Chapter 8

In the blink of an eye, two months had passed.

In the bright hall at noon, Dao Yufeng was watching Xiao Qin Chao eat. The large table was filled with dishes, mostly vegetables and fruits, with very little fish or meat. This was done at Qin Chao's strong request, and even the oil and salt were strictly prepared according to his instructions.

"Father, Mother, I'm full, I'm going to play!" Qin Chao ate a bit of each dish, then put down his bowl and walked to the adjacent room.

"This child, you made all this, and you don't eat more?" Dao Yufeng said lovingly.

"Eat until you're eight-tenths full, and you'll live to be a hundred. Chao doesn't want to live just to ninety-nine." Xiao Qin Chao responded as he entered the adjacent room.

Qin Le Dao grunted. Xiao Qin Chao was sensible, but he had a lot of strange theories. When he spoke, he was always so peculiar. Dao Yufeng shook her head and sighed.

The couple finally put aside their pride and begged Dao Baifeng to invite the imperial physician. However, after a brief examination, the physician hurriedly left, declaring that Xiao Qin Chao's pulse was chaotic, his vital energy was damaged, and he could not be nourished. He was already in a critical condition and would not live past five years.

This news terrified the couple.

Worse still, Xiao Qin Chao refused to listen to his parents and would not take any medicine. When they tried to force him, he actually attempted to commit suicide by jumping into the river.

Qin Le Dao was a brave man, and Dao Yufeng was a strong woman. The couple did not believe they could not control a little boy. However, after Qin Chao jumped into the river twice and cut his wrists twice, they finally gave in. They not only handed over the right to take medicine to Qin Chao but also let him decide what dishes to make and how to combine them.

...

"Yin deficiency is treated with radishes, yang deficiency with ginger. Ginger over three grams is not medicine but a vegetable. Radishes are known as 'little ginseng.' Most importantly, these are all vegetables, and unlike medicine, which is three parts toxic, eating them in any quantity will not harm the body. Using food is the best way to nourish the body." In the room with tightly sealed windows and doors, Qin Chao took small steps to move his body.

"But this is not enough. Illness comes like a mountain and leaves like a thread."

Qin Chao recalled the health practices from his previous life.

In his previous life, highly developed technology had liberated people from labor, improving their lives and giving them more leisure time. At this point, what people cared about most was their health and well-being. Therefore, the health practices of his previous life were extremely advanced. Even Qin Chao, who did not pay much attention to health, knew a lot about it due to the frequent appearance of such content on the internet and various media.

"My body is already in a state where the wind can pass through it in all directions. The imperial physician said I wouldn't live past five years. If I don't change, it will indeed be so. My immune system is completely destroyed and dysfunctional. Once the environment changes slightly, I might fall ill. However, as long as I am careful, I can gradually improve, and my immune system can recover."

Although Qin Chao's body was weak and he was young, his youth was both a disadvantage and an advantage.

Young people's broken bones heal easily, but for the elderly, it is much more difficult. Youth means endless possibilities. If Qin Chao's body improves, he may not be inferior to others in the future.

"In the health practices of my previous life..."

Exercise, nutrition, mood, will, environment, medicine... one by one, the health knowledge points studied by scientists in his previous life flashed through Qin Chao's mind.

"Most of the conditions that can be met have been met, and there is no way to supplement further. With the Eight Pieces of Brocade and the Five Animal Exercises practiced for so many years, I can now start Tai Chi."

"Tai Chi!"

A glint of excitement appeared in Qin Chao's eyes.

In the health practices of his previous life, Qin Chao had tried the Eight Pieces of Brocade and the Five Animal Exercises, and their effects were surprisingly good. He could say that the reason he hadn't died prematurely was largely due to secretly practicing these two exercises whenever he had the chance.

However, in the health practices of his previous life, the Eight Pieces of Brocade and the Five Animal Exercises were considered ineffective. Qin Chao practiced them because his parents watched him too closely, and he couldn't find the conditions to practice other health exercises.

