Qi Nourishing Method

"'Repelling' means filling to the brim.

"The Fire-Repelling Technique is a method of storing fire.

"This art originated in a foreign land of the Western Regions. At first, Fire Elixir, Fire Oil, and syrup were placed in the mouth, then sprayed out as flame for people to watch. Those of deep attainment needed no fire-starting material; those of shallow attainment had to hold a flame as a guide.

"Later, an unknown Daoist improved it by incorporating methods of nourishing and exhaling Qi. Thus came the classifications of upper, middle, and lower grades. The original Fire-Repelling Technique was merely the lowest grade.

"The middle-grade Fire-Repelling Technique requires neither Fire Elixir nor Fire Oil. Instead, one combines it with the Qi Nourishing Method and Breathing and Exhaling Method, drawing in the essence of fire and storing it within the belly, then breathing it out when needed. Those of deep attainment can preserve Fire Qi for days, even half a month, without it dispersing. Those of shallow attainment can keep the Fire Qi only briefly after drawing it in; if they do not expel it, it will either scorch them or vanish without a trace.

"The upper-grade Fire-Repelling Technique requires neither Fire Elixir nor Fire Oil, nor does it require drawing in Fire Qi. One need only cultivate the Five Qi within the body, then guide them into fire when needed and breathe it out. The amount of Fire Qi depends on the Five Qi within one's body.

"This method differs from the fire arts among Five Elements Magic. No matter how deep one's attainment, it remains Mortal Fire. It can kindle flames, provide light, scorch people, frighten horses, burn New Ghosts, and repel Lesser Demons, but it has no great use.

"Thus, it is a Performance Art."

It seemed to have some connection to Exhale Qi as well...

Lin Jue finished reading this page softly, pinching the paper between his fingers.

The instant his hand touched the page, an imperceptible glimmer flashed again. His vision blurred, and all his focus was drawn into the void within his mind. Then a voice rang out.

It was still as though he were silently reciting it in his mind:

"To practice the lower-grade Fire-Repelling Technique, one must prepare Fire Pills and Fire Oil, and painstakingly train the methods of spraying and enduring heat. Attached is a folk recipe for Fire Pills from the Shangde Era..."

The Shangde Era?

Having caught the key point, Lin Jue could not help but ponder it.

It seemed several dynasties had already passed.

Was that the era in which this book's author lived?

He did not dwell on it for now and continued downward.

"To practice the middle-grade Fire-Repelling Technique, one must study the Breathing and Exhaling Method, understand the Exhale Qi method, and comprehend the Spiritual Resonance of fire. Once one resonates with that Spiritual Resonance, one may draw Fire Qi into the belly through it. After becoming proficient, one may use the Exhale Qi method to spray it forth as flame.

"To practice the upper-grade Fire-Repelling Technique, one must study the complete Qi Nourishing Method, breathing, exhaling, and guiding Qi. One must likewise comprehend the Spiritual Resonance of fire, yet Fire Qi will arise naturally within the body and be guided out. Those of deep attainment can not only breathe blazing flames from their mouths, but also scatter Fire Qi with every gesture, turning it into fire.

"Practitioners must not eat foods of extreme coldness."

There were still complete methods of practice, including insights into comprehension and points requiring attention.

Lin Jue had not fully memorized it after hearing it once. He merely turned the page with his fingertips, only to discover another page beneath it:

"The Qi Nourishing Method is an ancient method of cultivation.

"Heaven grants the Five Qi, and spirit exists in the world. Those with exceptional innate gifts, even with mortal flesh, may occasionally glimpse the Spiritual Resonance of the Five Qi of heaven and earth.

"Ancient people sensed the Spiritual Resonance of the Five Qi and found it wondrous. Through long years of exploration, they mastered methods of drawing it into the body, and it gradually developed into the Qi Nourishing Method.

