“To practice the intermediate Fire-Repelling Technique, one must first learn the breathing method, understand the exhalation technique, and comprehend the spiritual rhythm of fire. Once you resonate with this rhythm, you can then draw the fire energy into your abdomen through breathing. With proficiency, you can exhale fire using the exhalation technique.

“To practice the advanced Fire-Repelling Technique, one must master the complete Qi-nourishing method, combining breathing and guiding techniques, and also comprehend the spiritual rhythm of fire. However, in this case, the fire energy is generated within the body and then guided outward. Those with deep mastery can not only breathe out fierce flames, but also release fire energy with a wave of the hand or a simple gesture, turning it into fire.

“Practitioners must not consume extremely cold foods.”

There were still complete methods of practice, including some insights, points of caution, and things to be aware of.

Henry Walton listened through it once but didn’t remember everything. As he flipped the page with his fingertip, he discovered there was another page below:

“Qi-nourishing Method, the ancient foundational practice.

“Heaven gives birth to five types of Qi, and there are spirits in the world. Those with excellent natural endowments, even if their bodies are mortal, can occasionally glimpse the spiritual rhythm of the five Qis of heaven and earth.

“The ancients, moved by the spiritual rhythm of the five Qis and finding it wondrous, gradually explored and mastered ways to draw it into the body, which eventually evolved into the Qi-nourishing method.

“This method is the origin of all spiritual cultivation techniques. At its simplest, it strengthens the body; at its highest, it leads to enlightenment. Moreover, it requires very little innate talent. In fact, many who practice the Qi-nourishing method in the martial world cannot even practice spiritual techniques, which is why it remains the most widely spread cultivation method in the world today.

“There are many types of Qi-nourishing methods, but they generally consist of two steps: breathing and guiding. Unfortunately, most ordinary people in the martial world only learn half.

“Those who master breathing often learn performance arts; those who master guiding often focus on physical training. Only by combining the two does one truly practice the cultivation method.

“……”

Only then did Henry Walton suddenly recall—

Over the past year, he had indeed occasionally seen some strange Qi or glimmers—sometimes on the mountaintop at sunrise, sometimes in the woods after an early spring rain, or in that instant today when the old man absorbed fire energy. He could not control it, nor grasp it.

According to the book, it seemed he had decent talent.

“This is one of many Qi-nourishing methods:

“Be aware that Qi is divided by yin and yang, five elements, and four seasons…”

Henry Walton continued to listen, thinking as he did so.

If what the book said was true and authoritative, the Fire-Repelling Technique had three levels: upper, middle, and lower. What those performers showed today were the middle and lower levels; it was unclear if they knew the advanced technique. The Qi-nourishing method was often split by people into breathing and guiding; the old man had only demonstrated the breathing method, so it was uncertain if he knew the complete Qi-nourishing method.

Even so, it was still quite extraordinary.

After all, fire is still fire—it can harm and intimidate people to some extent, and should be effective against minor demons and spirits.

Yet they still performed in the city.

It seemed reasonable, in a way.

Thinking carefully, Henry Walton had also heard from the village elder that there were some martial experts in the world who could take a life within ten steps in an instant. Whether true or not, the power of this Fire-Repelling Technique seemed ordinary; it was hard to cause much harm to a person in a short time, and the range of the fire was limited. In real battle or life-and-death situations, it might not be that impressive.

At the very least, it couldn’t compare to a bow and arrow.

However, from the words of those performers, it seemed this was more a matter of their own choice.

In any case, the conversation with them yesterday had given Henry Walton some inspiration. Besides that, it also helped him see a bit more of the world.

“Those who nourish Qi breathe in the five Qis, nurture spiritual rhythm, and should seek balance and moderation…”

Henry Walton hadn’t finished listening to everything when his cousin’s voice called from outside, summoning him to eat, pulling him out of that state as if listening to his own heart.

He couldn’t learn it all at once, and there was no rush, so he closed the book and placed it on the cabinet.

He couldn’t help but glance at the cabinet again.

On top, besides this ancient book of unknown origin, there were more than a dozen thread-bound books, most of which he had borrowed from wealthy families or scholars in the village.

Most merchants here admired Confucianism and were happy to lend books. Henry Walton was always polite and cherished books, always returning them on time, so most people were willing to lend to him.

But ever since he encountered a demon while spending the night at the Heng Village ancestral hall, Henry Walton hadn’t read any books for several days.

Nor had he attended classes at the academy much.

“Sigh…”

Shaking his head, Henry Walton walked outside.

……

The next morning, on a small hill outside the village.

Henry Walton was already sitting there.

According to the book, spiritual energy is divided by heaven and earth, yin and yang, four seasons, and five elements. It changes every moment, and even changes from place to place, endlessly shifting.

The Qi-nourishing method is simple and primitive, and practitioners are all at a shallow level. Therefore, when cultivating, it is crucial not to be biased. Many who go astray in their practice do so because they do not understand this principle and fail to pay attention. Over time, the Qi they cultivate in their bodies loses its balance and moderation.

At noon, yang energy is too strong; at midnight, yin energy is too strong—neither is suitable for practicing the Qi-nourishing method. Therefore, dawn or dusk is best.

The four seasons rotate, each with its own characteristics. For example, at the winter solstice and summer solstice, one day has the shortest daylight and longest night, the other the shortest night and longest day. These are times when either yin or yang energy is at its peak and the other at its weakest. Practicing the Qi-nourishing method at such times is twice the effort for half the result, even harmful rather than beneficial, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.