Chapter Fifty-Four: Is Having a Generous Bosom a Hindrance to Cultivation?

“Now, I’ll teach you the first foundational movement.” Jiang An slowly swept his gaze over the group, seeing in every eye the yearning to become stronger.

“Snake of Si, Dragon of Chen, step forward!” Jiang An suddenly commanded.

The two female members of the team immediately took two steps ahead. Although they stood tall and proud, there was a hint of confusion in their eyes.

“You two, go rest for now. You won’t participate in this round of training.”

None of them expected the next words out of Jiang An’s mouth, which left them dumbfounded. Chen Long—gentle Wen Wan—couldn’t accept it and protested loudly, “Instructor, why?!”

“No reason. Just follow orders,” Jiang An replied, offering no explanation.

“Instructor, this isn’t fair! I admit I was rude to you before, and I apologize right now. But please, don’t bring personal grudges into our training,” Wen Wan blurted out, unable to hold back.

Jiang An smiled and turned to Snake of Si. “And you?”

“Instructor, I feel you might be discriminating against female trainees,” Snake of Si voiced her opinion. She was desperate to grow stronger, not willing to fall behind even for a moment, determined not to lose at the starting line. She only wanted to be a little closer to “Chen Long,” to catch up to his pace.

“So that’s the impression I’ve left on you.” Jiang An’s lips quirked up in an elegant arc. He raised his voice: “Everyone, splits—side and front!”

At his command, all twelve trainees dropped into splits. The front split, with one leg forward and one back, was second nature to these martial artists; years of training made the movement effortless.

“Good. Next, with your left hand, tilt your head back, and reach to touch the foot behind you. Let the back of your head touch your thigh.”

This next move was much more difficult. The two women, being naturally more flexible, completed it with ease, while the rest—broad, hulking men—turned red-faced and wide-eyed, unable to manage it. The two women, almost out of spite, shot Jiang An a look as if to say, “See? We’re better at this than they are.”

Jiang An pretended not to see, focusing on guiding the men, pushing them down into position, and if they still couldn’t manage, resorting to a bit of brute force. Martial artists have tough bodies, but pain is pain nonetheless. Soon, the training hall was filled with groans and wails.

“Now for the most important part. Close your eyes and focus on the energy in your dantian. Draw it upward—first split it into two streams, pass through the Heavenly Pivot, gather at the Central Stomach Point, move through the Upper Stomach Point, then diverge to the Qi Gate, then pass the Dove Tail, Chest Center, Spirit Storehouse, and the Glorious Canopy, finally converging at the Celestial Chimney. Remember, not a breath of true energy should be lost in this process. When the energy reaches the Celestial Chimney, touch this point with your right hand, and slowly exhale for five breaths. This completes one cycle. Repeat.”

These martial artists were well-versed in the body’s acupoints, but the path Jiang An described was so unusual, completely different from their usual cultivation. As they tried to guide their energy, they found it impossibly difficult—like herding a chaotic army that refused to obey.

“This isn’t good, my energy is all over the place!”

“Instructor, I’m out of breath!”

“Instructor, I can’t do it!”

…

After several attempts, not a single person succeeded, and the hall was filled with frustrated cries. Jiang An had expected this. “The first time requires my guidance. Except for Rat of Zi, everyone else, get up and watch as I demonstrate!”

At once, eleven people stood, forming a circle to watch as the instructor guided Rat of Zi.

“Alright, let’s take it slow. Step one: close your eyes and focus on your dantian. When my thumbs press your Heavenly Pivot, you begin guiding your energy. Describe what you feel as you go,” Jiang An instructed, lifting Rat of Zi’s shirt and pressing both thumbs quickly and precisely on the points beside his navel.

“Go ahead! And describe your sensations as you proceed.”

“Yes, Instructor. Your thumbs are hot, there’s a kind of pull, ah—my energy is moving! It’s splitting into two streams, flowing toward the Heavenly Pivot. It’s smooth, like a lantern lighting the path for lost energy…”

Rat of Zi described the process as thoroughly as possible, using metaphors to share his experience with the others.

Soon, the energy advanced smoothly, nearing its destination at the Celestial Chimney. With Jiang An’s cue, Rat of Zi pressed his right hand to the point, and suddenly his face flushed a deep red. Then, as he exhaled, a stream of white vapor, laced with a hint of gray, escaped his lips, rising nearly three feet.

