Heavenly Treasures

Inside the study. Master and disciple remained silent for a long time. After thinking it over, Huang Sihai spoke with earnest sincerity: "Your comprehension is good. Though your innate physique is poor, with diligent practice, passing the second gate shouldn't be much of a problem; even Tiger and Elephant... is something you can dare to dream of." Li Xiuwen had known Huang Sihai would say something like that. He smiled and said, "Don't worry, Master, I know what I'm doing. Once I reach my goal, I'll train on my own as much as possible." Huang Sihai sighed. "Mm. Look out for yourself." Li Xiuwen was in no hurry to leave. After a brief silence, he scratched his head and smiled. "Master, I've finished that fish ball of mine... Could I get another three or five, just to prepare for emergencies?" Huang Sihai laughed and scolded, "You little brat... It really does go in one ear and out the other! Forget it, have it your way." Huang Sihai took out five fish balls and handed them to Li Xiuwen, saying, "Oh, by the way, the fish balls have gone up in price. Fifty more each." Li Xiuwen: "Master, don't mess with me... You know I'm broke." Huang Sihai scoffed coldly. "The raw materials went up. Did you think good stuff that can directly boost cultivation could be refined from ordinary mortal things? You should know that whether it's lavish meats and fish or common traditional medicinal tonics on the market, taking them won't give a martial artist an immediate boost to their blood-and-breath cultivation. You still have to endure bitter stake training to convert the energy in that food bit by bit into blood and breath. Only fish balls can amass blood and breath directly, saving you heaps of bitter toil... Do you know why?" Li Xiuwen had always been curious about what these fish balls were made of, but Old Huang had previously been unwilling to talk about it. Having recently learned some new knowledge, he asked, "Master, could the ingredient for these fish balls be the legendary... extraordinary fish?" He had recently finished reading the *Unusual Arts Volume* and the *Three Corpses Volume* of the *Miscellany of the Martial Tomb*, and had begun reading the third volume, the *Heavenly Treasures Volume*. This volume recounted various things beneficial to cultivation that ancient martial practitioners had encountered while traveling through mountains and rivers in search of refining ingredients. Generally speaking, they fell into four categories: Rare birds, strange beasts, extraordinary fish, and treasures. The first three corresponded to those flying in the sky, running on the ground, and swimming in the sea. The last was all-encompassing, including many heavenly treasures, thousand-year-old herbs, otherworldly black iron, and the like. In short, all four categories were rarities. Without experience handed down through generations and methods of seeking the dragon and spotting the lair, a mortal could never find them in a lifetime. Things like the "Chenghuang Grass," which could extend one's lifespan when eaten; The "Heluo Salmon," which could enhance one's affinity with water when ingested; The "Tuolong Blood," which could grant innate divine strength through a medicinal bath; The "Gugu Bird," which made one light as a swallow when consumed... These things grew increasingly bizarre and outlandish, to the point where Li Xiuwen had read it entirely as a collection of anomaly tales. After all, the *Miscellany of the Martial Tomb* was half-fact and half-fiction to begin with; one couldn't believe all of it. Yet he felt that since the ancients had recorded them and even listed detailed methods of consumption and efficacy, they certainly were not without basis. Huang Sihai smiled. "Seems you've learned quite a bit from Old Chen—even knowing about extraordinary fish." "Master, what does an extraordinary fish look like? Let me feast my eyes, would you?" Li Xiuwen asked curiously. "Such rare things are closely guarded secrets of every martial arts hall... Are you buying or not? If not, get going," Huang Sihai urged. Helpless, Li Xiuwen could only spend 2,200 to buy four fish balls, leaving his remaining balance at a mere 6,000. To sustain his hard qigong training, this little bit of money would only last him a month or two. Cutting corners on expenses was impossible; the martial path required spending. He could only find ways to bring in more