Chapter 127: Dragon blood enters the belly, dragon form takes initial shape

"Brother Li, this is aged tea I've collected for ten years; you must have a good taste."

Wei Ming personally poured tea for Li Rui.

Such treatment.

A superior pouring tea for a subordinate—the first time in history.

Li Rui chuckled: "There's nothing good at home, just brought some local specialties."

"Local is good!"

"I just like local things!"

Wei Ming grinned from ear to ear.

Such a large lingzhi would cost at least a thousand taels, and the quality Li Rui brought was nearly that of a spiritual medicine, which would at least triple the price.

That meant three thousand taels!

Good heavens, such a gesture—he wouldn't even be willing to give such a gift himself.

Wei Ming's heart skipped a beat. He almost blurted out:

"I'm not your superior, you are my superior!"

Li Rui chuckled and took a sip of tea.

This large lingzhi, of course, wasn't bought; he had picked it up while searching the mountains, thanks to his Spirit Eye.

Ever since he had the Spirit Eye, he had truly become terrifyingly wealthy.

To others, it was priceless; to Li Rui, it was just so-so.

Using one lingzhi to win over Wei Ming was still very worthwhile.

A light gift with heavy sentiment.

That was something only children believed; only when the gift is heavy is the sentiment heavy.

Wei Ming chatted happily with Li Rui until evening.

During this time, several people came to visit.

He turned them all away.

Li Rui pretended to want to leave, but was forced by Wei Ming to stay for drinks, and he even introduced his wife and children to Li Rui.

You see.

Hadn't their relationship just taken a big step forward?

Although Wei Ming had been good to Li Rui before, that was just concern between a superior and subordinate, incomparable to now.

When you know your superior's family and can sit at the same table for a meal.

That is a true confidant, meaning they already treat you as one of their own.

Although Li Rui had already broken through, his official position remained Zhao Guanliang; based on Wei Ming's previous experience, even if he revealed his strength, it would take at least several years to get promoted.

He naturally had to handle all sides of the relationship.

After three rounds of drinks.

Wei Ming insisted his son call Li Rui "Grandpa," but then thought that if he called him that, his own seniority would be lowered by a notch.

He changed it to "Uncle."

Li Rui suddenly gained a nephew who was thirteen or fourteen, old enough to be his great-grandson.

The host was enjoying himself, and the atmosphere was naturally excellent.

Li Rui took advantage of the drunken haze to speak up: "Brother Wei, I heard our Annan Town has dragon blood?"

Wei Ming nodded:

"A few years ago, General Lei beheaded an evil dragon and obtained quite a bit of dragon blood, distributing some to every guard battalion; our battalion has a little too."

Li Rui: "Does Chief Wei have a way?"

Wei Ming was a bit surprised: "Brother Li, you want dragon blood?"

"Yes."

Li Rui nodded.

Wei Ming did not ask what Li Rui needed the dragon blood for.

The evil dragon beheaded by Lei Yong was a type of demon beast; its blood had the effect of tempering sinews and bones, which was of great benefit to martial artists.

Of course, the price was also frighteningly expensive.

Wei Ming pondered: "Ning Zhongtian can decide this matter; I'll help you ask, it shouldn't be a problem."

He patted his chest: "But this dragon blood requires a major merit to exchange; I happen to have a major merit here, I can lend it to you temporarily, and you can return it to me later."

Li Rui's eyes lit up.

Since he asked, he had naturally already figured out the situation regarding the dragon blood.

Only those at the rank of Garrison Commander or above had the authority to distribute it, and it required a major merit.

It just so happened.

Ning Zhongtian was a Garrison Commander; if he went directly to Ning Zhongtian, there would basically be no chance.

A "Flying Dragon in the Sky" diagram was one thing, but many people were eyeing the dragon blood; he currently had no friendship with Ning Zhongtian, and Ning Zhongtian wouldn't stick his neck out for him.

At this time, he could only exert force indirectly.

Wei Ming and Ning Zhongtian were once comrades-in-arms, their relationship was excellent, and he happened to have a major merit, which was an excellent springboard.

"This is just a small matter."

Wei Ming didn't take it to heart.

This really wasn't a problem for him; with his relationship with Ning Zhongtian, exchanging a major merit for dragon blood was just a matter of asking.

Besides, he was lending it.

It wasn't a free gift.

With Li Rui's status as Zhao Guanliang, as long as he saved up for a few more years, he could still earn a major merit.

