Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

At night, bright moonlight spilled down into Lin Zheyu’s courtyard, where the sound of dull thuds and grunts could be heard. With his increased income, his daily meals had also improved. He now had access to plenty of meat and fish, so his body had grown increasingly strong and sturdy.

Lin Zheyu preferred to train bare-chested. The lines of his muscles were smooth, his flesh and skin were firm and full, and each punch he threw stirred up a rush of wind. He trained for a full two hours before finally stopping.

[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]

[Name: Lin Zheyu]

[Origin Force: 5]

[Skill: Barbaric Ox Fist (Initiation: 47%)]

My Origin Force has reached five units. It’s time to improve my strength, thought Lin Zheyu.

Since his last training session, he had broken through his limits twice, gaining two units of Origin Force. Each time he broke through his physical limits, it took about five days of recovery to restore his essence, qi, and spirit to their peak.

In the past ten days or so, after repaying Manager Wu’s five taels of silver, Lin Zheyu had saved up another eight taels, which he spent entirely on medicinal herbs.

The fragrance of herbs drifted through the courtyard. Not knowing how much energy this advancement would require, he added all eight portions of herbs to the pot, simmering them until late into the night so that he could extract most of their medicinal properties. Then, he poured it out and let it cool.

Gulp, gulp.

After drinking the medicinal decoction, Lin Zheyu let out a satisfied burp.

Use one unit of Origin Force to upgrade the Barbaric Ox Fist.

As his thoughts were transmitted, one unit of Origin Force disappeared. Immediately, the progress bar for the Barbaric Ox Fist began to jump rapidly from 80% to 100%. The Barbaric Ox Fist officially advanced to Competence, finally stopping at 3% progress[1].

A familiar sensation surged forth as mysterious energy welled up from deep within his cells, beginning to remodel his muscles and tendons. Lin Zheyu’s mind then sank into a strange state. His consciousness arrived in an unknown space, and in this place, he had only one thought: to practice the Barbaric Ox Fist!

In that special space, Lin Zheyu trained the Barbaric Ox Fist with madness. He threw punch after punch without pause or weariness, like a demon possessed. He had no idea how long he remained in this mysterious state, but his understanding of the Barbaric Ox Fist grew ever deeper.

The medicinal decoction in his stomach, under the influence of this mysterious power, released its medicinal strength to fortify his physique. Lin Zheyu’s body underwent tremendous changes; his muscles became denser, and his tendons grew firm and strong.

Moments later, crackling sounds came from within his body; it was the sign of transitioning from the Muscle Forging Realm to the Bone Forging Realm. Once the Barbaric Ox Fist reached Competence, Lin Zheyu naturally entered the Bone Forging Realm.

After a few breaths, Lin Zheyu slowly opened his eyes and returned from his daze. He shook his head and felt somewhat mentally fatigued. Training and comprehending the Barbaric Ox Fist without rest in that special state had been a huge drain on his mind.

”Good. My blood qi isn’t depleted like last time,” muttered Lin Zheyu.

He assessed his physical state and found that his muscles were full, his internal organs were sturdy, and his bones were stronger than before. The medicinal decoction he had drunk had been almost completely absorbed, with very little left.

[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]

[Name: Lin Zheyu]

[Origin Force: 4]

[Skill: Barbaric Ox Fist (Competence: 3%)]

He clenched his fist lightly, and a faint crackling sound followed. After completing the Muscle Forging Realm and entering the Bone Forging Realm, his control over his muscles and tendons had advanced to a new level. Now, he could wield tendon-bone resonance to temper his bones.

I’ve reached the Bone Forging Realm. Tomorrow, I’ll go find Master Liang and ask him about the training methods for the Bone Forging Realm and the Organ Forging Realm, thought Lin Zheyu.

The Bone Forging Realm and Organ Forging Realm each had their own special training methods, but Liang Song had only taught him the methods for the Muscle Forging Realm so far. Since the last time he had spent a morning learning at Liang Song’s home, Lin Zheyu had not gone there again. Occasionally, when passing by, he would take a look, but he never saw anyone there.

***

Morning.

