Seven or eight hundred taels?

Bai Qi suddenly perked up. He was in dire need of money recently, dreaming of wielding a pickaxe to fervently dig into a gold mountain.

"Young Master Qi, you’ve started Muscle Training; next, you’ll need to further strengthen your qi and blood, unlock potential, and only then, upon reaching full mastery, can you break through to the next level.

With other schools, it’s nothing more than practicing standing postures and boxing, honing strength, which may take three to five months at a fast pace, or a year or two if slow, and that’s it."

Lao Dao loved to laugh, his eyes always a thin line, looking much like a retired elder basking in the sun by the village entrance.

"But here at Tongwen Hall, we strive for perfection in everything, aiming for completeness.

In the martial arts world, there is a saying: ’Train the muscles without training the membrane, and the membrane lacks its master; train the membrane without training the muscles, and the muscles have no foundation.’

Therefore, Young Master Qi, once your body is well-conditioned, it’s time to ’train the membrane’ and complete ’strength reaching the four limbs’ as soon as possible.

The young master had originally prepared top-grade ’Black Jade Paste’ for you, which is effective for promoting blood circulation, removing stasis, and reconnecting bones."

Bone mending?

Restoring the disabled?

Black Jade Paste?

Bai Qi suddenly felt a chill on his back, as if a cold sensation rose up:

"May I ask Uncle Dao, what does training the membrane entail?"

"It’s not difficult. ’Muscles’ and ’membranes’ are essentially one.

The former involves active stretching, while the latter is about tearing and swelling.

Our Tongwen Hall’s method is relatively simple, having dozens of people wield wooden sticks and repeatedly strike the chest, abdomen, waist, and back for two consecutive months, naturally thickening and toughening the muscles and membranes."

Lao Dao informed him truthfully, yet his casual tone made Bai Qi shudder.

Getting beaten?

Training the membrane?

Would a person still be able to breathe after enduring two months of this?

"Don’t worry, Young Master Qi, we have Black Jade Paste for healing, so there won’t be any scars or ailments left behind."

Lao Dao reassured him:

"But it costs one hundred taels per dose. Young Master Qi now... with finding this Demon Fish Inner Pill, simmering it into a broth, consuming and digesting it, promoting qi and blood to permeate the membranes would spare you from the beatings and save on expenses."

Bai Qi’s eye twitched as he listened, feeling that joining Tongwen Hall and training under Ninghai Zen seemed destined to a life of poverty.

Hundreds of taels were like a clay ox entering the sea, hardly causing any ripples.

"Young Master Qi, two training levels make a good practitioner, three make a master, and four combined make a grandmaster.

In the martial world since ancient times, no grandmaster wasn’t a living glutton who could devour gold mountains and silver seas.

To become the pinnacle, how could one lack wealth? Otherwise, why do renowned Martial Masters all like to venture into the County City and Prefecture City?"

Lao Dao, seasoned by life’s experiences, could see Bai Qi’s concern over a tight budget, unable to stay long in Tongwen Hall:

"The young master is not unreasonable, but rather emulates the grand tradition of the Tao before it fell, hoping to train disciples and enhance their skills.

In his view, if a Four Cultivation Grandmaster cannot open a financial path with their own hands, then years of practice are futile?

Similarly, Young Master Qi, since you use the finest supplements, you should think of ways to earn this money yourself.

Otherwise, merely striving behind closed doors wouldn’t be of much use.

Given Tongwen Hall’s foundation, supporting seven or eight Level Two or Three practitioners is not difficult."

Bai Qi humbly accepted the advice, understanding the principle of sacrificing small fortunes for great wealth, though having been accustomed to hardship for years in fishing, he found spending lavishly like cutting into flesh.

"Uncle Dao, in our martial world, there are the Four Major Training Levels. Do the Daoist Officials and Immortal Masters of County and Prefecture Cities follow the same path as us?"

Lao Dao’s wrinkles smoothed out as he took the Demon Fish Inner Pill handed over by Bai Qi and headed to the kitchen on the south side.

The layout of the grand mansion had its rules: north at the top, south at the bottom, with lavatories mostly in the north and kitchens in the south.

Also, it’s the origin of the saying ’up to the restroom, down to the kitchen.’

"Young Master Qi, if you have time, you should spend more time in the library. Besides Boxing Manual Martial Arts and Sword Scripture and Saber Technique, the young master has collected many miscellaneous books, covering astronomy and geography."

Lao Dao chopped wood and lit the fire to heat the stove, while Bai Qi assisted at his side, resembling a grandfather and grandson.

"Martial arts refine the body, while the Dao refines the spirit. All cultivation in this world basically follows these two paths.

Immortal Masters and Daoist Officials are ranked by the Dragon Court, truly remarkable.

