Chapter 100: Qi and Blood Perfected, Deciphering the Runes

Action was better than words. After finishing his morning meal, Lu Qing began teaching the two little ones how to read.

"The heavens and earth were mysterious and yellow, the universe vast and primeval..."

Holding a small stick, he traced characters in a basin of sand, reciting them aloud.

He had never tutored children before in his past life, so he simply taught based on his own understanding, slowly and patiently.

He didn’t know what kind of primer this world used for early education, so he relied on the Thousand Character Classic he remembered from his previous life, teaching one character at a time.

Fortunately, Xiao Yan and Xiao Li were both remarkably bright. Even if Lu Qing’s teaching was clumsy, they picked up the characters quickly.

Of course, they only learned to recognize them—not to write them, nor understand their meaning.

"Alright, now that you’ve memorized these characters, try writing them on your own."

Seeing that both girls had committed the characters to memory, Lu Qing brought over two more sand basins and placed them before them.

If a proper schoolmaster had witnessed this scene, he’d likely have been furious—perhaps even ill. Teaching reading this way, cramming so many characters on the very first day? It was reckless! Surely the children would be overwhelmed.

But at the moment, the only people in the house were Lu Qing and the two little ones.

With teacher bold and student eager, when Lu Qing spoke, both girls immediately focused on their task.

Xiao Yan gripped her small stick, watching closely as Lu Qing wrote each character, then imitated the motions in the sand with her own stick.

Xiao Li, however, faced more difficulty. With only claws instead of hands, she struggled to hold the stick properly. After a few failed attempts, she gave up, tossing the stick aside and using her sharp claw to scratch the characters directly into the sand.

Lu Qing found it amusing, but he didn’t stop her.

For a beast to hold a writing tool was indeed asking too much.

As the two little ones diligently practiced writing, a voice rang out from outside:

"A Qing."

"Master! What brings you here?" Lu Qing stepped forward, surprised.

"I’ve finished crafting all the Blood Nourishing and Qi Invigorating Pills you needed. I brought them over myself." Chen Laodaifu smiled.

"How could I let you come all the way here, Master? I should’ve gone to fetch them!" Lu Qing felt a little embarrassed.

"We’re master and disciple—why such formality? Besides, I’ve been cooped up in the apothecary for days. I needed some fresh air." The old doctor stepped inside.

"Chen Ye Ye!" Xiao Yan greeted politely, and even Xiao Li chimed in with a soft "Mew."

"Good girl. What are you two doing?" Chen Laodaifu glanced at the two seated before their sand basins, curious.

"Brother is teaching us to read. We’re learning to write!" Xiao Yan beamed.

"Reading?" Chen Laodaifu blinked, turning to Lu Qing with raised brows.

He could understand teaching Xiao Yan—she was a human child, after all. But why was Xiao Li sitting so calmly, focused on writing?

Lu Qing rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish. "I had nothing much to do. Xiao Yan’s old enough to start learning. I thought I’d teach her a bit. Then Xiao Li showed interest, so I taught her too."

Chen Laodaifu stared at Xiao Li, astonished. He hadn’t expected the black little beast to possess such a thirst for knowledge—far surpassing many human children.

He had no idea, of course, that both girls were so eager because Lu Qing had hooked them with stories, sparking their curiosity and turning reading into a game.

"Reading is excellent," Chen Laodaifu said approvingly. "Most knowledge in this world is hidden within books. If you can read, you’ll be able to learn wisdom on your own."

"Then, Chen Ye Ye," Xiao Yan asked excitedly, "are there many wonderful stories in books?"

Xiao Li looked up, eyes wide.

Chen Laodaifu paused, then nodded. "Of course! Many storybooks are truly entertaining."

Hearing that, both girls lit up. Their motivation to write burned brighter than ever.

Lu Qing groaned inwardly, quickly shifting the conversation. "Master, you said the Blood Nourishing and Qi Invigorating Pills are ready?"

