Sweeping Through Martial Arts: My Clone's Extraordinary Talent

"I never knew Brother Wen had this other identity..."

Shen Han returned home in the evening and muttered to himself as he prepared the last batch of Marrow Cleansing and Tendon Strengthening Water.

He had no doubt about the sincerity that Wen Tai showed.

"Retiring from the life of a criminal is easier said than done. Just think of Master Liu from Hengshan in some folk tale... I hope everything goes well for you, Brother Wen..."

He took out the bronze mirror and observed the cultivation of his clone inside.

wrong!

Suddenly, he realized a problem.

Since breaking through to the Tendon Refining Realm at noon, the clone had been diligently practicing the Ancient Yang Technique for the entire afternoon, but it could no longer bring any increase in cultivation level, which was equivalent to practicing in vain!

"Could it be that the Ancient Yang Technique can only be practiced up to the Muscle Refining Realm?"

Having gained experience with the breathing technique before, Shen Han immediately realized the key point.

Every martial art has its limits.

The Breathing Technique can only be practiced up to the Skin Refining Realm, while the Ancient Yang Skill's upper limit is the Tendon Refining Realm!

This means that we must change our training method!

However, compared to martial arts manuals, skill manuals are extremely difficult to find. What should we do?

Shen Han fell into deep thought.

Before long, the decoction for cleansing the marrow and strengthening the tendons was ready.

"This medicinal diet is the only way..."

Fortunately, during the time it took for the clone to drink the medicine, its cultivation technique improved once again.

In other words, before acquiring a new cultivation technique, taking the Marrow Cleansing and Tendon Strengthening Water once a day is the only way to increase one's cultivation level.

"We must break this deadlock as soon as possible!"

Once the effects of the medicine wore off, Shen Han told his clone to stop cultivating, since there was no point in continuing.

Right now, there are two important things.

The first task is to find new advanced cultivation techniques and secret manuals.

The second thing is to purchase the medicinal materials for the Marrow Cleansing and Tendon Strengthening Water.

In comparison, buying medicinal herbs is somewhat more traceable and more urgent.

Shen Han counted his wealth; he had over one hundred taels of silver.

"I'll go to Hua'an Hall again tomorrow at noon to ask..."

After making up his mind, he fell into a deep sleep, and the clone in the mirror also got some rest.

……

"Young master, welcome, welcome!"

The next day at noon, at the Hua'an Hall herbal medicine shop in the south of the city, the portly shopkeeper Qiao Shan beamed with joy as soon as he saw Shen Han.

Shen Han hadn't come to buy herbs for almost a month, and he didn't want to lose Shen Han as a major customer.

"Shopkeeper, it's been a long time."

Shen Han smiled and said.

Qiao Shan hurriedly said, "Young master, whatever you need this time, our shop will definitely give you the best discount."

Shen Han placed the prescription for the Marrow Cleansing and Tendon Strengthening Water on the counter.

"Um... still these thirteen medicinal herbs?"

Qiao Shan's face immediately showed reluctance.

Shen Han asked, "Manager, a month has passed, and it's still difficult to get inventory?"

Qiao Shan sighed: "Yes, after you returned empty-handed last time, I have tried many times."

However, it is still impossible to purchase the three medicinal herbs: *Coptis chinensis*, *Scutellaria baicalensis*, and *Gnaphalium affine* root.

"Young master, how about trying some different herbs?"

"I want to switch too..." Shen Han said helplessly, "Shopkeeper, I heard that the Green Robe Gang has connections?"

"The Green Robe Gang is a large and powerful organization, so there's no problem with them."

"Then, do you know where they bought them?"

"Young master is joking. I don't have that ability..."

Qiao Shan shrugged. "But seeing how anxious you are, I have a place to recommend."

There's a chance!

Shen Han hurriedly said, "Please give me your guidance, shopkeeper."

Qiao Shan said, word by word, "If you don't mind the long journey, young master, you can try your luck in Shiyang Town."

Sanhe County administers eleven towns.

