Body command feeding world

As the sky began to lighten with the pale hue of dawn, and Yu Ying Middle School was still shrouded in a thin morning mist, the wooden door of the abandoned equipment room on the west side was gently pushed open.

Lin Ye walked in slowly, carrying his schoolbag, his movements lighter than usual, but his eyes held a clarity that was completely different from the quiet of the morning. The extremely vivid dream he had experienced last night, along with the real awakening of a trace of blood essence within him, kept him awake all night. Before dawn, he could no longer lie still and couldn't wait to come to this training ground that belonged only to him.

The wooden gun leaned quietly against the corner of the wall, its barrel slightly cool from the morning mist. Lin Ye didn't immediately grip the gun. Instead, he walked to the most open spot in the center of the equipment room, slowly closed his eyes, and calmed himself down step by step, following the blood essence cultivation method imprinted in his mind.

He remembered clearly that Wu Wei had taught him the Seven Steps of Blood Essence Technique in his dream, each step interconnected and progressive, requiring no haste. Last night, he had only accidentally completed the sixth step, Blood Essence Awakening, which was a trigger at the soul level, not something he had actually cultivated. To truly control Blood Essence, he had to start from the very beginning, building a solid foundation, beginning with the most basic first step: calming the mind and locking the will.

Lin Ye stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, his back naturally straight, and his hands hanging gently at his sides. His entire body was completely relaxed, neither tense nor strained. He first cleared his mind of all distractions—the murder at the garbage dump, the panic in the news, the preparations for the martial arts competition, Wang Dahai and Ye Hong's smiling faces, the restless gun intent within him… All thoughts were suppressed one by one, leaving only a faint trace of clarity, firmly guarding the space between his brows.

This step seems simple, but it's incredibly difficult to do.

Within ten breaths, a jumble of thoughts surfaced again: Was the blood essence circulating correctly? Could the demonic beast really be approaching the school? Did Coach Zhang know something? How much more physical training should be added today?

A fleeting thought arose, causing his breath to become slightly disordered, and the clarity between his brows almost dissipated.

Lin Ye slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, readjusting his state. He wasn't impatient. Cultivating blood essence was different from practicing with a gun. Practicing with a gun relied on physical instinct and muscle memory, while cultivating blood essence relied on willpower and mental state. Slow is fast, and stability is the foundation. He repeatedly gathered his thoughts, completely pulling his mind back to himself, not thinking about anything outside, focusing only on "stillness" and "concentration."

One minute, five minutes, ten minutes...

The morning mist drifted slowly, and sunlight gradually pierced through the clouds, falling upon the quiet figure of the young man. Lin Ye remained motionless, his eyes closed, his breathing light and deep, his aura gradually becoming as calm as an ancient well, without the slightest ripple. The chaotic thoughts were completely suppressed, and the clarity between his brows became increasingly firm, like a nail firmly driven into the depths of his consciousness.

Finally, a very faint sense of comfort spread from between my eyebrows.

Lin Ye's heart stirred slightly—the first step of calming his mind and focusing his will was complete.

He didn't immediately move on to the second step, but remained in that state, carefully experiencing the feeling of mental unity. Wu Wei's method was meticulous and detailed, clearly stating that the first step must be practiced to the point where "the mind follows the heart, and thoughts can be gathered as soon as they are scattered" before proceeding to the next step. Otherwise, forcibly guiding the Qi could easily disrupt the meridians, resulting in more harm than good.

Lin Ye was well aware of his current situation: although his blood essence had awakened, his foundation was completely blank, like a child holding unparalleled marksmanship, possessing a treasure but unable to control it. He had to be patient and hone his foundation little by little, and he absolutely could not be impatient for quick success just because he had a trace of blood essence in his body.

After standing there for an unknown amount of time, soft footsteps sounded behind him. Wang Dahai, carrying two backpacks and breakfast, ran in breathlessly, breaking the silence of the equipment room.

"Brother Ye! You're up so early today!" Wang Dahai put the breakfast on the wooden box, rubbing his sore back. "I thought I was early enough, but you've been standing here for ages, motionless like a statue. It gave me quite a fright."

Lin Ye slowly opened his eyes, the clarity still lingering, his gaze even more serene and profound than usual. He gently moved his neck, his tone calm: "Just woke up, come over and calm down."

"Calm down?" Wang Dahai scratched his head, looking puzzled. "Isn't shooting practice all about starting right away? Why do you need to calm down? But seriously, Ye-ge, you've been acting different lately. You have such a strong presence just standing there, like Coach Zhang from the martial arts club."

Lin Ye didn't explain much. Blood essence, evil beasts, Wu Wei in the dream... these things were too unbelievable. If he talked about them, it would only make Wang Dahai worry and panic. Before he had enough protection, he could only keep everything to himself.

"Eat breakfast first." Lin Ye picked up the warm soy milk and bread and handed one to Wang Dahai.

The two sat on an old wooden crate, quietly eating their breakfast. Wang Dahai chattered on about his family's reaction after seeing the news last night. His parents strictly forbade him from going out at night, and he even had to go to school with someone in the morning. His tone was full of fear about the bizarre murder case at the garbage station on the outskirts of the city.

