Chapter 44: True Explanation of the Flame Spirit

The blood qi power transformed from the blood qi pill was slowly absorbed, then flowed into the already opened inner gate aperture space; under conscious control, like a millstone, it slowly transmuted the energy within that aperture space.

As a continuous stream of blood qi power was poured in, a purer energy constantly surged from the aperture space, subtly transforming Fang Xu's flesh and cells throughout his body.

The energy in the aperture space seemed to be a higher-grade energy than blood qi power; the flesh and bones, already tempered to the extreme before breaking through the Martial Apprentice Realm, underwent another transformation under this energy's infusion.

This transformation was more like a leap in the level of life.

No wonder ordinary people live no more than a hundred years, while martial artists at the Martial Master Realm can easily live over a hundred and fifty years if they don't meet an accidental demise.

While absorbing the blood qi power transformed from the blood qi pill and drawing energy from heaven and earth, Fang Xu immersed himself in cultivation, feeling completely at ease.

"Huh?" Just as he had completely absorbed the blood qi power transformed from the blood qi pill, he discovered a strange energy that could not be absorbed appearing within his body.

This energy seeped out from the blood qi power transformed from the blood qi pill; at first there was little, Fang Xu didn't notice, but later it gathered together, grew in amount, and was then caught by his consciousness.

This energy…

As his consciousness approached that strange energy, Fang Xu was about to examine it closely, but the energy vanished in an instant.

What's going on!

Fang Xu started slightly, then immediately awoke from his meditative state.

The sky outside the window had already grown bright; with the aid of the Divine Extension Canon, he entered the Inner Viewing State again, carefully probing his body to find where that wisp of strange energy had gone.

Yet oddly, in the Inner Viewing State everything inside him was laid out clearly before him, except for the whereabouts of that strange energy.

After withdrawing from the Inner Viewing State, Fang Xu slowly rose to his feet, picked up a blood qi pill from nearby, examined it briefly, then slipped it into his pocket, preparing to go find Lu Zhiyuan.

Hall of Far-reaching Aspirations.

Lu Zhiyuan heard Fang Xu's doubt, smiled faintly, and said: "Not bad; being able to sense the pill toxin's existence proves your control over your own cultivation has reached the level of minute mastery."

"Pill toxin?" Fang Xu blinked, somewhat startled, and asked: "Does this blood qi pill have poison?"

Seeing his expression shift slightly, Lu Zhiyuan laughed heartily and said: "You've heard the saying 'medicine is three-part poison,' right?"

"Medicines, medicines—when herbs are made into pills, they naturally carry some toxicity."

"However, this toxin does not harm the cultivator's body; it only solidifies the walls of the apertures."

"This is why some martial artists, by stockpiling large amounts of pills early on, can quickly break through the Martial Apprentice and Martial Master realms and even higher, yet later find they cannot advance an inch."

"Because the more pills you take, the more pill toxin accumulates in your body; this toxin is almost impossible to remove, and in the later stages it will become a major obstacle blocking the martial artist's path."

Fang Xu realized.

It seems I should take fewer of these pills from now on.

"Master, will blood food not have this effect?" Fang Xu asked hurriedly.

Lu Zhiyuan shook his head: "Naturally not."

"Blood food is digested and absorbed by your body on its own, and any impurities are expelled through feces."

"However, you needn't worry too much; taking a small amount of pills for cultivation brings more benefit than harm."

Hearing him say that, Fang Xu's hanging heart finally eased a little.

"How's the comprehension of the stone tablet going? Any clues?" Lu Zhiyuan asked.

Fang Xu shook his head.

"That stone tablet is too obscure and hard to understand; to this day he still isn't clear whether the markings on it are text or pictures."

Lu Zhiyuan chuckled: "Don't rush; if the things left by martial arts masters were this easy to comprehend, then the strong martial artists of this world wouldn't be so rare."

