CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: OBTAINED THE LEOPARD EMBRYO MARROW CLEANSING PILL!

"Indeed, half a month ago, someone saw traces of the Primordial Nether Sect’s elder, the Three Corpses Elder, in Shengyang Prefecture. As soon as this demon appeared, he performed a blood sacrifice on a town of tens of thousands of civilians, committing heinous acts of murder, and then vanished without a trace. After learning of this, one of the elders in our sect has already led the true inheritors and inner sect disciples to investigate, but they have not garnered much results for now."

Xia Mingyang’s expression was not pleasant:

"Apart from this incident, over the past few months, Shengyang Prefecture, and indeed all regions of Qinzhou, have not been peaceful, with many events occurring consecutively."

He walked a few steps forward, stood by the window, gazing outside, with his hands behind his back:

"Perhaps next, Qinzhou, and even the whole Southern Border, will have significant events unfolding."

Old Mo sighed deeply upon hearing this: "A storm is brewing..."

Luo Sheng, standing beside him, was silent, but his expression was equally grave.

...

"Miss, where are we going now?"

After exiting the room, while walking in the building, Gu Yuan asked Xia Xiuxue who was beside him.

Xia Xiuxue gave him a complicated look:

"Just follow me."

This girl’s temper is so bad, could it be that I hit her sore spot just now?

Gu Yuan wondered to himself, but he wasn’t in the habit of offering a warm face to a cold reception, so he simply followed behind, pondering over recent events.

From the moment he met Xia Mingyang to the time he finished inspecting the bone structure and came out, it was just the duration of a cup of tea.

Throughout, Xia Mingyang never mentioned what the task he was participating in this time was all about.

In truth, this was normal. After all, he was just a minor character, a Medicine Gatherer of Jade Cauldron Tower. Even though he had some potential, it was only just potential, not enough to earn equal conversation with Xia Mingyang, the Pavilion Master, and definitely not enough to prompt Xia Mingyang to explain things to him.

Of course, there was actually no need for an explanation, as Gu Yuan had already deduced most of the reasons behind this task.

By comparison, Gu Yuan was more curious about what benefits he would gain next.

He performed outstandingly in this mission and even saved Xia Xiuxue’s life. Xia Mingyang, being a pavilion master, shouldn’t be too stingy, right?

Not long after, the two arrived at a room on the third floor.

Xia Xiuxue retrieved an Iron Token from behind the counter and handed it to Gu Yuan:

"This is your Identity Iron Token. From now on, you are no longer an external Medicine Gatherer but a professional one. Everything else stays the same, but you can receive a free Lower Grade Martial Art, and from now on, you can also claim five taels of silver each month as a stipend."

"I also get a Lower Grade Martial Art?"

Gu Yuan’s eyes brightened slightly.

Five taels a month wasn’t much to him; he had savings of five to six hundred taels of silver, so it wasn’t exciting for him.

As for the Lower Grade Martial Art, it wasn’t particularly enticing either, but it was free!

"Yes, I’ll take you to select one later."

Xia Xiuxue nodded and then carefully took out a Jade Bottle and handed it to Gu Yuan:

"Additionally, this Leopard Embryo Marrow Cleansing Pill is a reward from my father."

"Leopard Embryo Marrow Cleansing Pill?"

Gu Yuan took the Jade Bottle, noticeably surprised.

He was not unfamiliar with this item; it was one of the most renowned Spirit Pills from Jade Cauldron Tower, capable of cleansing muscles, making the major tendons of the body tough and strong, and enhancing physical fitness.

It’s a special Spirit Pill for Martial Masters during the Tendon Refining phase!

In fact, he had just recently considered buying one, but the price was too high, so he had given up on the idea.

He didn’t expect Xia Mingyang would actually give him one now!

Of course, under normal circumstances, if a Martial Master wants to rely on Leopard Embryo Marrow Cleansing Pill to assist in cultivation until achieving Great Success in Marrow Refining, one would not be enough; at least three would be needed.

However, with Gu Yuan’s Snake Coiling Talent support, he was already approaching Great Success in Marrow Refining, so he only needed this one Spirit Pill.

Opening the cap, inside the Jade Bottle lay a pill showing an amber hue, its surface glimmering with faint Spiritual Light, emitting a peculiar scent that was slightly pungent, neither unpleasant nor particularly pleasant.

Gu Yuan quickly replaced the cap to prevent the pill from losing its potency.

With this Leopard Embryo Marrow Cleansing Pill, he didn’t need to worry about the Tendon Refining phase; after achieving Great Success in Marrow Refining, he could consider moving on to the Bone Refining phase.

"Let’s go, I’ll take you to choose a Martial Arts Technique."

Xia Xiuxue called out, leading Gu Yuan to the second floor.

It was still that secluded storeroom.

At the door sat an elderly man with a skinny figure and white hair.

Upon seeing Xia Xiuxue, the old man smiled and said:

"Third girl, what brings you to the storeroom today?"

He glanced at Gu Yuan: "Oh, this lad looks familiar."

"Junior Gu Yuan, I greet Elder Chen. I’ve come to borrow books several times before."

Gu Yuan cupped his fists in greeting.

To him, this old man seemed ordinary, without a trace of martial arts prowess, even appearing somewhat frail, much like a typical elder at the end of his days, sickly and weak.

But would an ordinary old man dare address Xia Xiuxue in such a manner?

"Mm, not bad, young man."

Elder Chen nodded, lazily slumping in his seat.

Xia Xiuxue was respectful towards this elder, replying:

"Elder Chen, I brought him to choose a Martial Arts Technique."

"Alright, go ahead."

Elder Chen didn’t ask further, waving them into the storeroom.

...

This was already Gu Yuan’s sixth time here.

Except for the first time, on the other occasions, he had come to borrow books.

And once again, the rare booklets, Martial Arts Secret Manuals, and all those jars, wooden, and stone boxes on the shelves attracted him greatly.

These items were either miscellaneous books related to the Cultivation Realm or Martial Arts Techniques, or simply Spirit Pills and Spirit Medicines.

All good things!

Xia Xiuxue took Gu Yuan to the same bookshelf as before; Gu Yuan glanced at it, suddenly losing interest.

The martial arts on the shelf were the same as the last time, without any changes.

Gu Yuan’s main Martial Art was the "Golden Snake Swallowing Yuan Technique," and just a few days ago, he had witnessed the astonishing skills of those Innate Martial Masters, Wei Chuan, Luo Sheng, and Old Mo. Now, his standards had risen significantly.

It wasn’t that he was aiming too high, but given his current cultivation strength, even if he learned another Lower Grade Martial Art, it would not be particularly significant.

It didn’t have to be Superior Martial Arts, but at least it should be a Middle Grade Martial Art.

Moreover, among these Lower Grade Martial Arts, none were particularly suitable for him.

"Oh yes, Miss Xia, I have a Middle Grade Martial Art here that is of no use to me. I wonder if I can exchange it for another Martial Art?"

As if recalling something, Gu Yuan took out the "Black Tiger Fist" he had acquired from Iron Tiger.

This Martial Art was quite something, geared towards the Innate Refining phase.

In some martial halls, it could definitely be considered a family-heirloom Martial Arts Secret Manual and was not easily shared!