Chapter 22: With Dragons Leading the Charge, How Could I Lose?

Early on the third day, Chu Xuan departed with Peng Bing, signaling that they had begun their operations.

Xiong Yan, however, felt no anxiety regarding the success of their mission. In his previous life, without his intervention, these same twenty-six individuals—despite knowing nothing—had descended into this illusory realm and successfully conquered it. Now, with his guidance, the benefit of prior knowledge, and the fact that they already knew and trusted one another, they were even more cohesive and well-organized.

With such an overwhelming advantage, how could they possibly lose? Xiong Yan could not fathom a single reason why they would fail.

After finishing three large bowls of porridge, Xiong Yan gathered the remaining members to continue their lecture.

"On the first day, Peng Bing achieved a breakthrough, manifesting the power of blood-energy and ascending to the transcendent realm. On the second day, I covered the keys to the path of blood-energy, and everyone listened intently. Today, I intend to discuss the art of Qi cultivation. I will demonstrate the cultivation of true Qi before you all, but first, let us get through the lecture."

"The path of Qi cultivation begins with breathing techniques and meditative visualization..."

"The introductory manual for Qi cultivation details a 'Twenty-Four Solar Term Great Circulation Breathing Method.' This method divides the twenty-four hours of the day according to the Celestial Stems, Earthly Branches, the Five Elements, and Yin and Yang, resulting in thirty-six distinct breathing techniques. Depending on the external environment and weather, each situation corresponds to a specific breathing method."

"To better harmonize the body, there are also five breathing methods corresponding to the five solid organs, six for the six hollow organs, and even specialized methods like the 'Clear Vision' breathing technique to improve eyesight—totaling seventy-two such techniques."

"Theoretically, these two categories can be combined and adjusted indefinitely."

Thirty-six multiplied by seventy-two—that was merely the number of combinations for two types of techniques. What if one combined three? Or four?

"Theoretically, anyone can use these one hundred and eight basic techniques to arrange and combine the most suitable breathing method for themselves. As for its purpose, it compensates for innate deficiencies and brings the body to a state of absolute health. This is the prerequisite for the birth of internal Qi."

Jiang Ju raised her hand thoughtfully. "Director, I have a question. What exactly does 'absolute health' mean?"

"Not too fat, not too thin, balanced proportions, sound limbs, no innate defects, a normal biological clock, and a lifestyle in harmony with the seasons—sleeping when you should, rising when you should..."

"Take you, for instance: one meter seventy-five, yet weighing only a hundred-something pounds. That is unhealthy."

"And you, Xiao Lou, you’re only a freshman. Perhaps due to overexertion in high school, you are also underweight."

Ning Fan, a former soldier with a direct personality, asked skeptically, "Director, if that's all there is to it, is it really necessary to learn these complex breathing methods? Isn't it possible to achieve health through scientific exercise like fitness, yoga, or running?"

"Perhaps it has to do with the mind," Daoist Changkong speculated.

She was met with an encouraging look from Xiong Yan.

"I have tested these breathing methods. They are the most basic and concise—just inhalation and exhalation, without accompanying movements. Their greatest trait is that anyone can learn them; even someone without a brain could pick them up quickly."

"Logically, a complete breathing method should not only align with the seasons but also incorporate corresponding physical movements to maximize results. Furthermore, there is the requirement of the spirit: meditative visualization."

"High-level breathing methods involve internal visualization combined with physical postures—a union of movement and stillness, matched with specific respiratory frequencies. In my time, I relied on this principle to invent a high-level breathing method suited to me, which eventually led to some small success and allowed me to barely maintain my youthful appearance."

Clap, clap, clap.

Xiong Yan started the applause, and soon the room was filled with resounding cheers.

"For the average person, meditative visualization is too complex. Without one-on-one guidance, out of a hundred people, ninety will fail and achieve nothing. Nine will barely see results, but their path will be distorted; in time, they will develop schizophrenia, concussions, or mental illness. The remaining one might be on the right path, but it is uncertain when they will see any progress."

"My first set of imitative boxing, however, is suitable for everyone—men, women, young, and old! It cannot go wrong!"

He planned to release a video series so that it could be spread to the entire population. But could meditative visualization be spread without a teacher's hands-on guidance? Did everyone really think they were the protagonist, capable of imagining the terrifying aura of a tiger descending a mountain just by looking at a painting, or visualizing the rebirth of a phoenix from a sketch of a chick pecking at rice?

Aside from the protagonist, ordinary people lacked such talent.

"The beauty of this breathing method lies in how it subtly adjusts your mental state through the act of breathing. In modern society, whether one is an ordinary person or a genius, everyone is plagued by daily trivialities. Even if the body is healthy, what about the mind? How many can honestly say their spirit is free and unburdened?"

"There are two prerequisites for the birth of internal Qi: first, an absolutely healthy body; second, a perfectly harmonious mind."

Hearing this, Lou Cheng instinctively touched his head. "Then what about dating? In relationships, emotional excitement or even dramatic ups and downs are normal, aren't they?"

Huang Zixing thought of his own past struggles and blurted out, "What about those burdened by mortgages? According to this, most people with home loans are plagued by anxiety every day. They will never meet the standard for mental harmony in their entire lives!"

"And what of the salarymen? Supporting parents above and children below, paying off mortgages and car loans, never daring to refuse the boss when asked to work overtime—working until they reach the brink of collapse! It could be a major illness or a tiny, insignificant detail that breaks them. There are so many such people. Are they all destined to be denied the path of Qi cultivation?"

Jiang Ju felt a sense of helplessness wash over her. If not for the resurgence of spiritual energy and her lucky admission into the Institute for Special Affairs, she would still be struggling with her graduation thesis. In truth, she felt she was already lucky; she was in a direct-entry doctoral program. Being in her fourth year and already working on her thesis made her much better off than those seniors who had spent years on Master's and Ph.D. programs only to have their graduation delayed.

"This is too cruel, isn't it? A requirement for 'mental harmony' excludes so many people? I finally understand why you said the day before yesterday that the path of blood-energy is the most friendly to ordinary people."

"At the time, I was skeptical. Can a path that takes thirty years to reach the human limit really be called friendly? But compared to the path of Qi cultivation, it is truly incredibly friendly," Huang Zixing muttered.