Chapter 28

As 621 sat in his dimly lit abode, the solemn silence enveloping him like a shroud, his mind danced with theories and possibilities. Amidst the stillness, a single idea beckoned to him, a concept teeming with potential: the whirlpool effect.

With a focused determination, 621 rose from his seated position, his eyes scanning the empty expanse of his chamber. Here, in the heart of his solitude, he would conduct his experiment, free from distractions or interruptions.

Drawing upon the reserves of his inner Qi, 621 extended his hands before him, palms facing outward as if to grasp the very fabric of reality itself. With a steady breath, he began to move his hands in a circular motion, each gesture infused with purpose, guiding the atmosphere to bend to his will.

As he moved, 621 felt the free Qi around him respond, a subtle stirring of energy that mirrored the movements of his hands. Like a dancer in the midst of a graceful performance, he guided the currents of Qi, coaxing them to spiral and twist in a mesmerizing display.

With each revolution, the whirlpool of energy gradually grew in intensity, its form taking shape before him like a sculptor molding clay. 621 watched with a keen eye, his senses attuned to the subtle nuances of the weakly swirling vortex that danced before him.

In that moment, he felt a sense of exhilaration mingled with caution, a thrill of discovery tempered by the awareness of the unknown. Here, in this simple act of creation, lay the seeds of potential, the promise of mastery waiting to be realized.

He didn’t dare to rush into things as he knew too well of the disadvantages at play, first he needed to understand the basic concept before implementing it to his very own meridians.

As 621 continued to manually manipulate the swirling vortex of Qi before him with his bare hands, a sense of determination fueled his efforts. With precise movements, he directed the currents of energy to reverse their direction, counterclockwise against the established flow.

And as expected, the vortex quivered and shuddered, its form wavering in response to the disruption. For a moment, it seemed as though the entire structure would collapse under the strain, but then, to 621's amazement, it began to coalesce once more, this time in the opposite direction, just like the properties of water.

Eyes narrowed in concentration, 621 delved deeper into his experiment, varying the speed and intensity of each revolution. With each adjustment, he observed how the whirlpool reacted, how it ebbed and flowed with the subtle shifts in energy.

Gradually, as he honed his control over the swirling currents, 621 began to sense a change in the atmosphere around him. It was as though the vortex had developed a gravitational pull of its own, drawing in the surrounding Qi with a subtle but undeniable force.

621 focused his efforts on amplifying the siphoning effect, pushing the limits of his control to see how far he could manipulate the flow of energy. With each passing moment, the whirlpool grew stronger, its pull more pronounced as it siphoned the surrounding Qi into its swirling embrace.

And then, at last, as 621 reached a threshold of revolution speed, he felt a surge of exhilaration course through him. For in that moment, he realized the true potential of the whirlpool effect—a power not just to manipulate Qi, but to harness it, to channel it, and to shape it according to his will.

“I knew it, the whirlpool’s natural pull will siphon everything in its surroundings creating an ever-widening spiral…this,” he paused.

“Is the key.”

He raised his hand before him, fingers outstretched like the spokes of a wheel. With a swift motion, he began to spin his hand rapidly, the movement so quick it blurred before his eyes. Around and around, it went, each revolution building momentum until it seemed as though the very air itself was being drawn into the whirlwind of his making.

Then, with a sudden, decisive gesture, 621 slashed his hand downward, cutting through the air with a precision that bordered on the edge of violence. For a moment, the swirling vortex hesitated, caught off guard by the abrupt change in direction, but it followed the arc of his hand, half-revolving in response to the forceful movement before lingering in a suspended state of uncertainty.

In that brief moment of stillness, 621 felt a surge of adrenaline rush through him. It was as though time itself had paused, frozen in anticipation of what was to come next. And then, with a rush of motion, the vortex dispersed, the Qi dispersing freely into the surrounding atmosphere once more.

Breathing heavily, 621 lowered his hand, his mind racing with the implications of what he had just witnessed. In that simple gesture lay a profound truth—a testament to the power of his will, the strength of his determination, and the boundless potential of the whirlpool effect he had discovered.

With a sense of triumph, 621 continued to experiment, pushing the boundaries of his understanding as he delved deeper into the mysteries of the whirlpool before him. For in the heart of that swirling vortex, he knew that he found the answer.

..

Seated cross-legged in the center of his humble abode, 621 exuded an air of tranquility as he delved deep into the recesses of his mind. His eyes, half-lidded and focused, betrayed the intensity of his concentration as he pondered the intricacies of his newfound technique.

The glaring problem that occupied his thoughts was the inevitable consequence of success—what would happen to the Qi once he succeeded in reversing its flow? Where would it go, and how would it affect his body? These questions loomed large in his mind, casting a shadow of doubt over his otherwise steadfast resolve.

He was aware that the reversal of Qi flow was necessary for the creation and optimisation of the Qi pockets but he currently had none; so the question was: “Where does the reversed Qi flow to?”.

