"Do you want to sell this Ginseng?" the Old Doctor asked.
"Not necessarily. I just wanted to know how much it's worth, so I'd have a clear idea," Lu Qing answered honestly.
The Old Doctor pondered for a moment. "Generally speaking, Ginseng of this age has always been extremely sought-after. It is priceless and scarce."
"Ginseng can replenish qi and blood, strengthen one's foundation and nourish one's origin. At critical moments, it can even keep someone alive and prolong their life."
"The noble folk in the cities and those who practice martial arts have always flocked to such precious medicines like ducks to water."
"Though the roots of this Old Mountain Ginseng have suffered slight damage, it is nothing serious and will not affect its medicinal efficacy."
"Indeed, I tested it just now. Perhaps because the place where it grew was rather unusual, this Ginseng's medicinal efficacy may be even stronger than that of ordinary Hundred-Year Ginseng."
Hearing this, Lu Qing recalled the streak of red Supernatural Ability light on the Ginseng.
The uniqueness his master spoke of was perhaps because of that.
"An ordinary Centennial Wild Ginseng, in one of those great cities, can fetch at least a Thousand taels of silver per plant."
"One like yours is likely worth even more. But exactly how much silver it is worth, I cannot say for certain."
A thousand taels of silver! Ten times the value of a Red Moon Carp! Though Lu Qing had been mentally prepared, hearing that number still made his heart pound fiercely several times.
"Tempted?"
The Old Doctor looked at his disciple's astonished expression and smiled.
"A little," Lu Qing nodded.
Who could hear of a thousand taels of silver and remain unmoved?
Especially a country boy like him.
"However, though this Ginseng is exceedingly valuable, I would still advise you not to exchange it for silver." The Old Doctor's tone suddenly shifted.
"Master, why is that?" Lu Qing asked, taken aback.
"Didn't you want to practice martial arts? This Ginseng happens to be one of the finest supplementary medicinal ingredients for a Qi Blood Realm martial artist."
"Didn't I say before that I wanted to prepare several doses of Qi Blood Nourishing Soup for you? But if this Hundred-Year Ginseng is used properly, its effects will be even better than the Qi Blood Nourishing Soup."
"With its help, entering the Qi Blood Realm will become much easier for you."
"I'll refine it into Blood Replenishing and Qi Boosting Pills for you. Once your Body Nourishing Fist reaches Entry Level, take one pill each day. Before long, you will officially enter the Qi Blood Realm."
There was such a good thing?
This truly was an unexpected delight.
Lu Qing was overjoyed.
He had been worrying over how to enter the Qi Blood Realm sooner, yet a solution had arrived so quickly.
"Well? Do you still wish to sell this Ginseng, or will you keep it and consume it yourself?" the Old Doctor asked.
Lu Qing did not hesitate. "Please, Master, refine it into pills for me!"
"Oh? Have you thought it through?" the Old Doctor looked at him.
"Yes. No matter how good silver is, it is ultimately something outside the body. It cannot compare to one's own abilities," Lu Qing said.
"It is very good that you possess such awareness." The Old Doctor stroked his beard and nodded. "In this world, nothing is more important than one's own abilities. Without ability, no matter how much silver you possess, it will be difficult to keep hold of it."
"Since you have made up your mind, I happen to be free these next two days. I'll refine this Ginseng into Qi and Blood Replenishing Pills for you."
"Thank you, Master!" Lu Qing said happily.
"Don't celebrate too soon." The Old Doctor dampened his spirits. "Even if I refine the pills, you cannot take them before your Body Nourishing Fist reaches Entry Level."
"Otherwise, even if you take the pills, you will merely waste their medicinal power."
Entry Level in the fist art?
Lu Qing's heart stirred. He suddenly said, "Master, after this disciple returned yesterday, I pondered the fist art you taught on my own. I seemed to have grasped a little of its knack, though I do not know whether I have understood it wrongly. Please give me some guidance."
"Oh? You gained some insight so quickly?"
The Old Doctor was interested, but he did not take Lu Qing's words too seriously.
He only assumed that Lu Qing had become more familiar with the moves and wished to show off before him.
"Then perform it once. Let me see exactly what you have realized."
"Yes, Master."
Lu Qing immediately assumed a fighting stance and began to perform the first through ninth forms of the Body Nourishing Fist.
When Lu Qing had just begun the first form, the Old Doctor still watched with a smiling face.
Once Lu Qing completed the first form and moved into the second, the Old Doctor's smile faded, replaced by astonishment.
For he discovered that Lu Qing's first form was not only executed with exceedingly standard, fluid movements, but also carried within it a trace of unique flavor.
As the creator of the Body Nourishing Fist, the Old Doctor naturally knew what that trace of flavor signified.
It meant that Lu Qing had not merely practiced this form to great proficiency—he had even infused it with a trace of his own understanding.
In other words, he had truly mastered this form, and the kung fu had begun to settle into his body.
But how was that possible?
Only a single night had passed since he taught Lu Qing the fist art! How could he have cultivated the Body Nourishing Fist to such a level already? The Old Doctor was thunderstruck.
Yet what shocked him even more was still to come.
Lu Qing performed the Body Nourishing Fist form after form, each one flowing smoothly into the next, his movements turning as naturally as he pleased.
After completing all nine forms, he began again from the first, continuing his performance.
Again and again, Lu Qing remained immersed in performing the first through ninth forms of the Body Nourishing Fist.
Only after practicing them nine times did he slowly draw in his stance and exhale a breath of turbid air. His face was rosy, his spirit radiant as he stood there.
As for the Old Doctor, he had long since stood frozen in place, his face filled with shock and his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Master, how was it? Did I practice anything incorrectly?" Lu Qing asked energetically.
"Nine Revolutions Returning to Origin, qi and blood lively, spirit renewed—this means the Body Nourishing Fist has completely reached Entry Level."
The Old Doctor seemed not to hear Lu Qing's question, merely muttering to himself.
"Master, what is wrong?"
Seeing the Old Doctor like this, Lu Qing could not help asking.
At the same time, he felt somewhat worried. Had he frightened Master by showing just a little? "A Qing, tell me honestly!" The Old Doctor's expression suddenly became extremely grave, startling even Lu Qing. "When you went back to practice your fist art yesterday, what did you encounter?"
"What did I encounter?" Lu Qing thought for a moment before replying, "After I returned yesterday, I practiced fist forms in the courtyard. As I practiced, I suddenly felt countless insights surging into my heart. Without realizing it, my body began practicing according to the cultivation essentials Master had taught."
"When I came back to myself, I felt comfortable all over and full of energy. The cultivation tricks for the first through ninth forms of the Body Nourishing Fist suddenly became much clearer to me, no longer as obscure and difficult to understand as before."
What Lu Qing described was actually the state after using his Supernatural Ability to cultivate, except he had concealed the existence of that Supernatural Ability.
Yet to the Old Doctor, these words were no different from a thunderclap.
"Sudden Enlightenment... It was actually Sudden Enlightenment." The Old Doctor muttered.
The way he looked at Lu Qing was as though he were gazing upon some peerless treasure.
"The disciple I accepted on a whim... could he be a martial prodigy who entered Sudden Enlightenment the very first time he practiced martial arts?"
Before you continue