Ice-Cold True Qi

Ice-Cold True Qi

"Using the Fire Qilin's demonic poison to temper the body feels like being trapped in a raging inferno. But now the Cold Flood Dragon's icy poison can perfectly counteract the Fire Qilin's scorching heat. The two counterbalance each other, like yin and yang. The Fire Qilin's heat is no longer a problem, and I can use its demonic poison to temper my body."

Zhang He immediately realized that he could use the Cold Flood Dragon's icy demonic poison to counteract the Fire Qilin's scorching poison and temper his body. The Fire Qilin's poison was highly effective for tempering the body, but its scorching heat was also unbearable. Now that he had the icy poison, he could neutralize the Fire Qilin poison's heat and take advantage of its ability to temper his body.

Once his body recovered, it had also been tempered. When Zhang He absorbed the Cold Flood Dragon's poison again, he clearly felt that the sensation wasn't as intense as before. His physique was stronger now, so naturally he could withstand the cold better.

Zhang He's absorption speed increased slightly. After absorbing the poison for the second time, his true qi increased by another thirty percent. The first time, it had increased by thirty percent; now, it rose by another thirty percent on top of that. This showed that Zhang He had absorbed more of the Cold Flood Dragon's poison than he had the first time.

Whenever his body froze stiff, Zhang He would stop absorbing the Cold Flood Dragon's poison and use the Fire Qilin's poison to dispel the chill inside him, tempering his body at the same time. It was the best of both worlds: his true qi kept growing, and his physique kept improving.

As time passed, the blood-red true qi around Zhang He's body grew thicker and thicker. At first, it could only circulate beneath his skin. But as his true qi continued to grow, it finally began to flow across the surface of his skin.

"In the Blood Qi Realm, true qi can only circulate beneath the skin. In the Body Protection Realm, it can leave the meridians and flow directly over the skin's surface. The difference is only a thin layer of skin, yet the gap between the two realms is enormous. Once you enter the Body Protection Realm, true qi forms armor, and your defense skyrockets. Ordinary people can barely hurt you with everyday swords and blades."

Zhang He's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected his progress to be so smooth after breaking through into the True Martial Realm. Not only had he successfully entered the Blood Qi Realm, he had advanced another level and reached the Body Protection Realm! What's more, the true qi around his body was a vivid blood-red, a sign of just how abundant it was. At that moment, seven of his acupoints had opened, and each one was like a dantian. Other people had just one dantian to store their true qi, and their reserves could hold only that much. Zhang He, by contrast, now had the equivalent of eight dantians!

Just how abundant was his true qi? When such a vast reserve circulated over his body and formed armor, it became denser and more solid, looking almost tangible. It was both uncanny and astonishing.

"An ordinary Blood Qi Realm cultivator can exert the force of twenty shi. A grown horse has the strength of ten shi, or the power of one horse. By that measure, an ordinary Blood Qi Realm cultivator has the power of two horses! In the Body Protection Realm, true qi improves, and an ordinary cultivator's strength can reach four horses! My true qi reserves are at least five or six times greater than other people's. Physical strength isn't directly proportional to the amount of true qi, but the two are related. The stronger the true qi, the stronger the body. I'd estimate that my physical strength is at least equal to eight horses now!"

At the same Body Protection Realm, Zhang He's physical strength could reach eight horses—twice that of an ordinary cultivator in the realm! And that was only a conservative estimate.

"The power of the Void Insight Pill has completely faded. Now that I've entered the Body Protection Realm, breaking through to the third level, the Possession Realm, will require a massive reserve of true qi. More importantly, I'll need to reach a certain level of control and understanding of my true qi. Neither is easy for other people; it takes a great deal of cultivation. But for me, both are simple."

As someone who had crossed into this world, Zhang He had already reached the peak of the True Martial Realm in his previous life. He was rich in experience, and now that he was walking the same road again, he knew it like the back of his hand. He didn't need to spend ages training to control his true qi; he already knew how to make it envelop his body.

"To break through to the third level of the True Martial Realm, the Possession Realm, I only need to keep improving my true qi. I've absorbed only half of this Cold Flood Dragon Poison Pill so far. Once I absorb all of it, my true qi will rise substantially, and breaking through to the third level of the True Martial Realm will be no problem at all."

Zhang He was confident. Now that he had reached the Body Protection Realm, there was no need to rush the rest.

Absorbing the Cold Flood Dragon Poison Pill nonstop had taken a great deal of concentration. Zhang He was feeling a little tired now. He had already broken through to the Body Protection Realm, so he could take his time with what remained.

