Chapter 160: One Month
Chapter 160: One Month
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.
Bang!
Tang Jinbiao raised his right leg and took a step forward. Immediately, a powerful aura erupted from his right foot, sweeping outwards in all directions.
Crack… crack… crack…
Swish… swish… swish…
The nearby leaves, caught in this formidable aura, instantly trembled violently. Furthermore, due to the changes in the Pseudo Qi Sea within Tang Jinbiao’s body, as his foot landed, a thin layer of frost actually appeared on the ground.
“Good! I can finally take a step!”
Seeing the success of this step, a faint trace of excitement flickered across Tang Jinbiao’s tense face as he slowly raised his left foot.
“This time will be a success!”
As he lifted his left foot, Tang Jinbiao kept mentally reinforcing himself, while stepping it forward firmly.
Bang!
Similarly, though seemingly a gentle landing, that potent aura erupted again from his left foot, surging powerfully outwards in every direction.
This step was far more advanced than before. While not yet a true God of War’s Stride, it possessed considerable force and an increasingly similar form, making it somewhat presentable.
…
One hour later.
“Huff… huff… huff… Seems the hardships of this month weren’t wasted. Not only is my body significantly stronger, but I’ve even begun to grasp a little of the essence of that God of War’s Stride!”
Tang Jinbiao, drenched in sweat and utterly exhausted, sat by the Deep Pool. He pulled several elixirs the size of peanut kernels from his Storage Pouch and swallowed them all at once, gasping heavily as he muttered to himself.
Snap! Snap!
After swallowing the elixirs, Tang Jinbiao clenched his fists tightly. He gazed at the solid muscle rippling on his arms, excitement gleaming in his eyes.
“So this is what a true Body Refiner is! Before, I was practically a child who understood nothing. Thankfully, I had a foundation; that’s why my training speed is so rapid now. Recalling Wei Wuya that day… he definitely held back. With his full strength, I doubt I could have lasted a single move!”
Feeling the changes his body had undergone over this month, Tang Jinbiao’s self-confidence began to gradually recover, even surge.
His greatest achievements this month were his significantly strengthened physique and the transformations within his Pseudo Qi Sea. Now, the Qi Energy he generated could be the ordinary yellow Qi Energy if he willed it, or Qi Energy imbued with Frost Power. Of course, there was also Wei Wuya’s God of War’s Stride. While he hadn’t mastered it completely, his own version carried considerable imposing force. He reckoned it could at least intimidate someone at a critical moment.
Boom!
Tang Jinbiao punched towards the Deep Pool. A surge of frigid white air erupted instantly.
Crack… crack… crack…
Such was the intense cold of the released Qi Energy that when he struck the water, the splash actually contained numerous small Frost Crystals.
Plop… plop… plop!
As the water splashed back into the pool, distinct specks of small, white, and transparent Frost Crystals were visible. Because the pool water was somewhat cold, these little crystals took quite a while to melt away slowly.
“Huff… My current strength might not yet match what a true Body Refining Third Tier cultivator should possess, but it shouldn’t be considered inferior either. Moreover, this,” he glanced at his fist, “…definitely holds unforeseen destructive power!”
Having finished assessing the changes and progress in his body, Tang Jinbiao reached into his ear and pulled out the Frost Silver Spear.
Tang Jinbiao would be an idiot if he hadn’t noticed this Frost Silver Spear’s peculiar properties. The transformations within his Pseudo Qi Sea over this past month, coupled with the strange occurrence during his first test of power – they were undoubtedly caused by this spear. If not for his inability to detect anything obviously peculiar about it, he might even suspect the thing was pulsing with life.
“Screw it, having a precious treasure is always good, and this thing could definitely serve as the ultimate trump card!”
After examining the Frost Silver Spear briefly, Tang Jinbiao shrank it once more and stored it away.
Having completed his tasks, Tang Jinbiao slowly closed his eyes and began refining the elixir within his body.
…
Tang Jinbiao might not realize it, but his current actions represented the most correct cultivation method for typical Body Refining Cultivators and the standard path Body Refiners should follow. Yet if Huang Biaozi witnessed this, he’d likely unleash sky-shattering curses, even condemning eighteen generations of Tang Jinbiao’s ancestors from fury, for this deviated dramatically from Huang Biaozi’s original intent.
…
Those elixirs were mere common pills for replenishing Qi Energy and warming the body’s meridians. An hour later, Tang Jinbiao slowly opened his eyes.
“Huff!”
Having adjusted his state, Tang Jinbiao gradually opened his eyes, exhaling a turbid breath.
Swoosh!
He gave his Storage Pouch a light tap, summoning a Token which flew out—the proof of his identity. However, a glaring red light now pulsed fiercely on its surface.
“Heh!”
A bitter smile brushed Tang Jinbiao’s face upon seeing the crimson glow.
Snikt!
A gentle press released a streak of red light from the Token that shot directly into Tang Jinbiao’s ear. A woman’s voice instantly echoed in his mind: “Tang Jinbiao! Accompany me to the black market tomorrow afternoon to buy materials. If you dare not come, prepare for punishment!”
“Heh…”
Hearing the message’s conclusion, Tang Jinbiao shook his head resignedly—this voice unmistakably belonged to Jia Longwu.
Over this past month, every few days, Jia Longwu would drag him along on futile endeavors with every conceivable excuse—though truly, it was nothing but idle wandering.
“Forget it. Training’s done for today anyway. Accompanying her won’t hurt.”
