Caught in the Storm, Daoist Gifts Meat, I Just Want a Quiet Life, Don't Force Me (Seeking Reads!)

Shi Wen paid no mind to the idle gossip.

He practiced his basic techniques at his usual spot, sweat flying from his brow.

After consuming the Fish-Dragon Precious Blood, he discovered that his proficiency was increasing at a much faster rate!

He no longer had to strictly follow the time requirements for certain exercises stipulated in the original basic techniques to gain proficiency.

This shortened his training time significantly.

By the time the gong rang to end the session, Shi Wen was pleasantly surprised to find that his proficiency had increased by 6 points!

If I can consume more Precious Blood, my training speed will surely be even faster!

At this current pace, if I practice the basic techniques during the day, it won't take many more days to reach Great Success, and then advance to Perfection. I wonder if reaching Perfection in basic techniques will grant any other special traits?

Once I reach Perfection, I will reveal that I have cultivated Qi and Blood and promote to the Inner Academy. There is no point in wasting too much time in the Outer Academy...

Shi Wen pondered these matters while packing up his equipment.

Li Qianqian, who was also packing up, caught a glimpse of Shi Wen, and a flash of surprise crossed her beautiful eyes.

Junior Brother Shi seems to have grown a bit taller? His skin also seems better?

She gazed at the youth packing his gear under the sunlight.

Her expression was slightly dazed.

In the ten-plus days since the youth had joined the Fist Academy, his frame had become much more upright.

His features seemed more defined; his brows were like swords, his thin lips were slightly pursed, and his stray locks of hair fluttered in the wind. The setting sun cast upon him, as if plating him in a beautiful golden rim.

The youth's temperament remained unchanged.

Silent and reserved, yet there seemed to be an indescribable sense of composure and confidence about him.

Even the Eldest Senior Brother, who hailed from a local wealthy clan in Black Cloud County, did not look as attractive as this vibrant youth.

That sense of youthful spirit seemed to strike straight at the heart.

Even Li Qianqian, who did not consider herself someone swayed by appearances, found herself quite appreciative of the youth at this moment.

"Senior Sister Li, I'll be heading back now."

Shi Wen cupped his fists toward her and turned to leave.

The latter was slightly startled and nodded, "Take care, Junior Brother Shi."

Upon arriving at Minggong Street.

Shi Wen arrived just in time to see the goat-bearded Daoist distributing meat.

Relying on his strong physique, he snatched up quite a few pieces of meat and took the opportunity to buy Blessing Meat on the spot.

Shi Wen was very cautious.

He only wanted to collect the Blessing Meat discreetly, but unfortunately, he underestimated the greed of human nature.

Someone shouted out.

Once they heard someone was buying Blessing Meat for 100 Precious Coins per piece, the scene turned even more chaotic.

A large crowd of impoverished people stopped listening to the scripture reading, ran over to exchange their meat pieces for his money, and left with beaming smiles.

However, this scene was witnessed by the goat-bearded Daoist who was preaching the Immortal Mother Sutra from the altar, and a strange glint flashed in his eyes.

Xiang Ju stopped the other Daoists who wanted to intervene with a look.

He held an old, worn-out scripture in his hands and walked toward Shi Wen.

"Compassion, compassion, the Immeasurable Immortal Mother saves all."

The goat-bearded Daoist chanted a Daoist mantra, looked at Shi Wen, and said gently, "Little friend, why must you disrupt our preaching session?"

"My apologies, Immortal. I just really love the Blessing Meat."

Seeing the goat-bearded Daoist approach, Shi Wen quickly offered a sheepish smile.

He wore an expression that looked completely harmless.

Xiang Ju glanced at the youth.

He found that, aside from a pure craving for the Blessing Meat and a hint of embarrassment, there were no other impurities in the boy.

He sighed softly, "The Immortal Mother who dispels disasters and extends life, compassion, compassion. Ying Kuang, since this little brother loves it so much, from now on, whenever he comes, prepare an extra bag of Blessing Meat for him."

"Ying Kuang, go fetch a bag of Blessing Meat now."

"Yes." A young Daoist nearby quickly took a small bag of Blessing Meat and handed it over.

"Hmm."

Xiang Ju smiled gently and handed him a wooden carving wrapped in a red cloth strip, saying, "The Immortal Mother's salvation is immeasurable. You must worship the Immortal Mother, be pious day and night, and you shall be free from illness, disaster, and worry."

