Over a dozen stalks!?
Lin Hui’s heart skipped a beat. To others, these might merely be ingredients for refining aphrodisiacs, but to him, they were nothing short of miracle drugs!
These dozen-plus stalks were enough to shorten his evolution time by over three years!
Moreover, judging by Wang’s expression, he likely had channels to acquire even more.
Instantly, the trace of killing intent Lin Hui had harbored—waiting for a future chance to finish him off—vanished. Looking at Wang Yueheng again, he found the man’s features pleasant and amiable; he was truly a great, good person.
It really was a case of getting exactly what one wished for... Wait.
Suddenly, a thought struck Lin Hui. Almost all the Spirit-Enriching Reishi he had obtained so far had come from others—either seized or gifted—never personally harvested.
Looking at it this way, perhaps I should release news in advance that I favor Spirit-Enriching Reishi. Then, after some time, I can find an excuse to hold a celebration. While the Reishi is precious to others, it is far inferior to other treasure medicines that enhance martial arts, constitution, or lifespan.
If I use celebrations—birthdays, or a Sect Master succession ceremony and the like—as a pretext, letting my disciples and their backing families help collect congratulatory gifts by mobilizing all their power, wouldn't that be...
Lin Hui had received a prompt from Wang Yueheng.
Future birthdays—his mother’s, his father’s, his own—he could hold one for each. That would be three harvests a year.
He could also hold a celebration for his own martial arts breakthroughs, which would serve as the perfect opportunity to formally name his perfected version Clear Wind Sword and Wild Wind Sword techniques.
Lin Hui ran the calculations.
The Perfected Seven-Section Swift Sword has already been taught to the disciples, so I can't do that one. But the Nine-Section Swift Sword perfected version works. That is a formidable sword technique capable of drastically elevating combat ability. Relying on it, I easily fought above my level, even crushing those at the limit of Body Tempering. Compared to the original, its power is more than fifty percent greater! It’s worth holding an event for.
Then there is the Perfected Clear Wind Sword; that’s another one. Add the Wild Wind Sword, and that makes three. It’s a pity the special effects can't be taught, so I can't hold events for those; otherwise, I’d insist on doing so.
Lin Hui wasn't worried about others learning and surpassing him. For one, he had long since tested that the perfected versions of the sword techniques evolved in real-time based on his own physical state and conditions. Only he could unleash one hundred percent of their power; if others could achieve seventy or eighty percent, that would be considered impressive. Furthermore, just because he promoted them didn't mean he would necessarily teach them.
Thinking of this, his gaze toward Wang Yueheng grew even softer.
"Over a dozen stalks of Spirit-Enriching Reishi? Isn't that... a bit too expensive?"
"As long as Brother Lin likes them. It’s a small token. If you need more, I can find channels in the Inner City to acquire them. I’ll transfer them to you at half price in the future!" Wang Yueheng said briskly.
He actually wanted to offer them as a gift—now and in the future—but worried that being too forward might expose his own desperation, or that the high value might make it awkward for the other party to accept, so he adjusted his words on the fly.
"Brother Wang is truly too polite!" Lin Hui feigned composure while secretly delighted, but he quickly reconsidered.
He needed to let the other party know he really liked Spirit-Enriching Reishi. That way, the man would know he gave the right gift next time, and perhaps even send more.
Immediately, he deliberately loosened his control, allowing his joy to flow naturally onto his face.
"I'm glad Brother Lin likes it. This item is a trivial matter. In fact, with Brother Lin's strength, the mere Clear Wind Temple as it stands now is wasting your talents. Why not continue to expand your territory?" Wang Yueheng suggested.
"This... To be honest, the New Martial Alliance just sent someone to remind me that annexing sects is no longer allowed..." Lin Hui frowned. He actually wanted to recruit more experts; the larger his power bloc, the greater his sense of security.
"That point can actually be bypassed. Just like the Hundred Flowers Sect, this time—just form a protocol alliance," Wang Yueheng laughed.
