22: Chapter 22 Dantian Breathing Method

He closed the book and began to review the day:

[Day 12 Completion Status]

[Social Dimension unlocked, acquired ability [Affinity Field (Weak)]]

[Learning efficiency remains excellent]

[Completed second part-time job]

[Family relations significantly improved]

[Total gained: Cultivation + 9.28]

[Current total Cultivation: 32.04 / 100]

[Health Dimension: 45.4 / 200]

[Learning Dimension: 33.7 / 200]

[Social Dimension: 8 / 200 (post-unlock)]

[Skill Dimension (Cooking: 45 / 100, Organizing: 57 / 100, Hand-drawing: 15 / 100)]

[Special Note: Hundred-Day Foundation Building progress has surpassed 30%]

[Evaluation: Excellent]

It's at 30%.

So far, it seems very steady and smooth.

As for the speed slowing down later, I'll deal with that when the time comes.

He lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.

His breathing naturally deepened, and his Qi slowly circled within his body.

That newly acquired Affinity Field felt like an invisible layer of warm light.

It loosely wrapped around him, making him feel exceptionally grounded and peaceful.

A few lines of text finally appeared on the system panel:

[Hundred-Day Foundation Building progress: 32.04% Evaluation: Excellent]

[Suggestion: Maintain current rhythm, advance steadily]

He fell asleep.

He had a dream this time.

In his dream, he was organizing books at the Bookstore, and the books were floating up on their own, flying back to the shelves one by one.

The dream was magical.

...

On the thirteenth day, when Chen Zhen woke up, he felt that something was a little different.

It wasn't that anything had been added or taken away from his body, but rather his mind... felt a bit clearer.

It was like opening a window early in the morning; there was no fog outside, and the sky was clear and clean.

He lay there without rushing to get up, first sensing that newly acquired [Affinity Field].

It was very subtle, like an invisible layer of warm light wrapped around him, warm, but definitely there.

He summoned the system panel.

The tasks were similar to yesterday, but the reward numbers had quietly increased a little.

Having done well for several consecutive days, these bonuses were slowly stacking up, really starting to snowball.

He scanned the progress of each dimension:

Health: 45.4 / 200

Learning: 33.7 / 200

Social: 8 / 200

Under skills, it was divided into several items:

Cooking 45, Organizing 57, and the newly started Hand-drawing was only 15.

The total Cultivation was 32.04.

Walking to the living room, his father was already at the dining table.

Today, he had changed into a washed-out white shirt, his hair was combed neatly, and he was looking down, checking the items in his backpack: a notebook, a pen, and a chipped thermos.

"Dad, morning."

"Morning." His father looked up. "Going for a run?"

"Yeah."

"Go ahead." His father paused, then added, "Watch out for cars on the road."

The words were still simple, but Chen Zhen could tell that his tone was a bit softer than yesterday.

Was the [Affinity Field] having an effect?

Or was the ice between father and son really slowly melting?

Probably both.

When he left the house, the sky was just starting to turn gray.

The street was very quiet, with only the rustling sound of a sanitation worker sweeping, one stroke after another.

The old man was already at the Riverside.

Today, he wasn't practicing boxing or standing.

Instead, he was sitting cross-legged on that old bench, eyes closed, as if he were asleep or meditating.

Chen Zhen didn't make a sound, waiting quietly on the side.

About five minutes later, the old man's eyelids flickered, and he opened his eyes. "You're here."

"Yeah."

"How does it feel?"

"What feeling?"

"That stuff I taught you yesterday."

Chen Zhen thought for a moment. "When I was running... my body seemed to obey me more, and it wasn't as tiring."

"It's not 'obeying', it's 'flowing'." The old man stood up. "Before, you were dragging your body to run; now, it knows how to move on its own."

He signaled for Chen Zhen to stand properly. "Today, I'll teach you something else."

Chen Zhen stood straight.

"Still breathing." The old man walked behind him. "But this time, it's not just about inhaling and exhaling; you need to let the Qi… stay inside for a while."

"Stay for a while?"

"Right."

The old man's hand pressed onto his shoulder.

"When you inhale, imagine that breath is like water, sinking down to here."

His hand moved to Chen Zhen's lower abdomen. "Then, let it circle around here. Don't hold it in; just let it rest peacefully."

Chen Zhen tried to follow his instructions.

Inhale.

