Chapter 5, Backflow and Clue (1)

Upon considering this, Ling Xin could not help but feel an overwhelming curiosity. However, the Fengshen List no longer contained any causal points, and even if he wished to understand everything, there was no way to do so. Moreover, when he thought about it, he recalled that in order to quickly attain a sense of qi, he had incurred over 3,000 causal points on the Fengshen List. Why had the causal points suddenly changed to zero? Could it be that these causal points could be used in a negative balance like a credit card? ... Previously, in order to quickly gain a sense of qi, he had incurred over 3,000 causal points on the Fengshen List. Why had the causal points suddenly changed to zero? Could it be that these causal points could be used in a negative balance like a credit card? ... If that were truly the case, he could only wonder what consequences would arise if he failed to repay these causal points on time...

Relying on the assistance of the Fengshen Bang, Lingxin successfully surpassed decades of physical training in one leap, directly sensing the flow of energy within his blood. Moreover, he aimed to take it a step further, becoming aware of the heat energy emitted by his body and the energy consumed during internal transport. At this stage, he had surprisingly completed the most challenging step in cultivating internal energy, feeling immensely fortunate. He promptly followed the cultivation method of the Eight Desolations and Six Harmonies, allowing the sensed energy to operate according to a certain pattern within his body. Initially, it felt somewhat awkward, but at this moment, he could fully perceive the existence of this energy, as if observing objects with clear eyes and manipulating them with his hands. Although the movements of his fingers were still somewhat clumsy, the energy gradually began to operate according to his intentions. After several cycles of rotation, some of the energy that should have dissipated was surprisingly retained, and its quality had further improved, condensing many times more than the previously thin energy. Although it had only transformed by a slight degree, this new energy indeed existed within his dantian.

When Ling Xin thought of this, he stood up, as he was truly very hungry. Moreover, looking out the window, the sky was completely dark. Who knows how much time he had spent gathering his internal energy just now? It was already too late to cook, so it would be better to indulge himself by going out for a good meal, which could also be seen as a reward for having gained internal strength, bringing him one step closer to his aspirations.

Upon seeing the negative causality points on the Investiture of the Gods list, Ling Xin had yet to comprehend its significance, but the warmth within his body had completely captured his attention. This warmth was not harsh; rather, it provided a sensation akin to being immersed in warm water, making him feel pleasantly comfortable all over.

Fortunately, the internal energy cultivated through this training has not gone out of control... I understand now why internal energy needs to operate according to certain principles. This operational principle includes the heart, stomach, large intestine, liver, and many other organs. These organs are all internal organs that consume energy intensely; the more they consume, the greater the additional energy lost. The so-called internal energy is actually the energy condensed from the losses within the body. The operational principle of internal energy is the route for condensing this energy. ... I see now.

Ling Xin suddenly realized and also thought of another question: since internal strength and internal skills truly exist and can be explained through science, then in the more ancient and distant past... what about the legendary era of immortals who killed with flying swords and soared through the sky? What about the cultivation methods that are even more alluring than internal strength and internal skills? Could they also have genuinely existed? And could they be explained through scientific means?

The new energy does not dissipate; on the contrary, it naturally regulates the consumption of energy within the body, operating slowly according to previous patterns. A trickle of new energy continuously emerges, gradually filling the dantian. It is unclear how much time has passed until Ling Xin feels hungry, at which point he awakens from this almost introspective sensation. Suddenly, the introspective feeling vanishes, and apart from the newly sensed energy within his body, everything that just occurred seems like a dream.

Ling Xin also felt a slight pain in his neck; the broken rope had unexpectedly struck him. Although there was no bleeding, it startled him greatly. At this moment, his vision was obscured by bubbles, and he could not open his eyes to see his surroundings. When the rope hit his neck, he instinctively took a half step back, but unlike what one might expect, he did not avoid the shampoo bottle that had been placed on the edge of the bathtub. As the plastic wrap fell, it knocked the bottle into the tub. In that instant, as Ling Xin stepped back, he happened to step on the bottle, causing him to slip and fall, which tightened the rope around his neck. When the rope struck him, it startled him into taking a half step back, but contrary to expectations, he did not avoid the shampoo bottle that had been placed on the edge of the bathtub. The falling plastic wrap knocked the bottle into the tub, and as Ling Xin stepped back, he stepped on the bottle, causing him to slip and fall, which tightened the rope around his neck.

