37: Chapter 37 [The Initial Formation of Integrated Strength]

The nineteenth day.

When he woke up, it was still dark, but Chen Zhen felt no sleepiness.

Inside his body, it was as if there was a precise alarm clock, dragging him out of deep sleep at exactly five in the morning.

He opened his eyes and didn't get up immediately, first feeling his Dantian.

That mass of Qi was more solid than last night, nestled warmly in his lower abdomen, rising and falling slightly with his breathing.

The shouzhong token was pressed against his chest; its temperature was slightly higher than his body temperature, but it felt very comfortable.

He sat up in the dark and changed his clothes quietly.

His parents' room next door was quiet, with only the faint sound of his father's snoring.

When he pushed open his bedroom door, the wall clock in the living room pointed to five-ten.

He stood in the entryway, tied his shoelaces, and suddenly realized something:

Over the past half month, his sleep time had been slowly but continuously shortening, yet his energy during the day was getting better and better.

It wasn't the kind of "good" that relied on coffee or willpower to hold on; it was that his body simply didn't need that much sleep anymore.

This must be one of the most tangible changes brought about by Cultivation.

...

During his morning run, the effects of [ Physical Optimization ] were fully apparent.

Usually, after running three kilometers, although he wasn't tired, his muscles would feel slightly fatigued.

Today, when he reached the finish line, his legs weren't sore, he wasn't panting, and his heart rate was as steady as if he had just come back from a walk.

The warmth from the shouzhong token circulated through his limbs, like a massage for his body, kneading away the last bit of tension.

He tried to accelerate, sprinting for half a kilometer.

His speed was thirty percent faster than usual, but his breathing rhythm remained steady, and his pace didn't falter.

When he stopped, the system panel prompted:

[ Exercise efficiency significantly improved ]

[ Health Dimension experience + 35 ]

[ Cultivation + 0.38 ]

[ Special prompt: Runners Heart buff activated, additional experience + 3.5 ]

Efficient and sustainable.

This is the benefit of passive abilities.

There's no need to intentionally activate them; they work naturally on their own.

When he ran to the Riverside, the old man was already practicing boxing under the willow tree.

It wasn't Tai Chi, but a set of slow boxing moves Chen Zhen had never seen before.

The movements were simpler, but each posture was held for a long time, like posing as a statue.

Chen Zhen slowed his pace as he approached, not disturbing him.

The old man finished the last move, slowly withdrew his stance, let out a long breath, and then turned to look at him: "You came early today."

"I woke up early."

"With sufficient Qi and a vigorous spirit, it's natural to wake up early." The old man wiped the fine sweat from his forehead. "Have you been sleeping more deeply lately, yet waking up feeling more energetic?"

Chen Zhen nodded.

"That means your Qi has begun to nourish your spirit."

"Ordinary people sleep to let their bodies recover on their own. When cultivators sleep, their spirit and Qi rest together; the efficiency is different."

"When your Realm is higher in the future, you might even be able to use meditation to replace part of your sleep."

Meditation replacing sleep.

Chen Zhen imagined that scene:

In the dead of night, neither lying nor reclining, just sitting cross-legged, breathing softly, his spirit wandering beyond the physical Realm.

It sounded mysterious, but based on his current experience, it seemed... not impossible.

"But that's a matter for the future." The old man changed the subject. "Your Foundation is still unstable right now, so you should sleep when you need to. Don't stay up late just because you feel energetic; if you damage your root, it's hard to make up for it."

"I understand."

"I'll teach you something practical today." The old man walked to the embankment, bent down, and picked up three small stones from the ground, each the size of an egg. "Watch closely."

He lined up the three stones in a row, half a meter apart.

Then he stepped back two paces and assumed the opening stance of Tai Chi, his movements as slow as a movie in slow motion.

But Chen Zhen noticed that the old man's footwork was very special.

It wasn't moving in a straight line, but slightly drawing arcs, as if circling an invisible center point.

Walking to the first stone, the old man gently flicked it with his right foot.

The stone rolled away, tracing an arc on the embankment, and stopped two meters away.

Then came the second one, and the third one.

The movements were identical, and the distance and arc of the stones rolling were almost the same.

After finishing, the old man withdrew his stance: "Did you understand?"

Chen Zhen thought for a moment: "Are you controlling the force?"

"Not just the force." The old man shook his head. "It's Whole-body Force. When the foot flicks the stone, the power starts from the foot, passes through the waist and hips, transfers to the toes, and then to the stone. Throughout the whole process, the body is integrated, the force is integrated, so the way the stone rolls is also integrated."

