C16 Body Tempering with Spirit Medicine!

After leaving Qin Yuyan's quarters, Ye Han made his way directly to the counter and requested, "Please settle my account."

The attendant at the counter promptly produced the ledger, glanced at it, and said, "Young Master Ye, your medicinal herbs amount to one hundred and fifty thousand silver coins. Miss Qin has specifically instructed that the cost of the Body Tempering Spirit Liquid be charged to her account. You owe only one hundred and fifty thousand silver coins."

With a grand gesture, Ye Han placed a pile of Spirit Stones on the counter, totaling exactly one hundred and fifty.

Once the attendant confirmed the count, Ye Han departed from the Demonic Moon Pavilion, muttering to himself, "To think I've spent one hundred and fifty thousand silver coins in just one night, and I still haven't completed my purchase of Qi Gathering Pills. This is going to be yet another significant expense."

Ye Han visited the Pharmacy, where he spent eighty thousand silver coins on twenty Qi Gathering Pills before setting off for Ridge South Town.

Upon his return to Ye Mansion, Ye Han checked on the young girl and was relieved to find her awake and well-cared for by Ye's mother.

Back in his own room, he eagerly began his cultivation practice.

"It's time to aim for the Pulse Opening Stage Level Three."

To reach the Pulse Opening Stage Level Three, he needed to fully cultivate the Spiritual Energy in his Qi Sea before attempting the breakthrough.

Even in the spiritually rich environment of the Cloud Facing Pavilion, absorbing Spiritual Energy in the usual manner would require ten days of cultivation to saturate his body and fill the Qi Sea.

Ye Han couldn't afford to wait that long. Advancing one's cultivation in the early phases of the Pulse Opening Stage was relatively easy, and he was determined to make up for the three years he had lost. To surpass others in just three months, he'd have to exert even greater effort.

He needed to grow stronger.

Thus, Ye Han resolved to use the Qi Gathering Pill.

Priced at four thousand silver coins each, these pills were a precious commodity for any martial artist.

Even the young members of mid-tier families would struggle to acquire a single Qi Gathering Pill.

Ye Han purchased twenty Qi Gathering Pills in one go, intending to use them for a rapid enhancement of his cultivation level.

The Qi Gathering Pill was a misty, pale purple hue, exuding a pleasant fragrance. Visible to the naked eye were wisps of Spiritual Energy flowing across the surface of the pill.

After making a slight adjustment to his breathing, Ye Han swallowed the Qi Gathering Pill.

Boom!

Inside his body, the Qi Gathering Pill detonated, transforming into a tumultuous sphere of pill qi that spread throughout his system, permeating his flesh and then escaping through his pores.

His two meridians absorbed the incoming pill qi at the quickest possible rate. Once the pill qi completed a Great Cycle Revolution within his body, it was transported to the dantian and stored in the Qi Sea.

Despite Ye Han's utmost efforts to absorb the pill qi, about 70% still escaped through his pores.

The absorption rate of the two meridians was exceedingly slow; he managed to assimilate only 30% of the Qi Gathering Pill's pill qi.

It took him a full three hours to fully convert that 30% of pill qi into his own Spiritual Energy.

Having just managed to refine this portion of pill qi, the Spiritual Energy in his Qi Sea once again reached a state of saturation.

The copious Spiritual Energy naturally circulated within the two meridians he had opened.

"I've only managed to open two meridians, and the absorption rate of Spiritual Energy is still disappointingly slow. I've wasted seventy percent of the pill qi," he lamented.

"A martial artist at the Spirit Martial Stage would be able to fully refine the Qi Gathering Pill, not wasting an iota of its medicinal power. But no matter! If it means I can swiftly advance my cultivation, any amount of silver spent is worthwhile."

Thankfully, Ye Han had plenty of silver coins and didn't need to fret over finances.

Otherwise, the thought of spending seven thousand silver coins per Qi Gathering Pill would cause him considerable distress.

Once he had regulated the Spiritual Energy within his body and rested for about an hour to ensure he was in peak condition, Ye Han retrieved a Vein Rushing Pill and consumed it without delay.

As the Vein Rushing Pill took effect, his blood felt as though it were on the verge of boiling.

He immediately began practicing the Ancient Monarch Dao Scripture, harnessing the power of the Vein Rushing Pill to commence the opening of his third and fourth meridians.

Drawing on his past life's cultivation experience, Ye Han found it relatively easy to open two more meridians, accomplishing the task swiftly. As a result, the capacity of his Qi Sea had increased tenfold, expanding from the size of a human head, and the circulation speed of the Spiritual Energy within his body had also increased tenfold.

The more meridians a martial artist has opened within their body, the quicker they can absorb Spiritual Energy and the faster it circulates, thus enhancing their combat strength significantly.

With more meridians, the Martial Body one cultivates naturally becomes stronger, allowing for a more formidable display of combat power at the same level.

"I'm now at the Pulse Opening Stage Level Three, having opened four meridians," Ye Han mused, acknowledging his advancement.

Upon reaching the Pulse Opening Stage Level Three, Ye Han's body expelled a significant amount of impurities through his pores, releasing a faintly foul odor.

