Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 5 The First Awakening of Qi

As the sun set, Zhou Ning finally managed to guide that faint breath from his dantian to his qihai acupoint.

It was called "guidance," but it was more like a gradual "movement." The breath was as thin as a spider's thread, and it would dissipate if he was not careful, requiring him to expend a great deal of mental energy to maintain it.

Every inch forward felt like wading through mud, incredibly difficult.

The moment that wisp of energy finally reached the Qihai acupoint, Zhou Ning felt a jolt throughout his body, as if something had been unlocked.

A faint warm current spread from the Qihai acupoint, slowly flowing to the limbs and bones, dispelling some of the coldness lingering in the body.

He opened his eyes; it was nearly dusk.

The orange-red sunset glow spilled over the pine forest behind the mountain, casting a warm halo over everything.

Yan Chixia was standing right in front of him.

"Master."

Zhou Ning tried to stand up and bow, but found that his legs were numb and he couldn't stand up at all. He could only manage a weak clasp.

"Disciple...disciple has guided the breath to the Qihai acupoint."

Yan Chixia didn't speak, but simply placed his hand on his wrist again and closed his eyes to sense it.

A moment later, he opened his eyes and said calmly:

"good."

There were only two words, but Zhou Ning sensed a hint of approval in them.

He was overjoyed; all the fatigue and pain of the past few days seemed to have been worth it.

"but……"

Yan Chixia changed the subject.

"This is just the most basic introduction. That wisp of energy within you is merely a seed. To allow it to take root, sprout, and grow strong, it requires arduous cultivation day after day."

He took out a white pill the size of a thumb from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Ning:

"This is the 'Primordial Essence Pill,' which can help you strengthen your foundation and accelerate the condensation of your energy. Take it and continue your cultivation tonight. Tomorrow at dawn, I want to see you circulate your energy through a small cycle."

Zhou Ning accepted the pill with both hands and solemnly said:

"Your disciple obeys."

Yan Chixia turned and left, his figure disappearing into the twilight.

Zhou Ning looked down at the faintly fragrant pill in his palm, took a deep breath, and swallowed it.

The pill entered the stomach and transformed into a warm medicinal power that slowly spread.

He dared not delay, and immediately closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, guiding the medicinal power to merge with the faint energy in his body, flowing slowly along his meridians.

As night deepened, a chilling wind swept through Lanruo Temple, and ghostly figures loomed overhead.

But Zhou Ning, sitting cross-legged on the boulder behind the mountain, seemed completely detached from all of this.

His mind was completely absorbed in the small world within his body, and everything outside was irrelevant to him.

Nourished by the medicinal properties, that aura gradually grew stronger.

Although still weak, it is no longer as likely to collapse as it was at the beginning.

It's like a small snake that has just awakened, slowly ascending along the Ren meridian under his guidance, passing through Guanyuan, Shenque, Juque... all the way up, finally reaching the Tanzhong acupoint.

Then, it descends along the Du meridian, passing through Dazhui, Mingmen, Yangguan... and returns to the Dantian.

A complete "small circulation" was finally completed within his body.

The moment that wisp of energy returned to his dantian, Zhou Ning felt a jolt throughout his body, as if an invisible shackle had been broken.

A warmth, even more pronounced than before, spread from his dantian, like a pot of charcoal fire in winter, dispelling all the cold and fatigue in his body.

He could even feel that the scabbed wounds were slightly itchy, as if they were healing faster.

Zhou Ning opened his eyes; the eastern sky was already turning a pale white.

The night passed.

He looked down at his hands; his fingers, which had been pale from blood loss, now had regained some color.

Although still weak, she is a world of difference compared to yesterday.

"It seems... you succeeded."

Yan Chixia's voice came from behind.

Zhou Ning turned around and saw his master standing at the edge of the pine forest, holding a wooden sword in his hand.

"This disciple has fortunately fulfilled his mission."

Zhou Ning stood up and bowed respectfully.

Yan Chixia walked up to him, his gaze lingering on his face for a moment, and nodded slightly:

"Your aptitude is better than I imagined. At least, you're not a stubborn rock."

