The Beginning of Cultivation

The next morning, just as the sky began to lighten, Lin Tian rose, washed up, and changed into a light set of training clothes. Under a maid's guidance, he headed to the Imperial Martial Arts Arena.

The Martial Arts Arena was located on the eastern side of the Imperial Palace, vast in scope, its ground paved with sturdy bluestone. All around stood various weapon racks and training equipment. Though the hour was still early, quite a few guards were already engaged in morning drills.

"Third Prince!" A burly middle-aged man strode over—none other than Guard Commander Kahn. Standing nearly two meters tall, his muscles knotted, a black form-fitting outfit accentuated his robust frame. His square face bore a resolute expression, and his tiger-like eyes gleamed with vigor.

"Commander Kahn!" Lin Tian said.

Kahn gave a slight nod, a hint of a smile appearing on his face. "Her Majesty the Empress has already instructed me. Starting today, I will teach the Third Prince the Qi Gathering Stance. Third Prince, the Qi Gathering Stance is the foundation of a warrior's training, and the most crucial root. It may seem simple, but it contains endless mysteries. Many people train for years without truly grasping its essence."

"Please instruct me, Commander!" Lin Tian said earnestly.

"Good!" Kahn nodded with satisfaction. "First, let me tell you what the Qi Gathering Stance is. As the name implies, it is a posture and breathing method for storing qi and nurturing the body. Through a specific stance, paired with a special breathing rhythm, it guides the elemental energy of heaven and earth into the body, tempering the bones, muscles, flesh, and organs, thereby laying a solid foundation for future cultivation of battle qi."

As he spoke, he assumed a strange posture—feet slightly apart, knees slightly bent, hands hanging naturally at his sides with palms facing inward, head tilted slightly upward, eyes level and gazing forward. At the same time, his breathing became long and slow, each inhale and exhale seeming to resonate with the surrounding world.

"Third Prince, watch closely. In the morning, as the sun rises, all things are brimming with vitality. This is the best time to absorb the essence of heaven and earth and enhance our bodily potential. Spread your legs shoulder-width apart, bend your knees slightly, and bring your hands to your waist, forming the 'Qi Gathering Stance.' When performing it, remember to 'focus your attention, keep your mind calm, and breathe naturally.'" Kahn explained while holding the pose. "The key to the Qi Gathering Stance lies in 'stillness' and 'sensation.' Stillness means a still mind and a still body, eliminating all distractions, allowing body and mind to reach an ethereal state."

Lin Tian carefully observed Kahn's movements, then mimicked his posture. However, as soon as he settled into the stance, he felt a slight ache in his legs and his body wobbled a bit.

"Don't rush," Kahn said, walking over to Lin Tian and gently adjusting his posture. "Spread your feet a little wider, and bend your knees just a bit less... Yes, like that. Remember, the Qi Gathering Stance isn't about forcing yourself to hold it up; it's about relaxing and letting your body naturally maintain this position."

Following Kahn's guidance, Lin Tian slowly adjusted and indeed felt a bit more at ease. He began to coordinate his breathing, inhaling and exhaling, trying to make each breath long and steady.

Lin Tian closed his eyes and, as Kahn instructed, strove to calm himself. At first, various stray thoughts flashed through his mind—anticipation for training, dreams of the future, the strangeness of this world... but as his breathing gradually steadied, these distractions slowly faded.

Time ticked by, minute after minute. Lin Tian held the Qi Gathering Stance, his breathing growing longer and longer.

His legs trembled. No matter how strong his will, the muscles, aching to the extreme, refused to obey him. He finally collapsed to the ground and sat down.

At the same time, Kahn's voice rang out again: "Alright, Third Prince. For your first session, don't overdo it. What you've managed today is already enough. Stretch your body a bit."

"How do you feel?" Kahn asked.

"Very tired. I feel like I've been torn apart," Lin Tian answered honestly.

Kahn chuckled. "It's always like that the first time. The Qi Gathering Stance is about training the body. Once your body is strong, cultivating battle qi later will yield twice the results with half the effort. Alright, let me take the Third Prince to soak in some medicinal herbs."

"Alright," Lin Tian said.

Then Lin Tian and Kahn headed toward a certain palace. Before they even reached it, Lin Tian caught a pungent smell of herbs.

"Are these the herbs I need to soak in?"

"Yes. These are herbs specially developed for the royal family by the Empire's Potion Master, at Emperor Leo's request, for the Qi Gathering Stance. They heal hidden injuries from training and strengthen the body," Kahn said.

The two entered the palace, where a massive bathing tub sat in the center. The medicinal liquid inside churned and emitted a strange glow. With Kahn's help, Lin Tian slowly stepped into the tub. As the warm liquid covered his body, Lin Tian couldn't help but let out a soft gasp.

At first, the liquid brought a warm, stinging sensation, as if thousands of tiny needles were pricking his skin. Lin Tian frowned, gripping the tub's edge tightly. Seeing this, Kahn said softly, "Third Prince, this is the herbs taking effect. It will be a bit uncomfortable at first, but just relax your body and mind, feel it slowly, and you'll experience its benefits."

Lin Tian took a deep breath, forced his body to relax, and tried to adapt to the stinging. Gradually, the sting transformed into a warm, tingling numbness, seeping from the skin's surface into his muscles and bones. He felt as if every inch of his muscle was being gently massaged by an invisible force. The soreness in his legs slowly eased under this power.

"Commander Kahn, this herbal bath really seems miraculous. I feel the ache in my body gradually fading," Lin Tian said in surprise.

Kahn nodded with a smile. "Third Prince, this herbal bath is a royal secret, with extraordinary effects. During the soak, the medicinal power seeps through the pores into the body, repairing damaged muscles and meridians while strengthening your constitution. With consistent use, your body will grow stronger and stronger."

As time passed, Lin Tian became completely immersed in this wondrous sensation. He could almost feel the medicinal power moving through his body like lively little sprites, driving away the hidden fatigue and pain deep within. His previously tense nerves gradually relaxed, and an unprecedented comfort spread through his entire being.

"Commander Kahn, I feel like my body is full of vitality, as if I've been reborn," Lin Tian said excitedly, a sparkle in his eyes.

"That is the marvel of the herbal bath, Third Prince," Kahn said. "But though its effects are remarkable, you must not become overly dependent on it. On the path of cultivation, the key lies in your own effort and persistence."

"I understand, Commander Kahn. I will train hard," Lin Tian said firmly.

During the bath, Lin Tian and Kahn also talked about many topics related to cultivation. Kahn told Lin Tian about difficulties he might encounter during training and how to deal with them, as well as the training experiences of some famous warriors in the Empire. These stories filled Lin Tian with confidence and anticipation for his future path.

And so, Lin Tian began his cultivation life in the Coiling Dragon World. Every morning and evening, he would show up on time at the Martial Arts Arena, practicing the Qi Gathering Stance under Kahn's guidance. As time went on, his mastery of the stance grew more and more proficient, and with the help of the herbs, his body grew stronger and stronger.

In his spare time from training, Lin Tian did not forget his other goal—becoming a mage. Every day, he set aside time to read books from the Imperial Library Pavilion, learning about this world's history, geography, the distribution of magical beasts, and the division of powers, preparing for future adventures.

A month later, Lin Tian could already hold the Qi Gathering Stance for two hours without feeling tired. His body was noticeably stronger than before. Though he still looked like a five-year-old boy on the outside, his inner strength far surpassed that of his peers.