Chapter Two: Growing in Pain
"No... Uncle-Master, you?" Zhao Liuyun's heart was restless, beating like a drum.
"What is that expression on your face?"
"If I'm not mistaken... it's pity, right?"
Is the Medicinal Bath some kind of monster?
[Writing up to this point, I hope readers remember our domain: Taiwan Novel Network is super powerful, with a vast library]
To think it could make Uncle-Master show such an expression.
His heart surged like the tide, and Zhao Liuyun actually felt a slight urge to retreat.
The moment the thought arose, he forcefully suppressed it—
I cannot retreat!
Last time, Uncle-Master didn't hesitate to spend five hundred gold coins to help him, so how could he possibly harm him?
Moreover, a weak physique would inevitably affect the absorption of the next spirit ring.
Even if he wanted to consume an Immortal Herb, his frail body would struggle to withstand its tyrannical medicinal potency.
If he died because of this, wouldn't it be the biggest joke?
Leveling up was imminent, and the Medicinal Bath was within reach.
Even if what lay ahead was a Dragon's Pool or a Tiger's Den, he had no choice but to go all out!
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Liuyun eased the pressure in his heart.
"Ugh—!"
A pungent stench suddenly rushed into his nostrils!
He wanted to vomit.
I shouldn't have breathed deeply; I should have waited for [Heart Like Still Water] to take effect... The preparation work for the Medicinal Bath was not easy.
Huang Xin only came over after Zhao Liuyun had kneaded the medicinal powder in the wooden basin into a cake shape, gradually changing from shallow black to light red.
"Light red is the sign of success. Place it on this wooden board, smooth it out, and once it air-dries, it can be sold."
Zhao Liuyun followed the instructions, meticulously completing the task with a small shovel.
Then—
"Follow me."
Huang Xin beckoned to him.
The two walked one after the other into a wooden cabin that had already been set up.
In the center of the cabin was a large tub filled with medicinal liquid as red as blood, steaming hot, presenting a shocking crimson sight.
If the scent wafting towards him hadn't been a rich, heavy medicinal fragrance instead of a foul, bloody stench, Zhao Liuyun would have almost believed it was fresh blood drained from a powerful Spirit Beast.
Zhao Liuyun couldn't help but ask, "Uncle-Master, what is this?"
Huang Xin stood with his hands behind his back, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes: "A Medicinal Bath formulated primarily using the heart of a Ten-Year Dragon Blood Tree."
"Long-term soaking, combined with appropriate exercise, can effectively enhance your physique."
His tone was very serious:
"Nephew-Master, your Spirit Master talent is excellent, but your body is too weak. Absorbing the next spirit ring will likely be difficult; you should be aware of this yourself."
"Mhm." Zhao Liuyun nodded.
It was true that he could continue Cultivation without absorbing a spirit ring.
However, the capacity of a person's body and Spirit ultimately has its limits.
Without a spirit ring to boost his talent and aptitude, how could his Cultivation speed compare to what it would be after absorbing one?
Precisely because of this, he had never entertained the idea of deliberately suppressing his Cultivation Base and not absorbing a spirit ring.
He merely pondered Uncle-Master's words repeatedly.
By specifically explaining the necessity of the Medicinal Bath and setting the stage beforehand, this bath must have some kind of unacceptable flaw.
Zhao Liuyun tentatively asked, "Is it harmful to future growth? Or will I grow into a Big Guy like you, Uncle-Master?"
Huang Xin closed the door, casually dragged a chair to the entrance, sat down, and shook his head: "No, my height and physique are related to Genetics."
"The Dragon Blood Tree Medicinal Bath is harmless to future growth. The only drawback is the pain."
"It hurts a lot!"
Zhao Liuyun did not reply, simply listening quietly.
A complex look flashed in Huang Xin's eyes as he slowly said, "This Medicinal Bath was passed down by my father. The first time I soaked in it, I was forcibly held down inside by my Senior Brother."
"A pain etched into the bones, penetrating the marrow! This feeling, I will never forget until the day I die!"
"Every inch of skin felt like it was being constantly gnawed by ants. Toxins seeped in, corroding the muscles and tissues, until finally, my entire body went numb, and I couldn't even feel if my body belonged to me."
"..." Zhao Liuyun unconsciously swallowed.
It sounded terrifying.
No wonder someone needed to forcibly hold him down.
"Is there a difference between cold water and hot water?" [Heart Like Still Water] helped steady his mind, and Zhao Liuyun asked calmly.
