Becoming a Saint Starting with the Chasing Wind Leg Technique

Chapter 123 Gift of Elixir

After finalizing the agreement with Nie Shuli to help with the fight in two months, Song Jing did not leave immediately.

He hesitated for a moment, then looked at Nie Shuli, whose expression had eased slightly after receiving the promise, but who still couldn't hide his worry. He spoke again, his tone frank: "Brother Nie, since there's a arena battle in two months, and my opponent will be a formidable foe like Nie Feng, I, Song, also need to do my best to improve my strength for the sake of stability. To be honest, Brother Nie, my current cultivation requires a great deal of Qi and Blood Pills. These pills can strengthen one's original Qi and blood, supporting high-intensity cultivation, and are extremely beneficial to the advancement of techniques and the stabilization of one's realm. However—"

He paused slightly, then said bluntly: "The supply of elixirs in the inner city is mostly controlled by the powerful clans and martial arts schools, making it difficult for ordinary people to obtain them reliably."

Although I was fortunate enough to receive help from a friend last time, it was ultimately a drop in the ocean. I wonder if the Nie family has any surplus of Qi and Blood Pills? If they could spare some for me, I, Song, would be extremely grateful and would be even more confident in facing the arena two months from now.

Song Jing's words were both the truth and a test.

He needed elixirs to accelerate his cultivation, and he also wanted to see if the second branch of the family was still willing and able to support him with elixirs after he had already made two considerable requests: guidance on spear techniques and Star Pattern Iron Essence.

This relates to the extent of actual assistance the second wife can provide him in the next two months, and also to the depth of cooperation between the two parties.

Upon hearing this, the slight joy that had just appeared on Nie Shuli's face froze instantly, his brows furrowed tightly, revealing obvious difficulty.

"Qi and Blood Pill—" he repeated softly, his fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of the teacup. After a long silence, he sighed heavily, his tone heavy and apologetic: "Young Master Song, to be honest, this matter—for my second branch of the family—is indeed—quite troublesome."

He raised his head and looked at Song Jing with sincere eyes, but also with helplessness: "Although the Nie family is considered an inner city family, its foundation is far inferior to that of the four major families and the three major martial arts schools."

The annual share of Qi and Blood Pills that can be obtained from the Alchemist Guild or the inner city channels is already limited. The majority of this share is naturally controlled by the eldest branch of the family, used to cultivate core disciples like Nie Feng and to cultivate relationships. Less than one-tenth of it ends up in the hands of my second branch.”

"My second branch is now weak, but still has a large number of members, and the young members also need elixirs for cultivation. This limited share, when distributed to each person, is already a stretch. It is already difficult to get one or two elixirs per month."

As the eldest son of the second branch of the family, I have the highest cultivation level in the branch and also need to deal with internal and external family affairs. I only have a fixed quota of two coins per month. These two coins are necessary for my daily cultivation, to stabilize my realm, and to deal with possible emergencies—to spare some is really—” He spoke with difficulty, clearly struggling internally.

Song Jing listened quietly, without urging him or showing any dissatisfaction on his face.

He could understand the second wife's predicament.

Qi and Blood Pills are crucial for any martial artist, especially for someone like Nie Shuli, a Body Refining Realm martial artist who needs to uphold the reputation of the second branch of the family; they are the foundation of cultivation.

Asking the other party to share their share is tantamount to slowing down their own cultivation speed, and may even affect their strength.

However, the contest two months later will determine the survival of the second wife.

If one's cultivation lags behind due to insufficient pills, resulting in a loss on the arena, the loss for the second branch will far exceed a few Qi and Blood Pills.

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the occasional soft popping of the candlelight.

Nie Shuli was clearly going through a fierce internal struggle.

His eyes flickered, sometimes looking at Song Jing's calm yet resolute face, sometimes at the silent outline of the second house outside the window, and sometimes recalling his father's haggard expression and the despair in the eyes of his clansmen.

Time passed slowly. Finally, Nie Shuli gritted his teeth, as if he had made up his mind.

He abruptly stood up, walked to Song Jing, and bowed deeply again, his voice hoarse with determination: "Young Master Song, it was our second branch of the family that failed to consider things carefully! You have gone to great lengths for our affairs, even risking your life to fight Nie Feng. If we can't even supply you with a few pills, how can we speak of our sincerity? How can we expect you to give your all?"

