While cutting firewood, Chen Mo spotted a mantis in a patch of grass and suddenly had a whimsical idea.
After all, mantises count as meat; I wonder if it's possible to eat them.
He immediately caught the mantis, which was about the size of his pinky finger.
He killed the mantis, then squeezed out its innards, forcing himself not to think about it, and ate the mantis with his eyes closed.
[Supplementation of meat +0.1, Blood Nourishing Technique experience +0.1.]
"It works." Looking at Blood Nourishing Technique (Entry Level 0.9/100.), Chen Mo's eyes lit up, but then he was puzzled.
Previously, I figured that one pound of meat equated to one point of experience.
Was that mantis one tael?
Obviously not.
"What's the reason for this?"
Chen Mo couldn't figure it out, but one thing he could confirm was that as long as it was meat, it could increase the experience of Blood Nourishing Technique.
So, after finishing cutting wood, Chen Mo started looking for insects like mantises, since there were no wild chickens or rabbits, these insects would have to do.
Han Anniang learned that Chen Mo was looking for insects and eating them raw, and she was completely dumbfounded.
Uncle must be starving to the point of madness?
"Uncle, if you want to eat insects, you can bring them back and steam or boil them; eating them raw will upset your stomach," Han Anniang couldn't help but say.
Though surprised, she understood; she had heard people say that last year during the drought in the Northern Land, some even ate tree bark and white meat...
Han Anniang's words reminded Chen Mo.
Eating them raw is not easy; cooking them, preferably frying them, is better before swallowing.
So, Chen Mo and Han Anniang went into the woods to catch insects.
Crickets, grasshoppers, katydids...
By the time the sun had risen, they had caught more than thirty.
But these insects were small, and even together they didn't weigh a pound, expecting to fill the stomach with them wasn't realistic.
And with winter approaching, these bugs weren't everywhere; finding them wasn't easy.
Chen Mo wrapped them in cloth and, along with Han Anniang, returned home.
Back home, they first moved the wood to the kitchen instead of leaving it in the yard.
Han Anniang said that even firewood was stolen.
After that, Han Anniang started preparing breakfast.
Chen Mo gave the insects to Han Anniang.
Reluctant to fry them, Han Anniang simply boiled them and then added some salt for flavor.
Breakfast was thin porridge with wild vegetables and the insects they caught.
Chen Mo picked a mantis bigger than the one before and ate it.
[Supplementation of meat +0.05, Blood Nourishing Technique experience +0.05.]
"Hmm?"
Chen Mo ate a katydid.
[Supplementation of meat +0.03, Blood Nourishing Technique experience +0.03.]
"What the hell?" Chen Mo was dumbfounded.
...
In the days that followed.
While exercising, Chen Mo spent seven days testing this golden finger and finally reached a conclusion.
That is, meat with a death time of no more than half an hour needs only half a pound to add one experience point.
Meat that has been dead for more than half an hour requires a pound to increase by one experience point.
Swallowing live insects follows the same rule as meat with a death time of no more than half an hour.
In other words, fresh meat gives more experience.
...
The month transitioned to November.
The weather turned cold, and the cold wind howled outside.
Chen Mo returned to Fu Ze Village with a firewood knife, walking briskly home.
During this time, Chen Mo, regardless of rain or shine, would run to Daze Mountain early in the morning and return once the sun was up.
But as the temperature dropped, even insects like grasshoppers became hard to find.
Upon returning home, Chen Mo saw a middle-aged man hunched over, walking out of his yard, hands tucked into his sleeves.
"Uncle Da Lin?" Chen Mo recognized the man, a relative.
"Brother Mo." Seeing Chen Mo, Chen Dalin's eyes brightened, he opened his mouth to say something but hesitated for a moment and ultimately didn't say anything.
The two exchanged a few pleasantries and passed each other.
"Sister-in-law." Going into the house and seeing no one, Chen Mo called out.
Han Anniang emerged from her parents' room holding a kitchen knife, sighed in relief upon seeing Chen Mo, "Uncle is back."
Saying that, Han Anniang set down the knife and brought out some food to place on the table, "Uncle, food is ready, eat up."
Breakfast was cornmeal wild vegetable porridge, a bowl for each person, and Chen Mo's was the thickest, with a few threads of cured meat.
Chen Mo frowned and didn't move, instead asking, "Sister-in-law, Uncle Da Lin came by earlier?"
"Yes."
"Did he bully you?"
"No."
"Then why are you holding a knife?"
"I... I was scared alone at home, holding a knife for self-defense," Han Anniang said timidly, head lowered.
A brief silence.
Chen Mo took a deep breath, "It's cold outside, and it's hard to find edible insects on the mountain; starting tomorrow, I won't go out anymore."
"Ah... okay." Han Anniang lifted her head, showing delight.
Chen Mo started eating with chopsticks, saying as he ate, "What did Uncle Da Lin come to our house for?"
"To borrow food, but I didn't agree."
"I knew it." Upon hearing this, Chen Mo looked at Han Anniang and said, "Sister-in-law, you did the right thing; don't lend food to anyone who comes asking in the future."
"Mhm mhm." Han Anniang nodded, appearing in good spirits.
The cornmeal wasn't finely ground, even as mush it was a bit scratchy on the throat, but over the past month, he'd grown accustomed to life like this.
After breakfast and letting it settle for a while, Chen Mo went to his room to start exercising.
Fifty push-ups.
Thirty sit-ups.
Lifting a ten-pound stone to train his arm strength.
After completing one set.
A strange feeling of power surged first into his arms, then spread throughout his body, transmitting years of practice with the Celestial Harmony Saber Technique into his mind.
Instantly, his mastery of the Celestial Harmony Saber Technique became perfect.
At the same time, the system chimed a notification.
Chen Mo focused his mind.
[Name: Chen Mo.]
[Age: Adult.]
[Cultivation Technique: Blood Nourishing Technique (Entry Level 11.3/100).]
[Realm: None.]
[Power: 7.]
[Skills: Celestial Harmony Saber Technique (Advanced 2300/10000.)]
"Finally risen above the level of a scrawny dog to a normal person..."
Over the past month, Chen Mo maintained a regimen of exercise, wielded the saber, ate three meals a day, followed a normal sleep schedule, and supplemented with protein, finally restoring his physique.
Of course, the reason he could reach normal levels in such a short time is because he discovered his recovery ability was abnormal compared to others.
Before, a small scratch would scab over in half a day and heal in two.
Chen Mo quickly grabbed the firewood knife.
In an instant, an overwhelming change occurred in the power stats.
Power: 7+14.
This additional 14 points of power included 2 points from the firewood knife and 12 points from the Celestial Harmony Saber Technique at advanced proficiency.
With his physique at a normal person's level, he could now exert power from Intermediate, and even Advanced, Celestial Harmony Saber Technique.
"At last, I have the strength to defend myself." Chen Mo felt great.
...
Two days later.
Night fell.
Chen Mo and Han Anniang dined together; on the table was the last of their three taels of cured meat.
Just then, a voice called out from outside.
"Lady Han, Lady Han..."
The voice sounded familiar.
"It's Lu San, probably here to borrow food again." Han Anniang frowned and stood up to go outside.