Going Out

The Eternal Night World.

Li Qing had been here for a full two months, training day and night, striving to temper his physique to be even stronger.

Currently, he was practicing four martial arts simultaneously. Among them, the Ancient Profound Hammer Technique had the highest progress, followed by the True Intent of the Fierce Tiger.

As for the Turtle Breath Technique and Light Silk Leg, they were still hovering on the verge of mastery.

The former required too much time to cultivate, and he had only recently begun practicing the latter, making it difficult to manage both.

Despite practicing four martial arts, Li Qing wasn't worried about biting off more than he could chew. With his long Lifespan, he could take his time with everything.

Boom!

In the secluded courtyard, Li Qing, bare-chested, threw a punch. His Blood Essence surged faintly, full of power.

Fierce Tiger Pounces!

The next moment, Li Qing leaped up swiftly, agile and imposing, as powerful as a fierce tiger descending the mountain.

"Counting the time, it should have been about twenty days over there. I wonder what the situation is like at the border," Li Qing muttered to himself.

During this period, he had stayed at home, never once leaving the courtyard.

Only occasionally did people come to him for blacksmithing work. To avoid arousing suspicion, he accepted all requests, with Black Rye Mushrooms as payment.

After all, as a blacksmith who stayed home all day without going out, it would be suspicious how he hadn't starved to death yet, and where his food came from.

Although his physique was much stronger now than two months ago, he hadn't truly developed Outer Strength yet. He didn't want others to get any ideas.

Slowly retracting his Fierce Tiger Descends the Mountain stance, Li Qing, who had begun to meticulously study martial arts, now had eyes that shone brightly, and his muscle lines were extremely defined, exuding power.

As he was now, he didn't look like someone from this world at all.

Anyone pulled from the streets around looked malnourished and gaunt.

Unlike Li Qing, whose complexion was ruddy and spirit vibrant, he didn't look like someone who lived on Black Rye Mushrooms all day.

Of course, all this was thanks to the large amount of grain and dried meat he had transported from the military granary.

Eating his fill every day, diligently practicing martial arts, and then getting enough sleep.

"It's time I went out to see this Obsidian City. I can't just stay home forever!" Li Qing exhaled deeply. The scorching heat within his body almost formed a long white snake in the cold air.

His breath was long and continuous, his spirit full and robust.

Although he hadn't truly entered the ranks of Outer Strength experts, he felt he wasn't far off, believing he could break through that threshold.

Therefore, he dared to go out and scout this chaotic city, unafraid of encountering ruffians on the street.

This was the confidence that martial arts had given him!

"If any blind fool comes looking for trouble, I don't mind letting them taste my Fierce Tiger Fist!"

Li Qing chuckled, and as he spoke, he put on a loose, thick cotton coat, concealing his robust muscles.

A gentleman hides his skills, waiting for the opportune moment!

Li Qing, who could now send an ordinary person flying with a single punch, didn't want to flaunt his martial prowess.

To live long in a strange world, learning to hide was essential.

Over the past two months, he had helped his neighbors forge many iron tools and repair some daily necessities.

Although his Lifespan hadn't increased much, he had accumulated a pile of Black Rye Mushrooms.

These things were hard currency in Obsidian City. With enough of them, one could exchange for almost anything.

Yes, anything!

There was a period when the Black Rye Mushroom harvest outside the city was poor. The already hungry and impoverished people's eyes turned green. A handful of Black Rye Mushrooms, such as this grain, could be exchanged for a person!

Of course, Li Qing, who had plenty of food, wouldn't eat Black Rye Mushrooms. He also had no interest in exchanging people for his courtyard.

Li Qing packed the Black Rye Mushrooms he had accumulated over this period into a cloth basket. There were over twenty jin of them.

"Hmm, doing some quick calculations, today is a good day for business!"

Over twenty jin was nothing to him. Carrying it on his back felt like nothing, extremely effortless.

Perhaps it was because of the recent Black Rye Mushroom harvest, but there were exceptionally many people in the city these days, and everyone had a smile on their face.

Walking on the street towards the market, he saw many people carrying various items out for exchange.

What caught Li Qing's eye the most were some exquisite-looking jade ornaments. If these were taken back to his original world, their value would be immense!

In this inconspicuous market, they could be obtained with some Black Rye Mushrooms. It was simply unbelievable.

Thinking that he might have to live a period of poverty and hardship after returning, Li Qing hatched a small plan.

'Should I exchange for some to take back? Then I can convert them into money, and I won't have to worry about how to earn a living.'

Practicing martial arts was very expensive, especially in terms of food.

If nutrition was insufficient, practicing martial arts would be detrimental to one's health, easily leading to lingering ailments, and one might die any day.

But if one could ensure good food, feasting on meat and fish every meal, then practicing martial arts would yield twice the results with half the effort!

Especially since Li Qing had heard that some martial arts schools would also brew medicinal wines to sell, all of which were secret recipes.

Drinking a bowl of this would significantly boost one's Blood Essence, leading to rapid progress in martial arts.

He immediately made up his mind. Li Qing walked directly to the stall selling jade and asked in a deep voice, "Old man, how much are these jades?"

In this era where even getting a meal was difficult, jade and similar items were no longer worth much.

The one selling jade was an old man. His stall's business was dismal, practically ignored by everyone.

Finally seeing someone inquire about prices, the gaunt old man, whose eye sockets and cheeks were sunken, quickly said, "All this jade was passed down by my ancestors. Look at this jade lion, how lustrous it is!"

He spouted a lot of flowery words, all aimed at inflating the price and getting more Black Rye Mushrooms.

Li Qing, of course, knew exactly what was going on. He simply ignored the old man, a faint smile on his face as he watched the elder continue to boast.

Seeing Li Qing's reaction, the old man lost the energy to continue. It seemed he was tired of talking.

The old jade seller waved his hand weakly and said, "Ten jin of Black Rye Mushrooms, and you can take all these jades."

Ten jin?

Even Li Qing, who wasn't very familiar with the local prices, knew the old man was asking for an exorbitant amount!

I worked myself to death forging iron for others for so long, and only managed to save about twenty jin of Black Rye Mushrooms. This old man dares to ask for this much!

Li Qing stood up without a word, preparing to check out other vendors.

But soon, the old man grabbed his sleeve and said weakly, "Young man, at least make an offer. Where's your sincerity?"

"Business, especially buying jade, is about fate. You're too impatient, young man. It's not good!"

Li Qing couldn't help but chuckle. He said, "Three jin of Black Rye Mushrooms."

"Deal!"

The old man readily agreed and even started helping Li Qing pack the jades, seemingly no longer interested in raising the price.

I was too hasty, Li Qing thought to himself.

Seeking collection and follow-up reads!~