He was Li Rui's superior; he wasn't worried about him reneging on the debt.

No matter how you looked at it, it was a huge profit.

Since the other party had given such a large lingzhi, running an errand was only right.

Seeing Wei Ming agree, Li Rui also showed joy.

As a lowly Zhao Guanliang, even if he became a Platoon Leader, without a Garrison Commander's help, he still couldn't get dragon blood.

This dragon blood was of great use to him.

Others drank dragon blood only to strengthen their physique, but he had seen in an ancient book that dragon blood was of great benefit to dragon-form martial artists.

A small dragon is a dragon, a large dragon is a dragon.

Legend has it that there has never been a creature called a dragon in the world.

Dragon is the title for the strongest species.

Of course, this was recorded in a miscellany, and Li Rui didn't entirely agree.

But one thing was certain: consuming dragon blood could greatly increase the speed of condensing the dragon form.

Li Rui, as Zhao Guanliang.

Although he only managed the Ding-grade armory, he could see the entire list of the Anning Guard armory.

This dragon blood had also just been sent to Qinghe from Annan Town a few days ago.

Therefore, today's actions were all premeditated by Li Rui.

It was never a sudden whim.

Wei Ming was in a very good mood, pulling Li Rui to talk for a long time about "heart-to-heart" matters.

However, Li Rui only believed at most three parts of it.

Finally, at the end.

Li Rui made another small request: "Chief Wei, I have a soldier under my command named Liang He who luckily broke through the day before yesterday and became a ranked martial artist. What do you think..."

Wei Ming stroked his chin:

"Liang He."

He only felt the name sounded familiar.

While pondering, his wife, who was pouring wine, smiled: "Husband, that's the young Master Liang who defeated the Zhang family member by winning against the strong with the weak a few days ago."

Wei Ming's eyes lit up:

"So it's him, no wonder it sounded so familiar. The day before yesterday, wasn't that New Year's Day?"

"A good omen."

"Brother Li, don't worry, this little matter is on me."

Arranging for a ranked martial artist was easy for him.

Ninth-rank was still the most basic soldier in the Anning Guard, not even able to get a Squad Leader position, but among soldiers, there were still different grades, and holding some important positions would yield much higher salary and military merit than ordinary soldiers.

He could also plan for a good future later.

It would be a waste if Liang He continued to stay in the armory.

Li Rui intended to give Liang He a hand.

Staying in the armory to handle daily affairs was far less beneficial to Li Rui than going to some important positions.

It was also of great benefit to Liang He himself.

After finishing the serious business.

Li Rui didn't rush to leave; this time, discussing business was just incidental, the most important thing was to further elevate his relationship with Wei Ming.

If you just patted your butt and left after the other party agreed to the matter.

What would the other party think?

Only coming to the door when there's something needed?

The two drank until late at night.

Li Rui then returned to his residence reeking of alcohol.

His head was a bit dizzy.

"This wine is truly intoxicating."

"It is indeed good wine!" Wei Ming's efficiency was extremely high; just the next day, Liang He received the transfer order.

He went to the Night Scouts.

Night Scouts was actually a name given by the border army, meaning scouts, the Night Scout Battalion.

However, Annan Town was not a border town.

Although they adopted the name Night Scouts, they were actually doing the job of patrolling major sects.

Unlike the scouts in the border army who could lose their lives at any time.

In the Anning Guard, Night Scouts was also a solid fat job, and one could make friends with experts in the Jianghu sects and also scrape up quite a bit of profit.

Therefore, to enter the Night Scouts, one had to be at least a ranked martial artist.

"He's an honest person."

Li Rui was quite satisfied with Wei Ming's arrangement.

To observe a person, don't look at what they say, but look at what they do.

=9+Book_Bar

Night Scouts was a place where people with connections gathered; Wei Ming must have spent quite a bit of effort to arrange Liang He in.

"I'll send some fleeceflower or something over another day."

Li Rui pondered.

Everyone who has given gifts knows that such a superior who handles things as soon as they are paid is hard to find even with a lantern.

Of course.

Wei Ming was willing to reuse Liang He, besides Li Rui giving gifts, it was more because Liang He himself was a talent worth cultivating.

The battle with Zhang Fu previously had made him somewhat famous.

Wei Ming had a good impression of Liang He.

And the Night Scouts couldn't all be people with connections who didn't work; soldiers like Liang He who were good at actual combat were very popular in the Night Scouts.

