Atlas of Heaven and Earth-Chapter 6: Regulating Blood and Lowering Qi for Training

When Yu Gang was sitting there, Chen Chuan could already sense his imposing stature. However, it was only when he stood up that Chen Chuan realized this man was at least two meters tall. Yet, his massive frame didn't bring a sense of oppression; instead, it exuded a steady and solid feeling.

At this moment, half of Yu Gang's body was bathed in the afternoon light. He spoke in his uniquely deep and resonant voice, "During the re-examination at the Wuyi University[-], a senior student will be arranged to compete against the examinee. This has been a tradition for the past few decades. As long as you can defeat this student, you will be deemed to have passed.

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This senior student is only finalized and detailed information is released one month before the official start of the semester, allowing examinees to understand and prepare. At that time, examinees will have one month to make targeted preparations and training. This step is also necessary for you, so in reality, you only have two months."

"Two months..."

Chen Chuan thought to himself, even with the "Second Self," he couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency.

Yu Gang continued, "Two months, using normal methods, it's impossible to bridge the gap that others have worked on for over a decade in just sixty days. So, we have to resort to drastic measures."

Lu Ke whispered beside him, "Master, are you talking about forbidden drugs?"

Yu Gang raised his hands, crossed them in front of his chest, and said in a deep voice, "Forbidden drugs that stimulate potential are one method, but if you want to go far on this path, it's best not to touch them. That's not what I'm talking about."

He looked at the handsome young man in front of him, "Chen Chuan, I will teach you a breathing method next. If you persist and delve deep into this breathing method, it can comprehensively enhance your physical fitness. Just by mastering the basics, you can improve your resistance to blows and increase the effectiveness of your training. If you can master the breathing method before the official competition, then there's a possibility of passing the re-examination."

Chen Chuan had also flipped through some books on competitive combat before the exam, but this was the first time he had heard of a breathing method. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Mr. Yu, is this breathing method some secret technique?"

Yu Gang said, "This is not a secret technique. It's also circulated in some boxing clubs outside. As long as you pay, they will teach you. However, young students practicing the breathing method too early can cause irreversible damage to their bodies. Therefore, students who have been training since childhood usually start under the guidance of coaches and teachers after enrollment. Although the breathing method is dangerous, it's currently the only shortcut you can take. What do you think?"Chen Chuan did not hesitate and said, "Please teach me, Mr. Yu!"

Yu Gang acknowledged his straightforward response with a nod. To gain something, one must be willing to give. Without even this determination, the following training would merely be a formality.

However, words alone are not enough; it all depends on Chen Chuan's performance in the upcoming training. The pain at the beginning of practicing the breathing method is also not something ordinary people can endure.

He said, "You have very little time, and every day must be utilized as much as possible. Since you're here today, let's start from this moment. Any problems?"

Chen Chuan answered with certainty, "No problems."

Yu Gang took out a ten-yuan Jianzhi coin from his pocket and handed it to Lu Ke, "Go buy five catties of black rat meat, and remember to get change."

"Yes, Master!" Lu Ke took it, glanced at Chen Chuan, and ran out.

Yu Gang walked to the side, picked up a wooden round stool, and placed it in front of Chen Chuan, "Come, sit down."

After Chen Chuan sat on the stool, Yu Gang said in a gentle tone, "Sit firmly, relax your breath, don't tense your muscles, but don't let them sag either." As he spoke, he patted Chen Chuan's shoulders, waist, and spine.

Chen Chuan followed his instructions, gradually relaxing his body.

Seeing that Chen Chuan had maintained the state, Yu Gang began to explain the specific steps of the breathing method in detail, demonstrating and having Chen Chuan imitate him, telling him how to grasp the rhythm, where to hold back, where to relax, and how to coordinate with the abdomen.

The entire set of the breathing method takes more than ten minutes to complete, but some parts are repetitive, so it's not complicated when broken down. After demonstrating three or four times, Chen Chuan remembered it.

