Chapter 136 - 87: Endure a Moment of Humiliation, Bear a Moment of Pain!

Chapter 136: Chapter 87: Endure a Moment of Humiliation, Bear a Moment of Pain!

Furthermore, the ingredients soaking in the medicinal bath were specifically chosen to open Zheng Jun’s pores and accelerate his absorption. In a matter of minutes, he felt as if he had been cast into a Hell filled with tens of millions of silver needles. The pricking sensation was everywhere, excruciatingly painful—far worse than the agony of practicing his Horizontal Training.

Yet, this torment originated from his Dantian and his True Qi, rather than his physical flesh.

Thus, even with his Great Success Realm Hard Qi Skill and Minor Achievement Realm Iron Sand Demon Suppression Skill, Zheng Jun could do nothing to alleviate this needle-like agony!

"Only by enduring the bitterest of hardships can one rise above the rest!"

Zheng Jun took a deep breath. Gritting his teeth, he gripped the sides of the wooden tub so tightly that his immense strength left two deep finger marks in the wood!

The tub’s material was clearly out of the ordinary. Had it been a common wooden tub, it would have shattered instantly under his grasp.

Those destined for greatness must endure temporary humiliation and tolerate fleeting pain! Zheng Jun understood this principle profoundly.

Although his Cultivation Techniques were obtained through a loan, he dared not slacken for a single moment during the repayment process. He could naturally withstand this torment of a thousand needles!

Clenching his jaw, Zheng Jun felt the Qi and Blood within his body being stimulated. Like a stream merging into a mighty river, it surged torrentially!

His True Qi was now converging with the Blood Soul Qi Fiend. The Blood Soul Qi Fiend suppressed and continuously wore down the True Qi within him. Slowly but surely, his once-abundant True Qi was being tempered by the Blood Soul Qi Fiend, gradually refined into Gang.

Qi Storage consisted of two stages: Qi Collection and Refining Gang.

As Zheng Jun assimilated the Blood Soul Qi Fiend, the Qi Collection stage drew to a complete close. He officially transitioned into the Refining Gang stage!

At this moment, Zheng Jun’s skin grew scalding hot as his muscles rapidly swelled. He was like an endlessly inflating balloon, seemingly on the verge of popping at any second. His entire body trembled precariously!

"This Blood Soul Qi Fiend is fiercely intense, and this medicinal bath is pure torture! Even my life-and-death battle with Meng Xian—where blood sprayed everywhere and I sustained severe injuries—wasn’t nearly this agonizing. It hurts like hell!"

Forcing himself to endure the pain, Zheng Jun remained quietly submerged in the medicinal bath.

[Circulation Qi Collection complete, Refining Gang formed! Broken Jade Skill repayment progress +258. Current repayment progress: 3000/3000.]

[Broken Jade Skill (Mastery) completely repaid.]

Seeing this, Zheng Jun noticed that the Blood Soul Qi Fiend around him had not yet dissipated. He gritted his teeth and declared inwardly, "I want to take an advance on the Broken Jade Skill!"

This Blood Soul Qi Fiend was far too formidable, and his progress was rising so rapidly that he absolutely couldn’t waste it. He had to take the advance immediately!

[Advance successful.]

[Current Inner Power advance: Broken Jade Skill (Minor Achievement). Repayment progress: 0/5000.]

As the small, ink-wash characters materialized before him, Zheng Jun couldn’t help but feel a surge of motivation.

Seeing tangible feedback from his hard work was the best possible encouragement. He would keep pushing!

Outside the room, Qingdai went to the kitchen to prepare pastries for Zheng Jun. These weren’t ordinary pastries, but rather medicinal delicacies infused with herbs. They were quite sweet to the taste.

As a high-ranking Medicine Girl of Jishi Hall, Qingdai had known how to make them since childhood.

Her beautiful eyes drifted toward the guest room where Zheng Jun was taking his medicinal bath. As she prepared the pastries, she felt incredibly puzzled.

The process of absorbing the Blood Soul Qi Fiend was agonizing beyond measure, requiring one to constantly endure the violent impacts of the Evil Qi. Because of this, it was customary to serve a few delicious pastries after someone absorbed the Blood Soul Qi Fiend, helping to alleviate the lingering agony.

In the past, Qingdai had followed senior staff members and witnessed several Outer Gang Martial Artists absorb the Blood Soul Qi Fiend. Their endless, bloodcurdling screams had been enough to send chills down her spine and make her hair stand on end.

Yet, to her absolute astonishment, Young Master Zheng hadn’t let out a single sound, maintaining his composure throughout. It was truly surprising, giving her the profound impression that this Young Master Zheng was extraordinary.

Qingdai thought to herself, "It seems Shopkeeper Shang has a good eye. Young Master Zheng is indeed an exceptional talent. Our hall has finally found a Hidden Dragon truly worth investing in."

After steaming the pastries, she sprinkled them with osmanthus to coat them in a floral fragrance. Lifting the jade tray, she rose gracefully and made her way toward the guest room.

Having grown up in Jishi Hall, Qingdai naturally prioritized the organization above all else. She would undoubtedly report Zheng Jun’s performance during the medicinal bath to her superiors, prompting the hall to re-evaluate him.

Two hours passed in a flash. Zheng Jun climbed out of the medicinal bath and changed into an exquisite Official Robe with tightened cuffs. He fastened a cloud-patterned belt and stepped into his jade-brocade boots, exuding a commanding presence with a spirited stride.

Just as he stepped out the door, two graceful young maids approached him. They smiled gently and said softly, "Please wait a moment, Young Master. It is unseemly to leave your hair loose. Allow us to bind your hair and place your crown."

"Mhm." Zheng Jun nodded, allowing the two girls to style his hair.

Soon after, Qingdai walked over gracefully, carrying a tray of pastries. Unceremoniously, Zheng Jun devoured the entire plate in record time. As he ate, small, ink-wash characters materialized before him.

[Broken Jade Skill (Minor Achievement). Current repayment progress: 452/5000.]

Four hundred and fifty-two, plus the two hundred and fifty-eight from when he had reached Mastery. A single dose of the Blood Soul Qi Fiend, combined with this medicinal bath and the burning incense, had actually increased his progress by over seven hundred points!

Sure enough, no matter how you looked at it, spending money was the fastest way to pay off debts.