In the military camp's pharmacy—
"No more medicinal herbs?"
When Chen Sanshi came to buy supplements, he was told the storeroom was empty. Only Blood-Replenishing Soup remained; there was no Nine-Turn Vitality Soup left.
"Normally, on the third day of each month, the martial halls are supposed to send over their silver, food, and medicinal supplies."
Medical Officer Jiang waved a palm-leaf fan to control the flame, speaking unhurriedly. "They're already several days late this time, and still no sign of them. I knew it—how could they possibly keep giving things away for free? In just one month, they've lost over hundreds of thousands of taels of silver."
"Then just give me a bowl of Blood-Replenishing Soup."
Chen Sanshi spoke calmly.
He could already guess what had happened.
Xiang Tingchun's scheme of getting something for nothing had finally run its course.
Those martial halls weren't fools. Without even seeing the so-called immortal treasure, there was no way they'd keep bleeding silver endlessly.
As for what Xiang Tingchun would do next, Chen Sanshi didn't care.
It had nothing to do with him—only meant herbs would get pricier.
At worst, he'd just spend more time hunting in the mountains. Even if spirit beasts were rare, there were still plenty of black bears and tigers around.
After drinking the entire bowl of Blood-Replenishing Soup in one gulp, Chen Sanshi took up his spear and went to the training ground to make his final breakthrough attempt.
In the tempering blood stage, from Beginner to Minor Achievement, qi and blood evolved from one strand into four, circulating through all four limbs, giving strength far beyond that of ordinary people.
But no technique relied solely on limb strength.
Take the spear, for example—not only must the arms be strong, but the waist must coordinate, and the legs must be stable enough to unleash the full power of the strike.
Thus, having qi and blood flow only through the limbs was insufficient.
Only upon reaching major achievement, when qi and blood connected the entire body—forming the character "大" (great)—could one fully wield their whole-body strength and display a martial art's true might.
Chen Sanshi swung his willow-leaf spear, focusing intently on the changes within his body.
The four surging currents of his qi and blood had long reached their limit, incapable of further growth. He was just a step away from breaking through—so close to merging them into a single, unified flow through his entire body.
And yet—he always fell short.
Every time it felt like the breakthrough was about to happen, the energy would surge up, only to be forced back down again.
Patience!
Though Chen Sanshi hadn't been training for long, he had endured more hardship than most.
To digest the beast meat and medicine he consumed daily, he had to train relentlessly.
Every time he held a stance and used the Haoran Breathing Method, his entire body burned with pain—every single time.
He was used to it. He never lacked patience.
All that was needed now was time.
Steadying his mind, Chen Sanshi repeated his spear movements over and over again, tirelessly.
…
Seeing him in the training yard, Wang Zhi quickly pulled Xiang Tingchun over.
"Don't tell me you're lying to me," Xiang Tingchun said, disbelief written all over his face. "Barely two months, and he's already reaching tempering blood major achievement?"
"You don't believe me, Thousand-Household?"
Wang Zhi grinned. "I heard you got quite a few fine herbs from the Liang family of Tianyuan Martial Hall, including a three-hundred-year-old blood ginseng."
"Blood ginseng's only useful to tempering blood cultivators," Xiang Tingchun replied, frowning. "Why are you asking about it?"
Then realization struck him. "So that's what this is about! Hah, rare indeed—you, actually asking for someone else's sake. Fine, I'll agree. If he really breaks through, I'll give him that blood ginseng."
As they spoke, the two men approached the training field.
When they saw the flurry of dazzling spear shadows filling the air, even Xiang Tingchun's expression changed.
"Fat Wang, if he breaks through this fast, won't his qi and blood become unstable?"
"Relax."
Wang Zhi patted his chest confidently. "The method I taught him is the best foundational spear technique in the world. It's solid. At the very least, his qi and blood will be of top-grade quality. No matter how far he advances in the future, it won't hold him back."
"You've got quite a background then."
Xiang Tingchun seemed convinced, sighing. "Tell me then—what exactly did you do to end up posted here? I checked your records myself. Among all the famous generals in the Eight Garrisons, not a single one's surname is Wang."
"You flatter me, Thousand-Household."
Wang Zhi's face was unreadable. "I'm forty-three years old and only at the tempering bone stage. How could I possibly be a general? Just a nobody with some connections, that's all."
Xiang Tingchun didn't press further. He turned his eyes back toward the young man on the training field.
By now, Chen Sanshi had closed his eyes completely.
