Shazhen, Tongcheng City, is an ordinary village.
In the early morning, golden sunlight shines on the village and the land, with distant green mountains stretching out and clear rivers meandering around, dotting the old trees and villages.
As the sun dissipated the fog, an inconspicuous house came into view in the village.
Inside the house, Zhang Yuan and his parents were having breakfast around a small eight-immortal table in the living room.
The meal was simple: a plate of stir-fried mustard greens, a plate of stir-fried pork belly with bamboo shoots, and a bowl of pickled radish made by Zhang Yuan's mother.
Zhang Yuan's parents quickly shoveled down the steaming sweet potato porridge as they rushed out to work.
Zhang Yuan poked at the sweet potato porridge in his bowl with his chopsticks, feeling unappetized.
He caught a cold again these past few days, which made his already poor appetite even worse.
"Yuanzi, eat more. You'll be going to university in half a month, so take good care of yourself."
Zhang Yuan's mother, Wang Ru, said with concern, a hint of relief and pride on her face.
Zhang Yuan is one of the few children in the village to be admitted to university this year, and he was admitted to Tongcheng University, the best 985 university in Tongcheng City! Therefore, Zhang Yuan's parents are very proud.
Finally, a college student has emerged from our family! Yuanzi is destined for great things!
When Zhang Yuan's parents spoke in the village, their backs straightened considerably.
The only thing that Zhang Yuan's parents, Wang Ru, felt was that Yuanzi had never been very healthy since he was a child. He was thin, had a poor appetite, and had caught a cold a few days ago.
"Okay!"
Zhang Yuan responded in a low voice, then coughed twice and listlessly ate his breakfast.
At this time, Zhang Yuan's parents had already finished breakfast.
Dad Zhang Ting led his old motorcycle out the door and waited for Mom Wang Ru at the entrance. Wang Ru hurriedly packed her things, got on Dad Zhang's old motorcycle, and went to work at the factory in town together.
Before leaving, Wang Ru instructed: Yuanzi, wash the dishes after you finish eating, and remember to take your medicine!
"Okay, Mom, you can go to work without worry!"
"Be careful on the road!"
Zhang Yuan said.
He is a sensible and filial child.
Waaah!
The old motorcycle left the yard, leaving Zhang Yuan alone at home.
Zhang Yuan slowly and listlessly finished half a bowl of rice, his head still feeling dizzy. In the middle of summer, he had been taking medicine for two days, but his cold was still not getting better.
Fortunately, this cold wasn't too serious.
The sun has risen, and a ray of sunlight shines into the room.
Zhang Yuan poured himself a glass of water, took the cold medicine pills on the table, and then went into the kitchen to wash the dishes.
By the time I finished, it was already past nine o'clock.
Outside, the sun was shining brightly; the morning sun wasn't too harsh.
Zhang Yuan thought for a moment, went into his room, and from the mountain of books, pulled out a pirated copy of "Huangdi Neijing" that he had bought from a street stall a few days ago when he went to town to see a doctor.
This book is 16mo in size, with a light yellow cover and rough paper, but it's cheap, only 10 yuan.
Zhang Yuan took the book, walked into the yard, and felt the warm sunshine on his body. He took a deep breath, then carefully turned to the first page and began to read aloud.
In the past, the Yellow Emperor was born with divine spirit, could speak in his infancy, was quick-witted in his youth, became diligent and intelligent in his adulthood, and ascended to heaven upon reaching adulthood.
He then asked the Celestial Master: "I have heard that people in ancient times lived to be over a hundred years old and their movements were not impaired; but people today are already impaired at the age of fifty. Is it because the times are different?"
Qi Bo replied: "In ancient times, those who understood the Dao followed the principles of Yin and Yang, harmonized with the arts of numerology, ate and drank in moderation, maintained regular daily routines, and did not overwork themselves. Therefore, they were able to maintain both their physical and spiritual well-being and live out their natural lifespan, reaching a hundred years before passing away."
"Those who understand this follow the principles of Yin and Yang, and harmonize with the arts of divination?"
