Greg Jensen fell silent for a moment before resuming his cultivation.
Five hours had passed since the last circulation of the cycle, and he planned to continue practicing the Guidance Technique, striving to draw spiritual energy into his lower dantian tonight.
This time, when he operated the Guidance Technique, spiritual energy quickly entered his body.
And as the spiritual energy grew more robust, Greg's expression became more serious.
He knew the time had come to open his lower dantian!
The lower dantian, located three inches below the navel, contained a pocket of Innate True Qi.
Once successfully opened, he could transform spiritual energy into True Qi, store it in the lower dantian, strengthen the body, and prolong life.
Feeling the spiritual energy within him grow like a snowball, he hesitated no longer and guided the spiritual energy to launch a fierce assault on his lower dantian.
Boom!
The next second, the spiritual energy in his meridians suddenly entered a mysterious place!
Had he succeeded?
Had he succeeded on his first try?!
Greg could hardly believe it.
However, he soon realized something was amiss because there was an even more violent breath of energy within the lower dantian.
"Could this be my own Innate Qi?"
Greg once again carefully studied the insights of predecessors in the "Yin Yang Harmony Sutra," and then he understood that he had practiced dual cultivation with that woman in the cave yesterday, and with the aid of her Yin Qi, he had cultivated this Yang Qi.
This was also why he was able to draw energy into his body, circulate the minor cycle, and open the lower dantian so quickly.
In future cultivation, he only needed to constantly strengthen this Yang Qi and then convert it into True Qi. His cultivation would progress much faster than merely absorbing nature's spiritual energy.
He must continue Dual Cultivation with that woman to strengthen this Yang Qi; otherwise, he would not be able to advance to the second level of Qi Refinement!
Greg was flabbergasted again. He didn't even know the woman's name; how was he supposed to practice dual cultivation with her?
Besides, what happened yesterday was clearly an accident. Hoping to have such an encounter with her again was even harder than ascending to heaven!
Couldn't he just change to another woman?
Greg reexamined the cultivation knowledge in his mind and found that it really wasn't possible.
Because he had cultivated this Yang Qi with the aid of that woman's Yin Qi, and it wasn't yet perfected.
If the Qi of another woman were mixed in, they would clash, causing at best damage to the meridians, and at worst, an explosive death!
Greg's head was aching. That meant without dual cultivating with that woman, he could not convert this Yang Qi into True Qi, and he would not be able to enter the second level of Qi Refinement.
"I don't even know her name; where do I find her?"
Greg became very frustrated. It seemed he had no choice but to make inquiries in the village; after all, she hadn't appeared in Peach Blossom Village without reason.
Just then, he suddenly felt very hungry, accompanied by a sense of weakness.
The feeling was like having not eaten for many days; he felt exhausted and utterly fatigued.
Greg understood that entering the first level of Qi Refinement had exhausted all of the stored energy in his body.
He hurriedly ran to the kitchen and ate all the leftovers he could find in one go.
Even after eating everything edible there was, he was still very hungry.
Greg then set his sights on the last piece of cured meat left at home, washed it swiftly, and then threw it into the big pot.
The meat was soon cooked.
Without bothering to slice it, Greg picked up the cured meat and began gnawing on it.
Only after he had finished the large piece of cured meat did he feel somewhat satiated, and finally, some strength returned to his body.
After washing his hands, Greg unexpectedly revealed a bitter smile.
The most pressing matter now was not finding a woman but earning money.
Ancients said that those who wish to pursue cultivation need wealth, companions, techniques, and locale, without which nothing can be achieved.
Now, he had truly learned this lesson!
To cultivate in peace, one must have a stable economic foundation, for without sufficient wealth, even basic sustenance is a problem.
Let alone when cultivating, one needs a large amount of medicinal herbs to nourish the body and concoct elixirs, all of which require money.
But how to make money?
The "Yin-Yang Harmony Sutra" indeed has some money-making methods, but he was currently unable to use them.
Greg Jensen had a bit of a headache and couldn't think of a good way to make money even as he fell asleep.
When he woke up the next day, he was still pondering this issue, but still had no clue.
"Forget it, let's set aside the matter of making money and focus on filling the stomach first."
He took his fishing tools and went to the mountain, for there was a Cold Pond with many fish that could be caught to ease the hunger.
Greg Jensen arrived at the Cold Pond, set up a few simple automatic fishing devices, and then dug up some earthworms to hang on the hooks.
After he finished all this, he had broken a good sweat, and considering how hot it was today, he simply soaked in the Cold Pond.
Greg Jensen soaked for a while and then started to practice his cultivation in the water.
Soon, several small fish swam over and began to perform "Fish Therapy".
Greg Jensen didn't pay much attention at first, but as more and more fish came, he started to wonder what was going on.
After all, this phenomenon had never occurred before.
Could it be, because he had absorbed the nature's spiritual energy?
Gradually, the fish around him became more numerous, and even large fish weighing several pounds appeared.
"Rock climbers, green grouper, Snakehead Fish, and such big Peach Blossom Fish, it's the first time I've seen these."
"My goodness, Dragon fish!"
Greg Jensen was startled; he hadn't expected to see Dragon fish at this time.
Dragon fish are a very famous local species, not only smooth and delicately tasty but also high in medicinal value, enhancing brain function and beauty.
It's said that eating them over the long term can improve health and longevity.
However, these fish have very high water quality requirements and only grow in mountain streams, making them extremely rare.
Greg Jensen watched as more and more Dragon fish appeared, and his eyes couldn't help but light up.
A few years ago, Dragon fish sold for five to six thousand yuan per jin (half kilogram), and even then, they were scarce on the market.
These Dragon fish weighed at least two to three jin each, and selling them could make him a profit of ten to twenty thousand yuan, enough to buy medicine.
Greg Jensen couldn't help but laugh; he was worried about making money, but he stumbled upon such a stroke of luck.
Greg Jensen quickly caught a few, and the scared school of fish instantly scattered.
He wasn't in a hurry; he sat down with crossed legs and resumed his cultivation.
Sure enough, it wasn't long before the group of fish swam back, and this time there were even more Dragon fish than before.
Greg Jensen was overjoyed and quickly caught two more and threw them to the shore.
Repeating the process, he soon filled the fish basket, weighing a good five to six jin.
Greg Jensen looked at the Dragon fish bouncing lively in the basket and smiled until his eyes were nearly closed.
He caught two and started a fire to grill them; before long, the air was filled with a rich meaty aroma.
Greg Jensen was already drooling with anticipation and couldn't wait for the fish to cool, tearing off a piece and putting it into his mouth.
After swallowing the fish, a warm current immediately rose in his belly, completely sweeping away his hunger.
"What a treasure!"
Greg Jensen's eyes shone as he looked at the fish basket, feeling as though he had truly stumbled upon a treasure!