Stashing the Token away, Tang Jinbiao pinpointed his direction and bolted straight toward the Divine Wind Academy.
…
Two hours later, inside an underground black market within the Divine Wind Academy, Tang Jinbiao sat beside Jia Longwu, silently observing the bustling platform where elixirs, medicinal herbs, cultivation techniques and other wares were auctioned.
Tang Jinbiao held little interest in such things; acutely aware of his own needs, he felt temptation flicker but resisted wasting hard-earned Merit Points. With no steady income, each spent point dwindled his reserves—utter waste was unthinkable.
“Next on auction—a juvenile Level Two Demon Beast! The offspring of the Flame Dragon King!”
A middle-aged man on stage announced loudly.
From behind the curtain emerged a woman bearing striking resemblance to a Divine Wind Academy student. Her hand held a small cage trapping a juvenile dragon—red-scaled and winged, its form no larger than a rooster.
Waaanh! Waaanh! Waaanh!
Utterly distressed within its confinement, the young dragon wailed pitifully, desperately trying to spew flames and burn the cage. Yet weakened by long imprisonment, it only managed feeble puffs of black smoke.
“Wow! So adorable!”
“I want it so badly!”
Many female students attending the auction shimmered with starlight in their eyes upon witnessing the cute hatchling.
“Tang Jinbiao, that baby dragon is adorable!”
Jia Longwu, seated next to Tang Jinbiao, tugged his sleeve, stars sparkling in her eyes as she spoke.
“Heh!”
Tang Jinbiao shook his head helplessly with a bitter smile.
“Don’t mistake this hatchling as merely a Tier 2 Demon Beast. Although none present have witnessed the strength of the Flame Dragon King, surely you’ve heard tales? That Flame Dragon King is a Tier 7 Demon Beast, its power even surpassing that of an Early-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator…”
The middle-aged man, noticing only the female students seemed captivated while few male students showed interest, began explaining, hoping to stir everyone’s enthusiasm.
“No more nonsense! How many Spirit Stones for this little one? I, Chu Zhongdong, claim it!”
Before the man could finish, a Cultivator radiating Late Foundation Building Stage aura from below the stage interrupted him, his tone brooking no refusal.
“Ah! So it’s Young Master Chu!”
“Heavens! Young Master Chu attends such an auction too?”
Whispers rippled through the crowd as many students instantly recognized Chu Zhongdong.
“Brother Dong, you’re truly the best!”
A delicate young female Cultivator sitting beside Chu Zhongdong leaned her head lightly against his shoulder upon hearing his intent to buy.
“Chu Zhongdong? Hmm, likely from the same family as that Chu Zhongtian.”
Tang Jinbiao noticed this too, casting a fleeting glance inward as he silently mused.
“This…”
The middle-aged man on stage paused, momentarily surprised. Recognizing the speaker’s prominent status, he quickly recovered his smile. “Heh, since Young Master Chu speaks, this humble Li shall say no more. The starting bid for this dragon hatchling is 200 Spirit Stones or 300 Merit Points. Minimum bid increment is 20 Stones!”
“520 Spirit Stones. I’ll take it.”
Chu Zhongdong called out lazily the moment the auctioneer finished speaking.
“Wah!”
“Heavens!”
“Young Master, you’re incredible!”
“Moneybags! Be my friend!”
Gasps and excited cries erupted from the student audience at the bid.
“Huh?”
Jia Longwu, sitting beside Tang Jinbiao, paled slightly upon hearing the price. Her head drooped in evident disappointment, any thought of bidding clearly abandoned.
“Heh, let’s leave. This auction holds little interest. Anything worthwhile inevitably ends up in the hands of influential, well-connected young masters.”
Sensing Jia Longwu’s despondency, Tang Jinbiao patted her shoulder and spoke softly.
“Mm.”
Jia Longwu could only nod meekly in agreement.
…
An hour later, Tang Jinbiao and Jia Longwu walked along a deserted street.
“Tang Jinbiao, over this past month, I’ve felt… significant improvement in you. Are you training in some Secret Art?”
Having left the auction house and wandered awhile, they were now heading towards Jia Longwu’s quarters.
“A Secret Art? Well… I suppose that’s true. Sadly, I frittered away my youth. But having promised to join your expedition, preparation is essential. Can’t afford to hold you back.”
Tang Jinbiao paused momentarily but quickly recovered, offering a faint smile.
“Oh… Is that so?”
Jia Longwu seemed absorbed in her own thoughts, nodding vaguely in acknowledgment.
…
Half an hour later, Tang Jinbiao escorted Jia Longwu to the entrance of the women’s dormitory area.
“Well, I’ll leave you here for today. Soon I need to purchase some Elixirs and might drop by Old Man Zhang’s to see if he’s returned.”
Tang Jinbiao halted, preparing to bid farewell.
“Mm, alright. But there’s no need to visit Old Man Zhang. I went just yesterday; he hasn’t come back. Don’t worry, those spirit herbs have over two months before maturity. You shouldn’t push your training so intensely.”
Jia Longwu nodded obediently, a hint of reluctance flickering in her eyes.
“Right then. Send a message if needed.”
Satisfied nothing was forgotten, Tang Jinbiao turned and left.
“Okay.”
Jia Longwu’s eyes lingered on his departing figure, filled with unwillingness to part. Only when he vanished into the distance did she slowly turn away. Yet, as she did, a trace of disgust surfaced in her gaze…