After finding the Primordial Posture Technique in the Technique Hall, Chen Changqing headed straight to the mountain gate.
At this moment, Ran Hua was standing guard before the mountain gate, bored out of his mind.
When he saw Chen Changqing approach, Ran Hua casually glanced at him.
Then, his brows suddenly rose, and a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes.
"Senior Brother Chen, you broke through?"
Ran Hua sized Chen Changqing up and down, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.
Chen Changqing smiled faintly and nodded.
"Mm, I was fortunate enough to make a breakthrough."
Ran Hua stared at Chen Changqing for a few more moments, then grinned and patted his shoulder.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother Chen!"
"Heaven never lets down those with a determined heart. You've finally raised your cultivation to the late Qi Nourishing realm."
"I'll leave this gatekeeping duty to you from here on."
Chen Changqing did not take Ran Hua's words to heart. He merely cupped his hands.
Ran Hua had entered the sect later than him, yet he had already reached the late Body Refining realm.
Meanwhile, Chen Changqing had been in the sect for over a year before finally breaking through to the late Qi Nourishing realm.
Such a rate of improvement naturally was not enough to make Ran Hua think much of him.
After completing the handover, Ran Hua stretched lazily and left on his own.
Once Ran Hua had gone, Chen Changqing took out the copied Primordial Posture Technique and began reading it.
"This Primordial Posture Technique is a stillness art that combines form and intent."
"It emphasizes the cultivation principle of 'relaxed stillness, natural ease, ethereal spirit, and upright poise.'"
"Through standing-posture techniques, it guides the circulation of qi and blood, strengthening one's foundation and nourishing one's vitality."
"The first thing it teaches is the basic posture."
"Keep both feet parallel and shoulder-width apart, grip the ground with the toes as though digging roots into the earth, and suspend the heels lightly as though stepping on ants to activate the three yang meridians of the feet."
"Bend the knees slightly without letting them pass the toes, sit the hips as though perched on a tall stool, and keep the waist and back straight like a Treasure Pagoda piled layer upon layer."
"Hold both hands before the chest in an oval shape, hollow the palms as though cradling a ball, and press the finger joints outward while drawing them inward."
"..."
Chen Changqing did not merely read it. He immediately prepared to cultivate according to the technique's instructions.
He slowly rose to his feet and assumed the standing posture.
Just as he was about to examine the later sections on breathing and qi circulation, the system's notification suddenly sounded in his mind.
[ Ding! ] [Detected technique Primordial Posture Technique. Begin AFK cultivation?]
"Hmm?"
At those words, Chen Changqing's mind trembled.
"This... I didn't hear that wrong, did I?"
"Techniques can be AFK cultivated too?"
Chen Changqing was utterly shocked, his head buzzing.
He had originally thought that the AFK Cultivation System could only help him cultivate spiritual qi.
Who would have thought that techniques could be AFK cultivated as well?
Though still stunned, he did not overthink it and quickly responded.
"System, AFK cultivate the Primordial Posture Technique."
[ Ding! ] [AFK cultivation of technique Primordial Posture Technique has begun.] [AFK cultivation time: 1 second (flashing, continuously increasing).]
With Chen Changqing's confirmation, the Little Golden Man on the system panel before him immediately began to move.
It started out sitting cross-legged, then quickly changed its posture, taking on the standing stance described in the Primordial Posture Technique.
The Little Golden Man stood with steady poise, its feet rooted in the earth, its arms embracing as though gathering the sun and moon. Qi and blood circulated throughout its body, carrying the faint aura of primordial unity.
Besides that, Chen Changqing also noticed something else.
The Little Golden Man seemed to be breathing.
It was actually following the technique's instructions as well, circulating qi through the heavenly cycle.
Seeing this, Chen Changqing was immensely shocked.
"I never expected this!"
"This AFK Cultivation System can even AFK cultivate techniques."
"Then does that mean... divine abilities can too?"
At that thought, Chen Changqing grew excited, his eyes brimming with anticipation.
"Better not reach for the stars while still standing on the ground."
"Steady and sure, step by step."
Chen Changqing took a deep breath and calmed his surging emotions.
On the surface, he stood guard at the mountain gate. In truth, his mind was immersed in the system space, observing the Little Golden Man's movements.
Although the system could cultivate for him while AFK, Chen Changqing felt that idleness was idleness. Perhaps observing it himself would allow him to comprehend the technique more deeply.
"So that's how it is..."
After watching for a while, Chen Changqing nodded in understanding, grasping the finer details of operating the Primordial Posture Technique.
As the Little Golden Man continued cultivating,
Chen Changqing's understanding of the technique also deepened.
Outer sect disciples occasionally passed through the mountain gate. Some hurried along, while others traveled in groups of three or five, chatting and laughing. Yet almost no one gave Chen Changqing a second glance.
I'm just a tiny nobody.
Chen Changqing mocked himself inwardly, though he was more than happy to enjoy the peace and quiet.
He knew full well that no one cared about a mere mountain gate guard like him.
Still, he did not care much either.
After all, the less attention he drew, the more convenient it was for AFK cultivation.
Time passed, and soon it was the fourth quarter of the hour of the rooster.
Seeing that it was time to close the gates, Chen Changqing skillfully shut the mountain gate and turned to leave.
When he returned to his residence, Ran Hua was nowhere to be seen.
Chen Changqing did not care. He entered his room, closed the doors and windows, and eagerly claimed the results of his AFK cultivation.
"System, claim AFK cultivation results!"
Soon, the system notification sounded in his mind.
[ Ding! ] [AFK time: 5 hours.] [Practiced Primordial Posture Technique ×10 times.] [Claim AFK cultivation results?]
"Claim!"
Chen Changqing did not hesitate and chose to claim them directly.
In an instant, a streak of golden light flew from the Little Golden Man and merged into Chen Changqing's body.
Boom!
Immediately afterward, a surging force of qi and blood exploded within Chen Changqing's body. His limbs and bones felt as though they were being tempered by blazing fire, while his muscles and sinews gave off faint tremors.
The essential principles of cultivating the Primordial Posture Technique also poured rapidly into his mind.
It was as though Chen Changqing himself had practiced the technique ten times.
The next moment, Chen Changqing suddenly opened his eyes and clenched his fist. He felt the strength in his arms surge explosively, enough to shatter three hundred jin!
Whoosh!
Chen Qingfeng threw a punch at the air.
A fierce gust from his fist howled forth.
The air itself crackled and popped.
"What powerful fist force!"
"And... I broke through again!"
"Initial Body Refining!"
Chen Changqing murmured to himself, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes. He could not help but shout, "This feels incredible!"
After that, Chen Changqing began his day-after-day routine of AFK cultivation.
Standing guard each day, going AFK, claiming the results—over and over again.
Before he knew it,
a month had passed. Chen Qingfeng opened the system panel.
Then, the system notification sounded in his mind.
[ Ding! ] [AFK time: 10 days.] [Practiced Primordial Posture Technique ×300 times.] [Claim AFK cultivation results?]
"Three hundred times?"
Chen Changqing's heart jolted, followed immediately by wild joy.
He discovered that as he continuously AFK cultivated the Primordial Posture Technique, its proficiency was increasing, and the time required for the system to practice the technique once was constantly shortening.
"At this rate, breaking through to the middle Body Refining realm is just around the corner!"
He took a deep breath, blazing fighting spirit igniting in his eyes.
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