Chapter 28: Five Portions, Vital Energy Enhancement

Chapter 28: Five Portions, Vital Energy Enhancement

"Not bad. It seems you haven't slacked off recently. Your techniques are refined and fluid—I can tell you've put in serious effort."

After a brief sparring session with Su Chen, Hong Ming offered a calm assessment, though inwardly he felt strangely frustrated.

"Strange... Why do I feel like my strength keeps slipping away whenever I fight this kid?"

He naturally didn't realize that Su Chen's mastery of martial arts had already surpassed his own.

Their match didn't resemble a friendly duel—it felt more like Su Chen guiding Hong Ming through techniques.

Su Chen smiled and watched Hong Ming expectantly.

Hong Ming snorted in amusement before heading indoors to retrieve five packets of medicine.

"I originally planned to give you three, but since you've impressed me, I'll add two more. Come back every seven days to collect your Vital Energy Powder."

As he handed over the medicine, Hong Ming explained its usage and dosage intervals.

"Remember, you're still a beginner. Don't rush the process—each packet should last three days. Overhaste will only harm your body."

Su Chen nodded, exchanged a few more words, then departed.

"Su Chen..."

Outside the courtyard, Qin Hao caught sight of Su Chen's figure and realized he'd come to the Martial Arts Institute. His gaze sharpened when he noticed the five medicine packets.

"Xiao Hao, come here. Let's continue today's training."

Hong Ming called to Qin Hao from the inner courtyard. He'd been intensively training the youth recently.

Qin Hao nodded, assumed a fighting stance, and began sparring with his master.

After a brief session, he panted, "Strange—why does Master's technique feel unusually fierce today?"

As if answering his thought, Hong Ming's voice cut through, "Xiao Hao, have you been slacking lately?"

"Master, I haven't!"

"Don't deny it. Your form has gotten sloppy. You'll train extra today."

"Yes, Master!"

...

Back home, Su Chen eagerly prepared his medicine.

He needed to verify whether Hong Ming's "Vital Energy Powder" matched the description on his Progress Panel.

Unpacking one packet—more a blend of crushed herbal ingredients than traditional medicine—he recalled Hong Ming's instructions: one packet divided into three doses over three days.

"Honestly, with my current strength, using an entire packet at once probably won't make much difference."

After a moment's consideration, he poured the entire contents into his cauldron.

Soon, a rich herbal aroma filled the kitchen. Unlike the nauseating stench of many medicines, this carried a pleasant earthy fragrance.

After simmering for about fifteen minutes, he examined the reddish-brown broth. Pouring out a bowl and a half, he waited ten minutes before drinking the half bowl.

Checking his Progress Panel revealed no changes.

"Did I do something wrong? Maybe I need to drink the whole portion?"

A sudden tension gripped him as he downed the remaining bowl in one gulp.

The combined dose sent waves of warmth coursing through his body, the air itself seeming to grow stiflingly hot.

"It's working!"

His Progress Panel finally shifted:

[...Iron Wire Fist · Residual 0 times (0.8/10 portions of Vital Energy Powder per time)]

Su Chen stared.

"Some progress... but still abstract."

"One portion equals 0.8 portions? Are you giving me a math problem now?" he muttered, though the complaint felt half-hearted. At least the change confirmed he was on the right track.

Suddenly, his expression shifted as turbulent energy surged within. He bolted to the courtyard, launching into a frenzied martial arts session.

Half an hour later, the internal heat finally subsided. Drenched in sweat but breathing easier, he grinned.

"Feeling much better after working it out. But no more medicine today—tomorrow's another day."

Over the next five days, the Progress Panel updated steadily:

[...Iron Wire Fist · Residual 0 times (5/10 portions of Vital Energy Powder per time)]

Wiping sweat from his brow after another training session, Su Chen smiled. His daily doses had pushed his Iron Shirt (Easy Mode) cultivation halfway to completion.

The breakthrough came when he reduced the water volume on day two, concentrating the brew. That single dose alone advanced his progress to 20%. He realized then that the Progress Panel tracked potency, not just quantity.

Subsequent attempts yielded variable results—sometimes more effective, sometimes less. He theorized either inconsistent herb potency or his own fluctuating brewing skill caused the variance.

Still, the results spoke for themselves. His vitality had grown dramatically.

Physically, he felt like an ox—though his lean frame hadn't changed. His combat power had roughly doubled, with each punch now carrying the force of ten thousand units (by his rough estimate). This wasn't mere technique refinement, but a fundamental enhancement of his energy base.

Of course, five days meant five entire portions consumed.

"Time to ask Hong Master for more", he mused. "Just five portions left to meet the Progress Panel requirement."

"If necessary, I can claim a cultivation breakthrough. It's been nearly a month since my last stabilization period—should be convincing enough."

Previously, he'd hidden his progress to avoid attention. But now, with Vital Energy Powder as his goal, revealing minor mastery of Iron Thread Fist wouldn't hurt.

Fast cultivation speed might raise eyebrows, but with his current strength, only a true Vital Force Cultivator posed a threat. And if any fool tried to suppress his growth?

"One palm strike would settle that."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end