After receiving the transfer order. 【130】 At first, Liang He was a bit unwilling. 【131】 From the bottom of his heart, he hoped more to stay by Li Rui's side. 【132】 Finally. 【133】 After being kicked a few times by Li Rui, he obediently went to report to the Night Scouts. 【134】 Seven or eight days passed in a row. 【135】 Li Rui was off duty and returned home, and was practicing martial arts. 【136】 Wei Ming personally came to the door. 【137】 He triumphantly took out a small jade bottle from his bosom and grinned: "Brother Li, look what this is!" 【138】 After saying that, he pulled out the cork on the jade bottle. 【139】 First came a rich bloody smell, but mixed within it was a trace of fragrance, a unique scent Li Rui had never smelled before. 【140】 Just smelling it made one's blood boil. 【141】 Li Rui's eyes lit up: "Is it dragon blood?" 【142】 "I didn't fail the task." 【143】 Wei Ming was even more triumphant: "It's fortunate Brother Li that you acted fast; this dragon blood was originally scarce, and it was being eyed by several people. If it weren't for Chief Ning taking action, we would have truly missed it." 【144】 "Many thanks, Brother Wei." 【145】 Li Rui felt a bit more gratitude for Wei Ming helping him finish the task and obtain the dragon blood so quickly. 【146】 Of course, this was also the benefit of Li Rui being a Zhao Guanliang. 【147】 He could know about good things at the first moment. 【148】 Wei Ming waved his hand: "Why be polite with me, we are all brothers." 【149】 Subsequently, he blinked his eyes: 【150】 "Brother Li, could it be that you really intend to cultivate Qi?" 【151】 Li Rui's previous purchase of the "Flying Dragon in the Sky" diagram couldn't be hidden from him, a Platoon Leader. 【152】 He had long heard that Li Rui bought the Qi diagram, and it was the dragon-form Qi diagram, and now he bought dragon blood; it was hard not to make associations. 【153】 Li Rui spoke frankly: "I'm old, I want to gamble one last time." 【154】 Wei Ming became solemn. 【155】 "Brother Li is seventy and still so enterprising; you are truly a model for us." 【156】 "Brother Wei, you overpraise me." 【157】 Wei Ming looked at Li Rui, clicking his tongue repeatedly. 【158】 A seventy-year-old seventh-rank is common, but one who only broke through to seventh-rank at seventy is unheard of. 【159】 Martial path climbing, before the Primordial Realm. 【160】 It's always "fists fear the young and strong"; being young means vigorous blood, and the possibility of breaking through is greater. Once past sixty, the hope of breaking through is basically gone. 【161】 Wei Ming guessed that Li Rui felt there was no hope of breaking through to Bronze Bone with blood and Qi, so he thought of using the Qi diagram to cultivate a wisp of Qi at the eighth rank, which would greatly increase the chance of breaking through. 【162】 But eighth-rank Qi cultivation is not easy. 【163】 Annan Town has countless geniuses, but only two or three can do it. 【164】 Wei Ming felt hopeless from the bottom of his heart and really didn't think much of it. 【165】 But he didn't speak out to persuade or discourage Li Rui. 【166】 After all, it was very rare to have such ambition at his age. 【167】 What if it really happened? 【168】 Wei Ming said some more encouraging words and then took his leave. 【169】 After seeing Wei Ming off. 【170】 Li Rui held the small jade bottle and returned to his room, his eyes burning. 【171】 "Finally obtained!" 【172】 Cultivate Qi? 【173】 His Xuan Qing Qi was already comparable to the Willow Sinew mid-stage; he wanted this dragon blood to gather Qi. 【174】 If Wei Ming knew, his jaw would surely drop. 【175】 "Ancient books record that dragon blood can be consumed directly." 【176】 Li Rui thought as he immediately put it into action. 【177】 He reached out and pulled the wooden cork from the small jade bottle. 【178】 A strong bloody smell filled the room; the space was narrow, and the smell was even stronger than before. 【179】 Li Rui didn't change his expression. 【180】 Have you ever tasted horse urine? 【181】 Li Rui had tasted it; when he was a horse groom at the Zhu family, sometimes he had to judge whether a horse was sick by the taste of its urine. The first time, he vomited for several days. 【182】 Later, it slowly became a habit, so he was already immune. 【183】 He didn't even frown, tilted his head, and drank the dragon blood down. 【184】 Entering the mouth. 【185】 First, a violent bloody smell exploded in his mouth and nose, rushing straight to his crown; the dragon blood went down his throat, all the way down into his stomach, and soon, a hot current surged up from his dantian. 【186】 "Strong enough!" 【187】 In just a few breaths, Li Rui's clothes were soaked with sweat. 【188】 He hurriedly sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion. 【189】 He muttered to himself: 【190】 "Dragon leaps in the abyss, divine brilliance is restrained, true Qi wanders, divine art reveals itself..." 【191】 The meridian route in the "Flying Dragon in the Sky" diagram appeared in his mind. 【192】 Li Rui mobilized the Xuan Qing Qi in his dantian. 【193】 He followed the meridian route to start circulating Qi. 【194】 One cycle, the scorching heat like being in a furnace was actually relieved by half. 【195】 Two cycles, three cycles... he actually walked a full seventy-two cycles! 【196】 Thirty-six cycles is a small cycle, seventy-two cycles is a large cycle; before, when circulating Qi, Li Rui always circulated thirty-six times, which was thirty-six cycles. 【197】 Why not circulate seventy-two large cycles? 【198】 It wasn't that he was lazy, but his strength was insufficient. 【199】 The Xuan Qing Qi in his dantian was too weak, so after finishing thirty-six cycles, he had no strength to continue wandering and could only return to the dantian to recuperate. 【200】 And now. 【201】 Li Rui circulated a large cycle in one breath. 【202】 This was exactly the effect of the dragon blood. 【203】 "Truly a precious medicine!" 【204】 Li Rui's eyes opened suddenly; circulating a large cycle in one breath, this feeling was incomparably refreshing, and his whole body felt much lighter. 【205】 The dryness caused by the dragon blood had vanished, replaced by a warm current that made his body and mind comfortable, surging out continuously from his dantian. 【206】 Li Rui clenched his palm. 【207】 "Strength increased by at least thirty percent!" 【208】 The reason dragon blood is regarded as a supreme treasure by the world is precisely because it is a great tonic, capable of increasing strength by twenty percent out of thin air, and because of his martial bones, he could absorb the dragon blood more thoroughly, so he added another ten percent. 【209】 Li Rui closed his eyes. 【210】 Feeling it carefully. 【211】 In his dantian, the small dragon originally coiled around the chaotic pillar was already covered in scales, with two horns on its head and five claws on its feet, like the legendary Azure Dragon, wanting to soar into the clouds. 【212】 "Dragon form takes initial shape!" 【213】 (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 128 =====

