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Chapter 157: Chapter 138: Unlocking the Breathing Technique
Fang Cheng smelled a somewhat familiar perfume scent and looked back.
He saw a slightly overweight girl with black-framed glasses.
It was Shen Lili, whom he had met through Pan Wendi.
She walked over with curiosity and glanced at the closed Meditation Hall.
Then turning to Fang Cheng, she initiated conversation:
"Mr. Ma, did your travel group also attend meditation sessions here?"
Fang Cheng nodded, then asked her in return:
"Miss Shen, did you attend the classes?"
Shen Lili’s eyes flickered slightly as she smiled and said:
"I’m not very interested in these things, plus there are many free schemes that seem beneficial but might hide some marketing clauses."
Fang Cheng also smiled slightly upon hearing this.
The two chatted briefly, and the atmosphere was fairly harmonious.
Shen Lili claimed to be a folklorist, here on Yong’an Island specifically to attend the famous "Sea Festival."
Fang Cheng, on the other hand, brought up "Ma Donghao," a persona with a tragic background, once again.
While speaking, he secretly observed this woman.
He always felt her demeanor and expressions carried a strangely familiar vibe.
Especially the faint scent of perfume she emanated.
Previously in the cafeteria, with people everywhere and various smells mixing, it was hard to distinguish.
Without careful discernment, one couldn’t notice.
Now, in their private meeting, the scent of the perfume became exceptionally clear and recognizable.
Thinking of this, Fang Cheng suddenly asked:
"Miss Shen, do you know Lin Chuqiao?"
"Lin Chuqiao? Is she a female celebrity?"
Shen Lili’s expression was wooden, slightly surprised.
Then she pushed her black-framed glasses and shook her head, "I don’t know the person you’re talking about."
Fang Cheng gazed at the eyes hidden behind the lenses, twinkling slightly.
He then spoke indifferently:
"Is that so? Pan Wendi has already told me everything."
Upon hearing this, Shen Lili’s eyes widened instantly, annoyed:
"Wendi is so unreliable, really should sew his mouth shut!"
After grumbling grittily, she looked up at Fang Cheng but saw a hint of teasing on his face.
She immediately realized that this man was playing tricks, bluffing her.
Shen Lili, no, it should be Lin Chuqiao, showed an embarrassed look and snorted lightly from her nostrils.
She then waved her hand, pretending to be composed:
"Never mind, I wasn’t planning to hide it on purpose, I just did it out of caution."
Seeing that this "glasses-wearing chubby girl" was indeed Lin Chuqiao in disguise.
Fang Cheng was somewhat speechless as he watched her:
"Are you disguised like this to do some spy work here?"
Lin Chuqiao’s lips revealed a mysterious smile:
"Of course, I was worried you might encounter danger, so I came to assist you."
She then whispered:
"It’s not convenient right now, let’s find a chance to talk tomorrow."
At that moment, a staff member was walking towards them from afar.
Lin Chuqiao pretended to make casual conversation, then took her leave.
Fang Cheng watched her retreating figure, then glanced at the Meditation Hall and shook his head.
He speculated that Lin Chuqiao might also be here for the True Thought Society.
However, this had nothing to do with him.
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※
January 19, early morning.
The golden, bright sun completely rose above the sea level.
A fishing boat with the sound of its motor cuts through the waves and sails past the nearby Cape.
And just beneath this glittering water surface, in a dark place where sunlight struggles to reach.
A figure lies on the volcanic ash-covered rocks, his form undulating.
Enduring pressure unimaginable to ordinary people, he undertakes extreme physical training.
"..."
"498."
"499."
"500."
Finally, he completes 10 sets of push-ups.
Fang Cheng exhales, releasing a stream of bubbles from his nostrils.
Then he stands up, looking at the pale blue screen that appears in the darkness.
[Push-up Experience +65]
[Deep Squat Experience +63]
[Push-ups lv2 (412/500)]
[Deep Squat lv2 (372/500)]
Viewing the skill progress displayed on the panel, Fang Cheng nods slightly, quite satisfied.
Before this, he had already smoothly completed 10 sets of deep squats.
As for the other four skills in the Prisoner’s Six Arts,
Since the training efficiency isn’t as high as push-ups and deep squats, Fang Cheng plans to set them aside for now.
Thus, devoting the freed-up time to practicing Pile Skill and Breathing Technique.
At this moment, the light above the water surface is swaying, more luminous than before.
Apparently, it’s not early anymore.
Looking at the skill progression shown on the panel.
[Pile Skill lv0 (76/100)]
Fang Cheng then holds his breath and focuses, his chest and back aligned, integrating waist and stance.
With his legs firmly rooted, he stands on the seabed rocks to practice Pile Skill.
Initially, it feels relatively easy, at least not as strenuous as training deep squats.
But as he completely settles down, he begins to sense a dual extreme suppression from both body and mind.
Seawater surges from all directions, continuously pressing against every inch of his skin, trying to infiltrate through ears, nostrils, and even pores.
His internal organs, including the lungs, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, gallbladder, and intestines, also come under immense pressure.
First, the lungs compress inward, expelling some of the oxygen stored in the alveoli.
Then the heart pounds a few times, increasing the blood supply to the body.
Following that, the liver, spleen, kidneys, gallbladder, and intestines, due to the water pressure, quickly adjust and adapt.
Fang Cheng activates his Concentration Skill, deeply sensing the intense and subtle changes happening within his body.
He then quietly circulates his breath, his abdomen swelling.
Slowly, his shoulders and body start to tremble slightly.
A sound that seems barely there emerges with the breathing actions from the abdomen and spreads outwards.
Through this Thunder Sound-like whole-body vibration, he subtly resolves the pressure on internal organs and blood vessels, smoothing out the slightly disordered flow of internal Qi.
Fang Cheng feels a broadening of his chest and breath, smoother than before.
Perhaps because the initial oppressive sensation was so starkly contrasted, he experiences clarity like never before.
Or maybe it’s the "Water Breathing" talent amplifying its effects.
Allowing him to possess a whale’s instinct for efficient breathing, thus effortlessly mastering the movement patterns of internal Qi.
Exercises that couldn’t be achieved on land, Fang Cheng now easily accomplishes.
And as the Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound Skill operates, the slight warmth at the bottom of his abdomen slowly grows stronger and more steady.
No longer unpredictable and fleeting as it once was.
Sunlight penetrates through dozens of meters of water, slightly raising the temperature in this dark, cold water region.
Fang Cheng’s entire body grows warmer, his skin subtly reddens, and blood circulation quickens.
All his pores open up, seemingly expelling turbid Qi with the vibrations of Thunder Sound, while greedily absorbing oxygen molecules housed in the seawater.
Suddenly, the pale blue screen flickers, displaying a prompt message.
[Congratulations, through diligent practice, you have gained preliminary understanding and successfully mastered a health-maintaining skill]
[Unlocked Skill: Breathing Technique lv0 (0/100)]