"The Eight Pieces of Brocade and the Five Animal Exercises, which have such a bad reputation, have such good effects. Then how will Tai Chi, which is popular worldwide and has the best reputation, fare?"

Qin Chao was full of hope. With the development of technology, complex exercises primarily involving martial arts and dance have become increasingly important in the medical fitness field. Ancient health practices like yoga, the Yi Jin Jing, and internal martial arts have been re-evaluated and scientifically standardized.

In the 23rd century, just before Qin Chao's death, the Tai Chi routine had undergone seven major changes, each time improving its fitness effects.

These enhanced internal martial arts were only used for fitness in his previous life. But what would happen if they were brought to this magical ancient world?

In the center of the room.

Qin Chao stood calmly, adjusted his breathing, looked straight ahead, and slightly raised his hand. The first move of Tai Chi, the "Loud Knee Twist Step," slowly unfolded.

In his previous life, there were many Tai Chi styles, including various weapons like swords, spears, knives, and staffs, and different schools like Sun, Yang, Wu, and Chen. Qin Chao knew only one version—the scientific version, and it was the ancient Tai Chi.

This was the result of research in the field of biomedicine, with health effects superior to normal Tai Chi. The current version had been upgraded to V7.03.

The ancient Tai Chi was an experimental version adapted by a group of Chinese history experts based on the scientific version, with only one original version, V1.0.

Qin Chao had no interest in practicing martial arts for fitness.

However, this ancient Tai Chi was adapted from the ancient martial arts principles described in the "History of the Martial World" (for detailed information, see the "Prequel" chapter), which was excavated from the tomb of Emperor Yongle. Qin Chao had learned it seriously to play the ancient-themed online game "Heavenly Dragon," which was based on the "History of the Martial World." He had practiced it diligently for a long time, and the fitness effects were very obvious, but he never felt any internal energy or true qi.

Now, to use Tai Chi for health, this was the only set he knew.

Lazy Clothes!

Sealed Like a Door!

Buddha's Warrior Pounds the Mortar!

...

In the small room, a child with small arms and legs was clumsily practicing the moves. It seemed awkward, but a closer look revealed that it captured the attention of true martial artists.

Steady, grand, and agile.

The entire sequence of moves flowed continuously, appearing clumsy but with a sense of "spirit, energy, and vitality" running through it, which only comes from practicing to a high level.

Indeed, children practicing martial arts often appear clumsy due to underdeveloped motor skills, and many movements are not precise.

However, Qin Chao had practiced basic sword techniques for five years in the "Heavenly Dragon" online game. This was not the mouse and keyboard control of the 21st century but the direct connection of the game helmet to the human body's nerves, which matured in the 23rd century. Practicing in "Heavenly Dragon" was almost equivalent to practicing in real life.

Many aspects of martial arts are interconnected.

The footwork and body movements in sword techniques and Tai Chi are not very different. Moreover, Qin Chao had practiced the ancient Tai Chi diligently in real life for a long time in his previous life.

Although the movements were not precise, the awareness was definitely there.

When he started, he was a bit awkward, but he quickly entered the state.

When still, he was like a pine, a crane, a bear.

When moving, he was like the wind, the clouds, the water.

"Breathing and exhaling!"

"Mind and energy flow!"

Normal Tai Chi emphasizes natural breathing and a clear mind, but ancient Tai Chi is different. It has strict requirements for when to exhale, how many breaths to take, how to move the mind, and what to meditate on.

After Qin Chao entered the state, his breathing and mind naturally synchronized with his movements.

As his breathing, mind, and movements aligned,

Boom!

It was as if the countless pores on Qin Chao's body suddenly opened.

In the room,

No one knew that countless invisible, wondrous substances were flowing into Qin Chao's body from the air through these open pores.

Inside Qin Chao's body, the cells, which were originally lifeless, suddenly came to life like hungry men who had not eaten for years, seeing a full table of food. They rushed forward, devouring and absorbing these mysterious substances. As they absorbed these substances, the cells, which were originally damaged and lifeless, gradually regained a bit of vitality, and their injuries and leaks slowly healed.