Magus Supremacy
Chapter 379: Cultivating the Dantian(2)

Chapter 379: Cultivating the Dantian(2)

Chapter 379

"Are you feeling better now?" Yami asked, watching as Grey’s breathing gradually slowed and his expression calmed.

"Yes," Grey exhaled. "Shall we begin?"

Yami’s lips curled into a proud smile, and he gave a slight nod. "Of course. But first—do you still remember what I called a Dantian?"

Grey returned a calm smile and nodded. "Yes. It’s the reservoir where Ki is stored—and from there, we can move it to wherever we want for use."

"You’re not wrong," Yami replied with a hint of approval, "but there’s more to it. The Dantian is the core energy reservoir within the body—typically located just below the navel. Cultivating the Dantian means awakening it, expanding it, and refining the energy stored within. That’s how we increase power, stamina, and control.

"And today," he added, his tone sharpening slightly, "we’re going to do exactly that. We’re going to awaken your Dantian."

Grey nodded again, more determined now. "So... what’s the first step?"

Yami let out a dramatic sigh, facepalming himself. "And here I thought you’d let me build suspense for once, you hyperactive student of mine."

Grey chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "My bad..."

Yami smirked. "Alright, enough talk. Sit cross-legged. Close your eyes."

Grey did as instructed, settling onto the ground in a cross-legged position. He shut his eyes tightly, waiting for the next cue.

"Now," Yami’s voice softened into a whisper, "breathe in... and out. Slowly. Follow the wind. Feel it against your skin. Let your breath sync with it. Let the wind guide your rhythm, deep in... and slowly out. Fall into that meditative state. Feel your body from the inside."

Grey obeyed, inhaling deeply, his chest rising, then slowly exhaling as he focused inward. Again and again, he repeated the process, his consciousness gradually slipping into a quiet calm.

The soft rustle of wind brushed against his skin, brushing his cheeks like invisible fingers. Its chill was soothing. The noise of the world around him began to fade into nothing. His restlessness, his fatigue, even the dull ache in his muscles, everything seemed to melt away.

He became weightless—like drifting in a vast void. His thoughts slowed, then vanished altogether.

"I’m sure by now," Yami’s whisper floated to him through the haze, "your mind must have gone blank. You’re likely seeing only darkness, an endless sea of black. If that’s the case, clench your hands so I’ll know."

A few seconds passed, and Grey’s hands clenched tightly, firm and focused, though his breathing remained slow and deep.

"Good," Yami said, more to himself. "Now listen carefully."

"Within every living being, human, beast, plant, there exists Ki. It flows through us, subtle but ever-present. Most people never sense it, never even know it’s there. But it is. You’ve always had it, Grey. You just needed the right path to find it.

"In this meditative state, your senses are heightened. You must now feel your Ki. Let it rise. Don’t force it, visualize it. And when it begins to surface, you should see a soft yellow glow... like streams or particles coursing through your body."

Grey took another long breath, releasing it slowly. His heart was steady now. Mind silent. Body relaxed.

And then, like a whisper in his bones, he felt something.

It was faint at first, like a distant echo. But as he focused harder, straining his inner senses, it became clearer. _{fre/ew.ebnovel.c om}

A glowing yellow energy, delicate yet alive, began to shimmer inside him. It flowed through his arms, his chest, his legs—erratic in its movements, like fireflies dancing through his veins.

They weren’t just streams. They looked like tiny golden cells, flickering, shifting, moving and alive.

He followed one with his focus, watching it trail along the inside of his forearm.

And then... it vanished.

In the next instant, it seemed as though something had attacked the yellow cell.

Turning to another side of his body, soon enough, another cell got eliminated all of a sudden.

’Huh? How is this possible? How are the cells being eliminated rapidly? Wait! How do I even have these cells in the first place? I think staying and breathing the air of this continent helped...

But why are they getting eliminated like that? For every cell being eliminated, two more take its place.’ Grey thought with worry, his gaze fixed on the swirling yellow energy surging quietly within his body.

"Can you see the yellow energy? Clench your hands if you can," Yami said, his voice calm but watchful.

Grey responded by slowly clenching his hands, and that simple gesture was enough to pull a soft smile from Yami.

"Good. Now, the next step is quite hard and arduous. This is where most people usually fail. And this is exactly why we do the physical exercises. So as to refine and strengthen your body ahead of time." He crouched in front of Grey, his expression growing stern.

"Now, I want you to slowly gather and guide that energy you see into your abdomen. They should settle around your navel area. Guide them slowly, and move them just the way a river flows, calmly and softly."

Yami leaned closer, his voice now lower and more serious.

"Don’t rush it. Be gentle. Let them flow to your abdomen and then gather it there. Let them stay. Simple, right? But be warned... You could get killed doing this if you’re careless. So start."

Grey inhaled deeply, his lungs filling with the cool mountain air, then slowly exhaled as he closed his eyes. He began to guide the yellow energy, scattered in fragments throughout his body.

With sheer willpower and determination, he began drawing them in toward his Dantian, focusing his mind on the slow and fluid motion that Yami described.

Unbeknownst to him, as he guided the energy inward, another form of energy was also slipping into his body—soft, barely detectable wisps flowing through his nostrils. It seeped in with every breath he took.

This energy was known as mana.

It was subtle at first, but steadily, the mana began settling in his core, around his heart. While the Ki was being drawn downwards toward his Dantian, the mana in his chest suddenly surged. It flared up in response to the movement of the Ki—an instinctive, volatile reaction.

Without warning, the mana shot forward and slammed into the flowing Ki, attempting to purge it from the body completely.

"ARGHHHH!" Grey roared into the sky, his voice echoing through the mountains as his body began spasming violently.

His concentration shattered, and his seated form convulsed as the sudden impact of mana striking Ki sent jolts of pure agony coursing through every nerve in his body.

His fists clenched tighter than ever before, nails biting into his palms. The meditation came to an abrupt end. His eyes flew open, bloodshot and burning, as he met the worried gaze of Yami, who now stood in front of him with a panicked expression.

"Alright, that’s enough for today. I can’t afford to have your death on my hands right now," Yami said, steadying Grey by the shoulders.

Grey coughed out a speck of blood, his chest heaving.

"I’m okay," he muttered hoarsely as he stood up, swaying slightly before catching his balance. He wiped his mouth and stared ahead with narrowed eyes.

"Let’s head back home now. You’ve done well today," Yami said, patting him gently on the back.

Grey nodded silently, but a small frown creased his face as they began walking back.

’Should I tell Yami? There was another energy in my body eliminating the Ki energy... What was that? That’s what broke my concentration and made me fail.

Do I have another power in me? Another mysterious strength I haven’t discovered? What the hell was that?’ he wondered, thoughts swirling like a storm inside him.

But after a moment, he let out a soft huff.

’No... There’s no need to dwell too much on it right now. Let’s just get back.’

With weariness and questions weighing on his shoulders, Grey and Yami began the arduous climb down the mountain path, their silhouettes framed against the golden hue of dusk as they made their way home.