SFS Chapter 16, The Sutra of Embryonic Breathing
Chapter 16, The Sutra of Embryonic Breathing
The spiritual energy between heaven and earth is not a single entity, but rather comprises countless elements.
The Daoist scriptures say: "The Dao gives birth to the primordial Qi, which divides into Yin and Yang, thus establishing the Taiji, from which all phenomena arise."
The light and pure rise, the heavy and turbid sink...
This Qi is the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, also known as the primordial Qi, from which 36,800 different attributes are derived: clear, turbid, mysterious, primordial, heavy, light, floating, sinking, sharp, dull, fiery, cold, dry, moist, hard, soft...
The spiritual sense possessed by cultivators practicing embryonic breathing can roughly distinguish the five elements of spiritual energy.
If one were to further distinguish the specific zodiac signs, it would be difficult to continue, let alone discern the zodiac signs of others' embryonic respiration. Only Foundation Establishment cultivators with higher realms and cultivation levels could discern the truth.
Depending on the purpose of the cultivation method, the spiritual energy selected will vary, and the quality of the resulting embryonic breathing will also differ. This is the difference in the grade of embryonic breathing cultivation methods.
Some theories focus on the Five Elements, some emphasize one of the Five Elements and add Yin-Yang variations, some emphasize mutual generation and mutual restraint... and so on.
In general, the type of fetal breathing that leans towards the "heavy and turbid" element is as solid as a mountain; while the type of fetal breathing that leans towards the "pure and ethereal" element is as light and free as a cloud.
For example, the several intermediate-level embryonic breathing techniques that Chen Bai was currently reading were like this:
[Geng Metal Sword Breath Technique]
The Five Elements are chosen based on the element of Metal, and the zodiac sign leans towards "sharpness." The resulting embryonic breathing carries a wisp of Geng Metal energy, making it fierce and unparalleled in its sharpness when facing enemies.
The price is 500 spirit stones.
【Qingmu Changchun Gong】
Choosing the element of wood in the Five Elements theory, and possessing the connotations of "purity" and "life," the resulting embryonic breathing technique possesses an inherent aura of green wood spiritual energy, capable of healing injuries and warding off illness, as well as dispelling turbidity and obscurity. However, this technique is severely limited by its lack of offensive or defensive capabilities. It is priced at a mere four hundred spirit stones.
【True Flame Separation Technique】
The Five Elements choose Fire, which is associated with the "True" and "Separation" natures. After cultivation, the fetal breathing naturally carries a trace of True Fire and Separation Fire, which provides a certain boost to the cultivation of True Fire and Separation Fire-related spells.
The price is 500 spirit stones.
【Mysterious Water Scripture】
The Five Elements choose water, and its zodiac sign leans towards "mystery" and "truth". After cultivation, the embryonic breathing will be as ever-changing as water. Every once in a while, a drop of "Mysterious Origin True Water" will automatically condense in the dantian. It is quite useful for healing, cultivation, protection, weapon forging, etc.
The price is 650 spirit stones.
【Thick Earth Returning to Origin Exercise】
The Five Elements choose Earth, which is associated with the qualities of "thickness" and "origin." After cultivation, the fetal breathing naturally becomes attached to the solidity of thick earth, and the body becomes as solid as a rock, possessing immense strength. Moreover, each breath returns to its origin, and as long as one's feet are on the ground, one can constantly absorb the primordial energy of the thick earth, accelerating the recovery of the fetal breathing.
The price is 500 spirit stones.
Compared to the previous inferior cultivation methods, these intermediate-level embryonic breathing cultivation methods are obviously much more practical, and the quality of the embryonic breathing they produce is also quite good, possessing their own mysterious abilities.
However, there was one limitation that made him hesitate: cultivators must possess above-average innate talent, otherwise their cultivation speed would be greatly slowed down.
Thinking of the 1,200 spirit stones in his storage bag, his confidence increased significantly, and he decided to take another look at the superior fetal breathing technique.
Chen Bai looked directly at the jade slips made of top-grade mutton fat jade placed at the highest position, and gestured for the waiter to pick up a light blue jade slip and hand it over for inspection.
[Master Xuanmo's Method of Observing the Mind]
This technique was created by a cultivator named "Xuanmo" who had reached the peak of embryonic breathing.
