10: Chapter 10 Pre-war Preparations

The Western Courtyard of the Li Family was once a residence for important descendants. However, since Li Zhenyue left, the situation had changed drastically.

In the past, it was quiet and deserted; few members of the Li Family, high or low, ever set foot there.

But today, it had become the liveliest place in the entire Li Family.

Servants and managers came and went in an endless stream.

The sounds of footsteps and the clinking of gift boxes intertwined, completely dispelling the courtyard's desolation. This drew many Disciples to stop outside the courtyard, their eyes filled with envy and complex emotions.

On the bluestone path at the courtyard entrance, several sturdy servants were carefully carrying heavy wooden chests.

Simple cloud patterns were carved onto the surfaces of the chests, and the seals were intact. A rich medicinal fragrance could be faintly smelled wafting from within.

The Pharmacy Manager followed closely behind.

Dressed in a decent silk robe, a respectful smile was plastered on his face.

He even lightened his steps deliberately while walking, fearing he might disturb the person inside the courtyard.

Two young attendants followed behind him, holding exquisite wooden boxes in their hands. Their expressions were solemn, as if they were carrying peerless treasures.

"Is Young Master Li Changsheng in?"

The Pharmacy Manager stood before the main house door and bowed slightly.

His tone was humble, unlike his usual self as the authoritative figure who called the shots in the pharmacy.

A clear and calm voice came from inside the room.

"Come in."

Pushing open the door, Li Changsheng was seen sitting by a wooden table near the window.

On the table were piled many newly copied Martial Skill booklets, along with several yellowed ancient texts.

These had all been delivered within the last day or two.

Li Changsheng was holding a Martial Skill book and reading it with a calm expression.

Sunlight spilled over him through the window lattice, outlining the youth's elegant silhouette.

Faced with the clamor outside and the generous rewards before him, his face showed not the slightest hint of emotion.

It was as if these honors and treasures had nothing to do with him.

This calm and collected manner made the Pharmacy Manager feel even more awe in his heart.

Since Li Changsheng's strength was revealed, no one in the Li Family dared to view this youth as an ordinary Disciple anymore.

"Young Master Li Changsheng, these are medicinal herbs specially approved by the Family Head."

"They are all the highest quality goods from the pharmacy. Please see if they meet your satisfaction."

The manager directed the servants to open the wooden chests, which revealed various medicinal herbs neatly arranged inside.

There were leaves, vines, roots, flowers, and fruits.

As the chests were opened, the medicinal fragrance instantly filled the entire room.

Next, he took out a mutton-fat jade bottle from his robes.

He respectfully handed it to Li Changsheng with both hands, his tone becoming increasingly solemn.

"Young Master Li Changsheng, this is the 'bone forging pill' specially approved by the Family Head. One per month, for a total of three."

As his voice fell, the air in the room seemed to freeze slightly.

The attendants standing to the side held their breath, their eyes filled with shock.

The bone forging pill was considered a precious Medicinal Pill. It could powerfully strengthen bones and accelerate the Cultivate process; an ordinary Martial Artist taking one could save months of hard training.

In the past, within the Li Family, only the direct-line Prodigies whom the Family focused on nurturing could barely obtain one a year.

Now, Li Changsheng had actually received three all to himself, with a quota of one per month.

This honor was something even the Family Head's own child, Li Changqing, had never enjoyed.

When the Disciples outside the courtyard heard this, they erupted into a commotion. Some discussed in low voices, their tones filled with jealousy.

"On what basis can he get so many bone forging pills?"

Others sighed helplessly.

"Who told him to perform so amazingly? This level of strength is worth the Family treating him so generously."

These discussions faintly drifted into the room, but Li Changsheng acted as if he hadn't heard them.

He simply reached out and took the jade bottle. As his fingertips touched the cool surface of the bottle, his expression remained calm and ripple-less.

"Thank my Eldest Uncle for me."

He spoke plainly, his voice devoid of emotion, and then gestured for the manager and the others to withdraw.

The Pharmacy Manager did not dare to say more and hurriedly led the servants away with a bow.

"Li An, make sure to guard the courtyard gate well lately."

Walking to the entrance, the Pharmacy Manager looked at Li An nearby and gave instructions.

"Prevent idle people from coming to disturb Young Master Li Changsheng's Cultivate."

"Rest assured, Manager Li. I, Li An, would not dare to be negligent."

Once the room was completely quiet, Li Changsheng slowly placed the jade bottle on the table and unscrewed the stopper.

A pale gold pill slowly rolled into his palm. The pill was round and full, its surface shimmering with a delicate luster. A rich herbal fragrance rushed toward him, refreshing his mind.

