https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-53-Blood-and-Qi-Surge-the-Door-to-Swordsmanship-Opens/13688192/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-55-The-Noble-of-the-City-Ma-Gu-s-Shock/13688194/
Chapter 54: Returning to Big Market, the Noble Youth in Fine Attire
Lu Qing had intended to press forward, hoping to push himself all the way to the early stage of the Four Directions Sword in one go.
But the wooden sword snapped in his hands, leaving him with a pang of regret.
As for progressing further—reaching mastery or perfection—he dared not even dream of it yet.
Those were realms reserved for those who had ascended beyond the Jin Gu Jing level, far beyond what a mere Qi Xue Jing cultivator like him could hope to achieve.
Though his mind grasped the techniques and insights clearly, he refrained from attempting them.
The explosive, ferocious method of power generation required was simply too much for his current body to endure.
Only someone at the Jin Gu Jing or higher could afford to ruthlessly strain their physique like that.
In truth, at his current stage—just barely entering Qi Xue Jing—it was already unlikely he could even reach the early stage of the Four Directions Sword.
His blood and qi weren’t yet strong enough to sustain the repeated, explosive bursts needed.
Realizing this, the feverish excitement in Lu Qing’s mind cooled.
He glanced down at the broken wooden sword, shook his head, and tossed it into the pile of firewood beneath the eaves before turning back into the house.
The next morning, Lu Qing prepared breakfast, then practiced a few rounds of Nourish Body Fist, smoothing his breath and activating his blood and qi until his entire body hummed with vitality.
Only then did he take out a pristine white porcelain bottle, pouring a single pill into his palm. He swallowed it without hesitation, continuing to practice the fist form to absorb the medicinal energy.
According to his master’s instructions, the Blood Nourishing and Qi Invigorating Pill was best taken once a day.
Taking more than that would only overwhelm his body, as it couldn’t process the surplus energy—wasting both the pill and his cultivation efforts.
The black little beast had given him a Centennial Old Mountain Ginseng, which had been refined into twenty of these pills—enough to last Lu Qing over half a month.
Once those twenty pills were consumed, his progress in the Qi Xue Jing realm would undoubtedly accelerate significantly.
As for the ginseng Ma Ye had brought last night, Lu Qing decided to save it until the current batch of pills was finished.
The medicinal effect of the Blood Nourishing and Qi Invigorating Pill was far gentler than the Golden Loach Great Nourishment Soup from the day before.
After practicing the Nourish Body Fist for a while, Lu Qing let the energy settle and merge with his body.
When he finally stopped, he felt a noticeable surge in his blood and qi—his heart filled with quiet joy.
Then he went to wake Xiao Yan, who was still lazily in bed.
“Xiao Yan, have you grown a little taller?”
As he helped the little girl wash her face and brush her teeth, Lu Qing suddenly noticed her sleeves were slightly shorter.
“Really? Brother?”
Xiao Yan, who had been half-asleep, snapped fully awake.
“Let me measure you.”
Lu Qing wiped her face clean and guided her to stand at the threshold of the front door.
He marked her height, and sure enough, there was a slight increase.
“Look, this is where we marked last time. This is where you are now.”
Lu Qing pointed to the two notches on the doorframe.
He always marked her height whenever he measured her, and this new mark was clearly higher than the previous one.
“Really? I grew taller!”
Xiao Yan tilted her head upward, staring at the marks with pure delight.
Lu Qing ruffled her hair affectionately.
She wasn’t just taller—her body had improved greatly. Her hair was no longer dull and yellow, her complexion had turned rosy and healthy.
She looked worlds better than the frail, pale child he’d first seen when he awoke.
“Alright, come inside and eat. As long as you keep eating well, you’ll grow even taller soon.”
Seeing her still grinning at the door marks, Lu Qing chuckled and gently urged her inside.
That morning, Xiao Yan ate half a bowl extra.
After breakfast, Lu Qing brought her to the mountain-side cottage to pay respects to his master and continue his training.
He did not tell Old Doctor that he had already entered the Four Directions Sword.
There was a limit to everything.
Just last time, having mastered the Nourish Body Fist in a single night had already shocked his master.
Back then, he could at least use the excuse of a breakthrough.
But he couldn’t keep claiming breakthroughs forever—doing so would be too shocking, too unnatural.
So Lu Qing chose to stay low-key, keeping the truth hidden for now.
That morning brought no particular events.
Instead, Old Doctor began formally teaching him medical theory and the art of drying and storing herbs.
Before long, the morning passed.
After finishing his lessons, Lu Qing left Xiao Yan at the cottage and made up an excuse—saying he wanted to go out to the Big Market to buy some supplies.
Now that he was a Qi Xue Jing cultivator, intelligent and capable, Old Doctor had no reason to worry.
Seeing Lu Qing’s request, he simply nodded and agreed.
Leaving the mountain cottage, Lu Qing returned home, withdrew a small pouch of silver, tucked it into his robe, slung a large bamboo basket over his shoulder, tied a red rope around the Sacred Tree at the village entrance, and set off toward the Big Market.
Not long after, Lu Qing’s figure appeared at the edge of the bustling market.
The sight of the crowded, lively streets brought a smile to his face.
Yes—today was market day.
Since his last visit with Da An Ge, when they’d made a massive purchase that drew quite a bit of attention, Lu Qing hadn’t returned.
He’d avoided the place to prevent drawing unwanted attention.
Now, however, he was a Qi Xue Jing cultivator—capable of defending himself.
And with their food supplies nearly gone, it was time to restock.
But this visit wasn’t just about buying daily necessities.
He had a more important goal in mind.
Walking through the market, Lu Qing strolled casually.
Soon, he spotted his target—Ma Ye.
He was about to step forward and greet him when he suddenly stopped, stepping back into the shadows.
Because standing beside Ma Ye was another man.
A youth dressed in splendid, luxurious robes, his expression haughty and disdainful.
Behind him trailed several muscular men, their steps heavy and deliberate—clearly not to be trifled with.
What struck Lu Qing most was the sight of Ma Ye, usually so bold and commanding, now bowing slightly, wearing a servile expression before the noble youth.
Lu Qing decided to stay hidden.
He’d wait and observe—see what unfolded.
As the group approached, he slipped into the shadows, dimming his presence, ears tuned.
He didn’t use his Abilities to probe their minds.
Now that he’d entered Qi Xue Jing, he knew even a subtle glance from a cultivator could be sensed.
If he used his powers and alerted them, it might bring trouble.
So he simply listened—hoping to catch something useful.
Luckily, the noble youth was arrogant enough not to hide his voice.
“This place is a dump,” the youth sneered as he walked through the market. “It’s no better than the alleyways where beggars sleep in the west district—stinks to high heaven.”
“Wei Shao Ye is a noble of great lineage,” Ma Ye replied, bowing deeply. “You’re accustomed to refined surroundings. I beg your pardon for this humble place.”
“If I weren’t here to hunt in the mountains for a fine gift for my father, I’d never set foot in such a stinking backwater,” the youth continued, wrinkling his nose. “This place is disgusting!”
He glanced at a butcher’s stall, where a pile of pig offal lay exposed.
His face paled instantly, and he nearly gagged.
“People actually sell such lowly meat here?!”
(End of Chapter)
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