Bone Marrow Replenishment, Tiger Demon Yaksha

It's done.

When Li Cunxiao heard Zhang Lishi's words, he immediately knew he had bet correctly this time.

People are not born equal; how many people's potential is limited by their birth? Sometimes, only those with extraordinary talent can slightly overcome the barriers of the world.

Although I, Li Cunxiao, do not possess such talent, I have the Vajra Scepter!

The speed of reaching Blood Qi Perfection in two months was such that even Zhang Lishi, upon seeing it, had to set aside his concerns, impart his teachings, and establish a Master-Disciple Relationship.

Even though it hasn't been publicly announced yet, the Li brothers' position in the Escort Agency has already changed.

"Sanlang, today I will first teach you the Demon Seduction Method. The resources needed for cultivation will also be provided by me, your Master, from now on."

"Since you know to meet me in private, you must have heard about Ye Chengxiao. As for the matter of apprenticeship, we will announce it to the public after you break through to the Muscle Realm."

"Also, since you have already reached the Blood Qi Perfection stage, there's no need to waste your energy on Escort Missions. Yuelu, turn around and tell your Uncle Cui that Li Cunxiao's loyalty and bravery in rescuing people during this Escort Mission are commendable. Have him transferred to the storeroom to be a manager."

"Sanlang, how does this arrangement sound?"

A series of arrangements were spoken by Zhang Lishi, covering cultivation, personnel changes, and even information security, clearly indicating prior planning.

For Li Cunxiao, these were all good news, so there was no reason to refuse.

"I will follow Master's arrangements."

Zhang Lishi nodded with satisfaction and added another sentence.

"Also, starting today, let Mucha and Que'er study together. I've heard for a long time that he's a smart child. Que'er is lazy, and it's high time she had a companion to supervise and discipline her."

"Chief Escort honors my younger brother too much. Why would he need supervision and discipline? It is rather my brother and I who will rely on the Chief Escort and Third Lady."

Although the goodwill conveyed in the other party's words was very clear, Li Cunxiao did not feel smug at all. He remained respectful to both Zhang Lishi and Zhang Yuelu.

If Shi Tie were standing here, he could have accepted these words with ease, as he was not only the eldest disciple but also a Third Realm Master, who had made great contributions to the Escort Agency and Zhang Lishi.

Having true substance in hand gives one confidence.

Now that Li Cunxiao had only just established a Master-Disciple Relationship with Zhang Lishi, he would still need to rely on this powerful figure in many aspects in the future. How could he foolishly take these pleasantries at face value?

As expected, Zhang Lishi was even more satisfied seeing this. Without further ado, he began to explain the cultivation method for breaking through to the Muscle Realm after reaching Blood Qi Perfection. Zhang Yuelu left first.

It wasn't that she couldn't listen; on the contrary, she had heard it too many times. Zhang Lishi had invested far more thought into his daughter than people like Shen He.

"What is the Muscle Realm? The human body can be summarized in one phrase: Tendons, Bones, Skin, and Flesh."

"The First Realm Warrior cultivates Blood Essence, enabling them to fight beasts with their bare hands and run as fast as a galloping horse, but that's the limit. They still cannot defend against arrows and spears. When facing an army, they can fight ten men, but not a hundred."

"This is the inherent limit of human life. The Blood Essence contained within the tendons, bones, skin, and flesh is fixed. When the ancient martial artists wanted to break through this limit and found they could not solve the problem from within themselves, they naturally turned their gaze to another naturally powerful life form."

Demons.

Li Cunxiao murmured to himself. Ever since he obtained the Pure Yang Sixteen Hands in the Black Market, a corner of the cruel nature of martial arts in this world had been revealed to him.

The Pure Yang Sixteen Hands employed methods of internal and external offense. How could the Tiger Demon Fist break through human limits?

"...Humans have limits, but demons do not. And the Demon Seduction Method in martial arts is a profound technique born from the combination of reality and illusion."

