Jie Jia was about to leave when Chen Mu hehehe chuckled and called to him, handing over a fist-sized white porcelain bottle.
"Inside is something good, it's useful for you, so I'm gifting it to you."
Not knowing why, Jie Jia took the bottle and opened it to look, and he, with his extensive knowledge, turned pale at sight of its contents.
Then, seeing Chen Mu squinting his eyes with a smile, he felt even more irritated.
Without any expression, Jie Jia tucked the item away, giving Chen Mu a glance with his bright yellow eyes.
"Are you really giving it to me?"
Chen Mu immediately nodded, "Gifted!"
Jie Jia asked calmly, "Do you know what it is?"
Chen Mu chuckled and shook his head, indicating he knew nothing.
"It's called Jinyang Pill." Jie Jia's eyes held a hint of mirth, "A secret medicine from the Red Ship, it's sold at the brothels for twenty silver taels per pill.""And it's priceless."
Having said that, he looked at Chen Mu with a smile full of satisfaction.
Twenty taels per pill, that was one hundred and twenty taels for a bottle of six!
And with it being priceless, he could possibly sell it for one hundred and fifty taels with a flip of the hand!
To casually give away something worth one hundred fifty taels? Chen Mu watched Jie Jia, feeling pangs of heartache.
"You said it's a gift to me," Jie Jia said with a smile, his hands behind his back as he sauntered away.
Chen Mu: "..."
...
At the Chen Residence in Shanglin Neighborhood.
Chen Mu sat at a stone table within the pavilion.
On the table lay a book, the Blue-eyed Golden Ape Shape Cultivation Technique, which he had bought at a high price from Jie Jia.
Ever since he got it, he's been hit with one snag after another, including gifting it to someone and moving houses, and he hadn't found the time to settle down and practice.
Now the Startling Swan Gang has placed a bounty on him, Chen Mu doesn't dare to go outside much, providing him with ample time to dwell on the new Shape Cultivation Technique.
Stepping out of the pavilion, Chen Mu bent over, raising his left hand to grab while his right hand reached down to twist, as if scooping the moon.
He stood with one foot in front of the other, heels slightly lifted off the ground and toes gripping the soil, exerting force with the palms of his hands.
Maintaining his posture, Chen Mu adjusted his breathing. The rhythm of one hundred and eighty breaths was already memorized by heart. He immediately regulated his breathing while sensing the changes in his body's center of gravity.
The Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique required continuous running and moving.
The Blue-eyed Golden Ape Shape Cultivation Technique, however, consisted largely of static movements.
The Muscle Transformation Stage comprised eighteen postures, with a rhythm of one hundred and eighty breaths.
Chen Mu needed to complete the transitions between these eighteen postures and maintain stability within the one hundred eighty breath rhythms. Each posture had its corresponding breathing rhythm.
Only when the sequence was linked together in a cycle would the practice be considered effective. Any carelessness would throw the rhythm into chaos.
After trying for half an hour, his mind suddenly gained clarity.
It was as if he found a certain rhythm, the previously stumbling coordination now flowing smoothly.
Chen Mu looked toward the grey wall in front of him. Indeed, a new entry appeared at the bottom.
Reading: 1785/10000/Second Rank;
Painting: 1652/10000/Second Rank;
Throwing: 413/10000/Fourth Rank;
Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique: Limit;
Cooking: 4376/10000/Second Rank;
Pharmaceutical Technique: 6576/10000/Third Rank;
Sleeve Sword Technique: 4981/10000/Third Rank;
Five Ghosts Moving Mountain Curse: 5752/10000/Third Rank;
Blue-eyed Golden Ape Shape Cultivation Technique: 5/10000/First Rank;
"Keep going, maintain the rhythm."
But the final breath he took was slightly short, preventing the cycle from completing. His proficiency only increased by a point.
"Another big project," Chen Mu shrugged his shoulders.
Wondering when he would achieve Shell Soul perfection.
"No wonder so many people in the Jianghu are so eager for pills like the Dragon Transformation Pill."
One side is the endless cultivation of Shell Soul, and the other side offers immediately visible improvements.
Chen Mu guessed that even if the Jianghu learned of the malicious intentions of the elite clans and the hidden dangers of the pills, they would still be unable to resist taking them.
After all, once Shape Cultivation is perfected, one can dominate a region, with endless wealth and beauties at one's disposal. And if by chance they managed to reach the Wandering Soul stage, they would become a powerful figure, with endless authority and wealth—who wouldn't be envious?
"Far-sighted vision seems to be something only a few possess; most people tend to eagerly chase quick success."
"Luckily, I have the proficiency grey wall."
If it weren't for this cheat supporting him,
Who knows, Chen Mu might also have consumed the Dragon Transformation Pill and then been forced into the traps set by the major clans, struggling desperately in their scheming games, all for the sake of pill cultivation.
"Better keep on grinding."
...
At the Chen Residence in the Shanglin Neighborhood.
