After a bit of chaos, the research group's activities finally returned to normal.
Everyone stood back in front of Natsuhiko and continued listening to the lecture.
Natsuhiko cleared his throat and said, "Returning to our previous topic, there is still part of Asuma's question that remains unanswered."
"And that is, what is Qi training?"
Everyone nodded curiously, indicating their interest in knowing more about this.
Natsuhiko continued, "Because this is related to our upcoming special training, I'll explain it here."
"The so-called Qi training is actually an almost lost cultivation system."
"It refers to an ancient practice by monks who guided and controlled chakra through breathing, so it is also called the breathing method."
"The principle is not complicated."
"You should have learned in your ninja knowledge classes that breathing is essentially the process of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide."
"During this process, the oxygen inhaled into the lungs enters the circulatory system and eventually reaches all the tissues and cells in the body."
"And ancient monks used this principle to attach marked chakra to the oxygen, which then reached all the cells in the body."
"By sensing this chakra, they could indirectly understand the conditions of various parts of their body, including the meridian system."
"This is what is known as 'internal vision.'"
Everyone was fascinated by this peculiar cultivation method, listening with their mouths open in rapt attention.
Natsuhiko smiled slightly and continued, "They painstakingly developed this technique to understand the meridian system and thus tame the chakra within their bodies, reaching a level where they could command it as they wished."
"It is said that they had such strict control over their chakra better to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and ascend to immortality."
Seeing everyone's slightly sceptical expressions, Natsuhiko smiled and reminded them, "Don't think this is just a legend. You should know that our First Hokage was reputed to possess the power of a sage."
The students then remembered the fleeting glimpse of the True Several Thousand Hands during the second sealing technique class.
Now, it seemed that only the power of a sage could explain it.
"So the First Hokage became so powerful because he learned the monks' breathing method?" Obito speculated, "No wonder that technique looked like a giant Buddha with a thousand hands."
Everyone had a sudden realisation, connecting the dots.
It turned out that ninjas originally came from Buddhism!
Everyone then looked forward to it, their faces filled with the envy that Qi-training novices have towards golden core masters.
Natsuhiko, however, shrugged and said, "Whether it's true or not, I don't really know."
But he was thinking to himself: No, that guy was just a cheater.
Natsuhiko continued, "Because this monk breathing method requires high sensitivity to chakra, it gradually fell out of favour in the competition with the simpler and cruder ninjutsu system, much like the Onmyoji's rune system. Now, few people know about it."
"But that doesn't mean it has no value."
"For example, the meridian scrolls in your hands were inspired by the principles of the breathing method. They can be considered a fusion of the monk system and the Onmyoji system."
Everyone suddenly felt the weight of the scrolls in their hands, sensing a historical significance.
Natsuhiko continued, "So you can see, this cultivation method is very similar to our foundation-building plan."
"Even the subsequent meridian refining practices of the breathing method are divided into dynamic and static exercises, just like our plan to use physical training and active chakra manipulation to expand the meridians. It is very referential."
"But we have the meridian scrolls, which allow us to skip the most difficult part of achieving 'internal vision' through breathing and directly start practising meridian refining and chakra control."
"However, to honour and thank the pioneers, I decided to name this phase the 'Qi training period.' I believe everyone has no objections to this."
Everyone nodded repeatedly, agreeing that the name was appropriate.
As long as it wasn't something like Chakra Power Stage Three, they could accept it.
"Teacher Natsuhiko, does this mean we can also master the sage power like the First Hokage?" Obito asked expectantly.
No, Obito, you're too modest.
Natsuhiko thought to himself, but he smiled slightly on the surface and said, "As I said before, this foundation-building plan is to lay a good foundation for you. The specific direction of development and success in the future depends on yourselves."
Everyone nodded thoughtfully, feeling more grateful for joining the research group and participating in the foundation-building plan in advance.
After all, this was the prerequisite step to becoming an immortal!
Seeing everyone's interest in the breathing method, Natsuhiko added a few more explanations:
"By the way, although using breathing for internal vision is now outdated, the combat methods of the ancient monks still have some merit."
"For example, they could use the principles of the breathing method to attach a large amount of chakra to oxygen, which would then circulate to all cells in the body, stimulating cell activity and thereby gaining extraordinary strength and speed in a short time."
