6: Initial results of physical training

After studying for half an hour, he had basically thoroughly researched the Tiger Leopard Body Tempering Art.

Feeling an itch he couldn't scratch, he was eager to try.

Zhang Qingxiao went into the courtyard and began practicing according to the methods in the Secret Manual, one move at a time, very methodically.

At the beginning of the practice, his body was a bit stiff, and his movements were clumsy.

After practicing for over an hour, the fist techniques became fluid and natural, and his body became as agile as a tiger or leopard.

Every movement of his exerted force throughout his entire body, and every punch he threw carried wind, emitting a whistling sound.

It was as if he were an old pugilist who had practiced for decades.

After finishing the last set, Zhang Qingxiao sat on the ground with a thud and panted heavily.

At this moment, Zhang Qingxiao felt his muscles twitching uncontrollably; after resting for a while, he barely managed to get up and return to his room, where he poured himself a cup of plain water and gulped it down.

"This set of fist techniques really is quite a workout," Zhang Qingxiao thought to himself.

It was fine at the beginning, and he didn't feel too exhausted.

As he became more proficient with the fist techniques, almost every move and stance required exerting force throughout his entire body, and the consumption became greater and greater.

After pouring another cup of plain water and drinking it, Zhang Qingxiao opened his attribute panel.

【 Name: Zhang Qingxiao 】

【 Identity: Chang Sheng Sect Utility Disciple 】

【 Aptitude: Mediocre 】

【 Lifespan: 32 / 75 years 】

【 Realm: Qi Refinement Stage Level 3, Progress: 18 / 100 】

【 Cultivation Technique: ChangSheng Skill for Qi Refining Stage, Proficient: 238 / 400; Tiger Leopard Body Tempering Art, Skilled: 88 / 200 】

【 Skill: Alchemy: Pi Gu Pill, Novice: 72 / 100; Spell: Fireball Technique, Great Master: 6 / 800; Swordplay: Chong Ling Swordplay, Novice: 1 / 100 】

"I didn't expect that in just one afternoon, I would directly reach the Skilled level."

"As expected, it's much easier to practice Body Refining Cultivation Techniques for Mortals."

Zhang Qingxiao suddenly realized why the consumption became greater and greater when he practiced the Tiger Leopard Body Tempering Art later on.

Having recovered some energy, his stomach started to complain again.

He went to the kitchen, prepared two bowls of white rice and a catty of freshly pickled Yao Beast meat.

He devoured the food frantically.

Even though he ate twice as much as usual, he still felt unsatisfied.

"Body Refining really consumes a lot; I'll have to prepare more Yao Beast meat in the future."

After cleaning up the bowls and chopsticks, Zhang Qingxiao returned to his bedroom, sat cross-legged, and circulated his energy.

Spiritual energy constantly nourished his body, and after circulating it for three cycles, all his fatigue was swept away.

Days passed by one after another.

Every day was spent on Alchemy, Body Refining, sword practice, practicing the Fireball Technique, and Cultivating; life was plain yet fulfilling.

With the continuous practice of the Tiger Leopard Body Tempering Art, his appetite grew better and better, and his body became visibly stronger day by day.

The body that was slightly pudgy had now become lean and strong, and the outlines of muscles were beginning to take shape.

The originally protruding belly had turned into faint abdominal muscles, and even his gaze was spirited.

His swordplay had achieved some small success, but its power was far inferior to the Fireball Technique, making it feel somewhat redundant.

Fortunately, practicing swordplay could also achieve the effect of Body Refining.

Combined with the Tiger Leopard Body Tempering Art, practicing them alternately could make up for some of the shortcomings in the Dragon Tiger Body Tempering Art.

The forty portions of medicinal herbs for refining Pi Gu Pills had long been exhausted; during this period, he had gone to the market twice and bought back 120 portions of medicinal herbs.

After these days of refining, he already had seventy-five Pi Gu Pills on him.

There were not many medicinal herbs left at home for refining Pi Gu Pills, only thirty-five portions.

