Chapter 95： Peak State

Sitting beside Old Master Liu was considered the greatest honor for countless people. If anyone saw Old Master Liu inviting a young man to sit beside him, they would surely be consumed with jealousy.

Li Nianlong, however, seemed indifferent to such honors. Out of respect for the old man, he walked over and sat beside Old Master Liu, glancing at his complexion before saying lightly, "You look fine. It seems like there's nothing serious."

"Thanks to your miraculous medicine," Old Master Liu's expression softened even more, his tone becoming gentler. "I thought I wouldn't live past next year, but you saved me."

"I just didn't want to see my cousin sad," Li Nianlong said casually.

Sitting on the other side of Old Master Liu, Shao Meiyun showed a touched expression, then chuckled softly. "Dream Dragon, this is the first time you've called me cousin. For this, I'll toast you." With that, Shao Meiyun picked up a cup of tea, her expression carrying a hint of apology. "My cousin hasn't been well recently. The doctor said she can't drink alcohol for a short period, so she can only drink tea instead."

Li Nianlong also picked up a teacup. Perhaps by coincidence, it was his favorite bamboo leaf green tea. "It's fine. I rarely drink alcohol anyway. Bamboo leaf green tea is good."

Taking a sip of tea, the rich fragrance made Li Nianlong's eyes light up. He couldn't help but praise, "Good tea!"

The flavor was even better than the highest-quality tea he had ever tasted.

Old Master Liu chuckled. "Last time I saw you drinking bamboo leaf green tea at your home, I thought you must like it. So I brought out the best tea, which is different from what's sold outside. It's a tribute, with only two catties produced each year. I still have more than three taels here. If you like it, you can take it when you leave."

Li Nianlong didn't refuse. He had saved Old Master Liu's life, so what was taking some tea leaves? He nodded, agreeing to take it.

Seeing Li Nianlong willing to accept, Old Master Liu and Shao Meiyun showed delight. Old Master Liu picked up his chopsticks. "Dream Dragon, let's eat! The doctor told me I can't eat spicy food recently, but for you, I'll make an exception today."

The table was filled with authentic Sichuan cuisine, enough to make outsiders regret not cutting off their tongues from the spiciness. Even for locals, it was a very flavorful spread.

Although Old Master Liu had taken some medicine and his condition was improving, his personal doctor still advised him to stick to a light diet. Serving so much spicy food would surely anger the doctor and threaten to resign.

Listening to Old Master Liu's words, Li Nianlong felt a hint of complexity. Putting down his chopsticks, he said, "Please remove these dishes and replace them with something lighter."

"Dream Dragon..." Old Master Liu's heart warmed with a surge of affection. He sniffed and chuckled, "Alright, since Dream Dragon has spoken, Grandpa will listen to you. Someone, remove the dishes and bring something lighter."

New dishes would take some time to prepare, so in the meantime, some dried fruits were served, which paired well with the tea.

"Dream Dragon..." Old Master Liu looked at Li Nianlong, filled with contentment. "I saw your skill with shooting leaves into the wall earlier. I didn't expect you to have such powerful internal energy at such a young age. When I was your age, I was far behind."

"The power is not bad, but it consumes a lot of true energy and can't be continuously used," Li Nianlong said lightly.

"True energy?" Old Master Liu paused for a moment, then regained his composure. "You mean internal energy?"

Li Nianlong neither confirmed nor denied it.

Old Master Liu chuckled. "Dream Dragon, it seems your master isn't qualified. True energy is only a term used in martial arts novels. Of course, there is also the practice of cultivating innate true energy by Qi cultivators, which is very difficult. Although there have been some successful Qi cultivators in history, it is said that the last successful one was Liu Bowen over six hundred years ago. After Liu Bowen, there hasn't been anyone successful in Qi cultivation."

"Liu Bowen was a civil official, right? When did he become a Qi cultivator?" Li Nianlong's history wasn't great, but he was clear about some famous historical figures.

"Hehe, history is written by the victors," Old Master Liu said with a smile. "Liu Bowen had great abilities and achievements, so naturally, he would be specially favored by those in power. How historians write is entirely at the whim of those in power. But the true facts are recorded within knowledgeable families like mine, which has been passed down for over two thousand years. However, those are still just one-sided accounts written by historians. The truth lies in the details recorded within our family, but even so, I can only vaguely answer with the phrase 'according to legend.'"

"I see. Is the legend of Liu Bowen slaying a dragon based on any truth?" Li Nianlong asked.

"Haha, it's just a fictional plot to mythologize historical figures," Old Master Liu laughed. "Liu Bowen was actually from a side branch of our Liu family. To boost the reputation of our family, some populist tactics were naturally used."

Liu Bowen was from a side branch of the Liu family?

