Chapter 3: Cleansing the Marrow and Draining the Bones

First, prepare the Essence of Condensation: one portion of Lothengzi, two portions of Zangxuehua, and one portion of Sheyan Grass

Zhang He's forehead began to swell, the worm-like veins beneath the skin bulging, continuously winding downwards, with the veins on his neck, body, and arms all becoming prominent

As the vital energy flows through the meridian junction above the dantian, it is suddenly divided, resembling a river splitting into two. One stream of vital energy flows downward into the dantian, while the other follows a different meridian, entering the Guanyuan point beneath the dantian under the influence of the cutting pulse technique, curling up into a ball and lying dormant

In mild cases, it may lead to blood vessel rupture and bodily hemorrhage; in severe cases, it can result in the complete failure of meridians, rendering one unable to cultivate ever again

As if it were about to burst open

Zhang He hesitated slightly, but ultimately gritted his teeth, tilted his head back, and downed the medicine in a few gulps

After the last ingredient, the powder of "sawtooth vine," was added, the medicinal liquid in the white porcelain cup seemed to be enchanted, its color faded, and within a breath, it transformed into a clear and transparent state

After finishing her meal, Mother Zhang completely awakened, had a bout of diarrhea, and expelled the accumulated toxins from her body, which significantly improved her spirits. However, her body remained too weak, and under the care of Zhang He, she managed to eat half a potato before falling into a deep sleep again

Zhang He held his breath, lifted the white porcelain cup, and poured its contents directly into his mouth. The clear potion inside flowed straight into Zhang He's body

After drinking the Ten Full Dominance, Zhang He's body immediately turned bright red, resembling a crab that had been steamed. However, his entire body was tense, with pores constricted, and not a single drop of sweat was produced

Having completed all of this, Zhang He looked at his younger sister, who was clutching her growling stomach, and suddenly remembered that the family had not eaten for two meals. At this moment, the sky had darkened, and Zhang He immediately went out to prepare dinner

A small segment of pale white vital energy has finally formed within the body

At this moment, Zhang He could not afford to pay attention to this; he formed hand seals with both hands, guiding his energy to the dantian. A small stream of true energy slowly circulated within his body.

A thought suddenly surged to my mind: "I must come up with a way to make money to improve my family's living conditions"

Zhang He, having long been prepared for this, immediately took out several kinds of medicinal herbs from the nearby ceramic jar and slowly added them into the mixture. He watched the changes in the medicinal liquid without blinking.

The first level of the True Rejuvenation requires the filling of the eight orifices above and below the dantian with eight different types of true energy. At present, I can only be considered to have just stepped over the threshold; the path to cultivating to the first level is still very long.

Ten Complete Dominance, used for cleansing the marrow and cutting the bones, piercing | stimulating the physical body, generating a powerful aura

Zhang He immediately felt that with the entry of the凝真液, a trace of coolness finally emerged within his burning body. That cool sensation swiftly coursed through his body, and in just a moment, it enveloped the meridians.

Zhang He then added water to the pot, washed the potatoes clean, placed them inside, and began to boil them

The Rejuvenation True Solution he cultivated is a profound skill derived from the Ten Thousand Poisons Classic of the Tang Sect. In simpler terms, this technique is actually his own creation. He has temporarily deduced the Rejuvenation True Solution into three major realms based on the Book of Changes.

As long as I can get through this phase, everything will fall into place. If I fail and have to start over next time, the process will be even more brutal. Back then, I endured this kind of pain three times before I completed the initial cleansing of marrow and bones.

In front of him was a small charcoal stove, and the medicinal liquid in the white porcelain cup on top was bubbling and emitting steam. Zhang He placed the herbs he had taken out into it.

In his own room, he was busy preparing the potion for washing bones and marrow. On his way down the mountain, he had gathered many medicinal herbs

The medicinal liquid in the black earthenware pot suddenly began to boil. A glimmer of light flashed in Zhang He’s eyes; the boiling of the liquid lasted only three to four seconds before it calmed down.

He possesses sufficient confidence. The True Solution of Rejuvenation can still be further refined, and when he cultivates to the third level of realm, he will undoubtedly be able to break through the shackles and easily step into a higher realm

As time passed second by second, Zhang He gritted his teeth tightly, and the true energy within him continuously circulated, finally absorbing all the sensations of the piercing and the book into his true energy.

