Chapter 3: Focus and Concentration

The mind is chaotic, like a monkey, and the thoughts are like galloping horses. If one does not rein them in, it will only waste one's energy and make it easier to take irrational actions, ultimately harming oneself

Having calmed the chaotic thoughts in his mind, Shen Lian began to contemplate this matter

This is the martial arts manual left by the predecessor

At the same time, although his body was still frail, his control over it had reached a terrifying level.

Do not be deceived by his current frail health and lack of strength; he is still able to utilize his maximum power perfectly, without any waste whatsoever

Although this is something left behind by my cheap old man, Shen Lian did not keep it to wait for the future habit of recognizing his father

As a stick of incense burned out, Shen Lian opened his eyes. His gaze was somewhat bright, particularly clear and spirited in this dim room.

Although Shen Lian relied on the memories of his predecessor and the attire and behavior of the villagers, with this fragmentary information, he was able to conclude that this world was similar to the ancient Celestial Empire of Earth, only without the dynasties he was familiar with, such as the Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang

As for the matters of the Immortal Gate, they are not something that can be known in this remote place

This is merely the plot of a novel, while reality is exceedingly cruel

He would not keep it as a memento; what if he is not the protagonist, but rather the antagonist? In the future, when the protagonist wields this manual and cultivates an equally powerful divine soul, wouldn't that be a slap in his face

Certainly, after much contemplation, one must ultimately gain an understanding of the path of cultivation in this world. The best approach is undoubtedly to seek a master. However, one must not search indiscriminately; should one encounter someone with ulterior motives, one might be sold out and still feel grateful.

Reaching out to the wall on the right, I touched a piece of blue brick, removed it, and revealed a hidden compartment. Inside was a rather unremarkable thread-bound booklet, with the title 'Shangqing Lingbao Ziran Suoxin Dingzhen Zhenjie' on the cover

During this period, Shen Lian is not only recuperating but also contemplating and reflecting on the path of cultivation, unlike his predecessor who plunged in headfirst, merely practicing aimlessly

Shen Lian crouched down and patted the ashes, and indeed there was nothing hidden.

He does not possess the bad habit of carrying secret manuals with him like those villains in novels, nor does he have the practice of leaving behind secret manuals for future generations to discover

Burning this secret manual is certainly because he remembers it well, and although he has a significant blood relationship with the Shen family in this world, he is truly unburdened in spirit.

It stands to reason that if this technique is indeed extremely powerful, then the old man would not use ordinary paper to record it

In the past, he read a novel in which the protagonist put forward a viewpoint that the human body is a first-order machine

Regardless of the circumstances, letting others know about your cultivation methods is ultimately not a good thing, so it is better to simply burn them.

Just like a small child, no matter how capable they are, when faced with those sumo wrestlers, they can only spread their feet and choose to leave first

In front stood a statue, exquisitely crafted and vividly lifelike, precisely the deity he had envisioned earlier to calm his restless thoughts and enter a state of meditation

The "Supreme Clarity Spirit Treasure Natural Locking Heart and Settling Mind True Solution" only discusses the refinement of the spirit, but lacks corresponding methods for refining the body, resulting in severe internal imbalance

Shen Lian, with an immensely powerful spirit, ensures that every command he issues is executed flawlessly by his physical body

As for other methods to test whether this mental cultivation technique contains any additional content, Shen Lian has already tried them all. He has attempted every conceivable approach, even those methods recorded in the novels he had read before. In the end, it only proved that, apart from this set of verses, there truly is nothing else.

Shen Lian's temperament has always been one that seeks stability; otherwise, he would not be content with running a small clinic. Although he has not continued to absorb vital energy to strengthen his divine soul, he has gradually gained control over this immense divine soul power through the method of meditation.

It is only limited to explosive power and physical strength; it is impossible to take on a hundred alone.

This technique cultivates the upper dantian, which is what the ancients referred to as the method of refining the spirit. Although the power of the spirit and soul has countless marvelous uses, once it reaches a certain level of strength, it can leave the body. However, the physical body is the fundamental basis for a person's existence in the world

Shen Lian was not too disheartened, after all, he considered himself fortunate. Among the countless individuals who had traversed into other worlds, many had transformed into animals or women; at least he remained a man. His luck was certainly much better than that of those predecessors.

Fortunately, this cultivation method is merely for nurturing the spirit. If it were a physical cultivation method and something went awry, leaving behind numerous hidden injuries and resulting in the five labors and seven injuries, even Shen Lian would be left helpless.

Although he is currently unable to implement measures for nurturing and strengthening the soul, he can still utilize the techniques for focusing the mind and stabilizing thoughts as outlined in the "Shangqing Lingbao Natural Locking of the Heart and Stabilizing the Spirit True Explanation"

Shen Lian naturally did not have such a hobby

The other half consists of texts and meridian diagrams, which approximately discuss the guidance of the spirit's power, akin to the legendary inner energy, traversing the extraordinary meridians and collaterals, devouring one's own essence, strengthening the divine soul, and ultimately gathering all soul power at the ancestral orifice in the center of the forehead

Even when concentrating, one can feel the flow of blood within the body, like a river, producing a sound akin to rushing water

Compared to the masters in the novels, Shen Lian's destructive power is indeed quite limited at present. If the opponent has practiced the Golden Bell Shield and Iron Cloth Shirt, it would put him in a very awkward position unless he manages to strike a vital point.

The saying goes, "A master leads one to the door, but the cultivation is up to the individual." However, without a renowned master, one may enter the wrong door.

Shen Lian rose, lighting an oil lamp with a flickering flame as small as a bean, casting an uncertain glow that illuminated the quiet room.

Perhaps in those so-called immortal sects, this "Shangqing Lingbao Natural Locking Heart and Settling Spirit True Solution" is merely a foundational entry-level text

This advantage provided Shen Lian with a measure of self-preservation. Coupled with his understanding of the human body, whenever he wished, he could respond with precision and speed like the masters in Gu Long's novels, delivering a fatal blow to his enemies

However, at this moment, Shen Lian picked up the small booklet and set it ablaze with the flame of the oil lamp. The bright yellow flames illuminated the dark room, and finally fell to the ground, turning into a pile of ashes

Even on ordinary days, whatever is seen can later be recalled, allowing one to recreate the scene in the mind and restore the details within it

Only by being resolute can one attain tranquility; only by being tranquil can one achieve peace

The predecessor was merely a boy without parents, lacking in experience, who thought that simply obtaining a manual would suffice to begin training. He secluded himself in the deep mountains for decades, believing that upon emerging, he would be invincible in the world.

The powerful spirit brings benefits that include an unimaginable memory, allowing one to remember hundreds or even thousands of characters at a glance, with a profound retention of information

Although Shen Lian refused to return with Manager Wu, it is true that he mentioned he would go back in a few days. However, he needs to make some preparations and acquire certain self-protection abilities first

After experiencing the information explosion of modern society, and possessing adult judgment, along with some medical knowledge, Shen Lian has likely deduced these conclusions

If one continues to strengthen the divine soul, it is feared that it will drain the last bit of vitality from him