Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

The setting sun sank toward the west, and a dim golden afterglow spilled across the land. In the courtyard, Lin Zheyu slowly opened his eyes.

A long breath escaped his lips as he rose to his feet and glanced at the data within his consciousness.

[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]

[Name: Lin Zheyu]

[Origin Force: 0]

[Skills: Golden Goose Technique (Ninth Stage: 59%), Tortoise Breath Grand Method (Third Stage: 100%)]

”I still need 11 units of Origin Force to bring the ninth stage of the Golden Goose Technique to Perfection.”

After consuming his remaining 8 units of Origin Force, its progress rose to 59% of the ninth stage. The five sets of Redfire Blood-Nourishing Powder had been used up, while the five sets of Blood-Nourishing Bone-Fortifying Decoction herbs were completely useless.

Through testing, he found that consuming 2 units of Origin Force to advance the ninth stage of the Golden Goose Technique required only a set of Redfire Blood-Nourishing Powder. When advancing in a state of exhaustion, using 2 units of Origin Force together with a set of Redfire Blood-Nourishing Powder could only restore about 10% of his blood qi strength. A set of Redfire Blood-Nourishing Powder carried roughly the potency of ten sets of Blood-Nourishing Bone-Fortifying Decoction.

Lin Zheyu looked toward the wooden basin, from which a faint medicinal fragrance still drifted. Some residual medicinal power remained within, yet it no longer benefited him. Most of it consisted of fire poison, toxins, and various impurities that could cause side effects.

”It’s wonder the Redfire Blood-Nourishing Powder has such strong potency yet is so cheap. Most of the remaining power is fire poison mixed with minor impurities, all carrying traces of toxin. So much poison taken into the body would cause trouble sooner or later,” muttered Lin Zheyu.

He dipped his fingers into the remaining powder, brought it to his nose for a sniff, then touched his tongue to it. A faint aura of fire poison spread through his mouth, and his tongue began to burn slightly—proof of how fierce the side effects of the herb truly were.

”I should ask around about where Bafang City’s black market is and when it opens. When there’s time, I’ll take a look. Maybe I can find some formulas with stronger potency, heavier side effects, and cheaper prices,” muttered Lin Zheyu.

When Origin Force was used, the energy required came from the sets of herbs that strengthened essence and blood qi. The rest of the herbal components, those with no use in the process, would remain as residue.

Lin Zheyu had previously tested that removing a few of the herbs in the Blood-Nourishing Bone-Fortifying Decoction, the ones used to balance properties and reduce side effects, did not greatly affect the overall medicinal strength. Since he did not absorb the medicine by ingesting it directly, there was no concern about excessive potency or harmful side effects, so he had no need for those balancing ingredients.

However, those herbs were inexpensive and could slightly enhance the medicine’s efficacy, so he still bought the full set each time. The herbs in the Blood-Nourishing Bone-Fortifying Decoction complemented one another through their unique properties, maximizing nourishment and fortifying a warrior’s blood qi.

If used separately, the effect would be greatly reduced. That was why Lin Zheyu preferred to buy full nourishing prescriptions instead of purchasing rare single herbs.

Pfft.

Blood qi surged into his legs as he activated the blood qi burst technique, his feet moving with the Golden Goose Technique as he sped across the courtyard.

With a sudden spring of his right leg, his body shot forward like a cannonball, then stopped abruptly at the corner wall, defying inertia. Twisting his body, he veered sharply to the left and shot out once more like a cannonball. Faint afterimages of his movement lingered across the courtyard.

After raising the ninth stage of the Golden Goose Technique to 59%, he was now able to perform some of its simpler footwork. Though not yet agile, he could now run straight, turn corners, leap up or down, and move side to side with ease, albeit a little stiffly. At present, the ninth stage of the Golden Goose Technique was suited only for escaping or pursuing foes, and not for close combat.

After a brief cultivation session, Lin Zheyu pondered silently, I wonder how far my strength has come. I’ll need to find a chance to test it against a strong opponent.

He knew little about the higher stages of martial cultivation, especially the power beyond the sixth transformation of blood qi and the Marrow Refining Realm. Based on his estimation of the power increase from the first to the fourth transformation of blood qi, the sixth transformation would likely yield at most twice the strength of the third. As for the ninth transformation, it was difficult to measure, but it would certainly surpass his current strength by far.

It was said that when a martial artist reached the ninth transformation, the Dragon Transformation, their power would undergo a tremendous metamorphosis, and their bone and spiritual aptitude would leap to a higher level. Lin Zheyu’s goal was to reach the Dragon Transformation before advancing into the Marrow Refining Realm.