He lowered his head slightly, bringing it close to his nose to smell it, and a very faint ripple crossed his brow.

With his exquisite medical skills, he could instantly analyze the components of this bone forging pill based only on its scent and color.

"Dragon Bone Grass, Ironline Vine, century-old mountain ginseng, Red Iron Ore Powder... the ingredients are quite solid."

Li Changsheng murmured to himself, his fingertips lightly rubbing the surface of the pill, his tone carrying a bit of professional judgment.

"The medicinal effect is acceptable, enough to meet the needs of ordinary cultivators."

"It's just that the heat during Alchemy was slightly excessive."

He knew in his heart that excessive heat, while not affecting the basic efficacy of the pill, would cause the rigidity of the Dragon Bone Grass to be fully triggered.

Occasional consumption would have a negligible impact.

But if taken long-term, the medicinal power would be difficult for the Meridians to absorb gently. Instead, because the rigidity was too strong, it would damage the Meridians and leave behind hidden ailments.

This wasn't a mistake in Alchemy or done intentionally.

Rather, it was because the level of an ordinary Alchemist and the quality of the raw medicinal materials could only reach this standard.

"Very well."

Li Changsheng shook his head slightly, put the pill back into the jade bottle, tightened the stopper, and put the bottle away.

He accepted the Family's generosity calmly, but he would not blindly rely on these external things.

Although the bone forging pill was good, it had hidden dangers. With his medical skills, he could maximize the medicinal effect by slightly adjusting the formula and improving the refining technique, while simultaneously avoiding the risk of damage to the Meridians.

The clamor outside the window gradually faded, and the sunlight remained warm.

Li Changsheng picked up the ancient book on the table again, his expression returning to its original indifference.

He knew well that the Family's generous treatment was both an honor and a test.

Only by keeping his original intention and relying on his own strength could he gain a firm foothold.

And these pills and medicinal herbs were merely aids, not his ultimate reliance.

As night fell, Li Changsheng returned to his room, sat cross-legged, and sank his consciousness into his mind.

[Do you want to start the simulation?]

"Yes."

Li Changsheng gave the thought.

[Ding! Consuming 5 points of Mental Energy, the third Reincarnation simulation begins!]

[Linking to the world... Link successful.]

[Simulation World: Low Martial · Body Refining World]

[Simulation Duration: Approximately 30 years]

[Simulation starting...]

When Shi Tiesheng opened his eyes, he was lying on a hard wooden bed.

The room was simple, with only a table and a chair. Several rusty iron hammers hung on the wall.

He was the son of Blacksmith Shi the Third, having grown up amidst the sounds of striking iron.

He began helping his father pull the bellows at age eight, learned to forge rough blanks at ten, and could independently forge farm tools by twelve.

In this world, martial arts did not flourish; Body Refining was the primary focus.

Legend had it that those with Body Refining Major Achievement could tear apart tigers and leopards with their bare hands and carry ten thousand catties of weight.

The year Shi Tiesheng turned fifteen, his father died from overwork, leaving behind a blacksmith shop and a fragmented copy of the Iron Casting Body Refining Technique.

Following what was recorded in the book, he forged iron with his hammer daily and tempered his body with fire. In three years, he had trained his body to be like iron and steel.

At eighteen, a town bully forcibly seized his blacksmith shop. In a fit of rage, Shi Tiesheng took action, severely injuring the bully with three punches.

This battle made him famous, but it also brought greater trouble.

The bully's Master, a fifth-level Body Refining expert known as "Iron Palm," came knocking.

That battle was fought until the sky and earth grew dark.

Relying on the resilience of the Iron Casting Body Refining Technique, Shi Tiesheng endured eighteen of the opponent's palm strikes.

Finally, catching a flaw, he smashed the opponent's Iron Palm with a single hammer blow.

However, he was also seriously injured.

His internal organs were damaged, and his cultivation was completely lost.

During his recovery, Shi Tiesheng began to study that copy of the Iron Casting Body Refining Technique.

He discovered that the book was incomplete, containing only the Body Refining methods without the accompanying breathing techniques or medicinal bath formulas.

Thus, using himself as a test subject, he attempted to improve it, nearly losing his life multiple times.

At the age of twenty-five, he finally created a complete Iron Casting Body Refining Technique.

Not only did he repair his old injuries, but his cultivation also reached a new level, attaining the sixth level of Body Refining.

At thirty, Shi Tiesheng founded a sect and took on Disciples to pass on his art.

His Body Refining technique was famous for its philosophy of "tempered a thousand times, body like refined iron," and every Disciple under his wing possessed a powerful physique.