A Massive Surge!

"Let's see how much this pill can charge the Black Seal!"

Mo Yun took a deep breath, sat cross-legged beneath a large tree, and held the Emerald Pill in his palm.

Moonlight spilled down, lending the pill a lustrous sheen. Wisps of medicinal fragrance drifted into his nose, and even a single sniff refreshed his spirits.

"This pill... what exactly is it?"

Mo Yun studied it closely for a moment, recalling the medicinal knowledge he had learned in the Spirit Herb Garden over the past few days.

It was emerald green, with a clean, non-cloying fragrance. Fine patterns were faintly visible on its surface, like traces left by condensed medicinal power.

"It's not poison."

He quickly reached that conclusion.

For one thing, he had spent all these days in the Spirit Herb Garden. The medicinal knowledge Zhou Bo and Liu Niang had taught him had not gone to waste.

Although he was nowhere near identifying ten thousand medicines at a glance, he had some confidence in determining whether a pill was poisonous.

For another...

Mo Yun lowered his head and glanced at the Black-and-White Seal on his wrist.

The Black Seal was growing faintly hot, and its hunger surged over him like a tide, even stronger than when he had first seen the Fire Spirit Fruit.

"The Black Seal and I are bound as one. Something it craves this badly wouldn't harm me, would it?"

Mo Yun grinned and hesitated no longer.

He placed the pill in his mouth and gently swallowed.

The instant the pill entered his stomach-

Boom!

A tremendous surge of medicinal power exploded from his stomach like floodwaters bursting through a dam, rushing into every limb and bone!

"Hsss-"

Mo Yun sucked in a sharp breath, his entire body instantly tensing.

This pill's effects were fiercer than those of any pill he had taken before!

The Qi-Blood Pill worked like a gentle simmer, warm and mild, nourishing everything in silence.

The Foundation-Nourishing Pill worked like a flowing hot spring, soothing and sustained, opening every pore in his body.

But this Emerald Pill-

It was like a ball of raging fire!

Scalding medicinal power rampaged through his body. Wherever it passed, every inch of muscle and every bone trembled, as though being roasted over blazing flames!

"This is way too fierce!"

Cold sweat instantly sprang up on Mo Yun's forehead, but he gritted his teeth and did not panic.

He closed his eyes and regulated his breathing according to the Tiger-Crouching Stance's breathing method, guiding the violent medicinal power through his body.

Once, twice, three times...

Gradually, the burning sensation became less unbearable, turning into warm currents that merged into his limbs and seeped into his bones, tendons, and muscles.

Just then-

The Black Seal on his wrist suddenly lit up!

Its radiance was brighter than ever before, and the black portion advanced at a speed visible to the naked eye!

"This fast?!"

Mo Yun's eyes lit up, delight flooding his heart.

He had known this pill was extraordinary, but he had never expected such potent effects!

In just a few breaths, the Black Seal had already filled a little!

At this rate, it was far faster than taking Foundation-Nourishing Pills or Qi-Blood Pills!

He hurriedly focused his mind and continued guiding the medicinal power, not daring to let himself become distracted for even a moment.

Time passed little by little.

The moonlight slowly shifted overhead, the tree shadows swayed, and all around him was silent.

Mo Yun sat cross-legged beneath the tree, heat rising from his body. Sweat dripped down his cheeks from his forehead, soaking the front of his clothes.

Yet he remained oblivious, all his attention fixed on the Black-and-White Seal on his wrist.

Driven by the medicinal power, the black portion advanced at an unprecedented speed.

Ten percent, twenty percent, thirty percent, past halfway!

Sixty percent, seventy percent...

Mo Yun's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

"What kind of treasure is this pill?!"

Time slipped by, and after who knew how long-

Hum!

The Black Seal on his wrist suddenly shuddered, its black portion filling completely!

Immediately afterward, black radiance flared, turning into specks of starlight that streamed into Mo Yun's brow.

The Black Seal emptied, returning to zero.

Then-

The medicinal power still had not run out!

Those warm currents continued circulating through his body, charging the Black Seal further!

Only after it had filled another fifteen percent or so did the medicinal power finally run out, and everything returned to stillness.

Mo Yun opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of stale air.

He looked down at his wrist. The Black Seal rested there quietly, its black portion already reformed to roughly fifteen percent.

"This..."

He froze for a moment, then wild delight spread across his face.

"One pill filled the Black Seal completely, with this much left over?!"

Its effects were even more potent than he had expected!

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed his excitement, and summoned the virtual panel with a thought.

A pale-blue panel appeared before his eyes, its information having quietly changed.

[Physique 5.6, vitality 2, defense 3.6, spiritual power 0]

[Martial arts: Nameless Fist Technique (Minor Accomplishment), Tiger-Crouching Fist (Minor Accomplishment), Tiger-Crouching Stance (First Glimpse of the Way)]

[Current cultivation: Early Bright Strength]

[Special ability: Pill Dao (not yet initiated)]

[Available points: black 1, white 0]

"One Black Point!"

Looking at the "1" in the available points field, Mo Yun could not stop the corners of his mouth from lifting.

"Not bad. I've accumulated another Black Point..."

He began calculating inwardly.

There are still seven days until the Guard Examination. With the excess energy from just now, if I keep cultivating as usual over the next few days, I should be able to condense another Black Point before the examination!

That way, my Tiger-Crouching Stance can advance from First Glimpse of the Way to Minor Accomplishment!

He raised his wrist and glanced at the White Mark.

The white radiance had already passed the halfway mark. Once his Stance Training advanced, it should fill considerably more.

Once my Stance Training advances, my cultivation will rise along with the tide. I should be able to step into Mid Bright Strength then.

Mo Yun took a deep breath, a flicker of anticipation passing through his eyes.

Although Mid Bright Strength was only one minor realm above Early Bright Strength, the difference in strength was considerable.

Most importantly, once his cultivation reached Mid Bright Strength, he could begin tempering his tendons and bones. His physical toughness would improve dramatically, and his fist techniques would unleash greater power.

Meanwhile, Mo Yun thought of the reward the Village Master had promised.

Now I'll just have to see what reward the Village Master gives me. Perhaps I'll get more pills. If so, my Stance Training might advance ahead of schedule...

Mo Yun grinned and looked up at the bright full moon in the night sky.

Moonlight spilled over him like water, carrying a hint of chill.

"It's getting late. Time to head back and rest."

He rose, brushed the dirt off his clothes, tucked the remaining silver and empty porcelain bottle securely against his body, and turned to head down the mountain.

The night breeze brushed past, carrying the chill of late autumn.

Mo Yun walked along the mountain path with light steps, feeling wonderfully at ease.

One pill, one Black Point-he was another step closer to advancing his Stance Training.

"The future looks bright!"