"Are you sure that's not a mole?" Jie Jia stood three meters away, covering his nose with one hand, his face full of disgust.
Chen Mu: "..." I washed my feet!
This old geezer is definitely jealous of me.
He took out several iron needles and jabbed them into the black spot on the sole of his foot.
Clang clang clang...
"See that!" Chen Mu lifted his head proudly, "Impervious to swords and spears! Soul strength!"
Jie Jia glanced at the embroidery needle in Chen Mu's hand.
"Impervious to swords and spears, huh?"
Chen Mu: "..."
...
South Market's Fan Tower, the most top-notch tavern in Nanyang Prefecture City.
It covered three acres, with seven or eight five-story buildings of wood and stone erected, connected by bridges and galleries in the middle.
There were places for dining, lodging, listening to music, gambling, a complete package of entertainment.
Fan Tower, Four Directions Pavilion.
On the third floor, in a private room by the window, Chen Mu and Jie Jia sat in front of a square table drinking tea and chatting.
Through the window, one could clearly see the stream of people in the South Market. The continuous sounds of vendors hawking and customers bargaining formed a tapestry of noise.
"I'm feeling good today, I came to try the delicacies of Four Directions Pavilion, wonder if they are really as delicious as the rumors suggest," Chen Mu said with a light laugh, leaning against the window.
Jie Jia looked at Chen Mu with confusion: "You don't happen to have a Daoist Bone, do you?"
"I'm just an ordinary person, what Daoist Bone would I have?" Chen Mu rolled his eyes.
Though I do have one cheat up my sleeve.
"Are your parents perhaps members of some fallen aristocratic side branch?" Jie Jia continued to speculate.
An ordinary person? Using that trash Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique and managing to develop Soul Strength in just a year and a half, and you still dare say you're just an ordinary person?
"Members of aristocratic families can develop Soul Strength quickly?" Chen Mu's mind stirred.
"Ah, slightly worse than you." Jie Jia replied listlessly, his eyelids drooping.
Chen Mu thoughtfully: "Is it because they've mastered some special methods?"
"Just some special bloodlines," Jie Jia said calmly.
"Similar to a Daoist Bone? Naturally suited for cultivation?" Chen Mu suddenly understood.
"Something like that," Jie Jia said indifferently, not wanting to discuss it further.
Chen Mu didn't probe any further.
However, the pride from just having developed his Soul Strength quickly subsided.
I have my cheat, but alas, others have their ancestors.
They were born more outstanding than others because their ancestors were wealthy. I should just honestly work on increasing my proficiency.
"I'll take that Shape Cultivation Technique of yours," Chen Mu shrugged.
"Figured it out?" A hint of amusement flickered in Jie Jia's eyes.
Chen Mu nodded: "There are two Shape Cultivation Techniques on the Ghost Market ship. But since they are listed alongside the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique, it's no loss without them."
"The highly effective golden sore medicine from Ghost Market? Weren't there heavy losses and production halted? Still investigating?" Zuo Sheng reacted with surprise, "What, it's related to my fellow disciple?"
"Most likely." The small-eyed man grinned, "Zhang might not be skilled in martial arts, but he is smart."
"A month ago, he scattered a large number of people to closely monitor the medicinal herb transportation routes at the docks."
"Now it looks like he's been tracking down the source by following the trail."
If it weren't for Zuo Sheng's close proximity and noticing something amiss, thus investigating in reverse, Zhang would have actually managed to settle the matter quietly and successfully.
"Hall Master, the White Tiger Hall has always been troubling us. Why don't we cut them off?" the small-eyed man suggested.
"That won't do," Zuo Sheng squinted, "After all, he's a brother in the gang. Engaging in internal strife like this goes against gang rules and shall not be mentioned again!"
The small-eyed man had an awkward smile on his face.
"But after all, he is my beloved friend and fellow disciple," Zuo Sheng sighed, "Arrange for a few people to keep an eye on Zhang Helmsman. The moment they act, have them immediately inform me."
"We can't let my disciple suffer any grievances."
"Hehe! Yes!" The small-eyed man suddenly wore a crafty smile.
Zuo Sheng, seeing the man's sincere and proper attitude, nodded in satisfaction.
The recent martial arts practice had been quite costly, and the arrival of Qingfeng Powder was timely. Top-grade golden sore medicine, coupled with the formidable influence of the Startling Swan Gang on the Jinshui River, was like a treasure trove.
However, adding flowers to brocade was far less valuable than sending charcoal in snowy weather.
Only by helping at a critical moment can one truly win people's hearts!
...
At night, at the Chen family residence.
The door was firmly shut, with Chen Mu sitting in front of a desk.
A lit oil lamp on the desk illuminated the room brightly.
The lamp oil, extracted from the fat of some ferocious aquatic beast, burned without producing black smoke and was astonishingly bright.
Chen Mu meticulously flipped through the yellowed pages of the book in his hands.
"No wonder Jie Jia always says the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique is simplistic," Chen Mu sighed as he closed the book.
Compared to the "Blue-eyed Golden Ape Shape Cultivation Technique" he held, it indeed was.
Take, for example, the breathing method.
The most complicated part of the Red Falcon breathing method involved only one hundred and twenty variations per cycle, whereas the Muscle Transformation Stage of the Blue-eyed Golden Ape technique featured one hundred and eighty variations.
It offered more delicate and precise stimulation and modification of the body, more comprehensive, and naturally, stronger.
"And there's the complete Divine Intent Diagram."
Chen Mu reopened the book and flipped to the last page—a piece of leather paper made from the hide of some animal.
On the light brown leather, hundreds of small and large black dots were scattered like stars, with threads as thin as hair intertwining, connecting all the dots.
While it may look confusing to others, Chen Mu understood. The black dots were the nodes of the Divine Intent Diagram. If one constantly pondered and observed, in conjunction with a fully developed Shape Cultivation Technique, they could master the Divine Intent Diagram.
"So, this 'Black Tiger Shape Cultivation Technique' is also just junk," Chen Mu picked up another black-covered book beside him with a look of disdain.
To buy this Shape Cultivation Technique, he had even run up a tab with Jie Jia.
If it weren't for the recent hot sales of Qingfeng Powder, Jie Jia wouldn't have given him the time of day.
"Well, bought it I have, might as well try practicing," Chen Mu sighed in disappointment.
"Once I've saved enough money, I'll also buy that 'White Ape Shape Cultivation Technique'. It would then pair up with the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique to form the 'Mediocre Trio'."