44: Chapter 44, page 1.09

The 22nd day.

The rain and wind had ceased when he woke.

Chen Zhen opened his eyes; the room was quiet.

Outside the window, the daylight was faint—that clean brightness unique to a clear day after rain.

He lay still, first sensing his Dantian.

That mass of Qi was sturdier than yesterday, its warmth more refined.

Like a fruit about to ripen, it hung heavily deep within his lower abdomen.

Only 1.09 points away.

Today, or tomorrow, it would be full.

He felt calm inside, without eager anticipation, only a certainty that things would naturally fall into place.

Much like waiting for a pot of water to boil, knowing it would eventually reach a boil, he only needed to patiently watch the heat.

When he got up, he glanced at the alarm clock: 4:50.

He dressed and pushed the door open on tiptoe.

The living room light was on; his father had risen early again and was sitting at the dining table reading notes.

It was the set Chen Zhen had helped him organize last night.

"Dad?"

Father looked up: "You're awake? Still so early today."

"Yeah." Chen Zhen walked over. "You're looking at the notes?"

"Reviewing a bit."

Father closed the notebook. "The factory has a mock assessment today, preparing in advance."

Chen Zhen glanced at the wall clock: 5:10. Usually, Father would have left by now.

"You today..."

"Going later, the assessment starts at nine." Father stood up. "I cooked porridge, want to eat together?"

"Sure."

The father and son went into the kitchen together.

The white porridge was ready, bubbling with tiny bubbles in the pot.

Chen Zhen took out the pickles, and Father ladled the porridge.

As they sat down to eat, Father suddenly said: "This note-taking method of yours is quite useful. Logical and highlights the key points."

"Glad I could help, Dad."

"Hmm." Father lowered his head to drink porridge. "You recently... has your study method changed too?"

Chen Zhen felt a stir. "How did you notice?"

"Before, when you read, you buried your head in the book, brow furrowed tightly." Father said. "Now, when you read, you keep your head up, and your eyes are... relaxed. But you read faster and remember better."

Chen Zhen smiled: "Learned a few breathing adjustment methods from that old grandpa; they might be helping with my studies."

"Cultivation, Cultivation—what one cultivates is this spirit." Father said, rarely offering such philosophical words. "Once the spirit is settled, everything goes smoothly."

Chen Zhen nodded.

He knew Father wouldn't dig deeper, nor would he think in terms of Cultivation.

Father simply used his most simplistic worldview to understand and accept his son's changes.

As long as it was a positive change, he supported it.

During his morning run, the road after the rain was still wet, but the air was so fresh it made one want to take a deep breath.

Chen Zhen started running, his steps so light he felt like he was flying.

The warmth of the shouzhong token was exceptionally clear in the morning breeze, pulsing rhythmically with his breathing and steps.

By the time he reached the Riverside, the sun was just leaping over the river.

Golden light spilled onto the wet river embankment, reflecting tiny specks of light.

The old man was already there, not practicing martial arts, but sitting on a large rock under a willow tree, eyes closed, resting.

Chen Zhen lightened his steps as he approached.

"You're here?" The old man didn't open his eyes.

"Yeah."

"Sit." The old man patted the spot beside him.

Chen Zhen sat down next to him.

The stone was still wet, but through his pants, he could feel the coolness of the stone and the faint warmth of the sunlight shining on it.

"Not teaching you anything new today." The old man opened his eyes, looking at the river. "Just chatting."

Chen Zhen was a bit surprised but nodded. "Okay."

"You recently... are you close to a Breakthrough?"

Chen Zhen felt a jolt. Could the old man tell?

"How did you know?"

"The Qi is different." The old man said. "Before, your Qi was scattered and floating. Now it's gathered and sunk. Like a pot of water, when it's about to boil, the surface looks calm, but it's steaming underneath."

A very vivid metaphor.

"Yes." Chen Zhen admitted. "Still a little bit off."

"How much is a little bit?"

"1.09."

The old man laughed. "So precise?"

"The System... uh, I have my own count." Chen Zhen almost slipped up.

The old man didn't press him, just nodded. "Then take it steady. This last step, you can't be rushed, nor can you be slow. Just like cooking rice, lift the lid when the heat is right; too early and it's undercooked, too late and it's burnt."

"I understand."

"When the Breakthrough happens, you might feel something." The old man continued. "Everyone is different. Some feel hot, some feel cold, some feel like something in their body 'snaps' open. But no matter the feeling, remember one thing: go with the flow, don't resist."

"Okay."

The old man fished a small porcelain bottle from his pocket and handed it to him. "This, keep it in your mouth when you Breakthrough."

Chen Zhen took it.

The bottle was tiny, thumb-sized, with a cork stopper.

Pulling the stopper, inside were a few brown pills the size of rice grains, smelling of cool herbal fragrance.

"What is this?"

"Clearing Heart Pill, I made it myself." The old man said. "Keep one under your tongue, it can help you settle your mind and focus, preventing the Qi from rushing to your head."

