Chapter Thirty-Six: White Cloud Healing Powder (Comments Appreciated

The idea was good, but reality proved far less accommodating.

Spiritual energy could not be touched by inert matter, and the spiritual liquid was so stable that it would not react with the medicinal ingredients in the cauldron. Just like ordinary well water before, the spiritual liquid quickly evaporated after being poured in, leaving only a pool of yellowish powder.

Judging by appearance alone, it seemed no different from the previous batch.

Chen Yu's expression remained calm. He had expected this outcome; he was merely testing possibilities, hoping for some unexpected gain. At the very least, he confirmed one thing: he was not yet at the stage where he could use spiritual liquid in refining medicine.

His brow furrowed and then relaxed. Perhaps the problem lay in the fierce heating method, which prevented the spiritual liquid from blending into the medicinal herbs—though he still did not know what effect such fusion might have, his curiosity compelled him to try.

Even if things went wrong, there was still another batch to experiment with.

“Impossible to separate…” he mused.

The spiritual liquid was stable, with white filaments floating inside, but ordinary methods could not extract or restore it to spiritual energy and well water.

Perhaps only after achieving this could he truly combine it with alchemy.

In the end, Chen Yu packed the hot medicinal powder from both batches into ceramic bowls, taking a portion from the second batch to test its effects.

He was not entirely resigned; perhaps there would be some unexpected efficacy?

Hot water, poured into a tub.

The powder sprinkled in, stirred thoroughly.

As soon as the orange-yellow powder entered the scalding water, it dissolved instantly, releasing a lingering medicinal aroma that clung to his nose.

Achoo!

He rubbed his nose and continued. He took a kettle of boiling water and poured it into a bowl containing a small amount of powder.

White Cloud Powder could be used both internally and externally. Taken orally, it stimulated the flesh and blood within, making it easier to generate force and accelerate internal training. Used externally, it stimulated the skin, reducing the consumption of energy during external training.

When paired with the Crane Cloud Technique, it produced a unique synergy greater than the sum of its parts.

Now he was about to test it himself. Over the years, his predecessor had witnessed other disciples’ medicinal baths.

He had tried it twice himself, but his weak abilities meant the results were far less impressive.

Splash!

Once the water cooled slightly, he removed his robes and belt, then climbed into the tub.

A wooden block at the bottom ensured that, squatting, the water rose only to his neck, not submerging his nose or mouth.

He lifted the bowl of prepared medicinal soup, inhaling the rich aroma that nearly repulsed him.

Gritting his teeth, he pinched his nose and swallowed the soup expressionlessly.

Gulp!

As the medicine entered his stomach, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and ignored the bitterness flooding his mouth. He calmed his mind and began to practice the breathing technique of the Crane Cloud Method.

---

Simultaneously, he activated his inner energy, following the internal and external training methods to temper his body.

Once… twice… three times…

His muscles ached, and the energy dissipated. Chen Yu paused to recover, allowing the medicinal effects inside and out to be further absorbed.

White Cloud Powder was indeed effective—he soon regained most of his strength. Unhurried, he gathered his energy and resumed impacting his muscles.

Crack, crack, crack!

Tiny sounds echoed from his body; every inch of flesh trembled, and with each vibration, energy gathered and surged inward.

Time passed. Inside, two large tubs stood side by side.

In one, only Chen Yu’s head was visible, steaming atop the water. His fair face flushed, eyes tightly shut, brows knitted.

Plop!

A dull sound burst forth. It seemed he had exhausted his strength, slumping backward, lips submerged and bubbling beneath the water.

Splash!

After a brief rest, he stood up, barely bothering to dry off, loosely covering himself.

He stared at the two buckets of still-warm ‘bath water,’ his brows finally relaxed, though he remained deep in thought.

Two wooden tubs: one filled with the first batch of White Cloud Powder, the other with the second.

He had started with the second batch, but soon realized there was little difference—the effects were nearly identical.