In the small courtyard on the east side, there used to be a little garden with pretty flowers whose names Chen Mu couldn't recall.
Chen Mu found them a delight to the eye and, in a happy fit, uprooted them all.
After that, he plowed and prepped the soil, planting various seasonal vegetables.
Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time for them to grow, and he still needed to buy vegetables from outside.
Continuing north along the street on the west side of the Shanglin Neighborhood, passing through Chongle Neighborhood, one would arrive at the North Market of Nanyang Prefecture.
South Market and North Market, the two major commercial halves of Nanyang Prefecture. All major transactions take place in these two markets.
Farmers also come into the city to sell vegetables along the street, but they're not as comprehensive as the markets.
Chen Mu strolled leisurely along the way.
While it's fun to grind proficiency, occasionally stepping out to take in the bustling crowd and see different scenes can also be refreshing.
Upon entering the North Market, the first thing he saw was the North Market Fan Tower.
Both the South and North markets have a Fan Tower, which are well-known places of extravagance in Nanyang Prefecture. Rumor has it that the owners behind them are from the five great families of Nanyang Prefecture.
Seven or eight five-story buildings are connected by corridors and sky bridges, occupying a vast area and always bustling, which draws attention.
On one of the Fan Towers, the Chunfeng Tower, girls flitted about with fluttering red sleeves.
Chen Mu glanced at them, seriously criticizing their revealing outfits.
Not fearing the cold at all!
Then he took another couple of looks before reluctantly going to buy vegetables.
As he passed by a tea house named Xinyuan, Chen Mu felt an urge and walked in.
He's been cooped up all day and needed to find a way to gather information.
When he was in Qingshan County, he used to regularly go to Bafang Tower for tea. Seeing Xinyuan Tea House, Chen Mu had a similar thought.
Buying vegetables can wait, first, he'll listen in on any news in Nanyang Prefecture.
...
The tea house wasn't small, with three floors, clearly not a common establishment.
As soon as he entered, the noisy atmosphere made Chen Mu feel particularly at home.
Storytellers, tea sippers, business negotiators—it's that familiar hustle and bustle of life that relaxed him.
Finding a corner to sit down, a pot of tea, a plate of freshly fried peanuts, and a serving of sesame soft cakes cost him sixty-five copper coins. That was enough to buy two jin of meat.
"Prices in Nanyang Prefecture are really high," Chen Mu muttered as he stuffed a piece of sesame cake into his mouth.
The soft, sweet, fragrant texture brightened Chen Mu's eyes, and he continued to eat three pieces before he stopped. There were only eight pieces on the small plate, and having eaten almost half, he wasn't yet satisfied.
Thinking of the more than ten thousand silver notes hidden in his Five Ghosts Bag, Chen Mu sighed. Even a landlord's family can run out of surplus.
"Buddy, pack me two portions of sesame cake to take away later!"
"Alright!"
...
"Speaking of the Startling Swan Gang, it's the largest gang in our Nanyang Prefecture. Ships going up and down the Jinshui River have to watch their expressions."
"But fortunately, the Startling Swan Gang has strict rules and gets things done with money. It's also because they consistently strike at river pirates that the transportation on Jinshui River remains smooth."
"Before, everyone had only heard of their name and didn't have much contact, as they mostly made a living on the river."
"But now their name is ringing out far and wide."
An old man with a goatee sat in the middle of the tea house, animatedly talking about the hot news from Nanyang Prefecture.
"Three days ago, Jin Wuduan, the gang leader of the Startling Swan Gang, challenged Pavilion Master Zhang from the Zhu Yi Pavilion and won a big victory! He soared to become the second best fighter in our Nanyang Prefecture, second only to Captain Shangguan of the Prefecture City Army. He's currently unrivaled in terms of fame!
"Speaking of the Zhu Yi Pavilion, you might not be familiar with it. It's an underground power in Da Liang, involved in unsavory business."
"Unbeknownst to whom they took on a bounty, they dared to make a move on the Startling Swan Gang's White Tiger Hall's Hall Master Lin Que, which angered Gang Leader Jin..."
The old man rattled on and on, while the audience listened with keen interest.
Chen Mu slowly sipped his tea, cracking peanuts and perked up his ears for the news.
Lin Que was killed, the Startling Swan Gang went to trouble the Zhu Yi Pavilion, and Gang Leader Jin Wuduan challenged Zhang Qinghe of the Zhu Yi Pavilion and even won…
The more Chen Mu listened, the stranger his expression became as he feigned lament, "Zhu Yi Pavilion really has taken on too much!"
"So tough."
"I hope Pavilion Master Zhang recovers soon." Chen Mu offered his blessings without a touch of sincerity.
"Aside from that bounty being a bit troublesome, am I temporarily safe?" Chen Mu thought to himself cheerfully, stuffing all the remaining sesame cakes into his mouth.
One word, sweet!
...