Since his proficiency in the Pi Gu Pill reached the Skilled level, his success rate in refining Pi Gu Pills had basically reached one hundred percent.

This also made his life increasingly comfortable.

However, these two times he went to the market, he could clearly feel that the atmosphere was more tense than before.

Prices had risen again.

In particular, the exchange rate of Low-Grade Spirit Stone for gold had risen to the point where one Low-Grade Spirit Stone required forty taels of gold.

With the rising prices, Zhang Qingxiao already felt that the date of the great war between the Chang Sheng Sect and the Guiyuan Sect could not be far off.

If it weren't for the fact that the cost of leaving the Chang Sheng Sect was too high, he would have been ready to leave this place and find a safer place to live.

"The stock of Pi Gu Pills is already quite substantial; it's time to go to the market and sell a batch."

"It's just as well to hoard some more Yao Beast meat, medicinal herbs, and other items."

After preparing to go out, he put on his basket and walked out of the courtyard.

"Fellow Cultivator Zhang, have you been doing Body Refining recently?"

"For us Cultivators, Body Refining is just a waste of time and is of no use."

"No matter how strong the Physical Body is, it cannot withstand the attacks of Magical Artifacts, Spells, or talismans."

Just as he finished closing the courtyard gate, the voice of his neighbor, Zhou Quan, reached his ears.

"Just practicing it casually; it didn't waste much energy."

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, I have something to do and need to go to the market, so I will take my leave."

Zhang Qingxiao cupped his hands and walked quickly in the direction of the market.

"Fellow Cultivator Zhang, Zhou Yun is also going to the market. Why don't you go together?"

"It would be good to have mutual support..."

Zhang Qingxiao acted as if he hadn't heard and quickened his pace.

"What kind of attitude is this..."

"When my Zhou Yun marries you in the future, I will be your father-in-law."

During this period, he had probed around and guessed that Zhang Qingxiao had sold quite a few Pi Gu Pills, so his mind became even more active.

Unfortunately, his own daughter was thin-skinned and not assertive, so there had been no progress.

It made him worry for nothing...

Today, he finally caught an opportunity, but he didn't grasp it...

Zhou Quan sighed with annoyance, grumbled, and returned home, starting to scold his daughter.

After this period of Body Refining, Zhang Qingxiao's walking speed had increased a lot.

The journey of half an hour took only two quarters of an hour, and he arrived at the market.

As usual, he came to the stall management office, spent two taels of gold, and found a stall.

According to the price of thirty taels of gold per Pi Gu Pill, he placed two on the stone table.

During this period, the price of the lowest-quality Pi Gu Pills had risen to twenty-five taels of gold each.

Since his proficiency in refining Pi Gu Pills reached the Skilled level, the quality of the Pi Gu Pills he refined had also improved.

At thirty taels of gold each, they were still selling well.

This was what he had painstakingly refined; selling it cheaply was impossible.

He still had to rely on this to make money and eat.

"Fellow Daoist, how many Pi Gu Pills do you have? I want them all."

Just after setting up the wooden sign, Zhang Qingxiao heard a somewhat familiar voice.

Looking up, it was the young female Cultivator who had bought four Pi Gu Pills from him the first time he set up a stall.

If he remembered correctly, the other party was from the Li Family Pill Shop.

"Fairy Li, I have quite a few Pi Gu Pills here. Are you sure you want them all?"

Zhang Qingxiao glanced at the wooden board, confirmed that he hadn't written the wrong price, and looked at the young female Cultivator with some suspicion.

This price was not much different from the retail price of the pill shop.

Buying them back would basically yield no profit.

Unless the other party wanted to hoard Pi Gu Pills and sell them after the price rose significantly.

On second thought, he felt it was wrong.

The price of Medicinal Pills like the Pi Gu Pill had basically reached its limit, and there was no room for further increase.

If the price went any higher, it would be better to cook for oneself; it wouldn't take much time anyway.

At most, it was only needed by Cultivators who went out to hunt Yao Beasts.

"Yes, no matter how many there are, I want them all."

The crisp and pleasant voice came again.