Temperature was an important factor, as the processing of many medicinal materials is affected by heat.
Seeing that he had keenly noticed this point, a hint of appreciation flashed in Huang Xin's eyes, mixed with a bit of schadenfreude:
"Hot water allows for higher absorption efficiency. One piece of the tree heart can exert more than double the effect."
"We are not some Wealthy, Distinguished Family; we save where we can."
"If you're afraid, you can wait until it cools down before soaking." Uncle-Master's words sounded concerned but contained a challenge.
"I'll try it first." Zhao Liuyun understood the hidden meaning, but he didn't want to back down anyway. "I think I can handle it."
Without Professional Buffs, everything must proceed step by step.
To make his Physical Body tough, he must undergo rigorous refinement.
Pain?
Pain could only forge his tenacious and unyielding will!
Stripping off his clothes in a few quick movements, Zhao Liuyun, stark naked, clung to the edge of the wooden tub and slid into the water.
Since he knew the agony that awaited, he couldn't test the water temperature with his toes like someone going for a swim.
The more he hesitated, the more cowardly his heart would become.
Better to leap in and taste the flavor!
After sitting in the tub, the medicinal liquid reached just above his chest, and the temperature was slightly higher than typical bathwater.
"It's not that painful!"
Zhao Liuyun was just about to act tough, putting on a brave face to show his resilience.
But before the words left his mouth, his body issued an early warning.
An unprecedented wave of pain exploded like thunder from the soles of his feet, shooting from his toes all the way to his Crown.
He thought it was a metaphor, but he never expected Uncle-Master's words were literal!
It was as if thousands of Poisonous Ants were gnawing at his skin, and corrosive medicinal power was seeping into his limbs and bones.
Every inch of skin felt like it had been ripped off, exposing fragile nerves to the scalding medicinal liquid.
The violent energy of the Dragon Blood Tree surged within him, like raging fire burning his body.
In an instant, Zhao Liuyun's body stiffened, his teeth clenched, and his eyes were wide open, yet he couldn't make a sound.
"So painful!"
His eyes were wide open, his jaw clenched tight, unable to utter a single word.
Every cell was screaming out the command to escape—
Jump out!
Or he would surely perish here!
Just as he was about to act, Zhao Liuyun, his eyes bloodshot, grabbed the special handles inside the tub.
Uncle-Master had prepared in advance; the wooden tub was custom-made.
It was specifically designed to make the person undergoing the Medicinal Bath actively resist the urge to flee.
Gripping the handles with both hands, his knuckles turning white from the excessive force, Zhao Liuyun painfully endured the Medicinal Bath, which felt like Torture.
This was pain, but more so, it was a trial.
Endure it and prove himself!
I can't get out! Hold on!
[Heart Like Still Water] continuously calmed the violently fluctuating Lake of his Mind, but it was still somewhat powerless against the relentlessly surging waves.
Sweat poured down Zhao Liuyun's head like rain, his teeth clenched even tighter, and his consciousness was on the verge of collapsing.
I can't hold on.
[Hypnosis]!
He hypnotized himself. His body reacted passively, instantly abandoning any thought of escaping.
His will wasn't strong enough; he admitted it.
But even if he was forced to do it, he had to endure this punishment to the end!
Huang Xin had been ready to pin Nephew-Master down, but his hand stopped halfway.
Nephew-Master's muscles were soft and his build was slender, just like a girl.
Yet, to be able to forcibly withstand the baptism of the Dragon Blood Tree Medicinal Bath—his willpower was truly exceptional... Huang Xinfetched a brand new towel and draped it over the edge of the tub:
"Clean water is in the barrel next to you. This room was built specifically for you. Rest well after the Medicinal Bath."
He had to go attend to matters at the shop.
This place was both a Medical Hall and a Pharmacy. When there were no patients, they also sold various Insect Repellent Powders, Snake Repellent Powders, Hemostatic Drugs, and Antidotes.
"Nephew-Master, you are amazing." Before leaving, he turned back.
"I truly admire you!"
Zhao Liuyun remained expressionless, offering no reply.
It wasn't that he didn't want to speak, but that he genuinely couldn't utter a single word.
He also admired himself for being ruthless enough to use [Hypnosis] to forcibly endure this Bone-Corroding Pain.
He only hoped that after enduring such hardship and suffering such pain, his body's eventual growth wouldn't be disappointing.