What does that mean?
Although Zhang Yuan had good grades in high school and could understand every word of "Those who know the Way follow the principles of Yin and Yang and harmonize with the arts of numerology," he was still completely baffled as to what the old man Qi Bo was trying to express!
He shook his head and continued reading.
The Yellow Emperor said: I have heard that in ancient times there was a true man who could lift up heaven and earth, grasp yin and yang, breathe in the essence of qi, stand alone and guard his spirit, and have muscles as one. Therefore, he could live as long as heaven and earth and have no end. This is the way of life.
To lift up heaven and earth, grasp yin and yang, breathe in vital energy, and independently guard one's spirit?
What does that mean?
Zhang Yuan held the book, looking completely bewildered.
Ah, never mind!
Just as Zhang Yuan closed his book and was about to go back to his room to rest, a loud voice came from outside the yard: "Zhang Yuan, are you home? You have a package!"
Zhang Yuan stopped and turned around to see a deliveryman in a red shirt.
He quickly went to open the door and took the two packages from the deliveryman.
After signing, Zhang Yuan thanked him.
The deliveryman rode off on his electric tricycle.
Zhang Yuan happily returned to the courtyard with the package in his hand.
These are two books I bought online a few days ago.
One book is "The Secret Manual of Yang Shen Cultivation", and the other is "The 30-Day Rapid Success Method for Foundation Building"!
He used a kitchen knife to cut open the tape on the package, took out two newly bought books, and immediately started flipping through them.
However, just a few minutes later, he angrily threw the two cultivation manuals, which he had bought for 9.9 yuan including shipping, on the ground.
"Damn it, I've been scammed!"
"This is no cultivation manual! It's a damned, unscrupulous merchant!"
Zhang Yuan cursed.
It seems they've forgotten that a book that costs 9.9 yuan with free shipping is inherently unreliable.
These two books, with their rough paper, a price tag of 9.9 yuan printed on the last page, and poorly printed font, were not the cultivation manuals Zhang Yuan wanted at all.
The majority of "The Secret Manual of Yang Shen Cultivation" is copied and excerpted from popular Taoist cultivation and practice articles found online.
Zhang Yuan had already read much of the book online.
The content of "The 30-Day Instant Success Method for Foundation Building" is even more despicable. The illustrations and descriptions in the book are actually the eighth set of broadcast gymnastics that we practiced every day during the morning exercise break in middle school!
"Grass!"
May that liar's whole family die!
Zhang Yuan cursed viciously, feeling his intelligence had been insulted.
However, he quickly came to terms with it.
What kind of cultivation manual can you buy for 9.9 yuan?
It was just an impulsive purchase, bought on a whim, but the seller's clickbait tactics are just too much.
This is blatant consumer fraud!
Holding two crudely printed books, Zhang Yuan was both amused and exasperated. He then stood at the door, shaking his head and muttering to himself, "Alas, I really am not some chosen one."
"I've been reading too many online novels lately."
Zhang Yuan's sudden interest in cultivating immortality dates back to a month ago.
A month ago, Grandma Wang, Zhang Yuan's neighbor, who was a kind-hearted person and liked to chat with Zhang Yuan whenever she saw him, suddenly passed away!
Two days before Grandma Wang passed away, Zhang Yuan saw her planting vegetables in her garden, looking quite energetic.
When Grandma Wang saw Zhang Yuan walk by, she waved to him with a smile from afar, congratulating him on getting into university!
He also stuffed a handful of freshly picked lettuce into Zhang Yuan's arms, telling him to take it home and eat it.
As a result, Granny Wang passed away just two days later!
This is so sudden.
Then, two weeks ago, Li Lecai, Zhang Yuan's best friend from the same high school class, was riding his bicycle when he was accidentally hit and killed by a truck.
This further traumatized Zhang Yuan's fragile mind.
This is my best friend, the kind we're really close to.
When Zhang Yuan heard the news, he was so frightened that he was in shock for three days.
Life is so fragile.
These two events reminded Zhang Yuan of an old story.
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