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Below the umbilicus lies the Dantian (Elixir Field), a place where vital life manifests, which cannot be measured by standard units. Human Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) originates in the two Kidneys and is generated in the Dantian. When Qi is sufficient and stored internally, nasal breathing is faint and fine; when Qi is deficient and rushes upward, nasal breathing becomes panting and rapid. The distinction between "having no Qi" and "having Qi," or "having Qi" and "losing Qi," serves as the criterion for differentiation. However, the true meaning of the term "Dantian" is not something that ordinary physicians can fully comprehend.

I, along with Tiyun Daoren (Master Cloud Ladder, surname Xie, courtesy name Jiluo, from Xinhua. At eight years old, he suffered from mania, speaking only of events on Penglai Island, until he recovered at fourteen. He began his education at fifteen, and the following year passed the county examination. In all movements and stillness, he regulated himself according to the standards of sages) and Lewu Shanren (Hermit Awakened to Truth, surname Liu, given name Zongyin, courtesy name Qunzhan, pseudonym Jinan, from Shaoyang. Born with a naturally kind, compassionate, and gentle nature, he devoted each day to the universal salvation of sentient beings. His hair and beard were snow-white, yet his face glowed with rosy health. When Mengjue Daoren traveled through Hunan and sent a letter that had not yet arrived, Liu predicted to his family: 'It is known that where breaths connect, before seeing the jade letter, one sees the form.'), studied the Dao together at Leigong Cave in Meicheng (located ninety li south of the city, the cave is profound and deep, with massive rocks brushing the sky, and a stream breaks through the entrance. Mengjue Daoren chiseled open the cave wall to create a thoroughfare for Xinshao, approximately one li long. Situated in the middle of the cave, beside the stream stands a large rock, naturally formed as a place for studying the Dao. The foundation is flat and dry, the roof pot-shaped sheltering the wind. The facade features exotic flowers and herbs blooming in all seasons. Square tables and round stools by the wall are intricately carved. Neither cold nor hot, it maintains the pleasant weather of the second and eighth lunar months; with stoves and furnaces, it contains the golden light of countless kalpas).

Suddenly, one morning, Master Xie smiled and said, "I now understand that below the umbilicus is the Dantian, the repository of the Elixir. Last night, as the water clock dripped slowly, the essence in the Precious Cauldron was dense. Light penetrated the curtains, capturing a single point of Golden Essence. In a state of恍惚 (huanghu - vague and indistinct), the living manifestation appeared below the umbilicus." I replied, "The Lead from Water, once refined by Fire, transforms into the Elixir. This subtle mechanism can only be known by oneself. I also have my own insights, but they are not suitable for gifting to you." At that time, Master Liu had not yet attained enlightenment. Master Xie possessed innate spiritual roots and ethereal bones, exhibiting the demeanor of an idle crane and free gull. He encountered the Dao early. The three of us investigated the fundamental principles, benefiting mostly from Master Xie, after which Master Liu also became diligent in advancing.

"A trace of dawn moon emerges in the eastern dew" (Kan Wu, essence of the moon. Dawn moon dew signifies the sprouting of medicinal herbs), "Exhaustively seeking what existed before birth" (Before heaven and earth existed, there was first the True Qi of the union of Zhen and Yuan; then heaven and earth came to be. Before physical birth, there was first the True Qi of the union of Zhen and Yuan; then physical birth occurred. Dawn moon dew refers to pursuing this primordial True Qi and returning it to the source of life). His attainment surpassed that of myself and Master Xie. "A prior appointment with peach blossoms, together we float on the raft of Wuling" (Tao Yuanming's *Peach Blossom Spring*: A fisherman from Wuling made his living fishing. Following a stream, he forgot the distance. Suddenly, he encountered peach trees lining the banks for hundreds of steps, with no other trees mixed in. Reaching the source, there was a small opening in the mountain, seemingly emitting light. Leaving his boat, he entered through the opening. Inside, people came and went farming. Men and women dressed like outsiders, the elderly and children were happy and content. They claimed their ancestors fled the chaos of the Qin dynasty and came to this isolated place, never leaving, thus becoming separated from the outside world).