The Eight Extraordinary Meridians are unique channels in the body, including the Du, Ren, Chong, Dai, Yin Linking, Yang Linking, Yin Heel, and Yang Heel meridians—a total of eight.

George Grant told Peter Thompson that all the meridians in the human body are actually connected. It is precisely because of these channels that people can continuously exchange energy with the outside world and thus survive. However, because people do not understand how to cultivate and regulate their energy, these channels become blocked, the passages are extremely narrow, and some meridians are even clogged for years, with energy barely trickling through.

The marvel of the "Longevity Technique" lies not only in unblocking the meridians but also in absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, continuously widening the channels, so that the internal energy surges like a rainbow, circulating endlessly, perpetually regenerating, with the ultimate goal of achieving longevity.

The cultivation method of the "Longevity Technique" is mainly divided into two major stages: the first stage is minor achievement, and the second stage is major achievement.

Those who reach minor achievement have all eight extraordinary meridians unblocked, with energy circulating endlessly along the Ren and Du meridians—this is what martial arts novels refer to as an innate master.

Those who reach major achievement have all eight extraordinary meridians and the twelve regular meridians unblocked, with energy able to flow through any channel in the body, truly reaching all directions, endlessly regenerating. It is said that at the perfect stage of major achievement, one can shatter the void and roam the universe.

Of course, this kind of unblocking is not the ordinary kind. Ordinary unblocking is just a trickle of energy, intermittent and weak. But this unblocking is like a mighty river, unstoppable, with energy moving at will, following the mind's intent.

Minor achievement is divided into six levels, and major achievement is also divided into six levels. Once the Ren and Du meridians are unblocked, one enters the six levels, having crossed from minor to major achievement.

However, up to now, even Henry Grant, the creator of this cultivation method, never reached the perfect stage of major achievement, stopping at the ninth level and passing away at the age of four hundred.

George Grant is a descendant of Henry Grant, now eighty years old, and has only reached the fifth level, with the unblocking of the Ren and Du meridians seemingly out of reach in this lifetime.

Although Peter Thompson has not been cultivating for long, he is highly gifted in this area and has already reached the late stage of the first level. The Yang Heel meridian is fully unblocked, and the Yin Heel meridian is partially cleared. If he manages to fully clear the Yin Heel meridian, he will reach the second level.

Indeed, the hour of the Rat is when yin and yang alternate, making it the best time for cultivation. As soon as Peter Thompson entered meditation, he felt a cold and a hot sensation at the soles of his feet. The hot sensation was the energy flowing like a small stream through the Yang Heel meridian, circulating endlessly, while the cold sensation was the energy flowing through the Yin Heel meridian.

Peter Thompson remained calm and focused, with no thoughts of self or heaven, simply guiding the energy flow within his body with single-minded concentration.

Each time the cold energy reached the "Qingming" point between the eyes and the bridge of the nose, it would turn back, while the hot energy would pass through the Qingming point and only turn back at the "Fengchi" point at the back of the head, thus circulating endlessly.

As time ticked by, suddenly, with natural progress, the cold energy burst through the Qingming point.

In that instant, the cold and hot energy streams merged together, inseparable and tightly bound. The cold energy belonged to yin, the hot to yang; their harmony fulfilled the principle that yin alone does not grow, and yang alone does not thrive. The balance of yin and yang brings endless regeneration, and the energy flow, once like a small stream, now grew ever stronger.

Although Peter Thompson was cultivating with his eyes closed, at the moment he broke through the final barrier of the Yin Heel meridian at the Qingming point, when the two streams converged, it felt as if his eyes were open even though they were shut. He actually saw a transparent stream of energy inside his body, forming an upside-down "U" shape, circulating between his thighs and head.

Soon, Peter Thompson saw a somewhat grayish stream of energy entering his meridians. Peter Thompson knew this was the turbid energy of heaven and earth. Although the turbid energy was expelled after circulation, the amount of pure energy expelled along with it was almost the same as the pure energy that remained.

Peter Thompson immediately realized that the hour of the Rat had passed and it was no longer suitable for cultivation, so he ended his practice.

Peter Thompson slowly opened his eyes, withdrawing his focus from within.

At this moment, the moon was covered by dark clouds, and the night was somewhat black, but Peter Thompson felt as if everything around him was bright, and he could even see the graffiti on the wall of the dormitory building across from him.

Peter Thompson was overjoyed, knowing that his skills had made a great breakthrough.

He closed his eyes and went to sleep. At a quarter past four, Peter Thompson got out of bed.

Summer mornings brighten earlier than usual. Although it was just after four, the sky was already faintly light.

The deep, faintly white sky still held a pale moon, with a few stars scattered around.

In summer, Hangzhou only exudes a cool atmosphere at this time. There were hardly any people on the street. For those who exercise early, it still seemed a bit too early. Only the newspaper vendors and breakfast stall owners, forced by life, had to leave their comfortable beds early and begin a busy day.

A bicycle sped down Qingchun Road, the most upscale commercial street in Hangzhou, making people feel as if it were not a bicycle but a motorcycle.

Yesterday's breakthrough made Peter Thompson feel refreshed and full of energy, as if there was endless strength in his feet. The bicycle pedals spun so fast that only a blur could be seen.

At the end of Qingchun Road lies the nationally renowned West Lake.

At this time, a light mist hung over West Lake, with several small islands in the lake looming in and out of the haze, like legendary fairy islands.

By now, there were already a few people exercising by the lake, and birds were chirping happily in the trees, breaking the tranquility of West Lake.

At 4:45, Peter Thompson had already arrived at Beishan Road by the lake. This road was very quiet, lined with ancient trees and shaded by drooping willows.

A gentle breeze blew, bringing an indescribable freshness and delight!