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Refining Jing (Essence) into Qi (Vital Energy) is a method of reverse operation. To understand the separation between immortals and mortals, one must know the distinction between forward and reverse operations. The classics state: "Forward leads to becoming human; reverse leads to becoming immortal." This is precisely what it means.

Forward operation results in the transformation of the body's Qi into Jing, which is the process where Yang transforms into Yin; this is the way of human reproduction. When ordinary people are stimulated by external contacts and arousal arises, some may engage in sexual intercourse but restrain themselves from ejaculation, or experience nocturnal emissions without actual loss upon waking. For those who fall into such situations, although the Jing has not been physically discharged, the mind's thoughts have wandered, causing the "flowing pearl" (a metaphor for vital essence) to desire leaving the body. At this point, the Jing has already departed from the various Zang-Fu organs, rushing out to the Kidneys, and condensing at areas such as the Yinqiao Vessel (Yin Qiao Mai) and Huiyin (CV-8).

Consequently, this Jing may be expelled through urine, condense into a perineal abscess (Xuan Yong), block the orifices leading to urinary retention, transform into red and white turbidity (abnormal urethral discharge), become dysuria (scanty and painful urination), cause uncontrollable seminal emission, condense into hemorrhoids and fistulas, or due to long-term accumulation without release, eventually lead to a single rupture that costs one's life. Various such lingering disasters are too numerous to list.

The Immortal Patriarch, out of compassion for the world, established this method of refining Jing into Qi; to eliminate diseases and prolong life. Only those with great fortune and affinity can encounter this. One must know when to gather Jing and what efforts are required to refine it. As mentioned previously, situations involving stimulation-induced arousal, coitus without ejaculation, and nocturnal dreams without emission—are these not the so-called "times of gathering Jing"? If at this time one practices the method of refining Jing into Qi for more than ten cycles according to the rules, then all the gathered Jing will be transformed into Qi. How could there still be diseases? With long-term practice, one can make the primordial Jing complete and solid, thereby preventing leakage.

This method of refining Jing into Qi is truly difficult for people to comprehend. Imagine Jing as water pools; using methods to guide Jing upward is no different from earth vapor rising from water pools to form clouds and mist. When Qi rises and transforms into sweet saliva/fluids descending to the Middle Yellow Court, is it not like clouds rising and transforming into sweet rain to nourish the nine fields? Jing originates from the Kidneys and gathers in one place; here it ascends again to the Niwan Palace (upper Dantian), then descends to the Middle Yellow Court, dispersing throughout the four limbs and body. This corresponds to what the *I Ching* calls "Yellow in the center, penetrating the principles."

The verse states:
"Calm the Qi and stabilize the breath,
Hold the Dragon's body with hands.
Lift force with nasal breathing,
The Dragon Spirit rushes upward.
The Divine Dragon returns to the Great Sea,
Temporarily pausing at the Yinqiao.
Turning from South to North,
In an instant reaching the Mingmen.
Driving my White Steed,
Pulling the windlass along.
Passing the Three Passes of the Jiaji,
Ascending Caoxi to the Supreme Purity.
Raising clouds to distribute sweet rain,
Falling in gusts upon the Huangting.
Practicing this Qi-moving method,
Hundred diseases will not invade."

Cultivators should carefully ponder this verse, and you will surely gain something.