At first, Liang He was somewhat unwilling.

From the bottom of his heart, he hoped more to stay by Li Rui's side.

In the end.

After being kicked a few times by Li Rui and hearing all sorts of persuasion, he obediently went to report to the Night Scouts.

Seven or eight days passed in a row.

Li Rui returned home after his shift and was practicing his Wu Gong.

Wei Ming personally came to his door.

He triumphantly took a small jade bottle from his bosom and grinned: "Brother Li, look at what this is!"

Having said that, he pulled out the cork on the jade bottle.

First came a thick, bloody stench, but mixed within it was a faint, delicate fragrance—a unique scent Li Rui had never smelled before.

Just smelling a mouthful of it made one's blood boil.

Li Rui's eyes lit up: "Is it Jiao blood?"

"I did not fail the task."

Wei Ming was even more triumphant: "Fortunately, Brother Li, you acted fast enough. This Jiao blood is scarce to begin with, and it was being eyed by several people. If not for Lord Ning taking action, we really would have missed it."

"Many thanks, Brother Wei."

Li Rui felt a bit more gratitude in his heart that Wei Ming had helped him finish the task and obtain the Jiao blood so quickly.

Of course, this was also the benefit of Li Rui being in charge of grain.

He could be the first to know about good things.

Wei Ming waved his hand: "Why be so polite with me? We are all brothers."

Afterward, he blinked his eyes:

"Brother Li, could it be that you are truly planning to cultivate Qi?"

Li Rui's previous purchase of the Flying Dragon in the Sky Chart could not be hidden from him, a Platoon Leader.

He had long heard about Li Rui buying the Qi chart, and it was specifically the Dragon-Form Qi-Circulation Chart. Now, buying Jiao blood, it was hard not to make associations.

Li Rui said bluntly: "I'm getting on in years, and I want to gamble one last time."

Wei Ming turned solemn.

"Brother Li, at seventy, you still have such drive to improve; you are truly a role model for us all."

