018. Drawing Breath into the Body

“Greetings, Master Funing.” Lingyu bowed respectfully, and after receiving permission, she sat properly before Han Funing.

Han Funing’s appearance, much like Tan Tongzhen and Hua Tongxu, seemed to be that of someone in their early twenties. Yet Lingyu had heard from Zhang Qingshu that these masters possessed techniques to preserve their youthful looks—one could not trust appearances. In truth, they were all in their thirties or forties; her own master, Zheng Tongxuan, was nearly sixty. When Lingyu learned this, she was greatly astonished. Her master appeared no older than forty, but his real age exceeded that by twenty years! Such were the benefits of cultivation—no wonder people spoke so highly of immortals.

If one’s appearance remained young, did their lifespan also lengthen? Zhang Qingshu had answered that it was indeed so. Even ordinary disciples, upon reaching the fifth stage of Qi Refinement, could live to a hundred without illness or pain. Masters and heads of the sect, who attained the eighth or ninth stage and kept themselves well, could live to nearly two hundred.

Two hundred years—three times the lifespan of ordinary folk! For mortals, reaching sixty was considered long-lived, and living to seventy or eighty was rare indeed. As the saying goes, “It is rare for men to reach seventy.”

“Cheng Lingyu,” Han Funing tapped the silk cloth in his hand, “Twelve years old, and you have entered the Visualization Realm—do you know why you were summoned today?”

Lingyu shook her head in confusion.

Han Funing put down the silk cloth and leaned back, his gaze thoughtful. “Has Senior Brother Zheng never spoken to you about cultivation?”

Lingyu continued shaking her head. “Master said that all I needed was to memorize the Daoist scriptures.”

“So, you do not know what it means to enter the Dao, or how one achieves it?”

Lingyu once did not understand what entering the Dao meant, but in the past month she had learned much about the world of cultivation and gained a general understanding.

To enter the Dao, as those wandering hermits outside the gates of cultivation put it, is to step into the realm of true cultivation, marked by entering the Visualization Realm. With a mind free from distractions and a heart attuned to the Daoist scriptures, one may enter the Visualization Realm, crossing the threshold to become a true cultivator—a practitioner.

Lingyu answered thus, but Han Funing gently shook his head. “You are not entirely correct. Becoming a practitioner consists of two steps: first, entering the Visualization Realm; then, guiding spiritual energy into the body. Only after this step, when the body begins to absorb spiritual energy, does one truly become a practitioner—this is what we call entering the Dao.”

“I see…” Lingyu was enlightened. No wonder the others always distinguished between the Visualization Realm and entering the Dao—they were not the same.

“What is visualization? It is to focus the mind and observe with intent; pure thoughts and concentrated intent become imagination, and through intent and thought, one achieves true observation. In other words, you must bring forth what you imagine into your mind’s eye—this is the Visualization Realm. Why must one reach the Visualization Realm to open the gates of cultivation? Because cultivation is the process of sensing heaven and earth, which are pure and subtle. If you cannot reach the Visualization Realm, how can you sense the even more elusive forces of heaven and earth?”

Seeing Lingyu so absorbed, Han Funing paused and smiled. “Of course, you have already attained the Visualization Realm. These theories are no longer so important to you, because purifying your thoughts and entering the Visualization Realm will become instinct. Now, you must focus on higher matters, such as absorbing spiritual energy.”

“How does one absorb spiritual energy?” Lingyu asked eagerly. For the past month, she had felt an invisible barrier separating her from true practitioners. Her master was a practitioner, as were Feiyun, Gongsun Yan, and the others. They could see in the dark, tread snow without leaving traces, and perform wondrous arts—she could not. It was not merely a matter of lacking training; she simply could not sense those mysterious powers and had no way to begin.

In Xiude’s “Nine Heavens Clear Cloud Scripture,” it was written that after entering the Visualization Realm, one could begin cultivating the method, but one needed to continue visualizing for a year or two before producing true energy. Lingyu had wondered if she should follow the scripture, visualizing ceaselessly to cultivate true energy and finally sense that mysterious world. But she soon abandoned the idea, for she did not know how Xuan Yuan Temple cultivated, and feared making mistakes.

Now it seemed she had chosen wisely. Han Funing’s explanation suggested there was another way. Perhaps those without a proper lineage, who were lucky enough to reach the Visualization Realm, could only slowly cultivate true energy as the scripture described, but disciples of the three great temples clearly followed a different path.

“That is why you were summoned today,” Han Funing confirmed. “We shall proceed to the second step—guiding spiritual energy into your body.”

Lingyu was overjoyed. “What must I do?”

“Come here.” Han Funing rose and stood by the meditation cushion. “Sit cross-legged, with the five centers facing heaven.”