He signaled for Chen Zhen to try.

Chen Zhen assumed the stance, walked to the first stone, and learned to flick it with his foot.

With a "bang," the stone flew far away, bouncing several times on the embankment before stopping.

The force was too great, and he couldn't control it.

"Dispersed." The old man commented. "The force is all in your foot; your waist didn't turn, your hips didn't push, and your upper body is still stiff. Try again."

Chen Zhen readjusted his breathing, relaxed his shoulders, and imagined that warm current of Qi starting from his Dantian reaching his right foot.

On the second flick, the stone rolled out, but it was crooked and lacked an arc.

"Better, but still not integrated enough." The old man walked over and pressed his hand against Chen Zhen's waist. "Here, when you turn, you have to guide the stone. It's not the foot doing the flicking; it's the whole body leading the foot to flick."

Chen Zhen tried three more times.

Each time was better than the last.

By the fifth time, the stone finally traced a trajectory close to an arc.

Although not as smooth as the old man's, at least it wasn't rolling randomly anymore.

"That's getting interesting." The old man nodded. "Remember this feeling. In the future, whether walking, running, or doing any movement, try to let your whole body move in unison. When it's integrated, the force won't disperse, and the Qi won't be chaotic."

[ Learned Whole-body Force application ]

[ Health Dimension experience + 45 ]

[ Obtained status: Integrated Power Initial Success (Strength coordination improved, physical stamina consumption reduced by 10%) ]

Chen Zhen withdrew his stance, feeling his waist and legs slightly warm.

But it wasn't fatigue; it was a kind of clear, penetrating warmth.

"Alright, that's it for today." The old man pulled a small bamboo tube from his pocket. "This is for you."

Chen Zhen took it.

The bamboo tube was the length of a palm and plugged with a wooden stopper.

Pulling out the stopper, inside was some pale yellow powder that smelled of a clear, sweet herbal fragrance mixed with a hint of honey.

"This is..."

"Hundred Flower Pollen." The old man said. "I gathered it myself, mixing dozens of kinds of flowers together. Take a small spoonful every morning and drink it with warm water. It supplements the center and boosts Qi, moistening the internal organs."

"Thank you, old man."

"Don't be in such a hurry to thank me." The old man waved his hand. "This stuff is mild, but you can't drink too much. One small spoonful a day, at most. Come find me again when you've finished it."

"Okay."

...

On the way home, Chen Zhen held a Mint leaf in his mouth and licked a bit of the pollen from the bamboo tube.

It was sweet, with a rich floral fragrance.

His body's reaction to these "supplements" was very calm.

It didn't have the intense pharmacological reaction like taking medicine.

It was more like replenishing the nutrients his body originally needed, and then his body knew how to use them on its own.

When he got home, it was only six-fifty.

His mother had just gotten up and was heating milk in the kitchen.

Seeing him, she was stunned for a moment: "So early today? You're back before seven?"

"The run went smoothly, so I got back early."

"That's perfect, the milk will be ready soon, you drink it first."

Chen Zhen washed his hands and sat at the dining table.

His mother brought over the heated milk and fried two eggs.

"Where's Dad?"

"He left early. He said the factory needs to inspect the maintenance results today, so he had to prepare in advance."

Chen Zhen took a sip of the milk; it was warm.

His mother sat opposite him, watching him drink.

"Mom, are you still going to the Library today?"

"Yes, but I might have to go help fill out forms at the community center in the afternoon."

"You eat by yourself at noon; there are leftovers in the fridge."

"Okay."

His mother paused, then said: "Xiao Zhen, Mom has noticed you lately... your complexion is really good. Your cheeks are rosy, and your eyes are bright."

Chen Zhen put down his cup: "Maybe it's because I've been exercising more."

"It's not just the exercise." His mother shook her head. "You... your whole spirit is different. Before, during vacations, you were always a bit listless, but now you're full of energy every day."

Chen Zhen didn't respond.

He knew his mother was observing and sensing.

How could family members who live together day and night not notice the changes?

It's just that his mother chose to believe what he said about "exercising more" and chose to understand these changes in the simplest way.

This actually made him feel a bit guilty.

"Mom." He started, "I..."

"Alright, Mom knows." His mother interrupted him and smiled. "You've grown up and have your own ideas. As long as you're doing well, Mom is relieved."

After saying this, she got up to clean the kitchen.

Chen Zhen watched his mother's back, and the warmth in his heart was even warmer than the Qi in his Dantian.

...