"The New Martial Alliance is actually a product of the same nature. Although the rules are dead, people are alive. In reality, several of the Circulation Realm experts presiding over the New Martial Alliance came out of the Inner City's Three Sects and Six Gangs, and some are simply experts from the great clans of the Inner City. Everyone is on the same side. When I return to the Inner City, I'll introduce a few friends to Brother Lin—they are all power-holders in the New Martial Alliance. Get to know them, drink some wine, taste some tea. Once you’re familiar and become good friends, doing business together will be much more convenient."
Lin Hui agreed readily.
Thus, amidst the falling, scattered snow, the two simply stood in the snowfield, whispering about the specifics of their cooperation.
In addition to the three slots sent to the Inner City Wang family for training each year, Wang Yueheng privately gifted Lin Hui a secret medicinal formula specifically for increasing Body Tempering speed, which could enhance the comprehensive strength of the entire Clear Wind Temple. This formula was a universal prescription capable of improving a person's qualities across the board. Although the improvement from each dose was small, the benefit lay in the slow buildup of drug resistance, allowing for long-term consumption.
According to him, the Wang family in the Inner City specialized in medicinal materials and drugs; otherwise, they wouldn't have such deep knowledge of herbs. That was how they could produce such a formula.
Lin Hui was visibly moved upon receiving the formula.
If managed well, such a prescription could essentially be passed down as a family heirloom. Its value to those in need was inestimable.
Consequently, after receiving such a grand gift from Wang Yueheng, Lin Hui also took a step back, offering Wang Yueheng a private ten percent share of the profits from the industries involving the Clear Wind Temple moving forward.
Since he only wanted money to buy medicine anyway, giving up some profit now didn't pain him.
By the time their discussion ended, both parties were delighted and ready to wrap up.
In the distant powder snow, a figure finally emerged—the late witness and observer, Xue Meng, of the Intent Blade Sect.
His face was flushed red; clearly, his Qi and blood were somewhat boiling from the high-speed sprint.
Having finally caught up, he looked at the scene...
Could it be... the fight was already over!?
Xue Meng looked at the various square pits remaining on the ground and the holes blasted into the nearby hills, feeling a bit bewildered.
Looking at the Temple Master and the visitor from the Inner City, they seemed to be conversing happily. Even though the visitor's clothes were tattered, the smile on his face was incredibly sincere.
"Elder Xue is here? Too slow. We fought to a draw, and both held back. Brother Wang is indeed a Called One from the Inner City; his strength has truly opened my eyes!" Lin Hui laughed.
"Not at all. Brother Lin is naturally gifted. The strength of your self-created secret arts is what truly shocked me. Perhaps before long, we will hear of Brother Lin surpassing his master, reaching the level of a founding patriarch!" Wang Yueheng laughed along.
Lin Hui took off his outer coat and draped it over the other man to prevent him from standing there topless.
As he handed over the clothes, he noticed that the wounds on the man's body had already begun to heal, shrinking from deep gashes to shallow, thin lines. It was estimated they would heal automatically within an hour.
This recovery ability was clearly far beyond that of ordinary people, typical of a Called One.
Chatting and laughing, the three quickly returned, disappearing into the wind and snow before long.
Although Xue Meng was confused, as long as the result was good, it didn't matter. It now seemed the rise of the Clear Wind Temple was unstoppable. Once connected to the forces of the Inner City, the foundation would be truly solidified.
….
A few minutes after the trio left.
Two purple-robed figures quietly appeared at the site of the fight on the Wild Wind Plains.
One wore a silver Evil Dragon mask, and the other wore a silver Rhinoceros mask.
The Dragon Mask looked at the square pits remaining on the ground.
"High-tier Void Force. He actually forced out Void Force. This little fellow we saw last time is truly decent."
"Can you tell if it's the Circulation Realm?" The Rhinoceros Mask asked in a deep voice.
"Impossible. It's just purely exaggerated speed. He probably ate some relic from the Mist Zone and gained a special trait. The Mist Zone is vast; having some fortuitous encounters is quite normal." The Dragon Mask shook his head slightly.
