Chapter 10, Into the Pot

"How about you teach me after we finish eating?" She is quite understanding.

The work at the Sword Polishing Office is quite simple, delivering swords once a day, and it is also permissible not to collect swords. The damaged training swords will naturally be placed in the box next to the training ground. In fact, as long as the effort is sufficient, it is also acceptable to collect and deliver training swords every few days. I have merely become accustomed to the routine of delivering and collecting swords daily, but today I can finish early.

Upon entering a shop, I encountered a middle-aged man as the shopkeeper. Upon seeing my school uniform, a broad smile spread across his face, and he inquired, "Young man, what kind of medicinal herbs would you like to buy?"

"It's even cheaper..." The shop assistant glanced at the word 'alternate' on my chest, seemingly understanding something, and smiled meaningfully. After pulling out a jar of herbs from the corner and blowing off the dust to discern the writing, he said: "This is mountain larkspur, fifty Dragon Spirit Coins per tael, I'll give it to you for four hundred per pound, do you want it?"

After opening the door, Song Qian walked in holding a plump wild rabbit, chuckling as he said, "Look at this rabbit, isn't it fat? It weighs a full seven or eight jin, and I spent nearly eight hundred yuan to get it!"

The Battle Technique accelerates the circulation of spiritual energy within the body, whereas the Dragon Breath Technique operates in the opposite manner, slowing down the flow of spiritual energy and containing the power within the chest, as if coiling a dragon and storing energy, concealing all the strength of the body.

I could hardly restrain myself from wanting to crush him, and I coughed lightly before saying: "Don't disturb Su Yan while she practices her swordsmanship, bring the rabbit in."

Although the hundred spirit grass is inexpensive, its medicinal effect is minimal. Clearly, only practitioners from poor families would use this. However, with limited means, I currently have only two thousand yuan given by my cousin. She probably did not expect that I would buy herbal medicine, so I could only nod and say: "Alright then, please give me three jin of hundred spirit grass, thank you..."

I quickly took it and opened it, and indeed, it was a large bowl of yellow soybean pig's feet along with a bowl of catfish soup, plus a large bowl of rice, but...! ... this rice looks a bit insufficient, although it is already at least three times more than the average person's portion!

A knocking sound came from the gate, and through the blood-stained iron door, which had more than a dozen holes, I could see a petite and graceful figure. Who else could it be but Su Yan? She is truly punctual, arriving at 9 o'clock. At the same time, I could also smell a faint fragrance through the door, the aroma of braised pig trotters with soybeans. Indeed, it must be!

It is the effect of refining the skin; indeed, the top-tier foundational martial arts are formidable. When compared to the Bear Fierce Skill I learned back then, it seems almost like a child's play. No wonder my father always said I would "waste my life in folly." Upon reflection, he was not wrong. If it were not for relying on that heavenly-grade spiritual vein, I probably would not have achieved the accomplishments and cultivation I have today.

Su Yan then chuckled, "No way? You still haven't had enough to eat... No wonder Ah Yao said you are a foodie!"

He seemed to sense that his words were somewhat offensive, and immediately changed his tone, saying: "Isn't this classmate Su Yan? What brings you to the sword polishing office..."

The Wanling Academy is located in the central area of Linxue City, surrounded by bustling activity

Just as I stepped down from the long bench, I suddenly felt a wave of weakness, as if I were about to fall. I was both hungry and tired, so I hurriedly washed a handful of wild thyme and chewed on it. Instantly, a spicy sensation rushed down my throat, as if a fire were about to burst out from my nose. What a tangy sensation!

Dangdang ... ...

Hoo ... ...

My gaze fell upon the food box in her hand, and I asked, "What... what is it that you are eating?"

I feel a bit embarrassed to ask: "Is there a cheaper option?"

Alright

A few minutes later, a fire was lit in the corner of the yard for cooking. After the rabbit was slaughtered, it was placed in the pot, and the smoke from the cooking rose gently. The small sword sharpening workshop was enveloped in an indescribable tranquility and serenity.