"This method was the beginning of all Spiritual Methods of cultivation beneath heaven. At the lower end, it strengthens the body; at the upper end, it allows one to cultivate the Dao and attain enlightenment. Moreover, it demands exceedingly little talent. Many Jianghu People who practice the Qi Nourishing Method cannot practice Spiritual Methods at all. Thus, even now, it remains the most widely spread cultivation method throughout the Jianghu and the world.

"There are many varieties of the Qi Nourishing Method, but broadly speaking, they consist of two steps: breathing and exhaling, then guiding.

"Those who possess breathing and exhaling often learn Performance Arts. Those who possess guiding often cultivate their physiques. Only when the two are joined as one does it become a cultivation method.

"..."

Only then did Lin Jue suddenly recall—

Over the past year, he had indeed occasionally seen strange Qi or gleams of light: perhaps atop a mountain at sunrise, perhaps amid the woods after an early spring rain, or perhaps in the instant that old man drew in Fire Qi today. They could not be controlled and were difficult to grasp.

According to the book, he seemed to possess rather good talent.

"This is one of many Qi Nourishing Methods:

"You must know that Qi is divided into Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, and the four seasons..."

Lin Jue continued listening, thinking as he did.

If what the book said was true, and if it possessed considerable authority, then the Fire-Repelling Technique had upper, middle, and lower grades. What that troupe of performers had displayed today were the middle and lower grades. He wondered whether they knew the upper-grade Fire-Repelling Technique. The Qi Nourishing Method was often divided by the world into breathing and exhaling and guiding; that old man had displayed only the Breathing and Exhaling Method. He wondered whether he knew the complete Qi Nourishing Method.

Even so, it was already quite extraordinary.

Mortal Fire was fire, after all. It possessed a certain degree of killing power and intimidation, and dealing with Lesser Demons and Little Ghosts should not be much of a problem.

Yet they still performed in the city.

That seemed to make a certain kind of sense.

On closer thought, Lin Jue had heard the village elders say that there were Jianghu masters in the world who could take a person's life in an instant from ten paces away. True or not, the Fire-Repelling Technique's power was ordinary. It was difficult for it to inflict great harm in a short time, and its range was limited as well. On a battlefield or in a life-and-death struggle, it did not seem particularly formidable.

At the very least, it could not compare to a Bow and Arrow.

Yet from the words of those performers, he could vaguely tell that this was more likely their own choice.

No matter what, his conversation with them yesterday had given Lin Jue some inspiration. Beyond that, it had also helped him glimpse this world's true appearance a little more clearly.

"Those who nourish Qi breathe in and out the Five Qi, cultivating Spiritual Resonance. They should seek the middle path and take the way of balance..."

Before Lin Jue could hear all of it, his Cousin called from outside, telling him to eat. That pulled him free from the state of listening to what seemed like his own inner voice.

He could not learn it all in one go, and there was no need to rush. So he closed the book and placed it atop the cabinet.

Then he could not help glancing at the cabinet again.

Besides this Ancient Book of unknown origin, it held more than a dozen thread-bound volumes, most of which he had borrowed from wealthy village households or from the teacher's home.

Most merchants here revered Confucian learning and were generally willing to lend books. Lin Jue had always been polite and cherished books dearly, always returning them on time, so most were happy to lend them to him.

Yet ever since he had encountered a demon while spending the night at Heng Village Ancestral Hall, Lin Jue had not opened a book for several days.

Nor had he attended much school.

"Alas..."

Shaking his head, Lin Jue walked outside.

The following morning, on a small hillside beyond the village.

Lin Jue was already seated there.

According to the book, spiritual Qi was divided by heaven and earth, Yin and Yang, the four seasons, and the Five Elements. It differed at every moment, and even differed from place to place, changing without end.

The Qi Nourishing Method was simple and primitive, and its practitioners were all shallow in cultivation. Therefore, when cultivating, one must never lean to one side. Many people who nourished Qi in the world had gone astray precisely because they did not understand this principle or pay heed to it. As time passed, the Qi cultivated within their bodies was no longer balanced or moderate.

