Chapter 010 Three Major Dantians

Before the cultivation of the lower dantian is complete and the essence gate is stable, one must absolutely avoid the allure of women. Once the lower dantian is breached and essence and blood are leaked, it will lead to a depletion of vital energy and blood, making it difficult to generate strength. Even after ten years of arduous cultivation, it would be challenging to reach the level of a third-rate martial artist

This is the first time they have heard such a clear theory of martial arts

Good morning, Sister Li Jiao

Dr. Li nodded in satisfaction, picked up the tea cup to take a sip to moisten his throat, and then began the lecture

By cultivating the lower dantian and refining essence and blood, one can become a third-rate martial artist. Continuous and diligent practice of the lower dantian can lead to becoming a top expert in external martial arts.

"What does the spirit referred to in the upper dantian cultivation mean?"

The study of medicine involves literacy and the reading of medical texts. You will first learn to read and write for a month, after which I will teach you to identify various herbs and their uses. As for martial arts, they are straightforward and can be learned directly. Although our Medicine King Gang primarily focuses on medicine, it is essential for those in the martial world to also learn martial arts. The martial skills of our Medicine King Gang are not inferior to those of other major sects in the martial world.

However, the martial arts theories of the lower dantian and middle dantian still captivated them, leaving them in a state of rapture, as if awakening from a dream.

Master Li possesses profound attainments in martial arts, focusing not on the superficial techniques and trivial details, but rather on the essence of martial arts—the three primary dantians

Oh!

Master

If it were not for joining the Medicine King Gang, they would probably marry and have children in a year or two, leading a mundane life like ordinary people

Master, what about the upper dantian?

Yang Caizhi quickly and obediently picked up a teapot from the table, poured a cup of hot tea filled to eight-tenths, and respectfully presented it with both hands

Their interest in martial arts is clearly much stronger than in pharmacology

After a moment, a middle-aged pharmacist in a blue robe, slender and lean, stepped into the small courtyard. He had a fit physique, a somewhat sullen complexion, and his gaze was sharp as lightning, instilling a sense of awe at first glance

The Upper Dantian can refine the spirit, and its effects are the most mysterious, involving the realm of the supreme master.

Su Chen, Zhang Tieniu, and several other outer disciples hurriedly paid their respects to Wang Fugui and Li Jiao

Once true energy is born within the body, one can swiftly advance to the realm of a second-rate master in internal martial arts. When one achieves great perfection in the cultivation of the middle dantian and the true energy reaches a state of purity and richness, one then steps into the realm of a first-rate master in internal martial arts! Even at the age of seventy or eighty, the true energy will remain vigorous and will not decline. This is the true path of a martial arts master; internal martial artists are far superior to external martial artists.

How many dare to speak extravagantly about cultivating the upper Dantian

Even if Master had not instructed them to do these trivial tasks, they had enough self-awareness to try to please Master Li Kui, hoping to make him happy and to learn as much as possible from him

However, they are all passionate boys and girls around twelve or thirteen years old, who does not long to become a formidable master of the martial arts world at an early age, to later gain fame and fortune in the city of Gusu, and to become a revered hero admired by all

There are only three stone stools available in the courtyard, which clearly belong to Master Li Kui and the two inner disciples, Wang Fugui and Li Jiao, leaving no place for the five outer disciples.

Zhang Tieniu gestured repeatedly to indicate a position, scratched his head, and suddenly seemed to have an epiphany, exclaiming with a look of astonishment: "Master, the lower dantian is three inches below the belly, isn't that the position of our vital essence? Is the lower dantian actually where we cultivate our vital essence? Ha, I understand now, so this is what cultivating the lower dantian is all about!"

A few young boys in the courtyard, upon hearing this, felt that there was indeed some truth to it, and immediately burst into a hearty laughter

It is also good, as individuals in the martial world, the cultivation of martial arts is indeed a very important matter, so I shall first impart to you the practice of martial arts.

