35: Chapter 35 [Physical Fitness Optimization]

Day 18.

During his morning run, Chen Zhen discovered something strange: he didn't need to consciously maintain his breathing rhythm anymore.

Usually, when running, he always had to devote a portion of his attention to adjusting his breathing.

Three steps per inhale, two steps per exhale, or coordinating with the vibration rhythm of the shouzhong token.

But today, as soon as he started running, his breathing found its own rhythm.

The Qi settled in his Dantian, rising and falling with his footsteps, operating automatically like a finely tuned precision machine.

Not only that, the feeling of running was different too.

Before, running meant thinking about lifting his legs, taking steps, and landing his feet.

Today, his legs knew how to move on their own.

The angle of his feet landing, the degree of his knee flexion, the trajectory of his arm swings—everything was natural and fluid, as if his body had memorized the optimal solution.

When he reached the two-kilometer mark, the warmth of the shouzhong token suddenly spread from his chest, like a circle of warm current flowing to his limbs.

Immediately after, he felt a subtle, continuous soreness deep within his muscles.

It wasn't the ache of fatigue, but rather felt more like muscle fibers trembling and reshaping.

He slowed down to experience it carefully.

The soreness was mainly concentrated in his legs and core muscles, expanding and contracting with his breathing.

When it expanded, he could feel the muscles tightening.

When it contracted, he could feel some kind of "channel" being opened.

A warm current passed through it.

When he reached the Riverside, this soreness reached its peak, and then—

It suddenly disappeared.

In its place was an unprecedented sense of lightness.

It was as if the sandbags tied to his legs had been removed; his body felt at least ten jin lighter.

For the remaining half-kilometer, he ran with almost no effort.

His footsteps landed lightly and quickly, as if he were stepping on springs.

When he stopped, the system panel flashed wildly:

[Breakthrough physiological limit: Muscle coordination and endurance significantly improved]

[Health Dimension experience + 68]

[Cultivation + 0.52 (Base 0.18 + Breakthrough bonus 0.34)]

[Health Dimension upgraded to Lv.3 (0 / 300)]

[Unlocked ability: [Physical Optimization] passive, body movement efficiency increased by 20%, recovery speed increased by 15%]

[Upgrade reward: Cultivation + 8]

[Special note: Three consecutive days of high-quality morning runs, triggered hidden achievement Runners Heart (Movement-type behavior experience gain + 10%)]

A series of notifications left Chen Zhen a bit dazed.

Health Dimension, it upgraded.

And it unlocked a passive ability.

This meant that from now on, all his exercise behaviors would naturally come with a 20% efficiency boost and 15% recovery acceleration.

The percentage might not seem high, but over time, the difference would be significant.

More importantly, there was the hidden achievement "Runners Heart."

Exercise-type experience gain + 10%, combined with [Physical Optimization], meant his exercise efficiency would get higher and higher in the future.

He stood in place and took a few deep breaths.

His breath felt extremely steady, and his lung capacity seemed to have increased as well.

The morning breeze from the river blew against his face, carrying moisture, feeling cool.

But inside his body, it was warm; from his Dantian to his limbs, it felt as if the heating had been turned on.

"Breakthrough?"

The old man's voice came from behind him.

Chen Zhen turned his head.

The old man wasn't under the willow tree today but was standing by the river embankment railing a little further away, watching him with his hands behind his back.

"It seems... so." Chen Zhen walked over. "Running felt different today."

"I saw." The old man looked him up and down. "Your steps are lighter, your breath is steady, and your eyes are brighter than yesterday. This is the sign of 'Qi permeating the four limbs.' That breath in your Dantian has begun to move outward."

Qi permeating the four limbs.

Chen Zhen remembered the warm current that had spread to his limbs earlier.

"Is this a good thing?" he asked.

"Of course it's a good thing."