In order to see Liang Song, Lin Zheyu arrived early at No. 33 Jindong Street.

Knock, knock, knock.

He knocked lightly on the door, and with a creak, it swung open.

”What brings you here?” asked Liang Song when he saw it was Lin Zheyu.

Lin Zheyu grumbled inwardly. He had come early for three consecutive mornings, and today was the first time he had seen him. He had no idea where his master had been going. He was always so secretive, and only appeared in the afternoons during storytelling.

”I’ve run into some problems in my martial training and wanted to ask for your guidance,” said Lin Zheyu. He then stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

”What kind of problem?” asked Liang Song. While watering his flowers, he gestured for Lin Zheyu to find a place to sit.

”It’s just that during training, I keep feeling something off between the tendons and the bones in my elbows...” Lin Zheyu described the issues he encountered after entering the Bone Forging Realm, and the more Liang Song listened, the more surprised he became.

He set down the watering can and looked at Lin Zheyu.

This kid’s understanding of the Barbaric Ox Fist had already reached such a level? thought Liang Song.

”Go through the entire fist technique for me,” Liang Song couldn’t help but say.

”Yes,” replied Lin Zheyu.

He nodded and stepped to the center of the courtyard. He removed his jacket and assumed the stance of the Barbaric Ox Fist.

Bang, bang, bang.

In the courtyard, the sound of fists pounding against wooden stakes echoed. Amid the thudding, a few crackling sounds were coming from within Lin Zheyu’s body.

Bone Forging Realm! He’s reached the Bone Forging Realm! thought Liang Song as his eyes widened, and he couldn’t help but stand up.

It had been less than a month since he first taught him the fist technique. For a complete novice with no prior martial training to bring the Barbaric Ox Fist to Competence in just a month was unbelievable!

What a talent to be envious of! If he had started training from a young age, he might have had a chance to reach the Grandmaster Realm. What a pity, Liang Song thought with a trace of regret appearing on his face.

Such terrifying talent was something he had rarely, if ever, seen in his life.

”Rest for a bit. I’ll explain to you the details of the Bone Forging Realm,” said Liang Song, stopping Lin Zheyu.

”Yes, Master,” replied Lin Zheyu, withdrawing his fists and sitting down across from Liang Song at the table.

”Not bad. You’ve reached Competence in the Barbaric Ox Fist so quickly. Once one reaches Competence and their muscles are fully developed, they can attempt to transition into the Bone Forging Realm. The Bone Forging Realm requires both external stimulation and tendon-bone resonance, achieved by...”

”......”

Liang Song began teaching the methods of the Bone Forging Realm. Lin Zheyu listened intently, learning a great deal about the body’s skeletal structure.

”Your comprehension is good. I’ll also teach you the internal breathing method for the Barbaric Ox Fist. You can study it slowly on your own. The Barbaric Ox Fist can only unleash its true power when paired with its breathing method,” said Liang Song after a brief pause.

With Lin Zheyu’s natural talent and comprehension, he should be able to master the breathing method as well. This special breathing method required an exceptionally high degree of bodily control, demanding both great talent and strong mastery over oneself.

”Yes, Master!” Lin Zheyu was overjoyed. The internal breathing method already sounded formidable.

”In the way of martial arts, you train the tendons, bones, and skin externally, and a single breath internally. Different martial arts place different strains on the internal organs. Only by training them accordingly can you strengthen them and unleash greater power.

”The breathing method for the Barbaric Ox Fist focuses on abdominal breathing using the dantian and requires mastering a specific breathing rhythm. Come, watch my chest and abdomen. Pay close attention and feel what’s going on...” said Liang Song, guiding Lin Zheyu to feel the breathing rhythm with his hand.

Lin Zheyu placed his hand on his master’s broad chest. Liang Song’s muscles were incredibly firm, like lumps of iron and stone. He silently felt his master’s breathing rhythm and the mysterious cadence in the rise and fall of his chest. The rhythm and cadence were extremely difficult to grasp, however. Even after listening for a long time, Lin Zheyu was somewhat bewildered.

1. In the raws, the author wrote 2% but I think it’s an author’s mistake because later on the progress bar showed 3% instead of 2%. ☜