Yes, we would like to know how to cultivate martial arts

There will no longer be any thought of yearning for that elusive and intangible upper dantian

Most of the young disciples in the villa rose early to begin their martial arts training, or to assist their master in cutting herbs and lighting the stove. The smoke from the cooking rose in wisps, and the sounds of sparring and shouts echoed back and forth, marking another busy day

The disciples in the courtyard were sternly reprimanded by Master Li, leaving them so frightened that they fell silent and dared not speak further

Well, several junior brothers and sisters have also risen quite early, looking in good spirits

Classes will commence today. As your teacher, I will impart to you only two things: the art of medicine and martial skills. These will be taught separately in the morning and afternoon

Doctor Li nodded indifferently, adjusted his long robe, and sat down on the stone stool beside the stone table in the courtyard

Her family is in the rice business, lacking connections in the community, yet they have ample silver to pave the way. Her father provided several hundred taels of silver as a bribe to Daoist Qinghe of the Hanshan Taoist Temple, successfully establishing a connection with Chief Zhang of Yaowang Mountain Manor. He discreetly delivered three hundred taels of silver to Chief Zhang, securing a quota to donate one thousand taels of silver to the Yaowang Gang.

This is no longer something that an ordinary person can aspire to, and perhaps he will never be able to reach that supreme master level in his lifetime

Wang Fugui, filled with curiosity, quickly asked.

Not only the two inner disciples, but also Su Chen and five other outer disciples, all displayed expressions of curiosity and asked one after another

In the center of the yard stands an old locust tree several zhang high, beneath which is a granite stone table. On the table, there is a teapot and several tea saucers, while three low stone stools encircle the table like three stars surrounding the moon

Li Jiao let out a soft hum, feeling justified in receiving such a grand gift. Without even glancing at them, she sat down on one of the three stone pedestals in the small courtyard.

Regarding the realm of the master, it remains elusive and beyond reach, leaving one with nothing but admiration.

Wang Fugui and Li Jiao then sat down on two other stone pedestals nearby. Su Chen and the other five outer disciples stood behind them

For a moment, he then continued to explain martial arts: "After stabilizing the cultivation of the lower dantian, one enters the realm of a third-rate external martial artist. At this point, if one continues to cultivate the lower dantian, one can reach the level of a second-rate external expert. Cultivating to the highest realm allows one to become a top-tier first-rate external master, even achieving a divine strength of nine hundred pounds. However, the Medicine King Sect does not encourage you to solely focus on cultivating the lower dantian. It is important to understand that no matter how strong a person's strength is, it is merely the bravery of an ordinary person, and ultimately, achievements are limited. When one reaches the age of fifty or sixty, with the decline of blood and vitality, strength will significantly diminish. By the age of eighty or ninety, even if one was once a first-rate external master, they will regress to the level of a third-rate external martial artist."

It is said that as long as a martial artist can enter their upper dantian with a single thread of thought, they can immediately break through the realm of first-class masters and step into a higher realm of grandmasters, looking down upon the entire martial world.

As outer disciples, they do not enjoy any preferential treatment within the Medicine King Gang. The rule of eliminating one person every six months weighs heavily on them, making them dare not relax for even a single day

The three major Dantians are responsible for refining blood, refining Qi, and refining spirit. They are distributed in different parts of the body, and cultivation should be carried out in a progressive and orderly manner, without being greedy for quick success.

Su Chen absorbed the theories of cultivating the three major dantians with great eagerness, firmly committing the key points of the three major dantians to memory

After a while, the two senior disciples, Wang Fugui and Li Jiao, arrived gracefully, dressed in brand new white alchemist robes.

To the north of the courtyard stands a stone house, to the west is a small medicinal furnace used for pill refining, and in the southern corner is displayed a row of hardwood training posts, iron stakes, swords, and other implements

When they realize how difficult it is to cultivate the lower dantian, they will understand that the middle dantian is already the limit of their lifetime

The first area to be refined is the lower dantian, located three inches below the navel at the guanyuan point, which is the repository of essence, primarily for the refinement of blood. Through the tempering of the body, martial artists cultivate vigorous essence and blood by refining the tendons, bones, and flesh. When the essence and blood are abundant, the physique becomes strong; when the physique is strong, strength is generated

Pharmacist Li furrowed his brows, yet remained silent for a long while

It involves the three major Dantians, the cultivation and advancement sequences of refining blood, refining Qi, and refining spirit. The hierarchy of martial artists in the Jianghu is also clearly delineated through the three major Dantians.

