Chapter 5: Red Entry

Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Red Entry

Seeing this, Lu Jing’an became even more determined to learn martial arts from Chen Xuan.

Obtaining entries was no easy task.

It had been half a month since he’d gotten the panel.

Lu Jing’an had been trying to figure out the mechanics of acquiring entries.

But despite trying various methods, he had come up empty-handed.

That was, until yesterday, when he acquired [As Clear as Daylight] from the Lamp Cultivator.

Lu Jing’an was starting to get a vague idea of how it worked.

But he couldn’t possibly run into dead Cultivators every day.

As for hunting down Cultivators, Lu Jing’an didn’t have the skill for that.

And even if he did, he had no desire to do so.

It wasn’t that Lu Jing’an was a kind person.

It was because he speculated that...

...most likely, not every Cultivator would drop an entry upon death.

If he killed too many Cultivators, the reward might not be worth the effort.

Now, he had a chance to gain an entry without any danger.

Lu Jing’an certainly wasn’t going to pass it up.

Seeing his firm attitude, Chen Xuan said no more and led him straight to a private training room.

Along the way, Lu Jing’an discreetly glanced above Chen Xuan’s head:

[Extraordinary Physique] (Green) — Can be obtained by performing Posture Stance for 50 hours.

[Note]: The entry comprehensively improves physique, increases Body Refinement speed by 50%, adds an extra 100% to all Attributes of Body Refining Skills, guarantees a 100% breakthrough rate for Body Refining Skills once conditions are met, and permanently increases Attack and Defense by 2 points each.

[Master of Boxing] (Red) — Can be obtained by Refining Fist for 100 hours + achieving Qi Blood First Transformation.

[Note]: The entry grants a master-level understanding of Fist Skills. Fist Skill Cultivation speed is increased by 500%, breakthrough rate is 100%, and all fist techniques gain an additional 10 Attack Power.

’Two entries!’

Lu Jing’an stared at the two entries on Chen Xuan. One of them was even a red entry, second only to gold in rarity.

The quantity and quality of one’s entries...

...were definitely linked to a Cultivator’s power.

Chen Xuan was worlds stronger than that Lamp Cultivator.

Huaisan’s words had been no exaggeration.

There was one thing, however, that Lu Jing’an didn’t quite understand.

The red entry on Chen Xuan was [Master of Boxing].

Yet, according to Lu Jing’an’s memory...

...Chen Xuan’s preferred weapon was a saber, and he rarely used his fists.

’There must be some hidden story here.’

Lu Jing’an didn’t dwell on the matter.

’Everyone has secrets.’

’And I have more than most.’

’When it comes time to learn his techniques, I’ll just choose his Fist Skill.’

’For now, the key is to get that green entry.’

One after the other, the two entered Chen Xuan’s private training room.

"Young Master, I’ll start by teaching you the Posture Stance."

"Once you’ve reached the Entry Level with your Pile Skill, I’ll teach you other techniques."

Chen Xuan’s words were polite.

But Lu Jing’an could still tell that Chen Xuan didn’t have much faith in him.

In Chen Xuan’s eyes, perhaps...

...the Pile Skill alone...

...would be enough to make Lu Jing’an give up.

"Young Master, what I’m teaching you is called the Earth Posture."

"The key is for your feet to be like roots, sinking deep into the Earth."

"So you can remain standing, no matter the force that comes your way."

"Once you master the basics, you’ll achieve the Qi Blood First Transformation."

As he spoke, Chen Xuan demonstrated the Posture Stance.

Chen Xuan’s body sank slightly, his feet seemingly planted into the Earth like deep roots.

His spine was relaxed yet straight, as if leaning against the void itself.

His arms embraced empty space, and his entire body was in a state between relaxed and tense, containing immense kinetic potential within its absolute stillness.

Lu Jing’an copied Chen Xuan from the side, assuming a similar posture.

The moment he completed the movement...

...Lu Jing’an felt how difficult it was.

