Casting immortality in the furnace

Chapter 37 Internal Strength

At the end of April, spring rain was falling.

Fan Zhou practiced swordplay in the rain, shirtless and wearing only a pair of shorts.

He would sometimes use the Ten Forms Sword, and sometimes the Sword of Both Hardness and Softness. The two sword techniques switched seamlessly in his hands, and sharp sword energies shattered the raindrops around him.

If an outsider were watching, they would see that Fan Zhou was overflowing with spiritual energy, seemingly out of control.

This is because he refined too much spiritual sand in a short period of time, resulting in the spiritual energy not being fully integrated into his body. At this moment, when he exerted all his strength, the spiritual energy dissipated uncontrollably.

But Fan Zhou didn't care. He already had enough spiritual energy in his body, and he also had a few grains of spiritual sand in his hand. It didn't matter if a little of it dissipated.

This confidence comes from having ample resources.

He focused his mind on his body, fully absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, guiding it through his muscles and muscles, and penetrating deeper into his bones.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he finally felt a cool sensation deep within his body, as if all his flesh and blood had been shed, leaving him standing naked in the rain, his filth washed away.

It is precisely the third stage of fetal breathing, the stage of bone tempering.

It draws upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to temper the 206 bones until each joint is as smooth as jade, and the spiritual light flows like water.

When one cultivates to this level, diseases cannot penetrate to the bone, joints are not easily worn down, and one remains healthy even at the age of fifty.

The vital energy within the body surges like a tide, nourishing the bones along with spiritual energy.

Unlike spiritual energy, the essence in the body carries a slight warmth and a sharp sensation, subtly causing some changes to the body.

Fan Zhou cultivated for a long time, until the sun rose and the moon set, and his realm became completely stable.

He looked at the bright sun hanging in the sky and was filled with joy.

It's only May tomorrow, so today is the perfect time for him to go to Tian Youliang and ask him for a raise.

"Oh right, Master Tian said he would teach me internal energy cultivation techniques after I broke through to the third level of fetal breathing. I might as well go find him at the same time."

Fan Zhou returned to the cabin, took a hot shower, changed into dry clothes, and went out with an umbrella.

He asked a servant disciple on the way and learned that Tian Youliang had gone to have tea with Steward Hu.

So Fan Zhou headed towards Deacon Hu's residence.

Unlike the other servant disciples, the deacons had their residences chosen in advance, all in locations rich in spiritual energy.

Hu the Deacon's courtyard was built next to a small lake.

Fan Zhou remembered that the lake was very small at first, and it was Deacon Hu who used magic to expand it. Later, colorful fish were released into it, and lotus roots were said to have been planted there recently.

When he arrived, he saw Steward Hu and Tian Youliang drinking tea and chatting in the pavilion in the middle of the lake.

When Deacon Hu saw him approaching, he waved and said:

"A-Zhou, come and have a cup of tea."

Fan Zhou walked through the winding waterside corridor, entered the pavilion in the middle of the lake, and bowed, saying:

"Master Tian, ​​Steward Hu."

Tian Youliang saw that he had made further progress and was much happier:

"Please have a seat and try some of the pre-rain tea that Lao Hu picked."

"Yes."

Fan Zhou sat down next to him, and Deacon Hu poured him a cup of light green tea with a fragrant aroma. He smiled and said:

"This is a local spiritual tea called 'Gentle Breeze Embraces the Heart,' which is best enjoyed around the time of Grain Rain."

"Thank you, Deacon Hu."

Fan Zhou picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and the delicate aroma of tea permeated his lungs, calming his heart.

"This is truly excellent tea," Fan Zhou exclaimed sincerely.

The spiritual energy contained in this cup of tea is probably equivalent to a month of his cultivation.

Steward Hu stroked his beard and smiled, "Since you like it, I'll get you a bag later."

"This is too valuable, Steward Hu," Fan Zhou said, not daring to accept.

Tian Youliang casually drank a cup and waved his hand, saying, "You can keep it. Do you think a mere spirit tea steward would lack such a small amount?"

Deacon Hu scoffed dismissively, "That depends on who it's for. If it's for a cow, I'd be heartbroken even if it's the cheapest tea."

Tian Youliang's eyes widened, truly resembling bull's eyes:

"Who are you calling a cow?"

Deacon Hu looked up at the sky, sipped his tea, and remained silent.

Tian Youliang was too lazy to argue with him, so he poured himself another cup and said to Fan Zhou:

"Now that you have broken through to the third level of embryonic breathing, I should teach you an internal energy cultivation technique."

