Chapter 6: Cheating in Qi Training

Since that incident, Chi has never shown his face again, and it is unclear what kind of blow this old fellow has suffered. However, Su Li pays no mind to it; after understanding the temperament of the solitary oarsman, he is always able to receive some assistance in his cultivation.

It is said that the benefits gained from a day's practice of Qi cultivation often diminish to only 30% upon waking. This does not mean that the cultivated power has dissipated, but rather that the meridians opened during the practice will gradually close again if left unattended after the cultivation is concluded. Therefore, during the next session of training, one must start anew and reopen the closed sections.

This situation made Su Li eager to try and see if he could also draw a couple of talismans. Unfortunately, he had no brushes, ink, paper, or inkstone, so he could only watch. However, his progress in cultivating Qi was quite encouraging; it seemed he truly lived up to Gu Zhaozi's praise of having a good talent for Qi cultivation. At this moment, the true Qi in his dantian was growing stronger. He was preparing to attempt to use his true Qi to open the meridians in his body.

Of course, after finishing grinding the ink, the old master would immediately stop speaking and then earnestly practice drawing the symbols

According to Su Li Na's "The First Memory of Success," the disciples of the external sect can be considered as the "livelihood profession" of the Sword Sect, while the inner disciples of the Sword Sect focus solely on combat and competition. It is no wonder that those young men from the inner sect appear to be quite fiery; after all, they are tasked with the responsibility of fighting, so it is only natural for their temperaments to be a bit more intense.

His unnamed talent, of course, cannot freeze the acupoints, but it can fix the true energy within those already opened meridian acupoints! Normally, the true energy left in the meridians would gradually dissipate, but Su Li's will not, so it is as if he has been continuously cultivating and nourishing this meridian!

However, Su Li, who originally thought his talent was decent, realized when he began to attempt to open up the meridians throughout his body that he was likely truly unrelated to genius

As for what comes next, he simply needs to continue practicing breathing techniques to accumulate true energy in his dantian, and when the time is right, he can attempt to open the meridians again

The meridians were never closed; his true energy easily found the gaps in the meridians, penetrating and causing them to expand

Only when Su Liyan is grinding ink will the old Taoist open his mouth, and this is naturally the best time for him to ask questions about cultivation.

However, even though he successfully opened the three acupoints of the Stomach Meridian of the Yangming for the first time, which could be considered a significant achievement, Su Li had to stop. This was because his true energy could only temporarily open this segment of the meridian acupoints; once the true energy was withdrawn, these opened acupoints would gradually close again

To avoid suffering this kind of torment any longer, one simply needs to ensure that all the meridians in the body are unobstructed and that the vital energy flows freely and continuously, allowing it to circulate autonomously without interruption, thus eliminating any further concerns about this matter... Of course, this is something that Su Li cannot even begin to imagine at present

Thus, Su Li followed Gu Zhaozi to learn the second skill, which was ink grinding. To grind the ink quickly, steadily, and well, this is indeed a skilled craft

A master and a servant journeyed northward, often stopping along the way and frequently camping in the wilderness. This kind of life, exposed to the elements, posed no challenge for the seasoned traveler, but for an ordinary eight-year-old child, it was undoubtedly quite arduous. However, Su Li was able to endure hardship, and along the way, he managed to arrange the solitary life of the boatman quite well, which was certainly commendable.

The so-called "Hundred Days of Foundation Building" refers to the process of establishing a solid physical foundation for future cultivation, which involves identifying and resolving all hidden ailments within the body. The ultimate goal is, of course, to open the Ren and Du meridians and complete the internal microcosmic orbit of the human body. When we mention "Hundred Days of Foundation Building," it actually refers to the general situation; individuals with good innate talent often have most of their acupoints not completely closed, and there are fewer hidden ailments. With just a little practice of Qi circulation, they can easily open the major acupoints in their bodies, allowing their vital energy to overflow and the two meridians to connect, which does not take long at all. When we mention "Hundred Days of Foundation Building," it actually refers to the general situation; individuals with good innate talent often have most of their acupoints not completely closed, and there are fewer hidden ailments. With just a little practice of Qi circulation, they can easily open the major acupoints in their bodies, allowing their vital energy to overflow and the two meridians to connect, which does not take long at all

He did not know the purpose of these talismans, nor did he understand if there were any underlying principles while drawing them. In any case, he was earnestly memorizing the strokes and forms of these talismans, imprinting them in his mind. Regarding this, Gu Zhaozi was aware that he was learning but did not oppose it; perhaps this was, after all, a form of silent transmission.

It is not that there are any difficulties, but rather that he realizes this process is likely not as simple as he had imagined... Because he is only eight years old at this time, and his meridians have not yet fully developed, coupled with the fact that he has condensed his first breath of true energy, it can be said that he has preserved a breath of innate energy without interruption, thus making the process of circulating energy through the meridians quite convenient

It was then that Su Li realized that the gentleman he was following was actually a talisman practitioner ... ? ... Indeed, the Sword Sect's auxiliary paths consist of the four disciplines: tools, talismans, elixirs, and formations, right? Gu Zhaozi is a disciple of the talisman school, and of course, he is also a talisman practitioner.

Those with lesser talent may take years or even decades to open the Ren and Du meridians. This is why there is the saying of a hundred days of foundation building. It implies that if one has not completed the foundation building after more than a hundred days, it is likely that they lack any aptitude for cultivation and should consider giving up early

During his usual walks, the old Daoist would suddenly have a feeling, and then he would take out a writing desk and ink from the bag of the mustard seed space, and begin to grind ink and draw talismans on his own

The old Taoist set out early the next morning with Su Li. Although the old Taoist did not use the hot water for washing his face or the breakfast that Su Li had prepared in advance, it was evident that he was quite pleased with this servant who could think of everything ahead of time.

Regarding the talismans, Su Li's initial ignorance and indifference quickly transformed into curiosity and admiration. After all, the talismans described by the old Daoist were remarkably effective. Su Li personally witnessed the old Daoist take out a water talisman when he was thirsty, and after placing it in a bowl, the bowl soon filled with clear water.

The solitary rower prefers not to be disturbed at any time, and Su Li has often seen the old Taoist meditating and cultivating his energy during the moments when the sun sets and rises. Indeed, during the transition between day and night, the innate vital energy is always the most gentle and smooth, making it the most suitable time for cultivation.

At such times, Su Li would always stand by and watch, silently noting the seemingly chaotic runes drawn by the solitary oarsman

Such low efficiency left Su Li somewhat dissatisfied. After thinking for a moment, he simply decided to cheat...! ... Let us not forget, he possesses a 'small talent' brought by memories from his past life!

This compelled him to invest considerable effort in continuously developing and stabilizing these meridians and acupoints to prevent them from closing arbitrarily. As a result, the efficiency was significantly reduced

However, Su Li quite enjoys grinding ink, as it is the opportunity for him to ask questions whenever he grinds ink for the solitary boatman...! ... Although the old Taoist has said that one can ask questions at any time, Su Li would be foolish to actually do so!

The same principle applies to the acupoints along the way; it only requires a minimal amount of vital energy to open a crucial acupoint, after which one can feel the vast amounts of refined energy accumulated in those acupoints being released. At this moment, the effects may not be visible, but during the next practice of breathing and energy cultivation, one will be able to gather more vital energy in the dantian. This is the function of opening the meridians and acupoints

The solitary rower generally prefers not to speak while walking, a fact that Su Li understood after trying it twice. During meals, he also adheres to the principle of 'no conversation while eating', and during his usual rest periods, he appears to be lost in thought, clearly unwilling to be disturbed