Lu Jing’an’s form was far from perfect.

Yet even this imperfect form made him suffer immensely after just a minute or two.

By now, Lu Jing’an could feel every muscle in his body trembling.

This body, pampered for so many years...

...truly couldn’t endure the slightest hardship.

Fifty hours!

’I originally thought that wouldn’t be a big deal.’

’But now I see it’s not simple at all.’

Chen Xuan watched as Lu Jing’an’s entire body trembled.

He said nothing.

He didn’t even correct Lu Jing’an’s imperfect form.

Five minutes!

Lu Jing’an’s form hadn’t completely broken down, but fine beads of sweat had already appeared on his forehead.

Ten minutes!

Lu Jing’an’s form had severely deteriorated.

Large beads of sweat dripped from his forehead and neck.

Thirty minutes!

Lu Jing’an’s vision was starting to go black.

His legs were shaking like a leaf.

Seeing Lu Jing’an still holding on, a subtle change appeared on Chen Xuan’s face.

Clearly, Chen Xuan hadn’t expected Lu Jing’an to last this long.

Forty-five minutes!

A sweet taste rose in Lu Jing’an’s throat, his vision went black, and his legs gave out.

He collapsed to the ground.

His entire body was drenched in sweat.

He gasped greedily for air.

For a moment there, Lu Jing’an really thought he was about to die.

In the end, Lu Jing’an had to be carried by four servants and placed in a bathtub.

With the warm water flowing over him and four young maids massaging him from all sides, Lu Jing’an sank directly into a deep sleep.

By the time Lu Jing’an opened his eyes again, it was already afternoon.

His clothes had been changed into a dry shirt.

The moment he tried to move, a tearing soreness that nearly suffocated him wracked his body, followed by a ravenous hunger.

Lu Jing’an had just opened his mouth when a round-faced young maid who had been waiting nearby immediately stepped forward.

"Young Master, Military Officer Chen instructed that you be given one of the Ginseng Slices when you awoke."

"Ah!"

Lu Jing’an simply opened his mouth.

He left the rest to the maid.

The young maid carefully dipped a ginseng slice in some honey.

She gently placed it on Lu Jing’an’s tongue.

Then she gently helped him close his mouth.

This ginseng came from the other of the two stalks of Centennial Wild Ginseng that Lu Huaisan had sent over.

On Chen Xuan’s orders, it had been cut into slices.

After more than an hour, Lu Jing’an finally felt like he was alive again.

For dinner, following Chen Xuan’s instructions, many foods that replenished one’s qi and blood were added to the meal.

As servants waited on him, Lu Jing’an wolfed down his food and asked Chen Xuan:

"Uncle Xuan, is there any way to recover faster?"

’At this rate...’

’...the fifty hours of Posture Stance...’

’...will take me two months to complete, at best.’

That was far too slow for Lu Jing’an.

Chen Xuan’s reply was blunt. "Hire a Medical Cultivator."

Lu Jing’an’s eyes lit up.

This world had all sorts of Cultivators.

Medical Cultivators were different from traditional Healers.

They were like a superpowered version of a Healer.

An ordinary Healer would prescribe medicine, but the effects would be slow.

Medical Cultivators were different.

Not only were their methods incredibly fast-acting, they also possessed all sorts of unbelievable abilities.

For example, breaking Curses and Evil Techniques, performing Life Extension, and even healing a damaged Divine Soul.

These were all among the miraculous abilities of a Medical Cultivator.

Of course, the biggest difference was the price.

An ordinary Healer, even a famous one, would cost ten silver coins at most for a house call.

A single house call from a Medical Cultivator cost at least 100 silver coins.

And that didn’t even include the cost of medicine.

It was something no ordinary family could afford.

"Uncle Xuan, go hire a Medical Cultivator for me," Lu Jing’an decided instantly.

Lu Jing’an couldn’t care less about the expense.

A single night out at the pleasure quarters could cost him two to three hundred silver coins in tips alone.

He easily spent two to three thousand a month.

