38: Chapter 38 Seeing the Big Picture from Small Details

During the morning study session, Chen Zhen first mixed a small spoonful of Hundred-Flower Powder.

The pale yellow powder slowly dissolved in warm water, turning the water a light amber color, and the fragrance spread everywhere.

After drinking it, a gentle warmth spread from his throat to his stomach, and then slowly diffused throughout his whole body.

He lit the calming incense, held a Mint leaf in his mouth, and opened his chemistry workbook.

Today's content was organic chemistry.

Molecular structures, functional groups, reaction mechanisms.

This part required strong spatial imagination; in the past, he had to rely on models or repeatedly draw diagrams to understand it.

But today, under the multiple buffs, he found he could directly "construct" molecular models in his mind.

The tetrahedron of methane, the planar hexagon of the benzene ring, the rotation of the hydroxyl group in ethanol...

Each three-dimensional structure emerged clearly in his consciousness; he could even "see" the distribution of electron clouds and the inclination of bond angles.

This intuitive understanding made solving problems easy.

He solved a comprehensive problem on deducing organic structures in less than ten minutes, his reasoning so clear it was like copying from the answer key.

Halfway through, a thought suddenly struck him:

Aren't molecular structures also a type of "structure"?

Do they share commonalities with architectural structures, physical structures, or even the structure of Spiritual Qi circulation?

As soon as this thought arose, the system panel popped up:

[Cross-Domain Insight: The Commonalities Between Molecular Structures and the Structure of All Things]

[Learning Dimension experience + 70]

[Skill Dimension (Structural Mapping) experience + 30]

[Cultivation + 0.61]

[Hidden Achievement Unlocked: Seeing the Big from the Small. Deduce macro laws from micro structures, Logical Reasoning ability increased by 10%]

Another hidden achievement.

Chen Zhen stopped his pen, lost in thought.

The System seemed to be guiding him to establish a kind of "structural thinking."

No matter what he faced, he should first understand its internal structure: the network of knowledge, the meridians of the body, the circulation of Spiritual Qi, the arrangement of molecules.

To understand the structure is to understand the essence.

This way of thinking was more important than mere knowledge accumulation.

It made learning no longer rote memorization, but drawing inferences about other cases.

It made Cultivation no longer blind practice, but targeted effort.

By the end of the morning, his Learning Dimension had increased by 150 points, one step closer to leveling up.

...

At noon, Chen Zhen heated up the leftovers himself.

Steamed sea bass and stir-fried greens from yesterday.

The fish was still fresh, the greens a bit soft, but it went perfectly with rice.

After eating, he cleaned up the dishes and sat at the table to rest.

He suddenly remembered the "Embracing the Ball" technique taught by the old man.

Since it was still early before heading to the Bookstore in the afternoon, he might as well practice.

He stood up, took his stance, and began to turn slowly.

After five days, he was much more proficient with the movement. The soreness in his arms had basically disappeared, replaced by that feeling of warm Qi circulating.

It was especially obvious today.

When the Qi reached his palms, they would tingle slightly, as if tiny electric currents were darting through them.

After turning for five minutes, he finished the stance.

He flexed his wrists and felt his palms were hot, with his fingertips even feeling slightly swollen.

Was this a sign of Qi penetrating his palms?

He wasn't sure, but it felt good.

...

When he arrived at the Bookstore in the afternoon, Grandpa Wu was talking to a girl behind the counter.

The girl had her back to the door, short hair, wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans, with a canvas schoolbag on her back.

Chen Zhen felt the silhouette looked familiar, and only recognized her when he got closer.

It was Zhou Shu, his cousin.

"Xiao Shu?"

Zhou Shu turned around, her eyes lighting up when she saw Chen Zhen: "Brother!"

"Why are you here?" Chen Zhen walked over. "Didn't you say you had makeup classes at school today?"

"They were temporarily canceled today; the teacher said the classroom was occupied," Zhou Shu said. "So I thought I'd come find you. Auntie said you were working at the Bookstore."

Grandpa Wu looked at Zhou Shu, then at Chen Zhen: "Your sister?"

"Yes, my cousin," Chen Zhen introduced. "This is Grandpa Wu, the owner of the Bookstore."

"Hello, Grandpa Wu." Zhou Shu greeted him obediently.

"Hello." Grandpa Wu nodded and said to Chen Zhen, "Not much work today. If you two siblings want to talk, go to the back. Just don't be too loud."