Do you wish to learn the art of medicine first, or the skills of martial arts?

The status of inner disciples is significantly higher than that of outer registered disciples, holding a lofty position as the senior brothers and sisters of the five. According to the sect rules, outer disciples must pay their respects to inner disciples; otherwise, they will face punishment

Upon initially cultivating the lower dantian, a martial artist's strength can reach over 100 jin, officially becoming a first-tier martial artist. As the realm advances, the strength of a late first-tier martial artist can reach 300 jin, capable of killing a calf with a single strike.

The Central Dantian is located above the abdomen, at the position of the Zhongji acupoint in the chest, serving as the repository of Qi, primarily for the cultivation of true Qi. Operating the Great Circulation is more challenging, but the benefits are also immense

This is the small courtyard where Li Kuiping usually operates the furnace to refine medicinal pills, and it is also the place where he teaches his numerous disciples, equipped with all kinds of tools.

Zhang Tieniu's face was ashen, trembling with fear, his head lowered and not daring to look up, afraid of provoking Master Li and being the first to be eliminated

Master, please teach us a few powerful techniques first

Li Kui, the pharmacist, looked at the group of young people and inquired

They stood honestly in the courtyard, waiting for Master Li Kui to come and give a lecture

The new disciples in this courtyard are all young boys and girls aged around twelve to thirteen, having already passed the age of complete ignorance. They possess a slight understanding of matters between men and women, yet they are too shy to express it.

It turns out that individuals in the martial world become skilled masters through the cultivation of the three major dantians

They felt a great sense of novelty and generally understood how to enhance their martial arts cultivation

This is precisely the first rule and regulation that I wish to convey to you. If it is discovered that anyone within the sect, regardless of whether they are an inner or outer disciple, breaks the vital point of the lower dantian before reaching the third-tier martial artist realm, they shall be immediately expelled from the Medicine King Sect and shall never be allowed to rejoin

The young boys and girls once again received a scolding from their master, and they all lowered their heads, not daring to ask any further questions

Pharmacist Li Kui owns a separate large courtyard within the Yaowang Mountain Villa, which measures approximately forty to fifty zhang in size

Master, please enjoy the tea. I have been timing it since early morning, and it is now being warmed up, just right to soothe your throat.

All the disciples respectfully greeted Master Li.

Within the thirteen counties of Wu County, the number of masters who have reached the realm of Grandmaster is exceedingly few. Only the foremost master of Wu County, the head of the Hanshan Taoist Temple, Master Hanshan, along with the leaders of the five major sects of the Jianghu: Master Hanya of the Sky Eagle Sect, Master Li Shuo of the Horse Gang, Master Han Pingshan of the Iron Sword Sect, Master Sun Baihong of the Medicine King Gang, Master Liu Hong of the Giant Whale Gang, and the mysterious leader of the White Lotus Sect, Mao Ziyuan, who is in seclusion in Lou County, number only seven or eight in total.

Master Li's heart was cold, and his expression was extremely solemn as he reprimanded.

The seven young men and women in the courtyard immediately became excited.

Good morning, Brother Wang Fugui

Doctor Li wore a stern expression, his face suddenly darkening. He slammed his withered palm on the stone table and scolded them: "What are you laughing at! The lower dantian, the place where vital energy and blood essence are concentrated, is of utmost importance in martial arts cultivation. How can this be treated as a trivial matter!"

