The Threefold Return to Primordial Energy was created by the Three Absolute Elder. It integrates the Heavenly Frost Fist, Cloud-Dispelling Palm, and Wind God Leg into a single, peerless triad of fist, palm, and leg techniques. By extracting one part from each of these three arts and transforming it into internal energy, the Threefold Return to Primordial Energy is born.
In his prime, Xiong Ba stunned the world with his Heavenly Frost Fist, Cloud-Dispelling Palm, and Wind God Leg. He further harnessed the Threefold Return to Primordial Energy and the Threefold Divine Finger to confront Feng and Yun, wielding power beyond compare. Had it not been for Mud Buddha's prophecy—"Rise by Fengyun, fall by Fengyun"—Xiong Ba's renown might have surpassed even that of the legendary Sword Saint, Wuming.
To master the Threefold Return to Primordial Energy, one must first comprehend the breathing techniques of the Heavenly Frost Qi, Cloud-Sweeping Force, and Wind God Power. Then, distilling one part from each, these three internal energies fuse into a new, overpowering force.
The Threefold Return Qi is divided into nine tiers. Each breakthrough elevates one's internal power to a new level, rendering it several times more profound than other internal arts. In his prime, Xiong Ba had only mastered the seventh tier yet dominated the realm—a testament to its formidable might.
Ling Xiao recalled ancient texts mentioning that the Three-Part Return to Primordial Qi could purify the marrow and meridians, sharing a similar essence with the Shaolin Temple's Marrow-Washing Sutra. He wondered if such formidable power truly existed.
Ling Xiao resolved to focus, adjusting his state to peak readiness. Gradually, his attention sharpened as his mind gathered into unity. He silently recited the incantation for the Celestial Frost Qi, then shifted to the Cloud-Dispelling Force, followed by the Wind God Technique. After repeating these three internal energies several times, he began regulating his breath using the meditation methods from his past life.
After over an hour of meditation, Ling Xiao began to grow impatient. He sensed no flow of internal energy whatsoever.
Theoretically, everyone possessed some measure of internal energy, though innate talent varied, affecting cultivation outcomes. What troubled Ling Xiao now was this: even with his Twelve Primary Meridians crippled, reduced to that of an ordinary person, he should still sense at least a trace of internal energy!
Just as Ling Xiao was about to give up, a faint, warm current began to stir within the Yongquan acupoints at his feet.
His spirits lifted. He immediately refocused his mind, intensifying his concentration to accelerate the circulation of the Threefold Return Qi by another third.
The warmth beneath his Yongquan points, initially just a faint tingle, grew into a comforting heat. It began rising upward like a gentle stream, washing over Ling Xiao with a wave of physical and mental ease.
Alas, the bliss was short-lived. After barely a minute, the warmth stalled, unable to ascend further.
No matter how hard Ling Xiao pushed, it refused to progress.
He relented, exhaling softly with a pleased smile. "Seems there really is hope," he murmured to himself. "Wonder how effective it'll be. Hope it doesn't disappoint!"
He then hopped off the bed, flexing his legs and noticing a slight increase in their strength. "With enough accumulated inner energy, breaking through the first meridian shouldn't be a problem," he mused. "If I keep practicing like this, opening all twelve primary meridians is just a matter of time. Heaven hasn't abandoned me after all!"
After his first meditation session, he knew the Threefold Return Qi could indeed unblock the crippled Twelve Regular Meridians. Overjoyed, he also wondered: If he successfully underwent the Marrow Washing ritual, could he then let his cheapskate father practice the Threefold Return Qi too? Might that allow him to rebuild his mystical power?
That would likely have to wait until he truly succeeded before making any conclusions!
Two more days passed.
During these days, Meng Xiyun not only attended to Ling Xiao's daily needs but also set aside an hour or two each day to chat with him. Ling Xiao grew increasingly fond of this attentive and considerate mother. Ling Zhan visited his son daily, though he spoke little. Instead, they drank copious amounts of wine together. Seeing his father's haggard, despondent, and self-destructive state, Ling Xiao nearly gave in to the urge to pass on the Threefold Return Qi to him. Yet, he managed to restrain that impulse.
That night, Ling Xiao meditated as usual. After two days of accumulation, he felt confident he could open his first meridian.
The three types of internal energy continuously transformed and merged, sending waves of heat surging upward from his Yongquan acupoint. The radiating warmth caused wisps of white smoke to rise behind him, lending him an ethereal aura.
After half an hour of gathering, the streams coalesced into a thick, surging torrent. With a roar, it charged toward the long-blocked passage above.
"Aah!" Ling Xiao screamed. Beads of sweat dripped from his determined face. The excruciating pain made him wish he were dead.
His first attempt at breaking through the barrier had failed, leaving him with only the excruciating pain to endure.
"Damn it! I refuse to believe I can't even open the first meridian!" Ling Xiao cursed, his resolve strengthened. He flipped his palms, accelerating his breath absorption. The heat stream coalesced once more, and the roaring, surging wave of heat surged upward again.
"Boom."
"Ah."
Second failure!
"Boom."
"Ah."
Third failure!
By the eighth attempt, Ling Xiao's thick lips were already bleeding, his face deathly pale. Yet, his handsome features bore an unyielding resolve.
The eighth assault.
"Boom."
"Snap."
The river-like heatwave finally broke free of its constraints, splitting into countless tiny streams that began spreading throughout his body. It lasted a full two minutes before the heat currents ceased, likely encountering the second blocked meridian.
