Time flowed on.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

During these ten days, Xu Changshou seized every waking moment to practice the breathing technique. Yet, aside from waking up with a bone-deep exhaustion each day, he gained absolutely nothing.

Seeing the boy's fanatical diligence, Zhang Zhengyuan left him to his own devices, allowing him to practice without interference.

Moreover, during this period, Zhang Zhengyuan rarely stepped out of his room except to eat, spending his days sitting in silent meditation within the inner chamber.

Xu Changshou shrewdly guessed that the Daoist had suffered severe internal injuries and required daily meditation to recuperate. The day those injuries fully healed would likely be the day he departed.

Unsure of exactly how much time he had left, the cowherd buried himself in his breathing exercises, not daring to slack off for a single second.

One month later, Xu Changshou still hadn't sensed a trace of Qi. Secretly, anxiety began to gnaw at him.

Two months later, still no Qi. He was burning with impatience.

Soon, three full months had passed. Having failed to grasp even a sliver of the Qi Zhang Zhengyuan spoke of, Xu Changshou teetered on the edge of despair.

Over dinner one evening, Xu Changshou finally snapped. "Daoist, is this 'belly-deflating' technique of yours actually real? I've been at it for three months and haven't felt a damn thing."

Because the Six-Character Breathing Technique required constantly hollowing the stomach, Xu Changshou had privately dubbed it the 'belly-deflating art'. Hearing this sheer disrespect, Zhang Zhengyuan's face darkened in outrage. "Insolence! The Six-Character Breathing Technique is a profound secret of the Mystic Gate. How could it be a sham? Just because your own comprehension is lacking, you dare blame this poor Daoist's technique? Preposterous! You are simply too dense!"

"Oh."

Xu Changshou nodded dejectedly, a bitter wave of disappointment washing over him.

I'm just a lowly cowherd. What right do I have to cultivate supreme immortal arts? It's my own fault for being so stupid. I'm simply not fated for this.

Sigh. A cowherd is just a cowherd. And I actually dreamed of becoming an immortal?

What delusional wishful thinking.

A sour taste filled his mouth as he silently lowered his head to eat. Seeing the boy's crushed spirit, Zhang Zhengyuan shook his head slightly, softening his tone. "Changshou, in all things, haste makes waste."

Xu Changshou scratched his head. "What does that mean?"

"It means you are far too impatient."

I'm too impatient?

Right. He's right.

Xu Changshou nodded in profound realization.

Zhang Zhengyuan had hit the nail on the head. He was terrified. From the very first breath of his practice, he had been suffocated by the fear that the Daoist would vanish before he could sense the Qi.

From that day forward, Xu Changshou leveled his mindset. He practiced for exactly two Shichen-four hours-each day. He ate when he was hungry and drank when he was thirsty.

If he managed to sense Qi, wonderful. If he didn't, he had lost nothing. At worst, he would simply return to being Landlord Wang's cowherd.

Three days later, at the break of dawn.

Xu Changshou sat facing the east in meditation. The golden sunlight bathed his body, suffusing him with a deep, comforting warmth. That warmth soon coalesced into a gentle, searing energy that seeped directly into his flesh.

In that instant, Xu Changshou plunged into a state of Epiphany. The ambient sounds of the courtyard faded into nothingness. He only felt hotter and hotter, until his blood felt like it was simmering.

Simultaneously, torrents of scorching heat rushed into his body.

Soon, this heat converged at the Baihui acupoint on the crown of his head, condensing into an inch-long, shimmering golden thread.

The golden thread darted joyfully through his Meridians. From the crown of his head, it cascaded down into his torso. It surged to his shoulders, flowed into his palms, and sank to the soles of his feet. After completing a full, uninterrupted circuit, it finally settled in the Guanyuan acupoint within his lower abdomen, condensing into a single, star-like speck of golden light.

This radiant speck pulsed softly, illuminating his internal form like a miniature sun, baking his entire being in a profound, euphoric warmth.

Boom-

Suddenly, the speck of light vanished. Xu Changshou's consciousness snapped back to reality, finding himself still sitting cross-legged in the dirt courtyard.

What just happened? Could it be...

I sensed the Qi!

Overjoyed, Xu Changshou immediately tried to visualize that golden speck again, but to his dismay, the sensation was completely gone.

