"Let me see, let me see!" Sun Lingtong was very curious.
Ning Zhuo informed him that the Fetal Breathing Spirit Boat could not be cremated for the time being, and instead, due to the unsuccessful cremation, he had obtained a cultivation technique, which surprised Sun Lingtong greatly.
Having witnessed the technique being activated amidst the flames, Sun Lingtong lamented, "From the information we got from the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, this Fetal Breathing Spirit Boat is a treasure that has been passed down for many generations."
"Who would have thought that it would reveal its complete scripture after falling into your hands, boy."
"This cultivation technique is powerful, and if one actively practices it successfully, it's as if everyone could temporarily enter the Fetal Breathing State, which would greatly enhance both one's physical cultivation and combat capabilities, among other things."
"You've had quite some good fortune lately, boy."
Sun Lingtong regarded Ning Zhuo with newfound respect.
He then asked, "What do you plan to do next?"
Standing by his side, Ning Zhuo stopped the Cremation Prajnaparamita Soul-Resolving Scripture and gradually extinguished the flame. His brows furrowed in distress, he gazed at the unscathed Fetal Breathing Spirit Boat: "I'm considering whether to return to the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect to seek understanding of this Fetal Breathing Technique using the Spirit Hidden Willow."
After his failure, Ning Zhuo had attempted to comprehend this technique.
However, this cultivation method was clearly a Body Cultivation Method, and his profound Five Elements Realm was of no help; he could only rely on his own experience and knowledge to learn, understand, and deduce.
This way, it was too slow!
It would be possible if there were a mentor who practiced this cultivation method to teach him.
But the Fetal Breathing Spirit Boat was clearly an ancient treasure, and it was unknown through what channels the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect had acquired and passed it down.
As for the Fetal Breathing Technique, Ning Zhuo had speculated through his research that it was certainly not a new method. It should be older than the Three Superior Sect Techniques, but far more recent than the Five Organs Temple Spirit Divine Skill.
Sun Lingtong looked at Ning Zhuo with surprise and blurted out, "The Spirit Hidden Willow has already been tormented so much that it probably can't sustain you comprehending this cultivation method, right?"
"Last time you almost killed it, and it has only just managed to cling to life. If you continue to overuse its power so recklessly, you might well consign it to death."
"After all, neither you nor I can strictly control the Spirit Hidden Willow or the extent of its assistance."
Ning Zhuo sighed deeply, his expression gloomy: "That's what I'm worried about, boss."
After further discussion, the two decided to stick with their original plan and continue on their journey. In the meantime, Ning Zhuo would try to comprehend this cultivation method on his own strength.
Sun Lingtong would also help.
As for the Spirit Hidden Willow, they would let it rest and recover. If Ning Zhuo made no progress or encountered a bottleneck in understanding the cultivation method, he could then ride the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon back to the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect for assistance.
"The current state of the Spirit Hidden Willow is weak; even if I went back now, I could only grasp a little bit of the cultivation method by using it."
"It needs intermittent rest to preserve its vitality."
"In this case, comprehending the cultivation method would be sporadic and fraught with interruptions."
"On the contrary, it's better to let it fully recover before I use it to comprehend the cultivation method. This way, the efficiency would undoubtedly be higher!"
Having resolved this, Ning Zhuo entrusted Sun Lingtong with the responsibility of the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon, while he himself exerted all his effort to laboriously study the Fetal Breathing Technique.
Although this turn of events brought him actual gains, deep down he did not wish for it.
What True Scripture Skills could compare to healing Buddhist Doctor Meng Yaoyin?
Now, although he had cleverly obtained the Fetal Breathing Spirit Boat, he was delayed by this cultivation method and therefore unable to burn the boat.
"If I had known this, who would have wasted so much time at the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect?"
"Mother, I have failed you!"
With such thoughts, his study of the Fetal Breathing Technique carried a tinge of resentment and anger.
Once, when he saw the part "When first learning breath control, one must visualize the breath exiting and entering through the navel, refining it to utmost subtlety," he impulsively began to practice breath control as his heart moved him.
He held his breath with great effort, attempting to breathe through his navel, counting to eighty-one. However, the breath ran wild within him, uncontrollable.
A sharp pain erupted from his abdomen, and Ning Zhuo felt the breath inside him like a runaway horse, rampaging every which way.
His forehead was covered in cold sweat, yet his heart became even more resolute, and he refused to give in, continuing to forcefully circulate the energy, trying to draw the breath into his Dantian. Instead of complying, the breath grew more violent, as if it wanted to tear his body apart.
His complexion turned pale, his lips turned purple, and the breath within him felt like an invisible net, tightly entangling him. He tried to exhale through his mouth and nose but found his breath blocked, unable to breathe smoothly!
With a loud cry, the chaotic energy inside him finally burst forth.
Ning Zhuo felt a severe pain in his chest, followed immediately by a mouthful of fresh blood spewing out, staining the ground in front of him red.
His body shook violently, and he lost control at that moment, collapsing to the ground as if all his strength had been drained.
His vision blurred, and his consciousness began to fade. He heard roaring in his ears as if everything in the world was moving away from him.
Although his eyes were open, they were so dim that he found himself amidst endless darkness, silent all around, with only his own weak gasps echoing back.