Ceasing his cultivation, Ye Han fetched a bucket of hot water to cleanse himself of the impurities. Afterward, he donned a fresh robe and stepped into the courtyard, eager to test the new limits of his strength.

Channeling the Spiritual Energy within him, Ye Han launched his fists into the air with precision, his steps orderly and rhythmic.

"Bam!" "Bam!" The power behind Ye Han's punches intensified, his sleeves whipping through the air, creating a series of thunderous sonic booms wherever his fists struck the void.

Exhaling deeply, Ye Han relaxed his fists and a satisfied smile spread across his face. Without a precise benchmark, he could nonetheless sense that he had achieved the strength of 'one cauldron,' equivalent to one thousand kilograms.

Indeed, while executing the Barbarian Dragon Fist, the continuous sonic booms were evidence that he had attained the power of a cauldron. Typically, a cultivator at the Pulse Opening Stage Level Three would struggle to exert even eight hundred kilograms of force, making Ye Han's achievement of 'one cauldron' strength all the more remarkable.

"Pa! Pa!"

As Ye Han was lost in thought, a round of enthusiastic applause broke the silence. He looked up to see his father, Ye Yuvdao, approaching with a look of approval in his eyes.

"Excellent! Han, your Fist Technique is meticulous and imposing. In a battle against a martial artist of the same level, you would certainly hold your own," Ye Yuvdao complimented with pride.

Noticing the finely crafted wooden box in his father's hand, Ye Han asked with curiosity, "Father, what brings you here?"

With a gentle smile, Ye Yuvdao replied, "I noticed you've just successfully opened your meridians, so I picked out a fine martial skill for you. However, seeing the Fist Technique you were practicing, it seems I was overly concerned."

A warmth spread through Ye Han as he responded, "Since you've brought it, Father, I'd like to take a look."

Taking the wooden box from Ye Yuvdao, Ye Han opened it to find a set of Human Level High Grade Martial Skill, the Mountain Splitting Palm.

"This Mountain Splitting Palm is the Ye family's treasured martial skill, reserved for the next head of the Ye family to cultivate. Father, how did you manage to get it?" Ye Han asked in astonishment.

Ye Yuvdao chuckled, "My son has just begun his journey in the Martial Tao; he must not be at a disadvantage. We may not be as grand as the larger clans, but we still possess Human Level High Grade Martial Skills."

With that explanation, Ye Han grasped his father's intention. His father was concerned that he might not learn any martial skills at the Cloud Facing Pavilion, so he had gone to great lengths to persuade the clan elders to allow Ye Han to cultivate the Mountain Splitting Palm.

A father's love is as steadfast as a mountain, his dedication profound.

Feeling moved, Ye Han said, "Father, I've already started cultivating a martial skill. It would be best to return the Mountain Splitting Palm. Otherwise, people might accuse you of favoritism."

Ye Han had many advanced martial skills in his memory, but he was hesitant to share them with the Ye family just yet. On one hand, he feared that any leaks might bring calamity upon the family; on the other, he knew that his contributions would be of minimal benefit to them.

Ye Yuvdao nodded and remarked, "That's much better. It'll save me from those old fogeys poking at my spine about this matter in the future."

Gazing at Ye Yuvdao's sturdy back, Ye Han whispered to himself, "Father, I will not disappoint you. In this lifetime, I am determined to make you witness my success and lead the Ye family to an even more glorious future."

...

In the evening, after the family had enjoyed dinner, they spent a long time chatting. With Ye Han set to return to the Cloud Facing Pavilion the next day, a sense of melancholy was inevitable.

His mother's concerns were practical - his well-being and comfort.

Was he eating well? Were his clothes warm enough?

His father, on the other hand, was preoccupied with his son's social interactions.

How were his relationships shaping up? Was his mentor taking good care of him?

Perhaps it was the experience of having once lost it that made the warmth of family feel all the more precious.

Far from feeling annoyed, Ye Han treasured this moment of warmth, patiently answering each question.

It was quite late when Ye Han finally retreated to his room. He drew a bucket of hot water, not for a bath, but for a medicinal soak to strengthen his body.

A warrior's journey isn't solely about cultivating Spiritual Energy; it's also about forging a resilient physique.

Body tempering isn't just about relentless training; it can also involve using medicinal power to enhance one's constitution.

Ye Han's physique was somewhat frailer compared to his peers, and he was eager to bolster his strength in just a few days.

He needed to not only exercise his body but also immerse himself in a medicinal bath, allowing the potent properties of Spirit Liquid to transform his physical quality.

Ye Han had purchased twenty doses of Body Tempering Spirit Liquid, each costing a thousand silver coins – a significant investment.

Such body-strengthening medicine was beyond the means of most outer sect disciples at the Cloud Facing Pavilion; it was simply too costly and would pose a considerable financial strain.

Ye Han uncorked a green jade bottle and poured the Body Tempering Spirit Liquid into the wooden tub.

Immediately, a sizzling sound emanated from the tub as white vapor rose. The hot water began to boil, turning from clear to a deep green, fragrant liquid.

Ye Han settled into the tub, sitting cross-legged as the medicinal water enveloped him up to his head.

The Body Tempering Spirit Liquid was scalding hot, almost indistinguishable from boiling water, as bubbles continuously surfaced and popped.