"Go back; in recent days you need to be more attentive. I've received news that the Yun Family is about to make a big move, the Central Province Imperial Family will also send people, and Maple Forest Town may not be peaceful for a while."

"Hurry up and increase your strength."

Fang Xu solemnly nodded.

Many things have happened recently in Maple Forest Town, and it's likely many more will occur.

After all, as Lu Zhiyuan said, that relic in the mountains has appeared; once the imperial family arrives, the entire Great Yu Dynasty will come to know of its existence.

Maple Forest Town is the nearest town to that relic, so many important figures are expected to stop there.

On the way back from the Hall of Far-reaching Aspirations, Fang Xu unexpectedly heard another piece of news.

In that night's attack, the Wu Family patriarch did not die, merely suffering heavy injuries; now the Wu Family's eldest son, Wu Ningxue's older brother, has returned from Qinghe County, carrying a token to go invite the patriarch's former master.

Hearing this news, Fang Xu inwardly gave a wry smile.

Maple Forest Town, oh Maple Forest Town.

A remote, rundown mountain town—how did it suddenly become so attractive?

The mysterious shaman, the Huangzhou Yun Family, the Central Province Imperial Family, plus the Wu Family patriarch's mysterious sect—existences of titan-like stature will soon gather in Maple Forest Town.

By then, the ones likely to suffer will be only the common folk of Maple Forest Town.

Shaking his head, Fang Xu returned home, just about to prepare breakfast for Chu Mu, when he suddenly saw smoke rising from his kitchen chimney.

He hurried into the kitchen and saw Chu Mu skillfully slicing a piece of blood food, with already-cut vegetables laid out beside her.

"Mu, let me do it." Fang Xu prepared to take over those chores.

Chu Mu, however, gave a light smile and said: "Fang Xu brother, I can handle these chores."

"Back when Grandfather was busy at home and couldn't attend to me, I did all of these chores myself."

"……" Looking at the pile of millet stacked rather high, Chu Mu felt a bit upset: "It's just that the millet is placed too high for me to reach."

Upon hearing that, Fang Xu quickly took down the bag of millet and placed it where Chu Mu could reach.

"That's fine; Fang Xu brother, go cultivate—these matters I'll handle from now on."

Fang Xu felt a little uneasy; after repeatedly confirming Chu Mu could manage, he finally felt at ease returning to his room to begin pondering that strange stone tablet.

Staring fixedly at the intricate patterns on the stone tablet, Fang Xu only felt a bit dizzy and blurry-eyed.

"This damned thing is just too difficult; I can't make out any clue at all."

Gurgle!

Gurgle!

When he was engrossed in research, Chu Mu pushed the wheelchair slowly into the room: 'Brother Fang Xu, the meal is ready.'

The gentle voice interrupted Fang Xu's thoughts; he immediately put down the stone slab and prepared to accompany Chu Mu for a meal.

'Brother Fang Xu, what is that stone slab?' Chu Mu asked, eyes fixed on the stone slab curiously.

Fang Xu glanced at the stone slab, smiled faintly, and said: 'This was given by Master Lu; he said it contains some cultivation method. I've studied it for two days but still can't make sense of it.'

Upon hearing that, Chu Mu hesitated a moment and said: 'Can I take a look?'

Fang Xu stared for a moment, then brought the stone slab to Chu Mu's face, hopeful, and asked: 'Can you tell whether the markings on this stone slab are characters or pictures?'

Chu Mu stared at the stone slab in front of her for a long time and said: 'I think it's both characters and pictures, but the picture is quite strange.'

While tracing the patterns on the stone slab, Chu Mu pondered for a long time, then immediately looked up and said: 'Brother Fang Xu, give me paper and pen.'

Upon hearing that, Fang Xu hurriedly fetched paper and pen, and also moved a small stool to place in front of Chu Mu.

Chu Mu, while keeping her eyes on the stone slab, slowly wrote four characters on the paper.

Flame Spirit True Explanation!

……

Asking for monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and reads; thanks, big guys, for your hard work!

(End of chapter)