Chapter 123: Spirit Fruit and Golden Body Soup

Chapter 123: Spirit Fruit and Golden Body Soup

Wan Hua Tower.

As they exited the VIP room, Han Hongmei led Jiang Ning to the second floor where the natural treasures were stored.

Walking along the second-floor corridor, Han Hongmei asked, "Young Master Jiang, what type of natural treasure with what effect are you looking for?"

Jiang Ning replied, "Anything that boosts vital energy and strengthens bones and muscles is fine! The key is that it should be easily absorbed and significantly enhance the strength of a Ninth Stage Martial Dao cultivator."

Han Hongmei listened attentively to Jiang Ning's requirements, nodding slightly.

"Then I understand, Young Master Jiang!"

She continued, "Based on your requirements, you must have already stepped into the Ninth Stage of the Martial Dao."

"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded calmly.

"As expected of Young Master Jiang, reaching this stage in just a few months!" Han Hongmei praised.

"Your words are too kind, Director Han!" Jiang Ning said.

Hearing this, Han Hongmei smiled and said, "Do you still remember the Divine Strength Realm of the Eighth Rank Martial Dao?"

Jiang Ning shook his head slightly, "I can't say I know much about it, just a little."

Han Hongmei said, "Then let me tell you about the Eighth Rank Martial Dao!"

"Thank you, Director Han, for clearing up my doubts!" Jiang Ning suddenly stopped and bowed.

Han Hongmei smiled faintly and continued, "Let's talk as we walk. The Eighth Rank Martial Dao, also known as the Divine Strength Realm, is related to the recommendation I will make for you later."

At this moment, Jiang Ning showed a serious and attentive expression.

Seeing this, Han Hongmei slowly began to explain, "The Eighth Rank Martial Dao, also known as the Divine Strength Realm, primarily focuses on tempering the muscles throughout the body."

"This process requires the involvement of force, aided by vital energy."

"Once you enter this stage, your muscles will undergo a transformation, allowing you to unleash even greater power."

"The one-sided transformation of muscles will put a certain burden on the overall body. If the skin membrane is not strong enough and has not been tempered, it may tear due to the muscle transformation, possibly leading to death."

"This is also why it's necessary to temper the skin first, then strengthen the muscles, followed by the tendons and bones. There's a specific order to these four external aspects, and each has its purpose."

"However, this doesn't mean that you must strictly follow the sequence of these four external aspects."

"It's just that in ancient times, the Martial Ancestor categorized them this way, so everyone in the world has been tempering their bodies in this manner."

"Moreover, this method of tempering is the most orthodox and stable, ensuring no unexpected accidents."

Seeing that Han Hongmei had paused, Jiang Ning asked, "Why are you suddenly telling me this today?"

Han Hongmei replied, "According to what you said, you've already entered the Ninth Stage of the Martial Dao. Therefore, the natural treasures you need should primarily accelerate your skin tempering speed and enhance your strength."

"As far as I know, a prominent figure will arrive in Luoshui County from Guangning Prefecture tomorrow. This person will become the future head of the Inspection Bureau in Luoshui County."

"Since you already possess the strength of the Ninth Stage Martial Dao and have no better options, you should consider joining this newly established government institution, the Inspection Bureau, which oversees the nine provinces."

Han Hongmei stopped walking and looked at Jiang Ning with a meaningful gaze.

It was as if she was asking him for confirmation.

Seeing her gaze, Jiang Ning nodded slightly, "You're right, Director Han. I do intend to join the Inspection Bureau."

Hearing this, Han Hongmei smiled and said, "In that case, it's crucial to enhance your strength in a short period!"

"After all, the Inspection Bureau is a newly established government organization with high enforcement authority. Once you join, there will likely be fights and killings ahead, and the importance of strength cannot be overstated."

"Moreover, strength is a crucial factor in determining one's position within such a government institution."

Upon hearing Han Hongmei's words, Jiang Ning fully understood.

Han Hongmei's words clearly had a purpose, most likely related to her upcoming recommendation.

Jiang Ning spoke up, "Director Han, please share your recommendation."

The next moment, Han Hongmei nodded and turned to take a box from the shelf of the nearby counter.

"Please take a look, Young Master Jiang. Inside this box are three Bull Demon Strength Fruits, a type of spirit fruit that greatly enhances muscle strength and is immensely beneficial for the Divine Strength Realm. One fruit can increase strength by a hundred pounds, and three fruits can boost it by three hundred pounds."

"Normally, only those in the Divine Strength Realm of the Eighth Rank Martial Dao are qualified to consume this spirit fruit."

"The effect varies depending on their muscle tempering progress."

"If one hasn't started tempering their muscles, they can achieve the theoretical value, with one fruit increasing strength by a hundred pounds and three fruits by three hundred pounds."

"Since you've already reached the Ninth Stage Martial Dao and have made progress in muscle tempering, with skin as tough as cowhide, consuming one fruit won't be a problem. Your skin's toughness can withstand the muscle-tempering effect of one Bull Demon Strength Fruit, and maybe even two."

"This way, your strength will increase by two hundred pounds, significantly boosting your overall strength, which will be very helpful for your entry into the Inspection Bureau."

At this moment, Jiang Ning listened intently to Han Hongmei's explanation.

His eyes lit up.

One fruit increased strength by a hundred pounds, and three fruits by three hundred pounds.

If he could refine these three fruits, his strength would increase by three hundred pounds, nearly a thirty percent boost.

Undoubtedly, his overall strength would improve significantly.