revenue! Before leaving, he asked, "Master, will the fish balls go up again? If they're going up again, I'll hoard some more now." Huang Sihai showed no expression. "Letting you hoard more means I earn less. Beat it." "Right, beating it right now." Li Xiuwen grinned and left. ... Li Xiuwen didn't tell anyone about reaching the Black Membrane. Huang Sihai didn't make a fuss about it either; after all, it was Li Xiuwen's personal martial cultivation, and it involved the contest for the second floor. Thus, the other people in the martial arts hall assumed Li Xiuwen was still at Purple Membrane. As the contest for the second floor drew near, Liu Chun and Li Xiuwen became the last two people to leave the martial arts hall every day, secretly competing with each other. Liu Chun in particular refused to leave before seeing Li Xiuwen walk out. Back at home, Liu Chun spent more money hiring several sparring partners at the Black Membrane stage from outside martial arts halls. For the sake of the second floor, Liu Chun had poured in too much blood, sweat, and money. "Chun, don't put so much pressure on yourself. If you can't go up this year, there's always next year. You're only sixteen," said a portly middle-aged man with a wealthy demeanor. Liu Chun replied stubbornly, "Dad, only by getting to the second floor do I stand a chance of entering the Academy next year. Sixteen isn't young anymore. I'm still far from locking in the peak of blood and breath." "Sigh, didn't your martial arts hall lack anyone formidable? How has getting up to the second floor become so hard? If I'd known, I might as well have sent you to Night Heron Martial Arts Hall." "It used to be that way, but nobody expected a newcomer like Li Xiuwen. His innate physique is poor, but his comprehension is impressive, and his progress in fighting techniques is frighteningly fast... I'm inferior to him." "How about Dad finds someone to take him out? Dad still has a few old friends in the triads." The middle-aged man revealed a murderous look. Liu Chun's expression changed drastically, and he quickly said, "I want to defeat him fair and square. If you do that, I'll carry guilt in my heart, my thoughts won't be clear, and it'll affect my success rate when attempting the gate." The middle-aged man smiled and sighed. "You're still too kind-hearted. Dad will listen to you. I was only joking anyway—how could I dare offend Master Huang?" ... Twenty days remained before the contest for the second floor. Four Seas Martial Arts Hall. Li Xiuwen finished his stake training, squeezing the last drop of medicinal power from the fish ball, and looked toward the [incense burner]. [Sea Sand Stake: Major Success (18%) → Major Success (20%)] [Stage: Black Membrane (18%) → Black Membrane (20%)] Clenching his fists slightly, his muscles and sinews tightened, force contained within square inches, poised to erupt. Li Xiuwen let out a long breath of relief and thought to himself: "These ten-odd days of cultivation have finally consolidated the Black Membrane stage, leaving the initial threshold behind. I've gained a bit of foundation. "In terms of cultivation, I've basically caught up with Liu Chun. The little remaining difference in blood and breath can be wiped out through skill." Reality was not a game. When the difference wasn't massive, a fight wasn't merely a contest of blood and breath; too many factors played a role. Fighting techniques, luck, combat awareness, mental fortitude—any of these could influence the final outcome. Li Xiuwen sparred with Liu Chun in the Illusionary Realm of the Great Void every day; every single move and stance of his opponent had been simulated hundreds of times by the illusion. He even knew how many hairs Liu Chun had in his armpits. In this world, no one understood Liu Chun better than Li Xiuwen! After resting, Li Xiuwen's thoughts were interrupted by Huang Sihai. "Ah Wen, someone's looking for you—a Straw Sandal from Hesheng Tu." Behind Huang Sihai walked in a girl with dyed yellow hair, wearing hot pants, a white cropped tank top, and sunglasses, her hands stuffed in her pockets. Taking off her sunglasses, she revealed lively, spirited eyes, an oval face with two dimples, and smooth skin. She looked to be only fifteen or sixteen. "I'm Xiao Laba. You're Li Xiuwen?" The girl chewed gum, leaned against the wall, looked down at her canvas shoes, and spoke with a casual gangster swagger.