Chapter 250: Breathing Technique, Ezhou, A Difficult Journey

"Senior Brother, does that mean that we will miss out on the first opportunity presented by this change in the world?" The elder with black hair and beard said with a hint of reluctance.

"Indeed. This opportunity is meant for those young ones. Go and gather ten outstanding disciples from the pre-heaven and post-heaven realms each. I have something to tell them." The elder with the immortal aura and bony features sighed.

"Yes, Senior Brother. I'll go right now." The black-haired elder turned to leave but suddenly stopped. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Senior Brother, should we also inform the other families in the secret realm about this?"

The immortal-like elder thought for a moment and replied, "Yes, inform them. Otherwise, who knows what kind of trouble they might stir up later."

After his junior left, the immortal-like elder continued to gaze at the distant flowing clouds, his eyes calm and serene.

"Our lineage has endured here in this secret realm for countless millennia. Finally, another change in the world has come, bringing us hope of leaving this place.

I wonder if the main sect and the other major immortal sects, who departed on the void ships and broke through the boundaries, ever found a way out. I wonder if they will ever return.

I was able to predict this change in the outside world, so the other secret realms should be able to as well.

I wonder which disciples they will send to seize these opportunities..."

...

"Xiao Yan, come here. Starting today, your brother will formally teach you how to cultivate. Whether or not you'll be able to fly in the future depends on how diligently you practice from now on." Early in the morning, Lu Qing spoke solemnly as he sat on a flat, large stone.

In front of him, Xiao Yan sat obediently, holding Xiao Li in her arms.

"Mhm, Xiao Yan will work hard on her cultivation!" Xiao Yan nodded earnestly upon hearing her brother's words.

"Then, starting today, I'll teach you a breathing technique. Once you've mastered this technique and can sense the spiritual energy between heaven and earth, I'll teach you other methods of cultivation."

"Okay~" Xiao Yan looked at Lu Qing with shining eyes, full of anticipation.

Lu Qing smiled slightly and extended a finger, gently tapping it on Xiao Yan's forehead.

In a gentle tone, he said, "Now, close your eyes and regulate your breathing according to my instructions."

As Xiao Yan closed her eyes, a warm spiritual power enveloped her, and a gentle voice resonated in her mind, guiding her to slowly adjust her breathing in a peculiar rhythm, leading her into a ethereal state.

Before long, Xiao Yan had entered a state of meditation with this unique breathing rhythm.

Lu Qing retracted his finger and looked at Xiao Yan, who was already in a meditative state, with a sense of admiration.

As expected of a cultivation genius certified by her innate ability, which hinted at a trace of a pre-heaven body constitution and the 'Ice Jade Bone' talent. Her aptitude for cultivation was indeed exceptional.

Seeing that Xiao Yan had completely entered a meditative state, Lu Qing sat cross-legged beside her and quietly kept watch.

Xiao Li snuggled into his arms, resting quietly.

Lu Qing gently stroked Xiao Li's head, and suddenly, he remembered something.

"Oh right, Xiao Li. I obtained something yesterday that might be useful for you. Take a look." Lu Qing's thoughts stirred, and he retrieved an object from the Universe Bag.

It was a thumb-sized white fruit.

At first, Xiao Li was puzzled, but when she caught a whiff of the fruit's scent, her eyes widened in surprise.

"This fruit is called the Beast Spirit Fruit, and it seems to have a significant effect on purifying and enhancing a spirit beast's bloodline. Do you want it?" Lu Qing held the white fruit in front of Xiao Li, dangling it slightly.

Xiao Li's eyes followed the fruit's movement, and upon hearing Lu Qing's words, she nodded vigorously like a little chick pecking at rice, her eyes glued to Lu Qing expectantly.

Her innate unusual sensing ability told her that this white fruit would greatly benefit her.

"Alright, then it's yours." Lu Qing found Xiao Li's eager gaze amusing and stopped teasing her. He handed the fruit to her.

Xiao Li's eyes lit up with joy as she held the white fruit with her two little paws. Without hesitation, she popped it into her mouth and swallowed it.

"Xiao Li, you..." Lu Qing was initially taken aback by her action but then shook his head helplessly.

He hadn't expected Xiao Li to be so impatient and hasty in consuming the fruit.

Although the Beast Spirit Fruit was highly beneficial to spirit beasts and could be directly consumed for refinement, swallowing it whole like this would likely put Xiao Li to sleep again.

Indeed, not long after Xiao Li swallowed the white fruit, her eyelids began to droop, and she snuggled into Lu Qing's embrace, falling into a deep slumber.

