Chapter 9: Qi-Nourishing Method

"The Fire-Repelling Art is a method of storing fire."

"This art originally came from a foreign land in the west; initially, practitioners would place fire pellets and fire oil mixed with syrup in their mouths and spit out flames for entertainment. Those with deep mastery need no fire source, while those with shallow skill must use fire as a catalyst."

"Later, an unknown Daoist improved it by integrating Qi-regulation and breath-exhalation methods, dividing it into three tiers—upper, middle, and lower—with the original Fire-Repelling Art becoming the lowest tier."

"The middle-tier Fire-Repelling Art requires no fire pellets or fire oil; instead, it combines Qi-regulation and breath control to absorb the essence of fire, storing it within the abdomen, then exhaling it when needed. Those with deep mastery can retain the fire-Qi for days or even half a month without dissipation; those with shallow skill can hold it only briefly—if not exhaled, it burns them or vanishes into nothing."

"The upper-tier Fire-Repelling Art requires neither fire pellets nor fire oil, nor does it absorb external fire-Qi; it merely cultivates the five Qi within the body, then guides them into fire when needed, the amount of flame determined by the internal five Qi."

"This method differs from the Fire Art in the Five Elements techniques; regardless of mastery, it remains ordinary fire. It can ignite, illuminate, burn people, frighten horses, scorch new ghosts, and repel minor demons—but has no great utility."

"Thus, it is a trick art."

"It also seems connected to breath control..."

Lin Jue finished reading this page in a whisper, his fingers gripping the paper.

The moment his fingers touched the page, a faint, barely perceptible glow flashed, his vision blurred, his focus pulled into the void of his mind, and a voice sounded.

It was still as if he were silently reciting within his mind:

"To practice the lower-tier Fire-Repelling Art, one must prepare fire pellets and fire oil, and rigorously train the method of spitting and enduring heat. Attached is a folk fire pellet recipe from the Shangde era..."

Shangde era?

Lin Jue, hearing the key point, fell into thought.

It had been several dynasties already.

Was this the era in which the book’s author lived?

He set aside further speculation and continued reading.

"To practice the middle-tier Fire-Repelling Art, one must cultivate breath-regulation, understand exhalation methods, and perceive the spiritual resonance of fire. Once attuned to this resonance, one may draw fire-Qi into the abdomen; after mastery, one spits fire using exhalation techniques."

"To practice the upper-tier Fire-Repelling Art, one must fully cultivate the Qi-nourishing method, with breath-regulation and guidance, again perceiving the spiritual resonance of fire—but generating fire-Qi internally, guiding and exhaling it. Those with deep mastery can not only spit flames from the mouth, but also release fire-Qi with every gesture, transforming it into flame."

"Practitioners must avoid consuming strongly cold substances."

It still contained complete cultivation methods, including insights, notes, and precautions.

Lin Jue heard it once but did not fully memorize it; his fingertip flipped down and he discovered another page beneath:

"The Qi-Nourishing Method: the ancient original practice."

"Heaven and earth give birth to five Qi; the world is alive with spirit. Those with superior innate constitution—even if merely mortal—may occasionally glimpse the spiritual resonance of heaven and earth’s five Qi."

"Ancients, awed by this spiritual resonance, spent long years of trial and error to master methods of drawing it into the body, gradually evolving into the Qi-Nourishing Method."

"This method is the origin of all celestial cultivation arts; it can strengthen the body at the lowest level and lead to Dao attainment at the highest. Due to its extremely low talent requirement, many martial cultivators who practice the Qi-Nourishing Method cannot even master spiritual arts—thus, it remains the most widely circulated cultivation method in the mortal world."

"The Qi-Nourishing Method has many variations, generally involving two steps: breath-regulation and guidance. Yet most mortals and martial folk only grasp half of it."

"Those who attain breath-regulation often study trick arts; those who attain guidance often strengthen their bodies. Only when both are united does it become true cultivation."

"…"

Lin Jue suddenly remembered—

In the past year, he had occasionally glimpsed strange Qi or glimmers: atop mountain peaks at dawn, in forest groves after early spring rain, or even in that moment when the old man absorbed fire-Qi today—uncontrollable, elusive.

According to the book, he seemed to have excellent talent.

"This is one of many Qi-Nourishing Methods:"

"Know that Qi has distinctions of yin and yang, the five elements, and the four seasons…"

Lin Jue continued listening, absorbing the words while thinking.

If the book’s claims were true and authoritative, then the Fire-Repelling Art had three tiers—the performers yesterday showed only middle and lower tiers; perhaps they knew the upper tier too. The Qi-Nourishing Method is commonly split into breath-regulation and guidance; the old man showed only breath-regulation—perhaps he knew the complete method.

Even so, it was already extraordinary.

Ordinary fire is still fire—it has some destructive and intimidating power, and should suffice against minor demons and ghosts.

Yet they still performed it within the city.

There was some logic to that.

