Atlas of Heaven and Earth-Chapter 7: Seizing a Strand of Fate

Chen Chuan realized that continuing like this was not feasible. Under the guidance of his will, the pain gradually subsided, as he transferred it to his "Second Self".

The "Second Self" was capable of bearing both harm and pain, but this time, he only transferred the sensation of pain.

He was aware that the damage from the medicinal power might be the direct source of stimulation. Without any harm, the purpose of the medicinal power's penetration could not be achieved.

However, this was sufficient. Without the interference of pain, he could also focus his attention on the breathing technique.

Yu Gang watched calmly from the side.

He had anticipated that Chen Chuan's breathing would become disordered from the start. It was a common reaction for those trying the breathing technique for the first time. If one couldn't endure it and couldn't proceed normally, he would step in to stop it in time, then use patting and rinsing to dissipate the accumulated medicinal power, waiting for the next attempt. Otherwise, the body would just be damaged for nothing.

He didn't expect Chen Chuan to succeed on the first try, as he knew very well how painful it was for people under the stimulation of medicinal power, especially the first time. Few could withstand it.

Generally, it took determined individuals two or three attempts to adapt and perform relatively normally. It wasn't strange to need a few more tries, but more often, people gave up halfway due to the unbearable torment.

However, soon, his originally calm expression showed signs of fluctuation, because within just half a minute, Chen Chuan's breathing stabilized.

He stared at Chen Chuan, thinking, this kid is not simple.

Chen Chuan was earnestly guiding his breathing, but after two rounds, he found no tricks, no meridians, no breath. He was completely at a loss.

Due to the gradual dissipation of the medicinal power, the remaining time was insufficient to complete a third round. To avoid leaving hidden dangers, he simply let the "Second Self" bear the harm to the body during the process.

This also caused the "Second Self" to show numerous, varying degrees of ethereal phenomena, like many misty holes appearing. Seeing this scene, he had a sudden idea...

"Okay, stop for now," Yu Gang spoke up, "It's about time."

Chen Chuan hurriedly asked, "Mr. Yu, can we continue later?"

Yu Gang looked at him, not only without any signs of resistance or rejection but with a hint of eagerness in his expression. He was silent for a moment before saying, "Go to the bathroom next door to rinse off, and rest for half an hour first."Chen Chuan responded, picked up a large cup of salt water prepared for him by Yu Gang on the table, drank it, and then went to the bathroom next door, turning on a simple shower to rinse off.

At this moment, he felt extremely hungry, after all, he hadn't eaten lunch yet, and the breathing technique stimulated vitality and mobilized qi and blood, which consumed a lot of energy. So after rinsing off, he asked, "Mr. Yu, is there any food here?"

Yu Gang was prepared and threw him a sealed box about two fingers wide and fifteen centimeters long, saying, "This is the nutrient paste from Longde Foods. Although it doesn't taste like much, it contains all the necessary nutrients for combat training. If you go to a martial arts university, you'll have to eat this stuff every day."

Chen Chuan tore open the outer packaging and saw a whole strip of green paste inside. Without hesitation, he stuffed it into his mouth and swallowed it in a few bites. Indeed, it had no taste, but not long after, he felt as if his spirit had returned, and he wasn't as hungry anymore. The effect was immediate.

After resting for more than ten minutes, with the help of Yu Gang, he reapplied the ointment and made a second attempt.

This time, having gained experience, as soon as the burning pain sensation swept over him again, he immediately used his consciousness to transfer away the pain and a small part of the damage. While using the breathing technique, he also looked towards the "Second Self", and could see that, as the breathing technique progressed, the "Second Self" showed varying degrees of ethereal signs again.

He paid close attention and could confirm that these ethereal manifestations were closely related to his breathing.

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The degree of ethereality in those areas fluctuated, intermittently, probably because the breathing guided vitality and qi and blood, whereas the pure medicinal power's damage would not manifest so complexly.

However, through this, he also intuitively saw the effect of the breathing technique. Currently, because the breathing technique was not guided properly, it caused the qi and blood and vitality to be scattered and disorganized when mobilized. Could it be that when these ethereal areas no longer show fluctuations, become smoothly connected, and tend to be consistent, it would achieve what Yu Gang called a unified whole?