Ling Xiao's bare body was now covered in a fine sheen of sweat, as if he'd just been steamed. His entire body still glowed faintly red.
Ling Xiao leapt off the bed, squinting as he savored the exhilarating release. Opening his eyes, he stared at his clenched fists. His almond-shaped eyes flashed with a vibrant brilliance, radiating a vitality far more vibrant than before.
"Ha! Finally succeeded!" Ling Xiao wiped his sweat and laughed heartily, his face radiant with joy. It felt just like the first time he cultivated inner strength in his previous life—a sensation beyond words.
"At this rate, I should be able to repair all twelve main meridians within three months," Ling Xiao murmured to himself.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door: "Knock knock..."
"Xiao'er, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" came his mother Meng Xiyun's concerned voice from outside.
Ling Xiao felt a pang of warmth. Without bothering to put on clothes, he walked over and opened the door. Facing his worried mother, he said, "Mother, I'm fine."
Meng Xiyun scanned her son up and down, finding nothing amiss but noticing how pitifully thin he looked. She touched his chest and said, "Xiao'er, you've wasted away. Tomorrow when I collect the temple offerings, I'll buy you some nourishing food to build up your strength."
Ling Xiao flinched slightly at the touch of Meng Xiyun's fingertips, pulling back and offering a shy smile. "Mother, men and women should not touch each other..."
"Pfft," Meng Xiyun giggled, covering her lips with her hand. "You silly boy. I gave birth to you—it's not like I've never touched you before. Alright, you're covered in sweat. Go wash up and get some rest."
"Yes, Mother. You should rest early too," Ling Xiao nodded.
Meng Xiyun cast a peculiar glance at her son, her mind filled with questions: Could he have finally awakened? Since that incident two years ago, Xiao'er hadn't smiled once, and he seemed far more mature now. Well, as long as my son is safe and sound, I ask for nothing more. With that thought, she turned and left.
Ling Xiao watched his mother depart, silently thinking: "Mother... just wait. Your good days are coming soon."
The night passed without incident, and dawn began to break in the east!
In the courtyard, spanning a hundred square meters, several trees stood alongside potted flowers with buds just beginning to open. Nearby sat a stone table and a few stone chairs. The simple setting, filled with fresh air, invigorated the spirit.
Ling Xiao, clad in simple attire, commenced his first day of martial training within the courtyard.
In his previous life, he had mastered every technique of the Cloud-Sweeping Palm, Wind God's Step, and Heavenly Frost Fist to perfection. Recalling them now should theoretically pose no difficulty. Unfortunately, his current physique was far too frail. Thus, Ling Xiao chose not to rush his progress, opting instead to practice Bu Jingyun's signature footwork, the "Cloud Traces, Phantom Shadows."
"Cloud Trace Phantom Shadow"—like ghostly afterimages, like ethereal clouds weaving through space—it moved unhindered yet elusive through crowds.
Though Ling Xiao had now opened one meridian and possessed a meager amount of inner strength, it was sufficient to support him in executing this escape technique.
Currently, he was little different from an ordinary person. Naturally, he had to master the art of escape first. If he were bullied again and couldn't fight back, he could always flee!
Drawing on insights from his past life, Ling Xiao closed his eyes and stepped according to certain esoteric patterns. At first, he felt nothing extraordinary, but upon closer observation, he noticed peculiarities in the footwork. Further scrutiny revealed astonishing details. Ling Xiao's strides were deliberately wide, seemingly covering nearly two meters per step. His speed was blindingly fast, his entire being appearing agile and ethereal.
After running ten full laps around the courtyard, Ling Xiao felt utterly exhausted. He halted, gasping for breath.
"Seems I must open the Twelve Primary Meridians swiftly," Ling Xiao sighed softly. "This meager inner strength is practically negligible."
After resting for several minutes, Ling Xiao abandoned further footwork practice and turned to the first form of the Cloud-Dispelling Palm: "Flowing Water, Drifting Clouds."
The "Flowing Water, Drifting Clouds" palm technique was fluid and continuous, like flowing water and surging clouds. Its power was astonishing. With deep internal energy, one could unleash ninety-nine palms in a single second. Countless palm shadows would appear, making it impossible to grasp, leaving opponents unable to retaliate.
Ling Xiao had once executed seventy-two strikes in a single second, reducing a renowned先天 master to a pulp with a single move.
After merely a few minutes of practice, Meng Xiyun emerged from the room.
"Xiao'er, your injuries have only just healed. How can you rush about moving about without resting more?" Meng Xiyun scolded gently. She knew her son had never ceased training since his abilities were crippled two years prior, yet his efforts always ended in frustration. Her son refused to face reality, and as his mother, she watched with both heartache and helplessness.
"Mother, I'm perfectly fine now. Getting up and exercising is good for my health," Ling Xiao replied, halting his movements.
Meng Xiyun approached Ling Xiao and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his face.
Ling Xiao gazed at the dignified, beautiful face just inches away. The fine lines at the corners of her eyes were unmistakable, and strands of white hair had begun to appear at her temples. A wave of heartache suddenly washed over him.
"Mother, I've caused you so much worry," Ling Xiao murmured, his mind flooding with memories of this stepmother's once-unfailing care for the original "him."
"Silly child... I am your mother," Meng Xiyun replied with deep satisfaction. She reflected inwardly that perhaps this injury wasn't entirely a bad thing—her son had finally grown up and matured.
"Hey, come quickly and collect your monthly allowance!" A disdainful voice rang out from beyond the main gate.