He continuously comprehended ten Cultivation Techniques.
Su Hao’s head throbbed and ached, and only then did he realize that this ability also had its limits in the short term, related to his brainpower; ordinary people also easily grew tired and developed headaches after studying for a long time.
“They are all basic Cultivation Techniques; mastering too many is useless… I should look at some Spells.”
At first, he had thought that the more the better.
After his temples started to ache, Su Hao quickly shifted his focus and memorized all the remaining basic Spells.
After doing all this, he felt dizzy and lightheaded and sat on the ground.
“Alas, in reality, the most important and useful Cultivation Technique for me is only one: Chiyan Swordplay! The others are no different from not looking at them.”
Su Hao rested for a while, belatedly realizing this point.
He had been exposed to so many Cultivation Techniques and Spells at once that his mind hadn’t quite processed it.
He came here to find a way to enhance his strength. One method of doing so is enough; biting off more than one can chew is not good!
Naturally, he chose the most suitable and convenient method.
After comprehending all the books, Su Hao had already determined which one was most suitable for him; there was no better Cultivation Technique here than Chiyan Swordplay!
The Refining Qi Manual’s power was insufficient, and the quality of the Spiritual Qi it condensed was poor.
Lingmu Jing (Spirit Wood Scripture) was a wood-elemental Cultivation Technique, and its Spiritual Qi was long and resilient, but the Spells recorded within it, and the standalone Spell, Teng Ci Shu (Thorn Vine Technique), were both very ordinary in power.
As for Cultivators in the Qi Refinement Stage, their Spiritual Qi is limited, and battles often rely on close-quarters combat, without too many flashy moves. Many Cultivators, even without sword Dao talent, would still learn some swordplay.
When Su Hao went downstairs, it was already dark.
Old Man Zhao had built a bonfire at the entrance of the Zhu Xin Courtyard and was roasting a pheasant. Beside him was a jar of wine, which he occasionally lifted for a gulp.
“Kid, you’re out?” Old Man Zhao waved at Su Hao. “Do you understand what you read?”
“…” Su Hao smiled, deeply aware of the importance of keeping a low profile.
“Even the most trashy Cultivation Technique, if you fumble around on your own, a single misstep could lead to Qi Deviation,” Old Man Zhao said with a sigh.
Su Hao’s eyes darted around, and he bowed to Old Man Zhao, “Senior, can you teach me to Cultivate?”
“Heh? Did you forget what I said this afternoon? Talent is very important! If you don’t have the talent, how can I teach you? Can you even last until that day?”
Before he finished speaking, Old Man Zhao slapped his own mouth and mumbled, “Almost let something slip again.”
“Senior, you don’t need to hide anymore. I know many things, such as the actual purpose of Medicine Slaves. Lin Zhishan wants to use us to complete his Bai Xuan Gang Body, right?!”
Su Hao moved a little closer.
“Oh, you even know about the Bai Xuan Gang Body!” Old Man Zhao was greatly shocked. A Medicine Slave couldn’t possibly know such a deep secret.
Even he himself had only accidentally learned of this secret from a deacon.
“Since you know, are you very scared now?” Old Man Zhao pondered for two seconds and didn’t press further.
“Yes, so I want to find a way to survive,” Su Hao sighed.
“Don’t bother. With Lin Zhishan’s Qi Refining Seventh Layer strength and decades of experience, how can you fight him? If you Cultivate according to normal Cultivation Techniques, it would be good to improve by one layer in a year or a year and a half. Moreover, in terms of Spells and Magical Artifacts, it also takes time to make up for it.
I advise you to be honest and die a quicker death.”
Old Man Zhao shook his head and simply spoke frankly. Anyway, this kid already knew about the Medicine Slaves.
“That’s impossible… Ge Lao Si, who came in with me, reached Qi Refining Second Layer in a few days, and Master also gave him many Essence Blood Pills. Senior Brother Lin Miao said that Essence Blood Pills are treasures, and Lin Zhishan spent a lot of effort and precious Materials on them.”
Su Hao looked like a simpleton. “Master also gave me many Essence Blood Pills.”
“Essence Blood Pill is a Spirit Pill that gathers many precious Medicinal Materials. Lin Zhishan indeed spent a lot of effort on it, and his decades of savings were all spent on this. The Medicinal Pill’s potency is strong; one pill can be equivalent to a month of Cultivation.”
Old Man Zhao’s words abruptly stopped.
“Essence Blood Pill is poisonous, right?” Su Hao tentatively asked.
“…” Old Man Zhao frowned, staring intently into Su Hao’s eyes. “Who told you so much?”