Fan Zhou asked curiously, "Master Tian, ​​what exactly is this internal energy cultivation technique?"

"Actually, internal energy cultivation is a method of condensing various types of energy, also known as internal strength," Tian Youliang said.

Fan Zhou was puzzled. "If that's the case, then I can also cultivate the Nine Styles Sword and the Two-Pronged Sword of Hardness and Softness that I'm currently practicing."

Tian Youliang explained to him:

"The Nine Styles Sword and the Sword of Both Hardness and Softness are both external training methods. These methods usually strengthen the body first, and then generate a certain kind of energy."

"However, internal energy cultivation first cultivates the energy mechanism, and then changes the body."

"What's the difference between the two?" Fan Zhou asked.

"The difference is that it's not easy to suffer from qi deviation when practicing external martial arts," Deacon Hu added.

"The first key to cultivating internal strength is to calm the mind and regulate the breath."

"If a mortal's mind is not calm and body is not clear, the internal energy will inevitably be scattered. If one rashly practices internal energy cultivation at this time, at best, one will suffer from physical ailments; at worst, one will suffer from mental instability; and at worst, one will die!"

Deacon Hu brewed another pot of tea and said slowly:

"As the saying goes, when the Qi is active, one lives; when the Qi is disordered, one becomes ill; when the Qi is extinguished, one dies. Your cultivation is shallow, and you only feel that a strong Qi is powerful, completely unaware of the dangers involved."

Tian Youliang clearly agreed with Deacon Hu's words and said to Fan Zhou:

"Your spirit is now focused and your internal energy is vibrant. Much of the impurity in your body has been washed away by spiritual energy, and you have already met the requirements for cultivating internal energy."

Fan Zhou nodded slightly, then asked curiously:

"I wonder what kind of internal energy cultivation technique Master Tian will teach me?"

Tian Youliang smiled and took out a book from his storage bag. The book had the words "Changchun Gong" written on its blue cover.

"Your element is wood, and this Everlasting Spring Technique focuses on cultivating 'vitality,' making it perfect for you to build a foundation."

Deacon Hu nodded and said, "I also practiced this technique back then, but I switched to another technique after breaking through to the Qi Refining stage."

Fan Zhou took the manual with both hands and eagerly began to read it.

Upon closer inspection, it became clear that internal and external martial arts are completely different.

He practices swordsmanship, and the vital energy within his body circulates in accordance with his movements.

However, the Changchun Gong requires meditation and cultivation, condensing internal energy in stillness.

Moreover, the circulation of vital energy must pass through major meridians and hundreds of acupoints in the human body, making it far more complex than swordsmanship.

Fan Zhou looked completely bewildered and couldn't help but sigh with a headache:

"Master Tian, ​​I've never learned about meridians and acupoints before. How can I practice this technique?"

Tian Youliang laughed heartily: "Now you know how difficult it is, right?"

"Cultivation isn't something that can be done in a day or two. Even practicing swordsmanship takes you a month or two to get used to it, let alone the circulation of internal energy!"

Fan Zhou looked helpless and could only sigh.

He thought he could practice the technique as soon as he got it.

Deacon Hu comforted him, "Don't worry, you'll have to learn these things sooner or later. I have a diagram of meridians and acupoints for practice, I'll give it to you."

He took out a scroll from his storage bag, lifted it up, and hung it in mid-air. Instantly, a detailed drawing of the human body appeared, densely marked with many acupoints, the course of many meridians, and the location of internal organs.

"Since I have some free time, I'll take this opportunity to explain the key points of practicing Changchun Gong to you."

Fan Zhou was overjoyed and quickly stood up to bow, saying:

"Thank you for your guidance, Deacon Hu."

Deacon Hu stroked his beard and said, "The Everlasting Spring Technique is a basic cultivation method that has been improved by cultivators throughout the ages. Its main characteristics are to nourish and cultivate vitality, preserve essence, prolong life, slow down aging, and its energy is gentle, its intention is flexible, and its nature is firm..."

Tian Youliang watched silently, then gulped down another cup of tea.

During his embryonic breathing period, he practiced the "Nourishing Truth Skill," and his teaching of the Everlasting Spring Skill was far less professional than that of Deacon Hu.

"I'm not good at teaching swordsmanship, and I'm not good at teaching internal energy cultivation either."

Tian Youliang couldn't help but start thinking.

What can I possibly teach him?