After he stepped forward, the benefits of his strengthened physique were evident. Originally, he could take a three-zhang step; now he could cover twenty meters in one step.
It looked like the distance doubled, but actually, his physical enhancement was greater because the speed increase requires more power proportionally the faster you go.
Shen Wang finally grinned: "Not bad, didn't encounter bad luck for being a good person. But for such situations in the future, it's better to be cautious."
Thinking about yesterday's events, Shen Wang couldn't recall anything from the dream—probably the woman tampered with it.
Without dwelling further, Shen Wang immediately began adapting to his suddenly enhanced body, his swift movement creating a whistling sound due to air friction.
"One step twenty meters, this speed is comparable to the speed of a car in my previous life."
The more Shen Wang felt it, the more surprised he became. He estimated that he could leisurely advance around forty meters a second.
At this speed, wind resistance was considerable, and if he could reduce it, his speed could improve further.
During his trials, Shen Wang discovered that at full sprint, his speed could still increase, easily breaking through ten-zhang per step.
This speed was already comparable to Sword Flight!
However, traveling this way would increase resistance and be overly exerting, so it's best not to use it unless necessary.
By constantly changing his Body Technique, he finally adjusted to about twenty-five meters per step, allowing him to easily cross mountains and ridges.
At this adjusted speed, it took less than two quarters of an hour to arrive outside Baixi City.
He took a path less traveled by, seeing Baixi City from a distance where tributaries converged, Shen Wang smiled: "With walking this fast, life will be much easier."
At this moment, a streak of Escape Light descended nearby, revealing a middle-aged cultivator standing on a Golden Abacus.
The person sported two tufts of mustache above his lips, wore a blue square hat, and a splendid long robe, looking like a merchant.
But his aura was tremendously strong, giving Shen Wang a sense of danger, one possibly emanating from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!
His expression slightly changed, internally cursing how he could just encounter a Foundation Establishment Cultivator here.
Just as he prepared to address him as "senior," the latter spoke courteously: "Fellow Daoist, are you also here for the annual Hundred Creeks Gathering at Baixi City?"
"Fellow Daoist?"
Shen Wang was surprised, as this kind of address was usually reserved for those of equivalent rank; someone of lower rank wouldn't be addressed like this, and someone higher would definitely be addressed as "senior."
It seems he mistakenly led this person to believe he was at the Foundation Establishment Tier?
He felt a bit troubled, unsure whether to reveal his level and call the other "senior," or how he should proceed.
If he actively revealed his current Qi Cultivation Stage, the other might investigate why he was misjudged.
If he doesn't reveal it, he might get discovered due to some circumstance.
Seeing Shen Wang reluctant to speak further, the latter could only offer an awkward smile: "Seems I've spoken out of turn. Since you are heading to Baixi City, you must surely be participating in the Hundred Creeks Gathering."
"I'm going to Baixi City to purchase some things."
Shen Wang gritted his teeth, deciding not to proactively disclose anything. Once he gets the goods, hopefully, he won't run into him again.
"I am Wu Jieqi, a steward of Hengchang Trading Company, attending the market gathering on behalf of the company. If you need anything, feel free to visit us. Our Body Refining Pill is quite exceptional here, known within a thousand miles. Fellow Daoist's body now shows the initial glow of a Treasure Body; you should use a Body Refining Treasure Pill to advance further and achieve minor success in developing your Treasure Body. If needed, I can offer a discount."
Wu Jieqi spoke kindly and hospitably.
Shen Wang suddenly understood: A Treasure Body! It turns out his physique had reached Treasure Body level, leading this person to consider him a peer.
A Treasure Body is a type of cultivator's physique, typically cultivated by Foundation Establishment Cultivators or equivalent Martial Arts Grandmasters, representing individual strength.
He remained composed: "I don't need it for now; I'm just here to buy some sundries."
"No problem, feel free to come to me anytime if you have any future needs."
Wu Jieqi chuckled: "I admire fellow cultivators like yourself who focus on self-cultivation, unlike me who relies on external objects like Magical Artifacts and Talismans."
Shen Wang glanced at Wu Jieqi's belongings—the bulging Storage Pouch at his waist, the shimmering Jade Pendant, and the Magical Artifact-ring on his finger.
He felt as if a wealthy lord was imparting wisdom to a pauper about the hardships he couldn't endure.
Goodness, was he being modest or was he flaunting? Or perhaps displaying his wealth?
The latter seemed most likely, given his merchant status.
He replied calmly: "Who wouldn't want to rely on external items if possible?"
Wu Jieqi interpreted this as Shen Wang hinting at financial difficulties and offered a friendly smile: "Are you a loose cultivator, fellow Daoist?"
"A loose cultivator for now; why, are you offering me a job, Steward Wu?"
Shen Wang replied with an insightful tone, recognizing the other intended to recruit him.
"We are just opening business here and lack personnel, especially those like you, Martial Arts Grandmasters who have entered the Dao through martial power. If you're interested in becoming a tributor protector..."
Wu Jieqi expressed an invitation, deducing from Shen Wang's ground approach that he must be a Grandmaster adept in Body Refinement—particularly the austere kind—bearing only a Storage Pouch without a single Magical Artifact.
Such a person likely invested most resources into Body Refinement, thus making them highly resource-scarce and good candidates for recruiting as advanced guards for the trading company.
"Not interested for now."
Shen Wang declined outright, not only because his physique had suddenly strengthened without matching cultivation, but even if he had the strength, he wouldn't easily agree to escort goods for a trading company.
"No worries, we can collaborate if opportunities arise. May I know your name, fellow Daoist?"
Wu Jieqi wasn't offended, realizing this person would possibly approach him when needing Spirit Stones.
"Surname Wang."
Shen Wang casually mentioned a common surname.
"So you're Fellow Daoist Wang. You are in your prime youth and already a Grandmaster; your future is limitless."
Wu Jieqi praised sincerely, the words not entirely flattery.
Given his youthful appearance, few of similar age reach the Foundation Establishment Stage, someone achieving such through Martial Arts training is certainly remarkable, worthy of his regard.
"I hope so."
Noticing that Wu Jieqi didn't intend to proceed alone, Shen Wang continued on towards Baixi City.
"Fellow Daoist Wang, this gathering isn't held within the city, but on Hundred Creeks Lake over here."
Wu Jieqi reminded.
"I'm just buying regular items, no need to attend." Shen Wang was not keen on walking together with Wu Jieqi, the more people they encounter, the harder it would be to maintain his front.
Should he meet someone he knows, it'd be quite embarrassing.
"Alright then, I'll take my leave."
Wu Jieqi cupped his fist, secretly amused that this person probably felt embarrassed due to financial constraints, avoiding the gathering to purchase items.
He didn't voice this thought, turned away, and walked without using any Magical Artifact for flight.
Shen Wang noticed his stride covering twenty meters; while not matching his own speed, it exceeded his previous pace significantly.
A Qi Cultivator achieving this level suggests his cultivation is beyond early-stage Foundation Establishment, likely at mid-stage, to possess such physical ability without specific focus on Body Refinement.