Celestial Human Diagram

Chapter 318 - 50: Treasure Ointment

Since Chen Chuan had agreed, the matter was settled. Cheng Shang gestured toward the cup of tea in front of Chen Chuan. "Have a taste."

Chen Chuan had already noticed it. The tea had the color of amber, translucent and bright. He picked it up and took a sip. A warm, smooth texture quickly filled his mouth.

After swallowing it, he felt a comfortable warmth spread through his body. A long-lasting, sweet fragrance lingered between his teeth and cheeks, refusing to fade, and it invigorated his spirit.

Cheng Shang also picked up his cup and took a sip. He said slowly, "If you like it, you can take a package back with you later. It’s good for nourishing the body."

Chen Chuan heard his words and felt they were alluding to his frequent use of medicine. He didn’t explain, simply saying, "Then I won’t be polite." He then turned to Ni Qianqian and asked, "Sister Ni, when is this exchange match?"

Ni Qianqian said, "The time is tentatively set for the next day off. It will take up one of your days. Of course, we won’t just be inviting you. We’ll be asking many students to spar, but we’ll schedule them at different times so they won’t conflict with you. I’ll come pick you up when it’s time."

Chen Chuan said, "Okay, I’ll be waiting."

Ni Qianqian then added, "Brother Chen, I have to give you a heads-up. Don’t underestimate them just because they’re not from the academy. Their fundamentals are extremely solid. They learn everything the academy can teach, and then some."

Cheng Shang said, "Times have changed. The young people nowadays are getting more and more formidable. I have to admit, my generation wasn’t as good as them at their age.

"Actually, each generation should surpass the last. When we were young, we didn’t have so many resources and had to worry about other things. They just need to focus single-mindedly on practicing their fighting skills. It’s only natural that they should surpass us.

"But back then, we experienced hardships and setbacks that they haven’t. Although we didn’t want to encounter them and had no choice but to endure them, looking back now, they are also our treasures. Perhaps it’s just my old-fashioned way of thinking, but I feel these young people still need to be forged in fire before they can truly become masters.

"So this time, you don’t need to show me any face. Bring out your true abilities and teach them a harsh lesson. If you want information on them, I can give it to you. Because only by being defeated can they recognize their own shortcomings. Otherwise, they’ll suffer a great loss in the future."

Ni Qianqian said, "Old Master, is it really okay to set up your juniors like this?"

Cheng Shang said slowly, "If I set them up, they still have a chance to get back at me. If they get set up by outsiders, they might lose their lives in one go."

Chen Chuan said, "Elder Cheng, I won’t underestimate any opponent. I don’t need their information. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be an exchange, but a performance." ’Knowing information and not knowing it are two completely different things. Making targeted preparations in advance would give me too great of an advantage.’

Seeing that he didn’t want it, Cheng Shang didn’t insist. He said leisurely, "Young man, this is just a match, so you won’t be allowed to take any medicine. Don’t underestimate them; those juniors are truly outstanding. Also..."

His gaze fell upon him. "Find a way to enter the Third Limit as soon as possible. Only then will you clearly see which path you should take." After speaking, he slowly placed the lid on his teacup.

Ni Qianqian stood up. "Brother Chen, we should go."

Chen Chuan stood up and said, "Elder Cheng, we’ll take our leave."

Cheng Shang waved his hand in dismissal.

Chen Chuan gave him a slight bow and left with Ni Qianqian.

After the two had gone some distance, a middle-aged man walked over, glancing in the direction Chen Chuan had left. "Martial Uncle, was that the young man just now? The student that Senior Brother Cheng is always praising?"

Cheng Shang said, "That’s him. He’s a student, not a disciple."

The middle-aged man smiled. "Senior Brother Cheng insists he’s teaching a student, but with the level of importance he places on him, isn’t he practically a disciple?"

Cheng Shang said, "Does that matter? You all should think about how you’re going to win."

The middle-aged man looked at Cheng Shang in surprise. "Martial Uncle, you think that highly of the young man from just now? I took a look as well. Based on the rhythm of his body movements, maybe he ranks in the upper-middle tier? But to say he can beat Liu Yin and the others... isn’t that a bit of a stretch?"

Cheng Shang said, "That’s right. Liu Yin and the others have been personally taught fighting skills since they were young. They have a solid foundation, and every step of their growth has been supported by ample resources. This young man can’t compare in that regard.

"But the difference is that this young man has fought his way through real life-and-death battles. How many times have Liu Yin and the others fought outside? Does fighting some gang members count? This young man has desperately struggled his way up. For him, one step back, one failure, means death. Do Liu Yin and the others have that kind of resolve to fight from the brink of death?"

The middle-aged man’s smile faded slightly. He said thoughtfully, "Old Master, you have such a high opinion of this young man. It seems I’ll have to go back and remind them to be more careful."

Cheng Shang shook his head. "It’s useless to say anything now. They won’t listen. Only after a fight will the impression be deep enough."

Meanwhile, Ni Qianqian escorted Chen Chuan all the way back to the Profound Palace Building. After returning to his dorm, he took out the Treasure Ointment he had gotten from Cao Guiqi.

In fact, the Processing Bureau had also previously sent him a share, so he had three portions in total.

