Panlong's Transcendental Fire

Chapter 2 The Beginning of Cultivation

……

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Lin Tian got up, washed, changed into a light training outfit, and headed to the palace's martial arts arena under the guidance of a maid.

The training ground, located on the east side of the palace, was vast, paved with hard bluestone, and surrounded by various weapon racks and training equipment. It was still early, but many guards were already practicing their morning exercises.

"Third Prince!" A burly middle-aged man strode over; it was none other than the guard commander, Kahn. He was nearly two meters tall, with bulging muscles. His black outfit accentuated his robust physique, and his square face was resolute, with piercing, tiger-like eyes.

"Commander Kahn!" Lin Tian said.

Kahn nodded slightly, a smile appearing on his face: "Her Majesty the Empress has already given instructions. From today onwards, I will teach the Third Prince the Qi Gathering Style. Third Prince, the Qi Gathering Style is the foundation of a warrior's training, and also the most important foundation. It seems simple, but in reality, it contains infinite mysteries. Many people practice for years and still may not be able to truly grasp the essence of the Qi Gathering Style."

"Please give me your guidance, Commander!" Lin Tian said earnestly.

"Good!" Kahn nodded in satisfaction. "First, I'll tell you what the Qi Gathering Stance is. As the name suggests, the Qi Gathering Stance is a posture and breathing method that involves storing and nourishing the body's energy. Through specific postures and a special breathing rhythm, the elemental power of heaven and earth is guided into the body, tempering muscles, bones, flesh, and internal organs, thus laying a solid foundation for future cultivation of battle qi."

As he spoke, he adopted a strange posture—his feet slightly apart, knees slightly bent, hands hanging naturally at his sides with palms facing inward, head slightly raised, and eyes looking straight ahead. At the same time, his breathing became long and slow, as if resonating with the surrounding world with each breath.

"Your Highness, look closely. It's morning, the sun is rising, and all things are full of life. This is the best time to absorb the essence of heaven and earth and enhance our physical potential. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hands at your waist, forming the 'Qi Gathering Pose.' When practicing the Qi Gathering Pose, remember to 'concentrate your attention, keep your mind calm, and breathe naturally.'" Kahn explained while maintaining the posture, "The key to the Qi Gathering Pose lies in 'stillness' and 'sensation.' Stillness is a stillness of mind and body, eliminating all distracting thoughts, allowing the body and mind to reach a state of emptiness."

Lin Tian carefully observed Kahn's movements, then imitated his posture. However, as soon as he got into position, he felt his legs ache slightly and his body sway a little.

"Don't rush," Kahn walked to Lin Tian's side and gently adjusted his posture. "Spread your feet a little wider, bend your knees a little less... Yes, that's it. Remember, the Qi-gathering posture isn't about straining to support yourself, but about relaxing and letting your body naturally maintain this posture."

Following Kahn's instructions, Lin Tian slowly adjusted and indeed felt a bit more relaxed. He began to try to coordinate his breathing, inhaling and exhaling, trying to make his breaths as long as possible.

Lin Tian closed his eyes and tried to calm himself down as Kahn had instructed. At first, various distracting thoughts flashed through his mind—expectations for cultivation, hopes for the future, a sense of unfamiliarity with this world… But as his breathing gradually became steady, these distracting thoughts slowly dissipated.

Time passed second by second, and Lin Tian maintained his Qi-gathering posture, his breathing becoming longer and longer.

His legs trembled, and despite his strong will, the extreme soreness in his muscles was beyond his control, and he finally collapsed to the ground.

At the same time, Kahn's voice rang out again: "Alright, Third Prince, the first training session shouldn't be too long. You've done enough for today; stretch your body a bit."

"How are you feeling?" Kahn asked.

"I'm so tired, I feel like my whole body has been torn apart," Lin Tian answered truthfully.

Kahn chuckled, "It's always like this the first time. The Qi Gathering Formation is for physical training. Once your body is healthy, cultivating battle qi will be much easier. Alright, I'll take the Third Prince to soak in medicinal herbs."

"Okay," Lin Tian said.

Lin Tian and Kahn then headed towards a palace. Before they even arrived, Lin Tian smelled a pungent herbal odor.

"Are these the herbs that need to be steeped?"

"Yes, this is an herbal medicine specially developed for the royal family by the Empire's potion master at the request of Emperor Leo, specifically for Qi cultivation, to resolve hidden injuries during cultivation and enhance physical strength," Kahn said.

The two entered the palace and saw a huge bathtub in the center, its contents bubbling and emitting a strange light. With Kahn's help, Lin Tian slowly stepped into the tub. The moment the warm liquid submerged his body, Lin Tian couldn't help but gasp softly.

At first, the medicinal liquid brought a warm and tingling sensation, as if thousands of tiny needles were gently pricking his skin. Lin Tian frowned, gripping the edge of the bathtub tightly with both hands. Seeing this, Kahn said softly, "Your Highness, this is the medicine taking effect. It may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but you just need to relax and slowly feel it, and you will experience its wonders."

Lin Tian took a deep breath, trying to relax his body and adapt to the stinging sensation. Gradually, the stinging sensation began to transform into a warm, tingling numbness, seeping from the surface of his skin into his muscles and bones. He felt every inch of his muscles being gently massaged by an invisible force, and his originally sore legs gradually eased under the influence of this force.

"Commander Kahn, this herbal bath seems really magical. I feel the soreness in my body gradually lessening," Lin Tian said with delight.

Kahn smiled and nodded: "Your Highness, this herbal bath is a royal secret, and its effects are extraordinary. During the bath, the medicinal power of the herbs will seep into the body through the pores, repairing damaged muscles and meridians, while strengthening your physique. If you continue to bathe in it, your body will become stronger and stronger."

As time passed, Lin Tian became completely immersed in this wondrous feeling. He could almost feel the medicinal power in the liquid, like lively little sprites, wandering throughout his body, dispelling the fatigue and pain hidden deep within. His previously tense nerves gradually relaxed, and an unprecedented sense of comfort spread throughout his entire body.

"Commander Kahn, I feel like my body is full of vitality, as if I've been reborn," Lin Tian said excitedly, his eyes sparkling.

"That is precisely the wonder of herbal baths, Your Highness," Kahn said. "However, while these herbal baths are remarkably effective, one should not rely on them excessively. The key to cultivation lies in one's own effort and perseverance."

"I understand, Commander Kahn. I will definitely work hard in my cultivation," Lin Tian said firmly.

During the medicinal bath, Lin Tian and Kahn discussed many topics related to cultivation. Kahn told Lin Tian about some difficulties that might be encountered during cultivation and how to deal with them, as well as the cultivation experiences of some famous warriors in the empire. These stories filled Lin Tian with confidence and anticipation for his future cultivation path.

And so, Lin Tian began his cultivation journey in the Panlong World. Every morning and evening, he would appear on time at the martial arts arena to practice the Qi Gathering Style under Kahn's guidance. As time went by, his mastery of the Qi Gathering Style became more and more proficient, and with the help of medicinal herbs, his body grew stronger and stronger.

While cultivating, Lin Tian did not forget his other goal—to become a magician. Every day, he would set aside time to read books in the palace library, learning about the history, geography, distribution of magical beasts, and division of power in this world, preparing for future adventures.

A month later, Lin Tian was able to maintain the Qi Condensation Stance for two hours without feeling tired. His body was noticeably stronger than before. Although he still looked like a five-year-old boy, his inner strength far surpassed that of his peers.