After sneaking back to the inn, Su Que immediately spread out tonight's gains on the table to examine.
The yellowed paper taken from Fan Wuyang recorded a medicinal formula for martial arts training known as Blood-Shocking Soup.
"I wonder how the efficacy of Blood-Shocking Soup compares to Body-Strengthening Soup?"
Su Que thought.
Currently, the Body-Strengthening Soup's effect on him was no longer strong.
If the Blood-Shocking Soup was significantly more effective, he wouldn't have to search for other formulas.
Carefully, he folded the paper and stored it close to his body within his clothing.
After that, he spread out all the silver coins gained tonight, including silver notes, silver bars, and broken silver, and counted them one by one.
His senses were sharp now; merely by weighing the silver bars and broken silver with his hand, he could estimate their approximate value.
"A total of six hundred and eighty taels."
"Those people from the White Lotus Sect sure are loaded; this is what they mean by 'a gold belt for murder and arson'."
As Su Que sighed inwardly, he packed all the silver coins into a large moneybag.
Finally, Su Que opened up the "Marriage Robe Divine Skill" secret manual.
This was the actual purpose of his trip.
He skimmed through the manual, finding the contents of "Marriage Robe Divine Skill" largely consistent with Jianghu rumors.
Any cultivator practicing inner strength will generate True Qi within their body.
For those practicing the "Marriage Robe Divine Skill," their True Qi is more aggressive and circulates faster than that produced by ordinary inner strength.
Thus, those who practice "Marriage Robe Divine Skill" progress faster in martial arts realms compared to regular martial artists.
However, because the True Qi generated by "Marriage Robe Divine Skill" is extremely fierce, over time, it will cause hidden damage to the flesh and meridians of the cultivator.
The higher the cultivation level in "Marriage Robe Divine Skill," the more severe the hidden damage becomes.
If the skill is practiced to six or seven tenths completion, and the power is not dispersed or transferred to others, the cultivator can no longer withstand the True Qi, resulting in destruction of flesh and meridians.
While some may merely lose all martial abilities, the less fortunate might even lose their lives.
"Damaging flesh and meridians…This skill is truly remarkable!"
While reading, Su Que praised inwardly.
After roughly reading through the entire manual, he flipped to the first page to begin practicing "Marriage Robe Divine Skill" as described.
The first step in cultivating inner strength is to find the sensation of Qi.
Su Que sat cross-legged on the bed, concentrating his mind to locate that hint of Qi sensation.
Once Qi sensation is found, inner strength practice is considered to have begun.
More than two hours passed when suddenly Su Que felt a faint trace of warmth within his body.
His spirit lifted, and he focused his mind on this warmth.
Gradually, this warmth increased from a trace to a strand and could move through his body as he willed.
"It's done!"
Su Que was filled with emotion, and the five elements of dark lettering appeared before his eyes.
Name: Su Que (17 years old)
Lifespan: 71
Talent Value: 12
Martial Arts: Seven Injuries Fist (5th Realm Refining Skill 15%), Five Animals Qigong (1st Realm Initial Insight 1%)
Inner Strength: Marriage Robe Divine Skill (1st Realm Initial Insight 1%)
For those with average talent, it would take at least two to three months to find the Qi sensation.
But Su Que, with a talent value of 12 points, had learning and cultivation speed that greatly exceeded ordinary people.
Therefore, he successfully found the Qi sensation after just one night, effectively beginning his practice.
Su Que infused the strand of True Qi inside his body into his fist, then suddenly struck!
Crack!
The fist force broke through the air with a sound louder than before.
True Qi not only circulates the blood but also combines with fist force to generate greater power!
Unknowingly, the east gradually revealed the faint light of dawn.
Seeing that the day had broken, Su Que packed his bundle and left the inn, heading back towards Jade Water City.
...
The matter of Fan Wuyang and the White Lotus Sect members being killed soon came to be discovered by other members of the White Lotus Sect from the Jade Water City outpost.
After examining the bodies of Fan Wuyang and the others, the White Lotus Sect members realized that.
The manner of death of Fan Wuyang and the others was very similar to that of the White Lotus Sect members killed during the previous herbal theft.
This manner of death seemed akin to being killed by someone proficient in Seven Injuries Fist.
"Could it be the remnants of Kongtong Sect are hunting the White Lotus Sect?"
"Or are there traitors within the White Lotus Sect leaking the Seven Injuries Fist Manual?"
The Jade Water City division's Altar Master, Bai Wuji, pondered.
Even after racking his brain, he would never imagine that those White Lotus Sect members were killed by a teacher from Jade Water City.
...
Upon returning near Jade Water City, Su Que headed straight for Cyan Flower Mountain.
Cyan Flower Mountain was where he hid his herbs.
He planned to immediately use the herbs he had hidden to brew a batch of Blood-Shocking Soup and compare its efficacy with Body-Strengthening Soup to see which was stronger.
The brewing of Blood-Shocking Soup required sixteen types of herbs, three more than those needed for Body-Strengthening Soup.
Additionally, Blood-Shocking Soup required a greater quantity of herbs.
Blood-Shocking Soup and Blood-Strengthening Soup shared several overlapping herbal ingredients.
While looking at the cave where the thirteen types of herbs for Blood-Strengthening Soup were almost depleted, Su Que clicked his tongue.
"Looks like I'll have to rob for herbs again."
"It's uncertain whether the White Lotus Sect will still use that route after being robbed once."
Suddenly, an idea arose in Su Que's mind.
The major martial arts halls in Jade Water City, each contains dozens of disciples, who consume a substantial amount of herbs.
Plus, they sell medicinal soup externally.
With such consumption, these martial arts halls must periodically purchase herbs from the White Lotus Sect.
He could track those purchasing herbs, thereby locating the White Lotus Sect's hidden herb stash.
With this idea, Su Que felt assured, no longer worrying about running out of herbs.
He selected sixteen types of herbs from remaining stocks, lit a fire, and began brewing Blood-Shocking Soup.
More than half an hour later, Blood-Shocking Soup was ready.
The dark red of Blood-Shocking Soup resembled fresh blood at first glance.
Su Que served himself a bowl and drank it.
The medicinal soup flowed down his throat, through the esophagus, and into his stomach.
Immediately, Su Que felt a scalding surge of medicinal power rising from his abdomen!
Then, it dispersed to every part of his body!
In an instant, the blood within his body boiled and began rushing.
Su Que felt as if he was submerged in a hot spring.
"This medicinal power is at least twice as strong as Body-Strengthening Soup!"
Su Que rejoiced inwardly and continued drinking the Blood-Shocking Soup.
After consuming three bowls, Su Que's blood circulated rapidly, and his whole body burned.
Beads of sweat seeped from his forehead.
His body was filled with medicinal power, and he felt that unless he refined the medicinal power, he would feel utterly uncomfortable.
Without delay, Su Que sat down crossed-legged, placing the "Marriage Robe Divine Skill" manual by his side.
After glancing at the Qi circulation route shown in the manual, he closed his eyes and began cultivating.
Su Que, already possessing a talent value of 12 points, cultivated much faster than average people.
Now, with the added boost of medicinal power.
The progress in practicing the "Marriage Robe Divine Skill" was swift.
With the refinements of the medicinal power, the True Qi that originally was just a strand grew stronger.