Chapter 52: The Shocking Devouring Art

"Will learning this technique cause trouble?"

Chen Fei asked in a low voice. Many sects would pursue leaked techniques, especially internal strength methods. Back in Pingyin County, Chen Fei hadn't cared much; after all, it was a small place, and even if he learned something from another sect, the chances of being discovered were low.

But now he was in Xingfen City, and later he would head to Xianyun City. With more options available, Chen Fei naturally had to be more cautious.

"You can rest easy, sir. That sect has already declined, and he is the sole successor. You can learn this manual without any trouble; if anything, you are helping to pass the technique down," the shopkeeper said with a smile.

Chen Fei nodded slightly, picked up the manual, and began to read slowly. After fifteen minutes, he set it down.

The manual was only one-third complete, but much could already be discerned.

It was naturally incomparable to the Thunderous Sword Qi, but it was significantly stronger than the Suspended Qi. Furthermore, this Cloud-Swallowing Qi had a very unique feature: after cultivation, the amount of medicinal pills one could consume daily could actually be increased.

To put it simply, Cloud-Swallowing Qi allowed the practitioner to absorb medicinal pills faster without placing a burden on the body. Setting everything else aside, this single point alone intrigued Chen Fei.

Currently, Chen Fei could only consume one Spirit-Light Pill per day. Any more, and his meridians would ache with swelling, and his entire body's blood and qi would become abnormal.

A once or twice wouldn't be much, but if it continued long-term, it would certainly have an adverse effect on his physical body. Consequently, after only a few attempts, Chen Fei had stopped and had been dutifully taking just one Spirit-Light Pill every day.

"What is the price?"

"One thousand taels." The shopkeeper's smile grew even more radiant.

"My apologies for wasting your time. Goodbye."

Chen Fei decisively put the manual down and turned to leave. Did he look like such a sucker?

"Wait, sir, please wait! The price is negotiable. Moreover, we have pills and weapons in the shop; you might want to take a look," the shopkeeper hurriedly called out to stop him.

"Do you have crossbows?" Chen Fei paused and turned back to ask.

"Of course we do. Please, come inside, sir."

The shopkeeper nodded and led Chen Fei into the inner hall. The weaponry here was more diverse. He led Chen Fei to a wall where various types of crossbows were displayed.

"May I try them?"

"Please, feel free," the shopkeeper nodded.

Chen Fei stepped forward, picked up a longbow, and attempted to draw it. His expression remained unchanged as he set the longbow down and picked up another.

Half an hour later, Chen Fei left the shop.

The morning passed quietly, and Chen Fei returned to the inn.

The longbow he had brought from Pingyin County had been sold, replaced by a new powerful bow. Compared to the previous one, the new bow was undoubtedly much stronger; according to Chen Fei's estimation, it would serve him well until the Bone-Forging Realm.

He had also looked into the prices of medicinal pills.

In Pingyin County, the market price for a Grass-Returning Pill was ten taels each; in Xingfen City, it was eight. The price of a Spirit-Light Pill had also dropped from fifteen taels to thirteen.

Prices were undoubtedly cheaper, making it no wonder that merchant caravans traveled back and forth; as long as the volume was high enough, the profits were quite substantial.

Furthermore, Xingfen City sold Constant-Float Pills, so Chen Fei specifically bought some. Constant-Float Pills were somewhat expensive, costing nearly thirty taels each.

The main reason Chen Fei bought them was to see if his current Flesh-Refining Realm cultivation could handle them, and he also intended to attempt to master the recipe for the Constant-Float Pill.

Xingfen City did not sell the recipe for the Constant-Float Pill, which left Chen Fei somewhat disappointed. Recipes for Spirit-Light Pills were available, but they were not cheap, costing several thousand taels.

"I was being a bit naive before. Recipes are high-value assets in every place," Chen Fei muttered to himself. He tried swallowing a Constant-Float Pill, and an hour later, he opened his eyes, his expression slightly disappointed.

