Cultivating for Immorality: I Evolved Martial Arts into the Immortal Path – Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Blood Ginseng, Great Tonic

The stars faded and the moon set as the darkness of night receded.

“Cock-a-doodle-doo——”

A rooster crowed, and dawn arrived.

Chu Liang focused his mind and calmed his breath, standing upright in the courtyard, practicing a stance from the 《Dragon Tiger Body Refining Manual》.

He took a step forward with his left foot, straightened his right leg, extended his left hand forward with his elbow bent, assuming a strange posture. Then, he gazed at the palm of his left hand, his five fingers slightly curled, while his right hand was placed behind his back in the opposite direction…

This movement was very peculiar. It seemed simple, but it caused discomfort throughout his entire body, and it was quite awkward.

This was precisely one of the thirty-three static stances——Dragging Nine Oxen in Reverse!

In less than a quarter of an hour, fine beads of sweat appeared on Chu Liang’s forehead, and his body began to tremble slightly.

Soreness!

Discomfort!

Chu Liang gritted his teeth and continued to persevere.

According to the manual, the longer he held the stance, the more intensely his body would be tempered.

The same technique, practiced by different people, often yielded different results.

Some gave up halfway, some persevered, some successfully sensed their Qi and blood, and some ruined their bodies through practice…

Time flowed by.

A quarter of an hour passed.

” হু——”

Chu Liang finally couldn’t hold on any longer. His posture faltered, and he returned to a relaxed standing position.

His forehead was covered in sweat, and the clothes on his back were soaked. He felt sore and weak all over, especially in his left thigh, which ached unbearably.

“The manual says that if it’s just for maintaining health, holding the stance for more than ten breaths is enough. But to achieve the effect of tempering Qi and blood, one must hold it for longer!”

Chu Liang pressed on his sore spots, then picked up the cold water on the stone table and gulped down a few mouthfuls.

After resting for a while, he began to try the next stance.

In this way, he practiced thirteen stances in one morning.

It was noon, and the sun was blazing. Wisps of smoke rose from many households in the village.

Chu Liang slumped in the courtyard.

He was completely drenched in sweat, exhausted, and sore all over. He couldn’t even lift a finger, and he felt incredibly uncomfortable.

“Grumble… Grumble…”

His stomach growled with hunger.

Neither in his past life nor in this one had Chu Liang ever felt such intense hunger.

“In the past, if I was too tired, I wouldn’t have any appetite at all. But today, I’m so hungry.”

Chu Liang touched his stomach, feeling as if it had completely deflated.

He had a feeling that if he didn’t eat something immediately, his body might suffer.

Fortunately, he had prepared in advance.

The manual stated that before each session of tempering Qi and blood, one must prepare a large piece of cooked meat.

To be safe, Chu Liang had cooked an entire basin of meat.

“Hungry…”

“I’m so hungry, my stomach is about to rebel.”

Chu Liang pushed himself up with his aching body and managed to walk to the kitchen. He picked up a piece of cold meat, dipped it in some salt, and took a big bite!

Eat!

Eat heartily!

After eating a full four and a half catties of meat, Chu Liang finally felt satisfied.

After eating and drinking his fill, he lay on the bed, feeling extremely content and completely relaxed.

Sufficient rest——this was also required by the manual.

Chu Liang slept for an hour and a half before getting up to continue his training.

In the following days, he spent his time in the same way.

Seven days passed quickly.

To Chu Liang’s surprise, after so many days of hellish training, his body hadn’t become taller, but had instead shrunk a little.

“But my strength has increased a lot…”

Chu Liang clenched his fists and swung them a few times.

His complexion was still pale, even paler than when he was seriously injured, as if he was deficient in Qi and blood.

The manual mentioned that if one trained too hard, this kind of Qi and blood deficiency could occur.

One should either rest more or replenish more.

If one ignored this condition and continued to train, they could end up killing themselves.

“Replenishing with meat alone isn’t enough. I also need medicinal supplements. I need to go find Doctor Wang to get some medicine for replenishing Qi and blood.”