In this way, it is equivalent to the emergence of two dantians. However, the true qi within the acupoint is referred to as the rejuvenating true qi, while that in the dantian is ordinary true qi

In Zhang Yu's large eyes, there sparkled a light known as hunger

Zhang He exhaled, suddenly detecting a wave of foul odor at the tip of his nose, which was nauseating. He furrowed his brow and realized that his body was covered in a layer of dark, filthy blood, emitting a stench; the unpleasant smell clearly originated from this. Zhang He couldn't help but smile wryly. The Ten Complete Dominance technique had the effect of cleansing the marrow and expelling impurities, and many of the impurities in his body had now been cleared out. Looking out the window, it was already faintly bright; he had actually been at it all night.

At this moment, beneath his skin, it felt as if there were little mice scurrying about. This is the sensation of energy generated within the body

Each acupoint is a dantian. The true essence of rejuvenation is to cultivate the acupoints as if they were dantians. Every individual possesses only one dantian, yet through the practice of the true essence of rejuvenation, one can have countless dantians

The "Tenfold Dominance" is, as the name suggests, a highly domineering type of potion. The ingredients used are all capable of intensely stimulating the vital energy and blood. After consumption, it can rapidly provoke a surge of vital energy and blood within the body, creating a sensation of energy. However, if the sensation generated after drinking "Tenfold Dominance" is not promptly resolved, the intense turmoil of vital energy and blood can lead to adverse effects on the body, resulting in varying degrees of harm.

Hearing that Zhang He was back, Zhang's mother struggled to open her eyes, forcing out a faint smile to comfort Zhang He: "I... am much better, as long as... I sweat a bit, I will be fine. You... don't need to worry."

Place the white porcelain cup inside, allowing the cool well water to rapidly lower the temperature of the medicinal liquid

Zhang He let out a long sigh and slowly opened his eyes

This time, the cleansing of the body still relies on this thing

Gradually, that segment of true energy continued to grow stronger

Lacking alchemical apparatus, Zhang He adapted to the circumstances and utilized the surrounding materials to create rudimentary tools

Zhang He immediately took off his clothes

He grasped the black clay pot and heated it over the charcoal stove, yet this black clay pot was merely warm. Zhang He naturally understood that all the heat from below was absorbed by the medicinal liquid inside.

Seeing the food supplies at home, Zhang He felt a pang of sadness. There were only some coarse flatbreads left, along with a few shriveled potatoes

Zhang He was filled with longing for the realm of cultivation in the future. This was a wish unfulfilled in his previous life, and this time, he was about to witness its completion

In front of Zhang He, there is a pile of ceramic jars containing medicinal herbs that have been processed on the mountain. There are more than thirty types of herbs in total. His hands are incredibly dexterous, continuously extracting herbs from the ceramic jars before him

Zhang He placed another black earthenware pot on the charcoal stove. The medicinal materials inside had already been prepared; now all that was left was to heat them up.

A powerful will, a firm control over those sensations, continuously converging into the meridians. One by one, small mice burrowed into the meridians from various parts of the body

This is a terrifying power of complete dominance. After consumption, it can wildly stimulate the body, generating a significant amount of energy.

The second realm opens up eighteen acupoints

Upon returning home, Mother had just begun to awaken, but she was in great discomfort, curled up in bed and shaking violently. Zhang Yu looked at her mother with tears in her eyes, feeling helpless and unsure of what to do. When she saw Zhang He return, she immediately burst into tears.

Bubbles began to rise in the black soil pot, and the pungent, stimulating odor grew increasingly intense

After another three to four seconds, it boiled again, repeating this process three times. The medicinal liquid in the black earthen pot then settled down. Below, the charcoal stove was burning, yet the liquid inside showed no sign of being heated.

Zhang He tidied up the bed and, after putting his younger sister to sleep, returned to his own room

With my intention, guide the gathering of energy

This odor is still being released; it is clearly a sign that Fu Guizi has been overused. It is truly strange, as I had clearly measured it according to a specific quantity.

Countless streams of energy flowed continuously across the skin beneath him, and suddenly, he opened his eyes wide. His fingers moved rapidly, quickly tapping several major acupoints on his body.

