Martial Saint through Reading

Chu Ming nodded respectfully.

He originally intended to release the interpretations of the Mountain Scripture gradually over the course of a year.

A year would be enough for his strength to increase greatly.

But now it seemed that a year might still be too fast.

Liu Sitong took out a black box from his sleeve: "Chu Librarian was poisoned the other day, your body should not have fully recovered yet. There is a piece of Centennial Black Ginseng inside the box—it’s an extraordinary tonic."

"Thank you, Lord Liuu."

Feng Yuan also took out a pearl from his sleeve, smiled, and said: "I’m unable to get Centennial Black Ginseng, so I can only give you this pearl. It has the effect of calming the mind and condensing the spirit."

"Calming God Pearl!" Liu Sitong’s eyes shone noticeably when he saw the pearl: "Chu Librarian, this is a fine item! When you feel frustrated interpreting the Mountain Scripture, place this pearl by your side and your mind will become tranquil."

"I wanted to borrow it earlier, but Lord Feng wouldn’t agree—never expected he’d gift it to you."

"Lord Feng treats you as if you were his own."

"Thank you, my lord!" Chu Ming hurriedly cupped his hands in salute.

Centennial Black Ginseng—not an ordinary medicine, just judging by the name.

The pearl Feng Yuan gifted also seemed extraordinary.

"Mm, keep working hard. When your interpretation progress reaches thirty percent, there’ll be another reward; promotion to Eighth Grade won’t be a problem."

"If you reach fifty percent, I’m afraid even Xirong County will send people to snatch you away."

Liu Sitong and Feng Yuan turned and walked toward the door, and added: "By the way, Lord Fu asked me to check whether you are comfortable with your living arrangements. If you need anything, just let us know."

"I am comfortable. Thank you, my lord."

"Good."

The door was pushed open, and Liu Sitong and Feng Yuan left first, their smiles even broader than before.

Ningx Yi and the others watched in shock and confusion.

"Lord Ningx, let’s go."

...

After seeing Liu Sitong and the others off, Ning Hao and Liang Yuan left not long after lunch. Chu Ming took the piece of Centennial Black Ginseng and handed it to Little Shan, instructing her to divide it into three portions and cook it.

He himself returned to his room and examined the Calming God Pearl gifted by Feng Yuan.

This pearl was crystalline, placed in the palm it felt cold; the chill seeped through the skin, infiltrating the blood, flowing throughout the body with it.

A sense of openness, clarity, and comfort arose in the heart as if on cue, and he even felt the various effects of [Reading] strengthened to some degree.

Chu Ming’s eyes flickered—the effects of this pearl seemed extremely good.

He kept the pearl close to his body; as long as it touched his skin, he felt the effect of the Calming God Pearl, then picked up a book and continued his study.

At the same time, he continued to infer cultivation techniques in his mind.

He didn’t know how much time passed when Little Shan’s voice came from outside: "Young master, the ginseng soup is ready."

"Come in."

Little Shan walked in carrying the ginseng soup, and instantly, the room was enveloped in a strong aroma.

That was the smell of ginseng and meat broth. Clearly, Little Shan hadn’t just stewed ginseng—she had also added other ingredients.

Chu Ming glanced down; the ginseng was well-cooked and mushy in the pot, making it hard to tell how much there was.

But under the Sword Gourd Spirit, he instantly discerned the pot contained the portion for two people.

He frowned slightly and spoke in a deep voice: "Bring another bowl."

He had divided the Centennial Black Ginseng into three parts—intending to give Little Shan and Housekeeper Fang each a portion—but Little Shan had put her own portion in as well.

"Young master..."

"Bring it!"

Little Shan dared not say another word; she returned with another bowl, obediently ladled a bowl and drank it under Chu Ming’s stern gaze.

After finishing the ginseng soup, Chu Ming soon felt a burning sensation in his abdomen.

"This is..."

