Chen Chuan realized this couldn't go on. With a thought, the pain gradually subsided as he transferred it to his "Second Self."
The "Second Self" could bear both injury and pain, but this time, he only shifted away the sensation of pain.
He knew that the harm caused by the medicinal paste was likely the direct source of stimulation. If there were no harm at all, the paste wouldn't be able to achieve its purpose of permeating his body.
But this was enough. Without the distraction of pain, he could finally concentrate on the Breathing Technique.
Yu Gang watched calmly from the side.
He had expected Chen Chuan's breathing to become chaotic—a typical reaction for anyone just starting the Breathing Technique. If Chen Chuan couldn't endure it and failed to continue, Yu Gang would have to step in and stop him. He would then use patting and rinsing to disperse the built-up medicinal potency before having him try again later. Otherwise, his body would only suffer needless damage.
He didn't expect Chen Chuan to succeed on his first try. He knew perfectly well how excruciating the medicinal stimulation was, especially during the first exposure. Very few people could endure it.
Generally, even the most strong-willed individuals needed two or three attempts just to adapt and perform the technique with some semblance of normalcy. It wasn't unusual for it to take even more tries. More often than not, however, people couldn't bear the ordeal and gave up halfway through.
But soon, a flicker of change crossed his calm expression. Just half a minute later, Chen Chuan's breathing had stabilized.
He stared intently at Chen Chuan. 'This kid is something else.'
Chen Chuan was now earnestly guiding his breathing. But after two full repetitions, he hadn't found any knack, any pathways, any flow of breath—nothing. He was completely lost.
Since the medicinal potency was gradually dissipating, there wasn't enough time left to complete a third repetition. To avoid any lingering harm, he simply had his "Second Self" absorb the physical damage from the process as well.
This, in turn, caused his "Second Self" to exhibit dense, flickering patches of incorporeality, varying in size and intensity. It looked as if it were riddled with misty voids. Seeing this sight, his mind stirred, and an idea suddenly struck him...
"All right, stop for now," Yu Gang said. "Time is about up."
Chen Chuan quickly asked, "Mr. Yu, can I continue again in a little while?"
Yu Gang saw that not only was Chen Chuan not resistant or repulsed by the experience, but his expression held a hint of eagerness to try again. Yu Gang fell silent for a moment before saying, "Go rinse off in the bathroom next door. Rest for half an hour."
Chen Chuan acknowledged him, picked up a large glass of salt water that Yu Gang had prepared for him, and drank it down. He then went into the adjacent bathroom and turned on the simple showerhead to rinse off.
He felt extremely hungry. After all, he still hadn't eaten lunch. Moreover, the Breathing Technique stimulated his vitality and drew upon his blood and vital energy, which consumed a great deal of energy. So, after rinsing off, he asked, "Mr. Yu, is there anything to eat here?"
Yu Gang was already prepared. He tossed him a plastic-sealed box about two fingers wide and fifteen centimeters long. "It's Nutrition Paste from Longde Foods," he said. "It's tasteless, but it has all the nutrients essential for combat training. If you get into Wuda, you'll be eating this stuff every day."
Chen Chuan tore open the outer packaging and saw a solid bar of green paste inside. He didn't seem to mind, stuffing it into his mouth and swallowing it in a few bites. Sure enough, it was tasteless. But a moment later, he felt his energy return and the hunger subsided. The effect was immediate.
After resting for another ten minutes or so, he reapplied the medicinal paste with Yu Gang's help and began his second attempt.
He had experience this time. As soon as the searing pain washed over his body again, he immediately used his consciousness to transfer away the pain and a small portion of the damage. While performing the Breathing Technique, he also looked at his "Second Self." He could see that as he continued the technique, varying degrees of incorporeality began to appear on it once more.
He observed it carefully and was able to confirm that these manifestations of incorporeality were directly linked to his breathing.
The degree of incorporeality in those areas fluctuated, growing stronger and weaker intermittently. This had to be the result of his breathing guiding his vitality and blood flow. The damage from the medicinal paste alone wouldn't manifest in such a complex way.
But through this, he could intuitively see how the Breathing Technique worked. Currently, because his guidance of the technique was imprecise, his vitality and blood flow were chaotic and scattered when drawn upon. 'So,' he wondered, 'could it be that when these incorporeal patches no longer fluctuate in intensity, when they become smoothly connected and move in unison, I will have achieved the "wholeness" that Mr. Yu spoke of?'