At this point, Zhang Lishi turned back to the table and pressed some hidden mechanism with his palm. Li Cunxiao only heard a slight whirring sound, and the next moment, Zhang Lishi produced a scroll and handed it over.

Li Cunxiao received it with both hands. After receiving a nod of encouragement, he gently unrolled it with excitement.

In the painting, a majestic guardian deity was depicted.

This deity had a crimson complexion, wore golden armor in two sections, with coiled dragons embracing its waist and tied with a jade belt. A flowing sash hung from its shoulders, exuding an ethereal aura.

Its expression was one of rage, with hair standing on end, eyes wide open, left fist clenched, and right arm raised, radiating an imposing anger!

The brushstrokes were delicate and lifelike... but that was all. Li Cunxiao could not discern any profound meaning or experience any strange sensations.

What did this have to do with the Tiger Demon Fist?

Seeing his confusion, Zhang Lishi explained with a smile:

"The so-called Demon Seduction Method varies in its approach depending on the martial art, but three elements are most crucial."

"First, the great medicine; second, visualization; and third, the state of approaching the limit through internal and external offense."

"What you hold in your hand is the fundamental diagram and visualization diagram for the Tiger Demon Fist, but what you are seeing now is only half of this diagram."

"Half?"

Li Cunxiao suddenly understood upon hearing this.

Teaching a disciple to the point of surpassing the master was a normal measure for sect inheritance.

Whether it was separating secret manuals or using secret codes, it was all the same. If martial arts inheritance were not so mysterious, the martial arts school masters in Chuqiu County would have long ago starved due to the proliferation of secret manuals in the Black Market.

"Eat this, and you will be able to see the other half of the fundamental diagram."

Li Cunxiao's vision blurred for a moment. Zhang Lishi now held a sandalwood box in his hand. However, when he opened it, the sight that greeted him made him shiver.

It was filled with insects!

To be precise, they were dried and processed insects, similar to fried silkworm pupae.

But the appearance of these insects was completely different from ordinary ones.

If Li Cunxiao had to give a description, he could only say that this thing was a centipede wearing tiger skin!

"Master, this..."

Li Cunxiao swallowed, not out of desire, but fear.

Zhang Lishi, clearly accustomed to such reactions, was unfazed. He picked up a dried worm and teased, "When I first taught Yuelu the fundamental diagram, she was much calmer than you."

"You don't need to try and provoke me, Master."

Li Cunxiao forced a smile as he took the dried worm. Holding it, he could see its strangeness even more clearly.

At first glance, the worm looked exactly like a thumb-sized tiger, with a tiger's face, claws, and tail.

But upon closer inspection, he noticed it had two tails, eight pairs of feet lining its slightly elongated body, and an extra pair of white, insect-like eyes on its forehead. Its slightly open mouth also resembled insect mandibles.

This truly was a "white-browed tiger with upturned eyes."

"This Tiger Demon Worm was raised using a secret method. While it's not as good as the 'meat fields' that only the imperial court and noble families possess, it's considered a delicacy for those practicing the Tiger Demon Fist,"

Zhang Lishi said with a hint of malice, "You'll still need to eat them even after you break through to the Muscle Realm."

Damn it, here goes nothing!

Li Cunxiao knew he couldn't avoid it. Steel-nerved, he tossed the large worm into his mouth without looking. Enduring the strange texture – fuzzy yet crispy and fragrant – he gulped it down.

The familiar sensation of heat surged through him, but it was within a clearly controllable range.

Zhang Lishi was right. Despite its terrifying appearance, the Tiger Demon Yaksha contained far more Blood Essence than the demon meat sold in the black market, almost fifty percent more, while its Malevolent Qi was even less.

But what exactly was this 'meat field'?

If the imperial court and noble families had it, it must be even more effective than this large worm, right?

These thoughts flashed through Li Cunxiao's mind and vanished just as quickly. The Tiger Demon Yaksha's true peculiarity was that after consumption, it felt as if a faint red veil had been cast over his vision. Everything else appeared unchanged, but when his gaze fell upon the fundamental diagram...