Chapter: The Fruits of Cultivation

And just like that, Lu Qing found himself caring for two little ones.

Holding Xiao Li, Lu Qing quietly waited. About half a shaft of time later, Xiao Yan emerged from her meditative state, her eyes bright and lively.

"Are you awake now? How do you feel?" Lu Qing asked gently.

"Brother, Xiao Yan feels so comfortable now, like I have endless energy!" the little girl exclaimed in wonder.

"That's just your imagination, but you really are amazing, Xiao Yan. It was your first time practicing the breathing technique, and you were able to meditate for half a shaft of time. You're even better than me when I first started cultivating!" Lu Qing praised her generously.

"Really?"

As expected, Xiao Yan's eyes lit up at the compliment.

"Of course, when have I ever lied to you?" Lu Qing nodded solemnly.

"Hehe." Then the little girl giggled happily.

After her laughter subsided, she finally noticed something amiss and looked at Lu Qing's arms. "Brother, what's wrong with Xiao Li?"

"Nothing, I just gave it something good to eat, and it fell asleep. It's actually good for it. When Xiao Li wakes up, it will become even stronger." Lu Qing explained.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan was relieved.

However, she giggled again and said, "Shy Xiao Li, eating and then sleeping soundly, even lazier than Xiao Yan."

Lu Qing couldn't help but smile at her words.

"Alright, let's head back. We've spent quite some time this morning teaching you the breathing technique. After we've had our morning meal, we'll set off again."

With Xiao Yan and Xiao Li in tow, Lu Qing returned to the village where they had stayed the night before. Fortunately, the family they had rented the house from had also prepared their morning meal.

After they finished eating, Lu Qing paid the family a little extra to express their gratitude before they hitched up the horse cart and set off again.

"Lu Qing, did you take Xiao Yan out early this morning to teach her how to cultivate?"

On the horse cart, the elderly doctor looked at Xiao Yan, who had noticeably changed in terms of her aura, and asked curiously.

"Yes, Grandpa Chen. Brother taught me the breathing technique, and it was so fun! I feel so energetic after practicing it, and Brother said that when I become better at it, I'll even be able to fly!"

Xiao Yan boasted proudly from beside him.

"Breathing technique?" The elderly doctor looked at Lu Qing in surprise.

"The breathing technique is actually a preliminary technique to the Qi Ingestion Method. Its purpose is to regulate one's qi through breathing, observing and guiding it throughout the body, and purging the physical body of impurities.

The ultimate goal is to reach a state where qi flows throughout the body, purging all impurities and opening up all the meridians." Lu Qing explained.

"Qi flowing throughout the body, purging all impurities, and opening up all the meridians..." The elderly doctor was even more astonished. "Then doesn't that mean..."

"That's right. In the path of martial arts, only those who have reached the Innate Realm can receive the blessings of the heavens and forge an Innate Body. Only then can one's physical body achieve the state of qi flowing throughout the body and opening up all the meridians.

Once Xiao Yan perfects the breathing technique and unblocks her meridians, in terms of realm, she will have effectively entered the Innate Realm as well.

However, because she hasn't tempered her body with qi and blood, theoretically speaking, she will only have the realm without the actual combat power, and may not necessarily be able to defeat a Martial Artist of the Sinew Refining Realm."

"Then why did you..." The elderly doctor didn't quite understand.

"Master, I taught Xiao Yan the breathing technique not to increase her combat power but to help her reach the state of qi flowing throughout her body and opening up all her meridians faster.

Once she achieves that, I will continue to teach her the Qi Ingestion Method, which is the most important part."

"Qi Ingestion Method, do you mean to..."

The elderly doctor suddenly realized what Lu Qing was planning.

"That's right. Xiao Yan has exceptional talent, and with the changes in the heavens and the earth, I want her to directly embark on the path of ancient qi cultivators." Lu Qing nodded.

The path of martial arts had a low threshold, but progress was slow and arduous.

Xiao Yan possessed the Ice Jade Bone talent and a trace of an Innate Body Constitution, making her an excellent candidate for cultivating the immortal path.

Naturally, Lu Qing wouldn't let her walk the path of martial arts but instead guided her directly toward the path of cultivation.

"Since you've already planned it all out, I'm relieved."

Seeing that Lu Qing had everything under control, the elderly doctor naturally didn't ask further questions.

He knew that Lu Qing possessed a mysterious cultivation legacy, and since Lu Qing had a plan, he must have made the best arrangements.

