"In the Treatise on Discussing Heaven," it was written: "Heaven and Earth are the natural vessels containing qi. Heaven covers above, and Earth lies below. Qi from below steams upward, while qi above descends. All things are born freely in the space between them."
"The Treatise on the Momentum of Things" also recorded: "Man is born between Heaven and Earth, just as fish are born in the depths, and lice are born on men. They are born from qi, and their kind produces more of its kind. All things born between Heaven and Earth are one substance."
From this, the importance of "qi" could be seen. It was everywhere beneath Heaven and above Earth, allowing all things to grow freely. It was the primordial substance that formed Heaven and Earth.
"Qi" referred to Primordial Qi, while "qi" referred to acquired energy.
As the environment changed in later ages, with seas turning into mulberry fields and white clouds becoming gray hounds, Primordial Qi grew scarcer and scarcer. Most of what remained was acquired energy.
Exhaust from cars, emissions from factories, and the harmful gases produced by burning fuel filled the space between Heaven and Earth.
Humanity continued expanding its territory, seemingly living beneath blue skies and white clouds.
In reality, the azure sky had long since been veiled by a faint gloom. Although people later realized the importance of environmental protection and began to govern it, this was clearly a long process.
Compared with creation, destruction seemed far easier.
The "qi" in the air was growing scarcer. Even when it existed, ordinary people could not easily absorb it.
It was elusive and contained the supreme Great Dao, an intangible thing.
Even in ancient times, when Primordial Qi surged throughout Heaven and Earth, the ancients could not absorb it at will.
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