297: Chapter 297, Revised Edition, *The Subtle Techniques of Guiding Qi*

The first step Xu Ruyu needed to take was to analyze his target audience.

He carefully studied the Cultivation Techniques practiced by the few selected "seed" Disciples, including Qingyan, which were mainly the basic chapters of the "Heart Sutra of the Charming Maiden" popularized by the Hehuan Sect, along with several attribute-based auxiliary Cultivation Techniques.

The essence of these Cultivation Techniques remained the absorption of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, circulating it along specific routes within the Meridians to refine it into True Essence, which was then stored in the Dantian.

Their circulation routes, key acupoints, and cyclical patterns all followed discernible rules.

The second step was to extract the core.

He stripped away the parts of the first volume of the "True Explanation of Taixu Source Energy", the "Haotian True Qi Chapter", that dealt with utilizing the kinetic energy of air molecular thermal motion, and simplified and "localized" them to the greatest extent possible.

He discarded those overly sci-fi terms, instead packaging them with concepts that Cultivators of this world could understand, such as "Qi Sensation," "Resonance," "Induction," and "Force Conversion."

He focused on a few core points:

The energy for practicing the new Cultivation Technique was ubiquitous. He emphasized that it was not just "Spiritual Qi" that constituted energy; the "Qi" filling Heaven and Earth was itself in constant motion, and its "movement" was force, was energy.

To properly guide resonance, he created a simplified "Breathing-Visualization" method.

The breathing rhythm was adjusted to harmonize with the average movement rate of surrounding air molecules when an ordinary person was at rest, thereby establishing an initial connection.

As for visualization, it guided practitioners to no longer focus solely on "Spiritual Qi light spots" during introspection, but to attempt to perceive the invisible "flow of Qi" and "ripples" around their bodies.

Then there was the conversion of kinetic energy. He designed a new Qi Circulation route that was 70% similar to the basic route of the "Heart Sutra of the Charming Maiden," but modified and strengthened at several key nodes—such as the Laogong, Yongquan, and Shanzhong acupoints, which were closely involved in exchanges with the external world.

This route focused more on "openness" and "permeability," aiming to allow practitioners, when circulating the Cultivation Technique, to naturally guide the subtle sensation of "Qi movement" captured through breathing and acupoints into their bodies, and attempt to perform an initial mixing and conversion with the True Qi (Spiritual Qi) already present in their Meridians.

This conversion was not a replacement, but an "admixture" and "enhancement."

Regarding energy storage optimization, the "energy storage" state of the Dantian Qi Sea also needed to be fine-tuned.

Traditional True Qi was a relatively stable and condensed mass of gaseous energy.

Xu Ruyu guided practitioners to attempt to form an extremely thin, high-speed vibrating "kinetic energy coat" around the outer perimeter of the Qi mass. This coat did not increase the total amount of True Qi, but it could enhance the activity, permeability, and instantaneous explosive power of the True Qi.

The third step Xu Ruyu needed to take was risk control and progressive design.

Xu Ruyu was well aware of the resistance to change.

He did not require practitioners to immediately convert all their True Qi into "Haotian True Qi," but instead designed a step-by-step "three-stage" plan:

Early Stage (Sensing Chapter) — Only practice the special breathing and visualization methods, and while not changing the original Qi Circulation route, attempt to "perceive" the "movement" of the air.

The goal was to be able to vaguely feel that the surrounding air seemed more "lively" during practice, and that the True Qi within the body circulated slightly more "smoothly."

This stage had no risks and was aimed at establishing concepts and initial connections.

Middle Stage (Induction Chapter) — After becoming proficient in perception, begin attempting to circulate a tiny amount according to the modified Qi Circulation route.

The requirements for this stage were extremely low, only guiding a wisp of external "Qi movement" into the body to mix slightly with the original True Qi.

The goal was to let practitioners truly realize that after introducing this "new energy," the recovery speed of True Qi increased slightly, and its nature became slightly more flexible and resilient.

Once any discomfort was felt, they could immediately stop and revert to the original route.

Late Stage (Conversion Chapter) — Only when the first two stages were completely adapted to, and the practitioner was actively willing to try further, would they be guided to gradually increase the introduction ratio of "Qi movement" energy, and begin attempting to construct a "kinetic energy coat" in the Dantian.

This stage had begun to touch upon the transformation of energy properties and required cautious guidance; Xu Ruyu planned to personally act as Protector.

After doing all this, what remained was the packaging and naming of the new concept and new Cultivation Technique.

