The Marvels of Wish Stones

Chen Xuerong had once told Zhao Hongming that refining Wish Stones was still too early for him.

She had not been wrong.

Wish Stones could generally only be refined after one successfully opened their meridians.

In her view, Zhao Hongming's identity was special, and he had chosen a Cultivation Technique that was difficult to practice. It would take him at least several years before he could refine a Wish Stone.

Yet she had never expected Zhao Hongming's breakthrough to go so smoothly, so quickly.

In just a few days, Zhao Hongming had rapidly reached Second Rank Meridian Opening, already gaining the ability to refine Wish Stones.

If she had known, her jaw would likely have dropped, and she would have cried out that he was a monster.

In truth, Zhao Hongming had known his own limits. After obtaining the Wish Stones, he had already begun making preparations.

To that end, he had consulted a great deal of material and repeatedly drawn parallels with the martial men around him, cross-checking everything.

After several rounds of research and preparation, Zhao Hongming felt that he could attempt his first refinement.

Wish Stones were spiritual artifacts condensed from Wish Power. Though they were both consumed and refined like spiritual pills and wondrous medicines, their specific subsequent uses differed somewhat.

For one thing, some Pills dissolved on their own after being swallowed, their medicinal power dispersing and being absorbed by flesh and blood.

Wish Stones were different.

After swallowing a Wish Stone, it would not react at all unless the user actively stimulated it with True Qi.

Zhao Hongming picked up a Wish Stone and placed it in his mouth, feeling a faint chill.

Even after swallowing it into his stomach, Zhao Hongming could still sense its precise location through that trace of coolness.

Without further hesitation, Zhao Hongming drove the Longevity True Qi within his two meridians toward the Wish Stone.

Then, like streams, the Longevity True Qi continuously flowed over the Wish Stone, refining it by "washing" it.

At the instant of refinement, Zhao Hongming seemed to hear the murmurs of tens of millions by his ear.

These were the wishes and faith gathered within the Wish Stone.

After being refined by Great Wei's craftsmen, this power had become incomparably pure. It could be used by him to summon the vital essence within his body.

Zhao Hongming steadied his mind and used the Daydreaming Method to drive away the stray thoughts in his mind, leaving behind only a single pure thought.

Before long, he felt a force within his body begin to stir restlessly.

That was the vital essence contained within his flesh and blood.

At that moment, the vital essence in his body answered Zhao Hongming's call. As though they had found their coordinates, all of it was drawn by the power of faith within the Wish Stone and began converging toward its location.

When he normally cultivated the Eternal Youth Breathing Method, he had to mobilize vital essence while also converting it into True Qi. It was like using one mind for two tasks.

Now, the Longevity True Qi seemed to have had its hands freed, continuously drawing in the vital essence attracted by the Wish Stone.

The Longevity True Qi grew at a speed countless times faster than before.

Zhao Hongming glanced at the Martial Dao panel in his vision and discovered that the progress of his Eight Desolations Eternal Youth Technique was rising at a visible rate.

Previously, one hour could add 12 points of progress.

Now, it had directly increased three or fourfold.

Feeling the wonders of the Wish Stone, Zhao Hongming was overjoyed.

With Wish Stones to aid him, his progress in the Martial Dao was faster by far more than a little.

Using Wish Stones and not using them was practically the difference between high-speed rail and old green trains from his previous life.

No wonder martial men throughout the world wanted to cultivate with Wish Stones.

They truly were somewhat miraculous.

Zhao Hongming had also inquired into it. The method of producing Wish Stones was connected to Fortune, and only the royal houses that possessed the realm had the ability to make them.

Thus, the Imperial Families of the nations formed a delicate balance with the sect forces and Noble Families within their countries, creating a system in which the Imperial Family and Martial Arts Forces jointly governed the realm.

Yet within this balance, the Imperial Families of every nation occupied a relatively weak position.

Once a nation's ruler or Imperial Family proved incapable of governing and failed to bring stability or greater benefits to the major Martial Arts Forces,

their imperial position would be shaken by those Martial Arts Forces.

Under such circumstances, the governing ability of each nation's emperor was put to the test.

This was another reason why the royal houses valued Imperial Governance Arts and the Imperial Academy, but did not place much importance on the Martial Dao.

At the end of the day, in this world, "martial" was the heavy weapon and the source of confidence.