The Qi sank downwards.

When it reached his lower abdomen... it actually stopped.

It didn't feel stuffy; it gathered there warmly, feeling very grounded.

"Getting the feel of it?"

"Yeah."

"Keep going." The old man stepped back two paces. "Inhale, let it settle, then exhale slowly. The slower, the better."

Chen Zhen followed the rhythm.

Inhale for three counts, let the Qi stabilize in the lower abdomen for two counts, then slowly exhale over four counts.

After a few rounds, he found that his breathing rhythm naturally became deeper and longer, without needing to count deliberately.

[Learned Dantian Breathing Method, Health Dimension EXP + 15]

[Breathing Method Mastery: Beginner (35%)]

[Qi control improved]

A few lines of text appeared before his eyes.

"That's right, that's the feeling." The old man nodded. "Remember this feeling."

"From now on, whether you're practicing boxing, running, or even sitting and reading, use this Breathing Method."

"Use it while reading too?"

"Use it."

"When your brain is working, it consumes just as much Qi as your arms and legs. When the Qi flows smoothly, your mind will be clear."

Chen Zhen took note of this.

"Go on, run your four kilometers, and keep that breath you just found."

Starting the run felt a bit awkward; he kept thinking about his Dantian, and his steps weren't smooth.

After running one kilometer, his body found its own balance:

His breathing sank, his footsteps became steady, and he felt as if he were flowing forward with the current of water.

Around three kilometers, the system panel prompted:

[Entered 'Long Breath' state, endurance consumption reduced by 20%]

After running four kilometers, he was still tired.

But it didn't feel like the soreness was seeping from his bones like yesterday.

[Morning run completed (4 km), Health Dimension EXP + 9.8]

[Cultivation + 0.29]

[Dantian Breathing Method Mastery: Beginner (5%)]

[Total Breathing Method Mastery: 40%]

While stretching, the old man came over carrying a water bottle. "How was it today?"

"It seems... a bit easier." Chen Zhen wiped away his sweat.

"It will get even easier in the future." The old man unscrewed the cap and took a sip of water. "Same time tomorrow."

"Alright."

He arrived home at 7:15.

His mother was frying pancakes in the kitchen, and the pan was sizzling with a fragrant, oily aroma.

Seeing him return, she didn't even turn her head. "Done running?"

"Yeah."

"Go wash up and eat."

Breakfast was scallion pancakes and millet porridge.

Chen Zhen was drinking his porridge while his mother sat opposite him, clutching her phone, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Mom, what are you looking at?"

"Job recruitment information."

His mother didn't take her eyes off the screen.

"I was thinking... your dad's work is settled, and the shop is running steadily, so I don't need to spend too much energy on it for now. I'm going to look for a job."

Chen Zhen put down his chopsticks. "Don't overwork yourself."

"I won't." His mother shook her head. "I just want peace of mind."

[Mother's decision, Social Dimension EXP + 2]

[Current Social Dimension: 10 / 200]

After eating, Chen Zhen cleared the dishes.

His mother was still holding her phone, her fingers swiping across the screen, her brows still furrowed.

He dried his hands and walked over to his mother. "Mom, shall I take a look for you?"

His mother looked up, hesitated for a moment, then handed him the phone.

Chen Zhen took the phone.

There were many job postings, but most weren't suitable: some required full-time, some required technical skills, and some were ridiculously far away.

After scrolling for a long time, he saw one:

"Community Library recruiting summer volunteers, flexible hours, includes travel subsidy."

"Is this one okay?" He handed the phone back.

His mother took it and looked. "Volunteer... no pay, right?"

"It says there's a subsidy, fifty a day. The hours are flexible, and it's close to home—only three stops away."

His mother thought about it. "Then I'll... ask?"

"Yeah."

His mother dialed the number. Chen Zhen listened from the side.

His mother asked very carefully about what the work entailed, the hours, and how the subsidy was paid.

After hanging up, his mother said, "They want me to go over this afternoon to meet them."

"Shall I go with you?"

"No need." His mother stood up. "Mom can go herself. Aren't you going to the Bookstore this afternoon?"

"I can ask for leave."

"Don't ask for leave." His mother patted his arm. "Mom can handle it. Don't worry so much about Mom; I was out there grinding in the world before you were even born."

Chen Zhen: ...

He wanted to retort but didn't know what to say.