Chapter 3, A Sense of Vitality, The Beginning of Cultivation

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Jing Younan entered the leftmost room of the alchemy chamber, where he saw a six-foot-high fire dragon alchemical cauldron placed in the center, with charcoal burning fiercely beneath it, providing just the right amount of heat

In the Baiyun Temple, apart from the exalted Baiyun Temple Master, there are also Taoist priests and warriors.

At this moment, a breath of spiritual energy that had just entered the lungs was being sent to the dantian. The dantian, which had never felt anything before, suddenly sank, as if it could not bear this breath, swelling up.

Rough.

In this regard, Jing Younan can be considered the foremost individual in the entire Baiyun Temple. His talent in cultivating spiritual herbs and concocting medicinal dishes has garnered admiration even from the Baiyun Taoists

The lake water, rippling with green waves, sparkles like gold under the morning sunlight, resembling thousands of golden scales dancing.

After merely breathing in and out twelve times, Jing Younan opened his eyes, his gaze dim and lacking luster, on the verge of collapse

After recovering, Jing Younan sat cross-legged in the alchemy room, breathing in and out, absorbing the spiritual energy.

A faint and elusive internal energy has emerged in the dantian, which is almost imperceptible unless one pays close attention to it. Yet, it is this slight coolness that excites Jing Younan to the point of losing control. After half a month of meditation and breath regulation, he has finally taken the first step on the path of cultivation

Calming the mind and stopping distractions is fundamental and essential. To cultivate oneself, one must maintain a mind as tranquil as water, free from extraneous thoughts. Otherwise, when one sits in meditation, chaos will arise, and if the mind is restless and agitated, even the best methods and teachings will be of no use

Upon entering the courtyard, one is greeted by a rich aroma of medicinal herbs. The elixirs and medicinal dishes consumed by all the disciples and practitioners of Baiyun Temple are refined here, with the fragrances of various spiritual herbs mingling together, creating an enchanting scent.

This is the first time the monk, after entering the state of Qi perception, undergoes the process of washing the hair and marrow, expelling the impurities that were originally hidden within the body and the miscellaneous substances.

Inhale and exhale, inhaling air like the long and serene black tortoise, exhaling like the slow and gentle celestial serpent, drawing in spiritual energy and expelling turbid air, a continuous cycle that must not be interrupted

A gentle breeze caresses, the lotus petals tremble lightly, and the sunlight above resembles scattered gold, with the radiance of jade and gold intertwining, merging into a mesmerizing array of colors

In less than half an hour, the six-foot-high Fire Dragon Alchemy Cauldron began to tremble violently, emitting a series of clear, resonant sounds. Above the cauldron, the medicinal vapor rose, displaying a myriad of colors, and a fragrant aroma filled the air

The perception of qi is the first step in cultivation. The three realms of the physical body are perception of qi, achieving the primordial state, and enlightenment of the orifices, each step more challenging than the last, requiring a thousandfold effort at that time

A lake of lotus flowers, a gentle breeze passes by, and the fragrance of lotus fills the air

The entire "Zhen Yi Jing" can be divided into three parts: calming the mind and stopping thoughts, the breathing method of the spiritual turtle and heavenly snake, and the small circulation transportation technique

The principles of the Linggui Tianshe breathing method are as follows: inhaling is akin to the mysterious tortoise, profound and far-reaching, embracing myriad energies; exhaling resembles the celestial serpent, delicate and continuous, never ceasing to resonate. With each breath in and out, the interplay of firmness and softness naturally forms the duality of yin and yang

Eight robust wrestlers, their bronze-colored dry skin exposed, stood motionless like nails at the entrance of the courtyard, each carrying a demon-slaying staff on their backs. Upon seeing Jing Younan approach, the wrestlers all bowed and paid their respects.

The Dan Room, where Jing Younan is located, supports the medicinal cuisine for hundreds of people in the entire temple, making it a top priority. Only Daoist Baiyun and Jing Younan are qualified to oversee it. The previous young Daoist was honest and only knew how to brew medicinal dishes for the temple's use. However, the current Jing Younan is not so foolish; he utilizes all available spiritual herbs and medicines to brew the medicinal cuisine for his own consumption.

