Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

Chapter 358: Chapter 174: Guan Lan (2)

Moreover, the extraordinary digestive abilities that came from practicing Inner Strength Tai Chi and developing Gastric Strength also seemed to allow him to digest some of the more stubborn impurities and toxins.

With these three safeguards, he should be able to completely eliminate the effects of medicinal toxins.

After all, the amount of medicinal toxins that accumulated daily was minuscule.

Thus, while Innate, naturally-formed cultivation resources were ideal for the future, Acquired, artificially compounded medicines were not entirely out of the question if the former were unavailable.

Chen Cheng quickly organized his thoughts, his gaze sweeping over the few people around him.

Ning Chong, Ding Lu, and the others all looked worried to varying degrees.

It was clear they had used plenty of Acquired medicines to aid their cultivation since they started training, and they were inevitably anxious about the future limits of their Martial Arts path.

They each secretly resolved to use natural resources for their cultivation as much as possible from now on.

Afterward, the group chatted idly for a while longer before going their separate ways.

Ding Lu mentioned that she was going to the General Affairs Hall to exchange for some cultivation resources.

Marsong had sharp ears and perked up at the word “resources,” his dark face filling with curiosity.

Chen Cheng’s interest was piqued. As a newcomer, he needed to get the lay of the land.

And so, the three of them headed toward the General Affairs Hall together.

The period after dinner was the General Affairs Hall’s busiest time.

Many Outer Sect Disciples were coming and going.

Most of them didn’t recognize Chen Cheng and simply took him for an ordinary newcomer, not even glancing at him as they passed.

However, there were also some well-informed individuals who, upon seeing Chen Cheng, immediately cupped their fists, bowed, and respectfully called out, “Senior Brother Chen.” They then stepped aside, only straightening up after he had passed, their gazes following his retreating figure thoughtfully.

Inside the hall, lamps burned brightly. Several large desks were arranged in rows, with Outer Sect Disciples sitting around them, flipping through the booklets in their hands.

“This is the resource catalog.”

Ding Lu picked up a thick booklet from a desk, handed it to Chen Cheng, and tapped her fingertip lightly on the cover.

“It lists in detail all the resources available for exchange, along with their cost in silver taels or Military Merit.”

The booklet was heavy in his hands. Its cover, made of stiff, pasted paper, had corners that were frayed from wear, a clear sign it had been thumbed through by countless people.

Chen Cheng flipped through it casually for a moment.

Each page recorded several available resources, complete with not only text descriptions but also simple, hand-drawn illustrations.

From Cultivation Technique Manuals to Weapons and Armor, from Natural Treasure Medicines to Sect Elixirs, from Sea Treasure Fish to Deep Mountain Treasure Beasts… everything was meticulously categorized, the level of detail astonishing.

And at the bottom of each entry, a line of small text stated the required price in silver taels or Military Merit points.

“Secret Windstorm Saber Technique, silver…”

Marsong, who was peeking over Chen Cheng’s shoulder, suddenly couldn’t help but gasp in shock.

“One hundred thousand taels!? Or one thousand Military Merit!? This… this is way too expensive! And this one, Secret Bengshan Fist, eighty thousand taels! Or eight hundred Military Merit! Who could possibly afford this?”

Nearby, although Chen Cheng’s reaction wasn’t as strong as Marsong’s, his brow still furrowed slightly when he saw the specific prices.

Currently, Chen Cheng had just over nine thousand taels of silver and one hundred and thirty points of Military Merit.

He had thought this was a considerable fortune, but to his surprise, it wasn’t even enough to meet the threshold for exchanging a Secret Martial Arts technique. In fact, it was far from enough!

“Brother Chen.”

Ding Lu seemed to notice Chen Cheng’s financial predicament and said with a smile,

“This might be a bit forward, but if you just nod, I can sponsor you for a Secret Martial Arts technique worth around fifty thousand taels.”

As soon as she said this, Marsong’s eyes shot wide open, the longing in them so intense it was almost tangible.

Unfortunately for him, Ding Lu had no intention of extending the offer to him.

“Thank you for the kind offer, but it’s not necessary for now.”

Chen Cheng shook his head and said,

“I have already learned a Secret Martial Arts technique that can get me to the Divine Storage Realm. What I lack most right now are cultivation resources.”

“I understand.”

Ding Lu nodded and said,

“I can also sponsor you for cultivation resources, Senior Brother Chen, with the same limit of fifty thousand taels… That’s the upper limit set by my family.”

As she spoke, her gaze drifted, intentionally or not, to the wooden box beside Chen Cheng’s hand.

Nearby, Marsong’s face flushed red with envy, his breathing and heartbeat quickening uncontrollably.

“Not right now, but thanks.”

Chen Cheng replied casually before continuing to flip through the pages of the catalog.

‘Sponsorship wasn’t something one could accept lightly. You had to at least figure out the other person’s background, and most importantly, their character. He recalled how he went from refusing to finally accepting Wu Ziyu’s sponsorship; he had secretly observed her for at least a month during that time. Ultimately, gifts could be accepted, because they didn’t bind the two parties or create responsibility. But once sponsorship was accepted, it was tantamount to clearly picking a side. The other party could act under his banner, and their enemies would start targeting him directly.’

Chen Cheng had already thought through these principles back in Zhao City.

Now that he was in the Northern Territory, he had to be doubly cautious and tread carefully with every step.

Afterward, as he continued flipping through the catalog, Chen Cheng’s gaze lingered for a moment on a Martial Arts technique called the Secret Six Harmonies Spear.

Even though it was also a Weapon Martial Arts technique, this Secret Six Harmonies Spear was priced at a shocking three hundred thousand taels, or Three Thousand Points of Military Merit.

It seemed there were also significant disparities among Secret Martial Arts techniques.

Chen Cheng continued to flip onward, and his gaze was soon drawn to two resources listed on the same page.

Mountain and Sea Blood-Nourishing Pill, one thousand taels of silver per pill.