The breath inside him was no longer in turmoil, but the sense of pain was agonizingly heavy, as if countless blades were cutting and piercing every part of his body.
The intense pain nearly made him lose consciousness.
"Hang in there... must hang... on." Ning Zhuo roused his spirit with effort.
He was very clear that at this moment, he had to swallow elixir pills as quickly as possible to heal. Any delay, and the injuries would intensify rapidly, resulting in a much greater price to pay for healing later.
But he couldn't move, not an ounce of strength in him.
His vision had partially regained some brightness, but it was still quite blurry.
The dizziness became even more intense!
Just as he could no longer hold on and was about to truly faint, a figure he was incredibly familiar with, incredibly dear, burst into his field of vision.
"Boss," he said, his voice incredibly faint.
Sun Lingtong was shocked; his heart thumped erratically in the Dragon Head Cabin, sensing something amiss. He thought quickly, attempting to pinpoint the source of his unease.
He immediately checked on the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit within the Clam Pearl and found it still in hibernation.
"Little Zhuo!"
Sun Lingtong let out a sudden shout and decisively left the Dragon Head Cabin, rushing to the cultivation cabin.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw Ning Zhuo collapsed on the floor.
The bloodstains in front of Ning Zhuo, his face the color of golden paper, his whole body drenched in sweat, all these made Sun Lingtong's heart ache.
Sun Lingtong immediately took action, assessing Ning Zhuo's condition, extracted Elixir Pills, and infused Mana, aiding him in digesting the medicinal effects.
Ning Zhuo felt greatly reassured and fell into a deep sleep.
By the time he woke up, a whole day and night had already passed.
He felt much better!
Although his body was still weak, the terrible pain had diminished to a tenth of what it was, his head still dizzy, making him feel unsteady on his feet, but it was much better than during his moment of deviation.
"Boss," Ning Zhuo walked slowly, pacing into the Dragon Head Cabin.
Sun Lingtong had already sensed Ning Zhuo leaving his personal cabin and walking along the corridor as soon as he had set out, while in the Dragon Head Cabin.
When Ning Zhuo opened the door and entered the Dragon Head Cabin, Sun Lingtong, however, did not turn around but snorted coldly.
"Boss, I was wrong," said Ning Zhuo, who came up behind Sun Lingtong with an embarrassed smile and bowed his head in acknowledgment.
Only then did Sun Lingtong turn around, his brow deeply furrowed, his face stern, as he scolded in a loud voice.
"Little Zhuo, you fool, you actually started to practice the 'Fetal Breathing Technique'?"
"This tumble you took was a good one!"
"The feeling of deviation is the best reminder for someone like you."
"You have already cultivated the Demon-infused Bloodline Technique and established your Lower Dantian. How can you still attempt to practice other techniques?"
"This is a principle well known by even the most basic Qi Refining Practitioners at the beginning of their paths, yet you made such a mistake!"
Ning Zhuo scratched his head: "Looking back, it's indeed beyond my understanding. I was so engrossed in comprehending the 'Fetal Breathing Technique' that I inadvertently tried to operate it."
"When I encountered obstacles, I should have stopped, but at the time, my mood was not good, and I was somewhat agitated, so I thought of powering through."
"This time, the reason I've recovered so quickly is all thanks to your timely help, boss! Boss, you really are my great boss."
Sun Lingtong, however, grew even angrier when praised like that, and floated over to Ning Zhuo, balling up a small fist and striking Ning Zhuo's head hard.
"You little rascal, still joking around!"
"You are sentenced to seven days in confinement, to reflect on your mistakes. During this period, you are not to cultivate."
Ning Zhuo's face instantly went pale, and he exclaimed, "Boss, what about my daily exercises?"
Sun Lingtong furrowed his brow tightly, so angry his cheeks flushed crimson, hands on his hips, and he yelled, "Haven't you understood what I just said?"
"I understand, I understand!" Ning Zhuo quickly responded.
"Get lost, go to your confinement," Sun Lingtong directed with a finger toward the cabin.
Ning Zhuo walked away, dejected and dull, bidding farewell to Sun Lingtong before leaving the Dragon Head Cabin.
Sun Lingtong watched via the visual feed as Ning Zhuo trudged down the corridor and entered his own living quarters. Only then did he let out a deep sigh, muttering in his heart, "Little Zhuo..."
That's when Sun Lingtong showed a deep concern.
He knew very well the state Ning Zhuo was in!
Seeing Ning Zhuo in that moment, Sun Lingtong felt as though he was looking at his former self.
Once upon a time, his master had been trapped within the Lava Fairy Palace, mysteriously disappeared. Even with just a Qi Refining Level, Sun Lingtong repeatedly ventured deep into Fire Persimmon Mountain, into the Lava Fairy Palace, risking his life to explore with each entry.
Did he not know that he was taking risks doing so?
Did he not realize that his master's chances of survival were slim?
Looking back on his past, Sun Lingtong found that these seemingly straightforward questions actually, at the time, he did not really know!
Because all he focused on was finding his master, even if logic had told him that there was little hope, he would repress this realization into the deepest corner of his heart.
For a long time, the belief in finding his master had spurred Sun Lingtong on to be aggressive and fearless in his approach.
Now, Ning Zhuo's situation was so strikingly similar to his own!
"So how did I manage to overcome it?"