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In Chapter 15 of the *Ling Shu Jing* (Spiritual Pivot Classic), it is stated: "The human body has twenty-eight meridians in the upper, lower, left, right, anterior, and posterior aspects," corresponding to the Twenty-Eight Mansions of the sky. What are these twenty-eight meridians? There are twelve meridians on each side of the hands and feet, totaling twenty-four, plus the Yin Qiao Mai (Yinchiao Vessel) and Yang Qiao Mai (Yangchiao Vessel), making twenty-six. Adding the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and Du Mai (Governing Vessel), the total number is completed at twenty-eight.

Shengshengzi (Sun Yikui's self-styled name) said: Heaven has four seasons, Earth has four seas, and the human body corresponds to them. The so-called "Four Seas" refer to the Sea of Marrow, Sea of Blood, Sea of Qi, and Sea of Water and Grain. The fluids of the Twelve Regular Meridians all pour into these seas. Qibo said: "The Stomach is the Sea of Water and Grain; its shu points are located above at Qichuan (St30) and below at Zusanli (St36). The Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) is the Sea of the Twelve Meridians; its shu points are located above at Dazhu (Bl11) and below emerging from the upper and lower edges of Shangjuxu (St37) and Xiaguxu (St39). the Danzhong (Chest Center) is the Sea of Qi; its shu points are located above at the upper and lower parts of the vertebral column, and anteriorly at Renying (ST9). The Brain is the Sea of Marrow; its shu points are located above at the crown of the head and below at Fengfu (GV16)." Both excess and deficiency can be observed through these. When the Sea of Qi has excess, there is fullness in the chest, reddish face, and rapid breathing; when deficient, there is shortness of breath insufficient for speech. When the Sea of Blood has excess, one often feels their body is large, feeling depressed and unaware of the illness; when deficient, one often feels their body is small, feeling constrained and unaware of the illness. When the Sea of Water and Grain has excess, there is abdominal fullness; when deficient, there is hunger but an inability to accept food. When the Sea of Marrow has excess, the body feels light and strong, exceeding normal limits; when deficient, there is dizziness, tinnitus, soreness in the calves, vertigo, blurred vision, lassitude, and a desire to lie down. For all such excesses and deficiencies, one should "carefully observe their shu points and regulate their excess and deficiency, do not violate the deficiency, those who follow the pattern will recover, those who oppose it will fail" (from *Ling Shu · Hai Lun Pian*).

The *I Ching* (Book of Changes) states: "Heaven and Earth interact, and the transformation of all things becomes pure; male and female essence combine, and all things are born." Here, "interacting" refers to the state of ascending, descending, condensing, and aggregating; "combining essence" refers to the state of pairing and mutual influence. Only when the two qi merge does transformation naturally arise. Otherwise, solitary Yang cannot generate, and solitary Yin cannot form; how can one expect transformation? Then, why is it that some couples cannot conceive? Is it because they never meet for intercourse? If they meet but do not understand or seize the moment, this is also considered a state of solitary Yin and solitary Yang. Those who do not understand attribute this to destiny, which is too rigid. Occasionally, people advocate using medicinal herbs to nourish essence and blood, waiting for the menstrual cycle to plant conception, or using harsh tonics to seek accidental pregnancy. This may not yield offspring but will bring harm, which has long been a source of pain and regret for me. Therefore, I have investigated the way of conception, which has four aspects: first, selecting the land (metaphor for the mother's physical condition); second, nurturing the seed (metaphor for the quality of the father's sperm); third, seizing the time; fourth, utilizing emptiness (referring to the physiological state around ovulation). Why? Because "land" represents the mother's essence, "seed" represents the father's sperm, "time" represents the moment of conjunction of the two essences, and "emptiness" represents the initial stage of discarding the old and generating the new. I once heard my teacher say: There are two main reasons for failing to conceive. One is that the Yin pathway loses its way and cannot receive; this is due to abundant Qi and deficient Blood. Deficiency allows cold and heat pathogens to invade, causing Qi and Blood stagnation, disharmony of Ying and Wei, and irregular menstrual cycles with varying flow. The other is that the Yang pathway loses its way and cannot deliver; this is due to deficient Qi and weak essence. Weakness stems from excessive sexual indulgence, depleting the primordial essence. Once the primordial essence is weak, it is like an archer with little strength shooting crooked arrows; how can they hit the target? Investigating these two cases, both result from failing to treasure oneself, leading to the dispersion of true Yuan Qi, where Yang cannot deliver and Yin cannot receive. When Yin dries up and Yang withers, the path of generation ceases. To then blame destiny is certainly mistaken! Therefore, those wishing to conceive must ensure the land is fertile to receive the seed, and must simultaneously grasp the time and utilize emptiness to successfully become pregnant. Although, essence is hardest to nurture, and time and emptiness are hardest to encounter. Without relying on the power of medicine, without clear guidance on regulation, and without following regular methods, nurturing and encountering these opportunities would remain vague. Furthermore, I know that the method of conception prioritizes regulating menstruation and nourishing essence. Medication must be mild and balanced. Couples must especially practice mutual restraint. Within ten days, they can make their essence and Yuan Qi vigorous, waiting for the right time to unite. This time refers to the two and a half days within a thirty-day cycle. When menstruation ends here, accumulated impurities are washed away, new blood begins to grow, and time and emptiness converge, allowing skillful action. Fearing that emotional desires may not open and Yin and Yang may diverge, one may use unique acupuncture techniques to stimulate desire, opening the uterus for the union of true Yuan Qi. With mutual satisfaction, even those who have never conceived can become pregnant. What is there to doubt? This is a method tested repeatedly and proven effective every time. Alas! Does this saying contradict the Dao? It is about cultivating Yuan Qi, harmoniously nurturing natural innocence, and specifically using medicinal power to assist. This is what is meant by "human effort can overcome destiny." From this, we know that initially having no offspring is not destiny, but humans harming their own nature; subsequently having offspring is also not destiny, but humans fulfilling their nature. Thus it is said: Following this path leads to human life, opposing it leads to alchemical transformation (or pathology). Do not blame destiny. Alas, those who blame destiny are truly pitiable.