Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang extended both hands and accepted the pale-blue Mystic Water Pill. A cool sensation spread from his palms, calming his tense mind and spirit somewhat.
He did not hesitate, raising his hand to place the medicinal pill into his mouth.
The Mystic Water Pill melted the moment it touched his tongue, and a faint fragrance dispersed as a cooling medicinal force subsequently settled into his stomach.
"Sit properly on the bed and circulate your soul power according to your usual method of cultivation," Li Qingshan reminded him. "First let the medicinal force follow along with your soul power; there's no need to rush into absorbing it all."
"Yes, Teacher."
Yu Xiaogang crossed his legs and sat properly as instructed, slowly closing his eyes.
Following the circulation of soul power, the cooling aura flowed along the meridians toward his limbs and bones. At first it was quite comfortable, and a few spots that had always remained somewhat sluggish during cultivation gradually unblocked after the medicinal force passed through.
Yet before long, that medicinal force began to permeate deeper realms.
Within his meridians and flesh, fine numbness and soreness gradually developed, as if something were being squeezed out bit by bit.
Yu Xiaogang's brow furrowed slightly, and beads of sweat seeped from his forehead.
Li Qingshan placed two fingers on his wrist, nodded after sensing for a moment, and said, "The medicinal force has already taken effect. Continue."
Yu Xiaogang did not open his eyes, merely trying his best to maintain a steady flow of soul power.
Time slowly passed, his breathing gradually growing steady and deep, yet his garments were soaked through with sweat. The sweat was also mixed with dark-colored impurities, and a strange odor gradually spread within the room.
Luo Sanpao twitched its nose, suddenly sneezing.
"Luoluo!"
It stepped back two steps and raised its front paws to rub its nose, yet still gazed worriedly at Yu Xiaogang on the bed.
Seeing this, Li Qingshan couldn't help laughing. "Knowing it smells bad, yet you still can't bear to leave?"
The little fellow gave a low cry, ultimately still lying down beside the bed.
I do not know how much time had passed, but the cooling medicinal force within Yu Xiaogang's body finally gradually subsided. He opened his eyes and tried to circulate his soul power anew, a bit of pleasant surprise appearing in his eyes.
The previous sense of obstruction had lessened by a great deal, and that same cultivation method now circulated quite a bit more smoothly when executed; even his sensing of the surrounding soul power had become somewhat clearer than before.
"Teacher, I..."
Before he could finish speaking, he smelled a strange odor, and lowering his head to look at his sweat-soaked garments, the joyful expression on his face stiffened slightly.
Suppressing his amusement, Li Qingshan said, "The medicinal force of the Mystic Water Pill has been absorbed for the most part, and your foundation has also improved somewhat. However, before taking another pill, you should go wash up first."
A blush appeared on Yu Xiaogang's face, and he nodded hurriedly.
"This disciple will go right now."
After washing away the impurities and changing into fresh garments, Yu Xiaogang sat back down upon the bed, his entire person appearing much more energetic.
Gazing at the second jade bottle taken out by Li Qingshan, his expression gradually grew serious; he had already personally experienced the benefits of the Mystic Water Pill.
Yet what truly concerned Sanpao's evolution was this upcoming Sacred Dragon Creation Pill.
Li Qingshan pulled out the bottle stopper and poured the pale-golden medicinal pill into his palm. Dense, fine medicinal patterns intersected upon it, faintly resembling a coiled dragon shadow.
Luo Sanpao immediately stood up.
"Luoluo!"
It stared fixedly at the medicinal pill, its little tail wagging unconsciously behind it.
Yu Xiaogang stroked its head, raised his head, and said with a solemn expression, "Teacher, I am ready."
Li Qingshan probed his body once more, confirming that the medicinal force was steady and the meridians unobstructed, before nodding slightly.
"After you take it, guard your mind and spirit. No matter what changes occur, do not panic, and certainly do not blindly drive your soul power simply because of pain."
"This disciple understands."
Li Qingshan handed the medicinal pill to him, and then instructed Dugu Bo, "You guard the door. Don't let anyone come in and disturb your senior brother."
