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The *Suwen: Gu Kong Lun* states: The Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) originates from the Qiqie (Gas Street, referring to the pulsation in the inguinal region where Qi flows), runs parallel with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, flanks the navel upwards, and disperses upon reaching the chest.

The *Lingshu: Wei Qi Pian* states: Let me speak of the Qi Streets. There is a Qi Street in the chest, a Qi Street in the abdomen, a Qi Street in the head, and a Qi Street in the lower legs. Therefore, when Qi is in the head, it terminates at the brain; when Qi is in the chest, it terminates at the anterior chest (Ying) and the Back-Shu points on the back; when Qi is in the abdomen, it terminates at the Back-Shu points and the arterial pulses on the left and right sides of the navel belonging to the Chong Mai; when Qi is in the lower legs, it terminates at the Qiqie, as well as at Chengshan (BL57) and above the ankle.

The Chong Mai originates from the abdominal "Qi Street." The acquired Zong Qi (Pectoral Qi) comes from the Qichong point, merges with the innate Zhen Qi (True Qi, the vital force originating from between the kidneys), and together they flank the navel to ascend to the chest's "Qi Street." When the Great Qi reaches the chest, it disperses, converges with the Du Mai (Governor Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), fills the whole body, distributes to the Zang-Fu organs and all meridians, and is rightly called the "Sea" without error.

[Commentary] The Chong Mai originates from the "Qi Street," which here refers to the Qi Street of the abdomen. It is named "Qi Street" because it is the pathway through which Qi travels. The Great Qi of the entire body, accumulated in the chest, consists of two parts: the innate Zhen Qi, which is inherited and corresponds to the Kidney Interstitial Moving Qi (the original Qi moving between the kidneys); and the acquired Zong Qi, which is transformed from food and water, corresponding to Stomach Qi. Thus, what is meant by "originating from the Qi Street of the abdomen" is that it originates from the Grain Qi in the stomach; and what is meant by "merging with the Shaoyin" is that it merges with the Kidney Interstitial Moving Qi. The True Qi and Grain Qi merge, flank the navel to ascend, and disperse upon reaching the chest. This means that the Great Qi reaches the chest, distributes to the meridians of the five Zang and six Fu organs, and thereby fills the whole body. The *Lingshu: Ni Shun Fei Shou Pian* states: The Chong Mai is the Sea of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs; the Five Zang and Six Fu organs all receive Qi from it. The *Lingshu: Dong Yu Pian* further states: The Chong Mai is the Sea of the Twelve Meridians; it connects with the large collateral of the Foot-Shaoyin, originates below the kidney, and emerges from the Qiqie. The *Lingshu: Wu Yin Wu Wei Pian* further states: Both the Chong Mai and Ren Mai originate from the Bao Gong (Uterus/Pelvis), which refers to what is said here about originating below the kidney. To say it originates below the kidney means that it merges with the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian and ascends via the Kidney Interstitial Moving Qi. The *Suwen: Gu Kong Lun* states: The Chong Mai originates from the Qichong point (ST30), which refers to emerging from the Qiqie. The text uses "emerges" rather than "originates" to indicate that Grain Qi exits from the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and converges at the Qiqie.