Chapter 135: Chapter 133: A Tier Three Divine Medicine? No, I See a Devil’s Contract

The old man paid the two juniors no mind, not even sparing them a glance.

He turned and led the fawning Li Wei back into the private chamber behind the curtain.

Only after the two figures disappeared did Gao Fei let out a long sigh.

His face was a mixture of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

"Did you see that? The presence, the style."

"That’s a master for you!"

Gao Fei said sourly, "If he gave me a Tier Three Potion, I’d even call him Dad."

Han Feng collected his thoughts and patted Gao Fei’s shoulder.

"Alright, don’t be so sour."

"Everyone has their own path. It’s not something you can get just by being envious."

Although the dual-colored red and blue energy structure was strange, Han Feng had no intention of delving deeper.

The world of such big shots was too far removed from his own.

The most important thing right now was to get stronger himself.

’As long as I’m strong enough, things like Tier Three Potions and so-called masters will eventually be within my reach.’

"Let’s go, to the Quiet Chamber."

Han Feng turned and walked toward the row of iron doors.

"Instead of watching others feast, the smart thing to do is fill your own bowl first."

Although Gao Fei was still muttering to himself, the thought of the treasures Han Feng had acquired immediately perked him up.

"Right, right! We’ve got good stuff too! Let’s swipe the card and get a room!"

Gao Fei led Han Feng, navigating with practiced ease through several deep alleyways lined with neon signs.

In the end, they arrived before a row of iron doors that glinted with a cold, metallic sheen.

"Secure Quiet Chambers. Five hundred Contribution Points an hour, or five Spirit Coins."

"Payment only, no names. Completely confidential."

Gao Fei said, pointing to an inconspicuous card reader by the door.

Han Feng paid for two hours upfront.

With a heavy CLANK, one of the thick iron doors slowly slid open.

It revealed a space of less than ten square meters.

The room was completely bare. The walls and floor had a metallic sheen, and a lone meditation cushion sat in the center.

When the iron door shut behind him, all the clamor of the outside world was completely sealed away.

"Brother Feng, I’ll stand guard out here. Just knock if you need anything."

Gao Fei’s voice, muffled by the thick door, drifted in.

Han Feng grunted in acknowledgment and sat cross-legged on the cushion.

He didn’t consume the Spirit Plants immediately. Instead, he first calmed his mind, bringing his body and spirit to their optimal state.

Then, from his Storage Pouch, he took out the three unassuming Spirit Plants.

[Tier One Upper Grade·Concentration Flower].

[Tier One Upper Grade·Bone Tempering Vine].

[Tier One Upper Grade·Purple Crystal Grass].

These three items had cost him nearly all of his Spirit Coins.

Gao Fei thought he was crazy, but Han Feng knew deep down that this was the most cost-effective option he could find.

Compared to those pretty Tier Two Spirit Plants with their impure Spiritual properties, the energy from these three Tier One Upper Grade specimens was astonishingly pure.

’First, I’ll use the Concentration Flower to stabilize my mind, then the Bone Tempering Vine to strengthen my Sword Bone, and finally, the Purple Crystal Grass to advance my Cultivation.’

Having decided on the order, Han Feng placed the somewhat withered-looking Concentration Flower into his mouth.

The petals melted the instant they touched his tongue.

A refreshing, sweet liquid slid down his throat into his stomach, immediately transforming into a cool current that surged into his mind.

His mental fatigue vanished without a trace.

It was as if the entire world had been wiped clean, becoming exceptionally clear and distinct.

He could even "see" the motes of Spiritual Qi, drawn in by the Spirit Gathering Array in the corner, dancing about cheerfully.

[Slight increase to Spiritual Power cap. Clarity of Spiritual Vision has improved.]

The system’s notification rang out at the perfect moment.

Feeling the time was right, Han Feng no longer hesitated. He grabbed the Bone Tempering Vine, which looked like an old tree root, and bit down.

CRUNCH!

It was tough to the bite, and a bitter, spicy flavor exploded in his mouth.

The next moment, a scorching, domineering torrent of energy flooded his entire body.

This power didn’t nourish his Qi Blood. Instead, it drilled with precision into every single bone in his body.

"Ugh..."

Han Feng let out a muffled grunt as large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

An intense pain shot through him, as if his very bones were being repeatedly compressed and reforged from within.

Every bone was being forcefully tempered by this energy.

The intense pain made his body tremble uncontrollably.

[High-purity Essence Energy detected. Initiating guidance...]

[Sword Bone Transformation Progress: 53.1/100... 54/100...]

The slow crawl of the progress bar was the only thing giving him the will to endure the pain.

One minute, two minutes...

By the time the scorching energy was finally absorbed by his bones, Han Feng was soaked through with sweat.

He let out a long, hot breath, expelling the last traces of the aching numbness from deep within his marrow.

An indescribable feeling of relief washed over him from the inside out.

It felt as if his body had shed heavy shackles, becoming lighter and more tenacious.

[Sword Bone Transformation progress increased by 3 points. Current Progress: 56.1/100]

Just a single Bone Tempering Vine had brought such a huge improvement.

Han Feng clenched his fists. Feeling the power surging within him, his confidence grew even stronger.

Finally, his gaze fell upon the half-dead-looking Purple Crystal Grass.

Without a shred of hesitation, he swallowed the entire plant.

Unlike the other two, the Purple Crystal Grass transformed into a gentle and smooth, yet unceasing, stream of energy upon entering his mouth.