Dugu Bo nodded, leading Dugu Xin back a distance, though his gaze still remained fixed on the bedside; he likewise wanted to see just what kind of change this medicinal pill could bring to Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul.
Yu Xiaogang exhaled lightly and placed the Sacred Dragon Creation Pill into his mouth.
This time the medicinal pill did not immediately disperse; not until his soul power circulated did a warmth gradually arise within his stomach, feeling much like drinking a bowl of hot soup, causing even his limbs to grow warm along with it.
His tensed shoulders relaxed slightly.
Yet this gentleness did not last long.
As the medicinal pill melted, the medicinal force poured forth one after another, the warmth gradually transforming into a scorching heat.
Yu Xiaogang's breathing grew somewhat heavier, and the garments he had just changed into were quickly soaked through with sweat once more. He tried to guide the circulation of the medicinal force, but that strength was far more abundant than he had imagined.
The moment a single wispy strand entered his meridians, even more surged in right behind it, and a distended pain subsequently spread through his entire body.
"Xiao Gang, don't rush," Li Qingshan timely spoke up to remind him. "Slow down somewhat when absorbing it, and first circulate the medicinal force that you've already guided into your meridians."
Enduring the discomfort, Yu Xiaogang adjusted accordingly, but right at that moment, a wave of intense heat suddenly rushed upward from his stomach!
His body trembled violently, and a muffled groan spilled from his throat.
It hurt!
Wherever the medicinal force passed, his flesh felt as though it were being continuously pulled apart, and his shoulders, back, and chest likewise transmitted an unspeakable sour distension as the veins at his temples gradually bulged.
Beside the bed, Luo Sanpao also let out a low cry.
"Luo..."
It staggered back half a step, its tail coming to a halt as its four short legs braced against the ground, and its body likewise began to tremble.
Yu Xiaogang's heart tightened, and he instinctively wanted to open his eyes.
Seeing this, Li Qingshan hurriedly reached out to press down upon his shoulder, saying in a deep voice, "Guard your mind and spirit! Sanpao's evolution has begun. If you fall into disorder, it will only suffer all the more."
Yu Xiaogang bit down hard on his teeth, placing his mind and spirit back within his body.
The next moment, a faint golden light emerged from Luo Sanpao's body, growing bright and dim in rhythm with Yu Xiaogang's breathing.
The skin along its back gradually tightened, and several shallow golden patterns grew outward from the back of its neck, extending toward its spine.
Gazing at this scene before him, Dugu Bo's gaze locked, and he said in astonishment, "This is... a dragon's aura?"
Before his voice faded, Luo Sanpao suddenly arched its body, and amidst the golden patterns, the outlines of tiny scales actually emerged!
Yet as the light flickered, those outlines quickly grew blurry once more; the little fellow's four claws gripped the ground tightly, and low whimpers issued from its mouth.
Yu Xiaogang on the bed likewise abruptly tensed his body.
His soul power was continuously surging toward his Martial Soul, and with every single transmission, he could clearly feel the near-tear-like pain upon Sanpao's body.
The medicinal pill was propelling the Martial Soul into altering its form, and this change was transmitted back to his own body without a single omission along their mutual connection.
Yu Xiaogang's lips turned pale and his fists clenched tightly, yet he never once cried out from the pain or wished to give up.
Li Qingshan bent down to inspect him, raising a hand to channel a wisp of gentle soul power to protect several meridians that were bearing the greatest pressure, causing Yu Xiaogang's brow to relax slightly at last.
"This step must be walked by yourself," Li Qingshan said in a deep voice. "Master will protect your meridians for you; you steady your soul power and don't let Sanpao down."
"This disciple... remembers."
Another wave of distended pain struck, causing Yu Xiaogang's breathing to stall as sweat dripped along his jawline to soak his collar.
And Luo Sanpao's round body finally gradually elongated amidst the golden light.
Its limbs continuously tensed as its claw tips probed outward bit by bit, and after a few flickers of light and dark, the scale outlines at the back of its neck also gradually stabilized.
Pale-golden luster flowed along the fine scales, and with every additional fraction of change, its body had to endure a fresh wave of trembling.
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