"Elder, the main effort in refining was yours, and I only handled minor chores. Moreover, I didn't help just for the elixir." Su Yan declined to accept it. A Second-Order elixir, even a low-grade one, was worth three to five hundred taels of silver. In a small town like this, it was priceless.
"If I tell you to take it, then take it. My injuries only require one, perhaps two at most. If you had only helped me with the pill, I wouldn't have given it to you anyway." Song Qi was also stubborn: "Don't just rely on me to be your backing. If you have the skill, you come to be my backing. Although the Tendon-Restoring and Meridian-Continuing Pill focuses on healing, it can also solidify your foundation and eliminate the internal injuries caused by tempering the Golden Ape Jade Body Art."
The Golden Ape Jade Body Art was a tempering art; it required continuous refinement with blood energy and constant supplementary medicine. Tempering inevitably caused internal damage. For those who progressed slowly, these accumulated injuries could usually heal naturally. But given Su Yan's intense training speed, he was bound to accumulate internal injuries.
"Take the medicine and rest. Your silver must be gone by now. I won't lend you money for training; go find your own in the mountains." Song Qi issued a clear dismissal. He had spent a lot of silver on the Tendon-Restoring and Meridian-Continuing Pill materials. He could certainly afford to lend Su Yan money, but he wouldn't offer it lightly; he would only provide help when Su Yan truly needed it. A martial artist needed tempering, and venturing into the mountains was a form of cultivation.
Su Yan left Song Qi and returned to his room.
"The old man is truly generous." Su Yan smiled softly, looking at the Tendon-Restoring and Meridian-Continuing Pill. He didn't hesitate, opening his mouth and swallowing the elixir.
Unlike First-Order medicines like the Three-Yuan Tonic Soup, this pill instantly dissolved in his stomach. A powerful, surging medicinal force immediately rushed through his body. The immense force surged through his meridians, almost tearing them apart, while simultaneously, a healing power continuously integrated into the meridians. Tearing, repairing, strengthening... The Tendon-Restoring and Meridian-Continuing Pill cycled through these three processes, causing pain no less severe than the Poison Skin Powder bath. One was external; the other came from within his bones.
'My meridians aren't fully open like those of Blood Circulation or Vitality Nurturing experts. I'm in for it now.' Su Yan instantly realized the danger. He gritted his teeth and focused his mind, splitting the surging medicinal power into three streams.
One stream pushed his Skin Refining cultivation forward.
The second stream circulated the cultivation method of the Golden Ape Jade Body Art, directing most of the potency into the body's tempering cycle.
The final stream, almost outside Su Yan's direct control, instinctively flowed into his muscles and bones, slowly strengthening his physique and solidifying his foundation.
This lasted for nearly two hours. The medicinal power was finally absorbed, though Su Yan could distinctly feel that a significant amount of potency still lurked within his body, enough to sustain his cultivation for several days.
[Body Forging Realm: Skin Refining 160/400 (Great Accomplishment) ] [Golden Ape Jade Body Art: 30/100 (Initiate)]
When Su Yan saw Song Qi the next day, the elder's gray hair had turned black in many spots, his body was robust, and his aura was steady. Su Yan knew instantly that Song Qi had not only recovered from his injuries but had successfully broken through to the Vitality Nurturing stage.
Su Yan offered his congratulations. Song Qi attributed it to luck, but his smile was irrepressible. Heaven knew how long he had waited for this opportunity.
Su Yan did not linger. He gathered his belongings and left Xu Zhongdao's mansion. With Song Qi's affair settled, it was time for Su Yan to focus on his own needs.
He reached the street and had not even left the city when he heard murmurs in the crowd. "Another incident! The Small Mountain Association's herb field was robbed last night." Su Yan's brow furrowed. First the Hundred Herb Hall, now the Small Mountain Association. This suggested a major conflict was brewing.
Thump, thump, thump! The sound of galloping horses approached. The crowd scattered. Chief Constable Xu Guan rode out of the city, followed by dozens of yamen runners and constables, all looking grim.