"Brother Wei, you overpraise me."

Wei Ming looked at Li Rui, clicking his tongue incessantly.

A seventy-year-old Seventh-Rank is common, but one who only breaks through to the Seventh-Rank at seventy is unheard of.

In climbing the Martial Path, before the Primordial Realm.

It is always that fists fear the young and strong; being young means one's blood and Qi are naturally vigorous, and the possibility of a breakthrough is greater. Once past sixty, the hope for a breakthrough is basically extinguished.

Wei Ming guessed that Li Rui felt there was no hope of breaking through to the Bronze Bone Realm with blood and Qi, so he thought of using the Qi-Circulation Chart to cultivate a wisp of Qi at the Eighth-Rank, which would greatly increase the chance of a breakthrough.

But cultivating Qi at the Eighth-Rank is easier said than done.

Annan Town has countless geniuses, but those who can achieve it are only two or three.

Wei Ming felt it was hopeless from the bottom of his heart and really didn't think much of it.

But he did not speak out to persuade or discourage Li Rui.

After all, having such ambition at his age is truly rare.

What if he really achieved it?

Wei Ming said a few more encouraging words and then took his leave.

After seeing Wei Ming off.

Li Rui returned to his room holding the small jade bottle, his eyes burning.

"Finally in my hands!"

Cultivating Qi?

His Xuan Qing Qi was already comparable to the Willow Sinew Mid-Stage; he wanted this Jiao blood for gathering Qi.

If Wei Ming knew, his jaw would surely drop.

"Ancient books record that Jiao blood can be consumed directly."

Li Rui thought as he immediately put it into action.

He reached out and pulled the wooden cork from the small jade bottle.

A strong, bloody stench filled the room; the space was cramped, and the smell was even more intense than before.

Li Rui's expression did not change.

Have you ever tasted horse urine?

Li Rui had; when he was a groom at the Zhu family, he sometimes had to judge whether a horse was sick by the smell of its urine. The first time, he vomited for several days.

Later, it slowly became a habit, so he was already immune.

Without even frowning, he tilted his head back and drank the Jiao blood.

It entered his mouth.

First, a violent, bloody taste exploded in his mouth and nose, rushing straight to the top of his head. The Jiao blood went down his throat, all the way down, and entered his stomach. Soon, a hot current surged up from his dantian.

"Strong enough!"

In just a few breaths, Li Rui's clothes were soaked with sweat.

He hurriedly sat cross-legged on the cushion.

He chanted in his mouth:

"The dragon leaps in the abyss, the divine brilliance is restrained, the true qi circulates, the divine art reveals itself."

The meridian routes in the Flying Dragon in the Sky Chart appeared in his mind.

Li Rui mobilized the Xuan Qing Qi in his dantian.

He began to circulate Qi according to the meridian routes.

The scorching heat, as if he were in a furnace, eased by half after one full cycle.

Two cycles, three cycles... he actually completed seventy-two full cycles!

Thirty-six cycles is a small cycle, and seventy-two cycles is a great cycle. Previously, when circulating Qi, Li Rui only circulated it thirty-six times, which was thirty-six cycles.

Why not circulate seventy-two great cycles?

It was not that he was lazy, but that his strength was insufficient.

The Xuan Qing Qi in his dantian was too weak, so after finishing thirty-six cycles, he had no strength to continue circulating and could only return to his dantian to recuperate.

And now.

Li Rui circulated a great cycle in one breath.

This was the effect of the Jiao blood.

"It truly is a precious medicine!"

Li Rui opened his eyes abruptly. Having circulated a great cycle in one breath, the feeling was incomparably refreshing, and his whole body felt much lighter.

The dryness caused by the Jiao blood had vanished, replaced by a warm current that made his body and mind feel comfortable, flowing continuously from his dantian.

Li Rui clenched his palm.

"My strength has increased by at least thirty percent!"

The reason Jiao blood is regarded by the world as a supreme treasure is precisely because it is a great tonic, capable of increasing strength by twenty percent out of thin air. And because of his Martial Bone, he could absorb the Jiao blood more thoroughly, hence the additional ten percent.

Li Rui closed his eyes.

He felt it carefully.

In his dantian, the small dragon that had originally coiled around the chaotic pillar was now covered in scales, with two horns on its head and five claws on its feet, like the legendary Azure Dragon, wanting to soar into the clouds.

"Dragon-Form small success!"

(End of chapter)