Upon reflection, Lin Jue recalled village elders speaking of martial masters who could kill a man within ten paces in an instant. Whether true or not, this Fire-Repelling Art’s power was ordinary, unable to inflict great harm quickly, with limited range—it seemed hardly formidable in battle or life-or-death combat.

At least, it couldn’t match an arrow.

Yet from the performers’ words, it seemed more like a choice.

Regardless, yesterday’s conversation had given Lin Jue some insight—not only insight, but also another glimpse into the world’s true nature.

"Those who cultivate Qi regulate the five Qi, nurture spiritual resonance, and must seek balance, follow the middle way…"

Lin Jue had not yet finished listening when his cousin called from outside, urging him to eat, pulling him out of the state where he had been listening to his own inner voice.

One reading wouldn’t suffice; there was no rush now. He closed the book and placed it on the shelf.

He glanced again at the shelf.

Besides this mysterious ancient book, it held a dozen or so bound volumes, mostly borrowed from wealthy families or the village tutor.

Merchants here revered Confucianism and were usually willing to lend books. Lin Jue was always polite and careful with books, returning them on time, so most were happy to lend to him.

But since spending the night in the Heng Village shrine and encountering the demon, Lin Jue hadn’t opened a book in days.

Nor had he attended the academy much.

"Sigh…"

Shaking his head, Lin Jue walked out.

…

The next morning, on a small hill outside the village.

Lin Jue sat there already.

As the book said, spiritual Qi varied by heaven and earth, yin and yang, the four seasons, and the five elements—constantly shifting, even between different locations, endlessly changing.

The Qi-Nourishing Method was simple and primitive; cultivators’ attainments were shallow, so one must never lean toward extremes. Many who practiced it went astray simply because they didn’t understand this principle, neglected it, and over time, their internal Qi became unbalanced.

At noon, yang-Qi was too strong; at midnight, yin-Qi was too heavy—neither suited Qi-Nourishing practitioners. Dawn or dusk was best.

The four seasons shifted differently: at winter solstice and summer solstice, one had the shortest day and longest night, the other the shortest night and longest day—times when one form of Qi dominated while the other was weakest. Practicing the Qi-Nourishing Method then was counterproductive and harmful; better to avoid it entirely.

Conversely, at spring equinox and autumn equinox, when day and night were equal, yin and yang Qi were most balanced, the spiritual resonance of heaven and earth most wondrous—cultivation then yielded double results.

Practicing in one place alone was also unwise; one must constantly change locations—mountains, rivers, forests—drawing spiritual resonance from the vastness of heaven and earth.

Following the book’s instructions, Lin Jue quieted his mind and focused.

His myriad thoughts sought one thought, then faded into no-thought; his body naturally merged with heaven and earth, perceiving the five Qi and their spiritual resonance.

Somewhere in the depths, it felt just right.

Suddenly he opened his eyes—

Before him, the village looked much as before.

A small stream, a spring, flowed down from above, merging left and right. The village clung to the water, a cluster of white walls and blue tiles, staggered eaves; in this morning hour, birdcalls and women pounding clothes echoed through the air.

Behind lay a continuous range of green mountains, like a screen.

The reason for “much as before” was the Qi.

Between the small hills, above the stream, within the houses, atop the mountains—faint glimmers and currents rose and flowed, rising from heaven and earth, returning to heaven and earth, adding strangeness and dreaminess to the scene.

"How beautiful…"

Lin Jue’s first thought was this.

He immediately steadied his spirit and exhaled, guiding.

"Hss…"

"Huu…"

Between inhalation and exhalation, he sensed something faintly—yet also nothing.

Lin Jue felt neither impatience nor doubt; he followed the book’s advice, maintaining patience, continuing breath-regulation.

Sensing Qi through nose and mouth, he guided it into his body.

He felt a faint sensation—on the first try.

As the book said, he had occasionally seen the five Qi’s spiritual resonance; he must indeed have excellent talent.

But credit also belonged to the book’s detailed instructions.

The book’s content stood at a far higher level, infused with rich experience, profound insight, and supreme mastery, thoroughly and comprehensively explaining this simplest of Qi-Nourishing methods.

Until the sun rose higher, the temperature climbed, and yin-yang Qi grew increasingly unbalanced, Lin Jue opened his eyes.

"Huu…"

He exhaled his final turbid breath.

As the book said, he should stop.

Lin Jue emerged from that state of mind; the world before him regained its clear, ordinary appearance—a beautiful landscape painting of village and mountains.

Yet he could not help continuing to ponder—

This world was truly extraordinary.

If demons and ghosts and magic existed, then perhaps immortals and eternal life were real too?

Regardless, these were the world’s most wondrous and unique aspects.

"…"

Lin Jue fell silent.

His thoughts were no longer on books.

Recalling the tales of spirits and marvels from the village elders, Lin Jue suddenly felt those arts, miracles, and strange tales were like distant towering mountains, like vast, breathtaking scenery—appearing still and quiet, yet actually calling to him…