themonasnovels Chapter 11 Wisdom Root
Chapter 11 Wisdom Root
The atmosphere in the classroom suddenly became somewhat heavy.
But soon, another student, unwilling to give up, asked:
"Father, is there anyone in our class who can...?"
"have."
Father Moore interrupted him:
"Half a month ago, Qiu Yu metaphorically sensed the spiritual essence in meditation, and three days ago she successfully condensed a spiritual core and became an apprentice in the art of magic."
As he said this, his gaze fell on the empty seat:
"As you all have probably noticed, Qiu Yu is no longer here."
Whispers immediately filled the classroom.
"Qiuyu? You mean that commoner female student?"
"She actually succeeded?"
"No wonder she's been acting so mysteriously lately..."
Gu Shenyan listened to these discussions without being disturbed.
He had heard about Qiu Yu before.
She was a very quiet girl who didn't like to talk much and always sat alone in a corner.
She was the only commoner student in the class—or rather, a semi-commoner.
Her father was a down-on-his-luck scholar, and her mother was said to be a young lady from a collateral branch of a declining noble family.
Father Moore continued:
Three days ago, an envoy from Qingqiu in Youzhou in the north arrived in the provincial capital.
He indicated that after Qiuyu graduates, he is willing to guide Qiuyu into the path of cultivation.
"After careful consideration, the government approved the request."
[On Mount Qingqiu, there dwells a beast that resembles a fox with nine tails, whose cry sounds like that of an infant, and which can devour people.]
Qingqiu is the legendary ancestral home of the fox clan.
Upon hearing this name, hushed whispers broke out in the classroom once again.
For a commoner girl like Qiu Yu, being able to enter such a sect was like a meteoric rise to the top.
However, Gu Shenyan was not greatly surprised when he heard the news.
There was even a hint of... indifference.
What does it have to do with me if others climb to higher positions?
"alright."
Father Moore clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention back to him:
"That's all for the Qiuyu matter."
"Now, let's begin today's meditation practice."
His voice became solemn:
"Everyone, sit cross-legged as taught earlier, with your hands forming a mudra and placed on your dantian."
"Today, I will teach you the introductory method of 'basic meditation': 'Four Elements Breathing'."
"This is a secret method that combines Eastern breathing techniques with Western meditation."
"If one can master this, one can better balance the four elements within the body and increase the possibility of perceiving spiritual essence."
When the priest finally began to explain the key aspects of the spiritual practice, everyone present focused intently, afraid of missing any detail.
Qian Baolin even pulled out a small notebook from his pocket, ready to take notes.
Father Moore glanced at him but did not stop him.
"The Four Elements Breath Regulation Method is divided into four stages."
He began to explain in detail:
"Phase One, Earthly Rest."
"When you inhale, imagine the steady and powerful force of the earth between heaven and earth."
It enters the body from the Yongquan acupoint on the sole of the foot, travels upward along the meridians of the leg, and finally converges at the lower dantian.
"During this stage, breathing should be slow, deep, and steady."
"Each breath should last for more than ten breaths."
"The second stage, water breath."
"When you inhale, imagine the power of water flowing endlessly between heaven and earth."
It enters the body through the Laogong acupoints on both hands, travels along the meridians of the arms, and finally converges at the middle Dantian.
"During this stage, breathing should be gentle, continuous, and subtle."
"Like a babbling brook, flowing endlessly."
"The third stage, fire breath."
"When you inhale, imagine the power of fire that burns intensely between heaven and earth."
It enters the body through the Baihui acupoint on the top of the head, descends along the Du meridian, and finally converges at the upper Dantian.
"During this stage, you need to breathe quickly, forcefully, and intensely."
"Like a raging fire burning the sky, its momentum is like a rainbow."
"Fourth stage, Breath of Wind."
"When you inhale, imagine the power of the wind that flows endlessly between heaven and earth."
It enters the body through the pores of the skin, travels along the eight extraordinary meridians, and finally returns to the dantian.
"During this stage, breathing should be light, agile, and fluid."
"Like a gentle breeze, it is everywhere."
