Lu Fan sat by the river, watching its flow with deep concentration. The way the water spiraled into a whirlpool fascinated him. The continuous rotation, the absorption of surrounding water, and the acceleration of the current—it all sparked an idea.
"What if Blood Qi could be cultivated the same way?" he thought. "A whirlpool effect could mix Water Qi with Blood Qi, enhancing absorption and circulation. It could work like a water turbine, using external force to drive internal power."
Excited by this concept, he experimented by channeling his Qi in a spiral motion within his body. As he refined the idea, another image came to his mind—the way a whale swallows vast amounts of water before filtering it for sustenance. But this wasn't enough. He needed something more—something grander, more powerful.
Then he thought of the Milky Way Galaxy. A massive celestial spiral, absorbing countless stars into its gravitational pull. The concept of a rotating, self-sustaining force that gathered and refined energy was exactly what he needed.
With two out of three elements ready—the attribute (Water Qi) and the natural phenomenon (whirlpool motion inspired by rivers and galaxies)—he was close to completing the technique.
Now, the final step remained: a Blood Qi method suited for women. Unlike men, who focused on explosive force, women's cultivation needed to emphasize fluidity, endurance, and adaptability. Instead of raw power, they required a technique that allowed them to store, refine, and release energy efficiently.
Lu Fan pondered deeply. He had the foundation, but to truly create a martial art that fit the female body's natural strengths, he needed to refine the concept further.
Lu Fan knew that theory alone wasn't enough—he needed a test subject, someone with talent in martial arts and an affinity for Water or Wood Qi. Only through real practice could he refine the technique and ensure its effectiveness.
But finding such a person wouldn't be easy. Most women who trained in martial arts followed existing methods, and those with exceptional talent were likely already part of cultivation sects. He needed someone untrained yet gifted, someone who could grasp new concepts quickly.
"A naturally talented woman… where should I look?" he mused as he continued his journey, scanning the villages and towns he passed for potential candidates.
As Lu Fan wandered through a remote village, he noticed a young woman carrying two large buckets of water, balanced on a wooden pole across her shoulders. Despite the weight, her steps were steady, and her muscles, though lean, carried surprising strength. Intrigued, he observed her from a distance.
Later, when she finished her chores and sat to rest under a tree, Lu Fan approached.
"You're quite strong," he remarked. "Have you ever thought about learning martial arts?"
The girl looked up, startled. "Martial arts?" she repeated. "I've seen some men practice, but… it's not something for women."
Lu Fan smirked. "Who told you that?"
She hesitated. "My father. He always said women should focus on home and family, not fighting. But…" She clenched her fists. "I don't want to be weak. I want to protect my little brother and my mother."
Lu Fan nodded, understanding her resolve. "If you're willing, I can teach you."
Her eyes widened. "Really? But… I don't have money to pay you."
"I don't need money." He shook his head. "I just need you to follow my instructions carefully. If you succeed, you'll be the first to learn a technique I've never taught before."
The girl's determination flared. "I'll do it! But… will it really work for me?"
Lu Fan smiled. "We'll find out soon enough."
She introduced herself as Lin Rou, the eldest daughter of a struggling farmer. Her father had passed away, leaving her to care for her sickly mother and younger brother. Life was hard, and she had long wished for the strength to change her fate.
Seeing her spirit, Lu Fan decided to stay in the village. He taught her the first chapter of his new technique, designed specifically for women. It was a skin tempering method based on the whirlpool concept, allowing her to refine her Blood Qi by mimicking the natural flow of water.
For the next few days, Lu Fan guided her through the training. Despite the difficulty, Lin Rou showed exceptional perseverance. Watching her progress, Lu Fan realized he was on the right path—creating a martial art uniquely suited for women was possible.
As Lu Fan guided Lin Rou through the technique, he quickly realized a problem—she couldn't visualize the Milky Way Galaxy as he had intended. Unlike the Blazing Sun Sutra, where cultivators could directly see the sun and connect with it, the concept of a vast spiral galaxy was completely foreign to her.
When he asked her to imagine it, she hesitated. "I… I don't understand. What does a galaxy look like?"
Lu Fan frowned. "It's like a massive whirlpool in the sky, made of countless stars."
She shook her head. "I've seen rivers form whirlpools when they hit rocks, but I've never seen anything like what you're describing."
Realizing that forcing the concept would only slow her progress, Lu Fan removed the Milky Way Galaxy part from the technique. Instead, he simplified it into a pure 'Whirlpool Art', focusing entirely on the circular flow of Blood Qi inspired by natural water currents.
When Lin Rou practiced again, she immediately grasped the new visualization. The moment she focused on the swirling motion of a whirlpool, her Blood Qi followed suit, forming a slow but stable vortex within her body.
Lu Fan nodded in satisfaction. "Good. This version suits you better. Keep practicing, and soon, you'll feel your Blood Qi growing stronger."
As Lin Rou continued practicing the Whirlpool Art, Lu Fan observed her progress closely. He noticed that while the technique worked, it lacked something—a deeper connection to water itself.
After some thought, he recalled the Vedic mantra for Holy Fire and wondered if a similar principle could apply to water. He spent days experimenting and finally crafted a mantra for Holy Water, designed to refine Blood Qi with a pure and flowing essence.
"This will help you synchronize with water more naturally," he told Lin Rou, passing her the new mantra.
With this addition, he knew that her Skin Tempering chapter would take time to complete before she could move on to the next stage. There was no need for him to stay and guide her step by step—her own talent and efforts would determine her growth.
Before leaving, he gave her a set of pills to support her cultivation. "Practice on your own. When you fully grasp this chapter, the next will reveal itself naturally."
With that, Lu Fan left the village, once again embarking on his journey—this time, seeking his own opportunity.