Might Guy, who had been listening like a story, was slightly stunned at this point, feeling it sounded familiar.
Natsuhiko smiled and said, "It seems, Guy, you have realised that this technique is similar to the Eight Gates released by Mr. Day."
"Guy, if you're interested, you can discuss it with Mr. Duy."
"In addition, the ancient texts recorded that different breathing methods evolved based on the nature of the chakra attached to the oxygen."
"For example, the Sun Breathing, Moon Breathing, Flame Breathing, Water Breathing, Wind Breathing, Thunder Breathing, and Earth Breathing, depending on whether the chakra was yang release, yin release, fire release, water release, wind release, lightning release, or earth release."
"According to the legend of the Sage of Six Paths, by dividing yin and yang and categorising the five elements, these seven breathing methods are collectively called the Seven Heavens Breathing Methods."
"Legend has it that seven monks mastered these seven breathing methods and fought fiercely against various demons and monsters."
"The monk mastering Sun Breathing was powerful."
"The monk mastering Wind Breathing could sense distant situations through air currents, being called clairvoyant and clairaudient."
"The monk mastering Earth Breathing was invulnerable."
"The monk mastering Flame Breathing could breathe fire."
"The monk mastering Water Breathing could breathe water."
"The monk mastering Thunder Breathing could vibrate at a frequency beyond human perception, achieving invisibility."
"The monk mastering Moon Breathing could create forms out of nothing, making a gourd-shaped spiritual tool capable of absorbing all things in the world."
Everyone listened with yearning as if returning to the era of Demon Slayer's gourd.
Natsuhiko clapped his hands, bringing everyone's attention back.
"However, these currently have little to do with us. If you're interested, you can research it as a project in the future."
"Now, let's get to the main topic."
"As I said earlier, there are two ways to expand the meridians: dynamic and static exercises."
"Since you are still growing, your meridians are relatively fragile. Therefore, in the early stages, we will use low-risk dynamic exercises, i.e., physical training methods, to guide chakra to circulate on its own."
"The first set of dynamic exercises I designed was not very perfect and needed your cooperation for gradual improvement and development."
"But thanks to Mr. Day providing the Eight Gates technique and his cooperation, we have improved it into a second set of more refined physical movements that allow the chakra to circulate throughout the body, efficiently training all the meridians."
"Its only drawback is that it's tough and requires strong body control to perform correctly and achieve meridian refining."
"Among you, only Guy can do this."
Everyone glanced at Guy but wasn't disappointed. Since the teacher said so, there must be a solution.
Sure enough, Natsuhiko smiled and said, "Luckily, your training suits have a movement copying function."
"Just like how Obito used this function to learn Konoha's physical techniques, you will use it to learn and master this meridian training method."
Everyone exchanged excited glances, having been curious about this function for a long time.
Natsuhiko and Kushina divided the work, activating the copying function of the suits and making fine adjustments for each student based on their meridians, just like last time.
After a while, the preparations were complete.
Everyone lined up, with Guy standing in front of them.
Natsuhiko gave a final reminder, "These movements are quite precious, so cherish this opportunity."
"And Guy won't always be able to train with you, so focus on mastering these movements quickly. Your help might be needed for future school dissemination."
Everyone nodded firmly, indicating their understanding.
Natsuhiko took a few steps back, took out an MP3 card, and injected chakra into it.
Might Day's enthusiastic voice sounded: "The second set of Konoha Ninja School Radio Exercises, the call of the times... Ready, start!"
(End of the chapter)
Guys, I'm not a rude mf or something, but some of the comments genuinely piss me off. The author is a f'ing Chinese, and he purposefully uses Chinese terms as jokes, puns and explanations of certain situations. I know the OG readers of the novel understand this, but some of the new readers make such dumb proportions that they make me want to punch them.
Anyhow, Chapter 108 is up on my Patreon.
Chapter 87 is free on my Patreon.
Also, I am planning to post a Patreon only fic, a translated fic that will have limited free chapters on my Patreon and with time, I shall make it paid(advanced chapters) like i do for this fic. I am open to suggestions, though, regarding this matter that is.
pat reon.com/ReidaAstrea