At this moment, Zhang's mother was still comforting her child, telling them not to worry about her. However, uttering these few words seemed to drain the last bit of her strength, causing her to roll her eyes back as if she were about to faint again

With this technique, when Zhang He cultivated to the second realm, he managed to achieve the state of a saintly physical body and ascend during the day, even in the resource-scarce environment of Earth.

While tending to the fire, Zhang He glanced around at the bare walls, the broken cabinet, and the chipped bowls, all reflecting a state of utter poverty, leaving him with a mix of emotions.

At this moment, he was full of energy, so he decided not to sleep and got up directly. He prepared to take advantage of the fact that others had not yet risen and went to the yard to fetch water, intending to take a good shower.

A sharp and pungent odor also wafted out from within. Zhang He's expression was somewhat grave.

Zhang He immediately took down the white porcelain cup, beside which a basin of cool water had already been prepared; this was the cool water drawn from the well just earlier

Zhang He desperately kept his body still, gathering all his thoughts, and began to condense the flowing energy within his body thread by thread into the Dantian.

The method of pulse cutting can direct the flow of internal energy towards a specific direction

Because it is the method of pulse cutting, a portion of the meridians within the body has been sealed off. The resulting true qi circulates only within a part of the meridians

With the previous youth's medication trial, Zhang He has already confirmed that the Five Poison Pearl has a restraining effect on the poison of this venomous insect

... ...

A segment of true energy has become even more powerful

The preparation of the凝真液 has been completed

Zhang He finally let out a sigh of relief

A large quantity of toxic materials was methodically placed into a white porcelain cup according to specific proportions and sequences. The color of the liquid inside first appeared reddish, then transformed into purple, and as several medicinal ingredients were added, it quickly changed to green

His meridians were immediately filled with a large amount of qi sensation. The qi sensation is like water vapor, while true qi resembles mist. To condense water vapor into mist requires some effort

The凝真液 can facilitate the condensation of Qi into true energy

The prick of the black soil bowl | The pungent smell quickly fades away

The Realm of Strength, the True Martial Realm... I have been overly arrogant. The physical sanctification realm that I have always taken pride in is merely not the pinnacle of the True Martial Realm here. Huh, what comes after the True Martial Realm is truly intriguing

Zhang He felt as if countless ants were gnawing at his body, causing a sensation of soreness, numbness, and swelling, with a myriad of flavors all violently impacting his nerves. An invisible hand twisted and kneaded his insides repeatedly, bringing waves of intense pain.

A perfectly powerful configuration requires the efficacy among the main ingredients to achieve a balanced effect in order to be effective. If the quantity of any main ingredient is excessive, it will disrupt the balance, leading to changes in the medicinal properties within.

The big fish eats the small fish, and the small fish eats the shrimp. The short and subtle vital energy, within the body, is like a big fish, continuously swimming forward and constantly devouring the energy within the meridians

At this moment, the mother had already fallen into a slight state of faintness and was completely unaware of the need to open her mouth. Zhang He had no choice but to pry open her mouth and stuff the Five Poisons Pearl inside. Then, he gently tapped her throat with his finger. The muscles in her throat were stimulated, contracting and expanding vigorously, allowing the Five Poisons Pearl to enter her stomach smoothly

The high temperature of the charcoal furnace quickly causes the medicinal materials inside to react

If it were someone else, they would probably have succumbed to that terrifying pain by now, either fainting or giving up halfway.

The third realm, opening thirty-six acupoints

A skilled cook finds it difficult to prepare a meal without rice. Zhang He is in a dilemma, unsure of what to cook. At this moment, Zhang Yu, being considerate, suggests, "Brother, how about we just boil some potatoes?"

It is done

Three times boiling! Fully domineering, configuration successful

The first level of the realm is to open eight orifices around the dantian

At this moment, a layer of light gray oil residue, mixed with streaks of blood, covers the surface of the body, emitting a foul odor. These are impurities that have accumulated in the meridians, now forcibly expelled by the surging energy within.

Upon witnessing this scene, Zhang He felt a tightening in his heart. He immediately stepped forward and urged his mother to refrain from speaking for the moment. He then took out the Five Poisons Pearl he had crafted from his backpack.

... ...

As the water vapor cools, it naturally condenses. Within the channels of circulation, the originally sparse sensation of energy quickly condenses under the influence of this cool atmosphere