Chapter 324 - 210: Blood Lingzhi, The Examination

Chapter 324: Chapter 210: Blood Lingzhi, The Examination

Perhaps from their perspective, spending nine days immersed in contemplation on Sword Peak only to see a slight improvement in the Cloud Mountain Sword Form would leave anyone feeling frustrated.

Seeing the siblings’ sincere concern, Xie Yuan didn’t mention that his Cloud Mountain Sword Form had actually reached a state of flawless perfection. He simply accepted their words, chatted with them for a few more moments, and then saw them off.

’There will probably be quite a few more questions and inquiries like this in the coming days...’

’Besides, Li Xingtuo already indicated what I should say. As long as I speak and act according to the Sect Leader’s instructions, I’m practically a model disciple. There’s no problem at all.’

’No one should be coming to disturb me now.’

Xie Yuan bolted the courtyard gate and shut the doors and windows tight, making it seem as if no one was home.

Then, he took out his Spiritual Medicines. He rubbed his hands together slightly, grinning as he began to pick through them.

This was the great thing about having a private courtyard: privacy. Whether he was training or brewing medicine, no one would disturb him. If he were still in the Outer Sect, even if he locked himself in his bedroom, he would worry about the medicinal aroma reaching Lin Cheng’s nose and would have to go down to Cloud Mountain Town to brew his decoctions.

’Cultivation on the Martial Dao is impossible without supplementing with medicinal decoctions. The pharmacology of the Martial Dao has developed to the point where modern methods are quite perfected. As long as one follows the prescriptions, one can accelerate their cultivation without being troubled by medicinal toxins. After all, every medicine carries some poison. If you take them carelessly, it’s anyone’s guess if the pros will outweigh the cons.’

’As long as you follow the recipe and don’t take the medicine too often or in excessive amounts, the impurities in the herbs are basically refined away during the cultivation process. The side effects are negligible, and there won’t be any long-term consequences.’

’And one of the most fundamental principles of Martial Dao pharmacology is to never consume more than one primary ingredient with differing properties at the same time.’

The Blood Lingzhi and the Mountain King Ginseng were clearly two rare Treasure Medicines that could serve as primary ingredients. One governed blood, the other governed qi. Taking them at the same time would be too potent and would pose a hidden danger to the body.

Thus, Xie Yuan had to choose which one to use as the primary ingredient—in other words, whether to first enhance his Qi and Blood or supplement his Inner Strength.

Xie Yuan mulled it over but didn’t hesitate for long.

’I don’t train like Situ Qin, who focuses mainly on Internal Strength. For me, although Inner Strength has always been a huge help, Blood Qi is the very foundation. My Inner Strength realm isn’t lagging behind right now, so I should focus on replenishing my Blood Qi and raising my cultivation level first.’

After all, his foundational technique was the Buddhist hard style, the Golden Bell Shield. He had always prioritized Blood Qi, with Inner Strength following suit.

Once he made his decision, Xie Yuan put away the other Treasure Medicines, storing them carefully. Then he sized up the Blood Lingzhi and decided not to even bother cutting it. He would just boil the entire stalk to prevent any loss of medicinal efficacy.

He took out the supplementary herbs Situ Qin had prepared for him. They had been thoughtfully divided into individual packets. Xie Yuan poured the contents of one packet into a medicinal pot in the correct order, added water, and brought it to a boil. Once the liquid became a uniform brew, he dropped the entire Blood Lingzhi in and let it simmer on low heat.

Afterward, Xie Yuan picked up his Hundred-Change Profound Weapon, which had taken the form of a disciple’s sword, and went into the courtyard to practice the Cloud Dragon Nine Forms. Every so often, he would go back inside to check on the pot, adjust the heat, add firewood, and top up the water.

Anyone who had practiced martial arts for some time basically knew how to brew a medicinal decoction, just as it was rumored that every Cultivator had some basic skill in Alchemy.

Fortunately, the Blood Lingzhi’s properties were so potent that brewing it didn’t require precise measurements. This meant Xie Yuan didn’t have to watch over it constantly, which would have been a great waste of effort. After all, it was an earthly treasure that could even be eaten raw—how could it be so inconvenient to prepare?

By evening, Xie Yuan had added water three times and firewood twice. He had also gone through the entire set of the Cloud Dragon Nine Forms from start to finish. At his current realm of Minor Success, he even had a few new insights.

By then, the Blood Lingzhi had completely dissolved into the brew, transforming it into a pot of crimson, crystal-clear liquid that looked like blood.

’This should be enough for four or five doses, to be taken at intervals.’

Xie Yuan eyed the full pot, and as he made his assessment, he could already feel a stir of anticipation.

He took out some flasks and divided the liquid into exactly five doses. Xie Yuan placed four of the flasks in a cabinet and thought to himself:

’Logically, this kind of decoction shouldn’t spoil easily... Still, I should go to the dining hall tomorrow and get some Shady Mountain Profound Ice to keep it frozen.’

After tidying up, Xie Yuan picked up the one remaining flask of the Blood Lingzhi decoction. He gave it a swirl and watched the crimson ambrosia within roil like a wave, a truly captivating sight.

He sat cross-legged on his bed and regulated his breathing slightly. Once everything was settled, he raised the flask and drained it in one gulp.

HSSS—

Hot!

A searingly hot liquid shot down his throat and into his stomach. Xie Yuan felt like he wasn’t drinking medicine, but molten lava!

He couldn’t help but open his mouth and let out a burp, releasing a thick, red mist. The temperature was so high that it even caused the air in front of him to shimmer and distort.

Xie Yuan immediately clamped his mouth shut, not wanting to waste any more of this medicinal vapor, which was the very essence of the brew.

Feeling the unprecedented burning sensation in his stomach, Xie Yuan’s brow furrowed, and he winced as he thought:

’No wonder she said this stuff tastes awful. She clearly has some in the storehouse but doesn’t like to take it. This stuff really packs a punch!’

Treasure Medicines that replenish Qi and Blood all had the side effect of making one’s Qi and Blood boil and their whole body feel scorching hot. They were naturally full of heat—nothing could be more normal.

The restorative medicines Xie Yuan had taken before, like the Blood Dragon Pill, all had a similar effect, like drinking boiling water that scalded a path from his throat, down his esophagus, and into his stomach. It was a searing yet invigorating sensation.

However, compared to the Blood Lingzhi, everything he had experienced before was child’s play.

This wasn’t boiling water anymore; this was like swallowing a red-hot piece of charcoal. It was practically torture! Next to this, the Blood Dragon Pill felt as pleasant as a cold drink in the sweltering summer heat.