Eternal Life Begins with Learning

"So, Qi Blood is the Qi that flows from the blood of the five viscera throughout the body. That’s why it’s called Qi Blood."

"To strengthen your Qi Blood is to strengthen your five viscera and your entire body."

Under the Spiritual Radiance Blessing, Chu Mu’s previous confusion vanished the moment he personally felt the existence of his Qi Blood. He understood everything instantly.

It was worth noting that the cultivation of Pile Skill to nourish Qi Blood was completely different from Chu Mu’s impression of Martial Arts.

Based on Chu Mu’s impression of Martial Arts from his past life, concepts like meridians and acupoints were an indispensable part.

However, this Qi and Blood Cultivation seemed to have little to do with meridians and acupoints.

The root of cultivating Pile Skill to strengthen Qi Blood lay entirely within one’s internal organs!

The flow and control of Qi Blood was based on the principle of Qi following the blood. In other words, that ethereal Qi was hidden within the blood and gathered in the internal organs.

It seemed that knowledge of meridians and acupoints was only necessary to avoid making mistakes during Qi and Blood Cultivation.

Clearly, this was no time for Chu Mu to get lost in thought. His spirit was extremely focused, and he could already clearly perceive the Qi that was hidden in his organs, moved with his blood, and covered his entire body!

The sensation was profound. It felt both real and unreal, illusory... yet not.

’I’ve sensed it, but how do I control this Qi that seems to exist between the real and the illusory?’

The answer seemed quite clear.

A single word... Imagination!

’It seemed abstract, but somehow, it was also logical.’

After all, the three treasures—Essence, Qi, and Spirit—were both illusory and real.

Chu Mu didn’t know what ordinary people felt when they perceived, let alone controlled, their Qi Blood.

But his own experience was crystal clear.

The moment his imagined consciousness touched that ethereal Qi, it was as if reality and illusion intersected. In that instant, the Qi flowing through his body seemed to... come alive!

’That metaphor isn’t quite right.’

’Strictly speaking, it was as if he were a creator bestowing life.’

The Qi flowing through his body was originally an unconscious entity. His touch seemed to have imbued it with life and awareness.

In that instant, the Qi throughout his body moved according to his will, without the slightest obstruction or delay. He was in complete and utter control.

In that same instant, he also became clearly aware of the Medicinal Power seeping continuously into his body through his skin.

A continuous stream of Medicinal Power seeped into his skin and flesh, where it was absorbed by the circulating Qi and assimilated. It then followed the flow of Qi Blood into his internal organs, nourishing and subtly strengthening them.

Subconsciously, Chu Mu began to manipulate his Qi Blood, transforming the previously unconscious absorption and Refinement of the Medicinal Power into a consciously controlled process.

As this consciousness permeated the Qi Blood throughout his body, Chu Mu quickly noticed a huge difference.

His surging Qi Blood acted like a vortex. Instantly, the Medicinal Power that had been seeping into his body like a trickle began to rush in like a tidal wave, drawn by the whirlpool.

It was absorbed and refined by the surging Qi Blood, finally pouring into his internal organs. There, it was incorporated into his very being, becoming part of his body’s foundation and slowly strengthening him.

The entire system of Qi and Blood Cultivation now presented itself with utmost clarity in Chu Mu’s mind.

’Just as I thought before, Qi and Blood Cultivation is a process of gradually becoming more than human.’

Qi is stored in the organs and follows the blood throughout the body.

Essence, Qi, and Spirit are mutually reinforcing. Martial Arts strengthen Qi Blood. Qi Blood generates Essence Qi. Essence Qi nourishes the Spirit.

A person’s foundation is nothing other than the three treasures: Essence, Qi, and Spirit. When one’s Essence, Qi, and Spirit become strong, one naturally and gradually becomes more than human.

’Those life-and-death battles in the mountains, the monstrous strength that had horrified me back then... Now it seems that with Qi and Blood Cultivation, such power is nothing out of the ordinary.’

His mind wandered for only a moment before Chu Mu calmed himself and focused on manipulating his Qi Blood.

As he manipulated his Qi Blood, Chu Mu’s understanding of the concept of "external supplementation and internal refinement" deepened.

The "external supplementation" he was thinking of didn’t just refer to the medicinal liquid Support, but more importantly, to the food he ate in his three daily meals.

This was why a Martial Artist’s appetite was far greater than that of an ordinary person.

After all, through Qi and Blood Cultivation, the essence contained in food would be quickly refined by one’s Qi Blood and converted into their foundation.

An increasingly strong body also meant that it would inevitably require more food to meet its daily needs.

It was quite obvious that "external supplementation" referred to two things: first, the medicinal prescription Support like the one he was using now, and second, his daily meals.

Grains, meat, and vegetables all contained essences the body needed.

But obviously, daily meals could never have the same efficacy as this medicinal prescription.

The cost of fifty silver a month... clearly yielded a handsome reward.

This continued for about a quarter of an hour. Only when the Medicinal Power had gradually faded did Chu Mu finally come to his senses from his first Qi and Blood Cultivation session.

Chu Mu looked down at the medicinal liquid in the tub. Its once ink-black color had faded considerably and now looked somewhat murky.

Chu Mu wasn’t surprised. He had clearly sensed it just now; during Qi and Blood Cultivation, when absorbing Medicinal Power, it was impossible for all of it to be converted into Qi Blood. Many of the impurities had been expelled through his pores by the circulation of his Qi Blood.

Of course, a fair amount had also accumulated inside his body.

According to the Body Refining Technique, the medicinal bath was recommended once every five days to avoid a buildup of medicinal toxins. Any toxins that did accumulate would then be gradually expelled over the next five days of Qi and Blood Cultivation.

Of course, this expulsion didn’t just happen through the pores. Excretion via the Po Gate was another channel.

However, the Body Refining Technique also made it clear that long-term use of Medicinal Power for Support would lead to developing a tolerance.

In other words, sooner or later... this prescription would lose its effectiveness in supporting his Cultivation.

Before Chu Mu could even process his thoughts, Xu Yuan eagerly asked, "Brother Mu, how do you feel?"

"It feels... really good."

Chu Mu clenched his fists. An unprecedented feeling of abundant power surged through him.

The vitality from the surging Qi Blood in his body was indescribably exhilarating.

Chu Mu even felt the urge to let out a few wild, joyous shouts, as if that was the only way to release the exhilarating feeling in his heart.

Xu Yuan smacked his lips, his eyes filled with envy.

Chu Mu glanced at him. After vaulting out of the tub, he snatched the Sword from Xu Yuan’s waist. With a kick, he sent his own Sword, which was resting on the tub, flying into his hand.

"Catch!"

Chu Mu casually tossed Xu Yuan’s Sword back and drew his own Long Saber.

"This Body Refining Technique was handed down by the Squad Leader, so I can’t just teach it to you privately."

"I’ll ask the Squad Leader about it another day, and we’ll see what he says."

"For now, you can practice Sword Technique with me. It’s just a few basic stances, nothing difficult!"

"I... Can I really learn?"

Xu Yuan hesitated, but the longing in his eyes clearly betrayed his thoughts.

"Come on. You’ve got the guts to go to Fengyue Tower when you’ve barely hit puberty, and now you’re going to play coy with me!"

Chu Mu gave him a playful kick.

The kick seemed to dispel Xu Yuan’s hesitation. He immediately dropped the act and eagerly trotted over to Chu Mu’s side...

...