Complete one practice method every day

The next day, Chen Yue began his daily cultivation in the courtyard as usual.

When he activated the newly acquired Mountain-Suppressing and Yuan-Consolidating Technique, he immediately experienced a completely different sensation from the previous Mountain-Collapse Technique.

The flow of qi and blood remains vigorous, but it has gained a more balanced, sustained, and profound quality. The power flows more smoothly within the body, providing a stronger nourishing sensation to the muscles and bones. With each breath, one can feel subtle power being drawn into the body, slowly solidifying the foundation.

After completing the practice, I not only did not feel tired, but I felt refreshed and full of energy.

When Chen Yue tried the new movement technique, the Cloud-Soaring Steps, he was pleasantly surprised.

With a slight thought, his figure appeared several feet away, not only as fast as a ghost, but also with a unique lightness and sense of hovering, as if he could really ride the clouds and borrow strength.

Wandering among the artificial hills, low trees, and stone benches in the courtyard is as easy as walking on flat ground, with turns and twists at will. Its adaptability to complex terrain far surpasses that of the "Fleeting Glimpse" technique.

Even more remarkably, when Chen Yue concentrated some of his vital energy and blood into the soles of his feet using a specific method, his step left a shallow imprint on the bluestone ground, demonstrating the powerful impact contained in his stride.

This is only the advanced stage; if one cultivates it to perfection, its power and wonder will likely far surpass its current state.

"The panel fusion is truly mysterious and profound," Chen Yue thought to himself.

As night fell, the lights in the Chen residence gradually came on, and the footsteps of the patrolling guards echoed rhythmically.

Chen Yue moved like a wisp of smoke, silently scaling the courtyard wall. He then changed into an inconspicuous dark gray coarse cloth outfit elsewhere, activated his disguise technique, put on a bamboo hat, covered his face with a black cloth, and blended into the deep night outside.

Chen Yue was already very familiar with the terrain of Youlin County. He deliberately chose to travel through quiet and deserted alleys. When he used the Cloud-Piercing Steps, he was extremely fast and silent.

Even if a patrolling watchman or soldier occasionally passes by, they can only feel a gentle breeze, and when they turn around, there is no one there.

Before long, Chen Yue arrived once again at the chaotic old district in the east of the city and entered the black market with practiced ease.

Shen Dujiang's stall remained deserted. He was dozing off, his hands tucked into his pockets, leaning against a pile of miscellaneous items. He only lazily raised his eyelids when he heard footsteps approaching.

When he saw that it was Chen Yue wearing a straw hat and mask, a hint of relaxation flashed in his eyes.

"Hey kid, why didn't you come the other day? Did something happen?" Shen Dujiang asked in a low voice.

He was genuinely worried that the stable supply of Marrow Cleansing Pills might be disrupted by some unforeseen event. These days, reliable alchemists and stable supplies are both scarce resources.

"Something did happen."

Chen Yue's voice came through the mask, slightly hoarse, "But it's been resolved, thank you for your concern."

Shen Dujiang nodded, not asking any further questions. In this black market, asking too many questions wasn't a good habit. He stood up and gestured to the small hut behind him: "Let's go inside and talk."

The two entered the dimly lit hut one after the other. Shen Dujiang pulled out two carefully wrapped packets of medicinal herbs from a corner and handed them to Chen Yue:

"As we discussed last time, we need the ingredients for three portions of the Marrow Cleansing Pill and one portion of the Poison Avoidance Pill. The ingredients for the Poison Avoidance Pill are hard to find; it took us several days to gather them."

Chen Yue took it and, by the light of the small oil lamp in the room, began to examine it carefully.

The medicinal materials for the Marrow Cleansing Pill are still of superior quality, while the medicinal materials for the Poison Avoidance Pill are mostly poisonous herbs, and the proportions are in accordance with the requirements of the formula.

"The medicinal herbs are fine, thank you for your trouble."

Chen Yue carefully put away the medicinal herbs, took out a small porcelain bottle from his pocket, and handed it over. "This is the Marrow Cleansing Pill for this time, three pills, the quality is similar to last time."

Shen Dujiang took the porcelain bottle, uncorked it, poured out the pills, and examined them carefully. The aroma was pure, indicating it was of excellent quality. He smiled, nodded, and carefully put the pills away.

