Chapter Fifty-Nine: Do You Think His Vitality Is Strong?

“This time, the bodily transformation derived from analyzing the Bear Barbarian is far more intense than before, and it isn’t ending as quickly either—perhaps because the body’s energy supply is insufficient. So, it’s a continuing process.”

After eating five pounds of meat, was he even a third full? Certainly not. It felt as though he had only just tasted it, and already it was digested. Xiao Nan was both pleased and troubled.

He was pleased because, if his guess was correct, his physique was not yet fully transformed. If that was the case, then once the process was complete, wouldn’t he achieve another tremendous leap forward?

Troubled, because the rate at which he consumed food was a heavy burden on his household. That little pill shop likely couldn’t keep up. Perhaps ordinary ingredients wouldn’t be enough—he would need food with greater energy content, such as meat from fierce beasts rich in vital energy, or certain medicinal herbs.

He couldn’t tell his family, or they’d start thinking about selling the house again.

“Looks like I’ll have to make a trip outside the city…” Xiao Nan sighed.

“Outside the city is dangerous. The wild beasts are as numerous as cattle, and even after clearing them out, they reappear. I’ve heard there are some ferocious beasts that even mid-level martial artists struggle to handle,” Zhang Xiaorou, listening nearby, suddenly spoke up, worry etched on her face.

Did I say it aloud? Xiao Nan didn’t hide his thoughts and smiled, “Because of my blood and energy issues, I have to go out and look for some herbs to temper my body.”

“I see. Don’t rush off. Let me ask my dad, maybe he can go with you.”

“No, if I go with him, he might end up hitting someone.” In truth, Xiao Nan didn’t want to listen to that burly man’s nagging. Talking to such an overprotective father was pointless—they’d never see eye to eye.

Given his preconceived notions, the man wouldn’t believe Xiao Nan even if he claimed there was nothing between him and Xiaorou.

“All right then… Just let me know when you decide to go, don’t leave without a word,” Zhang Xiaorou’s eyes darted, as if she were plotting something.

“Sure.” Xiao Nan agreed with a smile. “If you have a map, could you help me get one?”

They parted ways, and Xiao Nan hurried home, hungry and out of money.

…

When he returned, his mother, Tan Qiuyi, and his little sister, Xiao Bei, were nowhere to be seen.

That morning, he seemed to recall Tan Qiuyi mentioning that the pill shop business had been better lately, and that she was struggling to keep up with the pace of production. She was probably eating at the shop.

As for Xiao Bei, she usually ate lunch at school. Classes ended around five in the afternoon, after which she’d come home for dinner.

This day-school style was a bit different from Xiao Nan’s previous life.

Back then, most middle and high school students boarded at school, only returning home on weekends. Here, unless absolutely necessary or there was no one at home to care for them, children were day students.

The main reason was that, in this world, due to the promotion of martial arts, the populace was single-mindedly devoted to cultivation…

Along with increased vigor came a host of societal issues. Children attending school without supervision led to many incidents—bullying, trouble outside the school…

There were always some idle, hot-blooded types… Never trust their morals. Though seemingly inconspicuous, mere dregs at the bottom of society, they posed real dangers.

Xiao Nan had noticed that although the official forces in Yuanjiang City were strong, they couldn’t control every corner. In the city’s shadows, many unknown things quietly took place.

It was a feature of the times, and a consequence of martial arts promotion.

Perhaps those in power were fully aware that such uncontrollable situations would arise. But compared to barbarian invasions and the threat of annihilation, these were mere trivialities.

In their eyes, the peace and stability of the populace were not truly important.

…

Little Xiao Bei was sensible; three years ago she was already managing her own commute and didn’t need anyone to pick her up.

Sometimes she’d leave school early, go to the market to buy meat and vegetables, and prepare dinner ahead of time for their mother and Xiao Nan.

In this regard, she was far better than the original Xiao Nan, who only occasionally lent a hand and otherwise did nothing.

Thinking of his sister, Xiao Nan couldn’t help but smile.

If that girl knew he had passed the martial arts test and, today, killed a formidable barbarian, she’d be stunned.

He quickly washed the rice, lit the stove, grabbed the largest electric pot, filled it with water, and began cooking.

After twenty minutes, Xiao Nan impatiently heaped a large bowl full of rice, skipped the stir-fry, and started devouring it with soy sauce, eyes glinting green.

In less than ten minutes, he finished.

How many pounds was that?

Xiao Nan had forgotten to count.

Still hungry, he cooked another pot.

After finishing the third pot of rice, half the sack was gone, and Xiao Nan finally stopped.

He touched his belly: still flat, as if all the food had been eaten by a dog, not himself.

“This won’t do. I’m only a third full, and the hunger persists… It feels like a craving from the depths of my soul, not just physical hunger.”

“Vitality Pill—right, I still have one left.”

He suddenly remembered his stash.

He rushed to wash his face with cold water, calmed his mind, and sat in contemplation beneath the imagined moon and stars.

After about half an hour, his mind became tranquil and thoughts lively. He took the small bottle, poured out a fiery red pill, and swallowed it.

Feeling the surge of medicinal power, he stood, took his stance, ready to practice the Divine Intention Body Tempering Technique.

He raised his hands, lifted his feet…

“Huh, it’s gone.”

A warm current had barely appeared, yet before it could be guided into his limbs, he was astonished to find his whole body seemed to sprout countless mouths that devoured the medicinal energy in just a few breaths.

“My pill…”

Xiao Nan’s face fell, his heart aching so much it was hard to breathe.

His vitality was never high, and he depended on the pill to boost it, preparing for the martial arts exam in ten days.

But now, it seemed the pill hadn’t increased his vitality but had simply been absorbed as nourishment.

“My physique has more than doubled in strength, but a strong body doesn’t equate to abundant vitality… I’ve heard that the testing apparatus not only measures strength but also detects vitality fluctuations. Unless I feed that ravenous appetite within, my vitality will never break through.”

Xiao Nan understood this, though he didn’t have testing equipment at hand.

Ordinary cultivation typically began with increasing vitality. The speed of vitality growth and the ability to draw in enough vital energy to enhance oneself was essentially a measure of talent.

Usually, strong vitality feeds back into the body, strengthening physique and increasing power.

But there are exceptions.

Some are born with great strength—even as children, they possess the power and constitution of adults.

Does that mean their vitality is high?

Actually, no. A child’s vitality is limited, but their strength and physique are due to exceptional innate bone structure.

Thus, some masters like to seek out children with innate strength and robust frames to take as disciples. Every increment of vitality they gain, their strength and constitution outpace others by far.