Different from the Storybooks

All the way back.

As they passed the murder scene, several Lin Family guards were keeping watch outside. The group did not stop.

When Second Aunt saw them return, she enthusiastically pulled the two women into a side room. The whole time, she guarded against Gao Fei and even reminded them to lock the door properly.

"Second Aunt, do you think I'm that kind of person?"

The couple answered at the same time without the slightest hesitation.

"Yes!"

"She's a respectable woman now. That sort of thing can wait until after you're married."

Gao Fei shook his head like a rogue. Not even a shred of trust.

"What sort of thing?"

The two exchanged a glance at Gao Yan's question.

"Uh...!"

"You're a child. If you don't understand, don't ask!"

Back in his room, Gao Fei began looking over the system panel.

Four-Pillar Pure-Yang Body, 22/100. His constitution had risen a little, but he could not see any effect.

Lifespan: 116 days. A little over three months.

Gao Fei slowly began recalling the matter of cultivation realms.

First, Blood Tempering. It increased strength and lifespan. Normal enough.

Second, Skin Tempering. Skin and flesh—it did not increase lifespan, only skin defense.

Third, Sinew-and-Bone Tempering. It strengthened the sinews and bones, so there was no reason for it to increase lifespan either.

Only at the fourth stage, Organ Tempering, could one increase lifespan. And he had been drained dry by the Fox Demon before; his internal organs must have been damaged...

The next day.

At first light, Second Uncle dragged him out of bed.

He usually did not sleep in, but he had spent too long thinking last night and only closed his eyes when the rooster crowed.

Still half-asleep, he was brought to the backyard, where a large flat-bottomed cauldron stood.

"Take off your outer clothes and soak in it. This is what medicinal material we have left at home, enough for one day."

Gao Fei instantly woke up quite a bit. He reached out to test the temperature. It was slightly hot, so he climbed straight into the pot without taking off his clothes.

The moment he sat down, a gourd was handed to him.

"Still shy? It doesn't matter whether you take your clothes off or not. You'll be washing them yourself anyway."

"You need to drink the Qi-Blood Soup too. Replenishing both inside and out gives the best results. I'll go find some firewood."

As he spoke, he had already left the backyard.

Gao Fei did not pay it any mind. At that moment, he began to feel his skin rapidly absorbing the medicinal properties.

Stimulated by the medicinal bath outside his body, his skin trembled violently, and the pale green liquid in the pot quickly faded.

The abundant qi and blood within him, which even Gao Fei's frantic drinking of Qi-Blood Soup could not replenish, rapidly diminished.

Very soon, it stopped having any effect.

When Gao Linyue returned carrying an armful of firewood, Gao Fei was already preparing to go out and buy medicine.

"You brat, you can't take it after such a short time? There's still a long way to go... Huh!"

Seeing that the medicinal bath in the pot had turned into clear water, he hurried over, grabbed Gao Fei's hand, and examined it.

He kneaded Gao Fei's skin, then even took out a small knife, preparing to make a cut.

As he moved, he muttered under his breath.

"When did my medicine become this effective at being absorbed?"

Gao Fei hurriedly tried to pull his hand back with all his strength, but he could not even budge it. He quickly spoke up.

"Second Uncle, what are you doing?! You bought fake medicine."

"How could that be? These were selected from the medicinal herbs I use for Organ Refinement. How are you absorbing them so quickly?"

The edge of Gao Linyue's knife had already landed on his hand. He gave it a light pull.

Nothing happened. There was not even a pale mark.

"Mid Skin Tempering Realm? Has your Pure Yang Constitution not been broken? You've been hiding your cultivation all this time. Did you foresee Yueyang County's current predicament and pretend to be a wastrel all along?"

Gao Fei stared, dumbfounded. What was going on? Listen to yourself—I haven't even said anything!

But his mouth was extremely honest. Whatever you wanted to think, he would let you think it.

"Yes. How did you know? You have to help me keep it secret."

"That's how storybooks write it. A genius should hide his brilliance, then erupt at the end and turn the tide. But even at Mid Skin Tempering Realm, your cultivation is still far too low. Are you hiding something else?"