It’s said they can meet the emperor without kneeling or bowing, and if of higher rank, when traveling, the officials of Prefecture and County Cities must dismount and step out of their carriages.

They broadly divide into four realms: Eating Elixirs and Avoiding Grain, Entering Meditation and Embracing the Embryo, Wandering Deity, and Spirit Communication and Manifestation.

However, when it comes to combat, the Immortal Masters and Daoist Officials of the mortal realm are generally no match for practitioners of the same level.

It is said that they must pass through the initiation ritual before they can wield the powerful arts of spitting fire and thunder, and beheading with flying swords."

Bai Qi listened with rapture, amazed at the wonders beyond Black River County.

Martial arts for refining the body, Daoist arts for refining the spirit!

So there truly are celestial beings in this world who can soar the skies and ride dragons!

"Haha, Young Master Qi and I are alike; just hearing this gets me excited.

Unfortunately, Daoist arts are difficult to master, not everyone can enter the path."

On the stove was a large copper pot filled with water, various medicinal herbs, and the Demon Fish Inner Pill.

Under fierce heat, it emitted a tantalizing aroma, like freshly brewed honey, thick and syrupy, gradually transforming into a beautiful amber hue.

Bai Qi merely sniffed the air, feeling invigorated and refreshed:

"Uncle Dao, why is this? Are there strict conditions for entering the Daoist arts?"

Lao Dao shook his head, his eyes revealing a touch of worldly wisdom:

"To cultivate the Dao, one must go to the Prefecture City. Black River County and Yihai Prefecture offer no prospects.

Young Master Qi, you should look through the histories; they contain detailed accounts.

Also, know this: any cultivator outside the Prefecture City, uncrowned by the Dragon Court, belongs to the fringe sects. If tainted by impure energy, they are ’evil demons’ and must be reported to the authorities.

This is an unbreakable law under the Dragon Court’s rule."

Bai Qi felt a chill in his heart, secretly committing the words to memory.

Through Uncle Dao’s explanations, this world gradually revealed a clearer outline.

Daoist arts, evil demons, Demon Fish, Inner Pill... it was as if a corner of the Grand Thousand World was unveiled, no longer as enigmatic as before.

Time flew quickly, and Lao Dao cheerfully ladled the thick, syrupy Demon Pill Juice into a celadon bowl, carefully offering it:

"Here, have a bowl, Young Master Qi. Do not swallow it immediately; hold it briefly, then slowly ingest it to let its essence disperse."

"Uncle Dao, you should also have a bowl. Since this is so nourishing..."

Bai Qi took the celadon bowl, but didn’t rush to enjoy, instead smiling sincerely:

"I’m sure it benefits you too! Especially since you’ve worked hard tending the fire, adding herbs, and simmering!"

Lao Dao waved his hand, declining the kindness:

"I’m old now, my qi blood inevitably declines. No amount of nourishment can change that.

It’s like a broken wooden barrel; no matter how much is poured in, it eventually drains out.

You enjoy it well, Young Master Qi."

Bai Qi heard this and stopped persuading, gulping down the Inner Pill Juice, cheeks puffed, holding the hot liquid which flushed his face red.

This delightful youthful appearance amused Lao Dao, his eyes growing kinder, thinking:

"The master truly accepted a good disciple, bringing some life to Tongwen Hall."

Bai Qi savored the essence drop by drop, as if drinking the legendary Jadescent Nectar, his mouth filled with refreshing fragrance. As the potion brewed from the Demon Pill slid into his belly, a warm energy spread rapidly.

"So invigorating! Far better than any medicinal bath!"

Once fully ingested, his entire body felt as if every pore opened wide, with robust qi blood surging forth.

His energy was abundant and vibrant, as if he could stay awake for ten days and nights without fatigue.

Lao Dao grabbed a handful of roasted peanuts, chatting away:

"This Demon Pill can be simmered three to five times, enough for you, Young Master Qi, to strengthen your muscles and membranes."

Bai Qi adjusted his breathing, inhaling and exhaling rhythmically:

"By the way, Uncle Dao, only in Prefecture and County Cities are there Immortal Master Daoist Officials. In places like Black River County, what do you call someone who practices magical arts?"

Lao Dao’s eyelids drooped, speaking slowly:

"There are several types. One is the fringe sects’ people, also called ’Mountain and Marsh Cultivators.’

They either have clear lineage, or had some extraordinary encounter, learning a method by chance yet unwilling or unable to be crowned. They scramble to earn a living in remote areas.

As long as they aren’t tainted by impure energy, causing harm, they can remain in peace.

Those known as ’Wild Grass Mountain,’ ’Wild Daoist,’ ’Wild Fox Zen,’ all fall into this category.

Additionally, the village witches and sorcerers are also included.

Though lacking magical power, they can use external objects to perform mundane ’magical arts.’

Often revered as ’Great Immortals’ by the gullible, receiving honors."