Extraordinary Talent, Blood Furnace

Liang Qisheng had another advantage over others.

That was, through the transformation of Merit Points, he could instantly elevate his cultivation technique to an extremely formidable level. During this process, his body underwent changes—flesh, blood, muscles, and bones directly reached the physical strength required for his realm. It was like directly setting up a room; to decorate it, various materials still needed to be added. And the material needed here was the Body Tempering Pill, used to fill the empty spaces within the room. This process undoubtedly made the room more pressure-resistant and safer.

Faced with this situation, Liang Qisheng also had his own plans. After all, the more solid the foundation laid, the brighter the prospects for subsequent advancement. A towering building rises from the ground; only with a solid foundation can the upper structure be more stable. And the effect of the Body Tempering Pill was precisely to continuously consolidate the foundation, forging a firm base. In this process, the medicinal power of the Body Tempering Pill was fully absorbed by the body, reducing waste, while simultaneously strengthening Liang Qisheng's power comprehensively.

"However, the price of this Body Tempering Pill is indeed not low—one pill costs a full ten taels of silver." Liang Qisheng calculated based on his needs, estimating that he would need at least several hundred taels of silver to afford it. Although he still had some savings, taking out several hundred taels of silver all at once was a difficult matter. When he joined Yama Gate, he knew that besides the one hundred tael entry fee, Yama Gate would take a cut from each execution, with a split ratio of 6:4. Yama Gate directly took sixty percent, and although Liang Qisheng had beheaded many death row prisoners, accumulating over a hundred Merit Points, he hadn't retained much money.

So this expenditure was considerable, giving him a headache. Although he had taken Master Chen as his teacher, the annual dividend of resources hadn't arrived yet. Apart from daily guidance and necessary cultivation resources, he couldn't just make excessive demands now. Moreover, Liang Qisheng didn't want others to know his current cultivation speed through the allocation of pills—this involved his greatest secret, which he wouldn't easily reveal to anyone.

"But these Body Tempering Pills don't need to be acquired all at once; I can digest part of them first, then buy more later." Liang Qisheng made up his mind, took his savings from the room, and directly left the backyard.

Crack!

Liang Qisheng's expression was calm as he pinched a ten-tael Body Tempering Pill between his fingers and gently placed it into his mouth. The pill had a special sweetness like aged tangerine peel, dissolving instantly upon entry. Then, it released an intense bitterness, flowing down his throat as a cool stream that spread outward. Although Liang Qisheng sat motionless, all his muscle groups were writhing. Every inch of his skin and bones felt as if invisible threads were pulling at them; his entire body was like a marionette, moving every limb and joint according to his will. This was the result of years of practicing the Black Tiger Fist stance to the point of perfection, granting absolute control over every inch of his skin and muscle groups.

The medicinal power dissolved into his body with his saliva, and as it passed through his stomach, rapid peristalsis violently broke it down. A strong, piercing cold quickly filled his abdomen, causing Liang Qisheng to feel a sharp pain in his stomach and intestines, as if iron chopsticks were stirring them. Enduring the cold, stabbing pain, his stomach and intestines began to churn violently. At this moment, his powerful digestive ability came into play, rapidly circulating the medicinal power along his body's meridians, spreading it to every part, merging into his flesh, blood, and muscle groups.

At first, Liang Qisheng felt the cold medicinal power making his whole body uncomfortable, but in an instant, as it merged into his flesh and blood, it was like taking a great tonic—a flame surged in his stomach. Following that, his intestines writhed with a burning sensation, every inch of flesh and blood feeling like it was on fire. His face, forehead, and body turned red like a boiled shrimp, steam rolling off his hair as hot sweat poured down. This was the Body Tempering Pill taking effect. The potent medicinal properties formed the Nine Heavens of Ice and Fire, settling into the flesh tissues, refining and tempering the muscle groups. It was like sandpaper polishing, making the skin tougher, the muscle fibers coarser and denser, fusing together.

During this process, Liang Qisheng could even detect a faint gray substance oozing from his pores—a sticky, foul-smelling mucus carrying the impurities within his body, expelled together. The entire process lasted half an hour, and then Liang Qisheng suddenly opened his eyes. He was no longer sitting still; instead, he began to practice the Black Tiger Fist stance. Every move and posture, Liang Qisheng executed with vigorous, powerful momentum. Especially since he had already evolved the Black Tiger Fist to a very advanced level, nearly reaching perfection, close to mastery.

Martial technique cultivation was divided into four stages: Initiation, Minor Mastery, Major Mastery, and Perfection. Those who could achieve Initiation were already quite talented; Minor Mastery required perseverance first; Major Mastery was one in ten thousand; and those who could reach Perfection were inevitably gifted with extraordinary talent, coupled with endless training. And Liang Qisheng, with the transformation of Merit Points, perfectly adapted his flesh and blood, combined with diligence and hard work, taking it a step further. As he swung his moves, the process flowed like water, free and controlled, like a black tiger roaming the mountain forest.

Part of the medicinal power of the Body Tempering Pill had already penetrated into his skin and muscle tissue fibers. But merely settling there wasn't enough; only by relying on the fist stance and striking methods could he promote the writhing and digestion of flesh and blood, using the steaming of qi and blood to turn his entire body into a furnace, completely absorbing it without waste.

"Hoo... hoo... hoo..."

His breathing was like a bellows stoking a furnace, revealing lung capacity that would astonish anyone.

After a long while, Liang Qisheng withdrew his technique and stood there.

At this moment, his entire body steamed with qi and blood, like a small furnace. Anyone who drew near felt the surrounding air was hotter than other areas.

"This Body Tempering Pill truly is the best medicine for a martial artist to refine bones, muscles, and skin, and to hone flesh and blood. The only pity is its price—ten taels of silver per pill. What a nerve!"

"But one or two pills won't bring me a qualitative change. Given my level with the Black Tiger Fist, I'd need at least several dozen Body Tempering Pills to fill the gaps, solidify my foundation, and greatly boost my reserves."

Liang Qisheng stood there, his mind sinking deep, as if immersed in some fist-art conception.

Though his flesh and blood did not stop writhing, his mind seemed to transcend, thoughts flashing like lightning and sparks as he pondered in secret.

"Martial arts training is far too expensive. The little savings I had would let an ordinary man live in some comfort, but for a martial artist's refinement, it's like trying to put out a cartload of firewood with a cup of water—utterly insufficient to meet the vast demand."

"...I can't stop my executioner's work, but I also need to find other ways to make money."

The only good news was that after he became Old Master Chen's disciple, the fees he previously had to hand over to Yama Gate were no longer required.

All rewards now belonged entirely to him.

There was also a year-end dividend, but counting the days, it was still half a year away, so he couldn't count on that for now.

Until then, he had to find his own ways to bring in money.