Chapter 98: Ancient Method

Since he had already refined the pills for Shen Tang and triggered her breakthrough, Lu Xingzhou stayed indoors to continue refining pills for himself and A'nuo.

One fruit plus a large amount of various auxiliary herbs can refine many pills.

Everyone's needs differ, so they must be refined separately. The pills for Shen Tang mainly strengthen bones and meridians, avoiding any changes to her muscles as much as possible; otherwise, it would make Lu Xingzhou regret it to death.

The pills for Lu Xingzhou himself are the opposite, focusing more on strengthening muscles.

Due to long-term wheelchair use, Lu Xingzhou's body is much thinner than average. Wu Xiu focus on internal arts, so their muscle lines are untrained, a typical "frail scholar" type. But such Wu Xiu are one-sided, lacking cultivation of both internal and external aspects, and fall short in human aesthetics, relying solely on their faces.

Taking this pill can improve things somewhat... but to refine multiple, one must combine it with external exercise, spending time to change.

A man in love is very dedicated to the idea of making his wife happy with eight-pack abs.

As for A'nuo, it's another method entirely: pure energy accumulation, fully unleashing the original fruit's effect, increasing strength as much as possible.

A'nuo's body will not change at all from these things; all energy can be effectively digested.

After the master and disciple each took their pills, Lu Xingzhou discovered that A'nuo had broken through, while he had not.

A'nuo has been at fifth grade for a long time; after eating so many pills these days, she was already at the critical point of breakthrough. Taking this strength pill directly broke her through to fourth grade, and her height grew slightly by an inch...

As for himself, because he refined multiple pills to gradually build muscle, the medicinal effect was slower, yet it just barely pushed him to mid-sixth grade.

This result already exceeded expectations; Lu Xingzhou was quite satisfied.

"Logically, medicine that grinds bones and muscles and the energy needed for cultivation are not the same thing; it shouldn't cause a cultivation breakthrough. A'nuo's breakthrough is another matter; she has always been unique. Is our improvement a bit strange?" The young couple strolled through the mountains, and Lu Xingzhou casually discussed it with Shen Tang.

"Actually, it's not strange," Shen Tang said. "According to imperial records, ancient Wu Xiu should have had a bone-forging stage... Back then, transforming tendons and forging bones was extremely painful, causing Wu Xiu to be scarce. Dao cultivators focused too much on comprehension and bone constitution, so although the immortals were stronger than now, their overall numbers were far scarcer than now, unlike the current state of everyone cultivating."

Lu Xingzhou listened with great interest: "What happened later?"

"Later, after undergoing some unknown changes, the cultivation methods changed. Wu Xiu became less painful, and the number of cultivators in this direction increased. Look at how many cultivators there are today; in reality, most are Wu Xiu, and the proportion of Dao cultivators is not high."

"Hmm..." Indeed, the proportion of Wu Xiu in the world is high. Not to mention typical sword-cultivation sects like Tianxing Sword Sect, just look at the Imperial Family, the Huo family, the Sheng family, the Demon Suppression Bureau, the Dongjiang Gang, the Danxia Gang... a large proportion of acquaintances are like this.

Shen Tang claimed to cultivate both Dao and Martial arts, but in reality, she was also a typical Wu Xiu; only the Imperial Ultimate Shocking World Sutra was somewhat special, containing elements of using magic power to control objects, which is why Shen Tang could use his talismans back then.

Shen Tang continued: "After the cultivation methods changed, the boundary between Wu Xiu and Dao cultivators began to blur, and eventually even the concept of the 'Bone-Forging Stage' disappeared. Later, because no one reached high-level realms, people simply stopped mentioning Dao cultivation realms altogether. Otherwise, according to ancient times, everyone would cultivate themselves to death and only reach two or three realms; what fun would that be... Thus, it gradually evolved into today's nine-grade system."

"I see..."