"True. His background is entirely clean. He hasn't even been to the deeper parts of the Mist Zone, so there can't be anything fishy." The Rhinoceros Mask nodded. "In that case, should we invite him?"
"Observe a bit longer. See what his attitude is toward the three major powers of the Inner City. If necessary, guide him a little," the Dragon Mask replied.
"To be able to contend with a High-tier Called One at this age... A pity. If he had been nurtured in the Inner City from childhood, he might have been another Divine Officer..." The Rhinoceros Mask sighed.
"How many geniuses from the Outer City have been blocked off like this? The founding patriarch of the Clear Wind Temple created the Clear Wind Sword and achieved the Circulation Realm, yet didn't he also die at the hands of a Divine Officer because his path was severed?" The Dragon Mask lamented. "Forget it, let's go. Any later and that little fellow's secret guard will arrive."
"When a High-tier Called One of the Wang family takes action, what level of guard could withstand it? Their arrival would be useless." The Rhinoceros Mask said.
The two turned and swiftly vanished into the wind and snow, leaving not a single trace beneath their feet.
….
Clear Wind Temple, Black Dragon Gate Branch.
Less than an hour after Wang Yueheng left, Lin Hui received the fifteen stalks of Spirit-Enriching Reishi sent from the Inner City.
This improved his impression of the Wang family once again. Although they were a bit neurotic, there were probably very few martial artists or Called Ones in the Inner City who weren't neurotic.
At the very least, this Wang Yueheng was impeccable regarding his integrity.
Sitting cross-legged in his study, Lin Hui looked at the fifteen stalks of Spirit-Enriching Reishi on the table before him with satisfaction.
Next, it's time to attempt the evolution of my pharmacological and medical abilities.
His pharmacology and medicine had not yet formed an ability. He had tried a few times before, but they hadn't consolidated into a skill entry like his sword arts.
So, Lin Hui stood up, stored all the Spirit-Enriching Reishi in a wooden box, and picked up the medical book gifted by Chen Meng to continue studying.
Time passed slowly.
Lin Hui spent a full afternoon finishing the entire booklet, then repeatedly memorizing, reciting, and understanding it. Whenever he encountered something he didn't understand, he immediately rushed to ask Chen Meng.
This continued for three consecutive days.
He remained in a cycle of Body Tempering, practicing Internal Force, and reading.
On the fourth day.
Finally.
While Lin Hui was patrolling the martial drill grounds, inspecting the disciples' sword practice, his figure suddenly paused slightly.
A line of clear, bloody text finally emerged at the bottom of his field of vision.
[Pharmacy Basics: Initiated based on the herbal identification summary by Teacher Chen Meng. Capable of basic identification of medicinal properties.]
[Current Evolvable Branches: 2]
Lin Hui immediately clicked open the branches.
[1 — Herb Cultivation.]
[2 — Pill Refining.]
This was much more normal. Without a second thought, Lin Hui directly clicked on the Pill Refining branch to view the evolution conditions.
[Pill Refining — A pill refining method based on basic herbs. Capable of extracting and condensing the majority of medicinal properties from materials into pills. Success rate varies according to different prescriptions.]
[Required Resources: Six months of Reserve Energy.]
[Time Required: Six months.]
"This is simple!" Lin Hui slapped his thigh. Without waiting for the disciples on the drill grounds to react, he turned and waved his hand, dismissing them to practice on their own. He quickly returned to his exclusive study in the mansion at the rear.
Upon entering, he skillfully retrieved a stalk of Spirit-Enriching Reishi from a large chest in the corner. Without a word, he selected the evolution for Pill Refining.
Immediately, after confirming the Blood Seal's query, Lin Hui picked up the Spirit-Enriching Reishi and expertly began the gnawing process.
Six months—that was just the time value of two stalks!
For two consecutive days, Lin Hui forced himself to wash down two stalks of Spirit-Enriching Reishi with water.
And the Blood Seal's time prompt was successfully shortened by six months.
By the early morning of the third day, as he sat cross-legged in his study looking at the new Blood Seal prompt appearing at the bottom of his vision, a relaxed smile appeared on his face.