"Yes, they’re ready." Chen Laodaifu nodded, pulling out several large medicine bottles. "I’ve sorted them by potency. These two contain pills made from Ginseng of less than a hundred years’ age. This one is from three-hundred-year-old Ginseng. And this—this is from the five-hundred-year-old Treasure Ginseng. Keep them safe."

After Lu Qing accepted the bottles, Chen Laodaifu added, "A Qing, medicine is powerful, but you must be cautious. Even the best elixirs carry poison. Always respect the dosage. Never rush—your body must adapt. Don’t risk harming yourself for speed."

"I understand, Master," Lu Qing said earnestly.

"Alright, I’ll leave you to your studies. I’ll head back up the mountain."

Having delivered the pills, Chen Laodaifu felt relieved and turned to go.

"Master, you’ve been crafting these pills for days. You mustn’t have eaten properly. Let me cook you a simple meal?" Lu Qing quickly offered.

"No need," Chen Laodaifu refused. "I’ve already eaten. While working on your formula, I had a few insights into the Xian Tian Method you gave me. I’d like to retreat and meditate on them. You continue teaching Xiao Yan and Xiao Li."

Seeing his master’s determination, Lu Qing had no choice but to let it be. After all, such insights were rare—best not to disturb them.

Once Chen Laodaifu left, Lu Qing saw the two girls still intently practicing their writing. He didn’t interrupt, stepping instead into the courtyard, where he pulled out a hundred-year-old Blood Nourishing and Qi Invigorating Pill.

He swallowed it in one gulp and began his cultivation.

The pill dissolved instantly in his body, its essence spreading through his meridians. Lu Qing assumed his stance and began performing the first nine forms of the Nourish Body Fist.

His martial art had evolved significantly since his return from the mountains. The experience had granted him two priceless legacies: the inheritance of Li Weitian, a true Xian Tian-level master, and the cultivation method of the Script Dao.

Though these gifts didn’t instantly boost his strength, they had vastly expanded his understanding of cultivation. His insight into the Nourish Body Fist deepened, transforming his form.

Each movement flowed like a stream of life, free of harshness or force—pure, vibrant, and serene. Merely watching it evoked a sense of peace, relaxation, and rejuvenation in the soul.

It embodied the very essence of Nourish—perfectly.

Had Chen Laodaifu witnessed this, he would have been stunned. Lu Qing’s mastery of the first nine forms now rivaled his own.

The deeper his understanding of the Nourish Body Fist, the faster he could metabolize the pills.

Before long, the power of the hundred-year-old pill was fully absorbed, transformed into pure Qi and Blood.

Without hesitation, Lu Qing reached into the bottle again and swallowed another pill, continuing his practice.

His martial realm had long since reached the stage of Qi and Blood Perfection—he only lacked the actual force to manifest it.

Consuming pill after pill was no challenge. What mattered was not to overdo it in a single day, giving his body time to adjust. But consuming several pills a day was perfectly safe.

As Lu Qing trained in the courtyard, villagers passing by paused to watch, eyes filled with envy.

Yet none dared to disturb him.

Lu Qing’s status in Jiu Li Village was now unshakable.

No one forgot the strength he displayed—enough to kill a man with a single strike. Nor could they ignore the silver he’d freely shared with the village.

So, seeing him train, they stood respectfully, keeping their distance.

…

In the days that followed, Lu Qing’s life settled into a strict routine.

Each day, he would visit Chen Laodaifu to pay respects and study medical skills. The rest of his time was spent cultivating, consuming Blood Nourishing and Qi Invigorating Pills.

The remaining hours were devoted to teaching Xiao Yan and Xiao Li to read.

Occasionally, he’d go fishing—just for Xiao Li’s food.

One thing was certain: since that one lucky day when he caught two Golden Loach, he’d never caught another Strange Fish.

Whether the river had run out, or the fish had grown wary, he didn’t know.

But that promise to Xiao Li—of a feast of Strange Fish—remained unfulfilled.

Time passed swiftly.

As the girls learned more characters, Lu Qing’s martial strength surged.

On the seventh day after they began reading, Lu Qing reached the peak of Qi and Blood Perfection.

On the fifteenth day, beneath the Back Mountain Bamboo Grove,

Lu Qing suddenly stilled.

