Chapter 54: Encountering Shi Hao Again, News

So, he began cultivating once again.

As soon as he entered meditation, he focused on visualizing the white tiger. The form, which had previously been only a rough outline, quickly took shape—its eyes were given life, color filled in the details...

The art of visualization is a process of endless refinement.

The more lifelike and vivid the imagined white tiger, the better the results in cultivation.

White Tiger Visualization Technique +1

Chen Yushu slowly opened his eyes, savoring the changes brought about by this session of visualization.

"First of all, I can visualize much faster now.

Given the same amount of time, my efficiency has more than doubled.

Correspondingly, the effects have increased as well.

Previously, a single session of visualization would grant me perhaps one or two wisps of spiritual strength.

Now, it has risen directly to three or four.

That’s nearly a twofold increase. Not to mention, each wisp of spiritual strength has also improved in quality..."

Chen Yushu pondered deeply, comparing his experiences, his face alight with delight.

It must be noted that this was only a minor advancement.

After this, there are still the stages of Minor Mastery and Great Mastery...

The only thing he regretted was that his incense cultivation had not increased as well.

But that was to be expected.

Though each session increased his spiritual power, and the “Heavenly Fire” within him grew more vigorous, it still wasn’t enough to condense into a single measure of “Incense Dao Attainment.” Naturally, his immortal cultivation had not progressed.

Incense Dao Attainment is the tangible manifestation of power.

One hundred is the pinnacle.

Once you reach one hundred, your cultivation will once again break through, reaching the level of two sticks of incense.

Naturally, such progress cannot be achieved in a single leap.

It requires relentless cultivation, constant accumulation.

“It’s a pity my White Tiger Visualization Technique has only just broken through. For now, I can’t improve it any further.

If I want to rapidly improve my Incense Dao Attainment, I will have to seek another method.”

Chen Yushu pondered quietly.

He quickly thought of an effective approach.

Incense of the Way!

The Record of Ghost Encounters by Li Chao mentioned a type of calming incense among the Incense of the Way, which could enhance the effects of meditation and, naturally, increase the efficiency of visualization.

Besides that, there were also soul pearls.

These were special items, only formed by entities stronger than vengeful spirits.

With the help of soul pearls, a spirit medium could swiftly increase his Incense Dao Attainment.

Of course, since they originated from lonely or resentful ghosts, these things came with their own risks—they could easily affect the user, causing dramatic changes in temperament, mood swings, and instability.

“Of course, the best way to improve is still through deepening the meditative state.

The higher my meditative realm, the greater the benefits of cultivation.

The reason I was able to progress so quickly with the White Tiger Visualization Technique was that my meditative state advanced from Shallow Meditation to Minor Meditation.”

Chen Yushu had long been aware of this.

Shallow Meditation, Minor Meditation, Deep Meditation, Constant Meditation...

At present, he was only at the stage of Minor Meditation.

Once he achieved Deep Meditation, the efficiency of his visualization and cultivation would surely undergo another dramatic increase.

“So, I must keep reading.

The first realm of reading is literacy, the second is comprehension, and the third is insight. Once I break through again, my spiritual strength will undoubtedly have another significant leap.

Correspondingly, my meditative realm should also rise.”

Muttering to himself, Chen Yushu once again found his direction.

...

The next day.

Chen Yushu rose early and practiced the King of Medicine Stance.

After a brief rest, he moved to the backyard to practice his throwing technique.

Although he had already mastered the throwing technique, there were still higher realms beyond mastery.

Even though progress slowed after reaching mastery, spending a little time each morning, year after year, would eventually elevate the skill to the next level.

After half an hour or so, he finally left home, hurrying toward the Liu Family Pharmacy.

On the way,

Chen Yushu’s eyes caught a familiar figure.

Shi Hao!

Not very tall, standing at a fish stall.

At that moment, a crowd had gathered around him, and faint exclamations could be heard.

“Treasure Fish!”

“That’s a treasure fish?”

“This kid’s luck is unbelievable.”

“I heard this isn’t the first treasure fish he’s caught.”

...

Chen Yushu’s eyes flashed.

A treasure fish?

Shi Hao had caught another treasure fish?

And not just one—was this his second, or his third?

Chen Yushu couldn’t help but scrutinize him, a strange look flickering across his face as he thought, “Could he have drawn the attention of those things again?”

But he was rushing to the pharmacy to check in for work, so he didn’t linger.

Upon entering the pharmacy,

He overheard some idle chatter.

“I heard the shopkeeper left town in the middle of the night yesterday, and took almost all the assistants with him.”

“What could have happened?”

“Isn’t it obvious?

Don’t forget how Master Qian and the others were injured, and how the medicinal herbs were stolen a few days ago.

This time, the shopkeeper must have gone to take revenge, to deal with those Water Curtain Ravine bandits.”

“Those Water Curtain Ravine bandits are murderous and evil—they’ve deserved punishment for a long time.

Now that they’ve crossed our pharmacy, it’s bad luck for them.

I’ve heard the shopkeeper has united several powerful local groups, and last night they launched a surprise attack. Those bandits will get what’s coming to them.”

...

A few apprentices had gathered, exchanging bits of news.

Normally, there was a clear separation between the decoction apprentices and the physician apprentices at the pharmacy, with little interaction.

Yet now, everyone gathered together.

Chen Yushu didn’t join in, but listened from the side.

“Brother Zhou, what do you think the outcome will be this time?”

One apprentice suddenly asked Zhou Qinghe, one of the physician apprentices.

Chen Yushu remembered Zhou well. Before Chen joined the pharmacy as a decoction apprentice, Zhou had personally prepared a tonic for him and explained the decoction process in detail.

As it turned out, the tonic Zhou prepared was noticeably more effective.

After joining the pharmacy, Chen learned that Zhou was a stand-out among the physician apprentices, quite popular and, rumor had it, somewhat related to Manager Zhou.

“It seems you all really don’t know how powerful the Liu Family Pharmacy is.

Do you know who the shopkeeper is?

There are only about a dozen martial artists who have cultivated inner strength in the entire Jianghuan Town.

The shopkeeper is one of them, and not just any one—he’s among the best.

Not to mention, this time he’s joined forces with the local authorities, the Tiger Fang Gang, and the Sea Raider Gang. Even if they aren’t overflowing with experts, they far outmatch the bandits in Water Curtain Ravine.

And it was a surprise attack at night...”

He shook his head, saying, “There’s no way they could have failed.”

As he finished speaking, Manager Zhou entered.

The apprentices quickly dispersed.

Chen Yushu soon got busy as well.

Today was a market day, and many villagers would come into town seeking medical attention.

As the largest medical hall in Jianghuan Town, the Liu Family Pharmacy was naturally the first choice for most people.

It wasn’t until afternoon that the crowds began to thin.

But just then, a new rumor quickly spread.