However, Wei Zian, who was sitting beside them, looked utterly bewildered.

He didn't understand a word of what Lu Qing and the elderly doctor were talking about.

Terms like breathing technique, Qi Ingestion Method, and ancient qi cultivators were completely foreign to him, and he had never heard of them before.

In the end, he could only sigh in wonder at the profound and mysterious world of cultivation, realizing how much he still didn't know.

The horse cart continued on its journey, stopping at noon to allow the horses to rest before setting off again.

Chapter: A Bumpy Road Ahead

However, as the afternoon wore on, the horse-drawn carriage began to slow down, and the ride became increasingly bumpy.

Lu Qing frowned and lifted the still-sleeping Xiao Li, cradling her to prevent the jostling from waking her.

"Master, what's going on? Why is the carriage so bumpy?" Wei Zian asked, sensing that something was amiss.

Just then, the carriage came to an abrupt halt.

"Brother Lu Qing, Old Doctor, I'm afraid we've run into some trouble," Magus' voice called out from the front of the carriage.

"What kind of trouble?" Lu Qing asked, drawing back the curtain to peer outside.

Had they encountered bandits? But he couldn't sense the presence of any other people nearby.

However, when Lu Qing saw the situation outside, he was taken aback.

He realized that they were now on a very rugged mountain road; not only was the ground uneven, but the path had also narrowed significantly, barely wide enough for the carriage to pass through.

At that moment, one of the carriage wheels was stuck in a pit, immobilized.

"Where are we now?" Lu Qing carried Xiao Li and handed her to Xiao Yan before stepping down from the carriage to survey their surroundings.

He then noticed that they were on a narrow path on a mountainside, with a cliff beside them, making their position quite precarious.

The elderly doctor also alighted from the carriage and, after assessing their environment, understood their predicament.

"We're approaching Ezhou, rumored to be the most rugged and treacherous province among all the provinces in the world. Most of its territory consists of steep and lofty mountains, making it incredibly difficult to traverse."

"Ezhou?" Lu Qing echoed, now comprehending their situation.

Over the past two years, he hadn't just focused on cultivation but had also been gathering information about this world.

He was familiar with Ezhou and knew that, in addition to its mountainous terrain, it also had numerous rivers. Compared to other provinces, it was undoubtedly a land of inhospitable terrain.

"This is indeed troublesome," Lu Qing said, his brow furrowed as he surveyed their surroundings.

If it were just a short stretch of difficult road, he and Magus, with their strength, could easily carry the carriage and bypass the obstacle.

However, if the entire province was like this, it would be impossible.

Did they have to abandon the carriage and continue on foot from here? Lu Qing was conflicted.

He didn't mind walking, but he couldn't subject Xiao Yan and the elderly doctor to such hardships.

Even Wei Zian might not be able to endure such a lengthy journey.

Moreover, they had grown rather attached to the carriage that had sheltered them from the elements during their travels.

Unless absolutely necessary, they didn't want to give it up.

"I should have just taken the longer route and avoided this province altogether," Lu Qing lamented.

In fact, he and the elderly doctor had previously discussed whether to take an alternative path.

Since the elderly doctor hadn't traveled to Ezhou during his own journeys, he wasn't familiar with the road conditions there.

However, taking that route would have added a significant detour, almost the distance of an entire province.

At the time, they had wanted to reach Zhongzhou as soon as possible, so they had opted for the shorter route.

They hadn't anticipated that Ezhou's terrain would be so much more treacherous than they imagined, making it impossible for the carriage to pass through.

"Master, what should we do?" Lu Qing turned to the elderly doctor for guidance.

The elderly doctor also understood the gravity of their situation. After a moment of thought, he sighed, "Now, we have only two choices: turn back or abandon the carriage and continue on foot."

Neither option was ideal.

Turning back would mean wasting more time, and abandoning the carriage would mean leaving many of their belongings behind.

Lu Qing could use the Cosmos Bag to store all their possessions, but he hadn't decided whether to reveal this ability just yet.

Moreover, he wasn't sure if Xiao Yan could endure the hardships that lay ahead.

As Lu Qing deliberated, Wei Zian sigthed, "All our efforts over the past two days have been in vain. I didn't expect the roads in Ezhou to be so challenging. It's a pity that our carriage can't fly."

"What nonsense are you spouting? Our carriage is just an ordinary one. Do you think it's some magical treasure from those storybooks that can fly? You must have been sneaking peeks at Xiao Yan and Xiao Li's storybooks again," Magus chided with a smile.

However, when Lu Qing heard these words, he was taken aback.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end