On the contrary, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, when day and night are equal, the energies of yin and yang are at their most balanced, the spiritual resonance of heaven and earth is at its most wondrous, and cultivation yields twice the result with half the effort.

It’s also not good to always cultivate in the same place; one needs to change locations from time to time—among mountains, waters, and forests, under the vast sky and earth, to gather more spiritual resonance.

Following what the book said, Henry Walton calmed his mind and focused his spirit.

All the myriad thoughts in his mind chased after a single thought, gradually reaching a state of no thought. His body naturally merged with heaven and earth, sensing the five energies of the world and the natural spiritual resonance.

In the unseen, it seemed he had reached the right moment.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes—

What lay before him was still mostly the same as the original village scene.

A small stream, a clear spring, flowing from above and joining together, one to the left and one to the right. The village was built along the water, with rows of white walls and blue tiles, staggered eaves. In the early morning, one could often hear the calls of birds and the sound of women beating clothes, echoing in the air.

Behind was a range of green mountains, like a folding screen.

The reason it was “mostly” the same was because there was also qi.

Between the small hills, above the streams, within the houses, atop the great mountains, faint glimmers of qi rose and flowed, originating from heaven and earth, returning to heaven and earth, adding a touch of strangeness and dreaminess to the scene.

“So beautiful…”

Henry Walton’s first thought was actually this.

He then maintained his focus and guided his breath.

“Hiss…

“Hoo…”

Inhaling and exhaling, he vaguely sensed something, yet it also seemed like nothing.

Henry Walton was neither anxious nor confused. Following the book’s instructions, he remained patient and continued his breathing exercises.

Sensing the qi at his mouth and nose, he guided it into his body.

Amazingly, he felt a faint sensation on the very first try.

Just as the book said, since he could occasionally see the five energies and spiritual resonance of heaven and earth, he must have quite a good natural talent.

But the book also described the method in great detail.

The content of this book was written from a much higher perspective, carrying rich experience, profound insight, and extraordinary mastery, thoroughly and comprehensively explaining this simplest method of nurturing qi.

It wasn’t until the sun rose higher, the temperature increased, and the balance of yin and yang grew more unstable, that Henry Walton opened his eyes.

“Hoo…”

He finally exhaled a mouthful of turbid air.

According to the book, it was time to stop.

Henry Walton also withdrew from that state of mind, and the world before his eyes returned to its usual clarity, looking just like a beautiful landscape painting of a village among mountains and rivers.

Yet he couldn’t help but keep pondering—

This world truly is extraordinary.

Since there are monsters and magic, could there really be immortals and eternal life?

No matter what, these are the more fascinating and unique aspects of this world.

“……”

Henry Walton remained silent.

His mind was no longer on his studies at all.

Thinking again of the supernatural world described by the village elder, Henry Walton felt for a moment that those magical arts, supernatural powers, and strange tales were just like the towering mountains in the distance, like breathtaking scenery—seemingly just quietly waiting there, but in fact, they were calling out to him…

Chapter 10: The Heart Is No Longer Here

“Henry Walton, out cutting grass so early?”

On his way down the mountain, Henry Walton had cut a basketful of grass. As he returned to the village, he happened to run into the story-loving Elder Carter.

He quickly stopped and replied:

“Yes.”

“Didn’t you usually go to the academy to study and listen to lectures in the morning, and only cut grass in the afternoon?” Elder Carter, who enjoyed strolling and checking the crops in the early morning, also stopped to look at him, his expression a bit serious. “Just yesterday, the teacher said you haven’t been to the academy much these past few days. You should know, the village has you cut grass to feed the cattle both to give you something to do and so you don’t fall behind in your studies. You mustn’t neglect your education.”

“Grandpa Turner is right,” Henry Walton answered honestly. “It’s just that the other night in the Heng Village ancestral hall, I inhaled the smoke exhaled by that monster, and I’ve felt a bit dazed and muddle-headed these past few days. Even now, when I think of studying, I feel weak all over, so I’ve taken a short break.”

“Then you should get some good rest.”

“I understand.” Henry Walton paused. “There’s a temple fair in the city these three days. Why doesn’t Grandpa Turner go have a look?”

“How could I walk that far? Besides, it’s just a temple fair—I’ve seen plenty when I was young. When you reach my age, you’ll find there’s nothing much to see.” Elder Carter paused. “Did you go?”

“I went once to buy medicine for my uncle.”

“See anything interesting?”

“I saw a magician who could reattach his hand after cutting it off. It was truly amazing.”

“Some of those tricks really are quite marvelous.”

“Does Grandpa Turner know about Mount Qiyun?”

“How could I not know Mount Qiyun? I’m not someone who’s never left the village.”

“May I ask, Grandpa Turner, where is Mount Qiyun? What kind of place is it? I heard people at the temple fair say there’s a Daoist gathering there?”

“Mount Qiyun is a very famous Daoist sacred mountain. They say the temples and shrines there are very effective, and the Daoist priests living there are all celestial masters.” Elder Carter said, looking thoughtful. “As for where it is—I remember it’s in the opposite direction from the county town, probably four or five hundred li away. Tsk, it’s not that far, really. If you can walk out of this village, at a steady pace it’d take seven or eight days. If you can’t walk out of this village, then you’ll never get there in your life, and maybe never even hear of it.”

“And the Daoist gathering?”

“What Daoist gathering?”

“The Daoist gathering at Mount Qiyun.”

“I haven’t heard of that. Where did you hear about it?”