Chapter 146: Flexibility Lies in the Eyes (Part 1/2) (1/2)

Chapter 146: Flexibility Lies in the Eyes (Part 1/2)

Translator: Strivon

The mind and the heart gives birth to conceptions, but the mind and the heart also kills conceptions. The flexibility lies in the eyes.

Luo Nan seemed to be asleep yet not asleep, awake yet not awake. It was as if he entered a still state of mind.

He could truly see the visualization diagram rotating in the void, yet there were also countless specious shadows diffused inside and outside of it. Every shadow was a copy of his figure. They were practically everywhere, yet none of them was real.

Then Luo Nan's mind sunk downward directly into the heart of the inscribed sphere. He fell into the center of the deep prison. The shadows were truly like shadows of his body; they followed him inside.

Thousands upon thousands of dark chains moved simultaneously with a rattling vibrato. They weaved together into something like a net, and the light of a flame lacking all heat flickered in the deepest regions. The light illuminated layers and layers of chaos as it fused and overlapped with the myriad of shadows. It was hard to distinguish between the shadows, for they were like flocks of bats. These wraiths danced bewitchingly like clouds and waves.

'Me'. Which one is 'me'?

Luo Nan's viewpoint changed amid his daze. It was as if he was looking down from high above. He saw the rays of light pierce upward and combine with the flames in his eyes into one. Great amounts of light was released, suppressing the wraiths, and Luo Nan was suddenly awoken.

Luo Nan opened his eyes. His vision was a bit fuzzy at first; part of it was due to the dusky lighting of the room. The light of the sun could not be seen, so only the lights of the humanoid stone lanterns illuminated the entrance to the room. Light and shadow were jumbled together, and they formed outlines upon the random items within the room. The normal and ordinary image gave Luo Nan a feeling of inexplicable novelty. It could not be determined if this was a psychological effect.

Luo Nan flipped over and sat up, the blanket covering him sliding off. The slight chill of early morning came flowing in from the opened entrance. It made him huddle his shoulders to cover his neck.

A husky voice suddenly vibrated from the corner of the room. It was none other than Xiu Shenyu. ”Falseness has energy. Darkness has knowledge. There exists fields of blessing in the heart. All without raising a thought…. You should go through morning procedures. Follow what you did last night.”

Luo Nan closed his eyes and opened them. This time the aftereffects of his dream-state were wiped away. He was truly clear-headed now. Luo Nan looked at his wristband; it was now a bit over 4:30 in the morning. No wonder it was so dark outside.

Xiu Shenyu did not say anything after that, but Luo Nan was able to feel his gaze resting upon his body. Xiu Shenyu was supervising his task.

Yes. Luo Nan's bitter days have begun starting last night.

Luo Nan did not waste time talking. He settled his mind and began performing the breathing technique. The breath in his mouth and nose gradually possessed a sense of density.

Luo Nan did not take the next step in circulating after finding the right tempo of breathing. He first massaged the acupoints surrounding his eye sockets. He extended his hands while sitting cross-legged, clasped them together, and massaged his feet using a special technique. Everything was done in special positions; it was just a bit ugly to look at.

”Harder!” directed Xiu Shenyu in a timely manner….

Luo Nan unconsciously exerted more force with his hand. Soon his hands and feet had warmed up, and his tendons and muscles had loosened up. Then, his hands went to his back to press against its two sides. Luo Nan looked like he was doing some sort of exercise with these series of movements... exercises for old people.

Luo Nan back was in pain as he did this, for Xiu Shenyu pressed his finger into a spot. Xiu Shenyu's voice entered his ear once more. ”Here. Put more force here.”

Luo Nan's breathing was chaotic, but soon he adjusted. He bent his hand in accordance to Xiu Shenyu's request and continued to apply force. He did this until the spot felt achy and hot.

This was not the end of it. Luo Nan then sat on the cork flooring, twisted his body, and stretched his hands and feet. The most important thing was for his gaze to follow his movements, regardless of his body's position. Every time there was something the least bit wrong with Luo Nan's positions and movements, Xiu Shenyu would instantly correct him with words, or even use his hands to adjust Luo Nan himself.

Luo Nan went through the exercise nine times. It might look like he never left his original position, but Luo Nan used up a great amount of stamina. A layer of sweat covered Luo Nan's body.

What was especially taxing was paying attention to the position of his eyes. They always had to move along with his hands and feet. They were massaged in this way as well. Right then, Luo Nan's eyes were a bit hot, as if there was steam rising from his eye sockets. Luo Nan was on the verge of crying.

Luo Nan gently closed his eyes, withdrawing and concealing his mind. His exercise only counted as a success at this point.