Chapter 17 – Cultivation
After waiting for a while in the garden, Elder Sun returned with a gloomy expression. His face was filled with anger. Previously, when he had spoken to the patriarch about this matter, some of his fellow apprentices had mocked him. He thought, “Wait until I get all the gourds and refine an immortal pill that will greatly increase my cultivation. Let’s see who will be laughing then.”
After entering the garden, Elder Sun looked at Wang Lin and snorted, “Wang Lin, from today on, you are my disciple, Sun Dazhu. You must cultivate properly so as not to bring shame to your master’s name.” He tossed him a small pouch and said, “This is your inner disciple badge. It also functions as a storage bag. It can hold many things. Your clothes and cultivation method manuals are stored inside. Take a look for yourself.”
Wang Lin immediately took it. He was overjoyed, his thoughts filled with his parents’ hopes. This time, he wholeheartedly addressed Sun Dazhu as “teacher.”
Sun Dazhu grunted in response. He averted his gaze and said, “From now on, you will stay in the back room. You cannot leave without my permission.”
After saying that, he picked up a pebble and threw it at the garden gate behind him. There was only a purple flash when the pebble hit the gate and shattered into a fine powder.
After this performance, Sun Dazhu gave Wang Lin a cold look and walked to his room.
Wang Lin’s pupils constricted. He was terrified. He held his storage bag and entered his room. The room was small and only contained a bed. Wang Lin didn’t mind. He sat on the bed and checked his storage bag.
The small gray bag didn’t look like anything special. Wang Lin turned it over on the ground, and a few items fell out. There was a set of red clothes and a small book.
Wang Lin’s face lit up. He took the small book and opened it happily. On the first page was written: “Three Stages of Qi Condensation.”
He read until midnight by the light of an oil lamp. He closed the book, feeling a little more understanding of cultivation. This booklet contained the three stages of Qi Condensation, considered the most basic. The booklet also mentioned that there were a total of 15 stages of Qi Condensation. Only after reaching the third stage could one gain access to the methods for the subsequent stages.
The so-called Qi Condensation is absorbing spiritual energy from heaven and earth to transform the body and build a foundation for the future.
This is also a test to see how great a person’s natural talent is. The more talented a person is, the faster they can absorb spiritual energy into their body. Naturally, their cultivation speed will be fast. However, if a person’s talent is average, they may never reach the third layer in their lifetime. Some may not even reach the first layer.
The Three Stages of Qi Condensation book became Wang Lin’s treasure. He quickly memorized the methods for the first three layers in his mind. He sat cross-legged with his eyes closed and began breathing using the “one long, three short” method mentioned in the book. “One long method” meant taking a deep breath, while “three short methods” meant taking three short breaths, each one-third the length of a normal breath. Using this abnormal breathing method allowed one to rapidly absorb spiritual energy into their body.
The book indicates that when someone first practices the breathing technique, they will feel as if ants are crawling inside their body. This is caused by spiritual energy entering the body. The book advises not to be nervous. Simply relax and imagine yourself becoming nothing, becoming one with heaven and earth.
After a long time, Wang Lin helplessly discovered that not only did he not feel anything, but he was actually running out of breath due to this abnormal breathing.
Wang Lin sighed. He knew that most of the disciples here were talented, and this book was written for them. His talent was only average. How could he compete with them?
However, he didn’t give up. After taking a few breaths, he continued his breathing technique.
The night passed slowly. When morning came, Wang Lin still couldn’t feel any spiritual energy entering his body. His head was dizzy from not sleeping at all that night as he got up and opened the door to go outside.
Outside, a gentle breeze carried the scent of medicine. He took a few deep breaths, but it didn’t relieve his fatigue. He longed for the gourd filled with spring water. If only he could drink some of that spring water, he wouldn’t be so tired.
However, now was not the time to act rashly. He was very certain where he had hidden the stone beads and gourd. He had searched nearly half the mountain to find a secluded location. Even if they found it, they wouldn’t find the treasure.
He walked through the herb garden until he found a rock. Wang Lin sat on the rock and began cultivating. After a while, he felt like ants were crawling all over him. He was stunned. Just as he was about to continue, his teacher shouted, “Wang Lin, what are you doing? Get out of there. I’m telling you now: never cultivate in the herb garden.”
Wang Lin opened his eyes and saw Sun Dazhu staring at him with a frown. He silently got up and left the herb garden.
Sun Dazhu snorted coldly, “You really know how to find a good location. I planted the herbs here because they have the most spiritual energy in the garden, and you came and sucked them out. If even one of these herbs dies because of this, even our lives won’t be enough to compensate.”
Wang Lin looked at Sun Dazhu intently and said respectfully, “This disciple knew nothing. This disciple will never cultivate here again.”
Sun Dazhu’s expression returned to normal, then he added, “However, if you can find another gourd for me, while I can’t let you plant it in the herb garden, I can give you a low-grade spirit stone. With that, your Qi Condensation will be much easier.”
Wang Lin lowered his head. A mocking expression crossed his face, then he said, “Disciple can go check out the springs in the mountains again. If my luck is good, I might be able to find another one.”
Sun Dazhu pondered for a moment and said, “Look. Remember, if you bring me another gourd, I will reward you with a low-grade spirit stone.”
Wang Lin looked at Sun Dazhu and asked, “Is what teacher said true? If I bring the gourd home, will you give me spirit stones?”
Sun Dazhu looked delighted as he said, “Yes. As long as I get the gourd, I’ll give you a low-grade spirit stone.”
Wang Lin secretly sneered, but on the surface he nodded respectfully in response.
Sun Dazhu formed a seal with his right hand and muttered a few words. Then, he waved his hand, and the gate opened. He stroked his beard and said, “Go ahead. Go now and come back quickly.”