By the time the effects of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill were completely refined, it was already close to noon the next day.
Curtis Morgan hadn't slept the whole night, but he wasn't tired at all. On the contrary, he felt refreshed and full of strength.
A single Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill had completely transformed him. His body was now stronger than that of an average young man, and his meridians were no longer blocked, filled with vitality and resilience.
However, there was a thick layer of grime on his body, impurities that had been expelled, sticky and uncomfortable.
With a thought, Curtis Morgan returned to his room.
He quietly opened the door and walked out, discovering that Penny Lawson and Autumn Adler were not there, likely having gone out to buy groceries.
Curtis Morgan went to the well in the courtyard, fetched some well water, and washed the grime off his body until he was clean, then changed into a clean set of clothes, feeling refreshed and comfortable.
At this moment, Penny Lawson and Autumn Adler also returned from outside, and upon seeing Curtis Morgan, both stared at him in astonishment.
Now, Curtis Morgan was full of Essence Qi, looking vastly different from his previously frail and sickly appearance. No wonder they were surprised.
"Marshall, are your injuries better now?" Penny Lawson carefully observed Curtis Morgan and asked.
"Yes, young master, you seem a little different from before." Autumn Adler asked, blinking her big eyes.
Curtis Morgan smiled and said, "Mother, I don't know why, but after being injured this time, I cultivated the 'Qi Gathering Technique' last night and surprisingly managed to cultivate a strand of True Qi, so my body is better now."
"What? Marshall, you cultivated True Qi?" Upon hearing this, Penny Lawson was overjoyed, tears welling up in her eyes from happiness.
Curtis Morgan didn't tell Penny Lawson about the Supreme Divine Temple, as there were Divine-level Techniques inside. If word got out, the three of them would be in great danger.
But after taking the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, his body had changed, and without an explanation, Penny Lawson and the others would inevitably be puzzled.
So, he disclosed just a little, saying he had cultivated True Qi.
"Marshall, that's wonderful, wonderful." Tears of excitement filled Penny Lawson's eyes.
Although cultivating True Qi alone wasn't enough to be considered even a regular Martial Artist, let alone compared to a Bloodline Martial Artist, she was still very happy, for Curtis Morgan's sake.
"Young master, you must protect the mistress and me in the future." Autumn Adler also showed a joyful smile.
Then, Penny Lawson and Autumn Adler began cooking, and soon, a delicious aroma filled the air.
The three of them sat together happily, eating.
The meal was simple, one meat dish and two vegetable dishes.
"Marshall, your injuries haven't healed yet. Eat more meat to replenish your Qi and blood." Penny Lawson kept putting meat into Curtis Morgan's bowl.
"Mother, Autumn, you eat too." Curtis Morgan said.
Ever since news came out six years ago that his father, Victor Morgan, had been killed, their life had been getting worse and worse, with the allowance from the family growing less and less, and they rarely had meat to eat.
Even when they occasionally had some, Penny Lawson and Autumn Adler would save it for Curtis Morgan to eat. Especially Autumn Adler, who, being in the growth phase, didn't have sufficient nutrition and seemed a bit frail.
Martial Artists, in their cultivation, consumed a lot of energy and needed to be particular about their diet.
The Morgan Family's Bloodline Martial Artists didn't eat regular beast meat but Demonic Beast meat.
Even those with high talent consumed not only Demonic Beast meat but also Dragon Tiger Pills daily, made with Demonic Beast blood, Bone Powder, and various precious medicinal ingredients.
The Dragon Tiger Pill contained powerful Essence Qi, strengthening a Martial Artist's muscles, bones, meridians, and organs, and could even convert into True Qi to aid in cultivation and improve one's rank.
The way Curtis Morgan was eating, the nutrition was far from adequate.
"Marshall, you've already cultivated True Qi, these meals aren't enough. I have eight Dragon Tiger Pills here for you to use for cultivation."
Penny Lawson carefully took out a bottle and handed it to Curtis Morgan.
Curtis Morgan was stunned, not expecting Penny Lawson to have eight Dragon Tiger Pills, and asked in confusion, "Mother, a Dragon Tiger Pill costs a hundred silver. Where did you get that much money?"