“How does it feel?”

“Incredible! It’s as if all the pores in my body opened at once. I can feel my cells crying out in hunger, devouring the true energy to grow stronger—yes, that’s exactly it!”

Rat of Zi’s words excited the group; everyone was desperate to try for themselves, clamoring for the instructor to guide them next. But Jiang An turned to the two women and said, “Now do you understand why you had to wait?”

Wen Wan and Snake of Si exchanged glances, their faces blooming with a charming blush—embarrassed and abashed. No wonder the instructor made them wait. Guiding energy required physical contact, especially at the Heavenly Pivot, right at the navel, and the Chest Center, which was on the chest itself. How could a woman’s private areas be touched so casually?

“So what do we do now? It can’t be that having a large chest means I can’t train?” Wen Wan’s thoughts ran wild, and she blurted out her concern.

The entire hall froze in shock.

Only when Snake of Si pinched her did Wen Wan realize her slip, and she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, shielding herself from the heated gazes, cursing her chest for being so troublesome.

“Ahem. There are two solutions,” Jiang An spoke, drawing everyone’s attention. “First, you two can try to figure it out yourselves. You don’t necessarily need me to guide your energy, though it will be much harder. Second, after I’ve taught the others, they can help guide you, which might be more comfortable for you.”

The two women hesitated. Figure it out themselves? They’d just tried for ages and gotten nowhere—who knew if they’d ever succeed? Even if they did, the others would be far ahead. But if they chose the second option, wouldn’t it still mean being touched?

After a moment’s thought, the more mature Snake of Si made her decision. “Instructor, I recall you’re also a doctor. When we go to the hospital and see a male gynecologist, we have to undress for the exam. This is just a bit of physical contact for training—nothing more. So, Instructor, please proceed however you think is best. I don’t mind.”

“Neither do I!” Wen Wan gritted her teeth.

Since the women themselves didn’t object, Jiang An didn’t stand on ceremony. “Very well. We’ll go one by one. Next—Ox of Chou!”

A sturdy man took his position, waiting for Jiang An’s guidance. Soon he completed the cycle, shouting in excitement.

Next!

…

After a dozen minutes, Jiang An had guided the energy for all ten men, instructing them to continue practicing until the movement became second nature.

“Next, Snake of Si!”

Though her face was tinged with red, Snake of Si lay down with determination and executed the pose perfectly. This time, Jiang An guided her energy through her clothes. She felt awkward, but managed to complete the first cycle smoothly.

Finally, it was Chen Long—Wen Wan’s turn.

Young and inexperienced, usually brash but now overtaken by shyness, she lay down timidly. As her high chest arched, her shirt rode up, exposing her snowy midriff. Instinctively, she tugged at her clothing, ruining the form.

“Wan’er, aren’t you always saying you fear nothing? Why so bashful now, like a startled little rabbit? Maybe you should swap your Dragon of Chen code name for Rabbit of Mao,” Snake of Si teased—a clumsy attempt at provocation.

But Wen Wan fell for it. “Nonsense! I’m not afraid. I was just shooing a mosquito. Go ahead, Instructor!”

In the dead of winter, shooing a mosquito? Only you could come up with that…

Jiang An waited for her to adjust her pose, then pressed a finger gently to her Heavenly Pivot at the navel. Instantly, her body tensed, muscles contracting, and goosebumps appeared on her skin.

“Relax. You can’t guide your energy if you’re this tense,” Jiang An reminded her.

“Mm.” She hummed softly, forcing herself to relax. The energy began to flow more smoothly.

Passing the Central and Upper Stomach Points, then the Qi Gate and Dove Tail, they reached the Chest Center—the point between her breasts. Jiang An couldn’t help but notice their impressive size.

Determined to proceed quickly, he pressed down, feeling only softness beneath his finger. Wen Wan instantly cried out, instinctively closing her arms to protect herself. Fortunately, Jiang An was quick, or his hand would have been trapped.

Be careful—I’m a married man, after all!

Jiang An had no choice but to soothe her, waiting until she calmed down before continuing. At last, she completed her first guided cycle, and being naturally gifted, managed the second on her own with ease.

The entire afternoon was devoted to mastering this first movement, striving for the ideal state where a single thought sent energy flowing. There were countless mishaps and questions—Jiang An’s patience was truly tested.

In that moment, Jiang An suddenly found himself missing home, especially his beloved daughter.