As he contemplated this dilemma, 621's thoughts drifted back to the moment of his ascension to the Qi Condensation realm. He vividly remembered the sensation of the surrounding Qi invading his body, coursing through his veins like a raging torrent before finally settling into his meridians. It was a moment of profound transformation, as he forced his physical body to adapt to the influx of spiritual energy.

Now, as he grappled with the problem of Qi dispersion, 621 couldn't help but draw parallels to that pivotal moment in his past. Just as his body had been forced to accommodate the influx of Qi during his ascension, so too would it need to adjust to the reversal of its flow. But whereas before he had embraced the Qi, now he sought to control it—to harness its power for his own ends.

With each passing moment, 621's understanding deepened, his resolve strengthened by the challenge that lay before him.

“First it invaded my veins before reaching my meridians but that can’t be the source of origin…”, he contemplated deeply as he fixed himself up with his usual meditation stance, ready for another round of the Whispering Breeze meditation.

He inhaled slowly and exhaled just as much when a realization hit him, “Could it be?”, he looked towards his chest.

“The lungs?”

With a furrowed brow and a thoughtful expression, 621 delved deep into the recesses of his mind, turning over the idea with meticulous precision. It seemed increasingly plausible to him that the meridians, those elusive pathways through which Qi flowed, were somehow intricately linked to the lungs on a deeper level.

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He was keenly aware that his 3rd primary meridian along with his 15th secondary meridian was linked to his lungs but now he understood that there was more to it than met the eye.

After all, meditation, the cornerstone of cultivation practice, centered around the rhythmic act of breathing, and it stood to reason that the meridians, as conduits for Qi, must have some connection to this vital process.

As he mulled over this theory, 621 couldn't shake the feeling that it held a kernel of truth. Perhaps this was why he felt the surge of energy coursing through his veins during moments of deep meditation—it was the Qi flowing from his lungs into his meridians, infusing his body with its life-giving essence.

In a way, it all made perfect sense—a convoluted yet elegant explanation for the mysteries of Qi and its relationship to the human body.

“But…if I reverse the Qi flow in my 4th primary meridian which is linked to my liver; will it exit through the lungs in the form of an exhale?” 621 pondered deeply about the nuances of the meridian system.

“That will only work if my theory is correct, but what if it’s all wrong?” he questioned silently.

Although it made some practical sense to him, there were still some bits of information that he couldn’t digest and decipher. He understood the basic concept of meridians as a whole, describing them as spiritual existences rather than physical, yet he felt a headache just by thinking about the interconnectedness of meridians as a whole.

“Since primary meridians are connected to specific organs and secondary meridians are coiled around the primary ones, and that all of them are connected to the dantian; then realistically they must all connect to each other…” 621 tilted his head as if deciphering a complex problem.

Next, he couldn't help but turn his analytical mind toward another pressing concern: the enigmatic focal points nestled within the intricate network of his meridians. These focal points, he had long realized, could hold the key to understanding how his attempted reversal of Qi flow might unfold.

With furrowed brows and a focused gaze, 621 contemplated two distinct possibilities. On one hand, he considered the notion that the reversed Qi flow would be accelerated backwards in accordance with its new direction. In this scenario, the focal points would serve as conduits for the altered Qi, amplifying its movement in the opposite direction. This possibility intrigued him, suggesting a fluid and adaptable mechanism within the meridian system.

On the other hand, he entertained the idea that the focal points might act as natural safeguards, correcting any disruptions to the established flow of Qi. If this were the case, his attempts to reverse the Qi flow could be met with new resistance from these focal points, redirecting the flow back into its original trajectory. This possibility presented a more rigid and structured interpretation of the meridian system, with the focal points serving as steadfast barriers against disruption.

“But if that is the case, exactly how did the creator of the Veiled Serpent Path resolve that barrier? No, how did they go about reversing the flow of Qi in the first place?”

“I’m missing something…but what?”

As he weighed possibilities in his mind, 621 couldn't help but marvel at the intricacies of Qi manipulation and the complex interplay of forces within his own body.

..

Three long days passed as 621 delved deeper into his journey of self-discovery with unwavering determination. He devoted countless hours to experimenting with external Qi, meticulously observing its behavior and the effects of the whirlpool he created. He even extended his exploration to include a bowl of water, using it as a makeshift simulation to better understand the dynamics of his plan.

Transitioning to internal exploration, 621 focused on coalescing his inner Qi within his meridians. With each breath, he honed his control and manipulation, refining his techniques and adapting to the intricacies of his body's energy flow. Amidst his preparations, he crafted contingency plans and devised strategies to mitigate any potential setbacks or failures.

Now, in the present moment, 621 stood ready to put his theories to the test. His mind's eye zeroed in on his third primary meridian, intuitively sensing its connection to his lungs. With a singular purpose driving him forward, he aimed to validate his hypothesis regarding the exit of Qi through exhalation, directly involving his lung meridian in the process.

Carefully selecting the starting point of his meridian, 621 positioned his focus away from its first focal point, mindful of the potential complications that could arise from disrupting its natural flow. He approached the task with a blend of caution and determination, knowing that success required both precision and foresight.