A brand new concept required an attractive and easily acceptable name and packaging.

Xu Ruyu pondered for a long time and decided not to directly use the titles "True Explanation of Taixu Source Energy" or "Haotian True Qi Chapter"; that would be too frightening and could easily trigger unnecessary speculation and resistance.

He picked up his brush and wrote the name of the new Cultivation Technique at the beginning of a brand new piece of animal hide scroll — "Qi Induction and Micro-Movement Art"!

The name was unadorned, perhaps even a bit unremarkable.

"Qi Induction" was one of the most common terms in the Cultivation World, referring to the introduction of Heaven and Earth Qi.

"Micro-Movement" subtly pointed out the technique's focus on the "subtle movement" of Qi, so that it wouldn't immediately make people think of the unorthodox concept of "air kinetic energy."

The subtitle was labeled: Hehuan Sect Secret Transmission · Basic Optimization Chapter.

He packaged this set of simplified, integrated, and transitional methods he had created as an optimization and supplement conducted by some Senior (who could be fictional) of the Hehuan Sect, addressing the issue of poor cultivation efficiency of the Sect's basic Cultivation Technique, the "Heart Sutra of the Charming Maiden," in environments with sparse Spiritual Qi.

This not only preserved the sense of identity with the Sect's Legacy but also explained the source of its "newness," making it easier for the Disciples to accept.

Xu Ruyu began to compile the specific content of the "Qi Induction and Micro-Movement Art" in detail.

He deliberated over every word, striving to use the simplest language that best fit the understanding of this world to explain those core principles derived from science.

He described "air molecular thermal motion" as "the primordial Qi that fills Heaven and Earth, in endless, subtle vibration and flow."

He described "resonance" as "adjusting one's breath and calming the mind, making one's own life rhythm harmonize with the rhythm of Heaven and Earth Qi flow, thereby guiding it for use."

He described "kinetic energy conversion" as "guiding this lively Qi into the Meridians, like a stream flowing into a river; though subtle and imperceptible, it can activate True Qi and increase its surging momentum."

He even incorporated some descriptions of "dao rhyme" regarding "wind," "breath," and "movement" from ancient Taihu Clan Cultivation Techniques to make the content appear more "archaic" and "well-founded."

Regarding the modifications to the Qi Circulation route, he drew detailed Meridian and acupoint diagrams, marking the old and new routes in different colors, and detailed the intention and sensory characteristics of the modifications.

For the "Dantian kinetic energy coat," he described it as "within the Qi Sea, mentally visualize the outer layer of True Qi as a gentle breeze brushing over water, creating ripples, giving it a more agile and penetrating nature."

The entire "Qi Induction and Micro-Movement Art" was divided by him into three volumes: Upper, Middle, and Lower, corresponding exactly to the three stages of "Sensing," "Induction," and "Conversion."

The content progressed from shallow to deep, with each step providing clear cultivation methods, expected effects, potential problems, and ways to cope with them.

He also specially added some simple "verification tips," such as attempting to practice in places where Spiritual Qi was extremely sparse to feel the difference from before; or using a wisp of mixed True Qi to trigger the most basic Spell and observing its subtle changes, allowing practitioners to intuitively feel the benefits.

Having spent a full half-month, forgetting to eat and sleep, and repeatedly deliberating and revising, Xu Ruyu finally completed the initial creation of the "Qi Induction and Micro-Movement Art."

The thick stack of animal hide scrolls condensed his painstaking efforts to localize scientific concepts, popularize profound theories, and make systemic revolution progressive.

Putting down his brush, Xu Ruyu let out a long sigh of relief; although there was some fatigue in his eyes, there was more anticipation.

He knew this was just a beginning. The "Qi Induction and Micro-Movement Art" was merely opening a window, allowing the Hehuan Sect Disciples to catch a glimpse of the tip of the iceberg of the vast world of the "True Explanation of Taixu Source Energy."

But with this window, with the initial light and tangible benefits, the subsequent promotion and deepening would come naturally.

He carefully put away the several copied volumes of "Qi Induction and Micro-Movement Art · Upper Volume (Sensing Chapter)."

"The Seed Project can begin."

Xu Ruyu looked out the window; in the valley, Qingyan and the others were sparring with Spells under a Spiritual Tree, their figures agile.

Whether the Hehuan Sect could truly gain a firm foothold on this Tianyin Mountain, and whether they could walk a path of self-strengthening that did not rely on external objects—this first step of revision was crucial.