He took out a box of the Treasure Ointment and opened it. Inside were two types of paste, one black and one cyan, arranged side by side. According to the instructions, he needed to use the Cyan Ointment first.

This ointment could be absorbed by the body through direct oral consumption or respiratory intake. A Fighter who had mastered a skin-breathing technique could also apply it directly to their skin to improve absorption efficiency.

He first mixed three spoonfuls with water and drank it, then spread the remainder evenly over the surface of his skin.

At first, he couldn’t feel anything. But after a while, with the help of his Breathing Technique, the ointment’s effects gradually began to take hold. He discovered that the Treasure Ointment that entered his body was like a living thing, actively clinging to his Mutated Organization and forming a thin film over it.

Because the internal organs are relatively soft, unlike muscles and tendons which are used for daily force exertion, they usually can’t be trained through direct and simple methods. They can only be strengthened by improving cardiopulmonary function through effective exercise, promoting blood circulation to provide more oxygen and nutrients, or by using various Breathing Dharma Gates and unique Power postures to knead and massage them.

However, this kind of training only affects the surface layer. This type of Treasure Ointment, on the other hand, could directly stimulate the internal organs and the Mutated Organization on them, making them desperately crave all kinds of nutrients, turning passive nourishment into active growth.

After this step was complete, he could take the second type, the Black Ointment, which contained sufficient nutrients for its growth.

Furthermore, the Cyan Ointment had another function. Before the film disappeared, it could enhance the toughness of the internal organs and their Mutated Organization. This allowed a Fighter to perform Overlimit training for a short period of time and use semi-harmful Breathing Dharma Gates that they wouldn’t normally dare to, further deepening the stimulation of their internal organs and making it easier to absorb the Black Ointment later.

To achieve this effect, after guiding the Cyan Ointment into his body, Chen Chuan began to practice the Orthodox Scattering Hand on the spot. He also released the restraints on his Mutated Organization, allowing it to become fully active.

Although waves of various emotions surged in his heart, his movements while performing the techniques were not disordered at all. On the contrary, inspirations he normally wouldn’t have thought of continuously welled up.

By now, he had his own understanding of how to use the Orthodox Scattering Hand. At first glance, it didn’t look much different from the original Orthodox Scattering Hand, but in reality, the way he was Emitting Force and the subtle details were completely different.

This was very normal. The Orthodox Scattering Hand was like a fundamental foundation; as his strength increased, he needed to build upon and expand it himself.

After slowly completing ten repetitions of the Orthodox Scattering Hand, his entire body felt hot, and he knew the ointment was taking effect. So, he picked up the Snow Monarch Blade to practice his Saber Techniques. With every move, he used as much strength as possible, striking again and again, Emitting Force again and again.

The effects of one dose could last from half a day to a full day, and it would continuously nourish and strengthen his internal organs for about ten days. He felt that this ointment would likely be more effective if used in conjunction with Radiant Light irradiation.

It was just that for an ordinary person, it would probably take a few days to grow and recover after Radiant Light irradiation, so they had to be used separately. ’I think I can try combining them next time,’ he thought.

Moreover, that effect of the Cyan Ointment could also significantly increase combat power if used in a fight. But for someone like Cao Guiqi, who could only get a small share of this medicine each month, it was clear how rare it was.

He had also checked at the academy. It seemed they had similar medicines, but this year’s quota had been distributed at the beginning of the year. Furthermore, one application cost over ten thousand yuan. He didn’t have the financial means to afford it, so he could only try to find a way through the Processing Bureau.

According to Ni Qianqian, besides his own share, it was possible to obtain an extra one through internal competition. Since there was an opportunity, he had to do his best to seize it.

From afternoon to evening, he practiced his techniques and Power continuously. It wasn’t until after nine o’clock that he fully assimilated the abundant medicinal power. This way, he could do it again in ten days. Perhaps that time, he could try to schedule the Radiant Light irradiation. Although the Sea Realm Arena didn’t allow one to bring too many things inside, he could take the medicine in advance.

At this moment, he recalled what Cheng Shang had said to him during the day. His thoughts began to turn. ’When I reach the Third Limit, what exactly will I come into contact with?’

’But no matter what, that’s something to consider later. First, I need to do what’s in front of me well. Although he said ’as soon as possible,’ I can’t be reckless. Taking steady steps is more reliable than rushing forward.’

After thinking it over, he left the training room, washed up, and went to bed on time.

The next day, he returned to Teacher Zheng to continue his training.

After the Heavy Blade came the light blade. This part was mainly about using speed to force Zheng Tongtong back. This time, it also took him about three days to succeed. Next was dual-wielding a light and a heavy blade, which was a bit difficult.

Zheng Tongtong relied on advanced Power Techniques to handle the two different blades. It took Chen Chuan two days just to get used to wielding them properly, and then another three days before he successfully forced Zheng Tongtong back.

On the ninth day, Teacher Zheng didn’t have him switch blades, nor did he talk about the next phase. Instead, he casually picked up a blade himself and stood in the arena.

He said, "Chen, offense and defense aren’t strictly separate. Today, I’m going to teach you something new. To make it easier for you to experience and remember, I want you to use any method you can and attack me with your full strength."

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