Lin Fei sat cross-legged on the hospital bed, his breathing steady and deliberate as he pondered the mysteries of the Heavenly Scripture of Body Refinement. This ancient technique, one of the treasures sealed within the Heaven's Bead, was revealed to him through Xiao Dong's memories.
The Heavenly Scripture of Body Refinement was a unique cultivation path that emphasized strengthening the physical body to unparalleled heights. Its stages were daunting, each more grueling than the last. Lin Fei's mind lingered on the descriptions of the first four stages.
Body Refinement have four beginning stages as follows:
Skin Tempering:
This was the foundation of body refinement. By infusing True Qi into the skin, practitioners could make their skin as resilient as forged steel. It would render the body resistant to external damage, from sharp weapons to harsh environmental conditions. The Ethereal Flow Technique played a crucial role in this stage, enabling the skin's pores to absorb True Qi and gradually harden.
Muscle Fortification:
In the second stage, the focus shifted to the muscles, enhancing their strength and flexibility to inhuman levels. A practitioner in this stage could lift immense weights, endure immense strain, and move with explosive power.
Bone Consolidation:
The third stage focused on the skeletal system, making the bones as strong as diamond. This stage was vital for enduring the tremendous physical forces cultivated in later stages. It required immense reserves of True Qi and the resilience to withstand excruciating pain.
Adamant-Viscera Strengthening:
The fourth stage tempered the internal organs, ensuring they could handle the powerful flow of energy generated by a fully refined body. The practitioner's endurance, vitality, and overall health would surpass ordinary limits, granting near-immortality against common ailments.
Each stage built upon the last, creating a seamless progression of bodily strength. However, the difficulty increased exponentially, requiring immense willpower and resources.
"The first stage of Heavenly Scripture of Body Refinement was skin tempering after completing this stage my skin defense will increase tremendously that even a bullet will'l not be able to harm me" lin fei thought in astonishment as he found a breathing technique in 'Heavenly Scripture of Body Refinement' for the first stage its called 'Etheral flow Technique' , Lin fei got shocked after reading its discreption.
Now, Lin Fei's immediate task was to master the Ethereal Flow Technique, the breathing method essential for Skin Tempering. This technique trained the skin to act as a secondary system of respiration, drawing in and exhaling True Qi through its pores.
It was said that once the skin adapted to this method, it would automatically continue the process, gradually strengthening itself without conscious effort. However, reaching this stage required rigorous practice.
"This breathing technique is no joke," Lin Fei thought, his brows furrowed. "It's as complex as the meridian refinement process. But if I can master it, it'll help me progress faster in both areas."
Lin Fei adjusted his posture, closing his eyes to focus. He began practicing the Ethereal Flow Technique, following the intricate patterns outlined in the scripture.
Inhale. Hold. Exhale in bursts.
Repeat, but shift the rhythm every few cycles.
He imagined the pores on his skin opening and closing in harmony with his breathing, attempting to draw in the faint True Qi in the air. The effort was taxing—every fiber of his being resisted the unnatural rhythm. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he persisted, his soul power guiding the process.
Simultaneously, Lin Fei directed a portion of the gathered True Qi into his first meridian, refining it inch by inch. The multitasking required immense concentration, but his determination was unshakable.
Hours passed, the golden hues of sunset fading into the deep indigo of evening. Lin Fei's breathing grew steadier, the Ethereal Flow Technique beginning to show results. His skin tingled faintly, a sign that the tempering process had begun.
When he finally opened his eyes, the room was bathed in soft artificial light. He felt a sense of accomplishment a small but significant step toward his goals.
The sound of the door opening drew Lin Fei's attention. Su Qing entered, carrying a basket of fruits. Her presence brought a warmth to the room that Lin Fei hadn't realized he craved.
"How are you feeling now?" she asked, setting the basket on the bedside table.
"Better," Lin Fei replied, his voice carrying a hint of genuine warmth. "Thank you for everything, Sister Su Qing."
She blushed faintly at his words but quickly masked it with a smile. "That's good to hear. I brought some fruits. They're fresh, so they should help with your recovery."