He straightened up and looked intently at Song Jing: "I am not very capable, and in the second branch of the family, I can only control my own share."

From this day forward until the end of the arena competition, I, Nie, will give you my entire monthly allowance of two Qi and Blood Pills! I will not keep a single one for myself these two months!

"Brother Nie!" Song Jing was moved and stood up as well. He hadn't expected Nie Shuli to be able to do such a thing.

This is not just about giving up resources, but also about completely putting aside one's own cultivation progress and placing all the hopes and pressure on Song Jing.

"Young Master Song, please don't refuse!" Nie Shuli raised his hand, interrupting Song Jing's words, his expression earnest and firm. "My cultivation has already reached the Flesh Refining Realm. My short-term cultivation is more about consolidation and comprehension. My dependence on pills may not be as urgent as yours, Young Master."

"And you, young hero, possess extraordinary talent and are at the prime of your life, shouldering heavy responsibilities. In your hands, these elixirs will be ten times, a hundred times, more effective than mine!"

He paused, his tone softening, tinged with a mixture of emotion and anticipation: "Besides, young hero, you are not only helping my second branch of the family. I have heard that the martial arts competition of Pingtian Sect is approaching. Young hero, you are a dragon among men, with lofty aspirations. You must be determined to showcase your skills in this grand event, strive to join Pingtian Sect, and seek a higher level of martial arts."

These past two months have been a crucial period for you, young hero, to accumulate strength and strive for higher realms. If these Qi and Blood Pills can lend you a helping hand during this time, allowing you to shine brightly in the martial arts competition and achieve outstanding results, it will not only be a great fortune for my second branch of the family, but also an honor for me, Nie Shuli, to have forged such a good relationship with you!

He completely disregarded his own interests and elevated the purpose of the elixir to the level of helping Song Jing achieve success in the martial arts competition.

This vision and magnanimity deeply moved Song Jing.

"These four Qi and Blood Pills for the past two months are still insufficient, but they represent the greatest sincerity I can offer at this time." Nie Shuli carefully took out an exquisite jade box from his bosom. Upon opening it, two blood-red Qi and Blood Pills with a rich medicinal aroma lay inside, his share for the month. He pushed the jade box in front of Song Jing.

"Please accept these two, young hero. I will present the other two at this time next month." He solemnly promised, "Regarding the arena, our entire second branch relies on you, young hero. Though the pills are of little value, our friendship is paramount. We hope you can focus on your cultivation. Two months from now, on the arena, our second branch will be there to cheer you on and await your good news!"

Looking at the two pills containing immense blood and energy in the jade box in front of him, and then at Nie Shuli's face, which was slightly pale from making a major decision but with a firm gaze, Song Jing felt a complex mix of emotions.

There was gratitude, heaviness, and a sense of responsibility for being trusted and entrusted.

He reached out and took the heavy jade box, not because of the elixir itself, but because of the trust and expectations it carried.

"Brother Nie's kindness and generous gift are deeply appreciated by Song Jing." Song Jing's voice was steady and powerful. "For the next two months, I will certainly live up to your expectations and dedicate myself to cultivation. I will give my all in the arena two months from now. As for the martial arts competition—"

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, like a drawn sword: "I, Song, will certainly do my utmost to strive for excellence, to repay Brother Nie's kindness in helping me today!"

"Good! With your words, young hero, Nie and the rest of the family can rest assured!" Nie Shuli clasped his hands tightly, a relieved yet expectant smile finally appearing on his face.

It was late at night when Song Jing left the second branch of the Nie family's residence. He carried the two Qi and Blood Pills, but his steps were more steady and powerful than when he arrived.

These four Qi and Blood Pills represent a huge sacrifice for Nie Shuli personally; for the Second Branch's overall strained pill reserves, they also represent squeezing out the last bit of essence.

But for Song Jing, they were a godsend, a crucial guarantee for his high-speed cultivation over the next two months.

More importantly, the unconditional trust and full support behind this gift made him feel a greater sense of responsibility and strengthened his conviction.

He knew that his fate and that of the second branch of the Nie family had become even more closely intertwined the moment those two pills were delivered.

This is not just a transaction, but also a weighty favor and entrustment.