Chu Liang silently planned his future training schedule.

That evening, Second Uncle Chu Erniu came to visit Chu Liang again.

◈◈◈

Seeing Chu Liang’s pale complexion, Chu Erniu’s heart grew heavier.

He couldn’t help but sigh, “He seemed to be getting better a few days ago. How come he’s gotten worse again?”

“Second Uncle, I’ve already gotten a lot better. You don’t need to worry,” Chu Liang said with a smile. He didn’t say he had fully recovered, fearing it would scare his uncle.

“It’s only been a few days. How could you have recovered so quickly?”

Chu Erniu frowned, his face full of worry.

That night, he returned home and looked through the Chu family’s genealogy, staring at it in silence for a long time.

Seeing his troubled mood, Second Aunt asked, “Husband, what’s wrong? Are you still thinking about Sanniu?”

“No… It’s A-Liang. A-Liang’s health has taken a turn for the worse again,” Chu Erniu sighed. “Big Brother only has A-Liang. If A-Liang is gone, Big Brother’s lineage will end.”

“Wasn’t he getting better a few days ago?” Second Aunt hadn’t visited Chu Liang, she had only heard about his condition from Second Uncle.

“Yes, sigh…”

Chu Erniu put down the genealogy and gathered his children in front of him.

He told them, “You must all remember that A-Liang saved your lives. He is your big brother. No matter where you go in the future, no matter how successful you become, never forget your big brother’s life-saving grace.”

“Father, I won’t forget.”

“I won’t forget either…”

The children all spoke up, their faces filled with seriousness.

◈◈◈

Early the next morning.

Chu Liang started his martial arts practice as usual.

Soon, there was a knock at the courtyard gate.

Knock, knock, knock!

“Who is it?”

Chu Liang asked.

The person outside the door replied, “Big Brother Liang, it’s me, A-Shan.”

“Chu Shan?”

Chu Liang walked over and opened the latch.

Standing outside was a thin and frail boy of thirteen or fourteen, none other than Second Uncle’s eldest son, named Chu Shan.

By seniority, he was Chu Liang’s cousin.

“A-Shan, what’s the matter?”

Chu Liang had a good impression of Chu Shan. The boy was very brave.

That evening, when the wild bear entered the village, Chu Shan had protected his younger brothers behind him, not thinking of running away himself.

“Big Brother Liang, this is an old mountain ginseng that my father dug up in the mountains before,” Chu Shan took out a dried ginseng root from his bosom. “This old mountain ginseng is very effective. My father said that eating just one strand of it can make him feel energetic for days. He… he wanted to give it to you directly, but he was afraid that Mother would be angry, so he asked me to give it to you secretly.”

“Give it to me secretly?”

Chu Liang couldn’t help but smile.

In his memory, Second Uncle did indeed listen to Second Aunt.

He shifted his gaze to the old mountain ginseng.

【Mountain Ginseng: Evolvable】

【Consuming seventeen catties of flesh and blood will evolve “Mountain Ginseng” into “Blood Ginseng.”】

Blood Ginseng?

Chu Liang’s expression changed slightly. This Blood Ginseng was precisely the excellent tonic recorded in the manual.

He had been planning to go to Doctor Wang to buy some medicine for replenishing Qi and blood, but he didn’t expect Second Uncle to send him some directly.

He didn’t refuse, and he reached out to take the old mountain ginseng. He said to Chu Shan, “Help me thank your father. I’ll remember this favor.”

“Okay…”

Chu Shan stood by the door, looking hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

He opened his mouth, paused for a moment, and finally asked in a low voice, “Big Brother Liang, is your health really failing? Many people outside are saying you’re going to die.”

“A-Shan, do I look like I’m going to die?” Chu Liang asked him with a smile.

“You do.”

Chu Shan nodded earnestly.

“Big Brother Liang, Second Grandfather was also tormented by illness for over a month before he died. When he died, his complexion was just as bad as yours. No… your complexion is even worse than Second Grandfather’s…”

“……”