Yang Qi was too heavy at noon, while Yin Qi was too heavy at midnight. Neither was suitable for those studying the Qi Nourishing Method, so dawn or dusk was best.

The turning of the four seasons brought different conditions. During times such as the Winter Solstice and Summer Solstice, one had the shortest day and longest night, while the other had the shortest night and longest day. Both were periods when Yin Qi or Yang Qi overwhelmingly surpassed the other and the other was at its weakest. Cultivating the Qi Nourishing Method then would yield twice the effort for half the result, bringing harm but no benefit, so it was best avoided altogether.

Conversely, during the Spring Equinox and Autumn Equinox, when day and night were evenly divided, Yin Yang Qi was at its most balanced and the Spiritual Resonance of heaven and earth at its most wondrous. Cultivation then would yield twice the result with half the effort.

Cultivating in one place all the time was no good either. One needed constant changes—among mountains, waters, and forests, beneath the vastness of heaven and earth—to gather more Spiritual Resonance.

Following the book's instructions, Lin Jue calmed his heart and focused his mind.

Of the myriad thoughts in his mind, he pursued one thought until he gradually reached thoughtlessness. His body naturally merged with heaven and earth, sensing the Five Qi of heaven and earth and their natural Spiritual Resonance.

In the unseen darkness, it seemed the moment had come.

He suddenly opened his eyes—

Before him lay, more or less, the same village as before.

A small stream and a pool of spring water flowed down from above, joining together on the left and right. The village had been built along the water, a broad spread of white walls and dark tiles, with staggered eaves. In the morning, birdsong could often be heard, along with the sound of Madam beating clothes, echoing through the air.

Behind it stretched ranges of verdant mountains, like a folding screen.

The reason it was only more or less the same was because there was also Qi.

Between the hills, above the stream, amid the houses, and atop the Great Mountain, faint streams of light rose and flowed. They began from heaven and earth and returned to heaven and earth, lending this scene several additional shades of strangeness and dreamlike beauty.

"How beautiful..."

That was unexpectedly Lin Jue's first thought.

He immediately steadied his mind and guided his breath.

"Hiss...

"Hu..."

Between inhaling and exhaling, he vaguely sensed something, yet it also seemed like nothing at all.

Lin Jue was neither impatient nor doubtful. Following the book's instructions, he remained patient and continued breathing and exhaling.

He sensed Qi through his mouth and nose, then guided it into his body.

A vague sensation came to him on his very first attempt.

Just as the book said, if he could occasionally see the Spiritual Resonance of the Five Qi of heaven and earth, his talent should indeed count as excellent.

Still, the book's detailed explanations deserved some credit as well.

The contents of this book stood at a far higher level, carrying abundant experience, profound insight, and exceptionally deep attainment. It explained this most basic Qi Nourishing Method thoroughly and comprehensively.

Only when the sun rose higher and the temperature increased, causing Yin and Yang Qi to become increasingly unbalanced, did Lin Jue open his eyes.

"Hu..."

He expelled one final breath of turbid air.

According to the book, it was time to stop.

Lin Jue also emerged from that state of mind. The world before his eyes returned to its clear, ordinary state, resembling a beautiful landscape painting of village and mountain.

Yet he could not help continuing to think—

This world truly was extraordinary.

With Demonic Ghosts and magic arts, could there truly be immortal gods and eternal life?

No matter what, these were the more wondrous and unique aspects of this world.

"..."

Lin Jue fell silent.

His mind was no longer on reading at all.

Thinking of that world of Supernatural and Strange Tales described by the village elders, Lin Jue suddenly felt that those magic arts, Divine Abilities, and strange tales were like towering mountains standing in the distance, like broad and breathtaking scenery. They seemed merely to rest there in silence, but in truth, they were calling to him...