Chapter 74: Consuming the Great Medicine

Chapter 74: Consuming the Great Medicine

The night was deep, and the bright moon shone.

Meng Yuan listened quietly, then took out the small wooden box and retrieved the animal hide.

"This Celestial Diagram is called Ten Thousand Streams Radiance, but I don't know its meaning," Meng Yuan said as he handed it over, genuinely asking.

"I've heard of it," Li Weizhen replied with a smile. "Opening the Secret Repository reveals the Celestial Blueprint, and some methods require the Jade Essence to circulate repeatedly. For example, the Bursting Spring Thunder technique of the Demon Suppressing Bureau; some only need the Jade Essence to circulate once to succeed, like the Floating Light Heavenly Cave; and some require daily circulation, even a hundred times, and only manifest their power at a specific moment, the most famous being Fish Leaping to the Blue Sky."

At this point, Li Weizhen pointed to the animal hide and said, "Ten Thousand Streams Radiance is the first type, requiring constant stimulation. Its manifestation is a body enveloped in radiant light, a method for escape and pursuit. Once activated, it's like flowing light, with an extremely fast escape speed and a mysterious aura. It's said to be a Celestial Blueprint Power created by a predecessor from the Demon Race."

Meng Yuan understood that Ten Thousand Streams Radiance was similar to Feather Dance Technique but more powerful.

"But how can we verify its authenticity? If we hastily attempt it and it's fake, won't it harm us?" Meng Yuan had learned that opening the Heavenly Art was extremely dangerous, and trying a new Heavenly Art was equally perilous.

Furthermore, he couldn't let the Jade Essence circulate slowly for testing, as it would be useless due to its slowness. He needed to act on impulse and quickly stimulate the energy points.

"It's said that the law is not easily transmitted," Li Weizhen smiled and said. "Generally, large clans and sects have a legacy of the Heavenly Art, and many people have practiced it, so there's no need to worry about danger."

"However, Ten Thousand Streams Radiance is something you acquired, and its authenticity is unknown. You must act on impulse, circulate the Jade Essence, and personally test it."

Seeing Meng Yuan deep in thought, Li Weizhen smiled and said, "You study under Teacher Nie, who is from the Demon Suppressing Bureau. Why not follow his path and earn some merit there? You can also obtain some Heavenly Art methods, which have been used by many predecessors and are safe and effective."

Meng Yuan nodded slowly, but his mind was elsewhere. He thought about his possession of the Essence Fire and how, after two tempering sessions, if he could further temper it a few more times, his Energy Core and body would become even stronger. Then, he wondered if he could attempt this new Heavenly Art or even create his own.

Of course, joining the Demon Suppressing Bureau and earning merit would not only bring him some medicinal pills but also the Heavenly Art methods, which was indeed a good suggestion.

Meng Yuan put away the animal hide and looked at the purple fruit. With the Hundred Herbs Pill in hand, he could save two months of cultivation, and with this fruit, his Essence Fire would be complete.

Li Weizhen examined the purple fruit and said, "This object has a bit of fire energy, likely born in a sunny place or near fire. It's best to refine it into a pill, but it's difficult to find a suitable assistant herb at the moment."

He pointed to his chest and said, "The heart and intestines are the interior and exterior, associated with fire. If you open these two energy points and consume it, the effect will be optimal. Of course, there's no need to wait specifically; just let it happen naturally."

As he spoke, Li Weizhen handed the fruit to Meng Yuan and smiled, "If you take it back, someone might ask for it, and there might be trouble."

This implied that Meng Yuan should consume the fruit now. Meng Yuan took the purple fruit and looked at Li Weizhen.

"This purple fruit should be the Fire Bodhi, which is best for Buddhist practitioners. The purple color indicates ripeness. Among lower-grade great medicines, it's one of the best. It's even better than the main ingredient of the Hundred Herbs Pill you consumed." Li Weizhen showed no greed and smiled, "I'll protect you, Brother Meng."

"Should we go back and consume it there? What if that Elder White Ape comes looking for us; it might be difficult to deal with him."

Meng Yuan had been fine until Li Weizhen mentioned protection, which reminded him of how Li Weizhen had claimed to be able to handle the Deer Vajra easily, yet the fight lasted over two quarters of an hour.

Meng Yuan didn't doubt Li Weizhen's character, but he questioned his strength.

"No worries, with my protection, Brother Meng will be safe and sound," Li Weizhen said confidently.

"What Heavenly Art does Li brother cultivate?"

Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"It's not worth mentioning. I only practice the method of becoming stronger when facing stronger opponents," Li Wei Zhen replied with a smile.

Meng Yuan understood the concept of becoming stronger when facing stronger opponents, but he had never heard of becoming weaker when facing weaker ones.

Since this was the case, Meng Yuan first swallowed a Hundred Herbs Pill and then sat cross-legged for a while, nourishing his True Energy and spirit.

After half an hour, Meng Yuan sat with his legs crossed and his eyes closed. Only then did he swallow the Fire Bodhi Fruit, and immediately, his body became warm, his spirit multiplied, and he felt a flame flickering in his heart.

However, Meng Yuan noticed that most of the energy and spiritual power of the Fire Bodhi Fruit were absorbed by the Essence Fire.

Moreover, due to the Fire Bodhi Fruit's fire attribute, the Essence Fire, which was originally the size of a fist and required half a year of cultivation to reach perfection, suddenly began to rise and gradually expanded, eventually covering more than half of his body, just one-third away from perfection!

Meng Yuan estimated that if he swallowed the remaining Hundred Herbs Pills, he would almost achieve perfection again! Examining his own changes, because most of the nourishment from the Fire Bodhi Fruit was absorbed by the Essence Fire, his body only felt slightly warm, and he was filled with a warm sensation.

After sitting quietly for a while longer, Meng Yuan heard the crackling sound of burning fire and opened his eyes to take a look.

He saw that the temple hall was engulfed in raging flames, and Li Wei Zhen was reciting some sutras towards the firelight.

The corpses of the Deer Vajra and various demons, as well as the three dried corpses hanging on the courtyard gate, had all disappeared, presumably thrown into the fire.

"You said you would protect me... Where are the deer antlers?" Meng Yuan muttered, raising his eyes to the bright moon in the sky, realizing that two hours had passed.

Xiang Ling was still asleep in his clothes, occasionally making a soft snoring sound.

"Did you digest it so quickly?" Li Wei Zhen finished reciting the sutras and, seeing that Meng Yuan was awake, quickly moved closer to him. "The medicinal properties of the Fire Bodhi Fruit should not have dissipated much. You are now at the Eighth Stage, and it will take at least half a day for it to spread throughout your body."

He took Meng Yuan's wrist to check his pulse and found that it was smooth, slow, steady, and heavy, which was the typical pulse of a warrior during meditation. Moreover, it had a vibrant quality, indicating that this person's True Energy was abundant, likely twice as much as others at the same stage! He then pinched Meng Yuan's bones and felt that his muscles and bones were robust and extremely resilient, as if he had trained for over a decade.

"You indeed have a warm aura, which is a sign of consuming the Bodhi Fruit, but it seems you digested it a bit too quickly," Li Wei Zhen stroked his chin and concluded, "Young brother, you truly have the potential to become a formidable martial artist."

"The early bird catches the worm; I'm just more diligent," Meng Yuan humbly replied.

It was already late at night, and facing the blazing fire, the two of them talked about their return journey.

"My master said that if I were to meet you, I should tell you to return early," Meng Yuan said.

"I haven't had my fill of traveling yet," Li Wei Zhen smiled shyly. "Please pass on a message to him. Tell him that I plan to search for Elder Ape's whereabouts. If I don't succeed, I'll head south to Peace City to inquire about Qingguangzi's origins. If that doesn't work out, I'll go west to the Buddha Kingdom."

Hearing these words, Meng Yuan looked at Li Wei Zhen, thinking to himself, 'You fought with the Deer Vajra, and now you want to find Qingguangzi? I'm afraid even Elder Ape might not be able to handle him!' Meng Yuan politely advised him a couple of times, but he didn't say anything further.

"I have already written down today's events," Li Wei Zhen said.

He took out a letter, "You can give this to Zhang Bahu at the commandery, or you can ask Teacher Nie Yanian to help. If they question you, just tell them the truth. I've written everything in this letter, and they won't make things difficult for you or Miss Xiang Ling."

"I also know Zhang Bahu," Meng Yuan said with a smile as he took the letter, thinking to himself, 'They won't make things difficult, but I might have to give Teacher Nie some face again.'

"In that case, let's part ways for now, and we'll meet again in the future," Li Wei Zhen said. Despite his untidy appearance, he was decisive and swift. He immediately strapped on his sword, smiled, and bid farewell with a bow.

At this moment, it was already midnight, and the firelight still blazed. Li Wei Zhen took large strides and departed.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end