Chapter 14: Inexplicable Sense of Satisfaction

That night, Xiu Qingcheng gave Meng Yingxing a medicinal formula.
As for how Xiu Qingcheng prescribed the formula, it was naturally by dictating it for Meng Yingxing to write on paper.
Although the Tianfeng Sect had been exploiting Meng Yingxing since he was young, fortunately, they had still taught him how to read and write, so writing a medicinal formula was not difficult for Meng Yingxing.
What Xiu Qingcheng hadn’t expected was that while Meng Yingxing’s cultivation was a complete mess, his handwriting was exceptionally good.
At least it was better than her own handwriting used to be.

“Master, what is this?”
After the medicinal formula was completed, Meng Yingxing read the black text on white paper repeatedly, wanting to confirm her intentions with Xiu Qingcheng.
“Idiot! Of course, it’s a medicinal formula to enhance your cultivation!” Xiu Qingcheng lightly tapped Meng Yingxing’s head.
Xiu Qingcheng found herself increasingly fond of tapping Meng Yingxing’s head; it was even gradually becoming a habit.
Xiu Qingcheng explained to Meng Yingxing: “This is a relatively potent medicinal formula.
You’ve heard of body tempering, right?
It can continuously refine your spiritual meridians and physical body, allowing you to undergo a complete transformation!
It’s what’s known as body forging and tempering.”
As soon as Xiu Qingcheng finished speaking, Meng Yingxing’s eyes immediately sparkled with excitement.
‘Master truly lives up to her name; to think she possesses such a miraculous formula!’
“Of course, the process of using this medicinal formula is extremely painful.
If successful, it can accelerate your cultivation speed and benefit you greatly in the future.”
At this point, Xiu Qingcheng changed her tone, becoming eerie and dreadful: “If you can’t endure it…”
Meng Yingxing nervously stared at her, thinking Xiu Qingcheng would mention consequences like ruining his foundation.
Unexpectedly, Xiu Qingcheng said casually, “If you can’t endure it, then you can’t.
There are no special side effects.”
Her words were full of twists and turns, quite a tease.
In Xiu Qingcheng’s view, the pain when the medicinal power took effect was already a side effect.
‘But in this world, where can you find such a good thing that lets you effortlessly raise your realm without side effects?’
‘Unless you go find those ultimate cultivation cauldrons of pure Yin essence.’
‘But as they say: use pure Yin essence, enjoy a demonic sect’s life, and be besieged by righteous people!’
‘No one wants that, right?’

“Master, I don’t have any of these medicinal ingredients, and the sect won’t allow me to borrow them from the Wuyun Peak Spiritual Herb Pavilion.” Meng Yingxing said, frowning as he looked at the herbs on the paper.
Meng Yingxing didn’t understand medicine, nor did he know if these herbs were precious.
But he understood Tianfeng Sect; even the most common medicine wouldn’t be given to him, a burden who hadn’t even officially joined.
Perhaps he could ask Liu Chenxin, but if the sect investigated… Meng Yingxing still didn’t want to trouble her.
“Small problem.” Xiu Qingcheng waved her sword blade, indicating it was all child’s play.
“Tomorrow, just take me to any secluded corner of a mountain peak, and I’ll gather some for you.
They’re all very common herbs, found everywhere.”
Especially in the spiritual energy-rich area where Tianfeng Sect was located.
This body-tempering formula was a very common thing in Xiu Qingcheng’s memory, but very few people could endure its medicinal effects, so basically no one would suffer through it.
‘I wonder if Meng Yingxing can withstand it.
Oh well, it’s up to his willpower.’

