Elderly Martial Saint: Sixty Times the Cultivation Speed ​​at the Start

Yi Yang held the small porcelain bottle left by Zhao Gang in his hand. He opened the bottle and the fragrance of medicine wafted out. It was warm, lingering, and not overpowering, but it had a penetrating power that went deep into his lungs.

"Water Element Pill."

Yi Yang murmured a sentence.

Zhao Gang may have a rough,江湖-like way of speaking, but he's actually quite meticulous in his actions.

This elixir is perfect for nourishing the body and replenishing the blood, both for the sake of qi and blood. On the black market, you'd need at least thirty or forty taels of silver to even get your hands on it, and you'd also need to have certain connections.

Although I am at the third level of Qi and Blood cultivation, these pills that enhance Qi and Blood cultivation are still very useful.

Favors are more troublesome than money. Money is spent, but favors are incurred, and who knows when they will need to be repaid?

Yi Yang rolled the porcelain bottle in his palm twice, and finally poured out the pill and swallowed it.

When the pill enters the abdomen, it first feels slightly cool, then transforms into a warm current that spreads along the chest and abdomen.

Without delay, Yi Yang immediately got up and began practicing standing meditation.

As the Yi Wood Longevity Stance unfolds, the medicinal power of the Water Essence Pill is drawn by the stance training, flowing along the skin, flesh, and meridians.

When qi and blood flow through a certain area, the tendons and veins become warm, and the flesh and blood under the skin also become more active.

Small characters appeared before my eyes.

【Yi Wood Health Preservation Exercise Level 3: (1260/12000)】

"Um?"

Yi Yang narrowed his old eyes. It was 1245 points before, but now it has increased by 15 points.

After the progress bar was stretched out again, each step became more difficult than the previous one.

Without pills, practicing a few rounds at night would only yield a small increase of 60 points after amplification, and the strength improvement wasn't as fast as before. However, after consuming the Water Essence Pill, the progress advanced quite rapidly.

Yi Yang didn't rush things; the medicine was gentle, but his old body couldn't be subjected to unnecessary stress.

He practiced standing meditation repeatedly, and the medicinal power was forced into his flesh and blood, without wasting a single drop.

The heat in the courtyard was sticky, and mosquitoes circled around him a few times before being driven away by the heat emanating from his blood.

After midnight, the shadow of the locust tree slanted to the corner of the wall.

Yi Yang finally finished his work.

【Yi Wood Health Preservation Exercise Level 3: (2000/12000)】

He stared at the words for a long time without moving.

One Water Essence Pill, and so many were pushed away in one night.

With enough elixirs, one can quickly reach the fourth level of the Qi and Blood Forging Realm.

Yi Yang remembered the ebony elixir box on Yang Da's body; the Tendon-Changing and Bone-Strengthening Pill was still there.

This thing is suitable for breaking through the Qi and Blood Peak stage to break through the Yi Jin stage. For him now, it would be a waste to try to take it head-on.

The medicine will have some effect, but it won't be suitable for the right patient. Good steel should be used where it's needed most, and the same goes for elixirs.

Find an opportunity to switch to bone-strengthening pills, muscle-strengthening powders, or something that nourishes the internal organs; that's how you avoid wasting money.

"Yang Shuqing, your gift delivery is unprofessional; the old man has to handle it himself."

Yi Yang muttered something to himself and went back to his room to rest.

As dawn broke, Jiang Yuexin pushed open the door and came out.

She rubbed her eyes and saw that Yi Yang had already changed into the washed long robe, with an old cloth belt around his waist, and his hair was tied up with a wooden hairpin.

Still old.

It's much neater than usual.

Jiang Yuexin was taken aback. "Grandpa, dressed like this, you look a lot like the town's accountant."

Yi Yang tapped her on the head: "Is the accountant as tough as this old man?"

Jiang Yuexin covered her head and muttered softly, "They're blowing smoke again."

Yi Yang put the important items on his body: "I have to go to town today, so lock the door while I'm gone. Don't open it for anyone."

Jiang Yuexin nodded in agreement. Although she didn't know what Yi Yang was going to do, she was sensible enough not to ask.