Knock, knock, knock.

A knocking sound came from outside the courtyard gate. Lin Zheyu stopped his cultivation and opened the door.

”Uncle, Mother asked me to call you over for dinner,” said Han Tianshun with a cheerful grin. His face was flushed and his forehead beaded with sweat; he must have come running.

”All right, go on ahead. I’ll be there soon.” Lin Zheyu smiled and patted Han Tianshun on the head as he spoke.

”Okay then, I’ll head back first. Goodbye, Uncle.”

Han Tianshun nodded obediently, waved his hand, and ran back toward his own courtyard. Their courtyards were not far apart. A gentle breeze carried the aroma of delicious food.

”I wonder how things are in Songyi City. I just hope senior brother is safe and sound,” murmured Lin Zheyu to himself, gazing at the rosy clouds on the horizon.

Time flowed slowly by. When the Feihong Gang first arrived in Bafang City, it had little in the way of assets and didn’t need so many members. Though the Feihong Gang had enjoyed great prestige in Songyi City, life in Bafang City was difficult. Everything had to start over from scratch.

They not only had to endure suppression from Bafang City’s native powers but also face fierce competition from other displaced groups that had fled their own cities, much like the Feihong Gang itself.

Establishing a firm foothold here was no easy task. Many of the gang’s members were dismissed upon arrival in Bafang City, while some left of their own accord to seek new opportunities. To survive, the Feihong Gang greatly downsized, retaining only capable fighters above the Bone Forging Realm. Ordinary members could always be replaced, but trustworthy experts above the Bone Forging Realm were far harder to come by.

Lin Zheyu still remained nominally under the Feihong Gang’s banner, though he now spent his days with little to do. Each day, he practiced martial arts in his courtyard, studied the Toxicology Codex, and occasionally wandered through Bafang City to experience its local customs.

Several days passed without sight of Xu Qinyi, Ren Qingfeng, or the others. They seemed to be occupied with something important.

***

Inside the Lotus Fragrance Pavilion.

”As the story goes, after Temüjin unified the great desert, he rewarded his generals with grand titles, appointing Guo Jing as a commander of a thousand and even offering his beloved daughter Huazheng in marriage, naming him the Golden Knife Prince Consort...”

The storyteller on stage recited The Legend of the Condor Heroes with impassioned vigor. The story Lin Zheyu had once written had become wildly popular throughout Bafang City; in every corner, people could be heard discussing its characters.

”Master Lin, your story is truly splendid. One could listen a hundred times and never grow tired of it,” said Jia Yanyong with admiration.

Five days had passed, and they were finally settled in Bafang City. However, the Feihong Gang had few businesses in Bafang City and had yet to establish itself. As a result, Jia Yanyong and the others, like Lin Zheyu, had little to do.

Whenever they had free time, they would visit a teahouse, order a pot of tea and a few snacks, and spend the afternoon listening to stories to pass the time. As for the brothels, they dared not frequent them often. Having just relocated from Songyi City to Bafang City, their lives were not yet stable, and they needed to save some silver for emergencies.

”I heard many wealthy young ladies in Bafang City adore your Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio[1]. If they knew you were the author, with your handsome looks and great strength, you’d surely win their hearts,” said Xie Jiang with a laugh.

The few stories Lin Zheyu had written earlier had spread widely throughout Bafang City. Among them, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio was especially beloved by young nobles, ladies, and scholars alike. But none of that had anything to do with Lin Zheyu anymore. The Great Wei Dynasty had no concept of copyright; once a story was told, it belonged to everyone.

”Even if I did say it, someone would have to believe me first,” said Lin Zheyu with a faint smile.

It had been several days since his arrival in Bafang City. Whenever he had time, he would stroll through the city’s teahouses, hoping to spot his old master, Liang Song. Back in Songyi City, Liang Song had spent most of his time in teahouses, listening to storytellers and sipping tea. If luck was on his side, he might find him in one of these places.

Unfortunately, Old Master Chen knew little about Liang Song and only that he had an enemy in Bafang City and was likely hiding somewhere, waiting for a chance to take revenge. Thus, Lin Zheyu could only search for him like a needle in a haystack, relying purely on luck.

If he managed to find him, Lin Zheyu could subtly inquire about his master’s enemy and help avenge him as repayment for his teachings in martial arts. But if he couldn’t find him, then so be it—he would do what he could and leave the rest to fate.

1. 聊斋志异 (Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio) is a classic Qing-dynasty collection of supernatural short stories by Pu Songling, blending ghostly encounters, love, and moral allegory to reflect human nature and social life. ☜