Explanation of Cultivation

After sharing a meal with Mei and An Min, Bei Lin settled in the backyard near the kitchen. Mei, armed with a needle and thread, was busy sewing a black dress, which was one of An Min's old garments that had now been passed on to Bei Lin. With only three dresses to her name, receiving an additional one was not an issue. In the beginning, upon her reincarnation, she felt uneasy in old clothes, particularly due to the lack of proper undergarments. Here, there were no panties, and she had to use makeshift cloth to cover her private areas.

Bathing posed its own challenges. The bathroom was tiny, and water had to be collected from a nearby stream using wooden buckets. Summers made this task even more difficult, but there was still enough water in the stream to prevent significant problems. In terms of relieving themselves, there was no restroom available, prompting them to venture into the forest. This situation annoyed Bei Lin at first, but she eventually had no choice but to adapt.

In the village, Mei was recognized for her exceptional sewing abilities, which provided some income. The villagers were generous and often shared food when they had excess. When the warriors returned from hunting in the nearby woods, the village would hold a festival where everyone shared the meat. If the hunt resulted in more than one animal, the village chief would sell the surplus in a nearby town.

The village chief was the only cultivator in the area and had promised Bei Lin that he would teach her the art of cultivation when she turned ten. Bei Lin eagerly anticipated this, as she needed Qi in her body to access the pendant she possessed, which likely contained valuable techniques. For the moment, she was looking forward to the chief's instruction.

Mei handed the newly sewn dress to Bei Lin, who thanked her before bidding farewell to Mei and An Min. She walked back to her house, opened the door, and placed the dress inside. Without resting, she stepped out again and made her way to the village chief's house.

Upon arriving, she called out, "Grandpa Chief!"

A voice answered from within, "Oh, little Bei, come inside."

Bei Lin entered and walked to the backyard, where Qi Lei was reclining in a wooden chair. He was an elderly man with a full head of white hair and a long beard, nearly 80 years old. Since his wife passed away five years ago, he had lived alone.

Qi Lei smiled warmly as Bei Lin approached. "Little Bei, you've grown so beautiful, and your body has changed so much. Let me guess—you want to start cultivating, don't you? That's why you're here."

Bei Lin nodded. "Yes, Village Chief. That's exactly why I came."

Qi Lei's smile widened. "Good. Many of the village children have tried to cultivate, but none of them have spirit roots. Oh! I haven't explained spirit roots to you yet. No matter, I'll tell you everything I know about cultivation. Listen carefully, little Bei."

Bei Lin nodded again, eager to learn.

The chief began his explanation. "Cultivation is the process of drawing a special kind of energy—Qi—into your body. You gather it in your dantian, which is located just below your belly button, the center of your body. But here's the tricky part. The human body is fragile. If someone channels Qi directly into their dantian before their body is ready, the dantian can collapse. So, the first step in cultivation is to use Qi to strengthen your body—your muscles, bones, and even your internal organs. Do you know what bones are, little Bei?"

Bei Lin smiled and said, "I know, Grandpa Lei. Uncle Lei Wang has taught me all about the body, and he even helped me with my studies."

Qi Lei chuckled. "Ah, that's good to hear. Everyone in this village knows how to read and write—it's a rule I set long ago. And Lei Wang, even without Qi, is a fine warrior. It seems he's been a good teacher to you."

Bei Lin nodded, her excitement growing. She was ready to take her first steps into cultivation.

Qi Lei began explaining in a calm, steady voice.

"There are more than ten stages in cultivation, and the first involves cleansing your body with Qi. Herbs can help immensely with this process, but unfortunately, we don't have access to them here. Cultivation is hard in a place like this, but don't lose heart. If you train diligently and circulate Qi through your body, your physical form will gradually transform and strengthen."

He paused for a moment and then continued, "Now, let's talk about spirit roots. Spirit roots are the key to absorbing Qi into your body. Without a spirit root, cultivation is nearly impossible because you lack the ability to pull Qi in. Spirit roots also determine your talent and potential in cultivation. They are divided into five main grades, with one extremely rare type. Let me explain each."

1. Low-Grade Spirit Roots

"These involve all five elements: fire, water, earth, wood, and metal. They are the weakest spirit roots for cultivation because you must balance and cultivate all five elements equally to progress. Most cultivators with low-grade spirit roots get stuck in the Qi Gathering Realm. It's not that they can't advance; it's just extraordinarily difficult."

