Record of Mortals Slaying Heaven

"Guide the Qi into the body, let it circulate along the meridians, circulating throughout the body, and return to the Dantian..."

Shen Moqi practiced according to the "Luo Xiao Yin Qi Gong" and opened his eyes after a week.

He felt that his speed in cultivating the "Luo Xiao Yin Qi Gong" had increased, whether in absorbing or refining spiritual energy, but the increase was not significant, only about 30%.

He carefully recalled the "Basic Breathing Method of Luo Xiao"—he had practiced this method for several months and knew the path of spiritual energy circulation by heart.

He compared the two techniques, trying to find out the reason for the increased speed of absorbing and refining spiritual energy.

After comparison, it was found that the two techniques operate on basically the same path. However, the "Luo Xiao Gui Qi Gong" creates a vortex when absorbing spiritual energy into the Baihui acupoint, while the "Luo Xiao Basic Breathing Method" does not. Another difference is that the "Luo Xiao Gui Qi Gong" guides the spiritual energy through several branch meridians before it enters the dantian. The spiritual energy then exits from the branch meridians and enters the dantian. This makes the spiritual energy entering the dantian feel purer. Although the number of refining times is still five, the difficulty of refining decreases, thus increasing the refining speed.

Shen Moqi pondered for a long time and found these two reasons, but she was still not sure and worried that she had missed something, so she wanted to ask Xiao Jiu.

Shen Moqi opened her phone, photographed each page of "Luo Xiao Yin Qi Gong" and sent it to Xiao Jiu.

"Xiao Jiu, after practicing these two techniques, I found that practicing the 'Luo Xiao Qi Guiding Technique' makes absorbing and refining spiritual energy a little faster, about 30% faster than practicing the 'Luo Xiao Basic Breathing Method'." Shen Moqi thought for a moment, and in order to give Xiao Jiu a more accurate analysis, she also shared her experience of practicing the two techniques.

This time, Xiao Jiu did not answer immediately, but waited for about twenty breaths before the screen displayed lines of text: "Analysis of the techniques shows that the Luo Xiao Qi Guiding Technique has three more branch meridians than the Luo Xiao Basic Breathing Method, but it is impossible to analyze why the Luo Xiao Qi Guiding Technique generates a vortex at the Baihui acupoint."

"Then can you combine the two techniques to create a more advanced technique?" Shen Moqi then asked.

This time the wait was even longer before the phone screen finally displayed: "Because 'Luo Xiao Yin Qi Gong' is an upgraded version of 'Luo Xiao Basic Breathing Method,' the rationale analysis of adding three branch meridians to 'Luo Xiao Yin Qi Gong' leads to the following new exercise..." A meridian circulation diagram was also attached, with the last line in bold text stating, "The new exercise has not been verified and is not recommended for easy practice."

Shen Moqi carefully read the new technique given by Xiao Jiu and found that the new technique had eight more branches than the "Luo Xiao Yin Qi Gong". Moreover, these eight branches, like those in the "Luo Xiao Yin Qi Gong", were directly connected to the main meridian and did not extend from the branches.

"There shouldn't be a big problem. If it malfunctions and the spiritual energy gets too close to the main vein, it can retreat back to the main vein in time, so it won't be out of control," Shen Moqi thought to herself. "I have a mid-grade Yellow-level Five Elements Spiritual Root. If I cultivate normally, even if I cultivate the 'Luo Xiao Qi Guiding Technique,' I'll probably reach the limit of my lifespan by the time I reach the twelfth level of Qi Refining. This is an opportunity. I'll take the gamble." Then a determined look flashed in her eyes.

Shen Moqi sat down cross-legged again and began to cultivate according to the new cultivation method constructed by Xiao Jiu.

As soon as she started cultivating, Shen Moqi felt a larger vortex forming at her Baihui acupoint. After the spiritual energy entered through the Baihui acupoint, it descended along the main meridian and encountered the first newly added branch meridian. Shen Moqi then controlled the spiritual energy to enter.

Just then, Shen Moqi suddenly felt the spiritual energy that had entered the branch meridian rush back to the main meridian like a wild horse, causing a surge of spiritual energy in the main meridian and a sharp pain in her body.

"Pfft!" Shen Moqi spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

I don't know how much time passed—maybe a few minutes, maybe an hour—but the pain finally subsided.

Shen Moqi, who was lying on the ground, slowly opened her eyes. Her whole body was soaked in cold sweat, as if she had been pulled out of the water.

Shen Moqi struggled to sit up and closed her eyes to look inward.

Upon seeing this, my heart sank to the bottom.

At least three cracks appeared on the main channel through which spiritual energy flowed. The cracks were not large, but they were clearly visible, like the cracks in porcelain, a shocking sight.

As he circulated the "Basic Breathing Technique of Luo Xiao," the spiritual energy he absorbed would "leak" out through the crack, causing a needle-like pain.

"It's over..."

Shen Moqi muttered to herself, her face deathly pale.

He tried circulating the "Luo Xiao Yin Qi Gong" again, but the result was the same, forcing him to stop.

"Cultivation... I can't cultivate anymore." He gave a bitter laugh. "Did I just ruin myself?"

"Xiao Jiu, let me ask Xiao Jiu, see if Xiao Jiu has any ideas." Shen Moqi was like a drowning person grasping at the last straw.

Shen Moqi activated the AI ​​and explained her situation to Xiao Jiu: "Xiao Jiu, is there any way to help now?"

The screen displayed a brief line of text: "Based on current data analysis, if the meridian rupture does not widen further, there is a possibility of self-healing. However, the self-healing period is uncertain, and it is not advisable to perform any exercises during the healing period."

"How long will it take for it to heal itself?"

"Insufficient data to make an estimate."