After he finished speaking, he looked at everyone:
"Practice in four stages in sequence, with at least nine breaths in each stage."
"If you can complete all four stages, you will have completed a 'Great Cycle'."
He paused here, seemingly considering his words.
"The advantage of the Four Elements Breathing Method is that it is easy to learn."
"With diligent practice, most people with innate wisdom can perceive spiritual essence through this method."
Hope ignited in the students' eyes.
Father Moore, however, changed the subject:
"but……"
His tone became serious:
Everything has a price.
"Although the Four Elements Breathing Method is easy to learn, but..."
He seemed to be considering whether or not to say it.
Ultimately, he decided to skip the topic:
"In short, let's get started first. If we haven't even gotten started, everything else is just empty talk."
Although the students sensed a hidden meaning in the priest's words, they didn't think much of it.
As long as I can get the basics right, I can worry about the rest later!
"Now, let's begin our cultivation."
"Close your eyes, concentrate, and regulate your breathing."
The priest's voice became deep and magnetic, carrying a hypnotic power:
"Starting with the earth's breath..."
"Inhale..."
"Feel the weight of the earth..."
"Exhale..."
"Exhale the stale air from your body..."
He raised his right hand, his fingers slightly spread, palm facing upwards, and slowly lifted it up.
But it's such a simple action...
The students present had all closed their eyes, and their breathing became long and steady.
The whole process took less than ten breaths!
This is why Sacred Heart School hired this priest at a high salary.
Under his guidance, students can more easily enter a meditative state, and their efficiency in perceiving spiritual essence is greatly improved.
This is a godsend for students who already have some talent but always fall short at the final step!
In the classroom, everyone began to adjust their breathing, following Father Moore's instructions.
Qian Baolin was the first to get into the zone.
With his eyes closed, he began to visualize the power of the earth flowing into his feet, following the priest's instructions.
At first, it was the same as always—I couldn't feel anything.
But this time, he was holding back a lot of energy.
I've been practicing hard at home these past few days, and I'm starting to feel the effects.
With this new technique of the Four Elements Breathing Method, he's determined to succeed!
He focused intently on visualizing and desperately adjusted his breathing according to the key points...
suddenly!
He sensed it!
A steady and powerful force truly surged from the soles of my feet!
Qian Baolin was overjoyed and almost shouted out loud.
It worked! I really felt it!
He suppressed his excitement and continued his cultivation.
Water, fire, wind...
After completing a full cycle of the Great Circulation, he was covered in sweat.
But he could clearly feel something inside his body being activated.
Qian Baolin suddenly opened his eyes, trembling with excitement.
He wanted to stand up and shout, but he was afraid of disturbing others, so he could only bite his lip tightly to suppress his inner joy.
Father Moore opened his eyes and looked at him.
Their eyes met.
The excitement and agitation in Qian Baolin's eyes were impossible to hide.
Father Moore nodded slightly and made a "continue" gesture.
Qian Baolin took a deep breath, tried to calm himself down, and closed his eyes again.
But how could he possibly calm down?
He opened his eyes again and looked at the spiritual energy floating in the air; he was almost driven mad with excitement.
Not far away, Li Wenyuan was struggling.
He was the son of the police chief and had been pampered since childhood.
He thought he had extraordinary talent, but he kept hitting roadblocks on the path of cultivation.
It's been almost a year, and he hasn't even caught a glimpse of the four elements, let alone sensed any spiritual energy.
They even began to suspect that this so-called introductory method might be a scam.
In the classroom, there were more than twenty students, and almost every one of them was working hard.
Some people were sweating profusely, some had their faces flushed red, and some were trembling all over.
They tried their best to sense that elusive "elemental power".
For the vast majority of people, however, the result of each meditation over the past year has been the same—futile.
I can't feel anything.
While everyone present was struggling...
Gu Shenyan, however, experienced a completely different world.
Following Father Moore's instructions, he continuously adjusted his breathing.
He breathed in the earth, imagining the immense power of the earth flowing into his feet.
In that very instant—he felt it.
A steady and powerful force truly surged into my body from the Yongquan acupoint on the sole of my foot.