'Leaving the city to suppress bandits!' Su Yan thought. But given the commotion, could they really catch Pang Tianfeng? He dismissed the thought: 'Success or failure, Pang Tianfeng is not operating near Cloud-Front Village. I will focus my efforts there, gather some poisonous herbs, and push the Dark Water Centipede and Velvet Fire Scorpion Bug toward their next breakthrough.'
With that, Su Yan quickened his pace toward Cloud-Front Village. The villagers were surprised to see him return but didn't find it strange. Since Su Yan started martial arts, they knew he would eventually leave the village; it was only a matter of time.
He gave some snacks he had bought to his neighbor's son, Xie Bao. Su Yan then grabbed his basket and weapons and headed straight into the mountains.
With his Stance Skill at Great Accomplishment and having begun the Golden Ape Jade Body Art, Su Yan's steps were lighter. He could leap seven or eight meters in two or three steps, making the mountain paths feel like flat ground.
Su Yan dove into the mountain, immediately releasing the Dark Water Centipede and the Velvet Fire Scorpion Bug. The two Contracted Bugs moved through the mountain brush like dragons returning to the sea. Su Yan did not stay in the Outer Mountain for long. Though there were goods here, they weren't the high-value herbs he needed.
Upon reaching the Inner Mountain, Su Yan, carrying his basket, began his detailed search through the old forest. Tree roots were covered in moss, towering branches intertwined, and only dappled sunlight filtered through. The ground was covered in towering, waist-high Giant Taro and lush, bright green ferns.
The rustling of insects and beasts in the bushes did not escape Su Yan's notice. "Where there is stagnant water and dappled light, this damp environment suggests the presence of Dripping Gold." Su Yan's gaze settled on the largest Giant Taro. Dripping Gold was a mutation of the taro root. It first grew massive by absorbing Primal Energy, then quickly shrank, forming a hard, dark-yellow rhizome that looked gold under running water. This substance was highly poisonous, yet its medicinal properties were second only to a Treasure Plant. It had the effect of stimulating blood energy and increasing strength. Even if not used by martial artists, it could be used elsewhere, fetching a high price.
Su Yan commanded the Dark Water Centipede to climb and dig up the taro roots. Its sharp mouthparts and segmented legs quickly pulled the soil away, exposing the massive rhizome.
Hiss, hiss. The Dark Water Centipede burrowed in and soon found a depression in the cluster of roots. Pushing away dead tissue, it revealed a dark golden color—the Dripping Gold.
"A good start." Su Yan's face showed delight. The fist-sized piece of Dripping Gold was the essence of the entire cluster. He collected the Dripping Gold but did not linger, immediately moving on to actively explore.
His Mountain-Trekking skill had improved significantly. He demarcated areas, and the Dark Water Centipede and Velvet Fire Scorpion Bug meticulously searched. The pace of finding medicinal herbs quickened. In just one morning, his basket was half full.
"The Dripping Gold is reserved for refining poison. The old ginseng, Fo-ti, and Blood Essence can all be sold. But this Bamboo Jade Tooth..." Su Yan pondered how to deal with the newly found Bamboo Jade Tooth. It was a Treasure Plant with body-nourishing and blood-replenishing effects, which would definitely benefit his training.
"I'll sell it first to raise silver and replenish my supplements. Treasure Plants can be found again easily with the Dark Water Centipede at my side. My hardwood bow and broadsword also need to be replaced soon, which costs money."
With a decision made, Su Yan quickly descended the mountain and headed toward the Mountain Market Town.
He reached the Mountain Market Town at dusk. Yamen runners and constables had already set up positions. Moving further in, he saw people coming and going, but his brow furrowed. He constantly saw big, rugged men—some dressed shabbily, some in worn rain capes, and some in strong, simple outfits. Though their appearances varied, their eyes were all sharp, like hunting dogs, fixed on every person who passed. They all carried sharp weapons and did not look like ordinary folk.