"Thank you, Grandpa Wu."

Chen Zhen brought Zhou Shu to the reading corner at the very back of the Bookstore.

There was an old sofa and a small coffee table there, usually unoccupied.

"Brother, you work here?" Zhou Shu sat down, looking around curiously. "So many old books, it really has a vibe."

"Yeah, organizing books, getting paid by the hour."

Compared to the last time Zhou Shu came, she was noticeably much more lively this time.

Was it really because of the fever and having things on her mind last time?

Or maybe it was just because they hadn't seen each other in a while, and it was awkward at first.

Chen Zhen sat opposite her. "Have you eaten?"

"I did, I ate at school."

Zhou Shu took two cartons of yogurt out of her schoolbag. "I brought you one, original flavor."

Chen Zhen took it: "Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

Zhou Shu inserted the straw and took a sip, looking at Chen Zhen. "Brother, have you... been practicing something lately?"

Chen Zhen's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained calm. "Practicing what?"

"Just... exercising."

"The last time I had a fever and you helped me cool down, I felt like you were different. I feel like your energy is better every day, and your whole person is... how should I put it, especially 'stable'."

She paused, lowering her voice: "And there's always a very nice smell on you, like wood, or like herbal medicine."

Chen Zhen knew that was the mixed scent of the calming incense and the shouzhong token.

Ordinary people couldn't smell it that clearly, but Zhou Shu might be more sensitive to this "abnormal" aura because she had come into contact with the Calming Talisman last time.

"Maybe it's just because I've been exercising more and sweating less," he said vaguely.

"It's not sweat," Zhou Shu shook her head. "It's that kind of... scent that makes people feel at ease. Before I go to sleep lately, I always think of that 'fever patch' you put on me, and then I sleep really well."

She looked at Chen Zhen, her eyes clear but probing. "Brother, tell me the truth, have you... learned something special?"

Chen Zhen was silent for a few seconds.

Zhou Shu wasn't an outsider; she was his cousin whom he had watched grow up, and they had always been close.

Moreover, she was very smart and had keen observation skills; he could hide it for a while, but not forever.

But to tell the truth, how much should he say?

"I have learned some... health preservation methods," he said, weighing his words. "An old man taught me, about adjusting breathing, exercising the body, and some dietary habits."

"Really?" Zhou Shu's eyes brightened further. "Is it effective?"

"Yes," Chen Zhen nodded. "My energy is better, and my body feels lighter."

"Then can you teach me?"

Zhou Shu leaned in closer. "I haven't been sleeping well lately, and I have no energy in class during the day."

Chen Zhen hesitated.

The things the old man taught, he could practice himself, but teaching others... was it appropriate?

And Zhou Shu was only in her second year of middle school, right at a time when her studies were intense. If something went wrong, how could he explain it to his aunt and uncle?

"I have to ask the old man who taught me," he finally said. "If he says it's okay, I'll teach you some simple things."

"Okay!" Zhou Shu was happy. "Brother, you're the best!"

[Deep Communication with Cousin]

[Social Dimension experience + 25]

[Affinity Field effect triggered: Zhou Shu's trust and favorability significantly increased]

"By the way, how is your studying lately?" He changed the subject.

"It's okay, top 50 in the grade for the midterm exam," Zhou Shu said. "It's just that math is a bit difficult, I can never figure out the function part."

"Functions..." Chen Zhen thought for a moment. "I'm just reviewing high school math lately. Although it's not middle school math, it's all math, and I have some insights. Do you want to hear them?"

"Yes!"

For the next hour or so, Chen Zhen explained the essence of functions to Zhou Shu.

He wasn't explaining problems, but explaining "what a function is," "why we need to learn functions," and "what functions are used for in reality."

He used the "structural thinking" he had recently grasped: viewing a function as an input-output mapping relationship, just like a machine. You put raw materials (independent variable) in on one side, and products (dependent variable) come out on the other.

Linear functions are simple assembly lines, quadratic functions are assembly lines with variable speed, trigonometric functions are assembly lines with periodic fluctuations...

Zhou Shu's eyes lit up as she listened: "Brother, with you explaining it like this, I think I understand! Before, the teacher just explained the formulas, and I always mixed them up."

"Formulas are tools; understanding the essence is what matters."

"In the future, when learning new things, first ask yourself: What is this for? How does it work? Why does it work this way?"

"Mm!" Zhou Shu nodded vigorously.