Doctor Li drank a cup of warm tea and, after explaining the lower dantian and middle dantian, ceased to elaborate further on the theory of the origin of martial arts

The central dantian, through the refinement of true qi, once a small amount of internal true qi is cultivated, it is considered to have entered the second-tier realm. When the central dantian reaches great perfection, one becomes a first-tier master of internal martial arts

He appears to be quite easy to get along with, although there is an air of arrogance typical of a scion from a wealthy family in his demeanor, he remains relatively polite towards Su Chen and the other outer disciples

It nearly cost the Li family half of their fortune, and only then did they obtain the status of an inner disciple of the Medicine King Sect, allowing them to enjoy the numerous generous benefits afforded to inner disciples of the sect

Li Jiao let out a disdainful snort, maintaining a stern expression, and scolded Zhang Tieniu for his vulgar and crude language

It is precisely these ignorant children before us, who are so naive and curious in their confusion and ignorance

Her status as an inner disciple was not obtained without merit

The teaching of pharmacists is relatively relaxed, with one pharmacist mentoring six or seven apprentices. This method of instruction is more profound, allowing for individual guidance, which is certainly far from the private schools in the county where one teacher instructs thirty or forty students.

Master Li agreed to the strong requests of the young people and began to explain the fundamentals of martial arts

The two girls, Qin Huihui and Kong Xinqiao, were blushing and shy, unable to speak a word.

However, regarding the specific methods of cultivating the upper Dantian for refining the spirit, Master Li Kui is not a grand master and cannot provide a clear explanation; it is likely that even his master is not fully aware of it.

Among the various sects and factions in the thirteen counties of Wu Commandery, there are very few individuals who can cultivate their central dantian to the Great Perfection and reach the pinnacle of first-class mastery.

This cleverness made Su Chen, Zhang Tieniu, and the other disciples feel inferior.

Although joining the Medicine King Gang, the art of medicine is the true main pursuit of the disciples of the Medicine King Gang in the future

"Indeed, you haven't mentioned the upper dantian yet! What is the purpose of the upper dantian?"

However, they do not know what the upper Dantian is

In Gusu County, boys generally marry at the age of fifteen, while girls marry at fourteen. Before marriage, mothers typically impart some knowledge regarding marital intimacy.

The upper Dantian is extremely mysterious and unfathomable, located at the crown of the head in the area known as the Niwan Palace, primarily focused on refining the spirit

Do not aim too high! The lower dantian and the middle dantian are already sufficient for your cultivation for a decade or two. You are all still inexperienced newcomers, not even reaching the level of third-rate martial artists, so what luxury is there in discussing the upper dantian! That is a supreme realm that only grandmasters of martial arts dare to speak of

I am ready to begin instructing several new disciples on how to cultivate the lower dantian

It can be said that those outer disciples who enjoy free food, drink, and accommodation at the Yaowang Mountain Villa are not doing so without the contributions of the inner disciples like her, who contribute large sums of money to the sect. Therefore, it is only right that they show her great respect every day

The essence of martial arts lies in the cultivation of the three major dantians: lower, middle, and upper.

Masters who have reached the realm of supreme excellence possess opportunities, talents, and arduous training that are unparalleled, far exceeding those of the masses, making it difficult for ordinary people to aspire to their level

Upper Dantian

Therefore, after the initial cultivation of the lower dantian is completed, we can begin the cultivation of the middle dantian

Li Kui has diligently practiced for over 30 years within the Medicine King Gang. As a senior pharmacist, he is still merely a first-rate expert.

Su Chen, Zhang Tieniu, Yang Caizhi, and the other two outer disciples did not dare to sleep in, rising early to rinse their mouths and wash their faces. They went to the dining hall to collect a few freshly steamed buns, stuffing them into their mouths as they hurried to the courtyard, competing to sweep the fallen leaves and dust, wipe the tables and chairs, and prepare hot water in the teapot, putting in their best efforts.

The Medicine King Villa is shrouded in a mist of frost, with a thin layer of cold frost covering the eaves and tiles, as well as the corners of the green brick courtyard walls.

The stern gaze of Master Li swept over the group of young people, and no one dared to meet his eyes as he passed by

Wang Fugui revealed a faint smile and nodded his head