The next moment, Jiang Ning spoke up, "If the effects of the Bull Demon Strength Fruit are as you say, I'll take them!"

Han Hongmei continued, "One Bull Demon Strength Fruit costs eight hundred taels of silver. How many do you want?"

Expensive!

Hearing Han Hongmei's price, Jiang Ning was taken aback.

Jiang Ning was secretly amazed.

He then asked, "I wonder how many does Director Han have here?"

Upon hearing this, Han Hongmei shook her head, "I advise against taking too many, Master Jiang. The Bull Demon Strength Fruit's effect will diminish as your muscles strengthen."

"The first fruit will increase your strength by a hundred jin, and the second and third will have similar effects."

"But if you continue, first, your muscles will suddenly surge, and your skin membrane might not be able to withstand the sudden increase in muscle mass."

"Second, the fruit's effect will also weaken the more you take it."

"It's like those experts in the Divine Strength Realm with over two thousand jin of strength. Their muscles are extremely strong, and one Bull Demon Strength Fruit might have a minimal effect on them, only increasing their strength by three to five jin at most!"

"Then three it is!" Jiang Ning said.

"Good!" Han Hongmei nodded and added, "Master Jiang, your skin tempering progress is limited. If you feel your body can't handle it after taking one or two fruits, don't continue."

"If you force it, the expanding muscles might tear your skin membrane and rupture your skin, causing irreversible damage."

"I understand!" Jiang Ning replied.

Han Hongmei nodded and instructed the maid beside her, "Little Lu, please prepare three fruits."

"Yes, Director!" The maid, Little Lu, bowed politely and immediately started cleaning up.

Then, Han Hongmei asked, "Is there anything else you wish to purchase, Master Jiang?"

Jiang Ning thought for a moment and said, "I also want to buy some auxiliary skin-tempering medicines. They should be potent and able to penetrate deep into the skin membrane, not just skin-polishing sand."

Today, Jiang Ning had come to Wan Hua Tower, intending to spend most of his wealth.

He had just sold his spoils of war, earning more than he had imagined—a total of four thousand taels of silver.

Adding to his previous surplus, he now had a small fortune of five thousand eight hundred taels of silver to spend today.

The three Bull Demon Strength Fruits were expensive at eight hundred taels each, but compared to his current wealth, it wasn't that bad.

Three fruits would cost only two thousand taels.

Moreover, he also had the VIP card given to him by Shen Congyun, which entitled him to a 20% discount at Wan Hua Tower.

With the discount, he would only spend one thousand nine hundred and twenty taels.

He still had nearly three thousand taels left to splurge.

At this moment, Han Hongmei heard Jiang Ning's words and nodded slightly, understanding his intention.

Jiang Ning had achieved success in skin tempering, reaching a level where his skin was as tough as a bull's.

He found the skin-polishing sand ineffective and sought something better to aid in skin membrane tempering.

Wan Hua Tower naturally had such items.

"Please follow me, Master Jiang!" Han Hongmei said.

A moment later, they arrived at another counter. Han Hongmei pulled out a card and placed it in Jiang Ning's hand.

"This is the Golden Body Soup medicine package," she said.

As Jiang Ning took the card and read the introduction, Han Hongmei continued, "Before tempering the skin membrane, boil the medicine package in water for half an hour to allow the medicinal power to infuse the water."

"Then let it cool for half an hour and reheat it with a gentle simmer."

"At this point, you should soak in the medicinal bath for half an hour, allowing the medicine to thoroughly penetrate your skin's inner layers."

"Then begin the skin membrane tempering. This method drastically increases efficiency, equivalent to multiple ordinary sessions."

"However, the ingredients for the Golden Body Soup are extremely expensive, making it a costly item, unaffordable for those without significant wealth."

Han Hongmei looked at Jiang Ning and hesitated slightly. "Although you've earned a lot today, you should be more frugal with your spending!"

Jiang Ning finished reading the introduction of the Golden Body Soup medicine package and became extremely interested.

According to the card, not only were the ingredients for the Golden Body Soup expensive, but more importantly, it contained a supporting ingredient—a powder refined from demon blood.

From his knowledge of ancient books, Jiang Ning knew that after the demise of deities and immortals in ancient times, there was a brief period when demons ruled.

Demons had inherently strong physical bodies and abundant vital energy.

Therefore, their refined blood was highly beneficial for body tempering.

The Golden Body Soup's value and effectiveness in skin membrane tempering primarily came from this supporting ingredient.

When Jiang Ning saw this ingredient, he understood that the Golden Body Soup would undoubtedly be expensive.

But its effectiveness was unquestionable and would undoubtedly be powerful.

Jiang Ning spoke up, "Director Han, please tell me, how much is one package?"

Han Hongmei pointed to the side, "Please see the price here, Master Jiang. Each package is one portion, and one portion costs fifty taels. You'll need one portion for a medicinal bath."

"At a frequency of three baths per day, you'd spend one hundred and fifty taels on skin membrane tempering alone."

"In ten days, it would be one thousand five hundred taels. Your earnings today would barely cover a month's worth."

"This level of skin tempering can't be completed in just a day or two."

"This expense is too high for your current wealth; the cost-effectiveness is too low."

Jiang Ning shook his head, "Cost-effectiveness isn't important. I need to improve my strength, so please give me fifty portions of the Golden Body Soup."

"Alright!" Han Hongmei nodded, "Since you've made up your mind, I have no objections."

Then she asked, "Is there anything else you wish to purchase, Master Jiang?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end