Chapter 46 - Hundred Herbs Body Refining Paste
The afternoon sunlight was strong, with golden beams streaming through a window at the side of the quiet room. Dust particles floated around like tiny insects under the light.
Cassius leaned against the wall in a corner of the room, grimacing for a while. Thankfully, the soreness was gradually fading away.
The wooden door opened with a bang. Lisa walked in and was about to speak before she realized something and went to quickly shut the door. She pulled out a small wooden box as she walked briskly over.
The square box was only half the size of a palm, with a faded red lacquered coating on its surface. The wood seemed to be quite dense and solid, giving the box an exquisite finish.
"Instructor, this is…" Cassius was a bit puzzled. This didn’t seem like a regular healing salve.
Lisa didn’t say anything; she just opened the box. Wrapped in a piece of fine white cloth, a crystal-clear, jelly-like paste lay inside. The paste was in the shape of a cube and occupied about two-thirds of the box. A strange fragrance wafted out, making one's blood rush with just a whiff.
"This…"
"Eat it!" Lisa handed the box over to him. "In one bite!" she added upon seeing Li Wei’s confused look.
Cassius immediately obeyed. He picked up the soft paste and swallowed it in one. The soft texture slid down his throat instantly and into his stomach. He didn’t believe Lisa would harm him. Since she gave it to him, it must have some benefits. Perhaps it was an excellent healing medicine?
As Cassius swallowed the paste, Lisa’s eyes seemed to darken for a moment. There was a complicated look in her gaze and there seemed to be a trace of regret. She even seemed to age slightly.
"Do you feel it?" Lisa asked.
"What?"
As soon as he opened his mouth, Cassius’s eyes widened. A coolness that he had never felt before washed over him.
Something seemed to be continuously releasing medicinal nutrients in his stomach, and it felt like an invisible, warm liquid was seeping directly into his organs, bones, and muscles. The cooling sensation circulated throughout his body in waves.
"Now do as I say!" Lisa shouted. "Go into the seventh stance of Elephant Soul and hold it!"
Cassius complied immediately, crossing his arms and holding them in front of his chest. He took up a horse stance with his feet apart and back arched, keeping his center of gravity low. With his head held high, he bobbed up and down.
"Keep moving, don’t stop even if you’re tired!" Lisa said as she walked toward the door of the quiet room. "Not until I tell you to stop!"
The door snapped close. Cassius was alone in the room.
His heartbeat was pounding quicker and harder and his breathing was getting heavier. The effects of the paste hit him like a truck. The cooling sensation soon turned into a burning heat.
It felt like there was a furnace inside of him and baking his internal organs. His body temperature soared, and sweat began to pour out from his glands.
Soon, his whole body was dripping in sweat. His bulging muscles started to expand and contract rhythmically. Some sweat ran into his eyes and blurred his vision. In his befuddled state, he swore he could hear his flesh sizzling as if he were being roasted.
Half an hour later, Cassius, with his fiery red skin, looked like he had just come out of an oven. There was a pool of sweat on the floor, and the room’s temperature seemed to have risen.
Crack, crack, crack…
Crackling noises erupted from his bones. It sounded like fried beans popping from the heat. Pain, soreness, and itchiness… A myriad of sensations crashed into his mind.
Cassius remained in his stance, a little dazed. An unknown amount of time passed when he suddenly opened his eyes.
Hu… He exhaled a long, hot breath from his nostrils which lasted a full twenty seconds before it stopped.
"You can move now."
He didn’t know when Lisa had returned but she was studying him from where she stood at the door. Cassius straightened up, his joints popping in quick succession. The noises blended together.
He looked at his hands, power welling up within him. His muscles had became thicker and more defined, and his skin grew tougher and deeper in color.
The change wasn't just in his arms. Cassius felt like all of his muscles had swollen up slightly and even his entire body had grown bigger. His sleeves which used to fit snugly around his arms were now stretched tightly over his biceps, seemingly ready to burst with very little force.
He blinked and when he looked in front of him, his vision was much clearer. He jumped lightly to test out out his now unfamiliar body. Despite his larger frame, he was moving more agilely and nimbly. The paste had transformed him completely.
The most straightforward way to display his growth was in the the upper right corner of his vision.
[Elephant Soul Incomplete: Prickling 35.1% (Stage Three)] → [Elephant Soul Incomplete: Prickling 63.1% (Stage Three)]
[Wind Elephant Fist Incomplete: Gale 12.7% (Stage Three)] → [Wind Elephant Fist Incomplete: Gale 24.4% (Stage Three)]
His mastery of Elephant Soul had increased by nearly 30%!
Wind Elephant Fist also improved significantly under the influence of Elephant Soul, almost by double. This was a tremendous leap forward!
This was the equivalent of compressing years of one’s blood, sweat and tears into two hours. Where would martial arts be without medicine?
Seeing Li Wei standing there delighted and amazed, Lisa smiled. Cassius looked over, seemingly remembering his master.
Lisa said bluntly, "I know what you want to ask. I once contributed a great service to the sect and was rewarded with that Hundred Herbs Body Refining Paste. It's extremely precious, but due to some unfortunate circumstances, it’s useless for me to eat it. So, today's your lucky day, kid…"
She shook her head and walked over slowly.
"Thank you, Instructor!"
Cassius cupped his fists in respect, feeling genuine admiration for Lisa. It wasn’t just because of the extremely precious paste but also because of Lisa’s attitude as a teacher. Being able to share such a valuable item with a disciple, regardless of the reasons, was worthy of his utmost respect.
"No need to thank me. If you really want to thank someone though, thank yourself for being good enough! Otherwise, this paste wouldn’t have ended up in your hands," Lisa spoke nonchalantly but Cassius understood the hidden meaning. Lisa gave the paste to Li Wei because the other two disciples were too disappointing.
"Still! Thank you, Instructor," Cassius thanked her again, a newfound desire surging through him. Could he exchange the source of Lanxin Grass with more of this paste from the Wind Elephant Sect? He could eat a few more pieces, return to reality to take down the Shadow Demon, doubling its effect…
If he could do all that, would he surpass the ordinary then?!
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