During the Warring States period, there was a master gamecock trainer named Ji Shengzi, whose birds had never lost a fight. Cockfighting was a popular gambling sport at the time, offering big profits, so many people paid him handsomely for his services.
King Xuan of Qi also enjoyed watching cockfights and would often have a few birds battle for his amusement. Hearing that Ji Xingzi was a master trainer of fighting cocks, he summoned the man to his court. Ji Xingzi was given charge of the king's finest rooster. Ten days later, the king asked, "Is the cock ready to fight?" Ji Xingzi replied, "Not yet. It is still arrogant and spoiling for a fight." Another ten days passed, and the king inquired again. Ji Xingzi answered, "Not yet. It still reacts to sounds and movements." After another ten days, the king pressed once more. Ji Xingzi said, "Not yet. Its gaze is still fierce and its spirit aggressive." Forty days in, the king asked yet again. Ji Xingzi replied, "It is nearly ready. Though other cocks crow, it shows no change. It appears as wooden as a carved bird, and its virtue is complete. Any opponent seeing it will turn and flee."
"Your Majesty also enjoys cockfighting?" Ji Shengzi asked. "Yes," the King of Qi replied. "I watch the roosters battle—the victor crows proudly while the loser scurries away—and it reminds me of our Qi army charging with war drums as the enemy flees in panic. It brings me endless delight." "In that case, I would be honored to serve Your Majesty," Ji Shengzi said, and began training a fighting cock for the king. After ten days, the king asked, "Can I pit it against another yet?" Ji Shengzi replied, "Not yet. When it sees other roosters, it puts on a proud front but is actually timid inside." Another ten days passed, and the king asked, "Is it ready now?" "Still not," Ji Shengzi said. "It bristles and postures at the mere sight or sound of another rooster—it cannot keep its composure." After another ten days, the king pressed, "Surely now?" "No," Ji Shengzi answered. "It still glares with fury and brims with arrogance." On the fortieth day, the king asked, "Is it finally ready?"
Ji Shengzi said with delight, "It's ready. Now, even when it hears other roosters crowing, it remains calm and composed. No matter what sudden situation arises, it neither startles nor moves, appearing like a wooden chicken. It has already developed the qualities of an outstanding fighting rooster. If other roosters see it, they will surely turn and flee, let alone fight it." Sure enough, this rooster won every battle it entered.
Later, the idiom "Wooden Chicken Cultivated" came to describe skill that has reached the pinnacle of perfection.
Source: *Zhuangzi*, Chapter "Da Sheng"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "木鸡养到" came to describe how skill that has reached the pinnacle of perfection.