He thought this was very likely, and when he couldn't find a clue, he could try this. Even if he was wrong, he could remove the damage through the "Second Self". So next, he began to deliberately adjust his breathing rhythm based on the ethereal manifestations on the "Second Self".

Half an hour later, he had to stop again. Although somewhat tired and breathing slightly rapidly, he was very excited in his heart, because he felt that he had vaguely touched upon something, and he was likely on the right path!Yu Gang looked at him and the mixture of sweat and ointment flowing down at his feet, saying, "Even with restorative medicine and food, a person can try at most three to four times a day. Do you still want to continue?"

Chen Chuan said with great determination, "Continue!"

After rinsing and resting, he immediately began his third attempt.

Through his repeated efforts to adjust, the ethereal signs gradually became similar, as if they were being connected in series. At this time, he also slowly felt something, but just as he was about to grasp that thread of thought, the duration of the medicinal power once again came to an end.

So, he could only wait for the next time.

However, this time when he stood up, he suddenly felt a sense of weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and unsteadiness on his feet, causing him to fall back into his seat. Even though the pain and a small part of the damage had been transferred away, the remaining medicinal stimulation was still very real.

Seeing him like this, Yu Gang said, "Let's call it a day. The practice of the breathing technique, the lifting of qi and blood, and the stimulation of the medicine will put a heavy burden on your internal organs."

Chen Chuan raised his head and said, "Mr. Yu said a person can try up to four times a day. I want to try once more."

Yu Gang met his gaze, feeling the unwavering determination, and said in a deep voice, "Since you insist, then try one last time."

Chen Chuan went to rinse off as usual, and after returning, he ate two nutrient pastes in a row. After resting, he made his fourth attempt.

He believed he had found the right direction. The damage presented on the "Second Self" was like a calibration ruler, allowing him to continuously approach the correct path.

This time, he would go all out in one go.

Yu Gang gazed at Chen Chuan. The damage from the ointment was immense, not only physically but also psychologically. After enduring one after another double blow, how many people could persist?

Four attempts were only theoretical. Most people could barely stand one or two tries, but Chen Chuan had persisted to this point.

Lu Ke, after cooking the meat, came up again. When he saw Chen Chuan trying desperately over and over, he couldn't help but widen his eyes in amazement.

At the beginning of the year, he had tried the breathing technique once, and he would never forget that feeling.

At first, it was just a burning, stinging sensation, but later, it felt like countless ants crawling under the skin, giving rise to an indescribable irritation, making one want to scream, jump up, and swing fists and feet.Because he couldn't endure it after several attempts, Yu Gang thought he wasn't ready yet, so he temporarily halted this practice.

Until now, he still hasn't been able to get out of the shadow, and every time he recalls it, he feels a phantom pain.

But Chen Chuan, this city boy whom he thought had never suffered much, actually persisted all the way. He couldn't quite describe what he felt in his heart, perhaps a mix of admiration and jealousy, and even a little hope that Chen Chuan would fail.

At this moment, he couldn't help but speak up: "Master, can Young Master Chen really do it?"

Yu Gang said: "Combat training has six elements: goal, determination, action, perseverance, as well as luck and talent. I initially confirmed his goal and determination, and now I see his action and perseverance. He already possesses four of these elements."

Lu Ke made a sound of acknowledgment, he didn't look at Yu Gang, just asked with his mouth: "Then Master, since Young Master Chen has four elements, should he be able to find the knack soon?"

Yu Gang said in a deep voice: "No, among the six elements, the hardest to possess is talent, but the most indispensable is actually luck."

Chen Chuan was now completely focused on his breathing, almost oblivious to the outside world.

Just a little bit more, just a little bit more.

Through his efforts, the correction of the breathing technique had reached its final stage, and as all the flickering lights gradually became consistent, he felt the presence of a hidden aura. He couldn't quite tell what it was, but it seemed that by following this path, the originally scattered breaths were gathered together.

In an instant, he finally understood what Yu Gang meant by the whole.

At this time, the medicinal power was almost exhausted, and he also stopped.

Yu Gang looked at him sitting there motionless, only his body slightly rising and falling with his breath, and said: "No rush, you must first eat some restorative food, and then try again tomorrow."

Chen Chuan slowly raised his head, his eyes shining brightly, and said: "I think, I seem to have found the knack."

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