DD—Chapter 3: Returning to the Innate from the Acquired: A Crazy Idea!
Outside Star Luo City, Zhu Fan drove the carriage slowly, glancing back only until the city faded from view.
Inside the carriage, a yellow soul ring suddenly rose beneath Dai Chengfeng's feet. Simultaneously, wisps of golden energy appeared in his hands.
This was the first soul skill he had obtained after absorbing the soul ring of the Origin Metal Beast: the Origin Metal Qi.
The effect allowed Dai Chengfeng to infuse Origin Metal Qi into any object he touched, including his own body. Once attached, the sharpness of the item would increase exponentially, able to unleash Origin Metal Sword Energy.
"It feels a bit like the old Taoist priest channeling the Golden Light Curse in the previous life's anime, 'Under One Person,'" Dai Chengfeng mused, staring at his hands glowing with a golden radiance. "However, while the Golden Light Curse grants invincible defense, my Origin Metal Qi offers unparalleled sharpness!"
"But this isn't the limit of Origin Metal Qi!"
Dai Chengfeng murmured, a trace of confusion flickering in his eyes. He couldn't help but reminisce about memories from his previous life.
In that life, Dai Chengfeng had been a student at a Taoist academy, often passing the time poring over ancient books and texts. However, the Blue Star—a mundane world—offered little in terms of mystery.
Thus, the Taoist knowledge he acquired was restricted to strengthening his physique, nothing more.
But in the Douluo Continent, things were different.
In this world, soul power was a reality. Those ancient texts he once deemed useless had found fertile ground here.
"And now, the most critical task is to return the Origin Metal Qi from the acquired back to the innate, compensating for the lack of innate origin metal origin in my White Tiger Martial Soul."
But how could he achieve this radical transformation?
Suddenly, a classic text named "Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor"—specifically the chapter on the Three Passes—surfaced in Dai Chengfeng's mind.
Most people might believe that innate qi is the breath a person possesses before birth. With the onset of life, that innate qi dissipates.
But that is not the case!
Innate qi persists within the human body, regardless of age or health.
In the chapter on the rise and fall of the three gates, Wu Xian, a minister during Emperor Xuanyuan's reign, once inquired about the location of the human body's three gates. Qi Bo, co-author of the "Yellow Emperor's Internal and External Classics," responded: The three gates represent the gates of life!
The upper gate is the jade pillow, the middle gate is the kidney spine, and the lower gate is the tailbone—each associated with life and death, receiving their respective names.
Wu Xian then asked: What is the significance of life and death?
Qi Bo clarified: The gate of life represents the delicate balance of fire within the water.
In this sense, innate qi finds its storage between these dualities.
The qi associated with the spleen and stomach is categorized as acquired qi.
If innate qi fails to commune with acquired qi, innate qi cannot flourish.
And if acquired qi does not merge with innate qi, it cannot ascend.
Both must interact continuously to yield growth.
However, acquired qi must first establish a connection with innate qi for it to manifest. Conversely, innate qi must rise to descend into the spleen and stomach, dispersing to various organs.
The three gates serve as pathways for innate qi.
When qi flows freely, it can rise and fall unhindered; when constraints arise, illness follows.
Wu Xian finally queried: How can one strengthen the qi if it weakens?
Qi Bo replied: Reignite the fire at the gate of life and nourish the waters of the kidney yin, and the qi shall regain its strength.
Likewise, if innate qi already exists, it can be cultivated to rise once more.
Could Origin Metal Qi—the acquired form—also ascend to the innate, becoming stronger?
At that moment, a wild idea spontaneously ignited in Dai Chengfeng's thoughts.
"If I merge Origin Metal Qi with soul power, I can turn it back from acquired to innate."
"As long as I succeed..."
"Could all the soul power I cultivate in the future then transform into innate soul power?"
His heart raced at the exhilarating possibility of achieving the innate soul power of level 99.
After all, in the Douluo Continent, innate soul power greatly amplifies one's cultivation—a fact of monumental significance!
With determination, Dai Chengfeng crossed his legs and closed his eyes.
"Upper jade pillow, middle kidney spine, lower tailbone..."
"Since these three points serve as the pathways for innate qi, let's utilize them as my breakthrough."
He silently recited in his mind, adjusting his breathing as he mobilized the soul power and Origin Metal Qi within him, directing it to flow from the lower tailbone.
The lower tailbone acts as the foundation of the gates and is the origin of innate qi; it harbors the most volatile energy—a fierce flame.
Dai Chengfeng understood the need for caution. Carefully, he guided both the currents of soul power and Origin Metal Qi upward along his spine.
This gradual ascent proved slow and painstaking. Each inch gained demanded not only his concentration but also the full force of his mental power.
A single misstep could lead him astray or, worse, result in serious injury.
Despite this solid theoretical foundation, he struggled to find the right method.
After four frustrating hours, Dai Chengfeng found himself stalled before the middle kidney spine, the key node in this process.
As he attempted to guide his force into the middle kidney spine, he faced substantial resistance, as if an invisible wall held back his progress.
"Why can't I push through?"
After much effort, Dai Chengfeng opened his eyes, rage and frustration swirling within him. "What is the problem?"
"Chengfeng, it seems like you've finished your training."
At that moment, Zhu Fan's voice echoed from outside the carriage, having heard the commotion within.
Dai Chengfeng's mind sparked with realization—like a bolt of lightning. "I understand now... It was the timing!"
"Qi Bo stated that the two energies must exchange day and night to maintain their flow endlessly!"
"And the soul power I'm channeling, along with the Origin Metal Qi, are both acquired."
"If I want them to merge with innate qi and revert to the innate state, the convergence must happen during the moment of day and night's intersection!"
His eyes glinted with excitement. The question that had nagged at him for four hours now had an answer.
"What a fool I've been!" he chastised himself.
He turned to Zhu Fan and said, "Uncle, rest for now. I need to continue my practice!"
With that, Dai Chengfeng closed his eyes once more, letting his resolve strengthen.
This time, rather than rushing to break through, he patiently awaited the delicate moment of the day and night transition.
Finally, the time arrived.
The energies of yin and yang between heaven and earth began to shift surreptitiously.
"Success or failure hinges on this pivotal moment!"
Dai Chengfeng inhaled deeply, mobilizing the soul power and Origin Metal Qi within his body once more, commencing his ascent from the lower tailbone.
This time, he felt the energy of heaven and earth converging towards him, becoming a boon for his breakthrough.
As the two energies reached the middle kidney spine again...
"Now!"
Dai Chengfeng's heart raced. He intensified his control of the guiding force.
Boom——!
An unstoppable surge ensued. The soul power and Origin Metal Qi finally broke through the obstruction posed by the middle kidney spine and roared toward the upper jade pillow.
Located at the pinnacle of his head, the upper jade pillow served as the peak point for rising innate energy.
As both forces arrived there, Dai Chengfeng sensed his consciousness expanding limitlessly, everything around him coming into sharp focus.
The faint fluctuations of soul power in the air, the gentle rustle of leaves from afar...
Nothing escaped his heightened perception.
It was a wondrous experience!
In the language of Chinese martial arts, one might say he had entered the realm of "Subtlety."
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(End of this chapter)