His spear moved with perfect rhythm, guided entirely by muscle memory.
His attention was wholly turned inward, feeling every detail of the qi and blood surging through his body.
He didn't know how long he had been at it.
The light outside his eyelids dimmed little by little until all turned to darkness. His hands, gripping the spear, grew stiff and unresponsive. His lungs swelled to the brink of bursting, as if at any moment, he would cough up blood.
Bang!
Just as his body reached its absolute limit, when it could no longer hold on, the four streams of qi and blood within him suddenly surged backward into his heart.
Then, when they flowed out again, they were no longer just four—they split into countless fine threads that coursed through his entire body, from limbs to bones, from muscles to skin, permeating every part of him!
A normal cultivator who reached tempering blood major achievement would have their qi and blood forming the shape of the character "大" (great) within their body.
But for Chen Sanshi, his qi and blood spread through every inch of his being.
This was true full-body circulation!
[Technique: Basic Spearsmanship for Infantry (Major Achievement)]
[Effect: Blood of the Dragon and Elephant]
All previous effects were now encompassed by "Blood of the Dragon and Elephant," greatly enhanced in power and quality.
When Chen Sanshi guided his qi and blood once more, he could feel this "Dragon and Elephant Blood" tempering his bones, tendons, and meridians.
No wonder the tempering blood stage was so vital.
In the tempering bone stage, one's bones were refined by the strength of their own qi and blood. The higher the quality of that blood, the better the results.
He just wasn't sure what rank this "Dragon and Elephant Blood" belonged to.
The system no longer displayed a progress bar—it seemed he now needed a new cultivation method suited for the tempering bone stage.
'I'll go ask Wang Zhi about it later.'
"Good!"
The shout snapped him from his thoughts.
Chen Sanshi opened his eyes.
Only then did he realize that not much time had actually passed. Judging by the sky, it had been no more than two hours.
However, the commotion he had caused had drawn quite a crowd.
At the front stood Xiang Tingchun, applauding.
His eyes were filled with a mix of admiration and envy as he said, "Two months of training, and already tempering blood major achievement. My Poyang Thousand-Household Division has truly produced a peerless genius!"
Chen Sanshi clasped his fists, spear in hand. "Thousand-Household Xiang flatters me."
"No need for modesty," Xiang Tingchun said with a chuckle. "From this day forward, you are promoted to Sub-Flag Officer. However…"
He sighed bitterly. "There's an open position, but no extra men to assign to you.
"For now, you'll receive the pay of a Sub-Flag Officer. Later, if new recruits join, they'll be assigned under your command first.
"In addition, I'll reward you with one three-hundred-year-old blood ginseng.
"Your subordinates will be rewarded too—each martial soldier will receive two servings of Nine-Turn Vitality Soup, and each formation grunt two taels of silver. The silver comes out of my own pocket!"
"Thank you, Sir."
Chen Sanshi bowed gratefully—he had no reason to refuse.
"Good."
Xiang Tingchun nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the gathered soldiers. "Train hard! Do well, and you'll earn your rewards too!"
After his brief speech, he pressed the hilt of his saber and strode away.
Back at his tent, Luo Dongquan followed him inside.
"Sir, those martial halls have replied."
He reported, "They say they fully support your campaign, but they can't see any sincerity from you. They also said that with how secretive you're being, perhaps the immortal treasure isn't in your hands at all—and that you're just toying with them."
'These bastards won't move until they see the rabbit.'
Xiang Tingchun scowled. "And the Witch God Sect cultists? Have you found any trace of them?"
"Your subordinate is incompetent!" Luo Dongquan lowered his head.
"I gave you five hundred men to search the city every day, and you still haven't found them?!"
Xiang Tingchun's temples throbbed.
Without catching the last Witch God Sect members, where could he possibly get an immortal treasure to appease the martial halls?
"To hell with that so-called treasure!" he cursed inwardly.
No matter what, the coming spring expedition couldn't be jeopardized.
It seemed if he didn't use thunderous means, those people would never behave.
Crack—
He crushed the teacup in his hand, shards scattering across the table. "Enough is enough! I won't tolerate this any longer!"
Turning coldly to Luo Dongquan, he ordered, "Think of a way. Frame those martial halls with a crime."
"Sir?!" Luo Dongquan froze. "Isn't that… unwise?"
"What's unwise about it?"
Xiang Tingchun's voice was icy. "They have people backing them—do you think I don't? Who do you think approved my right to march an army? Just do as I say!"
"Yes, Sir… understood."