Mei Qing’s internal energy had solidified, far surpassing the little genuine energy the fat Taoist possessed. Therefore, no matter how hard the fat Taoist tried, it was like an ant trying to shake a tree. He couldn’t even cause the slightest ripple in Mei Qing’s internal energy, let alone penetrate it.
The fat Taoist repeatedly attacked the lower dantian area of Mei Qing, which should have been impossible to affect even slightly. However, due to Mei Qing’s spiritual awareness being attached, the situation was somewhat different.
The Taoist adage goes: “Spirit is the child of energy, and energy is the mother of spirit.” Spirit and energy are inseparable and coexist. However, within Mei Qing, things were quite different from the norm. His spiritual awareness was blocked externally and could not interact with his internal energy.
This was partly because Mei Qing had been in a daze for over a decade, lacking spiritual stability. Although he later recovered from his illness and his mind became clear, his spiritual awareness always lagged behind his internal energy and never merged with it. Moreover, he had never learned any cultivation techniques, so his spiritual awareness remained weak, naturally limiting his capabilities.
However, at this moment, his spiritual awareness latched onto the fat Taoist’s genuine energy, immediately closing the gate. Although the fat Taoist’s energy was insignificant, it was still the result of cultivation, slightly better than nothing. As a result, Mei Qing’s internal energy was instantly stirred and responded to his ambiguous spiritual awareness, opening the door to welcome the guest. Consequently, both the fat Taoist and Mei Qing’s spiritual awareness entered effortlessly.
It was like a dragon returning to the sea or a tiger entering the mountains. As soon as Mei Qing’s spiritual awareness stirred, it instantly reached the lower dantian area. He felt as if he were entering a chaotic void, a faint and murky expanse. Within this space, something seemed to be subtly flowing, yet it also felt as if it had been motionless since ancient times. Mei Qing felt a sense of confusion, as if something was about to happen, yet he could not pinpoint the cause.
Just at that moment, he noticed some chaotic disturbances from behind—this was the fat Taoist’s energy, which had also been drawn in.
Mei Qing’s spiritual awareness returned to its place, but since he was still unfamiliar with controlling his internal energy, he naturally couldn’t command it with ease. However, his body’s pure internal energy, upon encountering the fat Taoist’s impure and chaotic genuine energy invading, spontaneously reacted with resistance. He felt a sudden shift in his internal energy, which completely dissipated the fat Taoist’s genuine energy.
At first, the fat Taoist felt joy at finally breaking through the barrier of internal energy, thinking to himself, “The Taoist’s genuine energy always brings success,” and was feeling quite pleased. However, who could have expected such a sudden reversal? His genuine energy surged into Mei Qing’s body, and immediately he felt the immense power of the opposing internal energy. With just a single swirl and turn, his genuine energy was completely dissipated without a trace.
The fat Taoist was horrified, feeling an extreme emptiness in his body, almost as if his spiritual awareness had been completely drained. Fortunately, Mei Qing’s internal energy lacked guidance and had acted merely on instinct to defend itself. If Mei Qing had consciously directed his energy at that moment, the fat Taoist might have been utterly destroyed, his soul scattered.
Despite this, the fat Taoist collapsed to the ground, his cultivation completely drained, and he fainted from the shock.
Mei Qing, however, had no time to notice these details. At that moment, his spiritual awareness was guarding the dantian. Although the sudden movement of his internal energy was merely to eliminate the fat Taoist’s invading energy, this movement was precisely what Mei Qing had been waiting for.
Mei Qing’s spiritual awareness had been firmly guarding the area. When he sensed the initial stirrings of energy, he immediately reacted. His spiritual awareness condensed and gently grasped the moment of movement.
It was as if heaven and earth had just been separated, and yin and yang had just begun to emerge. With a sudden explosion of sensation, as Mei Qing’s spiritual awareness seized the moment, a spark of spiritual energy suddenly appeared within the primordial chaos. From the grasp of Mei Qing’s spiritual awareness, a subtle shift occurred, light flowing and swirling, and the vast, undifferentiated internal energy suddenly began to separate.
A light green, rising energy clearly manifested above; an endless, deep yellow, sinking energy spread below. In the middle, a mass of chaotic internal energy swirled and turned, precisely where Mei Qing’s spiritual awareness was focused. It was distant yet near, bright yet dim, swirling between the two. This was the very beginning of spiritual medicine, the precise moment Mei Qing’s spiritual awareness captured it.
At this moment, Mei Qing entered a state of neither joy nor sorrow. His spiritual awareness hovered between the chaotic internal energy, feeling detached yet connected, forgetting his entire being, experiencing an indescribable sense of ease and tranquility.
If any cultivator had witnessed Mei Qing’s transformation, they would have been so astonished their eyes might have popped out—Mei Qing, through the accidental collision with the fat Taoist, had unknowingly crossed the most difficult threshold for cultivators—Foundation Building, or the cultivation of spiritual medicine.
Both cultivation and ordinary health practices begin with the method of focusing the mind on a single point. However, their true distinction lies in whether one can establish a foundation. Health practices, after cultivating the energy to the point of movement, guide the energy with conscious intent from the Mingmen point upward along the Du Meridian, gradually rising to the Baihui point, entering the Ren Meridian, and descending back to the dantian, cycling repeatedly. This is known as the “Small Heavenly Cycle,” which opens the energy pathways, benefiting health and intelligence. Although there is a “Large Heavenly Cycle,” where energy flows through the eight extraordinary meridians, it stops at this stage, with further progress merely a matter of depth of practice, without any further spiritual cultivation or realm advancement.