He never reached the Innate Realm in his lifetime, but he devoted his entire life's energy to this skill.
This Mr. Xuanmo was only of average or below-average aptitude, yet he possessed an extremely tranquil mind.
The technique he created does not seek to absorb the spiritual energy of a specific zodiac sign, but rather focuses on cultivating one's mind and character—first, calm the mind and then sense the spiritual energy; whatever zodiac sign one can sense, that's the one to absorb.
The quality of the embryonic breathing cultivated varies from person to person; some are more "pure" and some are more "turbid," depending entirely on the cultivator's innate endowment.
This method is advantageous because it is universally applicable, does not require high aptitude, and progresses steadily, producing a moderate quality of embryonic breathing. The price is eight hundred spirit stones.
Chen Bai nodded inwardly upon seeing this.
This cultivation method is quite interesting, as it focuses on mental cultivation and is not limited by spiritual attributes.
He put down the jade slip in his hand and continued looking back.
The waiter then pointed to several jade slips on the upper shelf and introduced them: "Fellow Daoist, this 'Water and Fire Framework Chapter' was written by a cultivator who is proficient in alchemy."
It draws inspiration from the concept of "water and fire encompassing the universe" in alchemical texts, and also incorporates the five elements of water and fire, with a tendency towards "clash" and "harmony".
The quality of the embryonic breathing achieved is of the highest level, with the interaction of heat and cold, like a sword being tempered in a furnace.
Those with average innate talent can begin cultivation. Once mastered, it will greatly benefit the cultivation of the Water and Fire Elixir Techniques, but it demands extremely high Dao wisdom—one must comprehend the principle of the balance between fire and cold. Price: 1500 spirit stones.
Chen Bai pondered for a moment, glanced at the price, and shook his head.
"This is the [Qingzhuo Dongxuan Zhi]".
It is symbolized by Yin and Yang, and its zodiac sign leans towards "purity" and "turbidity".
The so-called pure things rise to become the heavens, while the turbid things sink to become the earth. The balance between purity and turbidity is in line with the principle of the creation of heaven and earth.
"Practicing this method will increase the success rate of breaking through to the Innate Realm by 20%! It requires superior innate talent and considerable Dao wisdom. The price is 1,800 spirit stones," the attendant continued.
Chen Bai's eyes flickered slightly as he pondered.
These two techniques are good, but neither is quite suitable for my situation.
They're either geared towards specific uses, or they require a certain level of talent or ability, and the prices all seem too high...
After careful consideration and comparison, he realized that the book "Master Xuanmo's Method of Observing the Mind" was more suitable.
"Are there any others?" Chen Bai asked, somewhat unwilling to give up.
The waiter thought for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and pulled out a dusty jade slip from a corner at the bottom of the bookshelf.
"This cultivation technique... has been sitting here for quite some time; I almost forgot about it."
He blew the dust off the jade slip, his expression somewhat strange: "This is also a superior cultivation method, but the situation is a bit special. It is a cultivation method that was popular in ancient times, which directly points to the root of life and is extremely difficult to cultivate. Fellow Daoist, you can take a look, but don't have too high hopes."
Chen Bai took the jade slip, placed it between his eyebrows, and a spiritual light emanated from it.
Three ancient-style characters suddenly came into view—
【Fetal Breathing Sutra】
He was startled and continued reading.
The opening of this "Fetal Breathing Sutra" is completely different from all other cultivation methods.
It does not describe the stages of cultivation, nor does it discuss spiritual attributes, nor does it list the effects of cultivation directly. Instead, it begins with a passage of profound and mysterious text:
"The fetus is the root of innate constitution; the breath is the mechanism of creation."
Humans are born from the essence and blood of their parents, but through acquired means, they lose their true nature. If one can return to the origin, to the state before the separation of the pre-natal world, then fetal breathing will arise naturally, without needing to seek it externally.
"This scripture has no name. I, the Daoist Sanbao, obtained it by chance and named it 'Fetal Breathing' to leave to future generations."
Its author is unknown; some say it was passed down by ancient immortals, others say it is a text that reveals the Great Dao itself. However, its purpose is the same—to understand the innate through Dao wisdom and to return to chaos with true intention.
Chen Bai repeatedly pondered this passage, feeling that the artistic conception it contained was both extremely lofty and extremely simple.
He continued reading, and the more he read, the more horrified he became.