In Gu Yourong’s small courtyard, Zhong Lin stepped in, and a distant playing child named Stone cheered excitedly at first, but then showed a look of fear and lowered his head, not daring to speak.
Zhong Lin was both amused and exasperated, secretly regretting shouting at little Stone last night.
After all, it wasn’t his fault he got kidnapped, and he had been through enough fright last night.
Zhong Lin beckoned, and little Stone quickly ran over.
"Second brother, I’m sorry."
Little Stone said timidly.
"Don’t say sorry, I’m the one who should apologize. It’s second brother who didn’t protect you well."
"It’s not your fault, it’s because I ran around recklessly. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been taken." Little Stone said anxiously.
Zhong Lin reached out and patted little Stone’s head, smiling, "Do you want to practice martial arts?"
"Second brother, didn’t you say I was too young to practice?"
Little Stone’s face was full of joy.
Indeed, previously Stone was too young, his bones still growing, unsuitable for martial arts.
But now it’s different. The Hundred Herbs Hall has medicinal liquids, pills, and elixirs, enough to make up for the deficiencies during cultivation, and provide a solid foundation,
"Great! I can finally practice martial arts."
Little Stone was so excited he couldn’t contain himself, jumping up and down.
"Sister Yourong, did you hear? I can practice martial arts, I can practice martial arts."
Gu Yourong also had a smile on her face, patting little Stone on the head.
"Congratulations, little Stone. After practicing martial arts, you can protect yourself."
"I can also protect second brother. It has always been second brother protecting me. Once I’ve trained, I’ll protect second brother." Little Stone declared loudly.
"Second brother, when do we start practicing martial arts?"
"No rush. You’ll practice with me every morning, so you’ll need to start getting up early from tomorrow. Can you do it?"
"Yes, I definitely can."
"That’s good. Go play! I’m going to talk to your sister Yourong."
Zhong Lin patted little Stone on the head.
Little Stone left the courtyard, jumping with joy, who knows which of his little friends he was off to share the news with.
"Senior sister, when will Master be back?"
"I don’t know, but is there something wrong?"
"I’ve reached Qi-Blood Perfection, is there any secret technique for the Inner Strengthening Realm?"
Gu Yourong was shocked, "What? You’ve reached Qi-Blood Perfection, and it’s only been how long?"
"It’s been a long time, over a month now."
Gu Yourong felt the urge to smack Zhong Lin to death.
Do you know how long it usually takes an ordinary person to reach Qi-Blood Perfection?
It’s typically measured in years.
You, on the other hand, achieved it in a month. If word gets out, it would shame countless martial artists.
Gu Yourong took a deep breath and said quietly, "I don’t know when exactly Master will return, but for the Fifth Grade Inner Strengthening Realm cultivation, it’s about using Qi-Blood to impact the internal organs, it’s a slow process, and there’s no secret technique for it. At most, the Five Spirit Pills can protect and nourish the organs, preventing the Qi-Blood from damaging them. However..."
Zhong Lin’s face lit up, he loved hearing the word "however."
"However, Master taught me a Breathing Skill, long-term practice can strengthen the organs. This method doesn’t use Qi-Blood to nourish the organs, it just strengthens them, allowing the organs to withstand higher intensity of Qi-Blood nourishment, akin to taking several more Five Spirit Pills. Do you want to learn it?"
"Learn it, why wouldn’t I?"
Magic Method: Heavenly Treasure Pile (Full Level), Golden Muscle and Jade Bone Skill (Full Level), Five Animals Qigong (Full Level), Breathing Skill (Beginner)...
Skill: Hundred Birds Court Phoenix Spear (Full Level)...
Miscellaneous: Alchemy: Third Grade Elixir (Full Level)...
With each point added by the System, countless memories surged into his mind, giving Zhong Lin a top-level understanding of this so-called Breathing Skill.
Indeed, just as Gu Yourong said, it is a method of exercising the internal organs through breathing, with nothing particularly special.
To put it simply, ordinary people usually exercise their organs through physical activity, like running, causing the organs to vibrate and endure stress during the run. When not exercising, the organs just move in their natural state.
The Breathing Skill alters the breathing pattern, resonating the organs for more exercise.
Once the organs are strong, they naturally have enough resilience to bear the Qi-Blood’s immersion and nourishment.
Between each breath, Zhong Lin could feel the movement of his internal organs, with each breath, his lungs utilized the air more thoroughly, making him feel lighter and more agile.
This Breathing Skill, even if an ordinary person practiced it regularly, could extend their life.
"Have you mastered it?"
Gu Yourong looked at Zhong Lin like he was a monster and said, "Freak."
"I’ll just take it as a compliment."
The two chatted for a while, with Gu Yourong mainly explaining to Zhong Lin some cultivation tips and taboos for the Fifth Grade Inner Strengthening Realm. Then Zhong Lin returned to his courtyard, where Deng Yunsheng delivered the Five Spirit Pills.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he swallowed one elixir, and soon its powerful medicinal energy spread, attaching itself to his organs, as if coating them in a layer of armor.
"The lungs represent metal, the liver wood, the heart fire, the kidneys water, the spleen earth. The essence of the kidneys can nourish the liver; the liver stores blood, aiding the heart; the heart’s heat can warm the spleen; the spleen transforms food, nourishing the lungs; the lungs purify and descend, aiding the kidneys."
"The Five Elements generate and restrain each other. According to senior sister’s explanation, this requires the commencement of immersion and nourishment, and upon completion, continue with the method of Five Elements Mutual Generation for the next part, until all is completed."
"In the past, I would start with the heart, as it governs the body’s blood supply. Nourishing the heart would certainly increase Qi-Blood, boosting strength significantly."
"But the Breathing Skill originates from the lungs, so I choose to start with the lungs. The lungs are in charge of Qi, responsible for respiration, dissemination, and descend, regulate water pathways, open to the nose, manifest in the skin and hair."
While pondering, Zhong Lin directed wisp after wisp of Qi-Blood toward his chest and lungs.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
A surge of turbid air rushed up, turning Zhong Lin’s face red as he couldn’t stop coughing dryly. At the same time, piercing pain came from his lungs, like needles were being driven in.
But soon, the medicine swirling around his organs quickly flowed to his lungs, gradually nourishing and healing them.
Suddenly, a surge rose to his throat, and Zhong Lin felt a thick phlegm stuck, causing discomfort. With a cough, he spat out a large mouthful of bloody phlegm.
Looking down at the phlegm, Zhong Lin saw its yellow, dark hue, dotted with blood streaks, emitting a foul odor.
Even Zhong Lin felt disgusted, not expecting such matter in his lungs.
With the bloody phlegm expelled, Zhong Lin felt a relief as he breathed, and saliva pooled in his mouth, tasting like Jadescent Nectar. As it circulated, the nectar seemed to flow smoothly through his body, bringing a refreshing sensation, and he couldn’t help but revel in it.
"This is only from initially nourishing the lungs, what if all organs are nourished?"
Zhong Lin felt thrilled and full of anticipation.