Qi refers to spiritual energy, the power awakened from the limits of the physical body, an invisible force that can shatter stones, shift mountains, defy fate, extend life, and even create something from nothing... By channeling spiritual energy through the twelve primary meridians of the human body in sequence and refining the acupoints within them, one can achieve unimaginable power—this is the foundation of all spiritual cultivation."

Ding Sheng quickly immersed himself in the teachings of the book.

It explained that on the boundless continent, every human body possessed twelve meridians, each containing nine key acupoints. Once a spiritual practitioner awakens a seed of spiritual energy and learns to harness it, they can condense this energy within the body, impact the meridians, and refine the acupoints.

This is the basic path of cultivation.

Through countless years of research and refinement by human warriors, the study of spiritual energy has become highly developed.

Typically, the twelve meridians are cultivated in order of difficulty, with the "First Meridian of the Lesser Yin of the Hand" at the forefront, known as the "First Path of the Spiritual Way."

All practitioners must start with this meridian.

Only after fully refining the nine acupoints in the first meridian can they proceed to the second.

Each meridian and its nine acupoints represent a level within the spiritual path.

Thus, the cultivation system in this world is straightforward.

By refining the twelve meridians and their acupoints, practitioners progress through twelve levels: Spirit Initiate, Spirit Apprentice, Spirit Adept, Master Spirit Adept, Innate Spirit Sage, Grand Master, Spirit King, Spirit Emperor, Spirit Sovereign, Spirit Saint, Spirit Deity, and finally, Spirit Immortal.

For instance, when an ordinary person awakens their spirit seed and gains spiritual power, breaking through the "First Meridian of the Lesser Yin of the Hand" leads to the Spirit Initiate level. Breaking through the "Second Meridian of the Lesser Yang of the Hand" advances one to the Spirit Apprentice level.

Each meridian corresponds to a spiritual level.

Once a practitioner has refined all twelve meridians and their respective acupoints, they attain the pinnacle of the spiritual path as a Spirit Immortal—akin to the legends of immortal beings, capable of traversing the heavens and earth, achieving eternal life, boundless brilliance, and unlimited potential.

Each spiritual level also has sub-levels determined by the number of acupoints opened within the meridian.

For example, within the Spirit Initiate level, the "First Meridian of the Lesser Yin of the Hand" contains nine key acupoints. Opening one acupoint signifies a one-acupoint Spirit Initiate; two signify a two-acupoint Spirit Initiate. Each acupoint breakthrough grants new power, enhancing strength.

When all nine acupoints are refined to perfection, one can advance to the Spirit Apprentice level.

Only then can they attempt to break through the "Second Meridian of the Lesser Yang of the Hand."

As Ding Sheng read this, he closed his eyes to reflect.

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He didn’t continue reading but instead began practicing the techniques described in the Art of Qi Drawing, attempting to summon the energy within him to awaken his spiritual energy seed.

Theoretically, activating a spiritual seed requires certain conditions.

One must maintain the body in peak physical condition with “vital blood flow, resilient membranes, refined organs, crystal-clear blood, and precise control.”

Without systematic training, Ding Sheng would have found these requirements nearly impossible to meet in the past.

However, after a peculiar experience in a mountain cave, his body seemed to have reached an extraordinary state. His strength and physical attributes had drastically improved, though he wasn’t sure exactly what kind of condition he was in.

So, he was ready to give it a try.

The term “spiritual energy seed” is a metaphor.

Following the techniques in the Art of Qi Drawing, Ding Sheng focused his mind and attempted to sense a subtle form of energy within himself.

In an instant, he felt a warm flow near his dantian.

It was effortless.

This was the first step in activating the spiritual energy seed, known as Qi Induction.

According to the Art of Qi Drawing, most people need thousands of attempts to successfully reach Qi Induction, yet Ding Sheng managed to sense it instantly. His aptitude was indeed exceptional.

He continued.

Ding Sheng gathered the faint energy within, condensing it toward the center of his dantian.

Then, he used a special technique to stimulate a point near his navel.

Once again, almost instantaneously, a silver-white thread of energy appeared beneath his navel. It began to condense and spin rapidly, forming an oval-shaped, translucent, and radiant seed about the size of a thumb in his dantian.

A spiritual energy seed!

"So quickly?” Ding Sheng was astonished.

The Art of Qi Drawing described that even those with rare spiritual gifts and century-level talent would take days, typically ten, to awaken the spiritual seed. Completing it in a single day was almost unheard of.

But he had succeeded in less than a stick of incense.

“Could it be that I’m truly a once-in-a-century genius?” Ding Sheng marveled.

His once-reclusive pride received a significant boost.

After a moment of smugness, he forced himself to calm down, returning to a focused state as he resumed practicing the Art of Qi Drawing to nourish the spiritual energy seed and strengthen its potency.

A spiritual energy seed requires careful nurturing to expand.

Only when fully nurtured will it begin to grow, gradually releasing more spiritual energy, transforming the body, and unlocking hidden power within.

This is the essence of what elevates spiritual practitioners above ordinary people.

Ding Sheng’s exceptional talent surfaced once again—

In less than an hour, he had fully nurtured the spiritual energy seed.

At the center of his dantian, the seed shone with a translucent, snow-white brilliance, emitting an indescribable allure as silver-white energy threads rotated around it.

"According to the Art of Qi Drawing, this signifies a fully developed spiritual seed, marking the half-step Spirit Initiate level."

Opening his eyes, Ding Sheng stood, feeling the changes in his body after awakening the spiritual energy seed.

He stepped out of his hut and into the courtyard.

Holding a rusty sword, he practiced a series of basic sword forms seamlessly, followed by the Cross Slash technique.

As Ding Sheng wielded the rusty sword, the air around him seemed to tear with faint "shh" sounds. He felt the spiritual energy flowing with each movement, an unseen force guiding him, making each motion smoother and more precise. Sparks flashed from the blade as sharp energy rippled outward. For the first time, he sensed the effect of spiritual energy imbued into his sword, making him feel as if he were filled with newfound vigor.

With the spiritual energy circulating, he instinctively tried a higher level of the Art of Qi Drawing—to let the spiritual energy flow through his meridians, colliding and enhancing his energy perception. The spiritual energy gradually spread throughout his body, nourishing it, making the seed more radiant, emitting a strong glow. Each pulse through his meridians dissolved layers of constraint, sharpening his senses and amplifying his strength.

Ding Sheng was engrossed, sweat streaming down his face, though he hardly noticed, lost in the thrill of spiritual energy flowing within him, opening him to a new world. As night fell, stars illuminated his form. A slight smile graced his lips, knowing this was only the beginning of his journey, but also a monumental step in the spiritual path. The bond between his body and spiritual energy grew ever stronger; the metamorphosis had quietly begun.