Chapter Twenty-Five: Meditation and Deep Sleep

By the riverbank.

Chen Yushu sat beneath the locust tree, glancing around to ensure no one was nearby before pulling a book from his breast. On its cover, the words “White Tiger Visualization Method” stood out clearly.

“Inheritance of the Yin-walking tradition, cultivation method.”

A glimmer of divine light flashed in Chen Yushu’s eyes. After lunch, he’d skipped even his usual stance practice, rushing out in anticipation, eager to study this visualization technique.

Without hesitation, he opened the book.

“There are myriad methods for cultivating the Immortal Way.

In ancient times, practitioners ate dew, gathered energy, and sensed the stars.

Later, people measured their constitution, recognized spiritual roots, and cultivated the various spiritual energies of heaven and earth, entering the path of practice.

But heaven and earth change easily, and the mortal world is ever-shifting.

Spiritual energy has become thin, yin energy proliferates; thus, for hundreds of years, cultivators have only been able to enter the Way through ‘spirit.’

The White Tiger Visualization Method is one such path, entering the Way by spirit.”

The opening doctrine made Chen Yushu’s heart tremble.

So in ancient times, cultivation could be achieved through eating dew, gathering energies, and attuning to the qi of stars and heavens?

Later, it was through constitution and spiritual roots.

But now, because spiritual energy is scarce and yin energy abundant, one can only rely on ‘spirit’ to cultivate.

Spirit—that is, mental power.

“When spirit is sufficient, qi can be harmonized.

When qi is harmonized, it can reflect upon oneself, cleansing and clarifying the practitioner’s body.

Only then can the first wisp of spiritual energy be drawn into the body, marking the true start of cultivation.”

Chen Yushu continued reading and found that the rest of the manual described the true cultivation method of the “White Tiger Visualization Method.”

When he finished the entire text, he let out a long breath. “Fortunately, I obtained this inheritance through Li Pei’s guidance in a dream.

Some parts contained secret codes and cryptic records unique to the Li family. Without his instruction, I would never have discovered them and might easily have practiced incorrectly, leaving hidden dangers.”

Thinking of this, he felt a surge of gratitude.

He knew that this world guarded cultivation techniques with utmost secrecy. To ensure the integrity of inheritances and prevent them from leaking, all sorts of safeguards were devised.

If one didn’t understand the keys within, even holding a cultivation method, it would be difficult to learn—possibly even leading to madness.

Just like his previous practice of the Medicine King Stance, the manual had been handed to him directly, but he could only master the movements. The specific breathing techniques—without Master Qian’s explanation—were impossible to grasp.

Having carefully read through three times, ensuring nothing was missed, he finally closed the book.

The essence of the White Tiger Visualization Method was to visualize the White Tiger. At the end of the manual, there was an illustration for the visualization.

It depicted a White Tiger, its form vivid and fierce, exuding an aura of dominance.

Of course, this alone was not enough for him to cultivate the technique.

For the White Tiger Visualization Method was a practice of entering a deep meditative state to visualize.

Only when the mind became tranquil and entered a special state, using a spark of ‘spiritual light’ to visualize the White Tiger, could cultivation proceed.

The manual’s greatest focus was on this state of meditation.

“According to the manual, entering meditation means clearing the mind entirely, relaxing the whole body, and focusing a single spark of spiritual light on cultivation.

It is a state of practice.

Even those with strong spirit find it difficult to achieve.

Thus, many aids are needed.

Burning incense, bathing, worshipping deities, reciting scriptures and mantras, forming hand-seals—various methods to enter meditation.

Of course, there is a relatively simple method: the use of ritual incense.

Among ritual incenses is one called ‘Spirit-stilling Incense,’ which can stabilize the practitioner’s mind, helping them quickly enter meditation.

All these methods are designed to help the cultivator enter meditation…”

Chen Yushu pondered silently, sensing the difficulty.

Burning incense, bathing, reciting scriptures, forming seals—none were easy to manage in his current environment.

As for ritual incense, it was out of the question; he had none.

“However, the manual’s description of meditation is quite similar to a state I’ve seen in my previous life.”

Comparing it to his own experiences, Chen Yushu found he had some understanding.

In his previous life, amidst the bombardment of information, he wasn’t even sure what filled his mind.

But through the manual’s descriptions, he realized this so-called meditation resembled what a news report had described as ‘deep sleep.’

The report said that if a person entered deep sleep, even half an hour’s rest could ensure energy for a whole day.

In deep sleep, the brain enters a dormant state, greatly dispelling fatigue, and the body undergoes maximal recovery.

“So, meditation, in some sense, is deep sleep.

But unlike deep sleep, in meditation, the mind retains a spark of ‘spiritual light,’ which is used to actively visualize the White Tiger for cultivation.”

Silently reflecting, Chen Yushu concluded that he could perhaps employ the methods of entering deep sleep to reach meditation for practice.

Of course, whether this would work in reality, he didn’t know.

Only by truly beginning cultivation could he find out.

But it was clear that his current environment was not suitable.

So he drew out a second book from his breast.

“‘Morning Sun Talisman Art.’”

He craved these mysterious arts deeply.

It wasn’t convenient to study them in Room Three, and with work resuming tomorrow, he wanted to seize the chance to examine them thoroughly.

“The Morning Sun Talisman Art is the art of making talismans.

It focuses mostly on the crafting of talisman brushes, papers, and inks, and only then on the method of drawing the talisman itself.

Brush, paper, ink—they are essential. As the saying goes, even the cleverest cook cannot make a meal without rice. Without them, skills alone mean little.

But even having these is not enough.

The manual states that the prerequisite for making talismans is meditation.

Only after entering meditation can one draw upon ‘spirit.’

With the power of spirit, one can inscribe the talisman, bestowing it with its proper effect…”

After reading, Chen Yushu frowned.

He knew that making talismans was not simple.

His purpose in studying was partly to broaden his horizons, partly to try his hand at it.

But upon reading, he realized the difficulty was indeed great.

Meditation!

Previously, he’d equated meditation with deep sleep.

Now, talisman-making also required meditation.

This meant that meditation and deep sleep must differ.

After all, an ordinary person cannot enter deep sleep while standing.

“Could it be… this is a state only achievable when one’s ‘spirit’ is strong enough?”

Chen Yushu pondered, and some conjectures began to take shape in his mind.