The medicinal potency of Blood Deer Antler, transformed into a warm stream, dissipates immediately from the stomach pouch, leaving nothing to spread throughout the organs and limbs.
Initially, during that half-hour, Duan Rong hadn't felt anything due to the residual medicinal potency and Primordial Qi within his meridians.
However, now that the residual medicinal potency has been completely absorbed, the insufficiency of Blood Deer Antler's potency becomes immediately apparent.
Duan Rong dispersed his skill immediately, sensing he could no longer continue training. Although his spiritual power barely holds up, his body already feels depleted.
Continuing further, he fears it might lead to physical depletion.
In Duan Rong's somewhat listless gaze, deep confusion flashed.
If he can only stand in Pile Skill for an hour and a half a day, when will he ever complete Inner Breath Second Level?
It must be noted that there is an essential distinction between Inner Breath Second Level and First Level.
The First Level Inner Breath is primarily about gathering residual Innate True Essence within the meridians and transforming it into Inner Breath, progressively tapping the body's potential. Success hinges on grasping its methods, achievable relatively quickly if approached properly.
But the Second Level Inner Breath involves further strengthening the Inner Breath within the Dantian Meridian. At this point, the body's potential is fully tapped, relying entirely on breath control and the conversion of medicinal potency entering the body, progressively externalizing and internalizing, thereby strengthening the Inner Breath, a much slower process.
Duan Rong believes there must be solutions to the problems he faces in practicing the Second Level.
As long as he finds the solution, he can continue cultivating the Inner Breath Second Level at a monstrous speed.
"The key is how to find the solution?"
Duan Rong's right thumb rubbed back and forth on the first knuckle of his index finger...
This habitual motion during contemplation came from his previous life, and even though crossing into another world, this small soul-deep gesture remained.
Actually, the best method right now is to consult Xiao Zongting.
After all, Xiao Zongting is the Chief Tutor of Yuan Shun Escort Agency, and teaching apprentices is precisely his duty.
Even though Xiao Zongting has now lost his martial arts, he was once the Chief Leader of Yuan Shun Escort Agency. With his previous Cultivation Realm, guiding Duan Rong should be more than sufficient.
But, immediately thinking of Xiao Zongting's face as black as the bottom of a pot, Duan Rong dismissed the idea.
"Xiao Baijiao isn't well right now, and disturbing him might provoke his resentment, and later he might make things difficult for me."
From his past life experience, Duan Rong learned to trust no one completely, believing it safer to perceive others through cynical lenses than assuming the best.
Duan Rong sighed, but besides Xiao Zongting, he really couldn't think of anyone else to ask.
Duan Rong's originally gloomy gaze suddenly brightened.
"I can check the data!" Suddenly, Duan Rong recalled his senior year when he was writing his graduation thesis.
Their supervisor was the vice principal, always busy with meetings and projects, rarely available except for occasional guidance.
Most issues were resolved independently by researching in the library.
In this regard, Duan Rong is experienced.
He has a bundle of books in his dormitory; he'll start looking there, and if not found, he'll visit the book stalls on Antique Street.
Having devised a plan, Duan Rong immediately took action.
Back at the dormitory, he began to flip through the books one by one.
A quarter-hour later, among the bundle of books, one book indeed mentioned the problem he encountered.
It was a yellowed booklet named "Ancient Rhymes and Miscellaneous Records."
This book primarily discusses the history of tonal variations in the Nine Provinces World.
The author's real name is unknown, using the pseudonym Guan Yun, an enthusiast of tonal studies.
Yet, at the book's end, there's a self-narrative.
Guan Yun narrates his life in detail.
Born into a wealthy family, as a youth, Guan Yun practiced martial arts until a calamity destroyed his Dantian.
Unable to continue martial practice, he became melancholic, immersing himself in tonal studies to find solace, leading to the creation of this book.
Perhaps because Guan Yun deeply missed his short martial arts life, he described his martial practices in fine detail.
The narrative mentions a prescription he used during his practice of Inner Breath Second Level, listing several medicinal ingredients and their quantities.
Most of the herbs are unknown to Duan Rong, with only two ingredients being slightly recognizable.
Bear Gall Powder and Blood Ginseng!
From just these two ingredients, Duan Rong could speculate on the prescription's value; though not much is needed, based on his knowledge, these two are far more expensive than Blood Deer Antler.
"Why not grab a couple doses and try it?"
Holding the yellowed booklet, Duan Rong's gaze showed hesitation.
"It's unlikely to be poisonous, right? Guan Yun wouldn't be so bored as to intentionally embed a flawed prescription in his narrative to harm people?"
"Probably not, better consult the Herbal Shop before proceeding!"
Resolute, Duan Rong copied the prescription onto a piece of rice paper, folded it into his lapel pocket, and headed out towards the street's Herbal Shop.
Duan Rong had been to this Herbal Shop twice before, so he was somewhat familiar.
Behind the counter, a lean middle-aged staff member took Duan Rong's list, a strange look appearing on his face.
"What is it? Is there an issue with this prescription?" Duan Rong perceptively noticed the staff's expression change, immediately asking.
"Well... not exactly..." The lean staff glanced at Duan Rong peculiarly and said, "Every ingredient in this prescription is a rare herbal material, ensuring each ingredient individually isn't problematic. As for possible issues when combined, you need to consult the person who provided you the prescription. Our shop is merely an herbal shop, only guaranteeing the authenticity of herbal materials provided, and not concerning with their application."
Duan Rong appreciated the staff's tactful response, admiring him slightly.
The herbal shops in this world differ from those in the previous life; many Martial Artists frequent them, serving a high-end clientele, making them a profitable industry. Consequently, the staff's qualities are top-notch.
"Since each ingredient is fine, issues should be minimal," Duan Rong thought privately.
After slight hesitation, seemingly resolved, he asked the lean staff, "How much silver for this prescription?"
"Customer, please wait a moment."
The lean staff fetched an abacus, looking at the prescription while tallying the beads.
A few breaths later, with a clatter of beads, the sound stopped.
Raising his head, the lean staff said smoothly, "One dose of the prescription costs eighty-two taels and two qian of silver. Rounding it down, it comes to eighty-two taels of silver."
Duan Rong's facial muscles twitched, resembling one stomped on the tail, turning his face grim, "Eighty-two taels?"
Black-faced, Duan Rong left the Herbal Shop with the prescription, biting his lip to avoid tearing it apart.
His total assets barely reach eight hundred taels, and one dose costs eighty-two taels.
"This isn't spending money; it's burning money!"
Without a stable income, he genuinely can't afford this prescription.
"Even the landlord's family wouldn't dare spend like this!"
Duan Rong's right thumb and index finger started rubbing unconsciously again...
"I need another plan!"