Cultivation: Start From Simplifying Martial Arts Techniques

Jie Jindong, although not as outstanding as Chen Fei, was still exceptionally remarkable.

Yesterday’s situation was truly remarkable for Jie Jindong. He dared to step forward and rely on his movement technique to lure the enemies, saving the lives of other disciples and herb gatherers.

Such courage and responsibility would undoubtedly be rewarded by the sect. Even if Jie Jindong hadn’t acted, the outcome wouldn’t have changed. But the moment Jie Jindong chose to stand up, the result became inconsequential.

Of course, the real credit this time still belonged to Chen Fei and Guo Linshan. Without them, Jie Jindong would have attracted over 50 strange creatures.

With Jie Jindong’s movement technique, he wouldn’t have been able to escape. He would have been devoured by the Evil, which would then continue chasing after the other disciples and herb gatherers.

In the end, Jie Jindong would have died, and no one else would have escaped the dire situation.

“Jie Jindong, your brave actions in times of danger are commendable,” the Shanggong Hall deacon said in a deep voice.

“Thank you, Martial Uncle Zhang,” Jie Jindong replied, bowing his head. His previous arrogance had disappeared. A lot had happened that day, and Xie Jindong was still trying to process it all.

“Guo Linshan, Chen Fei!”

“Here!” Chen Fei cupped his hands.

“Both of you disregarded your own safety at a critical moment and saved many disciples and herb gatherers. According to the sect’s rules, Chen Fei will be rewarded with eight thousand contribution points, and Guo Linshan with five thousand contribution points!” the Shanggong Hall deacon announced in a solemn tone.

“Thank you, Martial Uncle Zhang!” Chen Fei and Guo Linshan looked at each other and smiled.

“No need to thank me. This is the sect’s rule,” the Shanggong Hall deacon waved his hand. “Dismissed.”

Feng Xiupu looked at his two disciples with a satisfied smile on his face. He was particularly surprised that Guo Linshan had a photographic stone with him.

However, Feng Xiupu had forgotten when Guo Linshan had recorded a video of him guiding him on the essentials of the Origin Connection Technique.

Two hours later, at Guo Linshan’s house.

“Brother Guo, do you have any suggestions on how to use contribution points?” Chen Fei asked, taking a sip of cold tea.

“Didn’t you ask me about the conditions to access the sect’s Sutra Library? With your 8,000 contribution points, you have long surpassed the threshold. You can already use them to exchange for cultivation techniques. If you don’t want a cultivation technique, as an alchemist, you can exchange them for pill formulas,” Guo Linshan replied with a smile. “Apart from the Sutra Library, the Treasure Depository doesn’t have a threshold. You can visit it freely. They have various items such as pills and weapons that you can exchange for.”

Chen Fei’s eyes lit up. He didn’t have a strong desire for cultivation techniques. The most important thing now was to reach the fourth level of the Origin Connection Technique and advance to the Marrow Tempering realm as soon as possible.

However, that didn’t diminish Chen Fei’s interest in visiting the Sutra Library.

He wanted to broaden his horizons and see what kinds of cultivation techniques were available. Moreover, if he found a good cultivation technique, he could exchange for it when needed.

Previously, he couldn’t even enter the Sutra Library since his contribution points hadn’t reached 1,000.

“Oh, by the way, Senior Brother Guo, because we encountered the evil things this time. We haven’t completed even half of the mission to obtain the medicinal herbs,” Chen Fei suddenly mentioned.

“Of course, we need to find a way to continue,” Guo Linshan replied. His smile vanished, and he spoke with a serious tone. “The Immortal Cloud Sword Sect doesn’t care what happens to us. They only care about the results. They’ll probably send the elders to eliminate the evilness on that mountain and continue with the medicinal herb mission.”

Chen Fei frowned slightly. The Immortal Cloud Sword Sect was truly overbearing.

However, he understood that the sect was an overlord, and strength dictated attitude. Even if he felt dissatisfied, there was nothing he could do.

“So, are we going?”

“No, let the other disciples go,” Guo Linshan patted Chen Fei’s shoulder. “Junior Brother, take this time to focus on cultivating the Origin Connection Technique and reach the Marrow Tempering realm as soon as possible. Only with a high cultivation level can you ensure your safety. Sometimes, you won’t be able to escape just because you want to.”

Guo Linshan was worried that Chen Fei would rely too heavily on his movement technique and neglect his martial arts realm. Movement techniques could help avoid most troubles, but there were situations where even they wouldn’t be enough to save one’s life.

“Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I understand,” Chen Fei replied with a smile. He had never slackened in his pursuit of advancing his cultivation realm.

Two hours later, Chen Fei arrived in Immortal Cloud City and met Chi Defeng.

“Where have you been recently? Why do you look a little worn out?” Chen Fei asked, noticing the dark circles under Chi Defeng’s eyes. He seemed unwell compared to when they last met.

“I’m fine. Since you weren’t around and there were no pills to sell, I wandered around Immortal Cloud City. I even went to the Drunken Red Pavilion a few times. Tsk tsk, it was quite exhausting,” Chi Defeng yawned and commented, rubbing his waist as if he couldn’t bear it but still wanted to go again.

Chen Fei couldn’t help but laugh. He realized that Chi Defeng had been spending his time indulging in the pleasures of the city. No wonder he looked drained.

“Take it easy,” Chen Fei advised.