Imagine transforming into a spiritual turtle, rising to the surface of the sea, with a height of one hundred zhang. With a single breath, the winds and thunder resonate, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth flows continuously, unceasingly. Until the chest feels tight and the breath shortens, the whole body aches, only then do I release my mouth and nose, as if a celestial serpent is coiling, with turbid energy overflowing, in wisps and threads, sharp as blades and arrows

The Daoist Feiyu spoke correctly; this physical body originally had thin meridians and numerous blockages, which severed the path of cultivation. However, by a stroke of fortune, I comprehended the Three Yuan Fetal Breathing Observation and Spiritual Method. After three years of cleansing and refining, I have barely gained a glimmer of hope

The Xianjing states: If one desires to attain longevity, one must guard the True One with clarity. The True One is the origin of the Dao and serves as the mother of all things

Preparing medicinal cuisine requires ample experience, and talent is indispensable

This set of principles is titled "The True One Classic". It is said that the Dao gives birth to the One, the One gives birth to the Two, the Two gives birth to the Three, and the Three gives birth to all things. All things arise from the One, and the One gives rise to the Dao; therefore, by adhering to the True One, one can attain the Dao, and thus the scripture is named.

Eyes remain undistracted, the spirit returns to the heart; the heart does not wander externally but remains tranquil within; the environment does not disturb internally but remains calm externally; severing distracting thoughts, gathering the heart and stopping thoughts

Among all the lotus flowers in the entire lake, one particular Nine-Tiered White Lotus stands out remarkably. It rises gracefully, with its pure white petals resembling thin jade pieces crafted by the finest artisans in the world, crystal clear and translucent

The Taoist priests are disciples carefully selected by Master Baiyun, practicing the "Songhe Wanshou Jue." After receiving the talisman for the dantian bestowed by Master Baiyun, they draw energy into their bodies, holding talismans and magical implements, traveling everywhere to subdue demons and eliminate evil, while collecting incense offerings

Preparing medicinal cuisine is not an easy task; the dosage of medicinal ingredients, the combination of spiritual herbs, and the control of heat must be precise. Any slight error can lead to the loss of all previous efforts. It is important to note that the spiritual herbs used in medicinal cuisine are extremely precious, and any loss can cause even the wealthiest individuals to feel great regret.

After a long time, Jing Younan set down the scriptures and sat quietly by herself

Amidst the faintness, a spiritual turtle emerges in the void, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, while a celestial serpent breathes gently. The spiritual turtle and celestial serpent connect head to tail, merging into a black-and-white Taiji yin-yang fish, slowly rotating.

The warriors are the guards recruited by the Taoists themselves, each one broad-shouldered and strong, possessing immense strength. At critical moments, they can block the enemies, allowing the Taoists ample time to perform rituals and exorcise demons

The alchemy chamber resembles a massive furnace, entirely constructed from solid blocks of fire-baked rock. From a distance, it appears as a vast expanse of blazing flames, reaching up into the clouds

The warriors practice the Guardian Observation Technique and the Treasure Cauldron Demon Subduing Formula, focusing not on health cultivation but solely on combat, embodying the utmost ferocity.

In front of the Dan Ding, there is a jade table, on which are neatly arranged more than a dozen types of spiritual herbs, all with lush green leaves and abundant spiritual energy

The successfully brewed Tianxin Nourishing Soup is a golden hue, scooped up with a specially crafted silver spoon, each grain plump and resembling red gold

The lakes are filled with various kinds of lotus flowers, some white like warm jade, some red like flames, some golden like gold, and others blue or emerald green, as large as wheels, all competing to bloom even in the spring.

Meditation and breath regulation is a method of cultivation, involving inhalation and exhalation. During inhalation, the breath is prolonged, and one should draw in as much surrounding air as possible through the mouth and nose into the lungs. Then, hold the breath and visualize the airflow descending to the dantian, leaving behind the pure essence of the heavenly and earthly spiritual energy, while expelling the impure air. Inhalation and exhalation form a cycle, repeating continuously.

In the center of the courtyard, there is a lake.

Jing Younan is a relatively transcendent figure in the观. He is not a disciple of Daoist Priest Baiyun, yet his status is significantly higher than that of an ordinary warrior

In any case, since the Taoist Baiyun has gone on a long journey, this alchemy room belongs to Jing Younan the most. It is a blatant act of guarding and stealing, yet no one dares to intervene

In the span of half a month, the Linggui Tianshe Breathing Technique has become considerably more proficient, with each breathing cycle now lasting from the original duration of less than a quarter of an hour to the current half an hour.

