Advancing or Retreating

After bidding farewell to Zhou Xing, Xie An took his silver and went to the Black Market to buy three doses of Tiger Hide Elixir from Shopkeeper Wang.

Shopkeeper Wang was the proprietor of the largest medicinal ingredient shop in the Black Market. After a few months, he had become familiar with Xie An, but he was stubborn and stuck in his ways. Even though he knew Xie An was an overseer, he refused to lower the price, still demanding twenty taels per dose.

However, Xie An knew that Shopkeeper Wang was an honest person. He never shortchanged on medicinal ingredients and never mixed in inferior ones, guaranteeing the efficacy of his products. They were certainly better than the Tiger Hide Elixir found on the market.

After obtaining the medicinal ingredients, Xie An returned to his separate courtyard.

He drew several buckets of cool well water, heated them, and filled his bathtub. Then, he poured in a dose of Tiger Hide Elixir. The various medicinal ingredients quickly unfurled in the hot water, releasing a rich medicinal aroma.

It was somewhat pungent and not very pleasant. But if one got used to it, it would feel like a medicinal fragrance.

"It should be about ready."

Xie An sniffed the medicinal scent and checked the color of the medicinal water in the tub, knowing it had reached the right temperature. He then removed his clothes, sat in the bathtub, and began his medicinal bath.

Although Xie An had now reached the minor completion stage of the Bronze Skin Realm, he still needed to frequently use Tiger Hide Elixir for medicinal baths to further temper his skin and membranes and strengthen his physique.

With the Plum Blossom Monster targeting the Black Market, Xie An felt immense pressure. He just wanted to improve his strength as quickly as possible.

Possessing the Lifelong Legacy, Xie An was not anxious at all.

He knew very well that he just needed to develop slowly.

If talent was lacking, effort would compensate.

There was nothing he couldn't afford to wait for.

During a break in his medicinal bath, Xie An sat cross-legged and began practicing the Fetal Breathing Technique. The fine hairs on his skin began to tremble slightly.

The hallmark of achieving great success in the Three Styles Method of the Fetal Breathing Technique was breathing through the navel.

Xie An had now entered the second stage of the Fetal Breathing Technique, with the Yin-Yang Convergence more than halfway complete. He could already achieve mutual induction between his eyes, allowing them to sense each other and regulate his breathing.

He had entered the second convergence of Yin-Yang Convergence: Heart-Kidney Convergence.

The so-called Heart-Kidney Convergence was what the Fetal Breathing Technique believed: the heart-mind belonged to Yang within Yin, and kidney qi belonged to Yin within Yang. When the heart and kidneys converged, essence and qi were produced, generating bodily fluids that nourished the five internal organs.

Coincidentally, the so-called bodily fluids nourishing the five internal organs could complement and mutually promote the internal strengthening of the five organs from the Five Animal Play.

Xie An's progress in the internal strengthening of the five organs of the Five Animal Play had reached 98%, with only the last two points remaining to reach the full score.

Xie An put aside his thoughts and attempted to break through the progress of the last two points as quickly as possible.

Hoo hoo hoo.

After a few breaths, Xie An sealed his mouth and nose.

He relied solely on breathing through his navel to maintain circulation, then activated the Heart-Kidney Convergence. The fine hairs on his skin spontaneously stirred, as if blown by some force.

"When the pores of the skin can breathe, that will be the sign of great success in the Heart-Kidney Convergence. No rush, take it slow..."

The daytime passed quickly.

Dusk arrived, and the Black Market was about to open. The disciples became busy again.

Xie An also finished his medicinal bath at the appropriate time.

He opened his status panel:

[Current Lifelong Legacy: Level 1!]
[Five Animal Play: Internal Strengthening of Five Organs (99/100)]
[Fetal Breathing Technique: Yin-Yang Convergence (47/100)]
[Remaining Years: 30 years]

"Huh? The Five Animal Play actually increased by one point!"

Xie An was delighted.

Based on Xie An's usual experience, the closer he got to the full score, the more difficult it was to increase progress.

"It seems the two health-nourishing techniques can indeed promote each other. Once I reach full marks in strengthening the five internal organs, I can enter the final stage of the Five Animal Play – cultivating internal qi! At that time, I should be able to sense qi. Then, it might not be impossible to go to Tang Family Fort to seek that opportunity."

Thinking of this, Xie An smiled.

It was a pity that there was no progress in martial arts training.

Xie An already knew he had no talent for martial arts, so he maintained a balanced mindset.

"Old Brother!"

Zhang Lin's knock came from outside the door.

Xie An changed into his uniform robe and opened the door to welcome Zhang Lin in.

As soon as Zhang Lin entered, he asked, "Old Brother, Zhou Xing told me you're letting the Black Market continue operating today?"

Xie An knew Zhang Lin was feeling apprehensive, so he stated his two reasons:

First, if the Black Market were closed because of this, the huge losses incurred would have to be borne by the two of them, and it would make Wei Dian think they, as overseers, were incompetent and fearful.

Second, the immediate priority was to find information about the Plum Blossom Monster and report it to Wei Dian so that Wei Dian could make a response. Instead of panicking and reporting immediately upon encountering a problem...

After listening, Zhang Lin looked at Xie An with newfound respect, deeply impressed. "Old Brother really thinks things through. I was too rash before. Patrols will proceed as Old Brother suggested. We are the managers of Tiger Wolf Gate. As long as we prepare properly, that Plum Blossom Monster may not find any opportunity."

No matter how strong the Plum Blossom Monster was, it couldn't withstand numbers. The most dangerous thing was to be isolated...

Xie An agreed wholeheartedly, "Brother Zhang, absolutely remember not to act alone. I'm skilled in archery, so I'll bring my heavy bow and lurk behind you."

In Zhang Lin's mind, he immediately recalled the Divine Archer technique Xie An had displayed during his assessment. He felt much more at ease and clasped his hands in thanks, "With my elder brother watching my back, I have no further worries."

After finalizing the details of their plan, Xie An took his heavy bow from the house, slung on his quiver, and then equipped himself with a standard broadsword before heading out with Zhang Lin.

Zhang Lin noticed that the heavy bow slung at Xie An's waist was even thicker and sturdier than the one used during the assessment. "That bow looks very solid. It's not a two-stone bow, is it?"

Xie An didn't hide anything. "My strength has increased from practicing martial arts these past few months, so I've switched to a three-stone bow."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lin immediately felt a greater sense of security. "That's great. A three-stone bow packs quite a punch. Even the Plum Blossom Monster might not be able to withstand it."

Xie An merely smiled and said no more. After instructing Liang Zhi to keep an eye on the Black Market, Xie An followed Zhang Lin and Zhou Xing and others out, heading into the nearby mountain paths to patrol under the cover of night.

Halfway along, Xie An called out to Zhang Lin, "Brother Zhang, I'm an archer, so it's best for me to hide and follow from the shadows."

"That's how it should be. Tonight, we'll have to rely on my elder brother's Divine Archer abilities." Zhang Lin didn't think much of it and parted ways first.

Xie An then entered the woods on either side of the mountain path, secretly following them.