Chapter 30: Squandering Talent, Martial Arts Academy Exchange

Chapter 30: Squandering Talent, Martial Arts Academy Exchange

"Hmm?"

The moment those words left his mouth, Su Chen felt Hong Ming's mustache bristle with indignation. The older man's smile vanished as if yanked away by invisible strings.

His small eyes suddenly blazed with intensity, fixing Su Chen with a piercing stare that stretched unbearably long.

A grave voice finally broke the silence. "Xiao Chen, your talent is exceptional - you'll surpass me someday. But relying excessively on medicinal aids to accelerate cultivation? That's putting the cart before the horse."

"Hong Master, I..." Su Chen opened his mouth to respond.

He knew Hong Ming spoke from concern, and he appreciated the old man's care. Yet he truly needed those Vital Energy Powders.

As he struggled to form his argument, Hong Ming sighed. "Fine, fine. I'll give you the medicine, but..."

"Thank you, Hong Master!" Su Chen blurted out before the elder could finish.

Hong Ming's stern expression cracked into reluctant amusement. "Don't celebrate yet. There are conditions."

"What conditions?"

Seeing Su Chen's eagerness, Hong Ming deliberately raised two fingers. "Two conditions."

Su Chen remained silent, waiting.

Hong Ming continued, "First, there's the Martial Arts Academy Exchange in our city a month from now. I expect you to represent me honorably there."

Su Chen blinked in mild surprise but kept listening.

"Second, you must move into the Martial Arts Academy. Starting today, I'll personally oversee your training."

The elder watched Su Chen expectantly after delivering his terms.

While the exchange event was merely a routine exhibition of martial arts prowess - a chance for disciples to show off their skills and boast about their academies - the second condition carried more weight. At fifty years old, Hong Ming had finally found a disciple whose potential eclipsed even Qin Hao's. The thought of Su Chen wasting his natural gifts through lax training habits pained him deeply.

Su Chen himself remained pensive. The first condition was trivial - a simple demonstration of combat ability. But the second demanded sacrificing his hard-won freedom for questionable gains.

"Oh, and I can only provide three doses of Vital Energy Powder this time", Hong Ming added casually. "You'll have to wait for more after these run out."

"Only three?" Su Chen frowned slightly.

Hong Ming snapped, "Do you think this medicine grows on trees? These three doses are practically scraped from the bottom of my reserves!"

Su Chen chuckled sheepishly. Three doses were better than none.

He straightened his posture. "Master, since you've reduced the medicine quantity, could we perhaps compromise on the conditions? I'll accept the first, but the second..."

After some negotiation, they reached a compromise: Su Chen would attend the exchange event and report to the academy every seven days for progress checks.

Hong Ming handed over the three medicine packets with a final warning. "Remember, these are external aids. Use them wisely."

"Yes, Master!"

A warm current stirred in Su Chen's chest as he accepted the medicine. Later that evening, he brewed the first dose at home. His body had grown accustomed to the Vital Energy surges, recovering fully within a single incense stick's time. The Progress Panel confirmed his advancement - one complete dose's worth of progress.

"Two doses remain", he mused. "But completing ten doses' worth of advancement is still far off. If Hong Master's right, I'll have to wait a month for more medicine."

He considered visiting the city's medical hall for Blood Regeneration Elixirs. "They're both Vital Energy supplements - maybe they'll work."

The next morning, he tested this theory. Three doses of Blood Regeneration Elixir yielded only 0.1 progress on the panel.

"Three elixirs for 0.1 progress?" he groaned. "At this rate, completing ten doses would cost at least four hundred silver taels. That's impossible on my current budget."

That afternoon, Su Chen resumed his old profession. Passing the city hall's wanted posters - still unchanged from a month prior - he abandoned his search for the Misty Rain Pavilion. The fortress remained closed, its secrets locked away.

Returning home at dusk, he encountered an unexpected sight.

"Senior Li Mo!"

Down the street, Li Mo strolled arm-in-arm with a young woman, their laughter echoing through the twilight.

Su Chen shook his head slightly, then melted into the night shadows without a word.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end