"Brother Ye, what exactly was that thing? It tore a person apart like that, and the police searched all night but couldn't find it. It's terrifying." Wang Dahai said, biting into his bread, his chubby face full of unease. "It's so close to our school, what if it runs into the school?"

Lin Ye's fingers tightened slightly around the soy milk cup, a tension rising in his heart. He knew better than anyone that it wasn't a wild beast, but a bloodthirsty monster, an evil entity that mortals simply couldn't contend with. But he couldn't say it, only softly reassuring, "The police are conducting a blockade and search; they shouldn't be coming. As long as we don't go to remote areas, we'll be fine."

Even so, he knew perfectly well in his heart that the evil miasma had entered the city, and the chilling aura was slowly spreading. The peace was only temporary, and danger could strike at any moment.

We must become stronger faster.

After breakfast, Wang Dahai began his physical training as usual, doing push-ups, squats, and planks, performing each step carefully. Lin Ye, on the other hand, went to the side and practiced stance training for half an hour. He stood firmly in the Three-Body Stance, his waist and hips stable, his strength flowing to his heels. The faint trace of blood essence in his body rose and fell slightly with his breathing, subtly resonating with the stance training.

Lin Ye was overjoyed.

In the dream, Wu Wei said that one should nourish one's vital energy with the spear and strengthen the spear with one's vital energy; spear techniques and vital energy are inherently complementary. Now, simply by standing in a stance, one's vital energy automatically circulates, demonstrating that the teachings are indeed true.

He didn't rashly use his blood essence, focusing instead on stance training and spear techniques. He raised his hand, gripped the wooden spear, and practiced the six basic forms—swinging, thrusting, sweeping, and parrying—again and again, his movements fluid and sharp, the sound of the spear cutting through the air clear and crisp. After this period of honing his skills, his spear technique had become increasingly steady, his power, rhythm, and control far surpassing what he had achieved before. Coupled with the subtle nourishment of a trace of blood essence within his body, each strike of force was smoother and more penetrating than ever before.

Ye Hong arrived on time as usual, carrying her sketchbook. She sat quietly on the steps, her pen gliding gently across the paper, carefully sketching the boy wielding a gun. Today, she brought new drawing paper and an extra bottle of warm salt water, which she handed to Lin Ye after training, her eyes brimming with tenderness and concern.

"Lin Ye, your movements are more steady today. It seems... you exude a very reassuring aura," Ye Hong said softly.

Lin Ye took the salt water, feeling a warmth in his heart: "It's just because I've been practicing for a long time."

He could sense that Ye Hong's observation skills were very sharp, and she had already noticed the changes in him. It was a change in temperament brought about by the simultaneous improvement of his physical body and mind after the awakening of his blood essence; he was calm, reserved, and yet carried a hint of subtle sharpness.

After finishing their morning exercise, the three of them walked together toward the teaching building. The campus was already bustling with activity, but the atmosphere was far less relaxed than usual. Almost all the students were discussing the bizarre murder case in the suburbs. Local news updates kept popping up on their phones, with new missing persons cases and increasingly eerie scene descriptions, causing a sense of panic to quietly spread across the campus.

During the morning reading session, the homeroom teacher reiterated the safety rules, emphasizing that students must leave school on time and go home in groups. They are strictly prohibited from approaching remote areas such as garbage stations, old residential areas, and deserted alleys. The school has contacted the parents and will supervise the students' travel safety throughout the process.

Throughout the lesson, Lin Ye listened attentively, but his pen silently wrote down the first step of the Blood Essence Cultivation formula in the blank space of his textbook, reinforcing his memory with each repetition. He used the spare moments between classes to lie on his desk, close his eyes, and concentrate, practicing mindfulness and concentration, making sure not to waste even a few minutes.

The progress was very slow, so slow that it was almost imperceptible, but Lin Ye was not in a hurry at all.

He knew that cultivating blood essence was a slow and steady process, and the first step was the most fundamental step. Only by cultivating the mind to the extreme stability could the subsequent methods of guiding and directing qi proceed smoothly.

During the lunch break, the campus was relatively quiet. Unlike the other students who were playing and resting, Lin Ye went alone to the rooftop of the teaching building. The view was expansive, the air was fresh, and few people came here, making it an excellent place for cultivation.

He leaned against the railing, closed his eyes again, and focused his mind.

The sunlight bathed him, warm and gentle, and all around was silent except for the rustling of leaves in the wind. This time, he was much faster at gathering his thoughts than he had in the morning; his brow was clear and steady, and his mind was calm and undisturbed. He maintained this state, quietly experiencing the connection between his mind and body, slowly refining the first hurdle of blood essence cultivation.

Just as he was immersed in cultivation, soft footsteps came from the rooftop entrance. Bai Xiaoyu walked up with a physical training chart. Seeing Lin Ye standing quietly with his eyes closed, he subconsciously slowed his footsteps.

"Lin Ye, I've compiled an advanced physical training plan that's perfect for you to quickly improve your core strength." Bai Xiaoyu walked gently to his side and handed him the training schedule. "You've been training a lot lately, so be sure to train scientifically to avoid injury."