The massive torrent of energy flowed into Han Feng’s ocean of Qi Blood.

His depleted Qi Blood Power was rapidly replenished and continued to climb higher.

[+30 Body Tempering Cultivation]

[+30 Body Tempering Cultivation]

...

The system notifications, a pleasant chime, echoed continuously in Han Feng’s mind.

He immediately activated his Cultivation Technique, guiding the immense energy to break through his cultivation barrier.

An unknown amount of time passed before the last wisp of medicinal power was fully absorbed. Han Feng slowly opened his eyes.

He called up his system panel.

[Host: Han Feng]

[Cultivation: Body Tempering Tenth Layer (620/2000)]

[Root Bone: Sword Bone (Transformation Progress: 59.1/100)]

[Qi Blood Cap: 1500]

[Skills: Sword Control Technique (Mastery), Sword Qi Release (Mastery), Sword Storage Technique (Entry Level), Rune Construction (Entry Level)...]

...

The three Spirit Plants had increased his Sword Bone Transformation progress by a total of 6 points, and his Cultivation by a full 200 points!

More importantly, his [Spiritual Vision] ability had been significantly enhanced.

He activated [Spiritual Vision] again, and the world before his eyes became completely different.

He could clearly see the paths of Qi Blood flowing through every meridian within his own body.

He could even discern the subtle fluctuations in the strength of his Qi Blood energy.

’This trip to the Black Market was the right move!’

Han Feng pushed open the heavy iron door.

Guarding the door, a drowsy Gao Fei jolted awake and immediately shot to his feet.

"Brother Feng, all done?"

"Yeah."

Han Feng nodded.

Gao Fei looked Han Feng up and down, clicking his tongue.

"You seem... different somehow, but I can’t quite put my finger on it."

"Let’s go. Back to the academy."

"You got it!"

The two headed back the way they came, ready to leave this troublesome place where all sorts of characters mingled.

Just as they neared the Lingyun Pavilion potion shop from before, Han Feng suddenly stopped in his tracks.

The cloth curtain at the back of the shop was pushed aside, and Li Wei emerged, his face flushed with excitement.

He was bursting with an unusual excitement, practically floating as he walked.

The young man who had attended to him earlier followed behind, respectfully seeing him out.

"Take care, Young Master Li. The Potion’s effects will last for three days. You can contact us anytime within that period to record your physical data."

"I know, I know."

Li Wei waved his hand impatiently, his eyes full of unconcealed excitement.

He looked up, and his eyes instantly lit up when he saw Han Feng and Gao Fei standing nearby.

"Han Feng! Fatty Gao!"

Li Wei rushed over, closing the distance in a few quick strides. He grabbed Han Feng’s arm, so excited he was practically babbling.

"It worked! It worked! Han Feng, I feel like I’m about to take off!"

Gao Fei, startled by this display, muttered under his breath.

’Is this guy drunk or on something? He’s so wired.’

Han Feng was also a little surprised. He could sense the Qi Blood churning within Li Wei’s body; it was more than a notch stronger than before.

"Congratulations. Looks like the Potion was very effective."

Han Feng said with a smile.

"More than just effective!"

Li Wei was so excited his face was flushed.

"It’s basically a Divine Medicine! I feel like I’m bursting with energy, and what’s more..."

He lowered his voice, leaned close to Han Feng’s ear, and spoke in a hushed tone that only the three of them could hear.

"I feel a new power inside me. It’s a strange power, and it’s remodeling my body."

"The master said it’s a precursor to a Talent awakening!"

Listening on the side, Gao Fei’s eyes went wide, and he nearly started to drool.

"Holy shit! For real? A Talent awakening? Young Master Li, doesn’t that mean you’re about to hit the big time?"

"Damn right!"

Li Wei puffed out his chest proudly.

"I’m telling you, the feeling is incredible."

"It’s like a seed was planted inside my body, and it could sprout at any moment."

"Before long, I’ll be one of the true Talented, too!"

He clapped Han Feng firmly on the shoulder, his voice full of genuine joy.

"Han Feng, I really have to thank you. If you hadn’t turned down that spot the other day, this incredible opportunity would have never been mine."

"Once my Talent awakens, I’ll be sure to thank you properly!"

Seeing Li Wei’s genuine excitement, Han Feng couldn’t help but feel happy for him.

"That was your own lucky chance; it has little to do with me. Focus on the changes in your body and don’t let the medicinal effects go to waste."

"Don’t you worry!"

Li Wei laughed heartily.

Han Feng, however, was curious. ’Just how does a potion that can induce a Talent awakening actually affect the human body?’

He subconsciously activated [Spiritual Vision].

But one look made his pupils contract slightly.

Within the view of his upgraded [Spiritual Vision], a faint, dark-red thread now existed within the pale-red ocean of Qi Blood in Li Wei’s body.

The color and texture of that thread were identical to the bizarre energy he had seen near the heart of that Enlightenment Realm master!

It was extremely faint.

It was almost completely integrated with his Qi Blood.

But Han Feng saw it with perfect clarity.

That master had this special energy within him, and now the potion he had concocted for Li Wei had planted a "seed" of that same energy in Li Wei’s body.

’This must be the core secret of the so-called "customized potion."’

’They use this method to implant a "primer" for a Talent into the user, then wait for it to take root and sprout.’

’As expected of an Enlightenment Realm master. His methods are truly extraordinary.’

But a thought quietly surfaced in Han Feng’s mind.

’Is there really no price to pay for a "grafted" Talent like this?’