"Come to think of it, I've absorbed so much of the Cold Flood Dragon's demonic poison. I wonder what it'll be like when I use it?" Zhang He suddenly grew curious. The Cold Flood Dragon's poison had an icy attribute; when he absorbed it, the bone-deep cold had nearly frozen him stiff. Now that it had been refined and absorbed by his Rejuvenation True Qi, its power could only be stronger.

By now, dawn had broken in the east.

Mengyin City lay close to the mountains and woods, so the air was heavy with moisture. The temperature also shifted sharply between day and night, so mist often gathered in the mornings and evenings. Zhang He went straight into the courtyard. The cowhide sandbag there had been repaired by his nimble-fingered mother. Because of the mist, its surface was damp.

"Wild Ox Horn!"

Zhang He used the move again. Wild Ox Horn was the best move in the Wild Ox Fist for testing a person's strength. Zhang He was no longer what he had been. He threw the punch with the speed of a thunderclap, and with a muffled thud, his fist landed squarely on the sandbag.

The sandbag trembled lightly, as if a breeze had brushed past it. Such a swift, powerful punch had struck the bag, yet it had only made it sway slightly. Anyone watching would have been astonished. But as Zhang He's fist struck the bag, a tearing sound came from the other side. The sturdy cowhide sandbag split open down the middle.

A fine stream of stone dust sifted out of the sandbag, quickly gathering into a small pile on the ground.

The sandbag had originally been filled with gravel. Zhang He's punch drove its force deep inside, shattering the gravel on the spot and turning it to powder. His skill at striking through a barrier had improved again. If he fought Wu Xuan now, a single punch would leave Wu Xuan's body just like this sandbag.

That wasn't all. A hard layer of ice had formed over the damp cowhide. The surrounding mist gathered into snowflakes and fell to the ground.

That single punch had unleashed terrifying destructive power—and carried a bone-chilling cold that turned the mist into snowflakes!

"After absorbing the Cold Flood Dragon's poison, my Rejuvenation True Qi has an icy attribute when I use it. That punch was cold enough to turn mist into snowflakes. If it hits someone, it'll affect their blood flow, muscle movements, and even the circulation of their true qi." Zhang He could imagine the effect the Cold Flood Dragon's poison would have on an opponent. At the very least, it would slow them down. In a real fight, even a moment's hesitation could cost him his life.

True qi with this icy attribute was an absolute killer in a fight!

But—

Zhang He looked at the split sandbag again and frowned slightly, seemingly dissatisfied. "What a pity. Its attack power is still a little weak. I still can't bring out the full power of Half-Step Blast Fist. Only after reaching the first level of Rejuvenation True Explanation and opening eight acupoints will I have the power to land a critical blow and unleash Half-Step Blast Fist. One punch then would turn the whole back of the sandbag to dust, instead of leaving just a fist-sized hole like this!"

"I've opened seven acupoints after absorbing all that Cold Flood Dragon poison. I'm only one short of opening all eight and reaching the first level. Phew, with the Cold Flood Dragon Poison Pill, I'm sure I can reach the first level before the Martial Child Test!"

Zhang He was now confident enough to face the upcoming Martial Child Assessment.

The sunlight was bright on the wide, clean bluestone road.

The carriage rattled along, its wheels rolling over the stone slabs with a steady rhythm. Zhang Mu sat inside and watched the scenery slide past, her face full of confusion. "This looks like the wealthy district. Where are you taking us?"

Early that morning, Zhang He had found a carriage without explaining what he had in mind. He had simply brought Zhang Mu and his little sister, Zhang Yu, aboard. The driver seemed to know where to go; Zhang He didn't have to direct him as he drove all the way here. Now, seeing the row upon row of luxurious homes around them, Zhang Mu couldn't help wondering.

"Please be patient. We'll be there soon, and then you'll understand everything." Zhang He smiled, refusing to reveal the truth.

Seeing how mysterious he was being, Zhang Mu shook her head with a smile. The boy was actually trying to keep her in suspense.

A short while later, the carriage finally came to a stop. The driver said respectfully, "Mr. Zhang, we've arrived at your residence."

Zhang He jumped down. Hearing the driver's words, Zhang Mu and the others got out behind him and looked up at the elegant mansion before them, stunned. The plaque above the entrance clearly read Zhang Mansion.

"What's going on?" Zhang Mu asked, looking at her son in confusion.