Shen Moqi remained silent for a long time.

He recalled the tropes in martial arts novels where the protagonist's meridians were severed, and they would either encounter a reclusive master or find rare and precious materials to rebuild them. But this was a world of cultivation, and he was merely a disciple of the Scripture Pavilion at the second level of Qi Refining. Where would he find any rare and precious materials?

"I really..." He took a deep breath and swallowed back the swear words that were about to come out.

Regret is too late.

The most important thing now is—what to do?

Shen Moqi looked out the window and realized it was almost noon.

He was startled; he had been unconscious on the ground for so long that the opening time of the Scripture Pavilion had already passed. He hoped that Senior Lin would not blame him.

He quickly got up, changed into another set of disciple's clothes, and looked in the mirror.

He saw a pale face and sunken eyes in the mirror. He patted his cheeks hard, trying to look more energetic.

"I can't let Senior Lin find out," he told himself.

The task at the Scripture Pavilion cannot be delayed. Although Senior Lin is stubborn but soft-hearted, it would be difficult to explain if he were to be absent without a valid reason.

What's more—what he needs most right now is to stay in the library. There are countless books there; perhaps he can find a way to heal the cracks in his meridians.

When I arrived at the library, I saw Senior Lin sitting on the first floor registering books.

"Young man Shen, why are you so late today?" Senior Lin sat behind the counter, not even lifting his eyelids. "You're usually quite early, aren't you?"

"I've been working on the Nine Palaces Diagram from the Grand Elder for a while now, and my mind is completely exhausted. Last night, I relaxed and overslept." Shen Moqi tried her best to make her voice sound normal.

Senior Lin glanced at Shen Moqi's pale face: "Hmm, you're right. I didn't consider that. Should we rest for another day?"

Shen Moqi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly cupped her hands, saying, "Thank you for your concern, senior. I feel much better now." After saying that, she went over to take over from Senior Lin in organizing the books.

Senior Lin didn't ask any more questions and left directly.

But Shen Moqi's condition today is really bad.

His mind was completely preoccupied with the cracked meridians. He held a book in his hand, his eyes were on the bookshelf, but his mind was elsewhere. When he got to the third shelf, he actually placed a copy of "History of the Great Liang Dynasty" on the shelf for the geographical regions of the various kingdoms.

He was looking for a book for an outer disciple, who wanted "Identification of Spiritual Herbs," but he had brought "Identification of Minerals." The outer disciple looked at him with a puzzled expression: "Senior brother, I wanted 'Identification of Spiritual Herbs'..."

"Huh? Oh, oh, sorry, I took the wrong one." Shen Moqi quickly replaced it with another one.

As the outer disciple left, he looked back at him several times, his eyes full of doubt.

And so, Shen Moqi drifted along in a daze until Shenshi (3-5 PM).

When the bell rang to signal the closing of the library, he practically fled.

Back in the courtyard, he closed the door and immediately picked up his phone.

"Xiao Jiu, I've thought about this carefully." His voice was a little hoarse. "This problem of the fractured meridians must be resolved as soon as possible. The longer it's delayed, the greater the risk. Do you know any methods to treat fractured meridians?"

"Based on the currently collected database, no relevant records have been found regarding the treatment of meridian fissures."

"What?" Shen Moqi was stunned. "Now that it has three or four thousand books, not a single one records anything about meridians?"

"The information we've collected so far mainly consists of Qi Refining Realm techniques, introductions to spiritual herbs, minerals, and other related materials, as well as some travelogues and notes. We suggest collecting information on medical techniques or meridian systems."

Shen Moqi fell silent and paced back and forth in the room.

"This can't be delayed," he muttered to himself. "If Xiao Jiu doesn't know, we have to ask someone. But who can we ask?"

Senior Lin is definitely not someone we can contact.

Leaving aside whether Senior Lin would punish him for modifying the cultivation technique without permission—he wouldn't even pass the meridian probing hurdle. If Senior Lin used his divine sense to probe, the secret of his five elemental spiritual roots would be exposed, and if he continued investigating, his cell phone would also be exposed.

Chen Ping could be trusted, but he was just an ordinary disciple of the Spirit Plant Hall, at the seventh level of Qi Refining, and might not understand matters like meridian damage. Moreover, Chen Ping was straightforward; what if he let something slip…

Ji Yao.

When the name came to mind, Shen Moqi stopped in her tracks.

Ji Yao is a disciple of the Alchemy Hall. The Alchemy Hall has many books related to spiritual herbs and healing, so she might know something about it. Moreover, judging from their previous interactions, Ji Yao at least doesn't seem to have any ill intentions towards him.

But the problem is—how do I bring it up?

You can't just say, "I've cracked my meridians while cultivating, do you have any medicine?" That would be too suspicious. What right would an outer disciple at the second level of Qi Refining have to access a cultivation technique that requires healing for cracked meridians?

"We need to find a suitable reason." Shen Moqi frowned. "Let's say... Senior Lin bestowed upon me the 'Luo Xiao Gui Qi Gong,' which has made me absorb spiritual energy much faster, but my meridians are not adapting well. I'd like to know if there are any elixirs that can help regulate it?"

This reason is barely plausible.

He decided to go see Ji Yao tomorrow.

While lying in bed, Shen Moqi examined the cracks in her meridians again.

The crack did not widen, but it also showed no signs of healing.

"I hope Ji Yao can be of help." He closed his eyes. "Otherwise..."

He didn't continue thinking about it.

Outside the window, night was deepening.

The gates of the Luo Xiao Sect stood silently under the moonlight, with distant peaks shrouded in mist. Unbeknownst to anyone, a mere outer disciple at the second level of Qi Refining was currently lying in the courtyard behind the Scripture Pavilion, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, troubled by several shattered meridians.