Chapter 145: Start with the Body (Part 2/2) (2/2)

It was because of this that Luo Nan refuted Xiu Shenyu's words without thinking, ”No way. When I cultivate, it all involves 'me' as the axis!”

”Do you have anything to ascertain that it is truly the 'self'?”

Xiu Shenyu gave Luo Nan no chance for further explanation. He immediately shattered his following defenses. ”Cultivating for the 'self' will allow the human body a structure and will allow the circulation of blood and energy. There are changes between movement and stillness. Physicality will inevitably be exhausted, unless you sufficiently prepare. Only in this way will a mark be left with every step. Only in this way can errors be avoided…. This is what you haven't done.”

Luo Nan stopped talking. He listened attentively in silence.

”It is inevitable and logical for one to tread wrongly on their journey by relying on pure consciousness for a foundation that lacks all materiality. For others, once the body and soul imbalance reaches a certain degree, the body and soul impeding each other are unable to progress a single step. But for you, the towering glacial mountains are expanding layer upon layer without any sign of their limits.”

Xiu Shenyu did not expound further from this point. The meaning was clear and could not be mistaken. No matter how grand and powerful the framework on the mental plane is, its core mechanism of growth and decline isn't related to the person himself. How can it be described as 'yours'?

Luo Nan's brows were deeply furrowed as he stared at the tai chi ball. He was lost in thought.

Soon, the room entered a state of silence once more. Xue Lei could not refrain from saying, ”If you truly have this problem, then we have to make some adjustments…. Gym master, can we fix this?”

Xue Lei's choice of words were tactful, but Xiu Shenyu responded quite bluntly, ”External techniques cannot be used for the sake of one's self. It is not too late to start from scratch and walk toward the correct path.”

Luo Nan lifted his head upon hearing him. He gazed straight at Xiu Shenyu with a face devoid of all expression.

Xue Lei saw that the situation was going on a bad trend. He scrambled forward and grabbed Luo Nan's right arm. ”We can think over this some more….”

Luo Nan knew what Xue Lei was nervous about, but he really was not angry. He was just thinking about his grandfather.

Xiu Shenyu's thin, decrepit body was somewhat similar to his grandfather's. Luo Nan's thoughts floated to the medical treatment center. An insane old man was over there, and the old man's ailments had tormented him into something inhuman. His life was also near its end.

What had caused all of this? Luo Nan was not a doctor; he found it impossible to make an accurate assessment. However, right now there existed a fact that was as clear as day.

Before, the hospital was able to confirm that energy and stimulation were useless in the attempts to improve the old man's illness. However, Luo Nan's grandfather was likely a practitioner of Formatting Theory. If Luo Nan were to recognize the flaws of Formatting Theory, revisions could be made upon this foundation, and the positive effects for his grandfather would likely be instant.

Luo Nan's mind was in a bit of a daze right now. His thoughts transformed as fast as lightning, and the thought process was not the least bit simple.

The upheaval of an undercurrent of concepts flipped the sunken grains of memories to the surface of his heart. Luo Nan had synthesized and taken drugs for the past five years. He did this day in and day out in bitter obsession. These memories floated in turmoil, then the silhouette of Gear under the setting sun inexplicably cut into his mind. There was also the lake that faced the building, and the treehouse devoid of all traces of people….

Luo Nan could not get a grasp on his own emotions for a time, but soon he made up his mind. He took a deep breath, forgot the tangling thought of whether or not Formatting Theory was flawed, and took a step back. He immediately turned to face Xiu Shenyu and gave him a heavy bow.

”The Formatting Theory I cultivate in is my grandfather's heart and blood; it's his life. I cannot give up it up no matter the case, no matter the cause. If the gym master can help me mend its flaws and correct its errors, I will never forget this favor through eternity!”

It seemed that Xiu Shenyu was stunned for a moment as well. Then, he shook his head. ”You are most willing to move in accordance to the technique. You should not desire to be 'imprisoned'.”

Luo Nan just looked at him. ”Can you help me?”

Xiu Shenyu responded as if nothing was wrong, ”I'm not an expert in such visualizations. I only use the most basic method of training, practicing, and tempering. I am unable to resolve the so-called flaws and errors of your Formatting Theory…. The most I can do is help you obtain a stronger physique, increase the endurance of your body by a bit, and increase the room for you to experiment and adjust.”

”That's already enough,” said Luo Nan without hesitation.

Xiu Shenyu was direct as well. ”Then prepare for some pain and suffering.”