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The *Yuhua Lingshu* states: Above the Nine Heavens there is no Yin, and below the Nine Earths there is no Yang. The Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi) circulates and transmits throughout the body, while residual Qi remains in the Spleen. By sitting quietly and holding the breath, allowing more to enter than to exit, results can be seen within ten days: the limbs become lustrous, and the meridians and collaterals become smooth and unobstructed. If practicing lower-level cultivation methods, such strictness is not required. Each of the Five Zang Organs has its time of prosperity and decline; when one organ is prosperous, another is weak, when one Qi is abundant, another is deficient. To diminish the excess and supplement the deficiency, once the Five Zang Organs are harmonized, the entire skeletal system regulates itself naturally; once the skeletal system regulates itself naturally, myriad diseases do not arise; once myriad diseases do not arise, longevity for a thousand years can be expected.

The *Xishan Ji* states: Qi is inherently formless and must rely on a physical body. When the form is complete, Qi exists, and repair can naturally occur. Regardless of age, what is most precious is utmost sincerity, consistent from beginning to end. The Tianhuang Shengtai Mi Yong Shenjue (Heavenly Emperor's Secret Method for the Sacred Embryo) is the highest method for tonifying Qi; the Damo Taixi Zhili (Master Bodhidharma's Ultimate Principle of Fetal Breathing) is the middle method; subsequently, methods such as "stopping breath due to the embryo" and "attaching the embryo to breath," as well as Bian Que's *Ling Shu* and Ge Hong's commentary on *Taixi*, are lower methods for tonifying Qi. All other methods are non-standard.

The *Taishang Xuanjing* states: Pure Yang rising upward is called Qi; Pure Yin descending downward is called Ye (Fluids); when Qi and Ye intersect and pour into the space between bones and collaterals, it is called Sui (Marrow); when Qi and Ye intersect and emerge outside the Bladder, it is called Jing (Essence). Internally, these are the Heart, Kidney, Liver, Lung, and Spleen—the Five Zang Organs; externally, they include the Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Bladder, San Jiao (Triple Burner), Gallbladder, and Stomach—the Six Fu Organs. On the exterior are the skin, hair, eyes, ears, nose, tongue, hands, feet, Ying Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), meridians, acupoints, and four limbs. Regarding Essence: when Heart Qi acts upon the Liver, the Liver generates its own Essence; if Liver Essence is not secure, vision becomes dizzy and lacks luster; when Heart Qi acts upon the Lung, the Lung generates its own Essence; if Lung Essence is not substantial, muscles become thin and weak; when Heart Qi acts upon the Kidney, the Kidney generates its own Essence; if Kidney Essence is not full, Spirit and Qi decrease; when Heart Qi acts upon the Spleen, the Spleen generates its own Essence; if Spleen Essence is not firm, hair and teeth naturally weaken. Among the Five Zang Organs, the Kidney is the sea of Essence, and the Heart is the residence of Qi. True Essence resides in the Kidney, and remaining Essence naturally returns to the Lower Dantian. True Qi resides in the Heart, and remaining Qi naturally converges at the Middle Yuan. Overthinking and sorrow deplete Qi like gas leaking from a tripod; lust and chaos cause Essence to flee like fire consuming firewood under a cauldron. The way to tonify lower Essence involves not only abstaining from sexual desire but also being extremely cautious during sexual intercourse.

The *Xishan Ji* states: Heaven and Earth steal from all things; all things steal from humans. Generally, Yang rises and Yin descends. All things receive the pure Qi of Heaven and Earth, forming Yin Essence and Yang Splendor. Humans consume all things as resources to enrich themselves; every drink and meal enters the Stomach, combines with True Qi, and flows to the Kidneys. When empty Qi becomes abundant, one generates mental intent facing external objects; Heart Fire presses downward, preventing Kidney Qi from ascending. It rotates left and coils right. Yang Qi rises from the earth. After 180 days, it reaches Heaven. The Yang that exceeds Heaven originates from Yin. Yang carries Yin to nurture it; Yang lingers where Yang stays; Yin is pressured by Yang and returns from Heaven. Thus, Yin descends from Heaven, reaching the earth after 180 days. The Yin that exceeds the earth originates from Yang. Yin embraces the substance of Yang; Yin lingers where Yin stays; Yang is pressured by Yin and rises from the earth. This cycle repeats without loss. However, there are errors of shaking and pouring; how much more so for humans, whose Kidneys are Water? Gas generated within Water resembles smoke or thread; touching it breaks it, disturbing it scatters it. The six desires (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, mind) harm from the outside; the seven emotions (joy, anger, sorrow, happiness, love, hate, thought) harm from the inside. Upward, the Chonglou (Trachea/Energy Tower) loses essence; downward, the Jingu (Kidney Essence/Genitals) leaks. Like wind caught in a leaky net, how can it remain undamaged? Not knowing the way to tonify Qi is like fire melting wax; day by day, one accumulates karma and re-enters the cycle of reincarnation.