As Gao Linyue spoke, he pressed down with the knife. Gao Fei's arm was cut open, and blood began to well out.

"So you're not a hidden master after all. But your qi and blood look like they're at the middle stage..."

"Second Uncle, why don't we buy the medicinal herbs first? We can talk while I soak."

Gao Fei hurriedly cut him off. Cultivation was what mattered most. Who cared what he thought? First things first.

Gao Linyue was not annoyed at being interrupted. His eyes gleamed as he looked at Gao Fei.

"Your body has been starving for it for ages. Hand over those seized banknotes. I'm going to buy a whole lot of medicine and let you absorb your fill."

Gao Fei hurriedly shook his head. Last time, this man had pocketed several taels of silver. How could he possibly let him go alone this time?

"Second Uncle, how can I let you handle this kind of hard labor alone? I'll change clothes and come with you."

"It's fine, no need. I can endure hardship."

"You absolutely have to!"

The banknotes were in Gao Fei's hands, so he won in the end.

After changing clothes, they headed toward the pharmacy with Gao Linyue leading the way.

It was said that when some people broke through a realm but their physical bodies failed to keep up with absorption, they would absorb medicinal power extremely quickly.

If they could not absorb enough over a long period, it would damage their qi and blood, even their foundation.

Gao Linyue did not approach the shop assistant at the front counter. He went straight to the backyard.

The instant he crossed the threshold, he shouted loudly.

"Old bastard, a major customer is here. Why aren't you coming out to welcome us?"

Gao Fei could only follow. The moment he entered the courtyard, it was completely different from the front of the shop.

The imagined old man's voice did not appear. Instead, a gentle woman's voice rang out.

"The old shopkeeper has gone out of the city to gather medicinal herbs. You may speak to me about anything you need."

A woman in a chest-high ruqun dress stood in the pavilion. A teacup rested on the table, steaming hot.

Only as they approached could he see clearly: an oval face, exquisite features, long hair draped over her shoulders, and no adornment.

When she saw the two enter the pavilion, the woman slightly bowed in greeting, then sat down, took out two cups, and filled them.

"This little woman is Li Qingyao, Shopkeeper Li's niece. Please state your needs directly."

"I need one hundred portions of Skin Tempering Realm raw solution!"

"One thousand taels."

The deal was made.

From beginning to end, the woman only gave Gao Fei a polite glance. She made no unnecessary movements, smiling throughout, yet keeping others at arm's length.

Just as they reached the main entrance.

"Ah! I forgot about the martial hall. You go back first. Have Gao Yan tend the fire and stew you."

After saying that, Gao Linyue looked at Gao Fei, waiting for him to leave.

"Second Uncle, I think that young lady is an honest person. Don't go back. There won't be any commission."

"What commission? Do I look like that kind of person?"

Gao Fei nodded. "You do!"

Gao Linyue realized that this brat had found out about him buying Qi-Blood Soup at an inflated price last time.

He could only pull a long face, soften his tone, and speak quietly.

"I earn silver by myself, and the whole family spends it. Is that easy for me?"

He paused there. Seeing that Gao Fei had no reaction, he continued playing the victim.

"You eat my food, wear my clothes, and I even found you your job. Would I really harm you? I'm helping you save that silver for when you marry."

Gao Fei carried the two bundles of medicine and smiled as he nodded. This Second Uncle had treated the original owner very well.

But whether that silver could truly last until he got married, he had serious doubts.

"Fine, Second Uncle. Once my strength improves and I earn more, help me save more."

"I'm happy your talent has returned. Remember to stay away from that Qiu Mei. Preserve your Pure Yang Constitution, and you'll be our family's hope..."

Hearing that he was about to start lecturing again, Gao Fei hurriedly cut him off.

"If I'm not doing that sort of thing, then why are you saving silver for my marriage? Taking it out to improve my strength is what matters."

The two were about to keep bickering when a tremor in the air suddenly interrupted them, followed by a muffled boom.

"Second Uncle, what's going on?"

Hearing the disturbance, Gao Linyue recalled the scenes he had witnessed on the battlefield, when the centurions in his unit fought the enemy.

"Peak Spirit-Absorption Realm experts are fighting outside the city."