Chen Xuan was well aware of the Lu Family’s wealth.

So he didn’t try to argue.

He simply nodded in agreement.

The next morning, Chen Xuan returned with a female Medical Cultivator who had a stunning figure.

Looking at this female Medical Cultivator, who was very much his type, Lu Jing’an was a bit speechless.

However, Chen Xuan offered an explanation.

First, she was one of the few officially ranked Medical Cultivators in Yin Mountain County.

Second, faster blood circulation could accelerate the healing process.

With such a "reasonable" explanation, Lu Jing’an couldn’t possibly object.

And after experiencing the female Medical Cultivator’s healing effects once, Lu Jing’an was extremely satisfied.

With the aid of the Medical Cultivator after each Posture Stance session, Lu Jing’an’s total training time increased dramatically.

He could now endure a total of three hours of Posture Stance per day.

And that was far from his limit.

By Lu Jing’an’s calculations, with the Medical Cultivator’s help, his limit should be about six hours a day.

At that rate, Lu Jing’an could obtain his first entry in about ten days.

For five straight days, Lu Jing’an’s days fell into a cycle of training to collapse, being carried away for treatment, and then getting back up to train again.

Chen Xuan saw all of this.

At the same time, Chen Xuan’s demands on Lu Jing’an grew increasingly strict.

He began correcting his posture with greater force and more drastic adjustments.

By now, Lu Jing’an’s Posture Stance was starting to look quite proper.

Another three days passed like this.

Lu Jing’an once again pushed himself to the point of collapse.

Servants, long since waiting on standby, immediately rushed forward to support him.

They couldn’t let him fall to the ground again.

"Young Master, you’ve started your training rather late in life. Mastering the basics won’t be easy."

"You can take your time with this."

Chen Xuan had said this more than once.

But Lu Jing’an just waved a hand, panting, "It’s fine, Uncle Xuan. I can keep going."

As he watched Lu Jing’an being carried off for treatment by the Medical Cultivator, Chen Xuan’s opinion of him began to change.

Originally, Chen Xuan had thought that Lu Jing’an was just acting on a whim.

He figured the young master would last a day or two for the novelty of it, and then give up.

But he never expected Lu Jing’an to persevere for eight whole days.

Furthermore, with the Medical Cultivator’s aid, he had become even more diligent and hardworking.

This was something Chen Xuan truly had not anticipated.

The servants removed Lu Jing’an’s outer shirt and trousers.

Wearing only his under-shorts, Lu Jing’an was laid on a soft mattress.

The female Medical Cultivator, dressed in a qipao, walked over in her high heels.

She took the pre-cut slices of the Centennial Wild Ginseng and used Silver Needles to precisely affix them to the main acupoints on Lu Jing’an’s body.

As the Medical Cultivator activated her abilities, the Silver Needles trembled gently and began to glow red.

The Ginseng Slices rapidly melted into pure Essence.

It then flowed through the acupoints and into his body, bit by bit.

This process typically lasted forty minutes to an hour.

It was a process of both healing and nourishing.

Under this treatment, Lu Jing’an felt his body recovering at a rapid pace.

[Condition Met: Posture Stance for 50 hours. Entry Acquired: Extraordinary Physique (Green)]

Staring at the notification, Lu Jing’an finally broke into a wide grin.

’Eight days of hard work, all for this moment.’

Lu Jing’an immediately equipped the [Extraordinary Physique] entry.

The instant the entry took effect, Lu Jing’an felt his bones crackle and pop as his qi and blood surged like a tidal wave!

The ginseng Essence, which should have taken an hour to absorb, was instantly devoured.

"Doctor Cui, more Ginseng Slices!" he shouted urgently.

The female Medical Cultivator sensed the anomaly and immediately pressed half a stalk of old ginseng against his back.

She used her ability to melt it down, and its Medicinal Power surged into him. The memory of all his arduous training over the past eight days was branded into his very flesh and blood!

The Earth Posture was finally mastered.