Lingyu hesitated but obeyed, settling onto the cushion and arranging herself accordingly.

The five centers referred to the palms of both hands, the soles of both feet, and the crown of the head. To face all five centers to heaven was said to be the easiest posture for drawing in the primordial energy of heaven and earth—the source of all things since the universe’s inception. While this primordial energy was not so easily summoned, the posture served as a psychological prompt, and indeed, it was the best for absorbing spiritual energy.

“Take this.” Han Funing handed her a perfectly round, white pill. After Lingyu took it, Han Funing said, “In a moment, I will infuse spiritual energy into your crown point. Swallow the pill, relax completely, enter the Visualization Realm, and do not resist in the slightest. Do you understand?”

Lingyu nodded solemnly.

“Then let us begin.” Han Funing placed his palm gently atop her head. “Swallow the pill.”

Lingyu felt a warm current in his palm and immediately popped the pill into her mouth and swallowed.

“Close your eyes and relax.”

Lingyu resumed the five centers to heaven posture, obediently closed her eyes, and gradually relaxed, recalling the night she first entered the Visualization Realm.

The warmth atop her head grew stronger, ready to pour into her body. The pill in her stomach radiated heat, like a small sun warming her dantian.

Her body felt lighter and lighter, as if she melted into the wind, vanishing into heaven and earth…

Suddenly, the powerful stream of energy surged through her crown point, sweeping through her meridians, refining her body, and rushing toward her dantian.

A silent explosion erupted within her dantian, and Lingyu lost consciousness.

…

When Lingyu opened her eyes, the room was silent. Han Funing sat calmly at the table, absorbed in his own affairs—perhaps drawing talismans?

“Awake?” Han Funing turned with a gentle smile. “Try to sense whether you can feel spiritual energy circulating.”

Without prompting, Lingyu already noticed the change in her body. A fine, warm current flowed ceaselessly within, following a specific channel and finally settling into a broad space, like a river emptying into the sea.

Meridians and dantian. She had never felt their existence so clearly before. These were not the fantasies of ancient sages, but real.

“Thank you, Master Funing!” Lingyu bowed sincerely and respectfully.

Han Funing waved his hand. “You are Senior Brother Zheng’s disciple. By custom, you should address me as uncle.”

The difference between master and uncle was considerable. Lingyu, never one to miss an opportunity, promptly called out, “Uncle Han.”

Han Funing nodded. “Senior Brother Zheng had his reasons for accepting you as a disciple. Your body is highly compatible with spiritual energy; it is easy for you to retain it. Moreover, you entered the Visualization Realm after only three years of cultivation, so your temperament and comprehension must be exceptional… Such talent is rare, not only in the outer hall but even in the inner hall.”

He gestured to the seat before him, indicating Lingyu should return, and suddenly changed the subject. “Do you know how many ranks disciples at Xuan Yuan Temple have?”

Zhang Qingshu’s books had covered this, so Lingyu replied, “Four ranks. The outer hall has only one, while the inner hall is divided into ordinary disciples, elite disciples, and true disciples.”

“Correct. Ordinary disciples, once they enter the Dao, move to the inner hall. Elite disciples must reach the fifth stage of Qi Refinement before the age of twenty. True disciples… excel over elite disciples in one respect—potential.” Han Funing smiled at her. “With your talent, reaching the fifth stage before twenty is not difficult. To become a true disciple, you need only a key.”

Lingyu sensed a subtle implication in his smile, as if he were hinting at something.

Soon, Han Funing spoke plainly. “When you reach the fifth stage of Qi Refinement, I can recommend you as a true disciple—each of the three halls has one spot every three years, and I can ensure this.”

Lingyu blinked and studied him for a moment before asking, “What does Uncle Han want?”

Her question made Han Funing laugh. “You truly are clever—worthy of collaborating with me.”

“Collaborate?” A huge question mark appeared in Lingyu’s mind.

Han Funing nodded. “Indeed. Strictly speaking, you are merely taking your master’s place.”

“My master?” Another question mark.

“When you are ready, I will tell you.” Han Funing brushed the matter aside and shifted the topic again. “Now, I wish to ask you some questions.”

“Uncle wishes to ask…” Lingyu had barely finished speaking when her vision blurred. Han Funing’s smile became especially gentle, and then she slipped into a dream.

Lingyu dreamed that Han Funing asked her some questions, but how she answered remained unclear.

When she suddenly awoke, Han Funing’s expression had changed, his gaze deep and inscrutable.

“As expected, Senior Brother Zheng’s death is not simple.” He leaned back, fingers tapping the table lightly. “Duke of Chu, Cheng Yue—so this is the treasure Senior Brother Zheng sought all these years.”