They talked for a while, their conversation light and pleasant. Su Qing told him about her day at university, mentioning her studies in business and her family background.
"My father is one of the biggest businessmen in the country," she said casually. "But I've been living here with my grandparents. They're the ones who've really supported me in being myself."
Lin Fei listened intently, appreciating her sincerity. Despite her privileged background, Su Qing was grounded and kind a stark contrast to the people he'd known in his previous life.
As the evening deepened, Su Qing stood to leave. "I should go now. My classes start early tomorrow, but I'll visit you again after."
Lin Fei nodded. "Thank you, Sister Su Qing. Your visits mean a lot to me."
Her blush deepened as she helped him back into bed, ensuring he was comfortable before leaving. "Rest well, alright? You'll need your strength."
After Su Qing left, Lin Fei leaned back against the pillow, his thoughts turning inward. The kindness she showed stirred something within him, but it also served as a reminder.
"Strength," he muttered. "Without it, I'll never have the freedom to live life on my terms."
He clenched his fists, the memory of Xiao Dong's final words echoing in his mind. Lin Fei vowed to rise above the world, not for anyone else, but for himself.
After getting motivated he sat cross legged and started cultivating.
The room was bathed in a soft glow from the overhead light, and Lin Fei sat cross-legged on his bed. His breathing was steady, deep, and rhythmic as he practiced the Ethereal Flow Technique. It had been a week since he began this rigorous routine, and every passing day had brought small but significant progress.
Every morning, Lin Fei woke before dawn, waiting for the fleeting moment when the rare Purple Qi from the East appeared. He absorbed it with intense focus, using it to refine his first meridian while simultaneously cultivating the Ethereal Flow Technique.
Each day, Su Qing visited him, bringing nourishing food, fruits, and her warm company. Her consistent kindness added a touch of light to Lin Fei's arduous routine, making the difficult process slightly more bearable.
Now, seven days had passed. Lin Fei's efforts had borne remarkable results:
His first meridian was on the verge of complete refinement.He had also achieved a little success in the Ethereal Flow Technique, now able to inhale twice the amount of True Qi as before. His skin had begun to breathe little True Qi naturally, a sign of his progression in the Skin Tempering stage.
The benefits were apparent. His vitality had nearly doubled, and his injuries had healed almost entirely. Lin Fei's body, once frail and weak, now exuded a faint aura of strength.
As the morning approached, Lin Fei sat with his eyes closed, his focus inward. Today marked a pivotal moment the completion of his first meridian refinement. Fully refining the meridian would signify his formal entry into the martial path, a milestone he had worked tirelessly to achieve.
His heart beat steadily as the first light of dawn appeared, the sky in the east tinged with hues of purple and gold. The Purple Qi from the East began to flow, an ethereal energy so pure and potent that it felt like a gift from the heavens.
Lin Fei's eyes snapped open, filled with determination. "It's time."
Lin Fei began absorbing the Purple Qi madly, drawing it toward his body using the Ethereal Flow Technique. The dual cultivation method allowed him to direct the True Qi toward his nearly refined first meridian while simultaneously strengthening his skin.
The process was arduous. Refining the final segment of the meridian felt like chiseling through a stone wall with a blunt tool, but Lin Fei persisted. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he pushed through the resistance, his soul power guiding the True Qi with precision.
Seconds turned into minutes, and minutes felt like hours. As the last sliver of the meridian was refined, a surge of warmth flooded Lin Fei's body.
"It's done," Lin Fei whispered, his voice trembling with both exhaustion and elation.
It had taken seven days of relentless effort to refine the first meridian completely. Lin Fei had officially stepped onto the martial path, a momentous achievement that filled him with pride.
But he didn't stop there. With the remaining Purple Qi, Lin Fei directed his focus toward his second meridian. To his surprise, the difficulty increased significantly. The second meridian resisted the True Qi with a stubbornness that made the first seem easy by comparison.
"Each step will only get harder," he thought, gritting his teeth.
As the Purple Qi from the East faded with the rising sun, Lin Fei opened his eyes.
End of Chapter 6.