Chapter Six: The Basic Handbook
Over the following nights, the sect's courtyards were filled with the sounds of new disciples practicing opening the spiritual meridians. Each sat on his mat, the handbook in his hand, trying to channel his energy as described.
Ling Yu sat in a far corner of the outer courtyard. He took out his worn handbook and began to read with intense concentration:
> "The second meridian, the Earth Spirit Meridian, runs from the lower chest to the abdomen. To open it, gather your breath in two circular motions, then focus your strength on the lower dantian until the barrier cracks."
He read the words over and over, then closed his eyes and began the experiment. At first, he made many mistakes: his breaths ragged, his spirit scattering. But with persistence and calm, he began to feel a weak current gathering in his lower abdomen, then pressing hard against the barrier.
On the third night, click!
The second meridian opened.
---
He felt warmth spreading through his body, as if a new river had flowed within him.
Unable to contain himself, he opened his eyes in astonishment.
- "You... succeeded!"
At that moment, no one was mocking him. Rather, some of the disciples turned in astonishment, especially since most of them were still struggling on the second meridian.
He continued training without pause.
In the second week, he opened the third meridian.
In the third week, he opened the fourth.
His progress was rapid, not because he possessed exceptional talent, but because he adhered to the simple manual with a seriousness no one else did.
---
The elder stood in the courtyard, examining the disciples, his eyes lingering on Ling Yu for a moment. He didn't comment, but inwardly he thought:
"This boy... slow at first, but now he is steadily advancing. His willpower is more valuable than any talent."
---
With each meridian he opened, Ling Yu's body grew stronger, his breathing deeper, and his spiritual energy clearer. Although he wasn't the fastest among the students—some of the families were still ahead of him—everyone began to notice that he was no longer the weak link he had been in the beginning.
But Ling Yue himself knew something else:
He hadn't used the Stone Book yet.
Everything he'd accomplished had been from the original booklet alone.
This made him wonder:
> "If I can get here by ordinary means... how far will that unknown book take me when I need it?"