"Don't worry, Mother has her ways. These were meant to strengthen your body, but now that you can cultivate True Qi, they're just right." Penny Lawson smiled.
"Young master, the mistress sold the Dragon and Phoenix Bracelet to buy these eight Dragon Tiger Pills." Autumn Adler seemed unable to hold back and chimed in.
"Autumn!" Penny Lawson lightly scolded, seeming to blame Autumn Adler for speaking too much, and said, "Marshall, just focus on your cultivation. As long as you can cultivate True Qi and strengthen your body, what does one Dragon and Phoenix Bracelet matter?"
"Mother..."
Curtis Morgan felt a bit emotional, gripping the bottle of Dragon Tiger Pills tightly with both hands.
The Dragon and Phoenix Bracelet was a token of love that Victor Morgan had given to Penny Lawson back then. Curtis Morgan knew how much Penny Lawson treasured it, but now she had sold it for Curtis Morgan's health.
"Mother, don't worry. I will become a strong individual and use my strength to protect you, never letting you suffer any grievances again." Curtis Morgan silently vowed, his gaze unwaveringly determined.
After finishing the meal, Curtis Morgan took the Dragon Tiger Pills back to his room and entered the Supreme Divine Temple.
Upon entering the Supreme Divine Temple, Curtis Morgan immediately looked toward the second platform atop the ninety-nine steps.
This was because there was also a box on the second platform, and it was bronze-colored.
The first black iron box contained the first layer of the 'Battle Dragon True Technique,' the 'Flame Dragon Fist,' the 'Dragon and Snake Step,' and the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill. What could be in the second box?
Curtis Morgan was immensely curious and walked toward the steps.
But when he reached the ninety-ninth step and tried to ascend to the second platform, he couldn't. An invisible force was blocking him.
"Could it be because my cultivation level isn't enough?" Curtis Morgan thought helplessly, then retreated.
Sitting cross-legged, he poured out a Dragon Tiger Pill, placed it in his mouth, and began cultivating.
When Curtis Morgan swallowed the Dragon Tiger Pill, there was a sudden warmth at his spine. A powerful force drew all the pill's medicinal power into it, then streams of pure energy surged from his spine.
"So fast?" Curtis Morgan was initially shocked, then overjoyed.
Typically, it would take a whole day to refine a Dragon Tiger Pill, but he had done so in an instant.
It was because of that yet-to-develop bloodline.
This mysterious bloodline was remarkable, not only absorbing nature's spiritual energy at a speed comparable to a Level 2 Bloodline but also having the effect of rapidly refining pills.
"Great, now it's time to attack the meridians." Curtis Morgan focused his mind, activated the 'Battle Dragon True Technique,' and began to assault the first of the three meridians.
He controlled the surging energy, directing it toward the first meridian.
Boom! Boom!...
It seemed as if thunderous roars echoed within his body, unlocking one acupoint after another.
When the energy was insufficient, Curtis Morgan swallowed another Dragon Tiger Pill.
Just like that, by the time evening arrived, all eight Dragon Tiger Pills had been consumed, and Curtis Morgan had successfully opened three 'meridians' thanks to those pills.
The Meridian Passage level is divided into early stage, mid stage, and late stage.
Opening one to three meridians is considered the early stage, four to six ley lines, the mid stage...
The Meridian Passage Realm is the foundation for martial artists and also the easiest.
Of course, 'easy' varies from person to person; ordinary Bloodline Martial Artists can usually open all nine meridians anywhere from a month to a year.
But for typical martial artists, it's uncertain; some may never open all nine meridians in their lifetime.
However, someone like Curtis Morgan, who could unlock three meridians in a single afternoon, was extremely rare. If word got out, it would surely leave others dumbfounded.
This was closely related to the Battle Dragon True Technique and the unique nature of his undeveloped bloodline.
The Battle Dragon True Technique is a Divine-level Technique, and that undeveloped bloodline can instantly refine pills, creating such a miracle.
Feeling the Battle Dragon True Qi coursing through three meridians within him, Curtis Morgan was filled with joy and determination.
After dinner, Curtis Morgan hurriedly entered the Supreme Divine Temple to start cultivating.
