Stronger with Crimson Modifier-Chapter 62: Snow Snake Ointment

"Oh, right. I happen to have two bottles of Spiritual Snake Ointment left. Take them."

At that moment, Wang Luo glanced around. Seeing no one was paying attention, he took out two more items and pressed them into Hu Qi’s hands.

"Huh? How could I... uh, thank you, Teacher."

Hu Qi looked at the Spiritual Snake Ointment that had been shoved directly into his hands, and the feigned words of refusal on the tip of his tongue were instantly swallowed back.

He immediately understood.

’He must have learned something from Lin Tong and seen my potential. This gesture is probably a kind of investment, a show of confidence in me.’

...

A day passed in the blink of an eye.

The sun sank in the west, and a crimson sunset spilled across the sky, stretching the shadows of the roadside trees long.

Some students walked in groups, while others headed alone toward the dorms or the cafeteria.

No one chose to go out.

The Shexin Sect didn’t place many restrictions on its students; they could leave whenever they wanted.

However, before they developed Qi Blood Power and became true Secret Martial Artists, any trip outside required a blood draw to verify their human identity and prevent infiltration by a converted Black Blood Species.

The process was extremely tedious, so unless it was an emergency, most students wouldn’t choose to leave before they had cultivated Qi Blood Power.

"How did it go this time? Was it a success?"

In a corner of the academic building, two figures stood side by side, gazing into the distance. It was Wang Luo and Lin Tong.

Wang Luo was the one who spoke.

"Blood Slaves have been running rampant in Qirong City recently. It’s been confirmed that a Lower-Rank Black Blood Species is hiding there."

"That’s Second Senior Sister’s hometown. She’s furious. She tracked the thing down and fought it, but unfortunately, it got away."

"She’s still there now, searching for any trace of it."

It was Lin Tong who spoke. He was leaning against the railing.

"So, what do you think of the kid?"

"I haven’t seen anything special yet, but his physical foundation is solid. Plus, he’s been practicing the Nourishing Essence Breathing Technique since he was young. It looks like he’s made significant progress with it," Wang Luo explained.

"The Nourishing Essence Breathing Technique? The one from the Giant Whale Sect?"

Lin Tong’s expression shifted slightly.

"No wonder his physique is so strong. The Nourishing Essence Breathing Technique must have played a big part in it."

"You seem to have high hopes for him, don’t you?" Wang Luo took a piece of gum from his pocket and popped it in his mouth, then offered another to Lin Tong.

"It’s not me who has high hopes for him; it’s Second Senior Sister."

Lin Tong took it. Seeing the words "Durian Wasabi Flavor" on the wrapper, he immediately gave up the idea of unwrapping it and casually stuffed it into his pocket.

"Besides, didn’t you, you cheapskate, also hand over two bottles of Spiritual Snake Ointment?"

"Haha, I can’t hide anything from you. It was just a casual gesture. The kid seems decent enough," Wang Luo chuckled.

"So, how long do you think it’ll take the kid to develop Qi and Blood?"

Lin Tong glanced at Wang Luo, a smile playing on his lips.

"You want to bet with me again? You just lost ten bottles of Spiritual Snake Ointment to me last time."

"Last time was a fluke. And this isn’t a bet, I’m just asking for your guess." Wang Luo’s rugged face darkened as he remembered what happened last time.

"My guess is within eighteen days. Whoever’s guess is closer to the actual time wins. The loser has to agree to one condition from the winner, as long as it’s within their ability. How about it?"

"Then I’ll guess within ten days."

Lin Tong raised an eyebrow.

"Huh? You have that much confidence in him?" Wang Luo was a little surprised.

Countless geniuses came here every year, but ever since the Shexin Sect was founded, you could count on one hand the number of people in the last century who had developed Qi Blood Power within ten days.

The current Sect Leader’s few Direct Disciples, for example.

Even if the kid had a powerful physique and had killed two Black Blood Species, he didn’t believe he could break through the First Layer of the Snake Form Posture and generate Qi and Blood in such a short time.

Managing it within eighteen days would already make him a true genius.

Therefore, as he saw it, this bet was in the bag.

...

「Nightfall.」

The stars were faint in the night sky. Bright, clear moonlight streamed through the windowpane, spilling onto the floor and coating it in a layer of what looked like silver frost.

Inside the room, the light was dim, with only a side lamp turned on.

Its yellow light fell upon a figure in the empty space of the room.

The figure was nearly naked, wearing only a pair of underwear around his waist.

His skin was coated with a layer of a pale green substance.

’It’s still not working, is it?’

Hu Qi opened his eyes.

He looked at the text that only he could see.

————

[Snake Form Posture (Uninitiated)]

Three days had passed since he learned the Snake Form Posture.

He had felt some strange hot spots.

But he couldn’t control them, let alone condense them.

A sense of frustration began to rise within him.

He walked into the bathroom and rinsed off the dried, cracked Spiritual Snake Ointment.

’It seems that even with my peerless talent, getting to the Entry-Level in a short time is impossible.’

Hu Qi walked out, wrapped in a bath towel.

He glanced at the Gathering Spirit Incense stick standing to the side, which had almost burned down to its base.

Hu Qi took another one from the drawer to replace it.

Then, he took out a white ceramic bottle.

This was the Snow Snake Ointment from Helinta—the Second Senior Sister.

Based on the subtle inquiries he had made during his conversations with Wang Luo over the past few days, the ointment’s effects were exactly as Lin Tong had described.

It far surpassed the Spiritual Snake Ointment.

Due to its rarity, it was very expensive. Normally, only the Sect Leader’s few Direct Disciples had access to it.

If this was used simply to stimulate Qi and Blood, it would be an outrageous waste.

It was more often used for later stages of cultivation. Some students even spent a fortune to get a small amount, only to use it when breaking through a bottleneck.

The reason Hu Qi hadn’t used it yet was that he wanted to see if he could reach the Entry-Level within three days relying solely on his own talent.

Now, it seemed, that was impossible.

In that case, there was no need to keep trying.

He uncorked the bottle.

A cool scent immediately rushed out.

’Why does this smell a bit like medicated oil?’

Hu Qi peered into the bottle.

The Spiritual Snake Ointment was pale green.

This Snow Snake Ointment, however, was a pale blue.

Unlike the solid Spiritual Snake Ointment, the Snow Snake Ointment was a liquid, despite its name.

Hu Qi tilted the bottle and poured some into his palm.

Immediately, a chilling sensation pierced his skin, jolting his senses.

There was even a faint stinging sensation.

It felt as if he were holding a piece of ice in his hand.

Without further delay, Hu Qi spread it all over his body.

Instantly, a frigid chill rose up, making his hair stand on end.

After his physique had grown so much stronger, he could sleep without a blanket in a cold, air-conditioned room and feel no discomfort.

But now, with the Snow Snake Ointment on his skin, he actually felt so cold he started to shiver.

Hu Qi took a deep breath, enduring the cold.

He moved to the center of the room, inhaled the scent of the Gathering Spirit Incense in the air, widened his stance, sank his waist, and assumed the unique posture of the Snake Form Posture.

As time passed, the layer of iciness covering his body didn’t weaken in the slightest; instead, it gradually intensified.

He felt as if he were stranded in a world of ice and snow.