Shiyang Town is the furthest of them all.

Shen Han asked curiously, "They don't have any in the county, but they do in the town?"

Qiao Shan shook his head: "Young master, you may not know this, but Shiyang Town is located at the border of two counties, a place where all sorts of people mingle and it has always been chaotic. Because of this, many uncommon items may be available for sale there."

"I see."

Shen Han immediately understood.

In layman's terms, places far from the emperor's reach often harbor hidden gems.

"Young master, I wish you success."

"Thank you, shopkeeper."

After leaving Hua'an Hall, Shen Han made a decision to personally visit Shiyang Town during his day off tomorrow.

Time quickly moved to the next day.

Early in the morning, Shen Han first went to the widow Bai Jie's house across the street for a bowl of knife-cut noodles before setting off.

Shiyang Town is nearly 200 li away from Sanhe County.

If it were the old Shen Han, it would have been difficult to make a round trip in a whole day just by walking.

But he is no longer the same person he used to be.

The speed boost brought by the Muscle Refining Realm allowed him to run like the wind, covering a mile without even breaking a sweat.

The journey of two hundred li took him less than an hour.

"Shiyang Town is indeed chaotic..."

As soon as he arrived in town, he remembered what the shopkeeper, Qiao Shan, had said.

Unlike Stone Snake Town and Stone Ox Town, which I had visited before, Stone Sheep Town was much smaller, and the streets were in a mess, almost completely deserted. The people coming and going were all strange and unusual, and many of them were martial arts practitioners carrying weapons.

"Quickly, find a pharmacy!"

Shen Han composed himself, focused his attention, and began to wander through the town.

However, things didn't go as planned.

He searched all morning, asking at every herbal medicine shop and stall in town, but still couldn't find any herbs like Tongtiancao, Linpi, or Huzhonggen for sale.

"Has it become a deadlock?"

He frowned slightly. The night before last, his clone had already brewed and consumed the last dose of the Marrow Cleansing and Tendon Strengthening Water. If he couldn't buy more, it would mean that his cultivation would remain stagnant.

This ending was absolutely unacceptable to him.

As I stepped out of the herbal medicine shop, suddenly, four burly men walked towards me, their faces fierce and menacing.

"Brother, does that old Taoist priest with the bull's nose live in Shiyang Town?"

One of the burly men asked.

"That's it! Daring to kill my fourth brother, today is his death day!"

The burly man in the lead gritted his teeth and said.

"None of my business..." Shen Han stepped aside, and four burly men passed by him.

He took out the bronze mirror from his pocket.

In the mirror, the clone is leisurely enjoying the delicious venison.

You're quite comfortable now!

Shen Han thought to himself: "Eating meat without practicing martial arts! No way, I can't treat myself badly!"

Thinking about it, he went to the largest restaurant in Shiyang Town.

The restaurant has two floors.

He strode up to the second floor and casually sat down in a window seat.

"Sir, what would you like to order? Our humble abode..."

The waiter had a big smile on his face.

Shen Han waved his hand: "Braised beef, boiled fish fillets, spicy chicken with scallions, and a pot of candied fruit tea."

"Alright, please wait a moment, sir!"

The waiter hurriedly went to the kitchen to report the dishes.

Just then, Shen Han glanced up and saw a person pouring himself a drink at the window diagonally opposite on the second floor.

It's him!

Shen Han recognized the man; he had seen him twice before.

Soon, a feast for the eyes and the palate was served, and Shen Han devoured it with gusto.

Boom boom boom!

Suddenly, a series of noisy footsteps came up the wooden stairs, breaking the tranquility of the second floor.

Four burly men came upstairs one after another. They were the same four men Shen Han had encountered outside the pharmacy. They surrounded the man by the window.

"Have you finished eating?"

The burly man at the head of the group had a half-smile on his face.

"What is it?"

The man by the window wore a dark yellow Taoist robe and had crooked eyebrows.

It was none other than the Taoist Xuan Yangzi!