After Jiang Jiu had fully experienced the route of the meridian that started at his chest and ended at his thumb, Xiao Wu didn't rush to teach him the next one. She wanted to give him a little time to reflect on it himself.
Jiang Jiu's sensations were truly extraordinary.
It was like opening his eyes to the world, or suddenly recovering from nearsightedness.
Soul Power had always flowed through this meridian, whether during his daily meditation or when he circulated Soul Power to a certain part of his body to strengthen it for an activity.
But as far as he knew, he couldn't "see" this meridian at all, as if his mind had automatically blocked it out.
Now, things were completely different. This meridian, which had always been there, was crystal clear to his senses. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call this a moment of enlightenment, even an awakening.
"Knowing what it is, and knowing why it is."
"I still need to study harder."
Xiao Wu blinked. She had only understood "study harder," so she began guiding him through the second meridian.
Her finger moved past the base of Jiang Jiu's thumb, where she had stopped earlier, and touched his index finger.
From his index finger, she traced the outer side of his arm, moving upward to his shoulder, then around to his neck.
"Be especially careful around the head and neck," Xiao Wu reminded him softly.
Jiang Jiu nodded and circulated his Soul Power as gently as he could.
Another major meridian was "lit up." Jiang Jiu no longer cared at all about the bathhouse around him. Studying made him happy.
But the next major meridian made him feel a little awkward.
This time, Xiao Wu's hand slid down from Jiang Jiu's head and neck, passing over his chest, then his abdomen, and finally reaching the outer side of his leg.
Xiao Wu crouched down slightly. Her breath brushed against Jiang Jiu's skin, and her posture looked rather compromising.
"This route is a little long, so we'll take it slowly and go over it a few times."
Xiao Wu's finger finally stopped at the outer side of Jiang Jiu's second toe.
"Okay."
Jiang Jiu adjusted his breathing. Xiao Wu was taking this so seriously; he couldn't afford to get distracted.
Once they finished this one, Xiao Wu moved her finger from the outer side of his second toe to his big toe, then traced the inner side of his leg upward toward his abdomen and chest.
This time, Xiao Wu's hand really did pass by with barely any space to spare.
But by now, the two of them were completely focused, and they followed the meridian smoothly, succeeding on the first try.
"Xiao Jiu, you're amazing!"
"..."
Had Xiao Wu changed careers and become a preschool teacher?
Still, having a cute little mom wasn't bad.
Next, Xiao Wu's hand moved from Jiang Jiu's chest to his armpit, then traced the inside of his arm little by little toward his pinky.
After they had gone through these few meridians, she had basically felt her way over Jiang Jiu's entire front.
Then, naturally, it was time for the back half of his body.
His shoulders, back, spine, buttocks, the backs of his legs, his feet—she touched everywhere.
After they finished the back, they moved on to the sides.
His hips were fine, but there was also a major meridian running along the inner thigh, and Xiao Wu even took a deliberate detour around it.
Since this was the last meridian they had to study, the two of them relaxed. Xiao Wu was no longer as serious as before. After tracing a circle, she still wasn't satisfied and began drawing an incomplete one with two fingers.
The center of the circle was, of course, the fun part.
"That's enough."
"What are you talking about? That's just how the meridian here runs. I'm only trying to help," Xiao Wu declared righteously.
That was indeed true, but it didn't change the fact that Xiao Wu was just teasing him for fun.
"Why are you so lifeless? Is Sister Xiao Wu not charming enough?" she muttered to herself.
Jiang Jiu rolled his eyes and silently circulated Soul Power along this final meridian, which started at his toes and extended all the way to the area beneath his chest. He had already memorized Xiao Wu's first demonstration.
After practicing the previous eleven meridians, he was gradually becoming familiar with the process.
As Xiao Wu rolled her bright eyes, Jiang Jiu silently "lit up" this last major meridian.
Soul Power gathered around his ribs, then continued upward, naturally connecting with the first major meridian, which began at his chest.
From there, it flowed smoothly downward along the meridian they had studied first.
Xiao Wu had taught him the meridians in order. He could tell from the way her finger moved: she was tracing a complete circuit over Jiang Jiu's body, again and again.
Jiang Jiu closed his eyes, feeling as if he were floating on air. This was the joy of cultivation!
Soul Power surged from his heart to every finger and toe.
What kind of miserable days had he been living through while sitting in meditation before?
"Haah, phew. Sigh, Xiao Jiu, let's go eat breakfast." In the end, Xiao Wu gave up.
"Xiao Jiu?" Xiao Wu's face fell.
This was bad. He had already been obsessed with cultivation before. Was he going to work himself even harder now?
"Sure. Go on ahead. I'll join you once I've changed."
"Why bother hiding from me?" Xiao Wu muttered, but she still went out.
By the time the two of them reached the cafeteria, quite a few people were already there.
Practicing all twelve main meridians in full had taken quite a while. But given how quickly he had done it, Jiang Jiu could definitely be considered talented in this area.
A lot of people had severe blockages in their twelve main meridians. Circulating through them completely wasn't easy.
"Xiao Jiu, how about we eat on the second floor today?" Xiao Wu suggested.
They had never seen so many people at breakfast before. Besides, she had already received her Soul Master allowance from Spirit Hall, so they could splurge a little.
Jiang Jiu nodded.
He had wanted to go upstairs and eat meat for ages.
"Here." Xiao Wu pulled a Gold Soul Coin from her pocket and handed it to Jiang Jiu.
"What do you want to eat?" Jiang Jiu took the coin naturally.
"I'll have the same as you." Xiao Wu found a seat on the second floor.
"Boss! Boss, you're here for breakfast too?"
On the second floor, Xiao Chenyu spotted Jiang Jiu and the others and hurried to his feet.
"Obviously."
"Ah, I misspoke. Let me treat you, let me!"
"You think I need your money? Just stay out of the way." Xiao Wu's gaze remained fixed on Jiang Jiu as he went to order.
Xiao Chenyu followed her gaze and understood. He really shouldn't interrupt them.
After yesterday's defeat, he had carefully asked around about the work-study students. Although he still hadn't found out anything about Xiao Wu's background, he had no intention of provoking her anymore. If she wanted him to acknowledge her as his boss, then he would.
"Then I won't get in the way of your date, Boss."
"Oh, right! Boss, I've arranged for people to take over the work-study students' jobs. They'll get the usual wages. Think of it as compensation for me bullying them earlier. You can't refuse this, right?"
Xiao Chenyu mentioned it before leaving.
"That's fine." Xiao Wu was a little surprised, but nodded.
Now that they no longer had to do the work-study students' cleaning duties, she and Xiao Jiu would really be free this afternoon.
Yesterday, Tang San had cleaned the garden all by himself, while she and Xiao Jiu had spent the whole afternoon cuddling up in Dorm Seven.
When Jiang Jiu returned with a tray,
"Xiao Jiu, let's go shopping this afternoon!" She was sure Jiang Jiu had heard what Xiao Chenyu had just said.
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