Shennong Health Cultivation Method

Essence blood was inherently tempting to a zombie, and Mystic Yin essence blood was doubly so.

If not for the talismans Zhou Yan had spent forty-nine days meticulously applying to bind the creature, it would have broken free long ago.

This proved that Zhou Yan's forty-nine days of effort had not been in vain.

Zhou Yan dared not be careless. Ignoring the pallor that had deepened after forcing out his essence blood, he rapidly cast a spell and drove the blood into the zombie's forehead. The creature's movements instantly stalled, and it slowly closed its eyes.

Simultaneously, the patches of black and white fur on the zombie's body gradually molted, replaced entirely by black hair.

This was a secret technique recorded in the Profound Yin Corpse Refining Technique. By infusing the zombie with Mystic Yin essence blood before the refining process was complete, one could not only boost the zombie's rank by half a tier but also ensure better control over it in the future.

While the results were excellent, the process was taxing on the body, spirit, and vital energy.

Having forced out this drop of essence blood, it would take at least half a month to recover.

Furthermore, Zhou Yan could not practice the Mystic Yin Art during these fifteen days, or he would only aggravate his injuries and potentially cause irreversible damage.

"Hoo..."

Zhou Yan's body went limp, and he nearly collapsed on the spot.

Yet, as he looked at the zombie before him, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

This was a Black Zombie. Unlike the fragile White Zombie, a Black Zombie no longer feared humans or livestock. Its physical defenses were greatly bolstered, and its speed and strength were significantly enhanced; dealing with a dozen ordinary men would be effortless.

The zombie Zhou Yan had faced at the Li Mansion was precisely a Black Zombie.

Seeing Zhou Yan stop, Ma Yan cautiously stepped out and asked, "Is the refining successful?"

"It is. Come and take a look," Zhou Yan said, his voice weak.

He was truly struggling to hold himself up and slumped onto the ground, yet the smile on his face did not fade in the slightest.

Ma Yan approached, but upon seeing the zombie, he was startled and couldn't help but retreat a few steps.

However, seeing that the creature remained motionless, he stepped forward again to examine it closely.

"So this is a zombie!" Ma Yan remarked with a click of his tongue.

When he turned to look at Zhou Yan, he was startled once more: "What happened to you?"

In the blink of an eye, Zhou Yan's complexion had grown even paler, and a faint, aged look seemed to have settled over him, which gave Ma Yan quite a fright.

Zhou Yan knew that forcing out his essence blood this time had caused more severe damage to his body than ever before.

If he didn't recuperate properly, it could truly damage his foundation.

While cultivators in the Essence Blood Realm could use essence blood to cast spells instead of mana, they usually only tapped into the power of a trace of essence blood, often substituting it with ordinary blood; they would never force out the essence blood itself.

The damage was too great, and it was far too wasteful.

The Profound Yin Corpse Refining Technique was indeed a heterodox path, frequently demanding the use of essence blood for spells, pushing the concept of taking extreme measures to the limit.

"It's nothing, I just need a little rest," Zhou Yan said, offering reassurance.

This was the truth; despite his severe appearance, these were merely superficial wounds.

If his appearance hadn't changed after forcing out his essence blood, that would have been the real problem.

Ma Yan observed him for a long while before the tension on his face finally eased.

Yet, in his heart, his wariness toward cultivation only grew deeper.

The next day, Zhou Yan was finally able to step out of his door.

He did not go home immediately, fearing that his current state would frighten his family.

Wrapped in a black cloak that shrouded his entire body, he followed Ma Yan all the way to Tianhong Medical Hall.

Doctor Zhuang looked at Ma Yan and Zhou Yan, then said slowly, "You wish to take me as your master?"

Ma Yan quickly interjected, "Doctor Zhuang, it is he who wishes to apprentice, to learn health-cultivation techniques. It does not involve medical arts."

Unlike health-cultivation, medical arts were the true heritage of Tianhong Medical Hall and the foundation of the Zhuang family's century-old legacy.

Those who could inherit it were either members of the Zhuang family or formal disciples.

Therefore, learning health-cultivation was entirely different from learning the medical arts of Tianhong Medical Hall.

"This is his tuition," Ma Yan said, presenting a pile of items.

These were the standard six gifts of tuition: dried meat, celery, dried longan, lotus seeds, red dates, and red beans.

For Doctor Zhuang, who had no interest in expensive gifts, these standard ancient offerings were exactly to his liking.

Indeed, upon seeing the six gifts, a satisfied expression appeared on Doctor Zhuang's face.

By now, Zhou Yan had removed his hood, revealing his pale complexion.

He stepped forward and knelt before Doctor Zhuang: "I hope my teacher will accept me."

Doctor Zhuang looked at Zhou Yan, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"I have always believed in teaching without discrimination. As long as one is willing to learn and is not a person who commits evil, there is no problem..."

Zhou Yan felt a weight lift from his heart and bowed his head three times to Doctor Zhuang.

Doctor Zhuang nodded as he observed Zhou Yan's resolute attitude.

Shortly after, Doctor Zhuang led Zhou Yan to the backyard.

"The health cultivation method of my school is called the Shennong Health Cultivation Method. Legend has it that it originated when Shennong tasted the hundred herbs. This technique is divided into dynamic and static exercises, namely, breathing and guided movements..."

Doctor Zhuang explained the intricacies of the method as he taught it.

The Shennong Health Cultivation Method was not complex, yet Zhou Yan memorized it entirely after looking through it only three times.

Once he began to practice, it did not take long before he felt a warm current surging within his body.

One must know that even with the Five Animal Frolics, he had only felt a faint, intermittent sensation after reaching the proficiency level.

While this was certainly due to Zhou Yan's extremely weak constitution, it also spoke to the extraordinary nature of the Shennong Health Cultivation Method; it appeared ordinary, but it was a case of great skill appearing clumsy, turning the miraculous into the mundane.

Doctor Zhuang watched Zhou Yan practice from the side, a flicker of surprise crossing his face when he saw him master it on the first attempt.

However, his expression quickly returned to calm, his eyes filled with contemplation.

Once Zhou Yan finished his first session, Doctor Zhuang finally spoke: "The Shennong Health Cultivation Method emphasizes the natural order of heaven and earth, gradual progress, and a balance between tension and relaxation. Therefore, practicing it once in the morning and once in the evening is sufficient. Practicing more would be more harmful than beneficial."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan suppressed the urge to continue practicing and expressed his gratitude to Doctor Zhuang.

Doctor Zhuang shook his head slightly: "It is because you have an affinity with the Shennong Health Cultivation Method that you were able to master it on the first try. For an average person, it might take over a hundred attempts just to get started. Those without affinity could practice it ten thousand times and still never glimpse its true essence."

Zhou Yan was truly surprised now; he had not expected the Shennong Health Cultivation Method to be so selective.

Had he not personally experienced the "awakening of past wisdom" and his cultivation, he would never have believed such a thing could exist.