Chapter 29

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Chapter 29: Taking the Pills

     

Ou Peng looked at the Bone-Strengthening Pill placed on the table and said: “This pill is only effective for those who practice external martial arts. I want to give it to Shi Niu from our sect. What do you think?”

     

After Ou Peng finished speaking, his gaze fell on Fifth Elder Liu and Sixth Elder Xu, as only their disciples practiced external martial arts.

     

Fifth Elder Liu readily agreed, saying: “Alright, I have no objections. That kid Shi Niu has extraordinary strength, even stronger than mine. Giving him the pill will surely add a super powerhouse to our Piaomiao Sect.”

     

Sixth Elder Xu pondered for a moment before saying: “I also have no objections. My disciples have limited aptitude anyway, so it’s better to support Shi Niu. However, Shi Niu can be a bit too straightforward. You’ll need to keep him under control.”

     

Ou Peng nodded and said: “I have confidence in handling this.”

     

First Elder Hu looked at the porcelain bottle containing Qi-Increasing Pills and said: “These Qi-Increasing Pills, let Third Junior Brother handle them as he sees fit. For our disciples, if they have the aptitude and made achievements, give them. If not, refrain from giving it to them.”

     

Ou Peng smiled and said: “Senior Brother, the medicinal herbs collected from the secret realm are limited this time. I will distribute them according to each disciple’s situation. According to Little Hai and Qing’er, there are still plenty of medicinal herbs in the secret realm. Moreover, now that we have control over the secret realm, there will be a continuous supply of such medicinal herbs in the future. As for the Qi-Increasing Pills, there will also be plenty. Please rest assured, all our direct disciples will definitely receive their fair share.”

     

First Elder Hu also smiled and said: “That’s good. We must not let the distribution of these pills disrupt the harmony within the sect. Moreover, Little Hai and Qing’er who went to the secret realm must be generously rewarded.”

     

Ou Peng replied: “Yes, I agree with Senior Brother. We’ll give each of them a Qi-Increasing Pill shortly.”

     

First Elder Hu said: “There’s no rush for that. We already have the Qi-Boosting Pills and Bone-Strengthening Pills. We should be cautious about their effects. I suggest we take these pills first before deciding.”

     

Ou Peng agreed: “What you said makes sense. According to the records in our sect’s ancient texts, it takes a day and a night for the absorption of these pills. I suggest we enter the secret chamber now and cultivate while waiting for the pills to take effect. What do you think?”

     

First Elder Hu said: “Good, you handle the sect affairs. Summon Shi Niu here, and we’ll go into seclusion together.”

     

Following his instructions, Ou Peng called his chief disciple, Zhang Chengyue. After issuing some instructions, Zhang Chengyue departed. Before long, the groggy Shi Niu stumbled into the meeting hall, seemingly unaware of the sudden windfall from the heavens.

     

Behind the meeting hall was a deeply concealed small door. Behind the door lay a long tunnel adorned with countless torches on its walls. At a glance, it seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance.

     

Ou Peng led everyone through the small door and proceeded along the tunnel. After nearly the time it takes to brew a pot of tea, they finally reached the end. At the end was a huge hall furnished with chairs, tables, and several different small doors leading deeper into the structure. Looking up, the space above was vast and empty, reaching a height of four to five zhang. One could even see the patterns in the rock, indicating they were deep within the belly of the mountain.

     

Ou Peng handed the jade box containing the Bone-Strengthening Pill to Shi Niu and pointed to one of the small doors, saying: “Go in there, find a small room, take the pill inside, and then practice your martial arts as you usually do nine by nine eighty-one times.”

     

Without a word, Shi Niu took the jade box and headed off.

     

The others went towards different small doors, each finding a small room to enter, ready to begin their secluded cultivation.