He felt this was highly probable. And with no other leads, it was worth a shot. Even if he were wrong, he could use his "Second Self" to remove any resulting damage. And so, he began to intentionally adjust his breathing rhythm according to the manifestations of incorporeality on his "Second Self."
Half an hour later, he was forced to stop once more. Although he was exhausted and his breathing was slightly ragged, he felt exhilarated. He sensed that he was on the verge of a breakthrough—that he was very likely on the right path!
Yu Gang looked at him, then at the mixture of sweat and medicinal paste pooling at his feet. "Even with restorative concoctions," he said, "a person can only attempt this three or four times a day, at most. Do you want to continue?"
Chen Chuan said with absolute determination, "I'll continue!"
After rinsing off and resting, he immediately began his third attempt.
As he adjusted his breathing again and again, the signs of incorporeality finally began to converge, as if linking together. He was slowly beginning to feel something, but just as he was about to grasp that fleeting clue, the medicinal paste's effect wore off once again.
All he could do was wait for the next attempt.
But this time, when he stood up, he suddenly felt his heart flutter and his breath catch. A wave of dizziness washed over him, his footing became unsteady, and he stumbled back down into a sitting position. Even though he had transferred the pain and a portion of the damage, the remaining stimulation from the paste was still very real.
Seeing his condition, Yu Gang said, "That's enough for today. The Breathing Technique, the elevation of your blood and vital energy, and the medicinal stimulation all place a heavy burden on your internal organs."
Chen Chuan raised his head. "Mr. Yu, you said a person could try up to four times. I want to try one more time."
Yu Gang met his gaze, sensing his unyielding determination. "Since you insist," he said in a deep voice, "then you can have one last try."
Chen Chuan went to rinse off as usual. When he returned, he ate two bars of the Nutrition Paste before resting and then beginning his fourth attempt.
He believed he had found the right direction. The damage manifested on his "Second Self" was like a corrective measuring stick, guiding him ever closer to the proper path.
'This time, I have to succeed in one go.'
Yu Gang stared at Chen Chuan. The harm from the medicinal paste was immense, not just physically, but mentally as well. After suffering this two-pronged assault again and again, how many people could truly endure?
Four attempts was merely the theoretical maximum. Most people couldn't take it more than once or twice. He never expected Chen Chuan to make it this far.
Lu Ke had run back upstairs after cooking the meat. When he saw Chen Chuan attempting the technique again and again with such desperation, his eyes widened in disbelief.
He had tried the Breathing Technique once at the beginning of the year, and he would never forget the sensation.
At first, it was just a burning, stinging pain. But later, it felt like countless ants were crawling beneath his skin, giving rise to an indescribable agitation that made him want to scream and flail his arms and legs.
Because he had been unable to endure it after several attempts, Yu Gang had concluded he wasn't ready and temporarily halted this part of his training.
He still hadn't moved past the trauma. Every time he thought back on it, he could almost feel a phantom pain.
Yet Chen Chuan, this young master from the city whom he'd assumed had never known hardship, had actually persevered all this time. Lu Ke couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart. It was likely a mix of admiration and jealousy, with even a small part of him hoping to see Chen Chuan fail.
He couldn't help but speak up. "Master, do you think Young Master Chen can do it?"
Yu Gang said, "Combat training has six elements: goal, determination, action, and perseverance, as well as luck and talent. I first confirmed his goal and determination. Now, I have also seen his action and perseverance. He already possesses four of them."
Lu Ke let out an "oh." Without looking at Yu Gang, he asked, "So, Master, since Young Master Chen already has four of them, he should be able to find the knack soon, right?"
Yu Gang replied in a low voice, "No. Of the six elements, the most difficult to possess is talent. But the most indispensable is, in fact, luck."
At this moment, Chen Chuan's body and mind were completely focused on his breathing. He was almost entirely oblivious to the outside world.
'So close. Just a little bit more.'
Through his efforts, his adjustments to the Breathing Technique were reaching their final stage. As all the flickering points of light gradually synchronized, he sensed the presence of a hidden current of energy. He couldn't describe what it was, but it felt as if by following this current, the originally scattered streams of his breath were being gathered into one.
In that instant, he finally understood what Mr. Yu meant by "wholeness."
At that moment, the medicinal paste's effect was also nearly depleted, so he stopped.
Yu Gang watched him sit there, motionless, his body only rising and falling faintly with his breath. "Don't be hasty," he said. "You need to have some restorative food first. You can continue trying tomorrow."
Chen Chuan slowly raised his head, his eyes shining brightly. "I think," he said, "I think I've found the knack."
...
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