"Thank you, Grandpa Chen."

"Don't always thank me." The old man waved his hand. "Go, that's enough chatting for today. Go back and do what you need to do, don't keep thinking about the Breakthrough."

"Okay."

Chen Zhen got up and left.

After walking a few steps, he looked back.

The old man was still sitting on the rock, facing the great river, his back looking somewhat lonely in the morning light, and yet... transparent.

Like an old tree, its roots dug deep, so it was stable.

On the way home, Chen Zhen held a Mint leaf in his mouth and chewed on a few roasted black beans.

The cooling sensation and the charred aroma intertwined in his mouth, then the gentle warmth traveled down from his throat, merging into his Dantian.

He could feel that mass of Qi in his Dantian slowly but continuously growing.

Like a seed absorbing water in the soil, waiting for the moment to break through the surface.

Arrived home at 7:10.

Mother was drying clothes on the balcony.

It rained last night, and the sun was out today, perfect for drying.

"Back?" Mother turned around. "The sun is good today, I washed all the sheets."

"I'll help you."

The two dried the sheets together.

The wet sheets billowed in the morning breeze, carrying the fresh scent of laundry detergent.

Sunlight shone through the sheets, feeling warm.

"Xiao Zhen." Mother suddenly said. "Are you... teaching Zhou Shu something recently?"

Chen Zhen's heart skipped a beat. "Did she tell you?"

"Didn't say specifically, just said she was learning some health methods from you." Mother smoothed out the sheet. "She said you taught her breathing, taught her standing posture, and made her go to bed early and wake up early."

"Yeah, just some basic stuff."

"Taught well." Mother nodded. "That child Zhou Shu, she worries too much, has a lot of academic pressure, and often can't sleep well at night. You teaching her this is good for her."

Chen Zhen exhaled in relief.

Mother didn't object; instead, she supported it.

"Mom, do you want to learn too?" He asked tentatively.

Mother laughed. "Mom is old, can't learn anymore. You just teach Zhou Shu well, let her be healthy, and Mom will be happy."

"You're not old."

"Just know how to make Mom happy." Mother patted his shoulder. "Alright, finished drying, let's eat."

During the morning study session, Chen Zhen stood in the standing posture for five minutes.

His legs were still sore, but today he stood exceptionally steadily.

Perhaps because his mindset was peaceful, his body relaxed along with it.

After finishing the standing posture, that warm stream of Qi diffused from his Dantian to his limbs, his whole body feeling warm, like just finishing a hot spring soak.

He lit the calming incense, held a Mint leaf, and opened his math workbook.

Today's content was reviewing the entire function chapter.

From linear functions to trigonometric functions, a comprehensive review.

Usually, this kind of large-scale review would be exhausting, but today, with multiple buffs and [Literary Perception] support, he found the review becoming quite... pleasant.

Not a chore, but an enjoyment.

Just like organizing his own study, putting scattered books back in place one by one, watching them change from disordered to ordered, he felt a sense of satisfaction.

While doing problems, he built a complete knowledge network of functions in his mind.

Each function type was a node, properties, graphs, and applications were branches, and typical examples were the twigs and leaves.

After building it, the entire function System was as clear as a map in his mind.

Halfway through the review, he suddenly had a realization:

This "input-output" mapping relationship of functions, and the "cause-effect", "movement-stillness", "inhale-exhale" in Cultivation—did they not have commonalities?

They were all some form of "transformation", some form of "correspondence".

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

[Cross-Domain Insight: The commonality between function mapping and Cultivation transformation]

[Learning Dimension Experience + 95]

[Cultivation + 0.63]

[Special Note: Under multiple buffs and a peaceful mindset, learning efficiency continues to maintain peak levels]

Chen Zhen stopped his pen, looking at the numbers on the system panel.

Cultivation: 99.54 / 100.

Only 0.46 points away.

Just today.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the fluctuation in his heart, and continued to review.

Don't rush, don't be impatient.

Just as the old man said, lift the lid when the heat is right, but don't lift it yourself, wait for the rice to cook itself.

At noon, Mother stewed chicken soup.

Using the ribs bought yesterday and the chicken carcasses bought at the morning market, stewing them together, the soup was milky white, the aroma mouth-watering.

"The typhoon has passed, time to nourish." Mother served him a big bowl. "Your dad has an assessment today, he needs nourishment too."

"Is Dad coming back at noon?"

"No, the factory provides meals." Mother sat down. "You drink yours."

Chen Zhen took a sip of soup, it was so delicious his eyebrows almost fell off.

The chicken was stewed until tender, the marrow in the bones melted into the soup.

"Mom, your soup-making skills are getting better and better."

"Just know how to coax me." Mother laughed, but the fine lines at the corners of her eyes relaxed. "If it's good, drink more."

The two ate slowly.

Outside the window, the sun was just right, the sheets drying on the balcony fluttering gently in the breeze.