The heat was the medicinal effect of the Black Ginseng; the medicine entered the blood from the abdomen, colliding with the Qi and Blood Power.

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened.

As the Black Ginseng’s medicinal power was absorbed by the Qi and Blood Power, the three great lakes in his mind simultaneously showed anomalies.

The Cultivation Technique Lake’s waters thrashed violently; mist condensed above the Mountain Scripture Lake, and the Book collection Lake even formed a miniature water dragon funnel.

The bridges between the three great lakes surged and flowed rapidly, as if brewing a greater anomaly.

Chu Ming used Sword Gourd Spirit for inner vision, the Qi and Blood Power rapidly absorbed the Black Ginseng’s medicinal force; the twelfth strand of Qi Blood visibly condensed and strengthened until the refinement was complete.

Next, the twelve strands of Qi and Blood Power sped through his blood vessels, as if searching for an outlet to break through.

The faster they circulated, the faster the medicinal force was absorbed. Once all was absorbed, joy emerged between Chu Ming’s brows.

"The thirteenth strand of Qi and Blood Power..."

And at that instant, the complete twelve strands of Qi and Blood Power, joined by the thirteenth strand, suddenly paused within the blood vessels near his chest.

In his mind, the mist from Mountain Scripture Lake drifted over Cultivation Technique Lake, then poured down like a torrential rain.

Simultaneously, the water dragon funnel above Book collection Lake bent its head toward Cultivation Technique Lake—a torrent of Book collection water crashed down through the funnel.

The two great lakes poured in, causing Cultivation Technique Lake to expand rapidly.

When the lake doubled its area—precisely as the thirteenth strand of Qi and Blood Power paused near the chest.

At that moment, Chu Ming felt all his tendons and bones humming lowly, like a farmer thirsty for rain, elated at the approach of welcome showers.

Dong—

Suddenly, his heart gave a powerful throb.

The thirteen strands of Qi and Blood Power launched an assault, seemingly ready to break through the restraints of the chest’s blood vessels.

Once, twice, three times...

Each impact caused the thirteenth strand of Qi and Blood Power to become even more substantial.

Until, at a certain instant, its thickness equaled the earlier twelve strands, the thirteenth burst forth like a butterfly breaking out of its cocoon.

Meanwhile, the anomalies in the three great lakes reached their peak, the inflow of water gradually slowing down.

First, the thirteen strands of Qi and Blood Power raged wildly in his body like untamed horses, seemingly causing Qi and Blood disorder.

The thirteenth strand was fully refined and broke through the constraints of the blood vessels; this signaled the breakthrough of the Blood Circulation Realm, the assault on the Strong Bone Realm.

Chu Ming’s expression was grave; he dared not slacken, quickly sat cross-legged, and tried to guide the Qi and Blood Power.

With conscious control, the thirteen strands immediately stabilized, clinging to his blood and flesh and moving slowly.

To reach the Strong Bone Realm, he had to attempt to control the Qi and Blood Power to temper his bones.

[Mountain and Sea Tiger and Python Fierce Blood Refining Scripture - Strong Bone] was one he deduced, so he naturally knew how to use Qi and Blood Power to temper bones.

Chu Ming took a deep breath, focused his consciousness, and attached it to the thirteen strands of Qi and Blood Power.

He saw the thirteen strands divide in two—one portion of twelve strands, and the other only one strand.

The twelve strands returned to the blood vessels under his guidance, while the single strand descended from the chest down to the right leg.

The human skeleton is divided into three main parts: limb bones, trunk bones, and the cervical bones above the neck.

Bone tempering refers to forging these three parts.

Starting with the limb bones is the initial phase of the Strong Bone Realm, then tempering the trunk bones—the middle stage—and finally the cervical bones, which is the late stage.

The reason for this order is that the limb bones are the easiest to refine.

Having the support of the limb bones enables refinement of the trunk bones, and at last, the cervical bones.