Chapter 25 Black Market_1

The attribute panel was naturally a joke by Li Pin.

The so-called [Holding Elixir: 0/514] theoretically requires 514 strikes of Elixir Energy.

By relying on the nourishment of his Life Vital Energy and his heavily optimized Eight Fierce Beasts True Fire Power, he can strike two Elixir Energies a day when his Qi and Blood are depleted.

But this doesn't mean that one must practice 514 times to condense Qi into elixir.

This number is constantly fluctuating.

With his new Holding Elixir Art and a new understanding of condensing Qi into elixir, the number could potentially drop from 514 to 500, or 450. A slight enlightenment after each strike of Elixir Energy could increase the number from 1 to 2 or even 3.

Also, not all Elixir Energies are the same.

Depleting Qi and Blood can produce Elixir Energy, and so can an extreme surge of spirit when all thoughts are emptied. Yet the effects are quite different.

So, this number is merely a reference.

He needs to adjust his cultivation progress continuously to achieve optimal cultivation results.

"Condensing Qi into elixir, enough before the start of Jiangzhou Martial Arts Contest."

Said Li Pin.

Condensing Qi into elixir is in sight.

The next step...

"Astral Energy."

Li Pin recalled the videos of Astral Energy he had seen: "This strength mainly comes from micro resonance, vibrating oneself as an amplifier to release it. The top power users' high-frequency Astral Energy vibrations exceed the speed of sound, creating a white wave of Qi. The ancients called it innate Astral Energy, which is the origin of Astral Energy."

Vibrating oneself as an amplifier seems simple, but is extremely difficult in practice.

That's because the one who first bears the backlash of the strength when using oneself as an amplifier is oneself.

The external skin, muscles, and bones are one thing.

The real test is the backlash of the strength that internal organs have to bear.

If the body and internal organs are not strong enough, one might be injured and cough up blood due to backlash before the Astral Energy is released.

"There are plenty of videos of Elixir Energy Martial Masters online, but significantly fewer of Astral Energy Grandmasters."

Li Pin pondered: "This is because Astral Energy Grandmasters are considered upper class. Although they hold Senior Professional Titles, their ranks in the Martial Arts Realm surpass those of other industries. They enjoy national subsidies and are respected everywhere, so there is no need for them to post videos for attention or to recruit disciples like Elixir Energy Martial Masters."

They themselves are influencers.

In places like Zanglong City, with a population of millions, the clear-cut Astral Energy Grandmasters can be counted on both hands.

Elixir Energy Martial Masters generally surround themselves with wealthy businessmen and friends.

They can stand out and make the people around them live well.

The crowd around Astral Energy Grandmasters...

All are scholars of distinction, with no riffraff among them.

They truly step into another class.

"Given my current knowledge, physical strength, and understanding of Astral Energy, to externally cultivate Astral Energy and internally strengthen my viscera will probably take... "

Li Pin quickly came to a new numerical conclusion.

[Astral Cultivation: 1/6481]

It is a long way off.

However, it's not a problem.

"You have to walk the road step by step, eat meals one bite at a time. Set a small goal first, produce Astral Energy, then cultivate from the outside in, gradually progressing."

Li Pin calmly accepted the gap between himself and Astral Cultivation.

Moreover, the Life Vital Energy cultivated through the Innate Qi Nourishing Art has an extraordinary effect on nourishing the viscera.

Backlash, injury, nourishment, recovery.

This itself is a form of training.

It will lay a solid foundation for him to produce Astral Energy in the near future.

"It's best to have a complete collection of classic cultivation manual or lineage for Astral Cultivation. I hope Friday's private trading market won't disappoint me."

...

Friday arrived quickly.

At eight o'clock in the evening, Li Pin took a car to the Luo family mansion on Fangzheng Street.

A large flower market couldn't possibly be located in the city center due to the land it occupies.

The fact that Luo family mansion is close to the flower market suggests that this place is not so prosperous.

Since Hengyu Mountain, which is not yet fully developed as a scenic area, is located nearby, this place seems somewhat desolate at night.

However, when Li Pin arrived at the Luo family's mansion, it seemed quite bustling; the old lanes next to the yard were crowded with people coming and going.

Like Li Pin, most of these people were wearing cloaks, hats, and masks, with some even dressing in bulky attire to change their figures.

Moreover, most of them appeared robust and full of vitality, displaying vigorous qi and blood, showing they were well-versed in martial arts.

At each entrance to the alleys, people were standing guard with a warning sign next to them.

Under the light, the words on the signs were clearly visible.

No loud noises.

No forced buying or selling.

No asking about the source of the goods.

No responsibility after money and goods exchange.

...

There were about a dozen such rules in total.

Li Pin scanned over them and entered one of the alleys.

In the alley, there were dozens of people setting up stalls on the ground, and the foot traffic, though not extensive, numbered around a hundred.

Given the other alleys, it could be inferred that each time the black market opened, the total flow of people was estimated to be around a thousand.

Li Pin examined each one.

The items for sale at the stalls were varied.

There were cultivation techniques of unknown origin, ancient books from a long time ago, weird objects with unknown effects, seemingly genuine medicinal herbs, smuggled elixirs, and tokens, swords, and antiques each with their own story.

However, ninety percent of these things were not of much value.

Fortunately, unlike the black market dealing in antiques, where ninety-nine percent are fakes, some people here were actually selling real items.

The Dragon Tiger Pills leaked from the Martial Arts Association were among them.

After searching for a moment, Li Pin quickly found a cultivation technique that could be cultivated up to the Holding Elixir stage.

"Dragon-Shaped Fist, a technique from the Dragon Fist Dojo."

This dojo is a well-known one in Jiangzhou.

It had even hired a Grandmaster of Astral Energy.

"How much?"

"One hundred and sixty thousand."

One hundred and sixty thousand?

The price was much lower than he had expected.

But it made sense. The Dragon Fist Dojo had a significant influence in Jiangzhou, and if anyone was found practicing their fist techniques secretly, those with connections would have to pay a hefty sum, while those without could be killed on the spot without it being unusual.

Moreover, one could sell a secret manual on the black market once and then sell it again.

The critical point was, if one could achieve Holding Elixir by following a secret manual, the world would be overrun with Elixir Energy martial masters already.

The situation was like, very few students could become self-taught scholars and be hired as professors in top universities.

Li Pin didn't rush to make a move but continued to look around.

There were quite a few stalls selling Holding Elixir martial arts.

After a round, he found six martial arts techniques that could cultivate to the Holding Elixir stage.

The most expensive of them was sold by the descendant of a fallen dojo, sold by the family itself without any hidden threats, but the price was also the highest—five hundred thousand.

The price of the remaining skills ranged from one hundred thousand to five hundred thousand.

The one sold for one hundred thousand was the Five Elements Body Refining Technique, the core legacy of the Five Elements Sect, the number one martial arts power in Zanglong City.

The Five Elements Sect has been established for more than forty years, and had branches in several surrounding cities, even in the capital Jiangzhou City. The students they have taught were no less than eighty thousand.

Moreover, as they were a local power in Zanglong City, their students and disciples were spread across all walks of life.

While browsing the Five Elements Body Refining Technique, Li Pin faintly noticed that someone was watching this stall.

If he actually bought this body refining technique…

After leaving the Luo Family's courtyard, whether he could safely return home was uncertain.

If this stall owner dared to sell the Five Elements Body Refining Technique, he either had a big heart…

Ignorance breeds fearlessness.

Or…

He was deliberately provoking the Five Elements Sect.