After the transaction was completed, Shen Dujiang didn't immediately see his guest off. He looked at Chen Yue and said in a low voice, "Didn't you ask me last time to keep an eye out for any new special pill formulas or cultivation manuals on the black market?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yue's eyes lit up slightly: "Good news?"

"There are definitely no unfathomable secret manuals here; such things wouldn't end up here."

Shen Dujiang chuckled softly and continued, "However, recently someone has published a book on hidden weapon techniques. The methods are somewhat unorthodox, but it's said that once mastered, they're virtually impossible to defend against. Are you interested?"

"Hidden weapon techniques?"

Chen Yue's heart stirred. He now had the Zhenyue Guyuan Technique and Tiger Roar Golden Bell Cover for close combat, the Kuanglan Blade Technique for weapons, and the Zongyun Thousand-Layer Step for movement. However, he was indeed weak in long-range attacks and stealth assassinations.

Although the techniques of concealed weapons may seem unorthodox, they can be surprisingly effective in certain situations.

"It's good to broaden one's horizons and have another means of self-defense. Are there any others?" Chen Yue asked.

Shen Dujiang nodded: "There's another prescription, called Bone-Enhancing Pill. Have you heard of it?"

"Bone-strengthening pills?" Chen Yue shook his head; he had never heard of this name before.

"I specifically inquired about it for you."

Shen Dujiang explained, "It is said that the original intention of this bone-strengthening pill was to refine a kind of medicine that could enhance the strength of bones after birth."

In theory, strengthening the bones would not only reduce the difficulty and risk for martial artists breaking through to the Bone Forging Realm, but would also directly increase strength, since tendons and bones are connected, and stronger bones mean greater strength.

It can strengthen bones, reduce the difficulty of breaking through to the Bone Forging Realm, and directly increase strength?

Chen Yue asked, "Is this elixir really that effective?"

Shen Dujiang shook his head: "The idea is good, but the actual effect... is negligible, almost imperceptible, even less reliable than that antidote pill. Otherwise, a truly effective formula would have been collected and treasured by major powers long ago, how could it have ended up on the black market?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yue's heart stirred.

The effect was negligible? Perhaps so for others, but for him... the effect of the Marrow Cleansing Pill on improving his aptitude was also negligible, but under the magnified panel calculation, it was already significant.

I haven't tried the antidote pill yet, but I imagine it won't be bad.

If this Bone-Enhancing Pill truly has even the slightest effect of strengthening bones, it might produce astonishing changes under the magnification of the panel. This is precisely the idea behind his search for pills with special effects.

Chen Yue nodded, his tone calm, revealing no emotion, "How much are they asking?"

"I've already sounded out their intentions."

Shen Dujiang held up three fingers. "The other party also knows this pill formula is useless, so they didn't ask for a high price. I bargained it down to three taels of silver, which should be enough to get it. But let me make this clear beforehand: I don't care if it's genuine or not, and you've heard about the effects, so don't blame me if you overpay."

"You're joking. The transaction is voluntary; there's no reason for resentment. Three taels of silver is acceptable."

Chen Yue readily agreed, then asked, "And what's the price of that hidden weapon technique manual?"

"That's not worth much, half a tael of silver is enough," Shen Dujiang said with a smile. "If you want it all, I'll take you there, and you can talk to the stall owner about it yourself."

"Thank you for your trouble." Chen Yue cupped his hands in thanks.

A moment later, under Shen Dujiang's guidance, Chen Yue successfully exchanged three and a half taels of silver for an old piece of paper containing the formula for the Bone-Enhancing Pill, as well as a secret manual of hidden weapon techniques called the Midnight Bone-Penetrating Nail.

He carefully put away the two items along with the medicinal herbs, thanked Shen Dujiang again, and then turned and left the black market.

On his way back to the Chen residence, Chen Yue walked at a leisurely pace. Just as he passed through a narrow alley, his steps paused almost imperceptibly.

There was an extremely faint sound behind me, unlike the sound of the night wind or the chirping of insects? And there was more than one.

Chen Yue didn't turn around or speed up; he simply changed his pace when he reached a corner in the alley.

"Whoosh!"

Chen Yue left a faint afterimage in place, but his real body disappeared from the spot with a wonderful move from the Cloud Dragon Turn in the Cloud Thousand Layer Steps.