Turning over the mottled paper, this is the handwritten manuscript of my cousin Bu Xuan Yin. It is filled with her handwriting, and even the annotations for the first level of the Dragon Breath Technique and the detailed diagrams of the energy flow routes are thoroughly documented. This is quite beneficial, as I currently have no mentor to guide me, so I can explore and practice on my own.

According to the diagram and the principles, with both legs firmly planted, my feet landed steadily on the ground, and my arms naturally opened wide, gently swirling. In that instant, a rich and ancient energy began to flow through my arms. Indeed, the top-tier foundational martial arts are exceptional; just the first time practicing the technique allows one to feel that profound depth and magnificent energy.

Su Yan couldn't help but smile, and this smile made her appear even more poised and graceful. The Su family is a prestigious and renowned family on the continent, and the education Su Yan received since childhood is not something that ordinary people can compare to. She naturally understands how to show respect to others and knows not to touch on sensitive topics, so she refrains from saying too much and simply states: "Tonight, we should practice the second form of the Sword Tail technique."

Return to the Sword Grinding Office, immediately close the iron door, and begin practicing the Dragon Breath Technique

Several hours have passed in the blink of an eye, and a terrifying sense of fatigue has enveloped me, making me feel as though I have been completely drained; this is the result of a severe depletion of vital energy.

In an instant, the entire person became excited and quickly opened the door

You are welcome

Thus, the impurities within my body were gradually cleansed by the power of the Dragon Breath technique. I was unaware of how long this process lasted, and it was not until nightfall that I felt a sense of regret, having already missed the dinner time at the cafeteria. It seems I am about to go hungry.

You are welcome

Indeed, one should not give up on their efforts simply because they feel like a salted fish I said with a self-deprecating smile

Well, thank you

... ...

The conversation between the two became subtle, but just then, the door was knocked loudly again, almost being kicked open. The person outside shouted, "Brother Xuan, I have brought you something good!"

Outside the North Gate, there is a pedestrian street named "North Gate Street," which is lined with a variety of establishments such as restaurants, tailor shops, and ironware stores, all of which are abundant and diverse. However, what I am looking for is a pharmacy. Every practitioner at the cultivation stage knows that it is essential to prepare medicinal materials to replenish their vital energy; otherwise, reckless cultivation can be extremely dangerous. If the body's vital energy is consumed too rapidly, it is highly likely that the meridians will be damaged, resulting in the loss of all cultivation achievements.

At this moment, Song Qian suddenly saw Su Yan behind me and was immediately startled: "Oh my... isn't this..."

Dragon Breath Technique, Level 1, Strength of 50 Jun

I clapped my hands, picked up a training sword, and said: "Watch closely, I will practice a few times, and then you can grasp the subtleties for yourself."

A breath escaped, as if it were a long sigh. At the moment I withdrew my energy, I felt a profound aura enveloping my entire being, akin to the breath of a colossal dragon that had slumbered for millennia—heavy yet swift. The spiritual energy within my arms seemed to swell even more, and my strength appeared to have increased slightly.

I touch my nose: "It's okay..."

Without thinking too much, I grabbed a handful of larkspur, rinsed it briefly under the faucet, and stuffed it into my mouth. Instantly, an extremely pungent sensation surged into my nose and throat, nearly making me cry, but I held it back. After all, this was a herb worth 50 dragon spirit coins per tael! With my current financial situation, I absolutely could not afford to waste it.

I hurriedly nodded, sat down, and began to feast heartily. I hadn't eaten dinner, and I was so hungry that I felt almost foolish. Like the wind sweeping away the clouds, three plates were cleared completely, and I even wished I could eat the bowls and food containers.

Well, good, thank you...

There are at least ten pharmacies on Beimen Street, most of which are prepared for the students of Wanling Academy, selling various medicinal herbs that nourish and invigorate the blood. Of course, some also sell contraceptive pills

... ...