Those who possessed force and those who did not were as different as clouds and mud.

Zhao Hongming had no desire to live in his fief with a mountain like the Martial Arts Forces on his back.

That did not suit his pursuit of a free and carefree life.

One hour later, the Wish Stone Zhao Hongming had swallowed had been completely refined and utterly exhausted.

He looked at Heaven's Reward's Attribute Panel:

Name: Zhao Hongming

Cultivation Technique: Eight Desolations Eternal Youth Technique—Second Rank Meridian Opening (122/300)

Breakthrough Available: None

Today's Cultivation Time: 3 hours

Physique: Good

Talent Enhancement: 1.2

The technique's progress had already passed one hundred.

One hour using a Wish Stone was equivalent to nearly four hours of his own effort.

And that was an improvement built upon the Heaven's Reward Martial Dao panel.

If it were an ordinary martial man, one hour with a Wish Stone might equal dozens of days of bitter cultivation.

Zhao Hongming could not help but feel his blood boil.

At this rate, if he had enough Wish Stones, he would only need one day to break through again.

But he quickly calmed down.

Humans were the spirits of all living things, and the body was a Treasure Vault capable of intercepting the Creation of heaven and earth. In theory, the vital essence it contained could be inexhaustible.

But the human body was only so large. Within any given period, there was a limit to the vital essence it could hold.

If it was not replenished continuously, the vital essence would eventually run dry.

Even though Longevity True Qi could nourish Qi and Blood, it could not compare to the domineering power of Wish Stones.

So he still needed to find ways to replenish more Qi and Blood.

Zhao Hongming restrained the restlessness in his heart.

He kept the remaining Wish Stone and did not refine it.

The sun was already tilting westward.

Chang Wubing, whom Zhao Hongming had sent out to purchase supplements, returned to report.

He had acted very discreetly. His hands were empty, and he carried no parcels, luggage, or anything else that might arouse suspicion.

Standing outside the door, Chang Wubing said, "Your Highness, Wubing has fortunately fulfilled his mission."

"Come in."

"Yes."

Chang Wubing entered the room, walked before Zhao Hongming, then bowed and removed the pommel of his long saber. From within, he poured out more than ten Pills and three medicinal herbs.

"These are Small Revitalizing Pills this subordinate purchased outside. They are excellent medicines for replenishing vital essence. There are also three stalks of Divine Wood Ganoderma Grass, spiritual herbs that replenish Qi, and their effects are likewise remarkable."

Chang Wubing offered the Pills and spiritual herbs with both hands.

Waves of medicinal fragrance assailed the nose, refreshing the heart and invigorating the spirit.

Zhao Hongming lowered his head to inspect them. He could not discern much from the Pills, but the Divine Wood Ganoderma Grass was rather extraordinary.

Each herb extended upward along its stem, growing three small leaves. They were lush and emerald-bright, as though carved from jade.

Even after being picked, they remained incomparably fresh and tender, without the slightest sign of withering.

Zhao Hongming accepted the Pills and spiritual herbs, nodding. "You have worked hard, Guard Chang. You did not attract anyone else's attention, did you?"

"This subordinate was very careful outside and purchased them from different shops. Here is the bill for this purchase of medicine. Please examine it, Your Highness."

Chang Wubing took a sheet of paper from his robes. It listed the prices and corresponding effects of the various Pills and spiritual herbs.

It also included the specific addresses and names of the medicine shops, all in great detail.

Zhao Hongming gave it a brief glance and found that the Pills and spiritual herbs were truly not cheap.

After spending three hundred taels of patterned silver on these things, there was basically nothing left.

Zhao Hongming was not worried that Chang Wubing had skimmed any of his silver in this matter.

As long as he casually asked someone else about the prices on the list, he would be able to learn the rough truth.

If he discovered any trickery within it, Chang Wubing would lose his trust.

As a guard with no backing, if Chang Wubing lost Zhao Hongming's trust, his career in the palace would come to an end.

He might even lose his life.

Zhao Hongming believed Chang Wubing would not be foolish enough to do such a thing.

He gave a single instruction. "Guard Chang, keep this matter buried in your stomach. Do not spread it around."

"This subordinate will certainly keep his lips sealed."

"Guard Chang has put his heart and soul into this matter, and he should be rewarded. I recall that Guard Chang is also a Martial Master. The Small Revitalizing Pills and Divine Wood Ganoderma Grass are of great use to you as well."

