Chapter 13: Second Dantian

Li Wei, now 12 years old, was preparing to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm, as his master had advised him months ago.

"It's time to get stronger," Li Wei murmured with a smile.

Li Wei retrieved a pill from Zhao Ling's stove. The pills had just been prepared by his master before he left for the city to buy spiritual herbs.

Zhao Ling had many spiritual herbs at home, but since their quality was too high, he could not make pills for Li Wei. Rather than wasting the high-level pills' aura, he preferred to buy herbs from the city store.

With Zhao Ling away, Li Wei decided to practise alone. He walked back to the courtyard, chose a comfortable spot under the large tree, and sat cross-legged. With a swift motion, he swallowed the pill and began meditating.

The aura from the pill erupted within him, flowing rapidly through his meridians and channeling an immense aura. His mouth emitted a bright light, but Li Wei held it back, struggling to control the surging aura. His body vibrated as he worked hard to absorb and direct the aura.

A strange sensation began to spread throughout his body. He felt the aura, which should have gathered in his lower dantian, instead rushing towards his chest. Li Wei felt as if he were being pulled by an invisible force, and suddenly his body floated a few inches above the ground.

"What's happening?" Li Wei thought, trying to understand this unusual situation. With full concentration, he focused on directing the aura gathering in his chest. The aura formed a circle, similar to the dantian in his abdomen.

Li Wei tried not to panic. He knew the importance of calmness and control when facing unexpected situations. Taking a deep breath, he attempted to guide the aura along the correct path.

After a while, the aura in his chest began to settle and move more steadily. Li Wei felt the previously wild aura now more orderly and calm, like water.

Li Wei opened his eyes, puzzled by why he was floating in the air.

"Why am I floating?"

Thud!

"Ouch..." He fell after realising.

Li Wei quickly stood up, feeling a new strength within him, a stable and powerful energy now filling his entire body. He had successfully broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm.

With a sigh of relief, Li Wei smiled, even though Zhao Ling was not there to witness this important moment.

As the sun began to set, Li Wei sat under the large tree, resting after all that had happened.

That evening.

Li Wei and Zhao Ling sat at the dining table after dinner. The oil lamp provided a warm light, creating a calm and comfortable atmosphere. Leftovers were on the table, and the aroma of spices and vegetables still lingered.

Li Wei had been curious since his last practice. He finally gathered the courage to ask his master.

"Master, when I broke through earlier, the aura gathered in my chest and formed a Qi sphere like the dantian in my abdomen. What does that mean?" Li Wei asked seriously, looking at Zhao Ling.

Zhao Ling smiled at his disciple's question. He put down his chopsticks and answered calmly, "Li Wei, that means you've successfully opened a second dantian."

Li Wei was surprised but also relieved to hear his master's explanation. "A second dantian? How many dantian does a cultivator have?"

"I didn't know that a cultivator had more than one dantian," Li Wei thought.

Zhao Ling took a sip from his tea cup before answering. "There are three main dantian in a cultivator's body. The first is in the abdomen, the second in the chest, and the third in the head."

Li Wei nodded, trying to comprehend this new information. "So, the head dantian is the last? How do you open the head dantian?"

Zhao Ling put down his tea cup and nodded. "Opening the head dantian is very dangerous. Unlike the other two dantian, the opening of the head dantian cannot be assisted by an expert. You must do it yourself, and if you fail, the risks are very high."

Zhao Ling paused for a moment before continuing, "If you fail, you will die," Zhao Ling said with a smile.

Li Wei fell silent, reflecting on his master's words. "So, I must be very careful when trying to open the head dantian later."

Zhao Ling looked at his disciple with wisdom. "Exactly. But don't rush. Every stage in cultivation must be approached with care and awareness. Great power comes with great responsibility. Continue to strengthen the dantian you have opened before attempting to open the next one."

Li Wei felt he had heard similar advice before. But since his master had elaborated, he was grateful for the explanation.

"Thank you, Master. I will work harder and be more careful in my practice."

Zhao Ling smiled, pleased to see his diligent and enthusiastic disciple. "Good. Remember, a cultivator's journey isn't about speed but about perseverance and patience."

"Understood." Li Wei smiled.

The next day.

Li Wei sat cross-legged in the courtyard, his eyes tightly closed as he meditated, trying to strengthen the dantian in his chest. It was still dark in the morning when he began, the fresh air and morning dew enhancing the calm atmosphere around him.

"My body is filled with aura," he thought.

With the dantian in his chest, his body could gradually store more spiritual aura over time. As the sun rose, it cast long shadows on the ground and warmed the courtyard.

After meditating from dawn until midday, Li Wei stood and began practising with his wooden sword. Sweat started to dampen his forehead, but he continued with the movements he had learned from comics. Each swing of his sword grew more precise and powerful.

As it grew dark, he tried to channel his Qi into the wooden sword. As the Qi flowed, the wooden sword appeared larger and longer, enveloped by an intense black aura.

"Why does it look like this?" Li Wei wondered, worried as he saw the Qi making the sword longer and larger than its original size.

Li Wei found it difficult to control the enormous Qi flowing from his body. The wooden sword trembled, nearly exploding from the pressure of the overpowering aura.

"This courtyard doesn't seem safe," Li Wei murmured with a resigned expression.

At that moment, Zhao Ling had just returned from fishing. He saw his disciple struggling, with the Qi sword appearing uncontrollable.

"What's happening?" Zhao Ling asked with a concerned tone.

Li Wei sighed heavily upon seeing his master. "Master, I tried channeling Qi into the sword, but it's too large and hard to control."

Zhao Ling thought for a moment, then smiled slightly as he realised something. "Li Wei, I forgot to tell you. Having two dantian in your body makes Qi flow through your meridians faster and stronger compared to someone with only one dantian at the same level."

Li Wei felt both relieved and exhausted hearing the explanation. "Master, you should have told me earlier."

"And when will he help me?" Li Wei thought.

Zhao Ling chuckled softly, patting Li Wei's shoulder. "My apologies; sometimes important things are overlooked. But remember, this is a great advantage for you. With proper training, you will be able to control that immense Qi better and maximise your power."

Li Wei looked at his master and said, "Now isn't the time for that, help your disciple!"

Zhao Ling controlled the spiritual aura that had escaped from Li Wei's body with just a breath.

Li Wei sighed and lowered his sword. "It seems easy for you."

Zhao Ling smiled contentedly as he looked at his disciple.