The power carried the breath of the earth, heavy and steady, slowly rising along the meridians of the legs.
But when this earth energy rose to the lower abdomen...
The water-elemental spiritual energy within Gu Shenyan's body suddenly reacted.
As if sensing a threat, it suddenly burst forth from its dantian and collided with the earth's power.
The two forces collided within the body, causing waves of energy to surge.
Gu Shenyan felt a chill run down his spine.
This is... water overcoming earth? No, it's earth overcoming water?
He recalled the theory Father Moore had spoken of—that there was a relationship of mutual generation and mutual restraint among the four elements.
When water and earth meet, they should be mutually destructive.
But at this moment, the water-elemental spiritual energy within his body was displaying astonishing dominance.
It directly absorbed the power of the earth, merging it into itself and becoming more solid.
This was... Gu Shenyan was shocked.
Mermaid bloodline!
The water elemental source contained within the bloodline is now operating spontaneously, devouring all power that can strengthen itself!
He suppressed his shock and continued to practice according to the priest's guidance.
Gu Shenyan could clearly feel that the water elemental energy within his body was growing at a visible rate.
Moreover, he suddenly discovered that he could perceive things in the air that he couldn't see before.
Those are countless tiny "particles" suspended in the air.
They are densely distributed in the air, flowing with the air currents, endlessly regenerating.
This is... the essence of heaven and earth!
Gu Shenyan's heart raced.
He tried to absorb these spiritual essences, following the methods taught by Father Moore.
In his consciousness, the Three-Element Mirror revealed new information:
[Innate Divine Ability: Water Control (Spiritual Grade - Fragmented)]
[Proficiency Level: Beginner (8/100)]
My proficiency is increasing rapidly!
This one meditation session alone has increased my points by 5!
You should know that he practiced on his own in his room yesterday, and only gained 3 points in the whole day.
This four-element breathing technique, combined with the bloodline of merfolk, has an astonishing effect!
Gu Shenyan was overjoyed, but remained outwardly calm.
He continued his cultivation, circulating the Great Heavenly Cycle again and again.
The water-elemental spiritual energy within his body became increasingly solid, even faintly condensing into a small vortex in his dantian.
The vortex spun slowly, absorbing spiritual energy, like a nascent... spiritual core!
[Completed the introductory stage of the Dao of Techniques, obtained: 10 Source Qi (Green)]
As expected! Gu Shenyan tried his best to suppress his joy.
These 10 Green Source Qi were indeed a pleasant surprise; he had been worried about how to obtain Green Source Qi before.
But then, another message appeared:
[New Feature Unlocked: Assisted Training]
[Consumption: 1 Green or 10 White Source Qi/Hour]
[Note: Activating this will grant precise guidance, significantly increasing the efficiency of spiritual energy absorption]
[Additional Mode: Special Training]
[Note: Adding specific spirit items can trigger the "Special Training" mode. The Three Elements Mirror will construct an immersive training environment, and the training effect will vary depending on the quality of the spirit item.]
[Currently available training items: None]
Gu Shenyan was stunned. His cheat system actually had a function that aided in cultivation!
Time is undoubtedly the most precious resource.
Moreover, by combining this with other activities to acquire Source Qi, the consumption can be completely offset.
"This is the real cheat code..."
Time passed by, second by second.
The only sound in the classroom was the intermittent breathing.
Some people's breathing gradually became rapid, clearly due to overexertion.
Someone let out a soft sigh; clearly, it was yet another futile effort.
I don't know how much time passed.
"alright."
Father Moore's voice broke the silence:
"That concludes today's meditation session."
"Everyone, you can open your eyes now."
The students opened their eyes one after another.
Li Wenyuan was pale and looked somewhat exhausted.
Sun Wan'er's eyes were full of disappointment, and she bit her lip without saying a word.
Zhou Mingxuan also looked exhausted, and gave Gu Shenyan a wry smile: "Another futile effort... Brother Shenyan, what about you?"
Gu Shenyan pretended to be equally tired and shook his head: "Still the same as always."
"Sigh..." Zhou Mingxuan sighed, "It seems we really don't have that kind of talent."