"That day, there was no wind on the river, yet the sky was dark with a mass of clouds. Each on a small boat, one leaped and crossed several tens of meters in the air as if descended by a thunderbolt from the heavens, landing with a crash on the lone island in the river heart!"
"Then the wind rose, and the clouds surged, the earth crumbled, and the mountains collapsed wherever they fought, as if earth dragons were turning over. The whole island was shattered by the aftermath of their battle..."
Chen Mu's eyes twitched fiercely.
How had the conversation moved from martial arts to the realm of immortals? With tales of mountains collapsing and earth dragons overturning...
The other patrons of the tea house listened intently, but Chen Mu felt more and more out of place.
A quiet conversation caught Chen Mu's attention.
"Heard that the Red Ship met with trouble," a chubby merchant whispered to his companion while cracking melon seeds.
"I heard, too, all the people on board are gone," his equally well-fed companion spoke in a low voice, "Young Master Lu from the Lu Family was known for his love of pleasure; he frequented almost every Red Ship on the Jinshui River. This time he boarded some ship and vanished."
"Hiss... Do you think someone plotted for his wealth and took his life?"
"No, some saw them at the Changrui Dock outside the city. That ship, according to them, looked ominous. Must be a ghost ship!"
"The Red Ship picks up clients on the Luo River every day; how did they end up outside the city?"
"They brought it upon themselves. No way to live."
"Indeed, a ghost ship can't enter Nanyang Prefecture."
Chen Mu frowned as he listened from the side.
Having been in Nanyang Prefecture for nearly five months, he had never heard of any demonic disturbances. He had almost forgotten about ghosts and ghouls.
Now, hearing about the mysterious Red Ship, he suddenly remembered that eerie long-haired woman: "No matter where I go, I can't escape these ghostly creatures."
Fortunately, Nanyang Prefecture had the protection of magic artifacts.
Chen Mu lost the interest to continue listening and, carrying the packed sesame soft cake, left the Xinyuan Tea House.
...
In the west-side pavilion of Chen Residence, Shanglin Neighborhood,
Chen Mu set up a gray wall in front of him and concentrated on his cultivation.
Every repetition raised his proficiency by one to five points.
Insights about the Blue-eyed Golden Ape Shape Cultivation Technique flowed into his mind like wisps and threads.
Chen Mu's eyes looked lifeless as he practiced over and over tirelessly.
Only when a slight pain started in his lungs did Chen Mu stop.
For the following half a month, he would leave home every five days to buy vegetables, have tea, and listen to news. The rest of his time was devoted to the Blue-eyed Golden Ape Shape Cultivation Technique.
...
As evening approached, in the second-floor study, Chen Mu opened the window and sat at the desk.
He picked up the warm milk tea and paired it with the imitation sesame soft cake, sitting comfortably in the lounging chair and enjoying the view of ships slowly moving down the Luo River, relaxing his spirit.
He habitually pulled up the gray wall to calculate his proficiency.
Keep the adventure going with
Blue-eyed Golden Ape Shape Cultivation Technique: 4140/10000/First Rank;
He had dropped all other skills to focus entirely on the Blue-eyed Golden Ape, completing nearly half in just half a month.
"Just as I thought!" Chen Mu clenched his fist uncontrollably.
The difficulty of Blue-eyed Golden Ape Shape Cultivation Technique was high, which paradoxically made proficiency come quicker!
"Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique has already greatly transformed my body. The Sleeve Sword Technique and Iron Lotus Seeds strengthen the body as well."
"A stronger body has greater endurance, allowing for more cultivation sessions each day."
"With a stronger physical foundation, it's easy to reach new heights. Areas that received less training previously only need a bit of focused energy to refine."
"Lower difficulty in practice and increased practice sessions naturally lead to rapid proficiency gains!"
The future gradually became clearer, yet Chen Mu couldn't quite feel happy about it.
"Compared to the children of noble families, I still fall far short," Chen Mu shook his head in some despondency.
"Their innate bloodlines enable them to advance leaps and bounds in cultivation each day."
"Their family's rich heritage has ensured a continuous supply of Secret Medicine to accelerate their progress since childhood."
"And they have access to a full lineage of inherited Shape Cultivation Techniques."
The more Chen Mu thought about it, the more frustrated he felt.
"These children of noble families are truly the favored ones of the heavens."
"They have bloodlines, Secret Medicines, and lineages."
"What do I have?"
"I have only this modest proficiency."
Chen Mu let out a long sigh.
"Fairness has always been relative," Chen Mu couldn't help but console himself.
"But sweat never lies!" he continued to motivate himself in various ways.
"Children of noble families may have a privileged birth, but I will never give up."
Chen Mu swiftly tucked the gray wall out of sight and gave himself a silent reminder.
"These external things can only disturb my spirit."
He then solemnly established his life creed.
"One can only rely on oneself!"
"I am determined to rely on a resolute will, unyielding effort, and every single drop of sweat, step by step, to reach the very top!"
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