     

Ou Peng found a secluded chamber, seated himself cross-legged, and first circulated the Piaomiao Divine Technique once, adjusting his mindset. Then, he reached into his bosom and took out the jade box. From it, he retrieved a Qi-Boosting Pill, the pill had a fragrant aroma, and was jet-black in color and firm to the touch, completely unlike the Qi-Increasing Pills produced by the Medicine Hall. Calming his emotions, Ou Peng placed the pill into his mouth. He felt it dissolve into a stream of liquid on his tongue, flowing down his throat and into his body, where it transformed into a warm current rushing straight to his dantian.

     

At this moment, Ou Peng dared not entertain any extraneous thoughts. He focused his mind, fully activating the Piaomiao Divine Technique, refining and assimilating the warm current. The secluded chamber immediately fell into complete silence.

     

After an indeterminate amount of time passed, Ou Peng finally ceased his cultivation. Carefully inspecting his body, he felt not only pleasantly surprised but also a sense of awe. The Qi-Boosting Pill truly lived up to its reputation. His martial prowess had more than doubled, and the flow of true qi within his meridians felt as smooth as mercury, flowing without obstruction. There were no lingering hidden dangers. Reflecting on his practice, Ou Peng realized he had indeed completed exactly nine by nine repetitions eighty-one times, neither more nor less. In his heart, he silently exclaimed: “Truly a miraculous pill.”

     

After sitting quietly for a moment, Ou Peng stood up and pushed open the door, stepping out into the hall where First Elder Hu, Second Elder Li, Fourth Elder Shangguan, and others were already waiting.

     

Approaching, Ou Peng asked First Elder Hu with concern: “Senior Brother, how are things?”

     

First Elder Hu replied with a beaming smile: “Truly worthy of being called a legendary pill. It has saved me ten years of hard work.”

     

Upon hearing this, Ou Peng hurriedly offered his congratulations.

     

Then, Ou Peng turned to Second Li, but Second Elder Li remained silent. He casually drew his long sword and with a swift movement, a one-inch-long sword light emanated from it. Ou Peng was overjoyed and congratulated him once again.

     

Fourth Elder Shangguan, without waiting for Ou Peng’s inquiry, said: “Third Brother, my strength has nearly doubled this time. Truly, it’s a godly pill. And you?”

     

First Elder Hu and Second Elder Li also looked at Ou Peng with concern.

     

Ou Peng smiled and replied: “Fortunately, my Piaomiao Divine Technique has grown by more than double, reaching the realm of Perfection.”

     

Fourth Elder Shangguan exclaimed in admiration.

     

After a while, Fifth Elder Liu, Sixth Elder Xu, and Shi Niu still hadn’t shown any movement. Fourth Elder Shangguan couldn’t help but feel a bit worried. Ou Peng reassured him, saying: “There’s probably no need to worry. External martial arts are different from internal martial arts. Internal energy can be circulated instantly, but external martial arts may involve changes to bones and muscles. Let’s wait patiently for now.”

     

After waiting for two meals’ worth of time in the hall, they suddenly heard uproarious laughter from one of the stone rooms nearby. Fifth Elder Liu pushed open the door and stepped out. To everyone’s surprise, his bulky figure seemed to have slimmed down a bit, and the two axes in his hands appeared to be wielded effortlessly. As he walked over to the group, his steps were light and nimble, unlike his previous lumbering gait. There was no need for inquiries, it was evident that his progress in martial arts had been rapid.

     

Soon after, the door of another stone room opened, and Sixth Elder Xu also emerged. There wasn’t much change in his physique, but as he approached, everyone noticed a slight bulge on his temple. His large hands had become fairer, almost resembling jade. It seemed that his external martial arts had begun to develop from the outside to the inside.

     

The Piaomiao Six Tigers met, each experiencing a tremendous surge in their martial prowess. Naturally, they congratulated each other endlessly.

     

However, Shi Niu remained inside the last stone room, not yet emerging.

     

Everyone couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

     

Ou Peng walked lightly to the front of the stone room where Shi Niu was secluded, listening intently. All he could hear was the sound of wind inside the room, accompanied by Shi Niu’s faint breathing. He was still practicing.