The divine general, with his arms raised and roaring, disappeared. In his place was a magnificent Crimson Tiger, seemingly condensed from blood and fire.

This Crimson Tiger coiled on the ice plain, motionless, yet it undeniably occupied the center of the painted world.

The ice plain was desolate, the snow three feet deep, but from the Crimson Tiger's body, a scorching, masculine energy seemed poised to erupt at any moment, ready to overturn this world!

In an instant, Li Cunxiao felt his heart begin to beat uncontrollably, a powerful surge of blood coursing through his limbs. He even felt as if he could hear the sound of new blood surging from the depths of his bone marrow...

Snap

Li Cunxiao felt a gentle pat and snapped back to reality from his visualization. Immediately, he felt an intense emptiness in his stomach, and his forehead was slick with sweat.

He wiped his hand across his brow, only to find it covered in oily sweat.

"To be able to maintain the visualization for a quarter of an hour on your first try, your willpower is even stronger than I thought."

Zhang Lishi observed him from the side, his eyes filled with satisfaction, not surprise.

He's already reached Blood Qi Perfection in two months, it's only normal for him to be strong in other areas, right?

"A quarter of an hour?"

Li Cunxiao was startled. It felt like only a moment had passed, but now, closing his eyes, he could see the outline of the Crimson Tiger roaring on the ice plain in his mind, though it wasn't very clear yet.

"When you can fully sketch this fundamental diagram and control the flow of Blood Essence during visualization, you will have the qualifications to break through to the Muscle Realm."

"Until then, you must consume the Tiger Demon Yaksha every three days, along with other demon meat. This also serves as preliminary practice for the Demon Seduction Method."

"So, how is it? This Tiger Demon Yaksha might look scary, but its effects should be much better than the demon meat from the black market, right?"

"Indeed."

As soon as Li Cunxiao spoke, he was startled, realizing he'd been tricked into admitting it. But Zhang Lishi merely waved his hand.

"Eating demon meat is fine. If you had achieved your current accomplishments through sheer hard work alone, I would suspect you of being a demon in human skin."

"However, from today onwards, with my resources, you shouldn't buy meat from the black market anymore. Your experience is still shallow, and you can't distinguish the genuine from the fake. Besides, the Chai Gang's methods for preparing demon meat are also poor."

"The more Blood Essence is retained, the more Malevolent Qi is also retained. If you greedily pursue progress, you'll inevitably face the risk of going mad in the future."

Seeing the seriousness on the other's face, Li Cunxiao naturally agreed earnestly, but he kept his true thoughts to himself.

More Malevolent Qi? The more the better!

Zhang Lishi looked at the respectful young man before him, unsure how much of his words had sunk in.

The Demon Seeding Martial Arts most fears impatience and greed. He had roamed the world for half his life and seen countless geniuses fall because of this very issue.

But it wasn't urgent yet.

It was only the first day of his training, and there would be plenty of opportunities for him to impart his wisdom. Moreover, without major elixirs, demonic influences were ultimately illusory. Unless a martial artist had reached the Muscle Realm and cultivated a 'great demon,' there was no such thing as qi deviation.

Blood Essence Warriors were not worthy of qi deviation. And he knew Li Cunxiao was short on funds. With him providing resources, the young man would only continue buying meat from the black market if he were foolish.

"Alright, that's all for today. If you have any questions in the future, you can come ask me after you're done with your duties at the You hour."

"Also, I must remind you that the Demon Seduction Method you are currently practicing is only a part of the complete technique."

Li Cunxiao was not surprised by this and respectfully cupped his hands.

"This disciple understands."

"No," Zhang Lishi shook his head.

"It's not that I won't teach you, but the Demon Seduction Method often only offers one chance. If you fail the first time, your body, already ravaged, can't withstand a second attempt."