The next day, Meng Yingxing set off with a basket and Xiu Qingcheng.
Tianfeng Sect was vast, so finding a secluded corner was very simple.
Meng Yingxing found a quiet place surrounded by a small stream and the seven peaks of Tianfeng Sect.
They had arrived quite early; the morning mist still lingered in the forest.
Xiu Qingcheng gazed at the surrounding mountains, very curious: “You said before that Tianfeng Sect only has five peaks, but no matter how I look at it, there are more than five mountains in Tianfeng Sect’s territory.”
If five peaks had six mountains, Xiu Qingcheng would still accept it.
But here there were seven, which didn’t fit the rule of the “Four Heavenly Kings having five.”
“Because besides the five official peaks, there’s also Welcoming Guest Peak where I and the other handymen live,” Meng Yingxing explained.
“And one more?”
Meng Yingxing pondered for a moment, “Apart from these six peaks, I heard the northernmost mountain is called Forbidden Mountain.
As the name suggests, it’s a forbidden area of Tianfeng Sect, and entry is not permitted without the Sect Master’s approval.”
Xiu Qingcheng looked towards the northernmost side.
The northernmost mountain, apart from being relatively short and having fewer trees, didn’t look much different from the other mountains.
She didn’t know why it was designated a forbidden area.
However, Xiu Qingcheng wasn’t very interested in other people’s affairs.
For now, helping her disciple improve his strength was more important, especially since the Divine Weapon Trial was less than six days away.

“The sect’s location is indeed full of spiritual energy.
These common spiritual herbs grow everywhere.” Xiu Qingcheng casually swept her gaze across the grassland and saw many of the spiritual herbs she needed.
“Master, which herbs do you need?
I’ll help you gather them.”
Meng Yingxing, holding a small basket, respectfully offered to help Xiu Qingcheng gather the herbs, since his master was a sword and probably couldn’t pick them.
Xiu Qingcheng didn’t need him to waste time here, so she tapped Meng Yingxing back to his original spot with her sword hilt.
“You go practice your sword!
And help me gather herbs?
How can you be in the mood to gather herbs at your stage?”
“I already taught you the sword technique yesterday; you practice it for now.
I’ll come and practice with you later.
Remember to circulate your cultivation technique while practicing the sword moves for better results.”
It was hard to disobey his master’s command, and Meng Yingxing knew the priorities.
He drew out his small wooden sword, which he had always used, and began practicing the sword moves, one by one, according to the sword chant Xiu Qingcheng had taught him yesterday.
Xiu Qingcheng watched for a moment, feeling that Meng Yingxing’s swings were quite decent.
“You just focus on improving your strength; I’ll handle everything else.” After Xiu Qingcheng declared grandly, she flew off, hooking the basket and going to search for the medicinal herbs Meng Yingxing needed for body tempering.

“Golden Faith Grass… it’s here.”
The grassland was lush, and flowers bloomed in patches.
Xiu Qingcheng hadn’t flown long before she spotted her target.
She dropped the basket, flew down to the ground, and used her sword tip to directly scoop up the Golden Faith Grass, root and all, into the basket.
Next, herbs like Demon Cloud Fruit, Linked Beauty Grass, and Earth Stalk were all similarly dug into the basket.
In a short while, the basket was half full.
“Heh~ A diligent master like me, willing to lower herself to dig herbs for her disciple, is truly rare!” While searching for herbs, Xiu Qingcheng didn’t forget to praise herself, “If my disciple doesn’t bring me all sorts of good things and properly show filial piety to this good master in the future, it would be an outrage against heaven’s principles~”

Suddenly, Xiu Qingcheng, focused on digging herbs, caught sight of something shimmering in the corner of her eye.
Glowing things must be investigated; this is humanity’s phototaxis, and Xiu Qingcheng was no exception.
She was immediately drawn by curiosity and saw a blue-gold stone exposed from the ground.
“Condensing Jade Crystal?” Xiu Qingcheng’s eyes sparkled with light.
She didn’t even bother to finish digging the half-dug herb; she immediately withdrew and jabbed herself into the soil beneath the Condensing Jade Crystal, preparing to dig it out.
Condensing Jade Crystal was a very valuable crystal, but its value lay only in the golden part inside after removing the outer crystal.
However, the outer crystal was very difficult to open, so it circulated rarely on the market, making it expensive.
‘Isn’t this more valuable than the body-tempering herbs!?’
However, removing the outer crystal was simply effortless for the Ting Tian Sword.
Xiu Qingcheng decided that once she got her hands on this Condensing Jade Crystal, she would have Meng Yingxing sell it for money, and then buy some nutritious things to supplement Meng Yingxing.
A body was the capital for cultivation!
Especially for a growing child!
She had told Meng Yingxing to just focus on cultivation and leave everything else to her!
Xiu Qingcheng suddenly felt a peculiar sense of satisfaction.
A satisfaction called “nurturing.”