C4 Replenishing Meridians
Although Meridian Grass exuded an unusual fragrance, its flavor upon consumption was far from pleasant; in fact, it was incredibly bitter. However, this bitterness was a minor inconvenience for Wei Lulin.
As the chewed Meridian Grass made its way into Wei Lulin's system, an excruciating pain tore through him, causing his expression to contort with intensity. He had anticipated that repairing his meridians would be painful, but the severity of the pain caught him off guard.
To Wei Lulin, it felt like it would be easier to die than to endure this agony. The pain was so intense that he longed to howl in anguish, but mindful of the others in the courtyard, he suppressed the urge, gripping the edge of the bed tightly with both hands.
Wei Lulin's resilience proved to be his saving grace, allowing him to bear the pain without losing consciousness or crying out. He could even sense the gradual healing of his meridians.
Unbeknownst to Wei Lulin, the excruciating process of mending his meridians was also honing his mental fortitude. Although the benefits of this training wouldn't be evident immediately, they would manifest over time, aiding in his personal development.
Meridians are a martial artist's foundational element for cultivation. Early in his training, Wei Lulin's ability to perceive the intricate pathways of his meridians would prove to be an invaluable asset for his future cultivation and breakthroughs in his practice.
A five-year-old Meridian Grass contained only a small amount of energy, which was quickly exhausted in mere minutes, repairing just a third of one damaged meridian.
Wei Lulin had initially estimated that he would need at least one hundred five-year-old Meridian Grass plants to fully repair all his meridians. However, after his recent trial, he realized that a hundred plants might only mend a quarter of them.
This meant that to completely heal all his meridians, he would need no fewer than four hundred Meridian Grass plants.
But even four hundred would not suffice. He would need at least five hundred, considering the body's natural resistance to medicinal herbs. Initially, one Meridian Grass plant would have a significant effect, repairing one-thirtieth of a meridian, but as time progressed, it would be fortunate if one plant could repair even one-sixtieth.
Wei Lulin was unfazed by the situation.
Initially, despite the dire state of his circumstances, Wei Lulin clung to a faint glimmer of hope. Yet, he was well aware that his chances were exceedingly slim, bordering on nonexistent. In Yao Country, treasures capable of mending meridians were exceedingly rare. Given his identity and status, it seemed unlikely he would ever come across such an opportunity in his lifetime.
Now, with his newfound abilities to copy and paste, if Wei Lulin could just acquire Spirit Locking Stones, he would be able to restore all his meridians.
Spirit Locking Stones, while a type of Spirit Stone, contained minimal spiritual energy. Warriors who had advanced to Level Four of the Qi Refining Stage or beyond rarely used them, preferring instead to utilize Low Grade Spirit Stones of Grade Ten. Consequently, on the Eternal Continent, Spirit Locking Stones were not particularly rare and could be purchased with money.
After depleting the last vestiges of energy from the Meridian Grass, Wei Lulin paused briefly to rest before consuming the second and third stalks.
Thirty-one stalks of Meridian Grass might not seem like much, but to avoid excessive mental and physical fatigue, Wei Lulin rested for over half an hour after every three stalks, taking the time to feel the restoration of his meridians.
By the time he had consumed all thirty stalks, dawn was approaching, and his damaged meridians had nearly one percent recovery.
Despite having gone without sleep all night, Wei Lulin's spirits were high, and he even felt somewhat rejuvenated. After freshening up, he rose and made his way to the storefront in the front courtyard.
Wei Lulin harbored no ambitions for world domination, but given that fate had transported his soul to this place and bestowed upon him the miraculous abilities of copying and pasting, he felt compelled to cherish this fortune. To do otherwise would be an affront to the heavens.
"Tiger's Head Grass, an eight-year-old herb, not classified as a medicinal plant, valued at seven copper coins!"
"Grass ginseng, aged fifty years. Its medicinal properties are average, and it doesn't fetch a high market price, valued at ten copper coins!"
"Earth gallbladder, aged 20 years. Its medicinal properties are potent, and it's priced at 3 silver coins on the market!"
With newfound hope for cultivation and a clear goal for progress, Wei Lulin's mindset had undergone a significant shift. He now had a definitive plan to amass wealth and the drive to see it through.
In just one day, Wei Lulin capitalized on the information asymmetry outside of Lindorin Town and the eagerness of customers to sell, closing over twenty deals. Not only did he bring substantial profits to the shop, but he also pocketed more than ten gold coins.
The only disappointment for Wei Lulin was not finding any Meridian Grass that day, which was essential for repairing his meridians.
While shop assistants skimming profits was unacceptable, Wei Lulin turned a blind eye for the sake of repairing his meridians sooner rather than later.
Moreover, Wei Lulin was the sole attendant in the common medicinal area on the ground floor, with the guards stationed in the backyard. His clever tactics meant he wasn't concerned about being discovered anytime soon.
What's more, if Wei Lulin could restore his meridians quickly, his High Level Grade Eight talent would likely spare him from harsh punishment by the Wei family, even if they discovered his actions. This belief emboldened him to take such risks.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and customers dwindled, Wei Lulin locked up and bid the backyard guards farewell before heading to West Street.
"Mr. Jiaang, do you have a moment?" Wei Lulin, having left Wei's Pharmacy, entered a shop bearing the sign of Wang's Weapons and warmly greeted a young man in his twenties behind the counter.
"Isn't this Wei Lulin from the Wei family's pharmacy? What brings you here?" Youth Jiaang sneered upon seeing Wei Lulin, whose slender frame was offset by his strikingly refined features.
Incapable of cultivating due to his damaged meridians, Wei Lulin was considered worthless. Yet, he channeled all his energy into his studies.
Furthermore, Wei Lulin's delicate and handsome appearance, coupled with his scholarly demeanor, made him particularly appealing to women, especially young girls. This, in turn, intensified the animosity of his male peers in Lindorin Town.
"Mr. Jiaang, if you're free, I'd like to invite you out for a meal," Wei Lulin said, managing to keep a smile on his face despite feeling somewhat irked by Youth Jiaang's sarcastic tone.
"No thanks, I've got another commitment shortly. Just get to the point if there's something you need to discuss," Youth Jiaang replied with a dismissive wave of his hand, clearly showing his impatience.