"This is our new home. I know you have questions, but this house was obtained fair and square, so you don't need to worry. I made a little money, enough to afford a place like this. Mother, you've worked hard for so long; it's time you enjoyed some comfort. Little sister also needs a good place to live. I'm the only man in the family, so I should do more for all of you. Come on, let's go inside and have a look. If there's anything you don't like, we can have someone make changes." Zhang He smiled.

Zhang Mu knitted her brows and stared at him sternly. "The houses in this area are all worth a fortune. This place must cost at least a thousand gold coins! Where did you get all that money?"

"I told you before that I have a master. He's a pharmacist, and he taught me how to make medicine. Not long ago, when the Corpse Poison Beetles broke out, I made Five Poison Beads. They sold like hotcakes, and I earned a lot of money. I bought this house with that money, so you don't need to worry that it came from anything shady." Zhang He explained patiently. He knew his mother wouldn't go inside unless he gave her a clear answer.

Zhang Mu listened to him, still half convinced and half doubtful.

Zhang He smiled wryly. "Please don't worry. I'll show you something else in a moment, and then you'll know I'm telling the truth."

Seeing him put it that way, Zhang Mu said no more. The carriage driver had been specially arranged by Wang Pengyu. After parking, he immediately went ahead to open the door for Zhang He. "Mr. Zhang, our young shopkeeper is already inside. He's prepared a banquet to welcome you."

Zhang Mu, who had been listening nearby, was puzzled. Young shopkeeper? Who was that?

Wang Pengyu really had thought of everything; every detail had been carefully arranged. Zhang He nodded and led his mother inside. The first thing they saw was a beautifully landscaped garden, complete with rockeries, waterfalls, and a pond full of red carp. Flowers of every kind competed to show off their colors, filling the air with their fragrance.

Zhang Mu was used to it; the place where she had lived before had been no worse. But Zhang Yu had left the Wang family when she was just a baby and had lived a hard life ever since. She had never seen such a beautiful place. Eyes wide, she cheered at the butterflies fluttering by, then spotted the red carp in the pond and immediately ran onto the Nine-Turn Bridge to peer over the railing. Zhang He hurried after her and held her steady, afraid she might fall into the water.

Watching them, Zhang Mu couldn't help sighing. Her children had suffered so much with her, and she hadn't been able to give them a comfortable life. Now her son had made something of himself and built up such a fine estate.

"Haha, Zhang He, you're finally here. Auntie, I'm the manager of the Wang Family Pharmacy. To celebrate your move, I've brought a small gift. I hope you'll do me the favor of accepting it." Wang Pengyu suddenly appeared from around a corner. Laughing, he held out a gift box with both hands.

After opening up the market for the Wang Family Pharmacy in Mengyin City, Wang Pengyu had been promoted. He had become the head of its Mengyin City branch. It was all thanks to Zhang He's Five Poison Beads.

Zhang Mu glanced at Zhang He in confusion. He immediately stepped forward to introduce them. "Wang Pengyu manages the Wang Family Pharmacy, and he's my friend. I earned my money through the Wang Family Pharmacy. He's helped me a great deal."

Zhang Mu finally understood.

Wang Pengyu chuckled. "That's not right. Actually, you're the one who's helped the Wang Family Pharmacy a great deal." He turned to Zhang Mu and congratulated her. "Auntie, you've raised a wonderful son. Pharmacist Zhang is not only highly skilled at making medicine, he's also incredibly filial. He went to all the trouble of buying this house so you wouldn't have to suffer anymore and could enjoy a comfortable life."

Wang Pengyu was praising Zhang He in front of his mother. Parents always liked hearing their children praised.

Hearing him, Zhang Mu beamed, though she modestly replied, "Hehe, thank you. My Zhang He can hardly be called a pharmacist. He owes it all to your support, doesn't he? Really, I should be the one thanking you." Zhang Mu had seen plenty of the world and knew a good deal about business. She knew that merchants often said flattering things, and that you couldn't take everything they said at face value. She assumed Wang Pengyu was simply flattering Zhang He.

"Zhang He doesn't count as a pharmacist?" Wang Pengyu shook his head. "If he doesn't, then Mengyin City has even fewer pharmacists than I thought. Auntie, you may not know this, but Zhang He is the youngest Iron-Rank Pharmacist in the Pharmacist Association!"

"What? An Iron-Rank Pharmacist in the Pharmacist Association?" Zhang Mu clearly knew of the Pharmacist Association. At Wang Pengyu's words, she was left speechless.

The pharmacists in the Pharmacist Association held exalted positions, and every major family did its utmost to win them over. Her son was actually an Iron-Rank Pharmacist in the Pharmacist Association?