Yu Gang then had him try it on his own, pointing out and correcting mistakes. Once he was completely familiar with it, Yu Gang said, "The key to the breathing method is not to see the scattered steps as intermittent breaths but as a whole. This is also the most difficult part. When your breathing becomes one, that's when you've mastered it.

However, everyone is different, and everyone's breathing rhythm is not the same. This makes it difficult for outsiders to help during specific practices, and you need to find the knack through constant trial and error."

Chen Chuan asked him, "Mr. Yu, how can I tell when I've found the knack?"

Yu Gang stood there and said, "I can demonstrate for you. Pay attention to my breath." As he spoke, he intentionally deepened his breathing.

Chen Chuan focused on feeling and was surprised to find that Yu Gang's breathing was smooth and prolonged. At first glance, the fluctuations were not significant, but upon deeper reflection, he realized it maintained a unique rhythm, connected by numerous subtle breathing movements. Moreover, at the same time, the chest, abdomen, and other parts also maintained a slight tremor. If you look at it piece by piece, it's exactly the method he was just taught, but because the transitions are very natural, on the surface, it seems no different from an ordinary person.

Yu Gang operated for a while and then stopped, saying, "Do you understand?"

Chen Chuan took a breath and said, "I roughly understand."

Yu Gang said, "The breathing method is extremely important. If you want to go further in martial arts training, you must master it well, and the sooner, the better."

Chen Chuan nodded and said, "Mr. Yu, I understand."

Yu Gang said, "Mastering the breathing is just the first step. The entire breathing method needs to be combined with medicine, using medicine to stimulate your vitality and accelerate your blood and qi flow, and then you use the breathing method to guide and communicate, finding the connections between strength and qi. In old martial arts terms, it's called "hanging the life mechanism."

He walked to a cubicle behind the hanging clothes, turned around with a packet of medicinal powder in his hand, and said, "I originally prepared this for Lu Ke, but he tried it and gave up. Now it can be used for you first."

At this moment, a voice came from outside: "Master, I've bought the meat."

Lu Ke ran in carrying a black bag, Yu Gang took it and opened it, and immediately a strong smell of blood filled the room.

Chen Chuan glanced inside and saw it was all minced meat, the surface of the meat was black, while the inner layer was the normal color of meat.

Yu Gang, unfazed by the smell, nodded and said, "The color is right, very fresh." He then threw it back to Lu Ke and said, "Go stew it, call me when it's done."

Lu Ke said, "Master, don't worry." As he turned around, his gaze caught the medicinal powder on the table, paused for a moment, then immediately lowered his head and said, "Master, I'm going out."

Yu Gang acknowledged with a sound, Lu Ke slowly walked out, glanced back at the door, then quickened his pace to leave.

Yu Gang then had Chen Chuan demonstrate the breathing method again, confirming that there were no mistakes or omissions, and said, "Your breathing can't be too proficient now. If it becomes a habit, then it will be exceptionally difficult to grasp the connections. So, we need to start practicing as soon as possible, are you ready?"

Chen Chuan said, "Mr. Yu, I can start at any time."

Yu Gang, without any delay, took out a bottle of medicinal wine, poured in the medicinal powder, mixed it well, and then instructed Chen Chuan to take off his shirt and outer pants and to sit relaxed on the stool. He applied the melted ointment to Chen Chuan's back, then instructed him to apply it to his chest, abdomen, waist, and legs himself. Finally, he threw a clean blanket at him, advising, "Wrap it tightly to prevent the medicinal power from dissipating too quickly. This should last for about half an hour. Now, make the most of the time and try to find the connections using the breathing method I just taught you."

Chen Chuan immediately focused his mind, forcing himself into the state, and methodically began guiding the breathing method.

At first, he didn't feel much, but after a while, a needle-like pain began to spread across his skin. It was visibly reddening, like a boiled lobster.

Honestly, the pain was bearable, but it was very distracting, coming in waves. As the medicinal power spread, the pain gradually intensified, making it hard for him to concentrate. So, his breathing, which was initially steady, soon became completely disordered.

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