Seeing Li Nianlong's surprised expression, Old Master Liu showed a proud look. "Don't doubt it. Liu Bowen was indeed from a side branch of our family. Back then, Liu Bowen's assistance to Emperor Taizu was significant, and our Liu family contributed a lot too." Pausing for a moment, Old Master Liu's expression suddenly darkened, and he snorted, "But Emperor Taizu was truly heartless and ungrateful. After establishing the dynasty, he purged the meritorious officials. It's truly despicable."

Li Nianlong faintly smiled. "As birds that soar, the best bows are hidden. As cunning rabbits die, hounds are cooked. This was set by the ancestors of the Liu family. What right does the Liu family have to blame Emperor Taizu?"

Old Master Liu's expression stiffened for a moment, then he chuckled bitterly. "Well said. Indeed, our Liu family... But back then, when the world was finally stable, if meritorious officials relied on their achievements and became self-righteous, the stability of the nation would be in jeopardy..."

"I suppose Emperor Taizu thought the same way," Li Nianlong said, cutting off the rest of Old Master Liu's words.

Old Master Liu could only smile bitterly.

Shao Meiyun chuckled. "Alright, let's not talk about those historical matters. Dream Dragon, where did you learn your incredible skills? I've been in the Liu family for so many years and have seen many experts, but none could do what you did, at least not among those under fifty years old."

Li Nianlong smiled faintly. "Would you believe me if I said I learned it on my own?"

"Believe." Shao Meiyun said without hesitation, "As long as it's Dream Dragon who says it, I believe."

Shao Meiyun's attitude made Li Nianlong feel a bit embarrassed, but he wasn't exactly lying. He did learn on his own, he just conveniently left out the system's help.

On the other hand, Old Master Liu didn't believe Li Nianlong's self-learning story, but Li Nianlong didn't want to say more, and Old Master Liu didn't press further, just chuckled and said, "Alright! After hundreds of years, our Liu family has finally produced another super genius. The Liu family will rely on you in the coming decades."

"The Liu family is the Liu family, and I am me. I don't want any involvement with the Liu family, and you shouldn't look for me either." Seeing Old Master Liu pushing the boundaries, Li Nianlong retorted coldly.

Old Master Liu's face froze for a moment, then he smiled bitterly, "Alright! If you don't want to take over the Liu family, I won't force you. Besides, with my current health, I can still hold on for a few more years."

Speaking of health, Li Nianlong remembered something. He reached into his pocket and took out four pills, two red and two blue. "I heard from my cousin that your health hasn't fully recovered. Take these four pills, and you should be almost completely healed."

Old Master Liu's eyes lit up. Although he had already taken two pills unconsciously, now seeing the true appearance of the pills and inhaling the fragrance they emitted, he felt invigorated. 

Miraculous pills!

Old Master Liu was filled with joy. He eagerly took the pills without hesitation, and as they dissolved in his mouth, they rushed into his abdomen. In the next moment, his entire body surged with vitality. Some black strands even appeared amidst his snowy white hair, and the wrinkled face gradually smoothed out. Even his slightly loose teeth tightened.

As the energy surged into his brain, Old Master Liu couldn't help but let out a loud shout. A burst of internal energy erupted from him, like a gust of wind, blowing Li Nianlong and Shao Meiyun's hair and clothes, and even scattering the dried fruits on the table onto the floor.

After the commotion settled, Shao Meiyun was shocked to see Old Master Liu looking at least twenty years younger. She wasn't the only one surprised; Li Nianlong was equally astonished. He hadn't expected the blood and Qi pills to have the additional effect of restoring youth. This was unbelievable!

"Qingting, what's going on?" Unable to comprehend, Li Nianlong sought Qingting's help.

Qingting giggled. "Don't you understand? Since birth, a person goes through stages of growth, maturity, peak, and decline. The ultimate goal of the system's pills is to bring a person's state to the peak. Old Master Liu had already entered the decline stage, but after taking the pills, he returned to the peak stage. Of course, this is only a temporary effect. If Old Master Liu continues to overexert himself and consume energy excessively, he will gradually return to the decline stage."

I see.

Looking at Old Master Liu, who was overjoyed, Li Nianlong said lightly, "Don't be too happy too soon. You've only temporarily returned to the peak stage by relying on the pills. If you don't pay attention to maintenance in the future and overconsume energy, you'll fall back into the decline stage."

After hearing this, Old Master Liu gradually calmed down, but still laughed heartily. "It's okay. Although it's a short time, being able to return to the peak state again, this old man is already very content."

Seeing the scattered dried fruits, Old Master Liu, full of energy, shouted, "Someone, tidy up the table!"

The servants waiting outside immediately rushed in, but upon seeing Old Master Liu's current appearance, they were all dumbfounded. "Old Master!?!? You... you're the Old Master!?"

If it were a normal day, these slow-moving servants would have been kicked out of the Liu Mansion immediately. But at this moment, Old Master Liu was in an exceptionally good mood. He laughed heartily, "Of course, it's me! What are you all still dawdling for? Quickly clean up the table, hurry to the kitchen, and bring out the food."