Abbess Miejue's Expectations

The wooden box wasn't large. While it lacked intricate carvings, the dark wood, steeped in the passage of time, exuded an understated nobility. Gu Shao'an could also clearly sense a faint aroma of agarwood tickling his nose.

Facing the wooden box Miejue offered, Gu Shao'an showed a hint of doubt but still accepted it. The box felt smooth and slightly cool in his hands.

Miejue spoke, "Inside this box are two Bodhi Exquisite Pills. They are refined using Pusi Qu Snake gall, snake blood, mixed with Exquisite Grass and forty-nine other medicinal ingredients. After consumption, they can strengthen the origin and enhance inner force."

"One pill is equivalent to a year of diligent inner force cultivation for a martial artist with excellent innate talent, and it can also boost the user's physical strength."

Gu Shao'an, already possessing an Advanced Level medical text, was naturally familiar with special medicinal ingredients like Pusi Qu Snake gall.

Upon hearing Miejue's words, the hand holding the wooden box trembled slightly.

Gu Shao'an hadn't expected such a valuable item to be kept within Emei.

Items that increased the origin of inner force and improved physique were undoubtedly rare treasures, no matter where they were kept.

Let alone a second-rate force like Emei, even first-rate forces might not possess such good items for strengthening the origin of inner force and improving physique.

Gu Shao'an hadn't expected the Emei Sect to have them.

Zhou Zhiruo, standing nearby, had a simple heart.

Upon learning that the Bodhi Exquisite Pills were precious treasures passed down from Grandmaster Guo Xiang, she harbored no greedy thoughts, merely observing the wooden box in Gu Shao'an's hands with a touch of curiosity.

Seeing Gu Shao'an staring at the wooden box in astonishment, Miejue spoke again.

"Shao'an, your comprehension is extraordinary, but your innate talent is merely excellent, just like mine. Although it's quite good within the martial world, it ultimately can't compare to those peerless prodigies."

"Inner force might very well become your only weakness in the future."

"However, fortunately, you are just beginning your cultivation. These two Bodhi Exquisite Pills happen to have the effect of strengthening the origin of inner force, providing you with a solid foundation."

"With a strengthened origin of inner force and a stable foundation, combined with your own diligence, you will undoubtedly surpass me in the future, reaching the level of True Energy Transformation."

"At that time, the Emei Sect will also shine brightly in your hands and return to the ranks of the first-rate forces in the martial world."

Not just Gu Shao'an.

Even Zhou Zhiruo could discern Miejue's profound expectations for Gu Shao'an from her words.

Looking at the wooden box in his hands, Gu Shao'an couldn't help but feel moved.

From Miejue's explanation, Gu Shao'an understood that these were the last two Bodhi Exquisite Pills in Emei, and their refining method was lost, making them exceptionally precious.

Yet, Miejue had produced such a valuable item for him, a disciple who had only joined less than a month ago.

Regardless of Miejue's intentions, he was the one who would benefit.

Gu Shao'an was not a hesitant person.

People were divided into different ranks, and so were martial artists' innate talent and comprehension.

Those with superior innate talent could cultivate for a month what those with lower innate talent took months to achieve.

This was why those peerless prodigies in the martial world, despite their young age, possessed such profound cultivation that even veteran martial artists were shocked.

Gu Shao'an's excellent innate talent was not bad in the martial world, but it could only be considered upper-middle.

Although he could use Achievement Points for draws, and might get something to improve his innate talent, there was no guarantee.

Being able to strengthen his origin of inner force sooner would greatly enhance Gu Shao'an's strength.

After nodding, under the gaze of Miejue and Zhou Zhiruo, Gu Shao'an slowly opened the wooden box.

The interior was lined with soft, bright yellow silk, upon which lay two bean-sized pills.

The pills were the size of broad beans, with faint crimson patterns.

They looked like mud balls with crimson lines drawn on them, and they emitted an aroma reminiscent of huanglian.

Taking a deep breath to calm his racing thoughts, Gu Shao'an picked up one of the Bodhi Exquisite Pills without hesitation.

"Go all out. Taking both at once will maximize their efficacy."

At this moment, Miejue suddenly spoke.

Hearing this, Gu Shao'an turned and picked up the other pill. Following Miejue's advice, he placed both Bodhi Exquisite Pills into his mouth simultaneously.

As the pills touched his taste buds, the concentrated bitterness of huanglian made Gu Shao'an frown.

Who said good pills tasted sweet? Medicine often carried a bitter undertone, let alone pills refined from a mixture of herbs and snake gall.

He inwardly grumbled, but Gu Shao'an forced himself to swallow the pills, enduring the bitterness, his brow still furrowed.

After the pills entered his stomach, the expected surge of potent medicinal energy didn't immediately erupt. It was as if they had sunk into the sea without a ripple, leaving only the lingering bitterness in his mouth.

Boom!

However, ten breaths later, Gu Shao'an suddenly felt an indescribably vast energy explode from his Dantian.

This energy wasn't like a violent flame, but rather like deep underground lava surging forth, carrying a heavy, immense force that threatened to tear his entire lower abdomen apart.

"Ugh!"

Gu Shao'an grunted, feeling his entire lower Dantian instantly filled and distended by an endless torrent of energy, as if it would be completely ripped apart in the next moment.

An intense pain and an indescribable sensation of expansion struck him simultaneously, causing stars to flash before his eyes. His body trembled violently, and his forehead instantly beaded with fine, cold sweat.

"Embrace your core, circulate the Emei Nine Yang Skill."

Just then, Abbess Miejue's cold yet concerned voice was like an icy spring pouring over him, instantly awakening Gu Shao'an.

Almost as soon as Abbess Miejue finished speaking, Gu Shao'an, enduring the discomfort, sat down cross-legged on the spot. The inner force in his dantian began to circulate at full power, almost instinctively.

The inner force, which had been circulating within him like a gentle stream, now seemed as fragile as a candle flame in the wind before the immense, unparalleled torrent of the pill's power. It was almost overwhelmed and swallowed instantly.

The energy from the pill was vaster than Gu Shao'an could have ever imagined.

It was more like a boundless ocean, and he was merely a small boat, liable to capsize at any moment.

However, the Emei Nine Yang Skill was the Emei Sect's most superior cultivation method.

Furthermore, Gu Shao'an's Emei Nine Yang Skill, First Layer, had already reached Perfection, his inner force condensed into threads, incredibly solid.

Under full power, his inner force was also refining and absorbing the dispersed medicinal power within his body at an extremely rapid pace.

As waves of medicinal power were refined, the pain of Gu Shao'an's every subtle meridian and channel being forcibly widened and torn made his bones creak.

Moreover, a portion of the medicinal power quietly entered his dantian, merging with Gu Shao'an's Original Inner Force. Another portion integrated into Gu Shao'an's body.

It permeated his muscle fibers, bone marrow cavities, and the essence of his blood.

This was tempering and strengthening Gu Shao'an's physique, bones, and muscles.

During the process, Gu Shao'an could even feel an intense tingling sensation emanating from deep within his body.

It was his bones becoming denser, his muscle fibers rearranging themselves, becoming tougher and more explosive.