"So, taking me as an example, this pill strengthened my bones and tendons, inadvertently aligning with the ancient method of transforming tendons and forging bones, so the breakthrough came." Shen Tang smiled: "It's not strange at all; on the contrary, it should be the right path."

Lu Xingzhou said: "That won't cause you pain, will it..."

Seeing the man's first reaction was concern for this, Shen Tang felt sweet in her heart. She smiled and held his hand: "No. But your future cultivation can lean in this direction; after all, you are only at sixth grade now and have already forged two leg bones, giving you some first-mover advantage over others."

Lu Xingzhou nodded. Referring to the ancient method should not be wrong; this is the right path of cultivation.

At this moment, the two were truly strolling. On the third day of the first lunar month, most shops had already opened for business. The young couple, having been in love until now, had never properly gone out strolling like ordinary couples; today, they simply ignored how Pei Chuyun might react and strolled on their own.

However, their stroll was a bit awkward; two wheelchairs rolling side by side were very eye-catching. To avoid being disturbed by lanterns, no one pushed the wheelchairs; they had to paddle themselves, looking exceptionally hard and ridiculous.

The two felt their faces turn red under the gaze of passersby, secretly questioning whether pretending to be lame was asking for trouble.

Unfortunately, Shen Tang really had to pretend; there was no way around it, unlike Lu Xingzhou, who did it purely to deceive others.

"Mom, that pair sitting in wheelchairs is so loving... disabled but inseparable. When I find a husband in the future, I want one like that too."

"If you dare find a cripple, I'll beat you to death."

"I'm not talking about a cripple, but that kind, that kind..." The young girl thought for a long time but couldn't find a fitting description, her face looking bitter.

Although the mother criticized, she actually understood what the child meant; that feeling of never leaving each other was indeed very sweet.

Even while sitting in wheelchairs, they still held hands with one hand each. Tsk.

Thus, the two wheelchair users found that the passersby's gaze wasn't malicious; rather, there were more auntie smiles. Lu Xingzhou's face stopped turning red and became beaming; instead, Shen Tang's face grew redder and redder. She scolded in a low voice: "It's all your fault, why go shopping... the reputation we worked hard to build in front of everyone..."

She tried to pull her hand back, but Lu Xingzhou wouldn't let her; he held on tight: "What's the big deal? Ordinary people don't know us..."

Before he finished speaking, a Demon Suppression Bureau patrol greeted them: "Yo, Sect Master Shen, Mr. Lu, out shopping? Happy New Year, Happy New Year!"

Shen Tang: "..."

Lu Xingzhou's face burned hot. Using the New Year greeting as a pretext, he subtly pulled his hand back, cupped his hands, and smiled insincerely: "Happy New Year, Happy New Year... Has the new commander of the Demon Suppression Bureau arrived?"

"He was promoted before the New Year," the patrol Constable laughed. "Mr. Lu knows him; it's the former Vice Commander Zhang, who fought side by side with everyone at the Prefect's Mansion. He was promoted based on solid achievements."

"Then everyone must have been promoted a grade too?"

"Of course," the Constable laughed. "We must also thank Mr. Lu for his help. In the future, if you need anything, just find us brothers."

"No need to mention it, no need to mention it."

"But everyone still misses Commander Sheng... capable, responsible, and good-looking."

Lu Xingzhou laughed: "Even if Commander Sheng doesn't return to the capital, her achievements mean she must be promoted; she definitely won't stay in Xiazhou."

"That's just talk. Hey, Mr. Lu, have you noticed that the spiritual energy in Xiazhou is a bit denser than before?"

The young couple exchanged a glance, both smiling slightly.

The spiritual energy revival in Xiazhou wasn't because spiritual energy suddenly appeared, but because of changes in the earth veins, a relatively long process. The spiritual energy became denser a little bit every day; people not sensitive enough couldn't notice it, only realizing much later, "How did it become different..." So far, most people haven't noticed; only the powerful ones in the Demon Suppression Bureau are a bit sensitive.