A surge of immense Qi and Blood rose within him, flowing like a river under his command—cohesive, fluid, complete.

"Finally… Qi and Blood Perfection achieved."

He opened his eyes, a smile spreading across his face.

After half a month of relentless cultivation, having consumed most of the Blood Nourishing and Qi Invigorating Pills, he had pushed his body to its limit, achieving the pinnacle of Qi and Blood.

Now, all he needed was rest—time to fully master this level—before attempting to break through to Jin Gu Jing.

"Training in this path is truly a gold-eating beast," Lu Qing sighed, glancing at the empty medicine bottles.

Half a month—up from Qi and Blood Small Perfection to Qi and Blood Perfection.

Such speed would leave any martial cultivator speechless.

But Lu Qing felt no pride.

In the past fortnight, he had consumed far too many pills to count.

If all those elixirs were converted into silver, they could crush a dozen Jin Gu Jing masters under their weight.

With such resources poured into him, his progress should be fast—otherwise, he’d be a disgrace to cultivation itself.

"Still… thanks to the Dipulse Spiritual Fluid, my potential has been greatly enhanced. My body can now store far more Qi and Blood than an average Qi and Blood Perfection cultivator."

He felt the smooth, boundless flow within him—perfect, complete, powerful.

The Dipulse Spiritual Fluid was a divine artifact from beyond the Xian Tian realm. Its effect on innate talent was undeniable.

If Zhai Xin Lang were to return today, Lu Qing would have no doubt—he could crush him with a single punch, no need for a second.

Even a peer of the same Qi and Blood Perfection level, unless they were a true prodigy, would struggle to withstand even three of his strikes.

"But… what if I faced Ma Gu?"

Lu Qing remembered: Ma Gu was at the early stage of Jin Gu Jing. The weakest of the Jin Gu Jing ranks.

In theory, any Jin Gu Jing master should be stronger than a Qi and Blood Perfection cultivator.

But in this world, theory often bent to reality.

Some prodigies could leap over the gap, fighting beyond their rank.

Was Lu Qing one of them?

He didn’t know.

So he couldn’t be sure if he was even worthy of facing Ma Gu in battle.

"Maybe… I should challenge him sometime?"

The thought formed—then vanished instantly.

His current strength far exceeded that of a typical Qi and Blood Perfection cultivator. He couldn’t afford to draw attention.

If he revealed such power too soon, suspicion would follow.

Something unnatural happens when things go too fast.

No one was truly foolish.

Reaching Qi and Blood Perfection in such a short time was already astonishing.

It could be explained by talent.

But revealing an abnormal reservoir of Qi and Blood?

Even the dimmest mind would sense something was wrong.

Even if they couldn’t guess the truth about the Dipulse Spiritual Fluid, they’d suspect he’d found some legendary pill.

And that would bring nothing but trouble.

At this stage, Lu Qing wasn’t strong enough to handle such complications.

"Until I reach Nei Fu Jing, or until Master officially ascends to Xian Tian… I must stay low-key."

He set his goal.

And reminded himself: never let a little power go to your head.

Qi and Blood Perfection was just the first step on the long road of martial cultivation.

If he grew arrogant now, how could he ever scale the peak of martial arts?

After a brief moment of self-reflection, Lu Qing calmed his excitement, returning to his usual composure.

He sat cross-legged, entered a meditative state, and activated his Abilities, entering the Calm Mind and Wash Heart mode.

From his sleeve, he drew out a piece of broken silver.

For the past half month, his focus had been almost entirely on refining the pills and breaking through levels.

He’d neglected the Script Dao—though not completely.

Occasionally, he’d glance at the silver’s patterns, sensing he was close.

He felt certain: if he gave it one more full, focused attempt, he’d unlock its secrets.

A gentle breeze stirred the bamboo grove. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappled and still.

The world was quiet, serene.

In that moment, Lu Qing sat motionless, his eyes fixed on the silver, lost in deep contemplation.

Time slipped by. The sun dipped lower.

And finally—

As twilight painted the sky, a sudden gleam sparked in his eyes.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end