You can read the next chapters of this book at *patreon.com/ZamirP*
Following Teacher Kuwajima's guidance, he attempted to activate Thunder Breathing for the first time.
Instantly, the advantage of the Myriad Realms Physique became undeniably clear!
His lung capacity, already enhanced, far surpassed that of an ordinary person; his chest expanded greatly, inhaling an astonishing amount of oxygen in one breath, easily meeting the Breathing Technique's requirements.
Even more remarkably, his strengthened body control allowed him to precisely grasp the subtle changes in every muscle, quickly adjusting to the optimal state for the Breathing Technique's operation.
On his first attempt, his breathing rhythm was uncharacteristically steady for a beginner—long, powerful, with a unique sense of rhythm, devoid of any disorder or discomfort.
Immediately after, his enhanced neural responses and the subtle energy perception granted by the Eye of Truth gave him a sense of "internal vision."
He could "see" that with this unique breathing, a scorching, explosive current of air was drawn into his body, surging with his blood, flushing every corner of his being.
Cells seemed to awaken from slumber, emitting a faint, joyful hum, and an unprecedented sense of vitality permeated from the deepest parts of his body.
He could even clearly perceive the trajectory of this energy flow within his body; which meridians were clear, and which areas had slight obstructions, all were clear to him.
So that's it... this is the secret of the Breathing Technique.
Cheng Mo understood; it was about using breathing to guide life energy, instantly overclocking the body's functions.
He continuously fine-tuned the depth and rhythm of his breathing, trying to optimize the efficiency of energy flow, making it smoother and more explosive.
To an outsider, he simply stood there calmly, breathing steadily, his expression normal.
But Teacher Kuwajima, standing nearby, watched with sharp eyes that widened progressively, his stern expression gradually replaced by astonishment.
He had his disciples repeatedly practice this unique breathing rhythm, feeling the energy circulate within their bodies.
This was extremely difficult for ordinary people.
Controlling the breathing rhythm, guiding energy, and enduring the immense burden the Breathing Technique placed on the heart and lungs—many would experience dizziness, lightheadedness, or even vomiting in the initial stages.
However, Cheng Mo's Myriad Realms Physique displayed an overwhelming advantage here.
His lung capacity far exceeded that of an ordinary person, allowing him to easily maintain that deep and intense breathing rhythm without any hindrance.
His powerful body control enabled him to perfectly align with the Breathing Technique's requirements, resulting in almost no energy loss or internal consumption.
What surprised Teacher Kuwajima the most was Cheng Mo's speed of "perception" and "adaptation."
Through the Eye of Truth's internal vision and enhanced neural perception, Cheng Mo could clearly "see" that—
With specific breathing, a faint but scorching energy current was drawn into his body, surging along a specific path.
Wherever it passed, cells seemed to awaken from slumber, bursting with greater vitality.
This clear "internal vision" feedback allowed him to constantly fine-tune, completing the guidance and transformation of energy with maximum efficiency.
While others were still struggling to find their "qi sensation" and enduring physical discomfort, he had already passed the adaptation period and begun to operate the basic Thunder Breathing steadily and efficiently.
In just a few days, his progress was visible to the naked eye.
During a Breathing Technique maintenance practice, Cheng Mo closed his eyes in concentration, his chest rising and falling rhythmically and powerfully, with an almost imperceptible, faint white mist, like an electric current, swirling around his mouth and nose.
This was the initial manifestation of having mastered the Breathing Technique.
Kuwajima Jigorō, leaning on his cane, stood before him and watched for a long time, his sharp gaze filled with disbelief and a hint of pleasant surprise.
After a long while, he slowly spoke, his voice still resonant, but with clear admiration: "Cheng Mo."
Cheng Mo slowly ceased his practice, opening his eyes: "Teacher Kuwajima."
"Your physical foundation... lung capacity, the toughness of your bones and muscles, and your speed of adapting to this breathing..."
Kuwajima Jigorō paused, seemingly searching for appropriate words.
"It is the best this old man has ever seen! It's almost... like a body born for the Breathing Technique!"
Kaigaku, standing nearby, abruptly stopped his breathing practice, his face instantly turning ashen, the flames of jealousy almost erupting from his gaze towards Cheng Mo.
Zenitsu, meanwhile, gaped, forgetting to wail, and murmured, "No way... he's already being praised by Grandpa? Is he a monster...?"
Cheng Mo, facing the praise, showed no sign of smugness, merely bowing slightly: "Teacher Kuwajima overpraises me; it is due to your excellent guidance."
He knew in his heart that this was not some extraordinary talent, but the fundamental advantage brought by the Myriad Realms Physique.
The real challenge was how to transform this fundamental advantage into tangible combat power capable of slaying demons.
The first step had gone rather smoothly.
He looked calmly at Kuwajima Jigorō.
"You have mastered basic breathing; starting tomorrow, try to integrate the Breathing Technique into your daily training."
Kuwajima Jigorō said in a deep voice, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"Yes!" Cheng Mo replied, a sharp glint flashing in the depths of his eyes... The training on Mount Momoyama was relentless, almost cruel, day after day.
Cheng Mo had been on Mount Momoyama for a week.
From before dawn until the stars filled the sky, Cheng Mo's figure was constantly active in the dojo and on the mountain.
Tens of thousands of sword swings, his arms going from aching to numb, then to a strange lightness after breaking through their limits.
Rapid shuttle runs in the mountains, his lungs burning, his legs heavy as if filled with lead, every breath tasting of rust.
Waterfall impact training, the icy water flow like heavy hammers pounding on his head and back, almost pushing him into the bottom of the pool, requiring constant maintenance of Thunder Breathing to stabilize his posture.
These trainings, which were hellish for Kaigaku and Zenitsu, Cheng Mo endured with an almost cold tenacity.
The Myriad Realms Physique displayed terrifying advantages in this extreme training.
Kaigaku would train to exhaustion, needing sheer willpower to push through, and would often wake up the next day with sore muscles and stiff movements.
Zenitsu, on the other hand, felt like he died every day, crying out, "My muscles are dissolving!" and "My bones are broken!"
But Cheng Mo was different.
Muscle fatigue and minor damage from extremely high-intensity training would often recover by seventy to eighty percent after a night of deep sleep.
The next morning, he could once again throw himself into a new round of tempering in peak condition.
This allowed him to endure higher intensity and longer duration training, with efficiency far surpassing others.
Kuwajima Jigorō watched all of this, his admiration deepening daily, and his demands on Cheng Mo became even more stringent.
Cheng Mo did not become complacent because of this.
He knew very well that mere physical advantage was not enough to grasp the essence of Thunder Breathing.
He dedicated considerable effort not just to imitating movements, but to understanding their core.
"Concentrate on one point, burst forward..."
With every sword swing, every breath, he experienced the sensation of compressing and condensing all his body's strength, then violently releasing it in an instant.
He tried to control the flow of his breath, adjust the sequence of muscle activation, and find that perfect balance point that would maximize his explosive power.
His progress, though not rapid, was steady and solid.