Continue to breathe deeply

"Longevity." Jing Younan leaned against the white jade railing, gazing at the seemingly eternal stars in the sky above, lost in thought.

After some contemplation, Jing Younan put away the calligraphy technique and left the room, heading towards the alchemy chamber in the observatory

Soaking in the hot spring, washing away all the dirt, gazing into the distance, one sees the silver light spread everywhere, the moonlight like water, the night breeze blowing, and the world becomes clear.

As the turbid energy is released, a refreshing coolness fills the dantian, eliminating the previous sensation of expansion

Jing Younan sat cross-legged, opened the Daoist scriptures and techniques obtained yesterday, and contemplated each word and sentence with a tranquil mind

Shaking his head, Jing Younan arrived at the backyard of the alchemy room

Jing Younan frowned slightly, her complexion somewhat pale. If she continued to cultivate like this, not only would her dantian fail to produce any energy sensation, but she would soon be completely exhausted.

The lake water is crystal clear, allowing the aquatic plants and fish at the bottom to be distinctly visible. Pebbles the size of goose eggs are scattered haphazardly, further enhancing the jade-like quality of the water, which is bright and transparent

Suppressing the joy within, I gently parted my lips, like a celestial serpent exhaling, releasing wisps of turbid air that dissipated into the atmosphere

Jing Younan calmed her mind, activated the fire dragon cauldron, and began to brew the medicinal cuisine

The medicinal cauldron simmers with fire, while the fragrant herbs warm the elixir.

After a long while, Jing Younan calmed down and realized that his robe was disheveled, his hair was unkempt, and he was emanating a foul odor that was quite unpleasant

This technique of breathing is so mentally exhausting

Cleanse the hands, light the incense, and focus the mind

In the preparation of the Tianxin nourishing medicinal dish, Jing Younan is adept and skillful, expertly controlling the wood fire, methodically adding the ingredients, and casting incantations to activate the medicinal cauldron

The Small Heavenly Cycle technique involves the circulation of primordial energy through the meridians after achieving the state of Chengyuan, facilitating the opening of the meridians, eliminating impurities, and nourishing the physical body

As the realm of the cultivator rises, the methods of cultivation will vary in quality and undergo countless changes. However, at the initial entry point of "one," the differences are minimal. The majority of the orthodox sects in the world regard this method of circulatory breathing as the fundamental basis.

In the backyard, there is a hot spring, enclosed by white jade railings erected by strongmen at the entrance. Surrounding it are several peach trees, each as thick as a bowl, adorned with vibrant peach blossoms, filling the air with a delightful fragrance

A long and deep inhalation, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth enters through the mouth and nose. Jing Younan's eyes are tightly closed, his expression serene, and in a state of daze, his consciousness seems to merge with the entire process of breathing and exhaling.

Seizing the moment of inspiration, taking advantage of the opportunity, Jing Younan again and again, until feeling breathless and suffocated, opening his eyes to reveal an unmistakable ecstasy within

Jing Younan scooped up the food eagerly, savoring each bite. The fragrant aroma wafted through the air, enveloping her limbs in warmth. The fatigue and mental strain that had just dissipated were completely swept away, leaving her feeling invigorated.

For a full half month, Jing Younan remained in the meditation chamber without stepping out. During the day, he practiced meditation and breathing techniques, prepared medicinal meals to nourish his body, and strengthen his physique. In the evening, he cultivated the Three Yuan Fetal Breathing and Illumination Technique, aligning his heart and mind, allowing his spirit to wander beyond the earthly realm

Tianxin Nourishing Soup is a medicinal dish that the Taoist priests in the temple consume daily, which can nourish the physical body and strengthen both the body and spirit

Gazing up at the vastness of heaven and earth, one realizes that oneself is but a tiny speck within it. The joy of advancement gradually fades away, replaced by the difficulties of seeking the path.

Only by practicing meditation and breathing in this manner can one hope to experience the sensation of energy in the dantian at some point in time

The lower dantian moves, and the sensation of qi arises

Fortunately, with the authentic principles of the Daoist teachings and the nourishing effects of medicinal cuisine day and night, I was finally able to grasp this rare glimmer of hope, successfully activating the energy in the lower dantian

Where there is a will, there is a way. Jing Younan stood in place and laughed heartily, filled with a sense of accomplishment.