“I’m good,” Chi Defeng waved it off. “You haven’t told me why you’re back so early. Did you encounter some trouble while gathering herbs?”

“We ran into the Divine Flame Sect and evil,” Chen Fei explained. “I suspect the Divine Flame Sect may have orchestrated the calamity as a form of revenge.”

“The Divine Flame Sect?” Chi Defeng furrowed his brows, trying to recall where he had heard the name before. After a moment, it clicked in his mind. “Ah, the sect that’s always at odds with the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect. How did you offend them?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps it’s because we’re assisting the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect in herb gathering,” Chen Fei shrugged.

The Divine Flame Sect was known for their unpredictable actions. It was also possible that someone else had committed some wrongdoing and framed the Divine Flame Sect for it. Regardless, the sect had gained a notorious reputation, and no one would believe their side of the story even if they explained.

“Are we still continuing with pill refinement tomorrow?” Chi Defeng asked. He found the Drunken Red Pavilion to be a great place, with delicious food, warm hospitality, and enchanting women. The only drawback was the cost.

“Yes, we’ll continue refining the Eternal Floating Pill tomorrow. Just bring the medicinal ingredients as usual,” Chen Fei confirmed.

Chi Defeng nodded. Refining pills on the mountain was inconvenient, so he preferred to do it from the next day onwards. He had earned quite a sum of money recently, so he could afford to relax for a bit.

The two of them chatted for a while longer before Chen Fei left the courtyard and headed to a medicine shop.

“Sir, how may I assist you?” The shopkeeper approached Chen Fei with enthusiasm.

“Do you have any pills that can protect the body’s meridians?” Chen Fei inquired.

“Certainly, but they’re quite expensive,” the shopkeeper replied, nodding.

“What’s the price?” Chen Fei asked curiously.

“Three hundred taels each!

II

As the shopkeeper spoke, he walked to a shelf and took out a bottle of pills, placing it in front of Chen Fei.

Chen Fei’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he examined the medicinal pills on the counter. He hadn’t expected them to be so expensive.

“Could you open it so I can smell it?” Chen Fei requested.

“Of course.”

The shopkeeper nodded and opened the stopper of the medicine bottle. A faint medicinal fragrance wafted through the air. Chen Fei’s nostrils twitched as he quickly analyzed the medicinal ingredients that composed the pill.

Observing Chen Fei’s expression, the shopkeeper couldn’t help but smile. “It seems you’re knowledgeable in this field. The requirements for the medicinal ingredients used to refine this pill are extremely high. Not to mention the supplementary ingredients, even the main ingredient, Heavenly Star Grass, needs to be matured for over twenty years.”

Chen Fei nodded. The medicinal fragrance did indeed contain traces of Heavenly Star Grass, and its medicinal properties were potent. He couldn’t determine if it had been matured for twenty years, but it had certainly taken a considerable amount of time.

“Not many people buy this pill,” Chen Fei remarked.

“That’s true. Most customers opt for pills that enhance their inner strength, such as the Eternal Floating Pill or the Flying Ascent Pill,” the shopkeeper confirmed without hiding anything.

“Alright, I’ll take a look,” Chen Fei said, but he didn’t immediately make the purchase.

“You can check other medicine shops as well. My price is already the lowest,” the shopkeeper suggested, aware of Chen Fei’s deliberation.

Chen Fei didn’t respond immediately. He cupped his hands and left the medicine shop.

He spent some time visiting several major medicine shops in Immortal Cloud City. The first shopkeeper had been truthful—their prices were indeed the lowest.

In the end, Chen Fei purchased a bottle and decided not to return to the sect immediately. Instead, he chose to stay in a courtyard in Immortal Cloud City.

Night fell.

“Shall we go together?” Chi Defeng, with dark circles under his eyes, looked at Chen Fei and invited him warmly.

“That kind of place can be detrimental to one’s spirit and willpower. It poses a significant challenge to martial arts cultivation,” Chen Fei replied with a serious tone.

“So?” Chi Defeng urged.

“So, I want to confront my weakness,” Chen Fei said resolutely.

“Alright, let’s go!” Chi Defeng laughed heartily.

The two of them walked through the bustling streets of Immortal Cloud City until they reached a brightly lit restaurant. The place was filled with people coming and going, and the women at the entrance welcomed guests with a cool demeanor.

Rather than greeting them with smiles, the women maintained a cold expression, observing the guests’ arrival.

However, this seemed to further excite the people around, who shamelessly ogled at the enchanting figures of these women, barely containing their eagerness.

“This is just the entrance. The challenge lies inside,” Chi Defeng remarked with a smile as he led Chen Fei into the Drunken Red Pavilion.

“Young Master, this way, please,” a soft voice reached their ears.

The merry-making continued, and the warm breeze brought intoxicated tourists and transformed Hangzhou into Bianzhou.

Four hours later, feeling refreshed, Chen Fei returned to his rented courtyard.

Failing to confront his weakness, he decided to resume cultivating.

He swallowed the Meridian Protecting Pill he had purchased earlier. The pill dissolved in his mouth, releasing a cool energy that spread throughout his body. Chen Fei closed his eyes and began to vigorously circulate the Origin Connection Technique.

Increasing the proficiency of the Origin Connection Technique wasn’t something he could achieve in a short period. However, he could improve the proficiency of the Meridian Protecting Pill.

Whether or not he could successfully complete his training would be dependent on how effective this pill was..