Meat Eaters (Please Recommend)

"Xiantian Qi Gong sounded complicated, but in truth, it was merely the first step of cultivation: Refining Essence into Qi..."

"In the previous world, Heaven and Earth Vital Energy was thin. Martial artists could at most refine their own essence, and it was almost impossible to break through to Xiantian. But this world was different—Heaven and Earth Vital Energy was abundant..."

Zhong Shenxiu only felt his mind violently shatter some kind of shackle. He sensed the world beyond his body, as well as the surging Heaven and Earth Vital Energy rushing toward him.

Heaven and Earth Vital Energy came in different varieties. A great master had once written the Supreme Induction Scripture, classifying the various properties of vital energy and even listing them one by one, numbering more than ten thousand kinds.

But to a beginner like Zhong Shenxiu, Heaven and Earth Vital Energy was simply Heaven and Earth Vital Energy! There was no distinction between pure and heavy, muddled and mixed.

If there truly was, that was a matter for higher realms.

With the crude method of his Xiantian Qi Gong, he could not distinguish them one by one. Instead, he simply swallowed them like a whale, gulping them down whole and forcibly refining them.

Gradually, the Heaven and Earth Vital Energy settled and transformed within his Middle Dantian, becoming a strand of translucent energy.

"So this is... True Qi? The realm I had dreamed of in my previous world, yet could never break through to."

Zhong Shenxiu looked at the scene, unable to keep himself from feeling deeply moved.

Martial Dao True Qi!

Also known as Xiantian True Qi, it was an energy capable of turning decay into magic.

No matter how consummate a Houtian martial artist's Martial Arts might be, there was still a limit. Their stamina could not flow without end either, so they could be besieged and killed.

But Xiantian martial artists had already taken their first step toward transcending the ordinary and entering sainthood!

Amid severe interference, Zhong Shenxiu forcibly completed his qi cultivation!

Yet before he could familiarize himself with that strand of Xiantian True Qi and circulate it through his meridians once, he suddenly sensed a certain "Black Hole."

The Black Hole radiated a terrifying suction force and devoured that strand of True Qi, like a ravenous Taotie.

"If you want it, then I'll give it all to you."

With a thought, Zhong Shenxiu continuously sat in meditation and refined qi, using Xiantian True Qi to fill the hole within his body.

He did not know how much time had passed when a faint sliver of dawn appeared in the sky.

Zhong Shenxiu opened his eyes and let out a long sigh, discovering that his entire body was drenched in sweat.

"Using True Qi in place of my own vital essence to deal with that Vengeful Spirit seems feasible..."

Zhong Shenxiu rose to his feet and found his steps unsteady, his face pale. He looked no different from someone recovering from a serious illness, and could only smile bitterly. "And I'm even more certain of one thing: if an ordinary Full Moon is already like this, then if I still can't find a solution by Blood Moon Night, I'll definitely be devoured to death by the Headless Count's backlash!"

"As for... why the Headless Count liked to wreak havoc during the Full Moon and Blood Moon, it seemed to be connected to sacrifices... That Great Existence most favored the time of the Blood Moon, which was why Hestings County often chose Blood Moon Night for sacrifice..."

Zhong Shenxiu sank into thought.

As he continued to control the Headless Count within him, he had gradually obtained some fragmented memories as well.

At the very least, he had more or less gotten started in a Western foreign language.

"Blood Moon Night does not come at a fixed time, but preparing for the worst, it may arrive in only a few months..."

Zhong Shenxiu pondered as he looked at the Attribute Panel:

[Hundred Refinements Martial Arts: Level 5]

[Zither Arts: Level 3]

[Go Arts: Level 3]

[Calligraphy and Painting: Level 4]

[Xiantian Qi Gong: Level 1]

[Profound Yin Soul Control Fragment: Level 1]

[Heavenly Show Points: 0 (5%)]

"After returning, Heavenly Show Points have also been slowly increasing, because Huang Xie and the others keep spreading word of my martial prowess and exploits..."

Zhong Shenxiu had long understood a principle: showing off himself was inferior to having others show him off.

In other words, fame was also a kind of power.

"Put plainly, doesn't this resemble Faith Power somewhat?"

Zhong Shenxiu nodded, then shook his head. "In the short term, whether I raise Xiantian Qi Gong or the Profound Yin Soul Control Fragment, dealing with an ordinary Full Moon won't be a problem. But Blood Moon Night may be difficult. I'll need to raise them several more levels before there might be any effect. Is this forcing me to stir up another major event?"

He thought it over and kept it as an alternative.

Zhong Shenxiu had always been steady in his actions and did not like drawing attention to himself.

"Besides that, mastering some genuine Daoist Arts, or finding other Strange Objects capable of suppressing Vengeful Spirits, might also work. Unfortunately, I have no access to such channels. In the entire Fufeng Protectorate, perhaps only the Grand Commander's Residence possesses such rare treasures..."

He suddenly realized that this goal did not conflict with his own plans.

For the time being, he could keep muddling along within the Protectorate's system. Perhaps he might find a method to save himself.

At the same time, he could seek chances to rake in Heavenly Show Points a few times, in preparation for emergencies.

As Zhong Shenxiu thought, he arrived near the dining hall, where two dog heads poked themselves in front of him. "Woof... Lord Su."

"Lord Huang, and Er Ha. Morning."

Zhong Shenxiu replied with a smile.

Lord Huang had originally planned to retire from service, but a major incident had delayed him.

Moreover, though he had earned merit this time and received a large reward, he did not seem to be planning retirement. Instead, he was preparing to extend his term of service.

There was no need to ask why. It was all because of his nephew Er Ha dragging him down.

Zhong Shenxiu suspected that if Huang Xie were absent for even one day, Er Ha could tear down the barracks and get himself killed in spectacular fashion.

"Congratulations, Lord Su. I heard... Battalion Commander Xu Wenling has declared that Tian Bufeng neglected his duties and stripped him of his Company Commander post. Xue San has also completed his retirement procedures, and Lord Su's appointment as Squad Leader has already been issued."

Huang Xie said ingratiatingly, "From now on, we'll be one squad. I hope Lord Su will look after my nephew."

"Certainly, certainly."

After some thought, Zhong Shenxiu said to Er Ha, "You previously asked me for a name. I've pondered it for the past few days and finally came up with a good one. How about 'Shiqi'?"

"Woof woof!"

Er Ha grinned so widely his mouth nearly split open, nodding again and again in agreement.

Zhong Shenxiu had secretly shown off a little, and he felt quite pleased. Just as he was about to eat, Huang Xie suddenly pulled him back. "Lord Su, your place is no longer here."

He froze for a moment, then suddenly remembered that he was already a Squad Leader. Unlike these common soldiers, he could sit down to eat.

The Second Yanhan Empire's strict hierarchy was reflected in every aspect of daily life.

Zhong Shenxiu had no intention of stubbornly defying it, so he went over to the long wooden table where the Squad Leaders sat. Looking at the dishes on the table, he saw that besides several fresh vegetables, there was actually a plate of braised pork, cooked a glossy reddish-brown and fragrant with sauce. The fat nearly dripped from it, making those who rarely saw meat swallow their saliva.

This was only the fare for Squad Leaders. Company Commanders and even Battalion Commanders ate even better.

After scraping by for so long, I've finally clawed my way into the meat-eating class...

Zhong Shenxiu picked up a piece of richly sauced braised pork and silently lamented, Back in the day, I was a big shot in my own right, particular about every meal I enjoyed. Now I've fallen to such a state. Truly lamentable and pitiful...