"There is nothing else good at This Prince's side." Zhao Hongming casually picked up one Pill and one stalk of medicinal grass. "This Small Revitalizing Pill and Divine Wood Ganoderma Grass shall be given to Guard Chang."

Chang Wubing froze for a moment, then immediately came to his senses and said gratefully, "Thank you for Your Highness's reward."

He picked up the Small Revitalizing Pill and Divine Wood Ganoderma Grass, his face filled with excitement. Right before Zhao Hongming, he swallowed the Small Revitalizing Pill directly.

Then he picked up the Divine Wood Ganoderma Grass and began chewing it, filling his mouth with fragrance.

After consuming the Pill and spiritual herb in succession, his complexion flushed red. His whole body seemed like a ball of fire, glowing with renewed vigor.

While silently circulating his Cultivation Technique to refine them, he respectfully said, "The medicinal properties of these medicines are extremely strong. This subordinate's life is lowly, and I possess some cultivation, so I dared to take them like this. Your Highness need not imitate this subordinate. When taking such medicines, it is best to proceed step by step. Too much is as bad as too little."

"Mm. This Prince will remember it."

"If there is nothing else, this subordinate shall take his leave first."

Zhao Hongming remained expressionless and said nothing more as he watched Chang Wubing leave the main hall.

Wang Bao, who stood guard outside, saw Chang Wubing's flushed face and asked in surprise, "Guard Chang, why is your face so red?"

"Bursting with vigor."

Chang Wubing's figure flashed, and he swiftly disappeared from Clear Breeze Pavilion.

He hurriedly found an empty corner and circulated his cultivation to digest the immense medicinal power he had just swallowed.

The Fifth Prince's so-called reward had been false; testing the medicine had been the truth.

Thus, after understanding Zhao Hongming's underlying intent, he had swallowed it before Zhao Hongming without the slightest hesitation.

As a personal guard, if he did not possess even this much perception and responsibility, he likely would not be able to wear that brocade uniform for long.

In truth, Chang Wubing felt no dissatisfaction over this. Instead, he felt somewhat gratified.

He was not afraid of a master with schemes and depth, because sufficient depth often meant the ability to protect oneself, having one's own opinions, and not being led around by others.

Following such a master, personal guards like them would have fewer worries and live longer.

Perhaps one day they might even have the chance to rise with the tide and climb higher.

What he feared was following behind a "frank and sincere" master who possessed no ability. One careless step, and such a master would lead them into a pit, leaving them to clean up the mess from behind every now and then.

Not only would it exhaust the heart, but they might even end up taking the blame and paying with their lives.

The Small Revitalizing Pills and Divine Wood Ganoderma Grass he had purchased were among the finest of all supplements, and their prices were correspondingly steep.

Therefore, the medicinal power they contained was also exceptionally potent.

About a quarter of an hour later, Chang Wubing exhaled. After refining the last of the medicinal power in his body, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "After these past few months, the Fifth Prince has finally grown up."

All of a sudden, he felt that the future held some hope. He would not necessarily remain so mediocre and aimless forever.

Outside the window, the setting sun had already sunk beneath the horizon.

Eunuch Wang Bao led several Little Eunuchs to light candles for Zhao Hongming.

The faint candlelight rose and flickered in the darkness, driving away all the darkness in the room.

After the Eunuchs withdrew, Zhao Hongming sat in a sandalwood chair with one hand on the table, his five fingers taking turns tapping the tabletop in a steady rhythm.

Just now, he had used the excuse of a reward to have Chang Wubing test the medicine.

He had not expected Chang Wubing to be so decisive. It had saved him quite a bit of explanation.

Zhao Hongming felt that this was somewhat lacking in benevolence and righteousness, but while one must not harbor the heart to harm others, one must guard against the hearts of others.

Even if Chang Wubing had always followed him, he could not let down his guard because of it.

People always changed.

Now, it seemed that there was probably no problem with the medicine Chang Wubing had bought.

Zhao Hongming picked up a Small Revitalizing Pill and examined it for a moment. The relevant description of the Pill surfaced in his mind.

Small Revitalizing Pill: restores Qi and replenishes blood, dispels illness and extends life. A treasured supplement. Seventeen taels per pill.

After hesitating briefly, Zhao Hongming placed the Pill in his mouth.

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