In fact, Qi is not merely the flow of blood, but rather the energy within that flow. The heat emitted from the body also carries this Qi, and the energy consumed in vain is also this Qi. For an ordinary person to sense the energy in the flow of blood is already a sign of genius. If one can further perceive the energy consumed within the body and condense it, that is the true internal force, which is the essence of genuine internal martial arts principles

Ling Xin has always dreamed of becoming a chivalrous hero, so naturally, he has sought out many books and materials on martial arts, internal skills, and inner strength since childhood. However, he was disappointed to find that almost all credible sources deny the existence of inner strength. While there are indeed authentic martial arts, they merely involve the honing of the physical body, referred to as training the skin, muscles, tendons, and bones. When the physical training reaches a profound level, the individual in reality must already be a grand master. Due to the lack of access to the true secrets of internal skills and inner strength, real-world martial arts describe inner strength as 'dark energy,' which is not true inner strength.

As he thought this, Ling Xin walked into the bathroom with a book. At this moment, he was drenched in sweat, unsure if it was the toxins expelled from his body after consolidating his internal energy. In any case, the smell was quite unbearable. He planned to take a shower before going out for a meal, which was quite convenient. He entered the bathroom, stripped off his clothes, and stepped into the bathtub. Water poured down from above, providing a refreshing sensation that was not cold. Just as he was applying shampoo and lathering his hair, the plastic shower curtain suddenly fell with a swish. The rope holding the curtain had unexpectedly snapped, making a soft popping sound, and the broken rope rolled toward Ling Xin.

In an instant, Ling Xin's entire face turned a deep crimson, as he was on the verge of suffocating

Indeed, internal energy is a form of energy, while bright strength and dark strength are manifestations of physical power, which arise from the training of the body. These are entirely different types.

Lingxin finally understood why that overseas wanderer said that qi is the flow of blood, because humans are not particularly sensitive to the sensations of their own bodies. As training deepens, humans can extend their sensations from the skin to the flesh. If the training goes even deeper, they can reach the blood and bones, but that requires many years of training or the innate talent of martial arts. Ordinary people, in any case, cannot feel their own blood. Moreover, even if one can feel the blood, it does not necessarily mean they can perceive the energy flowing within it. If one can train their body to the point of feeling the energy in the blood without external assistance, then they have already reached a superhuman level. In that case, the insignificant energy in the blood becomes truly negligible, which is why internal cultivation methods have declined; this is not without reason.

With the emergence of this warm current, Lingxin seemed to be able to visually perceive the flow of blood within his body. No, it would be more accurate to say that he felt it rather than saw it. He could distinctly sense the presence of a certain energy within him, which existed in the cells and was produced through the breakdown of fats or sugars. Most of this energy transformed into heat, a portion entered the cells, and another portion was transported by the blood throughout the body. At least over fifty percent of the energy was wasted during the blood transmission process, and most of the energy converted into heat was also squandered. He could clearly feel the presence of this energy within his body, which existed in the cells and was produced through the breakdown of fats or sugars. Most of this energy transformed into heat, a portion entered the cells, and another portion was transported by the blood throughout the body. At least over fifty percent of the energy was wasted during the blood transmission process, and most of the energy converted into heat was also squandered. The energy that was wasted had astonishingly reached over seventy percent, with the energy truly absorbed by the human body accounting for just a little over ten percent of the total.

Ling Xin was taken aback, and he quickly sensed the new energy within his body. Fortunately, this new energy still responded to his will and continued to operate according to its established patterns. It did not cease to obey him with the disappearance of his introspective state. This new energy felt as tangible as his physical body, and he could completely sense and perceive it.