"Two months—Nie Feng—a genius at the level of the Eight Heroes of the Inner City—" Song Jing looked towards the depths of the inner city, towards the direction of the Mad Wind Martial Arts Hall, which was also where Nie Feng had been training diligently.

"With this Qi and Blood Pill, my cultivation speed should be able to increase several times over. I need to consolidate my Nine Shadow Steps, refine my Wildfire Spear Technique, and not neglect the Golden Bell Shield either—perhaps, my chances of breaking through to the Body Refining Realm will be even greater."

"The Martial Arts Grand Competition—Pingtian Gate—" His gaze was directed to a more distant place, as if piercing through the high walls of the inner city and seeing a wider world with even fiercer competition.

"Brother Nie, your elixirs will not be wasted. I will win the arena. I will also make a name for myself in the martial arts competition!"

In the night breeze, the young man's blue robe fluttered slightly, his eyes bright as stars, and he walked resolutely towards the direction of the Chasing Wind Martial Arts School. The pills in his arms were slightly warm, as if echoing the ever-burning flame of fighting spirit in his chest.

Two doses of Qi and Blood Pills, a heavy entrustment, and a firm promise.

The two-month period is not only the moment of decisive battle in the arena, but also the beginning of a fledgling eagle spreading its wings and soaring into a wider sky.

Meanwhile, Nie Shuli brought the news of Song Jing's agreement to help back to the second branch of the family, which immediately caused a huge uproar.

"Song Jing? That Song Jing from the outer city?" "He agreed? He really dares to attack Nie Feng?" "Shuli, are you grasping at straws? Song Jing may have some reputation, but Nie Feng is an elite of the Kuangfeng Martial Arts School, almost on par with the Eight Masters of the Inner City! No matter how strong Song Jing is, how can he possibly defeat him?"

Doubts arose one after another. No one was optimistic about Song Jing, even though he had a record of killing a heretical cultivator at the Body Refining Realm.

Nie Yundi also frowned: "Shuli, are you sure? That Song Jing—does he really have the strength to fight Nie Feng?"

'

"Father, I have sparred with him." Nie Shuli said in a deep voice, recounting in detail his crushing defeat, especially emphasizing Song Jing's unpredictable Nine Shadow Steps at the minor completion stage, his power no less than that of the Flesh Refining Realm, and his unfathomable foundation.

"I was defeated before he even used a weapon," Nie Shuli concluded, his tone bitter and agitated. "Moreover, he demanded that if he fought and won, Uncle Nie Zhu would instruct him in the Wildfire Spear Technique, and he also wanted a portion of Star-Patterned Iron Essence."

"Star-patterned Iron Essence?!" Nie Yundi gasped. "He actually dared to ask for it! This thing is incredibly precious—"

"Father, compared to the foundation of our second branch's fortune, what is a piece of Star Pattern Iron Essence?" Nie Shuli said urgently. "Besides, if he can truly win, he will save our second branch from dire straits, a great favor akin to being reborn! If he cannot win, then all else is meaningless. This is our only hope!"

Nie Yundi fell silent.

He knew his son was right.

This may be the second wife's only hope, even if that hope seems so slim.

Finally, he sighed heavily, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Fine! It will be as you say! Go and tell Young Hero Song that my second branch has agreed to his conditions! For the next two months, whatever resources he needs, as long as my second branch can provide them, we will supply them! I'll talk to Uncle Nie Zhu!"

When the news spread, the second branch of the family remained pessimistic and skeptical, but at least a glimmer of hope appeared. Meanwhile, the first branch of the family quickly learned that the "outsider" the second branch had hired was none other than Song Jing, a young man from the outer city.

Upon hearing this, Nie Feng merely scoffed disdainfully: "A clown jumping around, overestimating himself. Two months from now, on the arena, I'll show him just how vast the difference truly is between the inner and outer cities!"

A duel that would determine the future of the Nie family and whether Song Jing could obtain the divine weapon and further solidify the foundation of the martial arts competition was thus decided.

For two months, both sides were making intensive preparations.

Song Jing was well aware that this was not only a battle to help his opponent, but also an important step for him to prove himself, acquire key resources, and move towards Pingtianmen.

Moreover, with this Qi and Blood Pill, it's time for him to find a quiet place to break through to the Body Refining Realm in one go!