"If Qi is stuck in the Dantian, that's stagnant water. Only when it can move outward and nourish the tendons, bones, skin, and flesh can it be living water. However..."

He paused: "The Qi has just started moving outward, it's still tender. You have to take care of it carefully, don't mess around blindly."

"How do I take care of it?"

"Continue practicing 'Embracing the Ball,' and continue adjusting your breathing."

"And also... eat well. Qi nourishes the body, and the body nourishes the Qi. If your foundation is thin, no matter how smoothly the Qi moves, it's useless."

Chen Zhen nodded and made a mental note.

"I won't teach you anything new today." The old man waved his hand. "Practice 'Embracing the Ball' a few more times, I want to see how the Qi is moving."

Chen Zhen set his stance and began to turn.

This time, the feeling was completely different.

The warmth of the shouzhong token no longer stayed just in his chest but was clearly divided into two streams:

One stream flowed down his arms to his palms.

The other stream followed his spine downwards, past his waist, to his thighs, and then to his calves.

When turning, these two streams of warmth circulated with his movements.

When the stream in his arms gathered in his palms, there was a slight feeling of swelling.

The stream in his legs felt slightly hot near the Yongquan acupoints on the soles of his feet.

After five minutes of turning, the old man called a stop.

"The Qi in your right leg moves more sluggishly than the left." He said. "Do you usually put more weight on your right foot?"

Chen Zhen thought about it.

It was true.

Writing, standing, and even going up stairs, his right foot always moved first.

"It's good that you can feel it yourself."

"In the future, when you practice, pay more attention to the right side. Qi is a thing that moves smoothly when you pay attention to it. If you ignore it, it gets lazy."

A very vivid explanation.

Chen Zhen finished the stance, feeling warm all over.

Especially his hands and feet, they were hot, as if he had just soaked them in hot water.

"Alright, that's it for today." The old man fished a small paper packet out of his pocket. "Take this, soak it in water and drink it when you go back."

Chen Zhen took it.

Inside the packet were some dark red flakes, which smelled faintly sweet and fishy.

"What is this?"

"Red dates and goji berries, I dried them myself."

"They replenish Qi and blood. Since your Qi has just started moving outward, your body consumes a lot, so you need to replenish. Three to five pieces a day, soak one cup, don't drink too much."

"Thank you, sir."

"Go on." The old man turned and walked slowly away along the river embankment.

Chen Zhen stood in place, holding the small paper packet, feeling an indescribable warmth in his heart.

The old man taught him Cultivation but never said anything mystical.

All the guidance landed on the most practical things: posture, breathing, eating, drinking, resting.

The great Dao is simple; it turns out it is simple in these daily routines.

...

On the way home, Chen Zhen held a Mint leaf in his mouth.

The cooling sensation remained, but today it didn't seem as "sharp," but rather seeped in more gently.

He realized that perhaps his body had adapted to the irritation of the Mint.

Or perhaps it was the improvement in body regulation ability brought by [Physical Optimization], making the influence of external things smoother.

He arrived home at 7:10.

His mother was cooking porridge in the kitchen and turned around when she heard him: "Even earlier than yesterday."

"The run went smoothly." Chen Zhen washed his hands and helped set the bowls and chopsticks.

His father had already left, leaving a note on the table: "Equipment maintenance at the factory today, going in early."

The handwriting was a bit rushed, but the strokes were forceful.

"Your dad has plenty of energy lately." His mother served the porridge. "He said the team leader told him privately that he might be promoted to deputy next month."

"Deputy?"

"Just a small leader in charge of two or three people." His mother pushed the dish of pickles over. "It's not much more money, but... it's a form of recognition."

Chen Zhen understood.

When his father was laid off, although he didn't say it, he was completely dejected.

Now that he was standing back up, being seen, and being affirmed, that drive was more important than anything else.

"Dad will definitely be fine." He said.

"Mm." His mother lowered her head to drink porridge, a smile at the corner of her mouth.

...