C231 Returning with Power(2)
The human body is intricately woven with pathways: twelve principal channels, eight extraordinary channels, and 365 minor channels. These pathways are all internal. The most concentrated network of these channels is found within the head, where they are so fine they are nearly imperceptible and so numerous they defy counting.
An ancient saying goes: for every strand of hair, there is a corresponding channel within the skull. The finer these channels, the more perilous they become, especially as they weave through the human brain. A single misstep can lead to extreme danger. However, if just one channel is fully connected, the mind can harness Soul Energy to directly control Genuine Qi, allowing practitioners to effortlessly unleash powerful techniques. The speed of Qi circulation can also dramatically increase.
For Woo Zhengyang, although he can already unleash Sword-shaped Genuine Qi, he relies on his dual cultivation of body and spirit, along with insights from the Sword Sacrificing Spell, to harness the unique qualities of his Qi. In comparison, Zhengyang's Sword-shaped Genuine Qi emphasizes form over force, which still leaves a gap between him and the Reality Condensing Stage masters. Otherwise, with his Ice Crystal Fire Body, he wouldn't need to rely on formations and other strategies to contend with them.
The sharpness of Sword-shaped Genuine Qi makes it particularly challenging for Zhengyang to advance to the Reality Condensing Stage, as its piercing nature poses greater risks when attempting to connect the channels in the spiritual core.
Woo Zhengyang didn't rush into action; instead, he focused on refining a sword-shaped energy. Compared to the usual energy particles of a martial disciple, this sword-shaped energy was already quite small, but it needed to be reduced to a tenth of its normal size to ensure a smooth path forward for Zhengyang.
While refining this sword-shaped energy, Zhengyang's mind was split, simultaneously working on advancing his body tempering stage. Through discussions with Bing'er and the others, Zhengyang's understanding of body tempering had evolved significantly.
In ancient times, both body tempering and energy refinement had distinct stages. Strictly speaking, stages like energy refinement, reality condensing, form gathering, and solidifying were known as energy cultivation, while body tempering was a separate martial arts practice. Practitioners of these two paths were called energy cultivators and body tempering cultivators, respectively. Zhengyang and Bing'er, however, practiced both paths.
After a great calamity, body tempering nearly vanished, and the term "energy cultivation" fell out of use, as martial arts had only one recognized path. The various stages of body tempering were gradually forgotten, leaving only the general term in circulation.
In ancient times, the stages corresponding to energy refinement and body tempering were known as the Flesh and Blood Stage, focusing on refining the body.
The technique Woo Zhengyang practiced, known as the "Flesh Condensing Technique," likely got its name for this reason.
After the Flesh Stage, there are stages corresponding to the Reality Condensing Stage, such as the Skin Stage, the Inner Stage, and the Tendon Bone Stage, among others. The four phases of body tempering are condensing flesh, transforming skin, connecting inner structures, and strengthening tendons and bones.
Woo Zhengyang's next step is transforming the skin. The skin, being the body's surface, is thinner and tighter compared to flesh. Infusing it with Heaven and Earth Vital Energy is much more challenging than with flesh. However, once achieved, Zhengyang's skin will become significantly more resilient. Even without the Profound Heavy Gathering Silk Gloves, ordinary weapons will struggle to harm him, and he won't suffer injuries in hand-to-hand combat.
The key to progressing from condensing flesh to transforming skin lies in softening the skin to allow the Vital Energy to penetrate. Previously, during body tempering, the Vital Energy would pass through the skin into the flesh, but getting it to remain in the skin is extremely difficult. This is a hurdle for many body tempering practitioners.
Fortunately, with the techniques passed down by Bing'er and others, this challenge isn't particularly daunting for Woo Zhengyang.
Many body tempering practitioners today have fallen into a common misconception. They find it easy to let the vital energy of heaven and earth enter their skin, so they focus on how to keep it there. However, the real method is to work from the inside out, allowing the energy to slowly permeate through the connection between flesh and skin, which is where the skin is softest.
As the night passed, Woo Zhengyang finally completed the refinement of his sword-shaped genuine qi. Under his control, this bit of sword-shaped qi slowly moved from his dantian, making its way up to a delicate meridian in his head, where it began to exert pressure.
Despite the inherent risks, the sharp nature of the sword-shaped qi made it highly effective for breaking through barriers. Under its impact, the previously sealed meridian membrane was easily breached. If it weren't for the unpredictable dangers surrounding the meridian, the sword-shaped qi could have instantly surged into the spiritual platform without issue.
Even though Woo Zhengyang proceeded with caution, it took him only about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to clear that meridian. If other practitioners knew, they would find it unbelievable. Many martial disciples remain stuck at the ninth level of the meridian refining stage because the meridians are so narrow, limiting the amount of genuine qi they can hold, making breakthroughs extremely challenging. Moreover, if a breakthrough attempt fails, the meridian membrane quickly restores itself, forcing them to start over from scratch.
Every martial artist has faced numerous trials, each demanding immense effort, before they can hope to reach the Reality Condensing Stage and become a martial master. Yet, Woo Zhengyang achieved this in a single attempt, taking only about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
