30: Python Dragon Strength

Hearing this, Chen Linsheng dared not delay and immediately strode toward the blue Spiritual Plant.

The closer he got, the richer the refreshing and unusual fragrance became, making him feel the Qi and blood throughout his body become slightly more active.

This was an Ice Whiskers Grass.

"Ice Whiskers Grass is a Medium Grade Spirit Medicine with cold properties. It contains pure Ice Spiritual Qi, capable of cleansing the Physical Body of Impurities. Its core function is to temper the outer skin, making it tough and granting resistance to Cold Attributes. It is the main ingredient for refining the 'ice muscle pill'."

He carefully took out the small hoe for Herb Gathering from his basket and utilized his [Herb Gathering (Major Achievement)] skill, digging up the Spiritual Plant perfectly intact along with a large clump of soil around its roots.

"Here, use this to store it."

Third Martial Sister Liu Ruyan walked over and handed him a white jade box that felt warm to the touch. "This 'cold jade box' can lock in the medicinal properties and Spiritual Qi, preventing them from dissipating.

Ordinary Spirit Medicine stored inside won't lose any of its medicinal properties even after a year and a half."

"Thank you, Third Martial Sister."

Chen Linsheng took the jade box; it was icy cold to the touch, clearly not an ordinary object.

He gently placed the shimmering blue Spiritual Plant into the box, closed the lid tightly, and the rich, unusual fragrance was immediately isolated, leaving only the slight coolness of the jade box itself.

Next, he looked at the massive tiger corpse, feeling a bit troubled.

This Exotic Beast was huge and incredibly heavy; how to take it away was a problem.

Even if he could carry it, parading it so openly would attract too much attention.

Just then, Senior Brother Shi Poyue also walked over and casually tossed him a gray cloth bag that looked ordinary and was only the size of a palm.

"Use this 'flesh bag'. It's specifically used to store Yao Beast flesh and blood, keeping it fresh and making it easy to carry."

"flesh bag?"

Chen Linsheng took the cloth bag; it was light and airy, with a coarse texture, just like an ordinary sack.

Following instructions, he aimed the opening of the bag at the tiger corpse and, with a thought, attempted to "put it inside."

A miraculous scene occurred!

The massive tiger corpse seemed to be compressed by an invisible force, turning into a streak of light that was instantly sucked into the tiny cloth bag with a swoosh.

Chen Linsheng weighed the cloth bag in his hand; the weight had increased significantly, but the size remained palm-sized, as if only a rock had been placed inside.

"This...!"

Chen Linsheng's eyes widened, his heart filled with shock.

Was this the Storage Pouch mentioned in Cultivation Stories? It actually existed!

Shi Poyue noticed his surprise and smiled, "It's just a small trinket, nothing rare. Let's go; it's not wise to linger here."

Chen Linsheng suppressed his astonishment, knowing it wasn't the time to ask questions. He solemnly put away the flesh bag and the cold jade box, then quickly followed his Senior Brother and Senior Sister down the mountain.

On the way, Chen Linsheng finally couldn't hold back his confusion and asked, "Senior Brother, Third Martial Sister, how did you two happen to be in the mountains?"

Hearing this, Liu Ruyan let out a chuckle and quickly replied:

"It wasn't a coincidence at all! Senior Brother's family runs a Carriage and Horse Transport Business, and recently, because of this Exotic Beast causing widespread panic, the traveling merchants entering the mountains to ship goods have decreased by more than half, severely affecting business. That's why Senior Brother had to personally come into the mountains to see if he could resolve this menace. He just happened to run into the commotion you caused. As for me, I had nothing better to do, so I came along to watch the fun."

Chen Linsheng suddenly understood. He immediately thought of another question, looking at Shi Poyue with a tone of admiration and curiosity:

"Senior Brother, Elder Liu of the Hunter Gang was also in the Flesh Refining Realm, so why did he seem... utterly incapable of fighting back against you?"

