Chapter 3: Self-Cultivation

Words : 1530 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

"The constancy of heaven's motion enables the gentleman to strengthen himself ceaselessly." "The receptiveness of earth's terrain enables the gentleman to bear and nurture all things." Xu Qing gradually discovered during his studies that he could occasionally enter a state that could be called "Absolute Focus." At present, the duration of this state lasts for about half a quarter of an hour. Within this half quarter of an hour, his memory and learning abilities would be greatly enhanced. This made learning new knowledge exceptionally fast and efficient. It seems that this is the effect of the "Soul Stabilization" Daoist Level, perhaps also one of the benefits of crossing over. However, once this state passed, Xu Qing would fall into a state of extreme exhaustion, and it took a good while before he could recover. Moreover, he had roughly figured out a pattern over these past few days. "Absolute Focus" was not triggered at random, but occurred when he faced particularly difficult problems and was very eager to solve them. Furthermore, the persistence of this state was greatly related to his physical strength at the time. "If my body were stronger, then the effects of 'Absolute Focus' could definitely be better and more enduring." Ancient scholars adhered to the Six Arts, which included charioteering and archery; without a strong and robust physique, one could not master them proficiently. Even in today's era, it is very important for scholars to have a good physique. Especially the grandees of the court, there are rumors that some resort to physical confrontation when they cannot win arguments verbally. Luckily, the bad habit of letting officials stand during tribunals in the past no longer exists, otherwise when arguments got heated, if they started to wield chairs and stools, wouldn't the injuries be doubled? There could have been loss of life! ... ... "Brother Qing, are you ready?" Zhou Family's voice came from outside the house. "Wait a moment, aunt, I'll be right out." Xu Qing and Zhou Family took some tools and went out to the river bank. It turned out that he and Zhou Family were going to the riverbank to dig earthworms. Digging for earthworms was not for fishing, but for raising chickens. Xu Qing said he had read about this method in a book. Although Zhou Family was skeptical, as an ordinary illiterate person, there was a natural reverence for books, so she agreed to try it with Xu Qing's persuasion. Digging for earthworms was not a difficult task, and Zhou Family was deft and quick, soon bringing a number back home with Xu Qing. The specific method of feeding chickens with earthworms was something Xu Qing had read about in agricultural books, which also required supplementing with other feed, not just earthworms, and the needed feed was common. Next, Xu Qing and Zhou Family collaborated to raise chickens, following the records in the agricultural books. In fact, Zhou Family was originally kind to Xu Qing. A few days ago, Zhou Family had given all the eggs from her chickens to him. In the end, all those harsh words before were because Zhou Family felt she wasn't contributing and lacked a sense of security. As for the adoption matter, Xu Qing himself didn't really care. It was Li Gongpu who was unwilling. Because, in his view, Xu Qing was the master, and he was the servant. How could he violate ethical norms and adopt Xu Qing into his own family? He would rather find someone else for adoption. Everyone has their own values; one cannot impose their own idea of good onto others. What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others! "Brother Qing, you've really changed now, you would never have done this kind of laborious work with me before," Zhou Family said with a smile. "It was because your nephew was ignorant before and caused trouble for you, aunt." Xu Qing busied himself by Zhou Family's side, considering it a way to exercise his body. Of course, to truly strengthen one's body, one still needs to eat. Without sufficient food intake, even the best fitness methods are of no use. If the effect of raising chickens with earthworms is good, he and the Zhou Family will raise more chickens; first for themselves to eat, and second to exchange for money. Outside the county town, there are many farmhouses that raise chickens. If possible, Xu Qing also wants to sell this method through his uncle. There are many ways to make money, and Xu Qing urgently needs money now, so he doesn't plan to keep this method to himself. Raising chickens only by feeding them earthworms is obviously not enough; they also need to be fed with mixed feed. In this regard, Zhou Family is naturally an expert. The skills of growing vegetables and raising poultry are indeed ingrained in the common people. ... Half a month passed in a blink of an eye. Feeding chickens with a mix of earthworms, wheat bran, and ground soybeans accelerated their growth compared to normal chicken farming. The chicken meat Xu Qing could eat was more than usual. After these days of recuperation, Xu Qing's body finally recovered substantially. However, the lifespan indicator on the bronze mirror remained unchanged. With his current situation, he could not plan for anything too far in the future, even just three years ahead. No matter, he decided to focus on training first. "Uncle, I want to practice martial arts." In Xu Qing's memory, Li Gongpu did possess some martial skills. Li Gongpu was quite surprised, "Aren't you preparing for the child student test? Why did you suddenly decide to practice martial arts?" Studying costs money, but practicing martial arts not only costs money, it also risks one's life. Li Gongpu couldn't help but feel worried. His nephew was after all a young man, and though he had seemed more stable these past days, he was still capricious at heart. "The ancients say, 'Reading cultivates the mind.' I want to practice martial arts to strengthen my body, which I believe can help me study better. To be honest with you, uncle, I have been feeling quite exhausted after reading for long periods recently. I think having a strong body would surely be of help to my studies." After pondering for a while, Li Gongpu responded, "What you said makes some sense. At the Government Office, I have seen the Old Master practicing movements similar to martial arts, reportedly compiled by the Chaotian Temple in the Capital and highly sought after by nobles. It seems that even our superiors support the pursuit of robust health. With this in mind, it is good for you to learn." In the country's thinking, anything related to or helpful for reading was worth supporting. Seeing Xu Qing was not practicing martial arts to be rowdy or fight recklessly, Li Gongpu naturally felt much more at ease. However, he had no intention of teaching Xu Qing any combat techniques. For robust health, practicing the Crane Form Stance would be enough. "Then I will teach you the Crane Form Stance. This is also a heritage skill of the Xu Family, passed down to me by your father. Alas, this set of exercises is merely the foundational skill of your Xu Family's Kung Fu, originally intended for us servants to practice." Sёarᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Does uncle mean there are better skills within the Xu Family?" "Mm, what a pity, it all went up in flames back then. Never mind that for now; follow me in practice. It took me a month to master this set of Crane Form Stance back in the days. You have no prior foundation, so take it slow." For martial arts training, aside from a few Childhood Skill sets or professional guidance from martial masters, starting too early is not always better. This is because children's muscles and bones are not fully developed, and they do not know their own strength, making it hard to tell where injuries might occur. As a result, if they practice martial arts incorrectly, it can easily lead to chronic injuries. Thus, for Xu Qing, it wasn't too late to start practicing marital arts now. Although the Crane Form Stance is about holding postures, the initiation involves imitating the postures of a crane, such as foraging, drinking water, standing alone, and flying. Li Gongpu had never seen a real crane and simply conveyed to Xu Qing the motions of the Crane Form he remembered from the past. For Xu Qing, however, this was not a difficult task. As he watched Li Gongpu's movements, he recalled the cranes he had seen in his previous life. By reflecting these images onto each other, in his mind, it was as if a crane began to dance gracefully. Practicing until his posture resembled that of a crane... Meanwhile, within his body, the bronze ancient mirror emitted a faint glow, and new changes emerged.

Chapter 3: Self-Cultivation

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