“Alas, it’s a long story… Anyway, you also know my predicament; there’s nothing I can do.” Su Hao sighed deeply. “I will obediently listen to Lin Zhishan. Now I just want to be a clear-headed ghost.”
Old Man Zhao glared at Su Hao, “Then don’t harm me! If I tell him everything, Lin Zhishan will come after me.”
“He has already gone into seclusion with Ge Lao Si. Next, it will most likely be my turn, so he won’t care about such issues,” Su Hao said.
“Actually, telling you is fine. One Essence Blood Pill shortens your lifespan by one year! You won’t live to a ripe old age, so naturally, you don’t have to worry about this toxicity.”
Old Man Zhao thought for a moment and still told him the truth.
“One Essence Blood Pill shortens your lifespan by one year!”
Su Hao was startled, but what he said was also true. A Medicine Slave couldn’t even live for a year, let alone decades. Whether their lifespan was a hundred or a thousand years, it didn’t matter.
Su Hao had no other questions.
He said he was asking Old Man Zhao for guidance on Cultivation, but in reality, it was because Old Man Zhao was kinder than the other people from the Golden Light Sect. He used this topic as an excuse to ask more questions.
“Thank you for your honesty, Senior.”
Su Hao bowed and took his leave.
Old Man Zhao watched Su Hao leave, shaking his head with emotion.
In such a Sect, even he himself had to rely on weakness and flattery to barely survive.
His situation was no better than Su Hao’s; he could only barely survive in such a Zhu Xin Courtyard.
…
Back at the Zhu Xin Courtyard, Su Hao went straight back to his room and immediately swallowed another Essence Blood Pill.
“If the toxicity only shortens my lifespan and won’t cause my sudden death, then it’s still acceptable!
Not to mention, my Physique has strong resistance to Medicinal Pill toxicity.”
Su Hao no longer had any worries.
Relying on his “Medicine Spirit” talent, if he could completely resist the Medicinal Pill toxicity, that would naturally be the best.
But if there was only a partial detoxification effect, that would also work, reducing the loss.
Not long after swallowing the Essence Blood Pill, that uncomfortable feeling of nausea and dry heaving surged again.
This time, Su Hao was prepared and vomited into the wooden bucket.
Then he began to Cultivate.
The abundant Medicinal Pill power from two Essence Blood Pills filled his limbs and bones.
Su Hao’s whole body was boiling with excitement, and blood rushed to his head.
He sat cross-legged on the bed and circulated the Mind-Cultivation Technique of Chiyan Swordplay.
The Medicinal Pill power continuously transformed into surging Spiritual Qi.
The Spiritual Qi refined by the Hundred Mysteries Medicine Meridian dispersed during this process and merged into the new Spiritual Qi.
The Spiritual Qi condensed by Chiyan Swordplay was even more robust, violent in nature, and its power and quality were far superior to what the Hundred Mysteries Medicine Meridian, that false Cultivation Technique, could compare to.
In the blink of an eye, a night passed.
The accumulated Medicinal Pill power from the nourishing heart pills and Essence Blood Pills taken over many days was completely dissolved and transformed.
Under normal circumstances, without the foundation of nourishing heart pills and Hundred Mysteries Medicine Meridian Spiritual Qi, if Su Hao did not continue to take nourishing heart pills and Essence Blood Pills, he would no longer be suitable to be used as Materials by Lin Zhishan for his Bai Xuan Gang Body.
【Name】 Su Hao
【Realm】 Qi Refining Second Layer
【Talent】 Fire Essence Sword Body (Blue), Medicine Spirit (Blue), Medicine Person (Gray, Ineffective)
Su Hao didn’t feel any side effects from the Essence Blood Pill. Lifespan is something invisible and intangible, so he naturally couldn’t judge the related loss of lifespan.
“Take one day at a time, live one day and earn one day! Even if I die, I won’t let Lin Zhishan have his way!”
Su Hao saw no hope of defeating Lin Zhishan; the Realm gap was too great!
Only three Essence Blood Pills were left.
The others were all in Lin Miao’s hands.
Su Hao simply swallowed all three remaining Essence Blood Pills!
Qi Refining Cultivators needed time to refine and absorb Essence Blood Pills. Even Lin Zhishan wouldn’t dare to swallow so many Essence Blood Pills at once.
The Medicinal Pill power was too violent, a huge burden on the Meridians and internal organs.
Su Hao dared!
It was merely a distending pain in his Meridians, and this pain gradually improved during the Cultivation process.
That night, Lin Miao surprisingly didn’t come to the Zhu Xin Courtyard.
“Butler, do you have any long swords or daggers?” Su Hao asked the steward of the Zhu Xin Courtyard.