Lin Ye slowly opened his eyes, took the training sheet, and found it detailed and comprehensive, including sets, repetitions, rest intervals, and precautions—clearly, Bai Xiaoyu had put a lot of thought into it. He softly thanked her, "Thank you, Xiaoyu."

"We're classmates, it's only right that we help each other." Bai Xiaoyu looked at him with a hint of worry in her eyes. "You seem to have a lot on your mind lately. Are you worried about the garbage dump? I've done a lot of research, and the police have intensified their search efforts. They should be able to take control of it soon."

Lin Ye nodded slightly, saying nothing more. He couldn't tell Bai Xiaoyu that those things were evil beasts that the police couldn't deal with at all, and that all the searches might be in vain.

The only way out is to become stronger.

During the afternoon Chinese class, Ye Hong quietly turned around and handed Lin Ye a neatly folded sheet of drawing paper. Opening it, she saw a drawing of him standing in meditation that morning, his posture upright like a pine tree, bathed in the soft morning light. The lines were gentle and delicate, and next to it was a line of small writing: "May you be safe, may all your wishes come true."

Lin Ye's fingertips gently brushed across the paper, the warmth in his heart overshadowing his worry for the demonic beast. He looked up at Ye Hong, who immediately turned her head away, her ears slightly red.

Looking at the people around him who cared about him and accompanied him, Lin Ye's determination grew stronger.

He must quickly master the blood essence, temper his physical body, and refine his spear skills.

Not for the competition, not for empty fame, but simply to have enough strength to protect those around me and this hard-won warmth and security when darkness falls and danger approaches.

After school in the afternoon, Lin Ye arrived at the martial arts club for training on time. When Coach Zhang Cheng saw him, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he looked Lin Ye up and down several times, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Lin Ye, your aura is very different today," Coach Zhang Cheng said, his tone tinged with doubt. "You're much more composed, and you have a very upright and steady aura, unlike what you can develop through ordinary shooting practice."

Lin Ye's heart tightened, but he remained calm on the surface: "It's just that I've been practicing stance training recently, so my mindset is more stable."

Coach Zhang Cheng didn't delve into the matter, but simply nodded, his tone solemn: "Things haven't been peaceful in the city lately, so I won't keep you in training for too long. However, your progress has been too rapid; you must solidify your foundation. Today, focus on power transitions and footwork. Remember, the root of spear technique always lies in the body; a strong body makes for a strong spear."

"Yes, Coach."

Lin Ye gripped his wooden spear tightly, standing in the center of the training ground. This time, while practicing his spear, he secretly tried circulating a trace of his blood essence to coordinate with his power. The blood essence flowed slowly through his meridians, merging into his arms, waist, abdomen, and legs. With each swing of the spear, the force was heavier and more penetrating than before, the spear tip remained steady without the slightest wobbling, and the sound of the spear cutting through the air was increasingly clear.

He was extremely careful, using only the slightest bit of his power and never revealing it, for fear that the coach would notice anything unusual.

Even so, Coach Zhang Cheng was still impressed and exclaimed repeatedly, "Excellent! Your power is fluid and your body and spear are perfectly integrated. Your progress is astonishing! Before long, you'll have mastered everything I've learned!"

As training ended, the sun had already set, casting a golden glow across the training field. Lin Ye, carrying his wooden rifle, walked out of the gymnasium side by side with Wang Dahai and Ye Hong, who had come to wait for him.

A gentle evening breeze blew, and the faint, cold, putrid smell in the air was a few times clearer than yesterday, drifting on the wind into the campus, barely perceptible.

Lin Ye paused slightly, his brows furrowing gently.

The malevolent aura drew even closer.

He gripped the wooden gun tightly without making a sound, and the faint trace of blood essence in his body was slightly hot, as if he was on guard or gathering strength.

Back in the equipment room, Lin Ye put away the wooden gun and stayed behind alone until the very end. As darkness fell and silence enveloped him, he closed his eyes again, immersing himself completely in the first step of his Blood Essence cultivation.

Calm your mind, lock your thoughts, and unify all your concerns.

This time, the clarity between my brows was more stable than ever before; any distracting thoughts were immediately suppressed, and my intentions followed me like a shadow.

Lin Ye knew clearly that he had firmly established himself in the first step of Blood Essence cultivation, and was only one step away from the second step of Quiet Breathing and Meridian Regulation.

Progress is still slow, there are no leaps and bounds, no overnight breakthroughs, but every bit of progress is solid and steady, deeply rooted in the mind and body.

As night deepened, Yu Ying Middle School gradually fell into silence.

Lin Ye walked out of the equipment room, looked up at the dark night sky, his eyes bright and determined.

The blood essence is first drawn in, and one cultivates it diligently day and night.

Gun in hand, energy within, friend by my side.

Even as darkness descends and shadowy figures close in, he will never again be like mortals, helplessly fleeing.

His gun, his blood essence, and his spirit of self-reliance will ultimately become the first sharp edge to pierce through the darkness.