With each step of his preparation, 621 felt a growing sense of confidence and readiness. The culmination of his efforts had brought him to this pivotal moment, where he stood poised to embark on the next phase of his experiment.

In a display of unwavering resolve, 621 wasted no time in taking action. With steely determination, he focused his attention inward, reaching out to grasp the surrounding Qi with deliberate intent. With each breath, he summoned forth the energy, coaxing it to coalesce around his 3rd meridian with painstaking effort.

With a firm grip on the swirling Qi, 621 began to exert force, initiating a powerful clockwise spin. His movements were calculated and precise, his mind sharp and focused as he navigated the complexities of his internal landscape. As the first revolution unfolded, he remained vigilant, ever watchful for any signs of deviation from his carefully laid plans.

With each successive revolution, the speed of the whirlpool mounted, gathering momentum with each passing moment. The second revolution blurred into the third, the fourth, until a relentless pace of two revolutions per second was achieved. It was a mesmerizing sight, the whirlpool taking on a life of its own as it began to manifest in earnest.

As the whirlpool spun faster, a natural pull began to emanate from its core, drawing in the surrounding Qi with an irresistible force. The cycle intensified, the incoming energy feeding into the vortex, fueling its relentless motion. Beads of sweat formed on 621's brow, his face drained of colour as the strain of his exertions took its toll.

Yet, despite the physical demands placed upon him, 621 remained resolute. With unwavering determination, he pressed forward, his focus unwavering as he pushed himself to the limits of his endurance. For a split second, he was a beacon of determination, a solitary figure locked in a fierce battle against the forces of nature itself.

And soon, in a moment of perfect timing and profound control, 621 seized the opportune moment. With unwavering focus, he watched as the apex of the whirlpool spun before him, each revolution a testament to his meticulous calculations. As the whirlpool reached its zenith, he acted with precision, manipulating the entire system with a deft touch.

With a profound understanding of his Qi and unparalleled control, 621 initiated the reversal, guiding the whirlpool from its peak at 12 o'clock to its nadir at 6 o'clock. The motion was swift and decisive, the entire system flowing back on itself with astonishing speed. As the direction of the flow reversed, so too did the incoming Qi, caught in the relentless current of the whirlpool's force.

It was a sight to behold, a testament to 621's mastery over his inner energies and the hard work which led to this point.

But even as he celebrated his success, 621 knew that the true test lay ahead. With the newfound flow under his command, he directed it with intense scrutiny, guiding it upwards with finesse towards what he perceived as the exit point. It was a delicate dance, each movement calculated and precise as he navigated the treacherous currents of his own meridians.

Yet, as he neared the threshold of escape, a sudden barrier loomed before him, its presence palpable in the air. With a surge of determination, 621 pressed onward, his resolve unyielding in the face of adversity. And then, without warning, pain ripped through him like a lightning bolt, its intensity searing through his being with merciless force.

The Qi ran rampant in his physical veins, the sensation agonizing, a burning inferno that threatened to consume him from within. Yet, he refused to falter, his focus unwavering as he pushed through the pain coaxing the flow to ascend to his lungs.

And then, at long last, he felt the barrier give way, the floodgates opening as the Qi surged forth with unstoppable momentum.

With a final burst of effort, 621 expelled the Qi from his body, a torrent of hot air escaping his lips in a rush of burning sensation. He found release with a burp that tasted of burning flesh, his lungs heaving as he drew in ragged breaths. Despite the agony that still coursed through him, he knew that he had succeeded. In that moment, he was victorious, his control over his Qi absolute.

As the last remnants of Qi escaped from his lung meridian, 621 immediately felt a searing pain engulf his chest, radiating outwards with an intensity that left him gasping for air. It was as if his entire respiratory system had been set ablaze, consumed by the raw power of the Qi that surged through it.

At the same time, the empty lung meridian left a void in his energy field, causing a profound imbalance that disrupted the flow of Qi throughout his body. With each shallow breath he took, 621 felt the weight of his depleted energy field, struggling to draw in the vital essence that sustained him.

The combination of these two effects left him in a state of profound discomfort, his breaths shallow and labored as he fought to regain control over his beleaguered lungs. Each inhalation was a struggle against the burning pain that seared through his chest, while the emptiness of his energy field left him feeling weak and drained.

Despite the agony and exhaustion, 621 refused to yield to despair. With a dogged determination born of years of training and discipline, he focused his mind on restoring balance to his battered body, channeling what little Qi remained within him to soothe the searing pain and mend the fractured energy field.

Slowly, gradually, the intensity of the pain began to recede, replaced by a dull ache that throbbed with each beat of his heart. With each passing moment, 621 felt his strength returning, his breaths growing steadier as he fought to overcome the lingering effects of his harrowing ordeal.

Though the road ahead remained fraught with challenges, 621 knew that he had faced the worst of it and emerged stronger for the trial.

“Success!” he laughed aloud as a genuine smile plastered itself across his face.