Oh, my name is Song Qian, a good buddy of Xuan Ge, and we have been playing together since childhood!" As he spoke, Song Qian gave me a sideways glance that seemed to say, "Xuan Ge is quite something.

I will bring more next time

Su Yan smiled faintly. Although she did not know Song Qian, she smiled gracefully and said, "I came to seek advice from classmate Bu Yixuan regarding some swordsmanship issues. Who are you?"

Hmm

... ...

She did not sit down, but stood by watching me practice. After three rounds, I put down my sword and went to wash the dishes, while Su Yan summoned Fei Yan and began to seriously recall and practice the move I had just demonstrated. At the same time, she contemplated the routines of the Su family's swordsmanship and, within just a few minutes, started to improve her own sword techniques. No wonder everyone calls Su Yan a genius; such a capacity for learning and comprehension is indeed not something ordinary people possess

Well

I approached the counter, looking at the names and prices of the jars of herbs, and inquired: "What are the prices of the herbs that replenish blood and energy?"

I was watching from the side, and not long after, my stomach let out a "gurgle" which made me feel extremely embarrassed, wishing I could find a crack in the ground to hide in

Alright

The shop assistant finished weighing the herbs, patted the bulging paper bag and smiled, "I added an extra ounce for you. The larkspur is quite spicy when consumed, so be prepared for it."

Ah, this is quite a lot. Our store has all kinds of medicinal herbs, especially those that nourish the blood and energy..." He glanced back at the medicine cabinet and smiled, saying: "Dragon and tiger jerky, 8,100 per tael, black rock viper meat, 5,100 per tael, bones, 3,000 per tael, hell grass, 3,000 per tael, and these, silver thread grass and phoenix crown grass, both at 1,500 per tael..."

Before 3 PM, I completed my work and changed into a clean school uniform before walking out of the school gate

Many once-prominent families, such as the Su family from the Eastern Region and the Tang family from the Northern Region, whose descendants are imperial and royal lords, must first enter the Wànlíng Academy to cultivate the Dragon Breath Technique. I believe Su Yan's entry into the Wànlíng Academy is also solely for the purpose of the Dragon Breath Technique. This clearly demonstrates how precious this foundational martial art is, as many accomplished cultivators are even willing to abandon their original foundational martial arts for the sake of the Dragon Breath Technique

However, the speed at which the spiritual energy flows does not imply a reduction in the consumption of spiritual energy and blood vitality. On the contrary, the slower the flow of spiritual energy, the more heated the blood vitality within the body becomes, to the point where the entire body feels scalding hot, as if it were about to instantly evaporate all the blood vitality.

Pay the money, leave, with three pounds of larkspur weighing heavily in my hands. I do not know how long this larkspur will last after I cultivate the Dragon Breath technique, but I hope it lasts as long as possible

"You can open it yourself," she said as she handed it over

It is unclear how much time has passed, as my body is already drenched in sweat, nearly soaking my shirt. Sweat flows continuously from my forehead, and my blood surges restlessly, to the extent that I can faintly see the blood within me transforming into steam and rising, only to vanish into the air. What is even more astonishing is that after wiping away the sweat from my arm, I discovered a thin layer of dirt had also been removed, revealing that the flesh beneath had become somewhat translucent.

Su Yan walked over with a faint fragrance, and upon seeing my sweaty appearance, couldn't help but laugh and said, "You... are you practicing martial arts?"

This is a well-known saying at the Wanling Academy, the meaning of which is self-evident. The Dragon Breath Technique, as a top-tier foundational martial art, can significantly enhance the power of the practitioner. Each advancement in the Dragon Breath Technique corresponds to an increase of fifty jun in the practitioner's strength, which is not something that ordinary martial arts can compare to. Looking across the world, there are only a few foundational internal martial arts, and those that reach a top-tier evaluation are even rarer. This is one of the reasons why everyone is drawn to the Wanling Academy.

... ...

It is Song Qian, this young man has finally made the effort to come see me!