This delayed reaction is also good for Tianxing Sword Sect. By the time people discover it is a sacred mountain and treasure land, Tianxing Sword Sect will have long been incomparable to before. Currently, Shen Tang is third grade, so her confidence is much stronger than before; if there are more large-scale breakthroughs, it will be even more stable.

Lu Xingzhou casually agreed: "Xiazhou is a good place... perhaps you'll have a chance to see Commander Sheng in the future."

Once Xiazhou is upgraded again, if Sheng Yuanyao wants to be stationed outside later, serving as a provincial commander would be quite suitable.

After bidding farewell to the Constable, the two looked at each other and burst into laughter, finally unable to hold hands while paddling wheelchairs on the street. Lu Xingzhou turned to a nearby tea house and requested a small private room: "This private room... I sat here with Sheng Yuanyao and Miss Qingli..."

Halfway through speaking, he thought, "Oh no," and cautiously looked at Shen Tang's expression. Shen Tang smiled ambiguously: "What, does Mr. Lu feel guilty too?"

Lu Xingzhou apologized with a smile: "What are you talking about..."

Shen Tang said: "Do you want to say you are completely innocent with them?"

Having already done that with Bai Mao, no one would believe a forced claim of innocence. Lu Xingzhou could only apologize, pour tea, and avoid the topic.

As a result, Shen Tang's expression truly changed: "Good, so there's something with Sheng Yuanyao too?"

"No, you're talking about them..." Lu Xingzhou was very helpless: "Sheng Yuanyao and I are truly completely innocent, okay."

Shen Tang pressed her lips together and didn't continue to eat jealous vinegar blindly.

Actually, how could she not know that there really was nothing between Lu Xingzhou and Sheng Yuanyao; it was just that thinking of Sheng Yuanyao being in the capital now immediately reminded her that Lu Xingzhou would soon go to the capital too, putting her in a very bad mood.

After a long silence, he said instead, "If you really go to the capital, you should contact Sheng Yuanyao… With the Sheng family's power behind you, at the very least it will make the Huo family think twice about touching you. At the bare minimum, you'll have someone to show you the ropes."

"I know what to do." Lu Xingzhou said nothing more, simply took a piece of pastry and held it near her lips. "Ah~"

Shen Tang was amused into a laugh, the slight gloom in her mood quickly dissipating. She shot him a look and took a small bite of the pastry.

The two sat close together, nibbling one little pastry back and forth for the longest time without finishing it.

The waiter who came in to pour tea cast a sidelong glance, his teeth nearly aching from the sweetness.

Just then, a disciple of the Heaven's Edge Sword Sect rushed over. "Sect Master, there's a letter sent by talisman. It looks very important."

The two had just finished the pastry. Shen Tang was about to pick one up to feed Lu Xingzhou when she paused at his words. "Where is the letter from?"

"From the capital. There's a 'Huo' character written on it."

Shen Tang's hand trembled slightly as she watched Lu Xingzhou take the letter and open the seal.

There was only a very brief sentence on it: "After the new year, the fourth Huo will depart for Dream Return City."

There was no signature, but both of them knew this was from Yang Dechang.

He was reporting information about the movements of a member of the Huo family's younger generation.

The Huo family's fourth young master, Huo Lu, would go to Dream Return City after the new year…

Shen Tang anxiously turned her head to look at Lu Xingzhou's expression. The soft smile that had lingered on Lu Xingzhou's face these past days visibly vanished, and the barely concealed savagery returned to his eyes.

Shen Tang sighed softly, finally holding the pastry in her hand up to his lips, and said gently, "From Xiazhou to the capital, Dream Return City is exactly halfway. You're going, aren't you?"

Lu Xingzhou was silent for a moment, then gave an "Mm."

Just as he was about to say something, Shen Tang stuffed the pastry into his mouth. "Your enemy is my enemy. If you want revenge, I'll only help you—how could I possibly hold you back by my side?"

(End of this chapter)