"Many thanks, Immortal."

Shi Wen showed a look of gratitude.

Upon noticing the notification of the Extreme Seal appearing, he smiled, took the wood carving, and turned to leave.

Xiang Ju watched Shi Wen's departing figure in silence.

A fierce glint flashed through his otherwise tranquil eyes.

Only when Shi Wen's figure had vanished from sight did Xiang Ju withdraw his gaze and instruct an elderly Taoist to preside over the meeting on-site.

He walked into the shade of a nearby tree and asked the young Taoist, "Are there any factions currently moving into this territory?"

"Reporting to the Elder, our operations were arranged with the utmost caution and secrecy. There have been no leaks, and the Society has not informed us of any factions coming to Black Cloud County!"

Ying Kuang responded hurriedly.

"If no one arranged it, how did that little fellow come to scavenge for free Blessing Meat?" Xiang Ju frowned slightly. "Go and find out the background of this kid for me, then report back immediately."

"Yes!"

Ying Kuang hurried away, disappearing into the crowd like a loach.

"The secret of Black Cloud County is known only to my lineage. We haven't been laying our plans for long; how could an outsider have found out? Could it be a coincidence?"

"Or is there a traitor within the Society who leaked the matter?"

"If this affair is ruined, the Holy Son will likely tear me apart alive!"

Xiang Ju's expression was grave as he stared at the golden, fish-scale clouds in the sky, shattered into countless fragments by the setting sun.

After a long while, he finally withdrew his gaze.

He continued flipping through the Immortal Mother Sutra in his hands, his expression calm.

After some time, Ying Kuang returned and whispered something into Xiang Ju's ear.

Xiang Ju was slightly startled, then a strange smile appeared on his face. "Heh, he must be a novice martial artist who has just cultivated blood-qi, greedy for the Blessing Meat to nourish his vitality, thinking he's picked up a great bargain."

"I was wondering why a small martial artist would be buying up Blessing Meat on-site; it turns out he's from the bottom rungs, with no money to nourish his body."

"Elder, should I go and kill this person?"

A murderous intent flashed in Ying Kuang's eyes, but Xiang Ju shook his head with a smile. "Let's see if he truly likes the Blessing Meat. If he doesn't come back after today, handle it cleanly. If he keeps coming, then just ignore him."

"I am also curious to see what kind of effect a bait nurtured by a martial artist might produce!"

"In any case, a little shrimp like him cannot ruin the big picture."

The confidence in his words and his hearty laughter made it seem as if he were waiting for a good show.

Upon hearing this, Ying Kuang also showed a curious expression.

It was his first time seeing a martial artist take the initiative to touch free things.

If it were nurtured by a martial artist, perhaps there would be unexpected results; after all, this was voluntary consumption, not forced.

If only the mission could be completed sooner.

Then there would be no need to worry about being discovered by other factions and triggering unforeseen changes...

Shi Wen walked quickly down the street, his heart heavy.

Today, he had witnessed the true benefits of the Precious Blood.

Fearing that these Taoists might stop distributing the Blessing Meat, he had developed the idea of buying it up.

He had started out low-key, but he hadn't expected the crowd to riot afterward, with everyone coming to him with meat chunks to ask for money, which had drawn the attention of those Taoists.

His actions today had been too reckless!

"Should I stop coming after today?"

Shi Wen pondered this idea, but immediately dismissed it.

If he stopped coming, his behavior would seem even more suspicious.

These mysterious people might secretly murder him.

On the contrary, if he kept going.

He could obtain more Blessing Meat.

He could use it to evolve enough Precious Blood to nourish his martial arts practice and undergo a complete transformation!

Once his True Intent was cultivated to the point where his blood-qi was as condensed and pure as molten lava.

Once he reached the pinnacle of martial arts!

Why would he need to fear these people who hid their heads and showed their tails?

"I only want to practice in peace; I hope you do not force my hand."

Shi Wen sighed.

He took out some of the Blessing Meat, wrapping it specifically in oil paper for evolution, and then took a detour to the blacksmith shop to check on the progress of his iron stakes.

He had just hurried back to Peace Lane.

But who could have known.

As he walked into the alley near his home, a large crowd of neighbors was gathered at the entrance, cooling off and chatting away.

Even his parents were among them.

And the topic of their conversation was, shockingly, the Harmony and Prosperity Union.