This is already extremely high praise.

Zhou Ning was delighted, but dared not show it on his face, and simply said respectfully:

"It is thanks to Master's excellent teaching."

Stop flattering me.

Yan Chixia threw the wooden sword in his hand to him.

"From this day forward, you will not only cultivate your internal energy, but also practice swordsmanship. The path of cultivation is not just about meditation and breath control, but also about fighting with others and battling demons. Without practical combat skills, even the highest level of cultivation is just a castle in the air."

Zhou Ning took the wooden sword; it felt heavy in his hand.

He had never practiced swordsmanship before, nor had he ever even held a sword, so he was at a loss for what to do.

"I don't... I don't know how to use a sword."

He told the truth.

That's why you need to practice.

Yan Chixia took a thin booklet from his sleeve and tossed it to him.

"This is 'The Twelve Basic Sword Techniques.' Take a look at it first, and then practice with me."

Zhou Ning opened the booklet, which contained simple human figures and brief descriptions.

Chop, stab, flick, sweep, point, smash...

Each formula has detailed illustrations and key points.

He watched intently, and Yan Chixia didn't urge him, but simply stood aside with his hands behind his back, waiting quietly.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhou Ning closed the booklet, closed his eyes, and mentally reviewed the movements of the twelve forms.

"Is it ready?"

Yan Chixia asked.

"Disciple...will give it a try."

Zhou Ning took a deep breath, gripped the wooden sword, and assumed the first stance, the "starting stance".

Then, following the diagram, he swung his sword forward and slashed.

His movements were stiff, his strength uneven, and even the tip of his sword trembled slightly.

It's more accurate to call it a "chop" rather than a "split".

Yan Chixia remained expressionless.

"Again."

Zhou Ning gritted his teeth, sheathed his sword, and slashed again.

This time, he deliberately controlled his strength, but his movements were still stiff and his swordplay was awkward.

"Again."

"Again."

"Again."

……

After countless repetitions, Zhou Ning's arms were so sore that he could barely lift them, but Yan Chixia still said "Again" with a blank expression.

Finally, after another swing of his sword, Zhou Ning's swordplay gained a touch of fluidity.

Although still somewhat awkward, it's not as stiff as it was at the beginning.

Yan Chixia nodded slightly:

"This is barely considered a beginner's level. That's enough for today, we'll continue tomorrow."

Zhou Ning felt as if he had been granted a pardon and almost collapsed to the ground.

Yan Chixia looked at his disheveled appearance, a faint smile flashing in her eyes, but it quickly returned to its cold indifference.

"Tomorrow at 5 AM, we will continue."

He turned and left, his voice drifting back.

"Remember, on the path of spiritual practice, if you don't advance, you regress. If you want to give up, it's not too late now."

Zhou Ning watched his master's departing figure, panting, but without the slightest intention of backing down.

He looked down at the wooden sword in his hand, which was now hot from being gripped so tightly, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

give up?

How could that be?

He finally managed to knock on that door, how could he possibly turn back now?

Zhou Ning sat down cross-legged and began to regulate his breathing to recover his depleted energy.

The wisp of energy within my body has grown somewhat stronger after circulating through the microcosmic orbit last night.

At this moment, as he adjusted his breathing, the energy flowed slowly, nourishing his tired muscles and bones.

Before we knew it, it was already broad daylight.

Sunlight filtered through the pine forest, falling warmly on Zhou Ning.

He opened his eyes and felt refreshed and full of energy.

It was a feeling I had never experienced before.

It was as if... he was gradually transforming into a completely new version of himself.

Zhou Ning stood up and bowed deeply towards the direction of Lanruo Temple.

"Thank you, Master."

Then, he gripped the wooden sword and continued practicing.

Once, twice, three times...

The sword gleamed in the morning light; though its blade was still immature, it possessed an indomitable tenacity.

Deep within Lanruo Temple, Yan Chixia stood with his hands behind his back by the window, looking at the determined figure in the direction of the back mountain, and nodded slightly.

This child may truly amount to something.