In the northwest corner of Yunwen Town, outside the inspection warehouse, two guards stood watch with knives.

This place is unremarkable from the street level, with blue brick walls, old wooden signs, and not even a majestic stone beast at the entrance.

If it weren't for the two guards at the gate with their sharp swords, most passersby would mistake it for a government warehouse full of broken tables and chairs.

Yi Yang walked to the door and took out the black iron token.

The token was turned over.

The number "thirty-four" on the back shone with a deep hue in the morning light.

The guards, who had been sizing up the old country man, straightened up immediately upon seeing the token.

"Greetings, Commander of the Guards."

The other person also clasped their hands in a gesture of respect.

"Please come in, sir."

Yi Yang paused for a moment. This title was a bit new. Having lived for sixty years, he had to bow to government officials and give way to martial artists.

Now, two young guards are calling him "Sir."

Yi Yang put away the token and coughed twice. "The old man is new here and doesn't know the way."

The gatekeeper was respectful. "Sir, go straight inside, past the training ground in the front yard. The registration room is on your left. If you can't find it, I'll show you the way."

"No need, I can go by myself."

Yi Yang waved his hand and stepped into the courtyard.

Upon entering, the scene before him caught his eye; the outside was unremarkable, but the inside was a completely different world.

The front yard was paved with bluestone, the ground polished to a shine by the feet of martial arts practitioners.

There are training grounds on both the left and right.

To the east, there were rows of wooden stakes and two rows of iron sandbags hanging. Several guards, shirtless, were practicing boxing, sweat streaming down their shoulders and backs.

The weapons racks on the west side were neatly arranged, with knives, spears, clubs, short axes, and chains all kept clean.

Further in, there is a small drill ground.

A dozen or so guards were practicing grappling techniques, striking fiercely and withdrawing quickly.

If someone falls down, they get up, rub their arm, and keep going.

Not a single word wasted.

This isn't some fancy martial arts school designed to fool apprentices; it's a place where officials eat the government food and slay cult members.

There was also a notice board on the wall, with a list of tasks and a merit redemption table posted on it.

Qi Xue Wan, Shui Yuan Dan, Zhuang Jin San, Tuo Gu Dan...

Yi Yang glanced at it only once before memorizing those lines.

This is hardly a branch office; calling it half a small government office would be an understatement.

The fact that the Sky Patrol Division is feared by powerful families and government officials is no exaggeration.

"Old man Yi!"

A familiar voice came from the side.

Ren Hao walked over quickly.

Today he was wearing a black short coat from the Sky Patrol Division, with a sword hanging at his waist, and he looked much more agile than before.

But when he saw Yi Yang, that bit of the slickness of a江湖客 (jianghu ke, a person of the martial arts world) resurfaced. "I've finally waited for you. Boss Zhao was worried you wouldn't be able to find your way, so he specially asked me to wait here."

Yi Yang glanced at his badge. "You've joined the company too?"

Ren Hao chuckled and said, "Thanks to Boss Zhao, I managed to get a patrol post. I can't compare to you; you're the patrol chief, I have to call you 'Sir'."

As he spoke, he actually clasped his hands in a fist and bowed.

"Greetings, Lord Yi."

Yi Yang tapped his shoulder. "Don't give me that. Calling someone 'sir' is like shortening your lifespan."

Yi Yang asked, "Where is Zhao Gang?"

"Boss Zhao went to the east of town to investigate clues today."

As Ren Hao led the way, he explained in a low voice, "Under our Sky Patrol Division, the most ordinary people are patrol guards. Above them are patrol captains, who can lead a team of people."

"Above that are the candidates for patrol chief, deputy patrol chief, and patrol chief."

"General Manager Fang Yue is the head of the Yunwen Town branch. He is at the fifth level of the Qi and Blood Refining Realm, making him arguably the strongest person in Yunwen Town. Even the county magistrate in the county town is only about on par with General Manager Fang Yue."

Yi Yang listened without saying a word.

Ren Hao continued, "Logically speaking, a patrol captain can lead a team to investigate a case, with at least three to five patrol captains, and sometimes as many as seven or eight. As for you..."

