Chapter 22: Reading

Although the Guanyuan Acupoint was part of the Ren Meridian, it was also connected to several other meridians.

Among the Twelve Primary Meridians, it linked with the three Yin meridians of the legs—the Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Jueyin Meridians.

At the same time, it intersected with two of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians: the Chong Meridian and the Belt Meridian.

Once the Guanyuan Acupoint was completely filled with internal energy and no longer reacted to it, one could begin guiding that energy into the three Yin meridians of the legs.

From there, one would gradually open each acupoint along the meridians, officially beginning the process of opening the body’s many meridian pathways within the Postnatal Realm.

Thanks to his exceptional control over internal energy, guiding it into each acupoint wasn’t particularly difficult for Lin Yang.

The real obstacle…

Was simply having enough internal energy.

Because of that, he had to complete the Top Scholar System’s task before attempting to break through.

Only after receiving the system’s reward and mastering the fundamentals of alchemy would he be able to refine qi-and-blood replenishing pills.

Only then could he safely advance into the Postnatal Realm.

With a steady supply of qi and blood, he could also continue opening his meridians without constantly running into shortages.

Early the next morning, Lin Yang approached Yu Daiyan.

“Master, I finished reading the manual on breaking through to the Postnatal Realm that you gave me yesterday.”

“But I still don’t feel confident enough.”

“I’d like to spend some time in the Library Pavilion reading additional texts, so I can better prepare myself for the breakthrough.”

Yu Daiyan frowned slightly.

In his opinion, the greatest challenge in reaching the Postnatal Realm was mastering control over one’s internal energy.

At this stage, practical practice was far more important than reading more books.

After all, no matter how many books one read, the essential principles of the breakthrough remained the same.

Still…

Yu Daiyan was always lenient toward his gifted disciple.

And after speaking so harshly the previous day, he wasn’t inclined to force Lin Yang to follow his own methods.

He nodded.

“If you want to spend more time reading in the Library Pavilion, then go.”

“But remember—the key to breaking through lies in controlling your internal energy.”

“Don’t neglect your practice while you’re reading.”

“Yes, Master.”

Relieved that Yu Daiyan didn’t question him further, Lin Yang quietly let out a sigh.

He left the courtyard and headed for the Library Pavilion once again.

On the second floor of the library, he found a quiet corner.

He gathered all the medical and alchemy texts listed by the Top Scholar System and carefully began reading through them one by one.

While he was absorbed in his studies, a child descending from the third floor noticed him.

The boy slowly walked over before stopping beside his table.

“I haven’t seen you around for quite a while.”

Looking at the stack of books before Lin Yang, he asked,

“Did Uncle-Master Zhang tell you to read all of these?”

Lin Yang looked up.

Seeing the familiar face, he paused for a moment.

“Song Qingshu?”

He hadn’t expected to run into Song Qingshu again after so long.

Even more surprising was that the Sect Master’s son had approached him first.

“Oh, no.”

“These weren’t assigned by Uncle-Master Zhang.”

“I’ve simply become interested in medicine and alchemy lately, so I found these books to read on my own.”

Song Qingshu stared at him in disbelief.

“Uncle-Master Zhang didn’t make you read them…”

“And you’re reading them voluntarily?”

He looked Lin Yang up and down.

“Don’t tell me you’re another monster like Uncle-Master Zhang who lives for books.”

“How do you read without getting a headache?”

“Quick, teach me!”

He immediately leaned closer, his expression almost pleading.

For the first time, Lin Yang carefully observed Song Qingshu.

He realized the boy wasn’t much different from ordinary children from his previous life.

He disliked studying.

He wanted to be lazy whenever he could.

The only thing he lacked was the arrogance one might expect from the Sect Master’s son.

At least for now…

Song Yuanqiao seemed to have raised him well.

As for how he would eventually become the Song Qingshu from the original story…

Lin Yang had no idea.

“I don’t really know how.”

Lin Yang smiled.

“Perhaps it’s because I want something that’s inside those books.”

“You dislike reading because you think books are useless.”

“To you, reading is nothing but suffering.”

“I enjoy reading because I know what books can give me.”

“I hope to find what I’m looking for inside them.”

“So reading doesn’t feel painful.”

As he said those words, Lin Yang couldn’t help feeling slightly guilty.

Everything he said was true.

But reading still gave him headaches.

The only reason he endured it…

Was because the rewards from the Top Scholar System were simply too good.

Compared to those rewards, a little suffering while reading was more than worth it.

“Well said!”

“A scholar should possess exactly that kind of attitude.”

A gentle voice came from the staircase leading down from the third floor.

Zhang Songxi appeared at the top of the stairs.

The moment he arrived, everyone on the second floor immediately straightened up.

Song Qingshu practically snapped to attention beside Lin Yang’s desk.

Lin Yang also rose to his feet and bowed respectfully.

“Uncle-Master Zhang.”

Zhang Songxi smiled warmly.

“Qing Yang.”

“You’ve spoken well.”

“It seems we’ve found another kindred spirit.”

He walked over and glanced at the medical and alchemy books spread across the table.

“So you’ve recently begun studying medicine and alchemy?”

“If there’s anything you don’t understand, come to the third floor and ask me anytime.”

“Yes, Uncle-Master.”

“If I encounter anything I don’t understand, I’ll certainly seek your guidance.”

Lin Yang answered respectfully.

Zhang Songxi nodded with satisfaction before sweeping his gaze across everyone present.

Under his calm eyes, every disciple became noticeably tense.

Only after he turned and walked away did the atmosphere finally relax.

“You really aren’t afraid of Uncle-Master Zhang?”

Song Qingshu stared at Lin Yang with wide eyes.

Lin Yang sat back down and reopened his book.

“Why would I be?”

“I think Uncle-Master Zhang is a pretty nice person.”

“A… nice person?”

Song Qingshu was speechless.

The other disciples nearby wore equally helpless expressions.

None of them could understand what was supposedly so “nice” about Zhang Songxi.

“Fine.”

“You’re definitely a bookworm.”

“No wonder Uncle-Master Zhang said you were kindred spirits.”

“Go ahead and keep reading.”

Muttering under his breath, Song Qingshu turned and headed downstairs.

The other disciples exchanged glances before shaking their heads.

Those who intended to study continued reading.

The rest quietly left.

Lin Yang smiled faintly, shook his head, and immersed himself once more in his study of medicine and alchemy.

Several days later, Yu Daiyan handed Lin Yang two bottles of medicinal pills.

“These are the Qi-and-Blood Pills you requested.”

“Take them daily from now on and restore your qi and blood as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, Master.”

Lin Yang accepted the bottles and expressed his gratitude.

Yu Daiyan then looked at him.

“How are you progressing with the breakthrough techniques I gave you?”

Lin Yang paused before slowly shaking his head.

“They don’t seem particularly difficult…”

“But I still don’t have complete confidence.”

“I think I need to study a few more books and broaden my understanding before attempting the breakthrough.”

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