Chapter 229

Chapter 229 Breakthrough, Spiritual Power and Innate Qi

. “Master is truly gifted, having grasped the [Water-Separation Breathing Method] so quickly.”

Lu Qing felt the fluctuations of spiritual energy in the surrounding space, somewhat surprised.

The Water-Separation Breathing Method was specifically selected from the Lihuo Sect’s inheritance, and it was presumably the most suitable breathing method for Master.

Li means fire, and Lishui represents both fire and water. This is a breathing method that cultivates both water and fire.

It just so happens that Master had previously grasped the concept of the harmonious harmony of water and fire, possessing the innate qi of both water and fire within his body. This makes the Water-Separation Breathing Method a perfect fit for him.

The spiritual energy in the surrounding space fluctuated for a moment before returning to calm.

The old doctor opened his eyes, a look of amazement in his eyes.

“Master, how do you feel?” Lu Qing asked hurriedly.

“This breathing method is truly mysterious. It utilizes the circulation of meridians and acupoints, and is far more sophisticated than the martial arts methods of refining the vital energy of heaven and earth,” the old doctor said.

“Indeed, the Qi-Eating Method is indeed far superior to the Xiantian Method of the Martial Arts in terms of Qi training,” Lu Qing nodded in agreement.

While the Xiantian methods of the Martial Arts also involve absorbing and refining the primordial energy of heaven and earth to strengthen oneself,

their refining methods are relatively simple and rudimentary.

The absorbed primordial energy enters the Qi acupoints directly, where the practitioner then uses the power of their mind and soul to slowly refine it, transforming it into their own. The Qi-

Eating Method is different. Upon entering the body, spiritual energy does not enter the Qi acupoints directly. Instead, it first travels through the meridians, circulates through the Qi meridians, and then settles into the Dantian Qi acupoint, where it is slowly refined and transformed into one’s own spiritual power.

While the Qi-Eating Method may appear to only have the additional step of circulating the Qi meridians compared to the Xiantian Method, it is precisely this step that sets the two cultivation methods apart.

Circulating the Qi meridians involves the various meridians and acupoints of the human body, a profound and complex system.

It could be said that the reason why the various methods of breathing practiced by immortal cultivators differ so widely and achieve so different results is because the meridians and acupoints circulated during the circulation of refined spiritual energy are different.

“The principles of meridian and acupoint circulation are profound and incomprehensible, even to us at the Xiantian realm. I never expected that our predecessors had already thoroughly studied them and even created such a variety of mysterious methods of breathing. The wisdom of the ancients is truly unfathomable and awe-inspiring,” the old doctor exclaimed.

“Master, there’s no need to underestimate ourselves,” Lu Qing said with a smile.

“This method of eating air appeared in the ancient times of

cultivating immortals when spiritual energy was at its peak. In that era, there were many people with great supernatural powers who could fly and hide in the ground. With foresight, it was naturally much easier to create exercises than in our time.

Now that spiritual energy has revived, if we live long enough and slowly ponder it, we may be able to create such a method of cultivation.”

“That makes sense.” The old doctor nodded, “Although the predecessors were powerful, people today may not be inferior to them. Otherwise, we in the field of medicine would not have accumulated so many prescriptions and pharmacology for the benefit of the world.”

“By the way, Master, you just comprehended the [Breath Out of Water Method]. How do you feel about it? Can you absorb and refine spiritual energy now?” “

How can it be so fast.” The old doctor shook his head and said, “This [Breath Out of Water Method] is extremely mysterious. I have only had a slight understanding of it just now. If I want to get started, I am afraid it will take a few more days to comprehend it.”

“You can get started in a few days, which is fast enough. Master, your aptitude is really amazing.” Lu Qing praised sincerely.

This is a method of cultivating immortality. To be able to grasp it immediately upon contact, Master’s comprehension was considered extraordinary, even in that era of immortal cultivation.

“Even a master like me is teasing you,” the old doctor scolded with a smile.

“Old doctor, Brother Lu Qing, it’s time to eat!”

Just as the master and disciple were chatting, Ma Gu’s voice rang out.

“Alright, let’s go eat first,” the old doctor said.

Lu Qing nodded, and the master and disciple jumped off the boulder and headed towards the carriage.

After dinner, it was already dark, so Lu Qing and the others simply set up tent on the spot, preparing to spend the night in the woods.

Once the tent was set up, the old doctor rested, entering a state of meditation to continue contemplating the [Water-Separating Breathing Method].

Lu Qing and Ma Gu chatted around the fire.