However, true cultivation, though also beginning with focusing the mind, does not forcefully guide the energy with conscious intent. Instead, it employs gentle nurturing. The lower dantian, known to cultivators as the “ancestral cavity,” or alternatively as the “central palace” or “Taiji,” is the primal spiritual gateway. Cultivating it with intent is like the beginning of heaven and earth, maintaining a state of primordial chaos, known as nurturing spiritual medicine. For example, in the Northern School of Internal Alchemy, it requires forty-nine days of nurturing before the proper conditions are met. Then, at the moment when yin reaches its peak and yang begins to stir, and when stillness is absolute, the initial movement is captured, serving as the beginning of spiritual medicine. This becomes the foundation for future cultivation. As the saying goes: “The foundation of the elixir begins here; do not waste time with the zi and wu hours. In stillness, when movement occurs, that is the moment of spiritual medicine.” Thus, the term “Foundation Building” originates.
Although this may sound simple, in reality, those who truly enter this stage are as rare as phoenix feathers or unicorn horns, with fewer than one in a hundred succeeding. It requires the right temperament, companions, and opportunities—missing any one of these makes success impossible. Therefore, in ancient times, those who managed to achieve Foundation Building all had solid foundations, guided and protected by experienced mentors, often aided by rare treasures and auspicious locations. Even so, many still failed at the final hurdle, unable to enter this stage.
Mei Qing, naturally unaware of his immense fortune, remained in a daze. Previously, he had not listened carefully to the fat Taoist’s instructions on guiding and raising energy. Therefore, even though he witnessed some unusual phenomena, he assumed it was just the way things should be. His spiritual awareness did not linger too long in fascination and withdrew. When he opened his eyes, he was greatly startled.
He saw the fat Taoist slumped on the ground, struggling to support himself with both hands, trying to sit up. His face was pale, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness. Mei Qing recalled how, just moments ago, the Taoist had looked healthy and ruddy, his energy flowing smoothly into his body. How had he changed so drastically in an instant?
Mei Qing hurriedly reached out to help him, asking, “Master Immortal, what has happened to you?”
The fat Taoist rasped weakly, “Sigh, just now, in order to guide the energy, I naturally gave it my all, pouring all my cultivation into you, the noble patron. Alas… this is indeed your blessing, but I do hope you won’t let my efforts go to waste.”
Seeing the half-dead state of the fat Taoist, Mei Qing felt a pang of guilt and couldn’t bring himself to ask further about the strange phenomena he had seen in his own body during cultivation. He quickly tried to help the Taoist to rest. However, despite being utterly exhausted, the fat Taoist insisted he must complete teaching Mei Qing the great method before resting.
Seeing the fat Taoist insisting on continuing to teach but only staring at him with a strange expression, hesitating and saying nothing, Mei Qing suddenly understood. He quickly said, “It would indeed be an honor to learn from the Immortal Master, but I have some worldly matters to attend to and must take my leave for now. May I ask where the temple’s merit register is? I would like to make a small donation to plant some good fortune.”
Upon hearing Mei Qing’s words, the fat Taoist immediately exhaled in relief. A smile returned to his previously pale face as he said, “It’s such a rare blessing to meet you, noble patron. Why must you leave so soon? I truly hate to part… Well then, since you are so blessed, we shall meet again in the future.” Saying this, he suddenly sprang up, and in an instant, produced a large red-covered ledger. He quickly grabbed a brush and dipped it in ink, then respectfully presented it to Mei Qing.
Mei Qing, watching the fat Taoist, who had been so weak moments ago, suddenly become so energetic at the mention of money, couldn’t help but sigh, realizing that money truly was a god of fortune, more effective than any great method or divine cultivation technique.
Mei Qing slowly walked home, feeling completely comfortable and at ease throughout his entire body. Since regaining his memory, he had never felt so content as he did today, experiencing an indescribable sense of peace and joy. He himself was unaware that he had successfully established his foundation. He believed it was due to the effectiveness of the method taught by the fat Taoist and the success of guiding the energy, and he was secretly grateful.
In the past, after dinner, Mei Qing would usually send Duoyun and Wu’er to sleep in the outer room early because he didn’t want them to worry about his nightmares. Today, however, he felt particularly energetic and cheerful, so he didn’t rush to his room. Instead, he called for Duoyun and Wu’er, brought out a cool bed, and lay down in the courtyard to enjoy the cool night.
Feeling peaceful inside, the three of them were quiet and didn’t talk much. Suddenly, Wu’er giggled and said, “Sister Duoyun, why are you acting so silly today, smiling secretly at the young master?”
Hearing this, Mei Qing turned his head and saw Duoyun gently swatting Wu’er with her fan. She looked a little embarrassed and said, “You’re just making things up. Who was smiling foolishly? I was just happy to see the young master in such a good mood today.”
Wu’er laughed and said, “Sister, you’re always quick to deny things. The young master smiles every day. What makes today so special that you’re so happy?”
Upon hearing Wu’er’s words, Duoyun didn’t respond but simply looked up at Mei Qing. When she saw the tenderness in his eyes, she knew he understood her feelings. They exchanged a smile without saying anything more.
Wu’er, on the other side, pouted and muttered, “Hmph, you two only know how to tease me because I’m young. You speak in riddles and keep exchanging glances, completely ignoring me…” Pretending to be angry, she turned her back to them.
Mei Qing felt a deep affection for Duoyun’s understanding and tenderness. He reached out and gently pulled her into his arms. Duoyun struggled slightly but felt weak and surrendered, resting in his embrace.
Wu’er pretended to be angry for a while but soon couldn’t resist turning her head to sneak a peek. She saw the young master holding Duoyun in his arms, both of them looking sweet and loving. Feeling a rush of embarrassment, she quickly turned her head away again, her face blushing and her heart racing.
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