Text-based martial arts: A nighttime rendezvous with the gang leader's wife in a dilapidated te

[Fireworks are lit.]

The Vajra Monkey stood guard beside you, its golden eyes fixed intently on the cleared bonfire.

A fish, roasted to a golden brown and emitting a rich aroma, sits atop it.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak!" the Golden Monkey cried urgently from the side, seemingly urging you on and asking you questions.

You chuckled and said, "Don't worry, it'll be ready soon."

As soon as you finished speaking, you took out the seasonings from the side and sprinkled them evenly over the grilled fish.

[You've certainly prepared quite a lot for this trip, especially after reaching the required level of favorability with the Vajra Monkey King.]

【The Monkey King's Wonderland is like your true home in this martial arts world, a safe haven where you can rest and hide.】

As for your skill in grilling fish, it's something you learned from the fisherman Wang Wu. Although it's still very basic, I must say, the quality of the golden coin mackerel speaks for itself.

The enticing aroma still made the nearby Vajra Monkey and the distant troop of monkeys drool.

That's right, Chen Xuan hadn't forgotten that a week had passed since his last fishing trip.

This rare delicacy, the precious fish, is a reliable source of potential points. Although the yield has decreased slightly this time, it's still a good 240 points.

As for the treasure fish, although it doesn't increase attributes when consumed now, it's a great tonic for replenishing qi and blood.

Eating more of it will definitely have benefits and no harm.

Moreover, this thing tastes so good that even though he had eaten it twice in his dreams, each time it left a deep impression on Chen Xuan.

More importantly, this item is what Chen Xuan uses to further improve his relationship with the Vajra Monkey!

Indeed, after the Canglan Sea-Stabilizing Stake broke through to the third level, Chen Xuan discovered the miraculous effects and promising future of his 'Miao Technique.' What Chen Xuan had previously disregarded...

He once again set his sights on the stance training exercise "Vajra Fighting Ape Stance" that belonged to the Vajra Martial Monkey.

If their cultivation level is high enough, they can definitely cultivate together!

As salt and other spices were sprinkled in, an even more enticing aroma wafted out.

You tore off a large piece of golden-yellow fish meat and tossed it to Brother Monkey.

[“Squeak squeak squeak!” The Vajra Monkey snatched it and then devoured it with relish!]

[The Vajra Monkey King felt his blood surging, realizing the value of the golden coin. His favorability towards you increased by 10. Current favorability: 65 (Sincere)]

[Like a whirlwind sweeping away the clouds, the man and the monkey quickly swallowed the precious fish whole.]

Taking advantage of the abundant energy and vitality brought by the treasure fish, you once again demonstrated the "Luo Yan Fist" with the Vajra Martial Monkey.

[The Golden Monkey's learning speed is indeed phenomenal. Back then, under Bai Zhiyun's tutelage and with all your comprehension boosted, it only took you a quarter of an hour to learn that martial art.]

[The Monkey King mastered it completely in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.]

This also increased the Golden Monkey's favorability towards you by 3 points, reaching 68 points. You're only two points away from reaching 70 points, enough to learn the Golden Ape Stance.

However, as you know, too much of a good thing can be bad, and today's improvement has already been significant.

Even if I were to teach you the Serpent's Tongue Technique again, I might not be able to reach 70 points of favorability, and your time is very limited today.

[I glanced at the sky; you knew you had to go!]

[You plunged headlong into the underground river, and following the Purple Gold River, you finally returned to Jinling City as darkness fell.]

However, to your surprise, the city gate, which was usually very easy to enter and exit, seemed quite tense today.

[Your entry into the city involved a thorough inspection before you were allowed to pass only after presenting the Shen family's nameplate.]

"Sir, what's going on?" you asked the leading officer curiously.

This commander, who was extremely arrogant towards the local people, was quite polite to you: "Doctor Chen, you don't know?"

"I've been collecting herbs and fishing in Zhongshan these past two days, so I really didn't know."

"Hey~ Steward Shen from the Shen family has disappeared. He might have been murdered to cover his tracks. The Shen family is furious and determined to catch the killer! Right now, the eldest young master of the Shen family is personally searching the city!" the guard captain reminded them.

"Ah? Steward Shen has disappeared?" You feigned shock, bid farewell to the guards, and then entered the city.

Your expression quickly returned to calm, and you secretly rejoiced. Thankfully, this time you managed to put all the stolen goods you found into the Monkey King's Wonderland.

[This is normal. The Shen family is such a large clan. If the steward of a prefecture doesn't go for two days, it will naturally cause a disturbance. In Jinling City, the Shen family is the second most powerful local force after the imperial court and the Golden Dragon Society.]

The disappearance or even death of the Shen family's steward would naturally trigger a city-wide investigation.

But what does this have to do with you?

You're nothing more than a useless apothecary apprentice who can't lift a finger or carry anything heavy.

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on your lips.

At this moment, you suddenly realize that you might be enjoying this feeling.

This talent for defying fate is not only truly defying fate, but it is also undoubtedly the best hidden destiny for "playing dumb to fool others"!

Thinking of this, you even redistributed the agility and strength you gained from traveling to your physical constitution.

I haven't been back to the pharmacy for two days, and nothing seems to have changed.

Instead of doing anything else, you immediately put down your fishing rod and basket and went straight to the alchemy room.

[That's right, that's the most important reason you chose to return to Jinling City. Three days have passed since your last cultivation session.]

The medicinal properties of the "Strengthening the Foundation and Nourishing the Vitality Soup" that remained in your body have long since been completely absorbed and digested.

[Not to mention, during your cultivation over the past two days, you've also sensed that cultivating the Canglan Dinghai Stake seems to accelerate the fusion of medicinal properties with the Shennong Drywood Stake.]

Therefore, after realizing that the medicine in your body had been completely digested and absorbed, what you did was naturally to replenish it!

Yes, you can't wait to experience the thrill of breaking through to the next level!

The large pot boiled, and countless medicinal herbs were thrown into it strictly according to the prescribed method.

The scalding aroma of herbs wafted through the backyard of the pharmacy, and soon enough, you brought out a large basin of "Strengthening the Foundation and Nourishing the Vitality Soup," sufficient for two uses.

After adjusting the ratio of the medicinal soup to water, you finally let out a sigh of relief.

Breakthrough to the second realm of Body Refinement—today is the day!