The medicinal potency of the Constant-Float Pill was very strong, but Chen Fei felt a swelling ache in his meridians that was much more intense than taking two Spirit-Light Pills in succession.

Clearly, the Constant-Float Pill was a bit too much for the Flesh-Refining Realm; the current Chen Fei could not yet withstand it.

"I wonder if this Cloud-Swallowing Qi can improve this situation, as the manual claims."

Chen Fei took the manual out of his bundle. After visiting over a dozen shops, he had spent three hundred taels of silver to purchase this technique from another shop.

Indeed, in Xingfen City, any shop that was even moderately large now sold this manual. It was unclear whether a disciple from that sect had sold it to over a dozen shops, or if the merchants were simply supplying each other.

The first shop had likely seen that Chen Fei was a stranger and, with the mindset of "taking whatever they could get," had quoted such a high price. Their hearts were truly black.

Spending an hour, Chen Fei read through the Cloud-Swallowing Qi and then attempted to circulate it. A moment later, he looked at his panel.

【Technique: Cloud-Swallowing Qi (Entry 1/100)】

"Merge!"

【Technique: Shock-Swallowing Art (Proficient 811/1000)】

"Shock-Swallowing Art discovered. Spend one hundred taels of silver to simplify the Shock-Swallowing Art?"

"Simplifying Shock-Swallowing Art... Simplification successful... Shock-Swallowing Art → Suspended Qi!"

A smile involuntarily appeared on Chen Fei's face. Next, he just needed to grind his proficiency to raise the Shock-Swallowing Art to the Great Perfection stage. However, before that, Chen Fei wanted to test if this new technique truly had an effect on absorbing medicinal pills.

Sitting cross-legged, he circulated the Shock-Swallowing Art. Half an hour later, Chen Fei opened his eyes, a look of joy in them.

The previously aching meridians had now completely returned to normal. The medicinal energy that had not been absorbed had now fully integrated into Chen Fei's body.

"The effect is actually this obvious."

Chen Fei glanced at the Constant-Float Pill beside him, hesitated, and then chose a Spirit-Light Pill to swallow instead.

As soon as the medicinal potency spread, his meridians began to feel discomfort. Chen Fei quickly circulated the Shock-Swallowing Art. The blood and qi in his body surged rapidly, the slight discomfort gradually eased, and then slowly vanished.

Chen Fei's furrowed brow instantly relaxed. As the Shock-Swallowing Art continuously circulated within his body, the medicinal potency was rapidly absorbed and fed back into his flesh and blood.

After the time it takes to burn an incense stick passed, Chen Fei opened his eyes and slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, unable to hide the joy on his face.

"I've reached the limit. One Constant-Float Pill plus one Spirit-Light Pill, and my internal strength has nearly doubled. Previously, it would have taken over nine months to reach the Bone-Forging Realm; now, it will only take about four months."

Chen Fei muttered to himself, calculating the time needed for his breakthrough.

"And since the Shock-Swallowing Art hasn't reached Great Perfection yet, the amount of pills I can consume daily can continue to increase."

Chen Fei couldn't help but clench his fists. Compared to others, Chen Fei's cultivation speed was already not slow. But if given the choice, who wouldn't want to progress quickly, especially in a world this dangerous?

"I wonder if the original sect of this technique was eaten into poverty?" A thought suddenly popped into Chen Fei's mind.

As night fell, Chen Fei walked through the streets of Xingfen City. Compared to Pingyin County, the nights in Xingfen City were undoubtedly more lively.

Watching the bustling human world around him, Chen Fei's heart grew much calmer. If given the choice, Chen Fei would still prefer to live such a quiet life.

But unfortunately, this world does not give you the choice; many things will be forced upon you, such as danger.

Chen Fei walked through the prosperous streets and turned into an alleyway. Compared to the outside, the alley was undoubtedly much quieter. At the end of the alley, a shop was open.

Dim light flickered from the shop, casting shadows on the alley walls that looked as if they were baring their teeth.

(End of Chapter)