Now, he planned to practice the Martial Technique 'Flame Dragon Fist.'
Martial Techniques are attacks generated by True Qi driving the body's muscles and bones.
Different Martial Techniques have different True Qi operations, muscle, and bone movements, so the effects and resulting techniques vary greatly, as does their power.
Thus, controlling True Qi and one's body demands very high standards, and mastering a Martial Technique takes years of intensive training.
The higher the Martial Technique level, the harder it is to control True Qi and the body, yet its power is also greater.
Curtis Morgan struck a pose and began his practice.
Above, the chanting from within the temple constantly echoed, providing Curtis Morgan with unmatched clarity, as the secrets of the 'Flame Dragon Fist' continuously flashed in his mind.
True Qi flowed, swarming into his legs, subsequently driving the bones and muscles of his legs.
"Ha!"
Curtis Morgan let out a light cry, stepping forward as power surged from his legs to his waist and spine. His spine twisted like a giant dragon, and an even greater force surged from his waist to his hands.
Boom!
Curtis Morgan punched, power exploding out with a thunderous roar in the air.
"Initial Glimpse!" Curtis Morgan's eyes shone with surprise.
The cultivation of Martial Techniques is divided into six levels according to proficiency.
Initial Glimpse, Small Success, Comprehensive Understanding, Mastery, Transcendence, and Human Martial Unity.
Six levels, each a step at a time, and not accomplished quickly overnight; the higher the technique level, the harder it is to advance.
Curtis Morgan didn't expect to reach the first level, Initial Glimpse, during his first practice of the 'Flame Dragon Fist.'
This is a Yellow-level Lower Grade Martial Technique. If it were an ordinary person, it would take months to even grasp the basics.
"The chanting in that temple truly aids my practice of this Martial Technique immensely."
Curtis Morgan contemplated as he gazed at the temple deep within the staircase.
Curtis Morgan conjectured that his rapid cultivation speed might be because of the chanting and possibly his own insight, which seemed quite strong. With such effects, Curtis Morgan naturally dedicated himself even more fiercely to his training.
Without the Dragon Tiger Pills, Curtis Morgan's pace of opening meridians considerably slowed down.
Yet three days later, he still managed to open the fourth meridian, stepping into the mid-stage of Meridian Passage.
As for 'Flame Dragon Fist,'
he had further cultivated it to the second level, Small Success.
However, three days had passed, and his bloodline had not yet developed, continuing its slow growth.
With a slight smile, Curtis Morgan stepped out of the Supreme Divine Temple and out of his room.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw Autumn Adler with red eyes, returning from outside.
"Young Master, please call for Madam back. She has been kneeling at the Lawson Family for several hours." Autumn Adler pleaded with tears in her voice.
"What? What's going on? Let's go."
Curtis Morgan quickly walked outside with Autumn Adler.
On the way, Autumn Adler explained the situation to Curtis Morgan.
Ever since Penny Lawson discovered Curtis Morgan could cultivate True Qi, she was delighted.
But cultivating Martial Arts requires Cultivation Techniques and Martial Techniques, so Penny Lawson thought of renting some techniques for Curtis Morgan from the Morgan Family Library Pavilion, but the Guardian Elder of the Pavilion, being on the Great Elder's side, dismissed Penny Lawson, calling Curtis Morgan trash.
Having no other options, Penny Lawson sought out Curtis Morgan, the Great Elder, and even knelt down to beg them, but still received not even a single inferior Martial Technique.
Desperate, Penny Lawson turned to the Lawson Family, hoping to obtain some Cultivation Techniques or Martial Techniques.
The Lawson Family, a small family in Ignisport, were Penny Lawson's maternal family. Presently, Penny Lawson's elder brother, Curtis Morgan's uncle, was the head.
But Curtis Morgan's uncle refused Penny Lawson on the grounds that Curtis Morgan was a descendant of the Morgan Family, and thus the Lawson Family should not lend out Cultivation Techniques or Martial Techniques.
Penny Lawson, at her wit's end, could only kneel in the Lawson Family's great hall, hoping to obtain a Martial Technique.
"Damn it!"
Curtis Morgan roared inwardly, fury filling his chest.