"As for our Tiger Demon Fist, you've already seen the elixirs and visualizations. As for the internal and external attack methods that remain, your Master must offer you some guidance."

Zhang Lishi's tone unconsciously grew cold and low, his admonishing gaze making Li Cunxiao's heart tighten.

"Bone Marrow Replenishment Method."

Bone Marrow Replenishment Method?

Li Cunxiao silently chewed on the bloodiness and terror contained within those eight characters. Unknowingly, the great sun had begun to rise, and he could faintly hear Cui Yao's booming voice from the distant training grounds, berating the morning training recruits.

He thought for a moment and asked his final question:

"Master, what exactly is the difference between a warrior in the Muscle Realm and one in the Blood Qi Realm?"

Hearing this, Zhang Lishi extended his hands, his crimson robe embroidered with gold thread slipping down to reveal his thick forearms.

The two wrists lightly touched.

Clang~~~

"Tiger Fist trains the bones; strong bones lead to strong tendons."

"When the Tiger Demon Fist breaks through to the Muscle Realm, you gain iron bones and immense strength."

"Even the ballistae defending the city might not be able to pierce my ribs."

As he heard the metallic clang produced by flesh and bone, Li Cunxiao's fists clenched tightly, a fiery glint in his eyes.

Tiger Demon Fist is great! Tiger Demon Fist must be practiced!

Li Cunxiao put away the scroll and left the study. The Tiger Demon Worms and other resources would naturally be delivered by specialized personnel, so there was no need for him to carry them in and out in large bundles, arousing suspicion.

"Huh? Li Cunxiao?"

Shen He walked briskly, holding two long, cloth-wrapped packages. He saw Li Cunxiao emerging from the inner courtyard of the Escort Agency from a distance. Upon seeing him, the latter greeted him with a normal expression:

"Escort Leader Shen, you're out so early?"

"Hahaha, the early bird catches the worm. Did you just come from Master's place?"

"Yes, the Chief Escort said I'm diligent in my work, so he's transferred me to the storeroom. I won't be going on escort missions for now."

Li Cunxiao was unhurried. These were the explanations Zhang Lishi had instructed him to give, nothing he couldn't say.

Shen He, upon hearing this, indeed didn't suspect anything.

After all, Zhang Lishi was truly a hands-on person, and summoning escorts was a common occurrence for him.

Moreover, Li Cunxiao had saved Li Cheng on the last escort mission, earning him merit. Being transferred to the storeroom to avoid the hardships of traveling was a normal way to win people's hearts, nothing unusual.

"It couldn't be that Master had a whim and wants to take Li Sanlang as a disciple, could it?"

Shen He was amused by this sudden thought. Li Cunxiao didn't know why he was laughing, but having just received the method and latched onto a powerful backer, he was in a good mood and joined in the laughter.

Shen He: What are you laughing at?

Li Cunxiao: I thought of something happy.

After Li Cunxiao walked away, Shen He arrived at Zhang Lishi's study, his expression becoming nervous and reserved.

"Master..."

"Oh? It's Shen He, come in."

Zhang Lishi sat in his armchair. Having just accepted a good disciple, he was in a very good mood, even finding Shen He, whom he usually disliked, more agreeable.

Master Zhang seems to be in a good mood today. Has his anger towards me finally subsided?

Shen He's heart rejoiced. He had racked his brains to regain his Master's favor during this time. Seeing that the timing was right, he quickly presented the two cloth-wrapped items as if offering a treasure:

"Master, your disciple sees that the Autumn Hunt is approaching, and Junior Sister Yuelu is about to break through. I specially asked someone to buy these two good bows for her use during the Autumn Hunt."

"Oh?"

Zhang Lishi, intrigued, unwrapped the two packages, revealing two unstrung bow limbs. However, being skilled in archery, he knew they were good items just by touching them. He then recalled Li Cunxiao, who had just left, and couldn't help but smile:

"Your gift is quite to my liking."

"Two, just right."