     

Ou Peng glanced back at Fifth Elder Liu, feeling puzzled. “Both Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother have emerged from seclusion. Could it be that Shi Niu’s martial prowess is even deeper than theirs? Why hasn’t he come out yet?”

     

After another while, Ou Peng listened again, but the situation remained the same.

     

Ou Peng couldn’t help but wonder, could it be that our Piaomiao Sect is about to produce an unparalleled master?

     

After another meal’s time, Ou Peng couldn’t resist any longer. He gently pushed open a crack and peered inside. He saw a huge figure meticulously practicing his set of Great Strength Varja Fist. Each move was powerful, and the sound of the wind was fierce. The palm wind even reached Ou Peng, causing a reaction in his Piaomiao Divine Technique. After a while, Shi Niu shouted: “Seventy-eight!” Then, he restarted from the first move of the Great Strength Varja Fist.

     

At that moment, Shi Niu’s gaze fell on Ou Peng, who was peeking in, but he didn’t stop his movements. He shouted: “Sect Master, wait a moment! I’ve just practiced the seventy-eighth repetition, and I’m not far from eighty-one.” His words were clear, his breathing steady, and it didn’t affect the execution of his movements. His martial skill was extraordinary, a level of skill that could only be achieved after decades of hard practice.

     

Ou Peng was not only astonished but also puzzled. Could this be the true method of taking the Bone-Strengthening Pill? He wondered how Fifth Elder Liu and Sixth Elder Xu had practiced. He thought about asking them but decided against it. It was already in the past, and even if the method of refinement was incorrect, it couldn’t change anything. It would only add unnecessary worries.

     

So Ou Peng returned to the group and engaged in idle chatter with them, patiently waiting for Shi Niu to complete his eighty-first repetition.

     

The group stood there, feeling a bit sore in their legs, but they didn’t mind much since they had just experienced something extraordinary. While they were quietly complaining in their hearts, the stone door finally opened.

     

Shi Niu emerged from inside, his physique now even larger than before. There was a faint glow on his skin, and his aura was overwhelming. As he approached the group, he gave off the impression of a giant deity.

     

Shi Niu, upon seeing Ou Peng, exclaimed in a loud voice: “Sect Master, what did you give me? It smells so good and it’s even better than eating ten bowls of rice! Usually, after practicing the Great Strength Varja Fist three times, I’m dripping with sweat and panting heavily. But after eating this little pill, I practiced eighty-one times without feeling tired. Right now, I still feel energized. I can keep practicing for a while longer without any problem.”

     

Everyone chuckled quietly.

     

Ou Peng asked: “Shi Niu, how do you feel your martial prowess compares to before?”

     

Scratching his head, Shi Niu replied: “I’m not sure, but I feel more energetic now than before. Before, I could probably beat a bull, but now I think I could probably take down a bear.”

     

Fifth Elder Liu stepped forward and said: “Shi Niu, come, hit me with all your strength.”

     

Upon hearing this, Shi Niu didn’t hesitate. He took a deep breath and threw a punch. Fifth Elder Liu also raised his fist to meet him. Initially planning to use only eighty percent of his strength, he was surprised by the fierce fist wind rushing towards his face. Feeling the need to exert his full force, he met the punch head-on.

     

As their massive fists collided with a resounding ‘bang’, Shi Niu staggered back a step, leaving a deep footprint on the stone floor. Fifth Elder Liu, on the other hand, was forced to retreat five steps, with each step leaving a mark on the stone floor.

     

Fifth Elder Liu, nursing his slightly sore fist, walked up to Shi Niu and said: “Kid, you’ve made great progress. I’m afraid I might not be your match anymore.”

     

Shi Niu grinned in response.

     

Sixth Elder Xu chimed in: “Fifth Brother, don’t be modest. Shi Niu’s skill is in hand-to-hand combat, while you use weapons. He might not be able to match your battle axe.”

     

Fifth Elder Liu patted Shi Niu’s sculpted muscles and said, “Of course, I know that. Come on, Stone Bull, let’s go have a drink.”

     

Then, he grabbed Shi Niu’s arm and led him towards the corridor.