"Zhou Shu is coming this afternoon." Mother said. "She said she made an appointment with you to learn the Breathing Method."

"Yeah, I messaged her this morning."

"Then teach her well." Mother paused. "That child Zhou Shu... it's not easy for her. Her parents are busy with work, often on business trips, she is home alone, sometimes she can't even get a meal."

Chen Zhen knew.

Zhou Shu's parents were both in foreign trade companies, running business outside all year round; Zhou Shu had been taking care of herself since elementary school.

"I will teach her well." He said.

"Hmm." Mother nodded. "You two siblings, take care of each other, and Mom will be at ease."

At 2 PM, the doorbell rang.

Chen Zhen opened the door; Zhou Shu was standing outside, wearing a backpack, in her school uniform, her hair tied in a ponytail, her eyes bright.

"Brother!"

"Come in." Chen Zhen stepped aside. "Did you eat?"

"Ate, ate at school." Zhou Shu changed her shoes. "Brother, what are you teaching me today?"

"Not in a rush." Chen Zhen led her to the living room to sit down. "Drink some water, rest a while."

Mother came out of the kitchen, holding a plate of sliced apples. "Zhou Shu is here? Eat some fruit."

"Thank you, Auntie." Zhou Shu obediently picked up a piece of apple. "Auntie, didn't you go to the Library today?"

"Resting this afternoon." Mother sat down. "You two study your things, I won't disturb."

Chen Zhen looked at Zhou Shu. "Let me ask you first, how is your sleep recently?"

"Much better!" Zhou Shu's eyes brightened further. "Since we talked last time, I tried going to bed early, and at night after lying down, I practiced deep breathing as you said, and I really slept deeper than before!"

"How is your energy during the day?"

"Also better, I don't doze off in class." Zhou Shu paused. "Brother, that Breathing Method of yours... is really miraculous."

"It's not miraculous, it's science." Chen Zhen corrected her.

"Deep breathing can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous System, helping to relax. Going to bed early allows the body to repair at the right time. These are all scientifically based."

"Yeah, yeah!" Zhou Shu nodded vigorously. "Then what are you teaching me today?"

"Teaching you standing posture and a more detailed Breathing Method." Chen Zhen stood up. "Come, stand properly first."

Zhou Shu stood up, imitating Chen Zhen's way of standing straight.

"Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Not squatting, just relaxing." Chen Zhen walked behind her, gently pressing her knees. "Here, relax a bit."

Zhou Shu adjusted.

"Shoulders down, don't hold them up." Chen Zhen pressed her shoulders again. "Imagine there's a string on the top of your head gently pulling, the whole person is stretched out, not tense."

"Like this?"

"Right."

Chen Zhen stepped back two steps.

"Okay, now close your eyes."

Zhou Shu closed her eyes.

"Listen to me."

Chen Zhen's voice softened.

"Deep breath, inhale through your nose, silently count to four in your heart. Inhale until you can't anymore, pause for two seconds. Then exhale slowly through your mouth, silently count to six. After exhaling, pause for two seconds, then start the next round."

Zhou Shu followed.

Chen Zhen watched from the side.

He could feel Zhou Shu's breathing slowly deepening and slowing, her shoulders gradually relaxing.

Her whole state, from the excitement and tension when she first entered, slowly became peaceful and relaxed.

[Teaching: Basic Breathing Method]

[Social Dimension Experience + 35]

[Affinity Field effect triggered: Zhou Shu's learning efficiency increased, trust deepened]

Five minutes later, Chen Zhen said: "Okay, slowly open your eyes."

Zhou Shu opened her eyes, her gaze much clearer. "Brother, I feel... very comfortable and unobstructed. Like I just woke up, but I'm also very alert."

"This is the effect of deep breathing." Chen Zhen said. "Later, when you are tired from studying, or when you feel restless, stand for a while, and deep breathe for a few minutes. Doesn't need to be much, just two or three times a day is enough."

"Yeah!" Zhou Shu nodded vigorously. "Brother, will you teach me anything else?"

"Take it slow." Chen Zhen said. "First practice the breathing and standing posture well, persist for at least a week. Next week I'll teach you something else."

"Okay!"

Mother watched from the side, a smile on her face. "You two siblings, one teaching earnestly, one learning earnestly, it's really good."

"Auntie, I will study well."

"Auntie believes in you." Mother stood up. "You two continue, I'm going to buy groceries, Zhou Shu is eating here tonight."

"No need Auntie, I..."

"Eat here." Mother interrupted her. "Your parents are on a business trip again, what will you eat at home alone? Just eat here, Auntie stewed chicken soup."

Zhou Shu's eyes were a bit wet. "Thank you, Auntie."

"Silly child, why be so polite." Mother waved her hand and went out.

The two siblings were left in the living room.

"Brother." Zhou Shu said softly. "You are really good. Auntie is also really good."

Chen Zhen smiled. "Glad you know. Come, I'll teach you another movement to relax your shoulders and neck."