“Brother Lu Qing, I’ve checked the itinerary. In two days at most, we’ll be in Yunzhou. Yunzhou is the territory of the Liuyun Sect. What are your plans?” Ma Gu asked.

“No need to do anything,” Lu Qing said. “We’ll just follow the location marked by Master Fang and head straight for the Flowing Cloud Sect.”

“We’re just going to charge right through?” Ma Gu was stunned.

“Hmm.”

Ma Gu took a deep breath.

After a few breaths, he smiled wryly, “You’re worthy of me, Brother Lu Qing.”

He had originally thought that Lu Qing and the old doctor had some elaborate plan, but he hadn’t expected them to resort to just charging straight ahead.

However, he felt relieved when he thought of how Lu Qing, in his early days as a martial artist, still at the Qi and Blood Realm, had dared to venture alone into Happy Village and massacre the entire population.

Given Lu Qing’s personality, this was certainly his style.

The thought of this made Ma Gu’s blood boil.

He also deeply disliked the Flowing Cloud Sect’s actions. They even slaughtered civilians—what difference was there between that and some evildoer?

If they could truly teach the Flowing Cloud Sect a lesson, the thought would be refreshing.

As for Wei Zi’an, young and energetic, having just proven his strength, he knew no fear.

Knowing they were going to cause trouble for a major sect, he felt nothing but excitement.

Even if the sky fell, Lu Qing and the old doctor would hold them up; all he had to do was follow.

This was also what the ancestor had instructed him to do when they left.

After chatting for a while, they each went to rest.

A silent night passed.

The next morning, after breakfast, Lu Qing and his companions set out again.

For the next two days, the carriages were busy.

Fortunately, Lu Qing and his companions weren’t ordinary people, even Xiaoyan, whose physique was exceptional.

Otherwise, they might not have been able to withstand such a long journey.

On the third morning, Lu Qing prepared breakfast early and saw that his master hadn’t yet emerged.

He stepped aside to practice the Yang Shen Quan to stretch his muscles.

Xiaoyan, also up early, followed suit beside him.

Although Lu Qing hadn’t formally taught Xiaoyan the practice for the past two years, he had taught her a specially simplified version of the Xiao Yang Shen Quan.

This Xiao Yang Shen Quan didn’t involve complex movements or the need to stimulate Qi and blood; it simply required practicing in rhythm with breathing.

Yet, the training was highly effective, making it ideal for children to build their foundations. Lu Qing had simplified

it specifically for Xiaoyan. The brother and sister practiced diligently, while Xiaoli lazily watched them from a nearby tree stump.

As for Master and Disciple Magu, they were also practicing their own skills on the other side of the woods.

“Ever since refining the Earth Spirit Pearl, nourished by this earthly treasure, my body and soul have been slowly strengthening. Now, they’ve almost doubled in strength, and it hasn’t stopped yet.

I wonder how much stronger my body and soul will become once they reach their limits.”

Lu Qing practiced his boxing skills while sensing the changes within himself.

Lately, nourished by the Earth Spirit Pearl’s constant nourishment,

his physical fitness and spiritual power have greatly increased. They’re

now nearly double their original strength.

Even so, he hasn’t noticed any slowing down in the rate of improvement.

Lu Qing couldn’t even imagine how powerful he would be once his transformation reached its peak.

By then, he might even be able to compete with those in the Innate Realm with just his physical strength, without even reaching a perfect state of explosive power.

After a while of boxing, just as Lu Qing was wondering why his master had gotten up later than usual,

he suddenly sensed the spiritual energy in the surrounding space stirring, rapidly converging towards a specific location.

That location was his master’s tent.

“Master, has he achieved a breakthrough?”

Lu Qing exclaimed, overjoyed. He immediately stopped practicing and approached his master’s tent.

His spiritual senses revealed that the spiritual energy within a radius of about a mile was being drawn together, sinking into the tent.

Within the tent, a powerful aura, waiting to be unleashed, was truly astonishing.

After a while, the aura within the tent gradually dissipated, returning to calm. The curtains parted, and the old doctor emerged.

The moment he saw the old doctor, Lu Qing’s eyes lit up.

His master’s aura was ethereal and unpredictable, possessing a more peculiar aura than before.

“Master, have you achieved a breakthrough?”

“Indeed,” the old doctor nodded. “After several days of contemplation, I’ve fortunately made some progress. I’ve finally been able to absorb and refine spiritual energy, cultivating a wisp of spiritual power.”

Lu Qing was overjoyed upon hearing this.

He immediately activated his supernatural powers and gazed intently at his master.

