I can increase my power through breathing.

Chapter 9 Hundred Refinements Golden Body Technique

"How do you mean by sincerity?"

Zhou Qing asked.

"It's very simple. Internal energy cultivation techniques are quite expensive. Even on the black market, a third-rate internal energy cultivation technique will cost around one hundred taels of silver."

The stall owner said calmly.

"Understood." Zhou Qing nodded, then secretly revealed a silver note with a face value of one hundred, and said in a deep voice, "Do you have the qualifications now?"

“Of course I’m qualified.” Immediately, the stall owner took out a piece of paper and handed it to Zhou Qing, then said, “It has introductions and prices for several internal martial arts techniques. Just tell me which one you like, and I’ll get you the manual.”

Zhou Qing took the paper and began to read it.

Vine Entangling Force: A third-rate internal skill. The internal force cultivated is extremely resilient, capable of being both soft and hard. It excels at grappling and locking, restricting the enemy's movements. Price: 90 taels of silver.

Spring Breeze and Rain Technique: A third-rate internal skill. Its internal energy is gentle and nourishing, with healing effects and can accelerate the healing of external injuries. Price: 90 taels of silver.

Fire Element Skill: A third-rate internal skill that stimulates blood and qi, enhances explosive power, and costs 100 taels of silver.

Bright Fire Technique: A third-rate internal skill that transforms internal energy into fire, containing the power to burn. Price: 100 taels of silver.

Flowing Water Force: A third-rate internal skill. The internal force flows like a stream, continuous and unbroken. It is good at deflecting force and neutralizing energy, and is suitable for prolonged battles. Price: 110 taels of silver.

……

This paper records a total of thirteen internal skills, but all of them are only third-rate internal skills.

For Zhou Qing, it didn't mean much.

After all, he is now a second-rate martial artist at the fourth level of the Acquired Realm, and third-rate internal energy cultivation techniques are indeed not very attractive to him.

Do you have any second-rate or first-rate internal energy cultivation techniques here?

Zhou Qing returned the paper to the stall owner and asked.

"Thirteen internal cultivation techniques, none of them are suitable?"

The stall owner frowned slightly.

“No.” Zhou Qing shook his head and then said, “I need second-rate internal energy cultivation, but first-rate internal energy cultivation would be best.”

"I don't have any top-tier internal energy cultivation techniques here." The stall owner shook his head, then said in a deep voice, "However, I do have a second-tier internal energy cultivation technique called the 'Surging Wave Force.' When cultivated to perfection, the internal energy is like a raging torrent, with each wave stronger than the last, and the power can be stacked and exploded."

“There are no top-tier martial arts techniques here!” Zhou Qing thought for a moment, then said, “Let me check out the other stalls.”

After saying that, he got up and left.

You can't rush into buying internal martial arts manuals.

Besides the stall in front of me, there are four other stalls selling secret manuals. Maybe the other four stalls will sell top-notch internal energy cultivation techniques. Even if they don't sell top-notch internal energy cultivation techniques, they will only sell second-notch ones. I should compare prices from all the stalls before making a choice.

Zhou Qing arrived at the second stall.

The stall owner is a woman.

After exchanging words, Zhou Qing got up and left. The internal energy cultivation methods that the other party was selling were mainly third-rate internal energy cultivation methods, with only one second-rate internal energy cultivation method.

Next came the third stall, and then the fourth stall.

"All four stalls only have one type of second-rate internal skill."

Zhou Qing frowned slightly, left the fourth stall, and went to the fifth stall, hoping that the other party would have first-class internal strength.

The fifth stall owner was a man wearing a monkey mask.

"I do have a top-notch internal skill here."

Seeing Zhou Qing walk up to the stall, the masked man spoke directly.

"Hmm, it really has top-notch internal energy?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qing was excited, but his tone remained calm, and he did not show any excitement on his face.

If you act too eagerly, you'll definitely get ripped off.

“Indeed, a first-class internal energy cultivation manual. I do have one here.” The masked man nodded with a smile, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. Although Zhou Qing did not show any eagerness, he seemed to have seen through Zhou Qing’s thoughts.

"How much silver does this internal energy cultivation manual cost?"

Zhou Qing asked.

The masked man held up five fingers and said, "Five thousand taels!"

"What?! Five thousand taels!"

Zhou Qing frowned.

He only had a little over five hundred taels on him, which was far too much for him to afford.

"too expensive!"

Zhou Qing shook his head.

"Expensive? You actually think five thousand taels is expensive?" the masked man said. "Do you know how much a first-rate internal skill is worth at an auction? A second-rate internal skill can fetch tens of thousands of taels of silver, while a first-rate internal skill, without fifty thousand taels of silver, you don't even qualify to participate in the bidding. The final transaction price is often over one hundred thousand taels of silver."

“You said it yourself, that was at an auction, but this is the black market,” Zhou Qing said. “The internal energy cultivation techniques obtained at the auction can be practiced openly and legitimately, and can also be passed down to one’s descendants, generation after generation, without any hidden dangers. But who knows where your top-notch internal energy cultivation techniques came from? Maybe if I practice them, people from a major sect will come knocking on my door the next day.”

"Four thousand taels, the minimum is four thousand taels, no less than that."

The masked man said in a deep voice.

"too expensive!"

Zhou Qing shook his head, got up and left.

This masked man was clearly trying to rip him off, and he had no chance of agreeing, especially since he didn't have that much money on him.

"Wait a minute!" Seeing Zhou Qing really get up to leave, the masked man called out to him and then said in a deep voice, "If you really want to buy the cultivation technique, name your price. If the price is right, then we can make a deal."

Zhou Qing returned to the stall and said in a low voice, "Five hundred taels. That's all I have on me. I can't come up with an extra tael."

"Impossible! This is a top-tier internal skill. You think you can buy it for a mere five hundred taels? You might as well rob it."

The masked man was clearly angered by the price Zhou Qing offered.

He had never seen anyone haggle like that before.

The asking price was 5,000 taels. Most people would only cut it in half at most, but Zhou Qing directly bargained down to 500 taels, cutting it down to the bare minimum.

Zhou Qing, however, did not take it to heart and said indifferently, "Five hundred taels of silver is not a small amount. For you, it's just a matter of spending more paper and ink to make a new copy. If you don't want to sell, then forget it."

Upon hearing this, the masked man's expression changed slightly. He hadn't expected Zhou Qing to be so difficult to deal with. He gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "Five hundred taels it is."

"It's still too high!"

Upon hearing the other party's agreement, Zhou Qing muttered to himself.

Don't be fooled by the other person's gritting teeth and pained expression; it's mostly an act.

But he did not regret it. It was already a rare opportunity to buy a top-notch internal skill during this trip to the black market.

In some small counties, the strongest internal skills are only second-rate.

For example, in Blackstone County, the martial artist standing at the very top of the pyramid is a second-rate peak martial artist who has reached the sixth level of the Acquired Realm.

If he were to obtain a first-class internal skill through normal means, he would need to prepare at least 100,000 taels of silver.

Zhou Qing took out two hundred-tael silver notes from his pocket and handed them to the masked man, saying in a deep voice, "I'll give you two hundred taels first. After I confirm that the internal energy manual is correct, I'll give you the remaining three hundred taels."

"Row!"

The masked man didn't dwell on these minor details; he took out a secret manual from his pocket and handed it to Zhou Qing.

"Hundred Refinements Golden Body Technique!"

Zhou Qing took the manual and saw five large characters written on it.

(End of this chapter)