What's going on? Did the Qi run away?

"Wait... why do I feel so strong?"

Xu Changshou was utterly astonished to find his physical strength had surged massively out of nowhere. His frail body was now brimming with power comparable to a full-grown adult.

This was inconceivable. He was only twelve years old. Though hardened by bitter labor, he had never stood a chance against a grown man's strength.

It has to be the Qi sensation. I can't be wrong. I need to ask the Daoist.

Xu Changshou practically beat Zhang Zhengyuan's door down. Pointing excitedly at his stomach, he blurted, "Daoist, just now I felt a golden speck of light right here! Is this the Qi sensation?"

"Impossible!"

Zhang Zhengyuan blurted out, his face contorting in sheer disbelief...

Xu Changshou blinked in confusion. "What do you mean, impossible?"

Zhang Zhengyuan violently suppressed his shock. He stepped forward and clamped his fingers over Xu Changshou's pulse. After a long, agonizing silence, a look of absolute wonder washed over his features. "Bizarre... truly bizarre. This wretched brat actually possesses a Spiritual Root."

"Excellent. Excellent! Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Suddenly, the way Zhang Zhengyuan looked at the cowherd changed. His eyes sparkled as if gazing at a rare treasure, and his previously aloof tone grew incredibly warm and affectionate.

The intense stare made Xu Changshou's skin crawl. "What's a Spiritual Root? Daoist, tell me-was that the Qi sensation or not?"

Adopting the profound, unfathomable aura of an immortal master, Zhang Zhengyuan nodded slowly. "Indeed. That was the Qi."

Xu Changshou nearly jumped out of his skin with joy. "I felt it! I finally sensed the Qi!"

Putting on a stern face, Zhang Zhengyuan chided gently, "This seat saw that you possessed a Spiritual Root from the very beginning. That is precisely why I bestowed the Six-Character Breathing Technique upon you. Otherwise, did you truly think a lowly cowherd would be qualified to practice such a supreme art?"

In reality, mortal eyes could not perceive a Spiritual Root. Such a feat required specialized Magical Artifacts.

Only a dedicated artifact could determine if one possessed a Spiritual Root, and what elemental affinity it held.

Zhang Zhengyuan had only taught the boy the technique because Xu Changshou had saved his life, and he needed a servant to tend to him while he recovered.

Tossing him a basic breathing method was simply a cheap way to settle a life-debt, regardless of whether the boy could actually cultivate.

He had never in his wildest dreams imagined that Xu Changshou actually possessed a Spiritual Root. The odds of a mortal being born with one were less than one in ten thousand.

"Thank you, Daoist! Thank you for your supreme guidance!" Xu Changshou was overflowing with gratitude, secretly thanking the heavens for his luck.

"Oh, right-"

Without another word, Xu Changshou dropped to his knees and kowtowed heavily. "Disciple pays his respects to Master!"

It had just dawned on him that Zhang Zhengyuan had promised to take him as a disciple the moment he sensed Qi.

"What are you doing?"

Startled, Zhang Zhengyuan hastily stepped back.

Xu Changshou looked up, his expression dead serious. "You gave your word. If I sensed the Qi, you would accept me as your disciple."

"Did I say such a thing?"

"You absolutely did!"

"Very well, very well!" Zhang Zhengyuan couldn't completely hide the delighted smirk tugging at his lips. "My good disciple, rest early tonight. Tomorrow morning, I shall pass onto you a true immortal method."

"A true immortal method! Incredible! Master, once I learn this, does that mean I'll never have to starve again?" Xu Changshou asked, his eyes wide with anticipation.

Thwack!

Zhang Zhengyuan casually flicked the boy hard on the forehead, scolding him with a laugh. "You unambitious brat! Is your stomach the only thing you ever think about?"

"A true immortal method allows one to ascend the heavens and plunge into the earth, to ride the clouds and the mist, to slaughter demons, and traverse the world by Sword Riding..."

"Sword Riding?"

Xu Changshou's eyes practically glowed with longing.

With a grand sweep of his sleeve, Zhang Zhengyuan gazed imperiously toward the horizon. "To stand atop a flying blade, roaming untethered between heaven and earth-can you imagine such boundless freedom?"

Just imagining the day he could soar through the skies on a flying sword, Xu Changshou was so thrilled he practically started drooling.