Chen Yu was silent. This confirmed that the spiritual liquid poured in had simply evaporated, altering nothing.

White Cloud Powder remained unchanged; its potency had not dramatically increased.

Yet he was not disappointed. Though the spiritual liquid could not enhance alchemy, his recent inspiration had unexpectedly revealed the correct way to use White Cloud Powder.

No point in dwelling further; he decided to strike while the iron was hot and test his new idea.

One bath or two—it made no difference.

He strode out, fetched more White Cloud Powder—less this time, since the earlier medicinal soup was still sloshing in his stomach and he had no urge to drink more, especially given the nauseating taste. Baths were welcome, but more medicine was out of the question.

He waited for the water to heat, then ladled it into the tub.

Soon, the powder was sprinkled in.

Same process, third time.

The difference was, after entering the water, he did not use the Crane Cloud breathing technique. Instead, he drank a mouthful of spiritual liquid, focused his mind, and quietly practiced the Spirit-Invoking Body Strengthening Method.

This method, which also included breathing techniques, was originally designed to improve the absorption of spiritual liquid. Now, with new insights, he applied it to absorb both internal and external medicinal effects.

Moreover, as he absorbed, the spiritual liquid was also undergoing differentiation, unconsciously driven by his energy to operate both external and internal techniques.

At first it was slow and full of errors, but as time passed, the Spirit-Invoking Body Strengthening Method and the internal-external training became increasingly harmonious.

Each burst of energy struck precisely at the vital points of flesh and blood.

---

With the spiritual liquid enhancing his body, the tempering effect was like a pig charging forward after a dose of medicine!

Indeed, Chen Yu had taken medicine.

One dose of White Cloud Powder, one dose of spiritual liquid.

The dual effect produced a refinement speed far beyond his imagination…

…

“The essence of the Spirit-Invoking Body Strengthening Method is a technique for absorbing spiritual liquid, accelerating the process through stimulation of the liver and coordinated breathing, maximizing the strengthening effect on the body.”

The courtyard was already clean.

Chen Yu sat on a stone seat, gazing quietly at the mountain rocks beyond.

His mind was awash with countless thoughts.

Absorbing White Cloud Powder with the Spirit-Invoking Body Strengthening Method was far more efficient than the breathing technique recorded in the Crane Cloud Method.

At first, this made him happy; even now a trace of joy lingered.

It proved that the method he created was not bad—not the worst, at least.

But soon, Chen Yu moved past the fleeting excitement and began to contemplate deeper questions.

What was the principle? Why could the Spirit-Invoking Body Strengthening Method achieve this, given that its main technique was merely liver stimulation?

Was it the change in breathing that improved absorption, or did stimulating the liver aid in taking medicine?

“The liver governs wood energy… regulates and stores blood, strengthens the tendons…”

“… governs dispersion, opens to the eyes…”

He pondered, recalling the physiological functions of the liver and its significance in Daoist teachings, but could not find an answer.

Ultimately, the worlds were different; whether knowledge from his previous life applied here remained to be seen.

“Looks like I’ll need to collect more local theories on the human body.”

With that, he calmed his breath, continuing to practice his newly created method.

Inspired by White Cloud Powder, he now tried to integrate elements from the Crane Cloud Method, as well as the widely-used Tranquil Mind Technique of the Pure Bright School and the Calamitous Energy Refinement of the Calamity School.

Though the latter was often dismissed as nonsense, its concept of ‘calamitous energy’ was intriguing. Moreover, the Calamity School had many theories and methods for cultivating and nurturing energy.

Limited by circumstances, Chen Yu’s learning was broad but shallow, but he made use of anything he found valuable, refining it bit by bit to complement the Spirit-Invoking Body Strengthening Method.

Breathing, strengthening, calming, stilling…

Step by step, gradually perfecting it, until it became a comprehensive Daoist practice.

When that day came, perhaps Chen Yu could call himself Grandmaster Chen and see if it was worthy of the title!