Chapter Twenty-Six: Hypnotic Meditation, Immortal Techniques
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Reading +1
Chen Yushu glanced at his attribute panel.
Naturally, he knew this was thanks to the gains he had made from reading “White Tiger Visualization Technique” and “Rising Sun Talismanic Arts.”
The reading skill was not limited to the Four Books and Five Classics—it could be novels, essays, martial arts manuals, or cultivation methods... As long as he read, his skill improved.
Only then did Chen Yushu turn his attention to the cultivation and advancement of his other skills.
First was his throwing technique.
At this point, his proficiency in throwing had reached the “minor accomplishment” stage, making each bit of progress significantly harder to attain.
He could only practice by the riverbank, using the quick-moving small crabs as targets.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
...
The sound of stones striking the ground rang out in quick succession.
With each impact, Chen Yushu saw the experience bar for throwing on his attribute panel steadily increase.
Throwing +1
Throwing +1
Throwing +1
...
His mood grew lighter with each increment.
After an hour, feeling somewhat weary, he began to practice calligraphy instead.
With a wooden rod, he wrote character after character on the ground.
By now, his handwriting was far more orderly than when he’d started. Each stroke was clear and no longer looked awkward.
Calligraphy +1
Calligraphy +1
Unconsciously, another hour slipped past.
As he wrote yet another character—
Calligraphy +1
In that instant, he felt a sudden shift in his heart. A vast store of memories and experiences related to calligraphy surfaced in his mind.
It was as if, at that moment, he had practiced calligraphy a thousand times over.
“Calligraphy leveled up!”
Chen Yushu’s heart stirred, and he immediately understood.
His gaze fell upon the attribute panel.
Calligraphy: Orderly (1/200)
“Orderly?
Disciplined, neat?
But it’s true—my writing now is much more disciplined than before.
Every stroke is precise and regular.”
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“But it can’t be called beautiful; it has a certain craftsman’s rigidity.”
Chen Yushu was well aware of the quality of his own writing. After all, he’d only been practicing for a few days—reaching this level was already quite impressive.
His mood was excellent!
...
Night fell.
After his usual wash, Chen Yushu entered Room Three.
Within the large dormitory, many apprentices had already lain down.
Perhaps because he’d already achieved entry-level proficiency in stance training, the others treated him with more respect now. Some, having caught wind that he was soon to be assigned work in the shop, regarded him with both envy and warmth.
Chen Yushu responded to each in turn, noticing that Xu Hao was absent, and casually asked about him.
“Oh, he’s staying outside again.
Probably off enjoying himself on one of those pleasure boats,” an apprentice replied with a chuckle.
Chen Yushu nodded in understanding. Not far from the Liu family pharmacy, by the dock, several boats adorned with red lanterns were moored year-round—these were the pleasure boats.
On those boats, beautiful women gathered. It was a dream destination for many men in River Ring Town. The apprentices at the Liu family pharmacy, though young—mostly between thirteen and seventeen—were at an age where they could already marry.
Add to that their martial training and youthful vigor... It was perfectly normal.
“In our Room Three, only he ever goes there.
Each visit costs at least a tael or two of silver—most can’t afford that,” someone nearby said sourly.
Chen Yushu smiled but didn’t press further.
He understood well that Xu Hao absolutely hadn’t gone to any pleasure boat this time. After being drained for days, his vitality was so depleted that he could barely manage to stand.
He was only staying out to avoid being preyed upon by Li Pei’s ghost.
But Xu Hao didn’t know that Li Pei had already been put to rest by Chen Yushu—there was nothing to fear anymore.
Chen Yushu lay down as well, and the room gradually quieted.
“Deep sleep isn’t complicated.
Almost everyone, when they fall asleep at night, will enter a period of deep sleep.
Some for longer, some for shorter.
But nearly everyone can do it.
All I need is to become ‘conscious’ during deep sleep, maintain that state, and visualize the White Tiger at the same time...”
Lying in bed, Chen Yushu pondered.
Then, he closed his eyes.
Inhale... exhale...
Night enveloped him; the fatigue of the day pressed in.
Yet, with his mind occupied by thoughts of practicing the White Tiger Visualization Technique, sleep didn’t come easily.
He recalled the hand seals described in the White Tiger Visualization Technique.
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Those hand seals were methods to help one enter a meditative state. The explanations were very clear; he knew that in cultivation, hand seals were really “heart seals”—the saying goes that the ten fingers are linked to the heart, and the hands and heart reflect one another, symbolizing the connection between heart and mind.
Hand seals aided entry into meditation; in reality, it was the “heart” instructing and soothing itself, allowing the spirit to quiet and settle into that special, thoughtless state.
“Isn’t this a kind of self-hypnosis for sleep?”
Chen Yushu suddenly recalled descriptions of hypnotists from his previous life—skilled hypnotists could put someone to sleep in an instant and, once asleep, most people entered deep sleep.
This was why those with insomnia often sought out such hypnotists for help—after a session, they would wake up refreshed in both body and mind.
Hypnotist was a high-paying profession, popular among certain groups.
And the hand seals he was practicing were, in essence, a form of self-hypnosis.
By using them, he could fall asleep and enter deep sleep—just like entering meditation.
Having understood this, he relied on memory to try out the hand seals.
His movements were clumsy, but thanks to his good memory and the “Clarity of Mind” state from reading, he was able to reproduce the actions from the written descriptions.
Time and again, he formed the seals, and his mind truly quieted.
His hands gradually stilled, and he drifted off to sleep.
In this moment, his mind was pure, oblivious to the outside world—only a thread of subconscious awareness remained, reminding him what he was meant to do.
Naturally, a vague image arose in his mind.
The White Tiger!
With calm intent, he focused his consciousness and spirit on visualizing and sketching the White Tiger in his mind.
He was like a novice artist, drawing stroke by stroke in the canvas of his thoughts.
It felt both like an instant and an eternity.
His heart trembled; his eyes snapped open, brilliant and clear.
“My first attempt at cultivation has failed!”
Chen Yushu understood this clearly.
But his heart was filled with excitement and joy.
Because he had truly begun to cultivate.
He had started training in the White Tiger Visualization Technique!
Even without success, he had made a solid, unwavering first step.
He glanced at his attribute panel.
Name: Chen Yushu
Age: Twelve
Martial Arts: King of Medicine Stance Training: Entry Level (47/100)
Immortal Arts: White Tiger Visualization Technique (Not yet begun)
Skills:
Reading: Clarity of Mind (174/200), Calligraphy: Orderly (2/200), Throwing: Minor Accomplishment (107/400),
...