts. This benefactor wants to verify that Wudang’s martial arts are real. If Brother Yin defeats him, he won’t be satisfied. Let me exchange a few stances with him and take the opportunity show you the result of my painstaking work over these years.”

When Yin Tianzheng heard this he was happy and yet worried. Zhang Sanfeng spoke with full confidence in his Taiji Fist. He would not have spoken if he could not back up what he said. But he had just suffered a serious injury, even if the fist technique was excellent, his inner power might be insufficient. Still, he merely cupped his fists and said: “Junior respectfully defers to Master Zhang’s divine skill.” On seeing Zhang Sanfeng unexpectedly come forward, fear struck Ah San’s heart. But he turned his face and said: “Today I’ll fight a battle of life or death with this old Taoist. Neither one of us will escape uninjured. This will shake the martial arts world.” He immediately drew his breath while staring at Zhang Sanfeng’s face. As he held his breath, the sound of bones cracking was heard from all over his body. Everyone was startled. They knew this meant he had achieved the highest level of orthodox Buddhist martial arts. It was the Defeating Demon Diamond Skill.

When Zhang Sanfeng saw this he was startled: “This is no ordinary person! I wonder if my Taiji Fist can defeat him.”

I don’t see any contradiction. Z3F knew that he couldn’t get YTZ to fight hi battle for him. He also believed that he was able to defeat Ah San, despite being heavily injured. However, he didn’t realize that Ah San was so highly skilled, hence he had doubts.
Frankly, I don’t think we should read too much about what Z3F thought at that point. He was gravely injured-in fact, anyone else who took such a blow would likely be lying in bed for months, not standing up to face foes.

[Dirt]

HR noted that 1Deng was losing and was worried that 1Deng would be defeated by Golden Wheel. They had barely started fighting.

QQR fought Golden Wheel over 1000 stances and over a night, made it back to find 1Deng, traveled to find Yinggu before dying.

I don't believe in the old age stamina thing because logically, with time, you can cultivate more inner energy and that should provide the fighter with more stamina. There is no evidence that suggest older fighters are at a disadvantage.

Also, I don't know how far apart the ages of QQR and 1Deng are.

I don't know about stamina, the story noted that Yideng's internal power had progressed to a level of "soft" chi. Based on my calculations, Yideng was about 90+ by ROCH; I've yet to discern Ci'en's age by that time.

[Dirt]

Quote from another thread:

"...another enemy got stabbed in the shoulder and had to drop his iron staff....
Yue Buqun had plenty of inner strength...the longer the fight lasted, the more energetic he appeared to be."

Could Zhi Xia Sheng Gong have made someone a Great?

[PJ]

Jin Yong's martial artists are still human, not immortal. They are still subject to the physical limitations of old age, even if they have tons of internal energy.

To give another example, during the fight between Yang Guo and none other than Qiu Qianren, it was said that Qiu Qianren struggled with to keep up after 100 stances due to age-induced weakening. This was pre-16 years...

堪堪拆到百余招外，但觉对方剑上劲力不断加重，他年纪衰迈，渐渐招架不住。

[hyoyatika]

To give another example, during the fight between Yang Guo and none other than Qiu Qianren, it was said that Qiu Qianren struggled with to keep up after 100 stances due to age-induced weakening. This was pre-16 years...

堪堪拆到百余招外，但觉对方剑上劲力不断加重，他年纪衰迈，渐渐招架不住。

I don't buy this, because throughout JY novels, we have so many old people being amongst the elites...

[hyoyatika]

Could Zhi Xia Sheng Gong have made someone a Great?

Honestly, within the universe of XAJH, I believe so. But there is no other comparison within the JY universe so it is difficult to give a definitive stand. We only saw one user of ZXSG which was YBQ and I think it is fair to say YBQ was not exactly very intelligent.