After successfully integrating the first cultivation move, Su Mu finally understood why the Breathing Technique required the integration of multiple cultivation moves.
Repeating one cultivation move for Breathing Technique cultivation over and over, Su Mu felt a piercing pain in his organs, as if drilling into his heart, forcing this cultivation fanatic to stop his training.
"Over-cultivation of one or a few moves can damage the organs, so it can't be sustained over a long period."
"To complete the cycle, you must find a balanced critical point."
"By integrating more cultivation moves, you can leave room for energy, avoiding potential hazards caused by prolonged cultivation."
Su Mu comprehended this, once again amazed by the ingenious ideas of the pioneering martial artists, these cultivation techniques were explored step by step by predecessors, countless bloodshed was poured in the process.
One wonders how much sacrifice was made to explore and confirm the right path.
Calming his thoughts, Su Mu reflected for a moment.
"Today is my twenty-sixth day of practicing the Breathing Technique, this world is full of geniuses, taking twenty-six days just to integrate the first move seems slow, right?"
But Su Mu was not discouraged, only a grown-up genius becomes strong, it's okay to proceed slowly, he never expected to become a Martial Saint or anything.
As long as he's on the path to getting stronger, it's a good thing, he simply wants to use his efforts to make life better for his family.
At least not troubled by material worries, able to pursue dreams and spiritual richness.
And as a father, he doesn't want his wife Miaomiao and daughter Xiaoyue to experience the hardships he once faced.
...
Sunday morning, the sun was bright.
In the Cultivation Room, Su Mu was sweating like rain, his Qi and Blood surged within him, breaking through the Third Level Middle Stage in an instant, after a moment he took a long breath.
"Qi and Blood have reached the Third Level High Stage."
Though sleepless for a night, Su Mu remained energetic, a martial artist's vigor, energy, and spirit were far stronger than ordinary people, missing a night's sleep was only a minor issue for him now.
Especially after daily meditation, Su Mu felt his spirit improved significantly compared to before.
"Time to wash up."
Su Mu did not continue cultivation, as he planned to take Zhao Meng out for hotpot today, a perfect opportunity to inquire about meditation.
In front of the hotpot restaurant, Su Mu arrived half an hour early, fifteen minutes past the appointed time, Zhao Meng appeared in a red dress, panting.
"Sorry, Senior, have you been waiting long?"
"No, I just got here, that dress looks pretty nice." Su Mu glanced a few times, thinking how much better his wife Miaomiao would look in it, planning to buy one as a small gift.
"Really?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Meng stood up straight, lifted her skirt, and spun around lightly, "I feel it's a bit too bright."
"It is a bit, but suitable for young people."
"Senior, sometimes you sound so old-fashioned."
"Haha, I'm naturally not young anymore."
Zhao Meng just took him as joking and thought nothing of it.
The hotpot place bustled with people, fortunately, Su Mu had his habit of arriving early, securing a table in advance, known for its mineral water pot insisting on original flavor.
"Feel free to order, it's my treat."
"Then, Senior, I won't hold back."
Both Su Mu and Zhao Meng were hearty eaters, their order exceeded even the four-person table next to them, Zhao Meng specifically ordered a large bottle of plum juice.
"Senior, let me pour you a cup, I've heard the plum juice here is good, and you can refill after finishing the bottle."
"Sure."
Su Mu loved spicy food, once a native of Xiangchu Land, where no meal was complete without spice, his dipping sauce mainly spicy, while Zhao Meng preferred a variety, creating five different flavors.
Beef rolled in the pot, once most of the redness faded, Su Mu scooped it with a sieve, perched on the pot's rim, the two began eating.
The beef was at its tenderest then, with savory, spicy, salty, and garlic flavors blooming on the palate, followed by a sip of chilled plum juice, truly satisfying.
"Delicious!"
"Eat more then."
During the meal, Su Mu inquired about meditation, after swallowing a piece of stomach lining Zhao Meng spoke, "My grandfather once ran an Ancient Martial Arts Hall, now retired at home, I learned meditation from a handwritten book found there."
Ancient Martial Arts Hall?
Ah, makes sense, thought Su Mu, previously considering meditation a hoax, but after personal experience, Zhao Meng's guidance was amazingly effective.
Yet, could such things be easily shared?
Zhao Meng seemed to read Su Mu's thoughts, "Meditation isn't some secret technique, I called grandpa yesterday, and he said it's up to me."
With that Zhao Meng retrieved a thin notebook from her handbag and handed it over.
Su Mu wiped his hands clean before receiving it, the notebook looked weathered, with years of wear indicated, only a few thin pages, finely textured and mildly cool, unlike regular materials.
"I'll copy it tonight and return it to you."
"No need, grandpa said most of it had been lost over the years, only a fraction of the start remains in the handwritten book, barely a fifth, he has several others."
"Then I'll accept it, rest assured, without your permission, I won't share it with anyone."
...
"Mengmeng, how was your date with your Senior Su today?"
Zhao Meng paused for a moment.
"You all misunderstood, we weren't dating, Senior Su simply was grateful for my help!"
Under friends' questioning, Zhao Meng retold the events, realizing neither she nor Su Mu thought much beyond enjoying the meal, leaving the friends bewildered.
Could it be as Zhao Meng claimed, Su Mu had no romantic interest in her?
"Did he mention meeting again?"
"No, I told you, it's not what you imagined, Senior sees me as a sister."
"Mengmeng, any thoughts about today?"
"Thoughts? Honestly, friends, the stomach lining was so tasty, and the plum juice refreshing, let's all go next time."
Her friends fell silent, seemingly indeed misunderstood.
Zhao Meng had clearly regarded Senior Su as an older brother.
Based on her narration, Senior Su mainly spoke on meditation and food, treating Zhao Meng like a sister without inappropriate intentions.
...
The tenth of every month is the day for Linjiang Base martial artist families to receive supplements.
This world favors martial artists, as long as one member is an artist, the family receives supplements, Su Mu's family of three includes two martial artists, Su Mu and Jiang Miaomiao, eligible for two supplements monthly.
On top of his university job, Su Mu earns additional supplements.
Neighbors gossip with envy about Su Mu's family.
However, only the family knows their situation, Xiaoyue suffered illnesses from a young age, despite Su Mu earning well, they saved little.
When Jiang Miaomiao arrived at the hall, it was already crowded, seeing the long line concerned her.
"Miaomiao, over here." Someone waved to her.
The greeter was Jiang Miaomiao's high school friend Lu Xue, now teaching freshmen at the Linjiang Base's Jiuzhong Middle School, their relationship was average.
"Sorry, pardon me, we are together."
Queue-jumping left Jiang Miaomiao a bit embarrassed, her voice was soft.
"Thank you, Lu Xue."
"It's fine, here for supplements too?"
"Yes, Xiaoyue recently fell ill, the doctor advised more nutrition, suggesting Spirit Rice and Fierce Beast Flesh."
"Indeed, kids often get sick, more Spirit Rice helps." Lu Xue said with a pause, "Sometimes I envy you, Miaomiao, with Su Mu's job at a university."
"Unlike my Hu Yun with limited ability, stuck at Linjiang Base, recently promoted to a small supervisor, while I barely manage as a class teacher."
Jiang Miaomiao remained understanding, noticing Lu Xue's expression showed traces of pride and boast.
Years passed but Lu Xue remained unchanged, still fond of showing off.