Normally, out of respect for his master, Lu Qing rarely used them to investigate his information.

However, this breakthrough was so significant that he couldn’t resist investigating.

Then he saw a rich golden aura emanating from his master.

[Chen Songqing: Master of superb medical skills, kind-hearted, respected, and a very good old doctor.]

[Cultivation: Peak of the Innate Minor Accomplishment, possessing both water and fire attributed true qi.

Possessing the power of merit, one can avoid misfortune and enjoy a profound connection.

His comprehension is astonishing, and he has achieved a minor success in the innate realm. He has grasped the concept of

the harmonious interaction between water and fire, mastering the innate true qi of both water and fire. Their integration and complementation have greatly increased his cultivation speed and power.

His foundation in the Dao is beginning to emerge, and he possesses the spiritual power of both water and fire. He

has indeed cultivated spiritual power!

And not only has he cultivated spiritual power, but his cultivation has also reached the peak of the minor success in the innate realm, and he is only one step away from the great success in the innate realm.

“Master, what do you feel is the difference between this spiritual power and the innate true qi?” Lu Qing asked.

The old doctor pondered for a moment.

“In terms of power, spiritual power is far more powerful than innate true qi. Naturally, cultivating it is also more difficult.

Furthermore, perhaps because the world has changed, I sense a closer connection between spiritual power and the laws of heaven and earth.”

“I see,” Lu Qing nodded thoughtfully. “That Xiaoyao Sanren once wrote in his essays that when spiritual energy is depleted, the world becomes shackled. A warrior’s cultivation can only reach the realm of innate perfection.

Breaking through beyond that is extremely difficult, almost impossible.

Now that the world has changed and spiritual energy has revived, Master, you’ve sensed the close connection between spiritual power and the laws of heaven and earth.

I think if we want to break through to realms beyond the innate, we’ll have to start with spiritual power.”

At this point, Lu Qing thought of Li Weitian.

Li Weitian had once comprehended a higher realm from the array runes in the Jade Transformation Cavern, but ultimately risked his life in attempting the breakthrough.

At the time, Li Weitian was deeply resentful, believing that if he hadn’t fought against others in his youth, he would have wasted so much time.

If he had been given a little more life to fully comprehend the runes within the Jade Cave, he would surely have successfully broken through and entered a realm beyond the innate realm.

Now it seemed that was all Li Weitian’s illusion.

The shackles of heaven and earth had destined him to be unable to truly enter even if he could comprehend that realm.

However, Li Weitian remained unaware of this truth until his death, and it was unclear whether this was a blessing or a curse for him.

“Master, now that you possess both innate true qi and spiritual power, does this affect you?” Lu Qing suddenly thought of something.

“For now, it’s fine.” The old doctor shook his head. “Both my spiritual power and my innate true qi are cultivated through my own cultivation, stained by my soul and will, and completely under my control.

They share the same origin and will not conflict.

I even have a faint feeling that once I have a deeper understanding of the [Water Breathing Technique], I can use my innate true qi to nourish my spiritual power, rapidly increasing it without damaging my cultivation.”

“How can it be so?” Lu Qing’s eyes lit up. “So, doesn’t that mean that even though the spiritual energy is not yet rich, Master can still quickly break through, achieve Qi Refining Perfection, and enter the Foundation Establishment stage?”

No!

But Lu Qing quickly realized that something was wrong.

If the problem of spiritual energy scarcity could be solved so easily, then Xiaoyao Sanren wouldn’t have been so desperate, and those powerful cultivators of the Immortal Cultivation Era wouldn’t have vanished into thin air.

“It’s not that simple.”

As expected, the old doctor smiled and said, “Humans are born from the dependence of heaven and earth, even us cultivators are the same.

If I transform my innate true qi into spiritual power now, it will quickly improve my Qi training.

It will be fine in the short term, but over time, I will definitely not be able to control the dissipation of spiritual power in my body, because the laws of heaven and earth have not yet evolved to that level.”

“I understand. It’s like a person in a dry and hot desert. No matter how much water they drink, it will eventually dissipate due to the lack of moisture and the scorching heat.” Lu Qing suddenly realized.

The old doctor nodded: “Although it’s not quite right, the principle is basically the same.”

So, those powerful immortal cultivators in ancient times may have disappeared for this reason.

Because the world has changed, it can no longer accommodate cultivators as powerful as them.

After chatting with the master for a while, Lu Qing gained a lot.

Similarly, the master’s breakthrough was also a big surprise.

As a result, their next trip to Yunzhou will be more stable.

(End of this chapter)