He paused, then chuckled dryly twice. "The Imperial Archives is special; there are no teams there."

Yi Yang replied, "In charge of the case files."

"Yes. Old cases, lists, clues about cults, and unusual activities in various villages are all piled up there. It's easy work, but there's not much credit to be gained."

Ren Hao, worried that Yi Yang might feel uncomfortable, added, "However, the benefits are those of a patrol captain: monthly salary, medicinal herb quota, and internal exchange privileges—everything is included."

Yi Yang nodded: "That's enough."

Ren Hao looked at him and couldn't help but say, "Old man, you're really steady. If it were anyone else, they would have been cursing by now if they heard there was no team to lead."

Yi Yang said, "I can get money, I can get medicine, and I don't have to lead people to their deaths. What's wrong with this job?"

Ren Hao slapped his thigh. "Now that you mention it, I'm even thinking of asking to see the case files."

"you go?"

Yi Yang glanced at him and said, "If you sit here for half a day, you'll probably wear the chair through."

Ren Hao choked and coughed dryly.

The two entered the registration room.

Inside sat a young clerk, in his early twenties, with a fair complexion and slender fingers. On the table were booklets, a red seal, a waist tag, and several stacks of official documents.

He saw Ren Hao come in and was about to speak.

Ren Hao first handed over the Yi Yang token: "The newly appointed patrol chief of the Imperial Archives, Lord Yi Yang, come and register."

The young clerk opened the register and stopped writing when he saw the word "sixty".

He looked up at Yi Yang, whose hair was gray, who wore an old long gown, had a slightly hunched back, and whose hands were covered in frighteningly thick calluses.

At sixty years old, one's Qi and blood are in a state of dual balance.

This is rare even in the Sky Patrol Division, since ordinary martial artists at this age are usually in a state of decline in qi and blood, so how could they maintain the strength of the second level of qi and blood?

The young clerk didn't dare ask any more questions and maintained a very proper attitude.

"Lord Yi, please affix your fingerprint."

Yi Yang pressed his seal.

The clerk then took out a small wooden plaque and a set of keys.

"This is your accommodation token. The third room in the west wing of the backyard of the Imperial Archives is for your use. If you bring family members, you can register with the errand office to receive an extra ration of rice and grain, but you are not allowed to enter the inner courtyard archives without permission."

Upon hearing the word "family members," Yi Yang paused in his movements.

Jiang Yuexin is still in Sanmu Village. In the past, she had no choice but to live in her dilapidated courtyard.

Now that he has a job in town and the title of "Sky Patrol Officer," it's no longer appropriate for him to let the little girl live alone in the village.

The troubles in Sanmu Village keep piling up.

Who can guarantee that another Sun Mazi or Yang Er won't pop up?

The town may not be clean, but at least the walls of the Sky Patrol Bureau are high enough, and the swords are gleaming enough.

Is registering family members a hassle?

The clerk replied, "No trouble at all. Just give your name, age, and relationship to me. Accommodation and food are extra; please bring your own clothing."

Yi Yang nodded.

"I'll bring people over in a couple of days."

After the formalities were completed, Ren Hao took Yi Yang to the warehouse.

The warehouse manager was a one-eyed man with a rather fleshy face, but he didn't put on airs when he saw token number thirty-four.

"Two sets of the patrol captain's uniform, one sword, one waist tag, and one set each of tinder, rope, and hemostatic powder."

The one-eyed man pushed the items over one by one.

The uniform of the Sky Patrol Division is black with red trim, made of thick fabric, and with tight cuffs, which makes it less rustic.

The sword is three feet long, and the scabbard is made of black wood wrapped with iron.

Yi Yang pulled out half an inch and looked at it.

The blade was shiny, the steel was of good quality, and it looked much better than his old woodcutter's knife.

Yi Yang sheathed his sword and hung it at his waist. "I really need a sword that I can show to people."

After registering, Yi Yang stood in the courtyard of the Sky Patrol Bureau, watching the guards coming and going on the training ground.

Black clothes, waist knife, token, medicinal herbs, case files.

This place is fraught with danger, but for him, it is also a great medicine storehouse, a vast net, and an umbrella that can shield him from the past.