Second Exercise: Four Layers of Qi

  According to the requirements of the Heart Method, Liu Bo quickly entered a state of stillness. A strand of true energy slowly circulated in his meridians. At this time, if someone were present, they would surely be amazed at Liu Bo's speed of entering stillness. Generally, only those with deep cultivation or a heart as pure as an infant, free from distracting thoughts, could achieve such a fast entry into stillness. Yet, Liu Bo was able to do so despite the intense pain and numbness throughout his body, demonstrating his unyielding willpower and extraordinary innate talent that was almost unimaginable.

  After two weeks of practicing the true energy circulation, Liu Bo had already increased the speed of his true energy circulation to its fastest level yesterday. Today, he regained his confidence and set a goal for himself: to increase the speed of his true energy circulation by one and a half times compared to yesterday.

  This was an impossible task in the past. Such a large increase, with Liu Bo's perseverance, had never been dared to try before. It's not that he can't bear the increased suffering, but while increasing the suffering, he still has to maintain his mental calmness, which is really a difficult thing to do.

  Having endured so many years of painful trials, Liu Bo believed that his will had become as firm as a rock. No matter how much physical pain and numbness he felt, his consciousness was focused solely on the slow circulation of the water-like true energy.

  Slowly, his consciousness seemed to leave his physical body, and all the pain on his body couldn't make his mind fluctuate in the slightest.

  The water-like true Qi circulating in the meridians is slowly nourishing and moistening the stagnant meridians, which are gradually repairing step by step.

  As the true energy circulated, Liu Bo slowly forgot everything.

  His consciousness seemed to have transformed into water as well, and all the discussions about water that he had previously browsed through flowed quietly through his mind.

  As the understanding of water quality deepens, the moisturizing effect becomes more and more obvious. The stagnant meridians that the true gas flows through have added a layer of luster, and are becoming more and more elastic.

  The speed of the water-based true energy's impact was getting faster and faster, slowly exceeding Liu Bo's target of one and a half times.

  The speed of the true energy's circulation is getting faster and faster, slowly exceeding one and a half times... two times... three times... four times... five times, until it reaches ten times, at which point the speed no longer increases.

  At this time, the extreme physical pain had no effect on his consciousness, his consciousness had transformed into water, completely immersed in the realization of the nature of water.

  The gentle flow of true energy gradually turned into a rapid small river, and the existing riverbed could no longer satisfy the circulation of true energy, finally starting to rush towards new riverbeds.

  The previously unyielding meridian wall was finally shattered by the violent impact of this massive true energy flow.

  Severe pain stimulated Liu Bo's body, and the meridian wall barrier of the fourth layer of Qi training was finally broken.

  This true energy torrent began to continue flowing rapidly in the new meridian line, while Liu Bo seemed to be unaware of all this, his consciousness still immersed in the epiphany of water.

  Newly developed meridians are the most fragile, especially Liu Bo's stagnant meridians, which are even more vulnerable.

  In the past, when true energy circulated in newly developed meridians, it would bring unbearable pain to the physical body. Now, Liu Bo's consciousness had left his body, and the circulation of true energy was not affected, although it was not as fast as before the breakthrough, but it still circulated extremely quickly.

  It wasn't until the sky was a dull gray that his consciousness refocused on his physical body, and the intermittent stinging and numbness returned to his awareness.

  "The route of the circulating true energy is actually the map of the fourth layer of Qi cultivation, how did it unknowingly break through to the fourth layer of Qi cultivation? The meridians that the true energy had previously flowed through have also become smooth and lustrous, rich in elasticity, and almost completely painless. Even the newly developed meridians of the fourth layer of Qi cultivation, which are still circulating, have significantly reduced the effect of meridian stagnation."

  The sudden surprise and doubt almost disrupted Liu Bo's calm state of mind.

  "This must be the effect of my earlier insight into water attribute! I didn't expect such a small epiphany about water attribute to have such a huge impact." Liu Bo's state of mind could no longer remain calm, slowly circulating his true qi back to his dantian and qihai, ending a night of cultivation.

  Liu Bo was overjoyed to find that his understanding of water had such a great effect.

  This is probably the only way he can continue to advance!

  And consciousness can leave the body, allowing him to forget suffering and maintain a stable state of mind, which must also benefit from the improvement of his mental state.

  After so many years of painful practice, Liu Bo's state of mind has made significant progress, and today he has reached the point of transcending his physical body for the first time.

  He believes that with a deeper understanding of water, his state of mind will continue to improve.

  He may go further into the unconscious realm in the future, and it's not necessarily impossible.

  The sky was breaking dawn, the earth was hazy, and the pale blue sky still had a few scattered stars embedded in it.

  On the vast martial arts arena, the number of people punching and shouting grew gradually.

  "Brother Bo, why are you coming so late today? I've already practiced the Bi Po Palm Technique once and was just thinking of finding you to spar with." Liu An said to Liu Bo who was walking slowly towards him.

  "Alright, let me see if you can still bring out the essence of Bi Bo Zhang Fa in actual combat."

  Liu An no longer spoke, nor did he yield. With a serious expression, he began to exchange blows with Liu Bo, move for move.

  A set of palm techniques was quickly polished off, and before Liu An could ask any questions, Liu Bo started from the first move, detailing and explaining to him where he was lacking.

  "Boss, I didn't think my palm technique still had so many flaws and was so stiff in application. I thought I was practicing well." Liu An said dejectedly.

  "It's still quite an improvement. However, the Bi Bo Zhang Fa is easy to learn but difficult to master, requiring not only diligent practice but also a good understanding of its essence." Liu Bo comforted.

  "Bo Ge, how come your palm technique is much more powerful today than yesterday? You didn't break through to the fourth layer of Qi training, did you?" Liu An asked with some uncertainty.

  "Xiao Anzi, you're quite perceptive! I just broke through last night and my control over true energy isn't very familiar yet. Didn't expect you to notice it so quickly."

  "I knew it, Bogui, you can definitely do it. With this physical condition, you can still break through to the fourth rank of the Post-Heaven stage, it's really incredible! I'd like to see what Liu Gang has to say now. He's only at the fifth layer of Qi Refining after all." Liu An said with a face full of surprise and pride.

  "Even if I cultivate the fourth layer, isn't it still the slowest? Now I'm cultivating the fifth layer, but in less than a month, I'll break through to the sixth layer. Compared to Brother Yan back then, I'm only one layer behind." Liu Gang, who had walked up unnoticed, retorted indifferently.

  "Gang Ge, how can you be so arrogant? If you were in Bo Ge's physical condition, could you guarantee to reach the fourth level of Qi training?" Liu An said with a face full of indignation.

  "How can this be compared? I'm not even stagnant in my meridians. I won't tell you, but I still have to go practice." Liu Gang walked away with a disdainful face.

  In the following days, Liu Bo specially reviewed all the discourses on water nature in the book pavilion, and his understanding of water nature was even more profound. In his daily cultivation, he finally achieved a state where his mind could leave his body at will.