Qi Lei added, "Oh, I forgot to mention the cultivation realms! Let me list them for you:

1. Body Refining Realm

2. Qi Gathering Realm

3. Foundation Establishment Realm

4. Core Formation Realm

There are stages beyond these, but I don't know about them. My own spirit root is of the five-element type, and I've only reached the 5th level of the Body Refining Realm. After a battle long ago, I lost two of my spirit roots, and now I'm stuck at the 3rd level of the Body Refining Realm."

2. Mid-Grade Spirit Roots

"These involve four elements. Cultivators with mid-grade spirit roots can reach the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm, but advancing beyond that is extremely challenging and risky."

3. High-Grade Spirit Roots

"High-grade spirit roots involve three elements. Such cultivators can surpass the Qi Gathering Realm and reach the Foundation Establishment Realm. However, their foundation tends to be unstable, which can make further progress difficult."

4. Earth-Grade Spirit Roots

"These involve only two elements. Cultivators with earth-grade spirit roots can often reach the Core Formation Realm and have a much stronger foundation than those with high-grade spirit roots. While progressing beyond the Core Formation Realm is risky, those with opportunities or resources can still advance."

5. Heaven-Grade Spirit Roots

"These are the pinnacle of talent. Heaven-grade spirit roots involve only one element, allowing their cultivators to excel without hindrance. They are the geniuses of the cultivation world, destined to soar to great heights, enjoy long lifespans, and even achieve the ability to fly."

6. Mutant Spirit Roots

"Mutant spirit roots are incredibly rare and unique. They include attributes like ice, lightning, light, and darkness. Cultivators with these roots are often unpredictable in their growth and power."

After finishing, Qi Lei looked at Bei Lin with a small smile. "Understanding spirit roots is the first step. Don't worry about where you stand just yet. Focus on strengthening your body and finding your path. If you have the will, you can overcome even the greatest challenges."

Qi Lei adjusted in his chair and stroked his beard as he prepared to explain the Body Refining Realm.

"Listen closely, little Bei. The Body Refining Realm has 10 stages. Each stage helps strengthen and purify your body to prepare it for Qi, which will fill your dantian later. This stage builds your foundation—strong muscles, sturdy bones, and more resilience."

He pointed to his chest. "The first stage is about awakening your body to Qi. You can't absorb Qi into your dantian yet, but you can feel the energy in the air and guide it through your body. This will clear your meridians and prepare you for cultivation."

To cultivate the First Stage, "Start by finding a quiet spot. Sit up straight with your legs crossed. Focus on your breathing. Inhale deeply through your nose, imagining Qi entering your body with each breath. Hold it briefly, then exhale slowly, letting go of impurities. Repeat this to calm your mind and sharpen your focus."

"Next, sense the Qi around you. Close your eyes and notice the subtle feelings—like the sun's warmth, the breeze's coolness, or the earth's energy. These are all forms of Qi. Tune into these feelings and visualize them coming to you."

"Once you sense Qi, guide it through your body. Start with simple circuits. Imagine Qi entering through your nose as you breathe in, moving down to your chest, then spreading to your limbs and back up as you exhale. At this stage, you're not storing Qi; you're just getting used to its flow."

"The Qi moving through you will nourish and strengthen your muscles and bones over time. You may feel warmth or tingling as you practice. Combine this with physical exercises, like your sword practice, to improve your progress."

Qi Lei leaned forward, his tone serious. "The first stage is slow and takes patience. You need to practice daily, slowly increasing the amount of Qi your body can handle. This will purify your body, remove toxins, and make you stronger. Only when your body is refined can you move to the second stage, where you'll start storing Qi in your dantian."

He smiled warmly. "You have determination, little Bei. That's key. Keep at it, and you'll pass this stage before you know it."

If you do not possess spirit roots, then you cannot feel Qi. If you have spirit roots, you can feel it, but it takes time; taking time also means your spirit roots are low talented."

Bai Lin nodded her head. "Thank you, Grandmaster Lei. I will work hard on my cultivation."

Qi Lei smiled at her and said, "I believe that one day you will become a powerful cultivator."

Bai Lin then bid farewell to the village chief and walked to her house. The noon sun was casting its power.