After explaining functions, Zhou Shu asked a few physics questions, and Chen Zhen answered them one by one.

[Mutual Growth]

[Learning Dimension experience + 40]

[Social Dimension experience + 15]

[Cultivation + 0.28]

Before he knew it, it was already four in the afternoon.

Zhou Shu checked her phone: "Oh, I have to go back. My mom said to go home early for dinner today."

Although Zhou Shu had to take the train home, it was actually very close, just nearby, and it took less than thirty minutes by train.

"I'll walk you to the bus stop."

"No need, I can do it myself." Zhou Shu stood up, put on her schoolbag. "Brother, that health preservation method you mentioned... be sure to ask for me."

"Okay."

Zhou Shu walked to the door and looked back: "Brother, you've really changed a lot. But... it's a good change. I think you're especially reliable now."

After saying that, she waved and pushed the door open to leave.

Chen Zhen stood where he was, watching her disappear around the corner of the street.

...

Before leaving the Bookstore in the evening, Grandpa Wu stopped him and handed over a small paper bag: "This, for your sister."

Chen Zhen took it.

In the paper bag were a few pieces of handmade nougat, wrapped in wax paper, smelling of peanuts and milk.

"Grandpa Wu, this..."

"The little girl is quite cute and sensible," Grandpa Wu said. "Made it myself, it's clean."

"Thank you, Grandpa Wu."

"Go on."

Chen Zhen walked out of the Bookstore, the sunset was just right.

He took out his phone and sent a message to Zhou Shu: "Grandpa Wu gave you some nougat, come get it next time."

Soon, Zhou Shu replied: "Wow! Thank you, Grandpa Wu! Brother, thank him for me! I'll thank him in person next time!"

Followed by a happy emoji.

Chen Zhen smiled and put away his phone.

...

At dinner, his father brought back good news:

The equipment inspection and acceptance went well today, their team was rated excellent, and the team leader announced on the spot that he would be promoted to assistant next month.

"It's just managing three people, responsible for a small section of the assembly line." When his father said this, his tone was as calm as possible, but the fine lines at the corners of his eyes relaxed. "The salary is two hundred more per month, but there is a performance bonus."

"That's great." His mother put a piece of pork rib in his bowl. "I knew you could do it."

"Still have to learn." His father lowered his head to eat. "New position, new responsibilities."

Chen Zhen looked at his father, suddenly thinking of the old man's words: "Whole-body Force."

...

In the evening, Chen Zhen soaked Hundred-Flower Powder water and lit the ancient wood incense.

In the quiet fragrance, he completed today's Cultivation: five minutes of "Embracing the Ball," and ten minutes of sitting in meditation with the Breathing Method.

When he finished the practice, he felt the ball of Qi in his Dantian had grown a bit stronger, and the warmth spread to the ends of his limbs, with his fingers and toes feeling warm.

He summoned the system panel:

[Day 19 Summary]

[Cultivation Gained: + 3.27 (Morning run 0.38 + Learning 2.0 + Cultivation 0.6 + Teaching 0.29)]

[Current Total Cultivation: 83.41 / 100]

[Health Dimension: Lv.3 (83 / 300)]

[Learning Dimension: Lv.3 (357.7 / 500)]

[Social Dimension: 78 / 200]

[Skill Dimension: Cooking 58 / 100, Organizing 72 / 100, Hand-drawing Lv.2 (150 / 300), Structural Mapping Beginner]

[exploration dimension: Lv.1 (110 / 200)]

[Special Status: Runners Heart; Investigating Things to Extend Knowledge (5 days remaining); Seeing the Big from the Small (Logic + 10%); Integrated Power Initial Success; Physical Optimization; Anomaly Perception]

[Special Note: Hundred-Day Foundation Building progress exceeded 83%]

[Time until Hundred-Day Foundation Building completion, estimated remaining: 81 days]

83.41.

Less than 17 points left until 100.

At this rate, in another ten days or so, he would be able to complete the Hundred-Day Foundation Building and officially step into the Qi Refinement Stage.

Chen Zhen looked at that number, feeling no urgency, only a sense of calm as if everything had fallen into place.

Just like running a marathon, the last few kilometers, not rushing, not impatient, maintaining the rhythm, the finish line would naturally arrive.

He lay on the bed and closed his eyes.

The shouzhong token was warm, the lingering fragrance of the ancient wood incense circled, and the Qi mass in his Dantian was stable and swelling.