Hearing this, Shi Poyue continued walking, patiently explaining:

"In the Martial Dao Realm, every Realm is a world apart; the gap is much larger than you imagine. Ordinary so-called Geniuses might be able to challenge someone one level higher in the Skin Tempering Realm, but attempting to use Skin Quenching to defeat Flesh Refining is almost impossible."

He elaborated: "The Skin Tempering Realm usually requires only nine Skin Quenching sessions to be considered Perfection and establish the Foundation. However, the Flesh Refining Realm is completely different. A Martial Artist must temper all six hundred and thirty-nine muscles in the body one by one. The cumulative number of tempering sessions far exceeds that of the Skin Tempering Realm. This is not just an accumulation of quantity, but a change in quality."

"Apart from a very few gifted individuals who can temper three muscles simultaneously, most people can only focus on tempering one or two muscles at a time. Moreover, the duration of each tempering session varies. It is common for those with slightly inferior Aptitude to spend several months completing a single tempering session."

"More importantly is the 'Degree of Completion' of the tempering." Shi Poyue's tone became serious. "An ordinary Martial Artist might only seek progress, tempering a single muscle to about sixty percent completion, and once they feel their Qi and blood can circulate smoothly, they move on to the next one. But those who pursue greater potential and stronger combat power strive for eighty percent, or even ninety percent completion! This difference in the Degree of Completion directly leads to vast differences in strength, endurance, and explosive power among Martial Artists in the same Realm."

"That Elder Liu falls into the former category. He is over forty and still stuck in the Middle Stage of the Flesh Refining Realm. The tempering degree of each of his muscles is probably only around sixty percent. His potential is exhausted, and he will likely never glimpse the threshold of the third Realm, the Jiaojin Realm, in his lifetime. He has the Realm but lacks the corresponding strength."

Liu Ruyan chimed in from the side: "That's why your Senior Brother is so formidable! In the Flesh Refining Realm, he tempered all his muscles to eighty percent completion! Head Constable Li Xunya, I heard, is probably only a little over seventy percent completed, so although they are both at the Peak of Flesh Refining, when they actually fight, he is absolutely no match for your Senior Brother."

Only then did Chen Linsheng fully understand why Li Xunya was so wary of his Senior Brother.

In the face of an absolute difference in strength, a so-called Official Status offered little security.

A Martial Artist wielding a Sharp Weapon can easily develop murderous intent; if one's strength is insufficient, status may not save one's life.

Shi Poyue shook his head and smiled: "What Ruyan said is only one aspect. More importantly is the Cultivation Technique Legacy. You should know that Master came from the Army Breaker Manor. Within the Army Breaker Manor, martial arts are divided into seven departments based on their attributes and focus. Master was once an Outer Sect Disciple of the [Black Tortoise Cold Fiend Department] and Cultivated the department's top Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique—the Python Dragon Strength."

He looked at Chen Linsheng with anticipation: "This Python Dragon Strength is extraordinary. The Qi and blood strength Cultivated by it possesses both the immense power of a giant python and the fierce sharpness of a cold dragon, far surpassing ordinary Jianghu Cultivation Techniques. Once your Skin Quenching reaches Perfection and your Foundation is stable, Master will surely pass this unique skill on to you."

Hearing this, Chen Linsheng's heart immediately grew fervent with anticipation.

The top Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique, Python Dragon Strength!

The three chatted along the way and soon returned to Qinghe County town.

Instead of returning directly to the martial arts hall, they first arrived at the entrance of the County Office.

"Wait here for a moment; I'm going in to hand over the bounty."

Shi Poyue said this to Chen Linsheng and Liu Ruyan, and then, holding the flesh bag containing the tiger corpse, walked straight into the County Office.

Chen Linsheng and Third Martial Sister waited outside the Yamen gates.

Before long, Li Xunya of the Patrol Office walked out, accompanied by several Constables.

Li Xunya spotted Chen Linsheng outside the gate immediately. His face instantly darkened, his eyes cold, carrying a hint of imperceptible gloom.

Beside him was an elegant Young Master, dressed in brocade robes, holding a folding fan, with a handsome face and a smile playing on his lips.