Chapter 314 - 158: Inner Strength

This was the tangible manifestation of his improved Root Bone.

Some of the more difficult maneuvers in Martial Arts were simply impossible for those with poor Root Bone, or a Root Bone incompatible with the art. Even if they somehow managed to perform the move, they would struggle to meet the standard, let alone achieve perfection.

Conversely, those with a good Root Bone, or one that was compatible with the corresponding Martial Arts, could not only execute difficult maneuvers perfectly but could do so as effortlessly as moving their own limbs.

This was the difference a Root Bone could make.

Over the past two months, Chen Cheng had supplemented his training with Aged Golden Ring Treasure Snake Medicinal Wine and Treasure Fish—both known to improve one’s Root Bone. Combined with his unceasing practice of Foundation Establishment Tai Chi, his Root Bone had undoubtedly improved significantly.

He recalled Pang Shixun’s assessment of his Root Bone from three months ago: besides his unique ’Muscle Extreme,’ his skin, flesh, bones, and five organs—the other four extremes—were all low-grade.

The Martial Selection would be held in three days.

Pang Shixun was certain to be in attendance.

If Pang Shixun was still willing to honor their three-month agreement, Chen Cheng would naturally seek him out to have his Root Bone re-evaluated. He wanted to see just how much he had improved during this time.

’After reaching Health Tai Chi Perfection, continued practice still benefited my physique and Heart Spirit. So, if I continue practicing after reaching perfection in Foundation Establishment Tai Chi, it should also continue to improve my Root Bone...’

Chen Cheng mused to himself.

’Perfect. After returning the Celestial God Hidden Dragon Painting, I’ll have some free time in my training schedule. Filling that gap with both Health Tai Chi and Foundation Establishment Tai Chi couldn’t be more fitting.’

’As for Limit-Breaking...’

He glanced at the panel in his mind’s eye, and with a slight flicker of intent, he thought:

’Break!’

「Foundation Establishment Tai Chi → Inner Strength Tai Chi」

[Inner Strength Tai Chi]: Stomach (0/3000), Traits (None), Limit-Breaking (No)

’Inner Strength... Does that mean improving the internal organs? And it starts with the Stomach...’

A thought surfaced in Chen Cheng’s mind:

’The first level is no longer just Entry Level, but specialized training for the stomach. As my training progresses, will all functions related to the stomach be enhanced accordingly?’

’...I’ll know once I try.’

Chen Cheng composed himself and began to breathe slowly. The Blood Qi in his body receded like the tide, returning to a state of tranquility.

Then, gently raising his palms, he began to practice the all-new Inner Strength Tai Chi.

Unlike Foundation Establishment Tai Chi, which focused on pursuing and breaking limits, the methods of Inner Strength Tai Chi were closer to the Harmony and Unceasing nature of Health Tai Chi.

The opening move.

He circled his arms before his abdomen, palms facing inward with his ten fingers pointing toward each other, as if cradling a phantom full moon.

He sank his shoulders and dropped his elbows, his spine hanging loose as if suspended from above.

His breathing grew fine, even, deep, and long. With each inhalation and exhalation, it was as if an invisible thread connected his entire body, creating a unified flow from the Hundred Gatherings point on his crown to the soles of his feet.

At the same time, every breath mobilized all the Blood Qi within his body.

The Seven Pillars of Blood Qi resonated in unison, giving rise to seven wisps of sanguine aroma, coiling like pythons and dragons. After coursing through his entire body, they converged on his stomach like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea.

At first, nothing seemed unusual.

After more than a dozen breaths, an incredibly soft and faint flame seemed to ignite within his stomach.

This flame didn’t burn. Instead, it was a gentle, nurturing warmth that spread slowly from the center of his stomach wall, like the first thaw of spring, like morning mist slowly dissipating.

It then transformed into a trickle, seeping bit by bit into his stomach, intestines, spleen, and other internal organs.

The sensation was neither intense nor searing; it was gentle and enduring, filling Chen Cheng with an unprecedented sense of well-being.

At the same time, as the sanguine aroma continued to seep in, he could clearly feel the peristaltic movements of his stomach, intestines, and other internal organs becoming gradually more distinct.

It was no longer a chaotic, unconscious instinct, but a distinct movement with rhythm, regularity, and even a spiritual grace.

Critically, this distinct pattern of organ movement was in perfect sync with the circulation of his Tai Chi Qi.

Deep within Chen Cheng’s Heart Spirit,

that wisp of half-black, half-white Qi, ethereal as silk or smoke, continued its endless, cyclical rotation in the shape of an infinity symbol, ∞.

And now,

the rhythm, regularity, and even the spiritual grace of his organs’ movements were in perfect sync with that ∞ symbol.

Chen Cheng continued his practice, carefully observing and comprehending the changes.

He still couldn’t figure out the exact purpose of that wisp of Tai Chi Qi.

However, he was surprised to discover that as he practiced Inner Strength Tai Chi, a portion of the sanguine aroma entering his stomach seemed to be ’digested’ by the organ itself, only to then be completely ’absorbed’ by the Tai Chi Qi.

However, the portion of sanguine aroma that was ’digested and absorbed’ was minuscule.

It was unlikely that any concrete effects would be noticeable in the short term.

With this thought, Chen Cheng withdrew his attention from the Tai Chi Qi and refocused on the changes in his stomach.

The stomach is the sea of grain and water, the source of Blood Qi.

Gastric Strength leads to powerful absorption; powerful absorption transforms nourishment into essence; essence generates Blood Qi; and sufficient Blood Qi nourishes the entire body.

Gastric Strength was the starting point of this entire process.

And powerful absorption was the fuel for Gastric Strength.

"Stop!"

Having come to this realization, Chen Cheng immediately stopped practicing Inner Strength Tai Chi and turned toward the medicine room.

’Gastric Strength requires powerful absorption. Simply put, that means eating more, and eating better... If there isn’t enough ’fuel’ in my stomach, my body will start burning the sanguine aroma, and then my Blood Qi, until it’s completely exhausted. This is no joking matter...’

Chen Cheng walked over to a corner of the room.

From a large wooden chest, he took out a box of Iron-Bone Crocodile Eel Essence Dried Meat and began popping pieces into his mouth, one after another.

He remembered a time when a single piece of Exotic Tiger Essence Dried Meat of the same size would have lasted him for three days.

But as his physique grew stronger, and especially as his cultivation of the Four Gods Profound Body advanced, his need for external supplements had been constantly increasing.

Now, he could finish an entire box of this Iron-Bone Crocodile Eel Essence Dried Meat in just three days.

Now, with the addition of Inner Strength Tai Chi training—especially during this phase of developing Gastric Strength—he feared his food intake would skyrocket.