Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 132 Azure Dragon Gallbladder, Barrier-Breaking Pill

After bowing, Chen Shunan took the exchange book and quickly scanned its contents.

He discovered that the treasure trove at Wuqing Sticky Rod Place was far more abundant and extraordinary than he had expected.

Categorized into categories, including elixirs, cultivation techniques, weapons, precious plants, rare items, precious fish, precious materials...

He could even spend his military merits to hire top-notch masters, or even have Lu Jing personally teach him martial arts techniques.

Of course, the amount of military merit required would also be enormous.

"There's a seat over there, so sit down and take a closer look. There's no rush."

The old man guarding the treasure vault pointed to the elm wood stool beside him and asked the martial artist who had led the way to bring Chen Shunan some tea.

However, they seemed to handle things quite smoothly.

Clearly, he also recognized Chen Shunan, the elderly prodigy who had recently risen to fame and possessed the Three Refinements Martial Body.

In particular, he respected the elderly and cared for the young, and saved that scoundrel Hong Junxian.

Although the old man disliked Hong Junxian, it did not prevent him from showing some goodwill towards a highly respected "good person".

"Thank you."

Chen Shunan did not refuse, and sat down calmly, unfolding the book to examine it carefully.

The thin paper is slightly yellowed, and the scent of ink is faint.

Perhaps due to its proximity to the Grand Canal and abundant water resources, many of the treasures listed in this exchange book are related to aquatic plants.

His gaze swept across the lines, then suddenly froze—

【Gentiana scabra】

This herb, born from the reclamation of paddy fields in Wuhe River Management, is 59 years old. It tastes bitter and is cold in nature. It has the effects of breaking up blood stasis, clearing the tongue coating, promoting body fluid production, clearing heat and drying dampness. Taking it can help eliminate tongue coating irritants and has a significant effect.

[Exchange Requirements: Five Rank 3 Merits can be exchanged]

[Note: It can be decocted with gentian and coptis for easier absorption. Only four tablets should be taken consecutively per month, as it may cause nausea, vomiting, and mental exhaustion.]

Chen Shunan's eyes lit up when he saw the Azure Dragon Gall.

This "Azure Dragon Gallbladder" is not the gallbladder of an azure dragon, but a rare aquatic plant.

But what concerned him most was that this thing was actually cultivated by the Wuhe River Management Bureau.

The river management system of the Holy Dynasty was extremely large and deeply entrenched.

The highest-ranking official was the River Conservancy Commissioner, commonly known as the "River Commissioner," a second-rank official in charge of the dynasty's water transport and the management of dikes and dredging in various regions.

Below them were various river management officials, river management assistants, river management sub-prefects, etc.

They are responsible for different waterways and rivers, flood control, and managing river works in their respective states.

In reality, due to the complex underwater conditions, countless hidden currents and rivers, and various powerful demons lurking in dangerous areas, it is an unfamiliar place that even martial arts masters find daunting.

Therefore, the main responsibility of the Holy Dynasty's waterways was water management and dredging, and it was difficult for them to produce anything with actual output, such as the Ministry of Revenue's agricultural promotion, the Ministry of War's horse administration, or the Imperial Medical Academy's medical administration.

This "Five Rivers Water Management" was an experiment in the Holy Dynasty's waterway management.

The officials in charge of waterways near the capital region rely on five rivers, including Juma, Wuding, and Dayun, to select sites for the cultivation of native aquatic plants and to artificially nurture them, hoping to achieve a stable production of aquatic plants.

However, over the years, the results have been minimal.

【Gentiana scabra】is already one of the most presentable aquatic products.

It seems that not all officials in the Holy Dynasty are incompetent good-for-nothings who only take money and do nothing; there are still some who are genuinely dedicated to getting things done…

Chen Shunan silently sighed to himself, pointing to the illustration of "Azure Dragon Gall" in the exchange book, and said,
"Senior, do you have any Azure Dragon Gallbladder in stock?"

The old man glanced at the exchange book and said, "Yes, there is, but..."

The old man paused, then said, "If you want to cultivate the true meaning through this and slay the treacherous tongue-troll, you'll need to accumulate at least two third-class merits."

"Huh?" Chen Shunan was taken aback, his eyes showing confusion.

"The Azure Dragon Gallbladder is originally produced in the Azure Dragon River. In some extremely deep sandy and pebble-filled riverbeds, there are ferocious fish guarding the area. Once it matures, it will be eaten by the ferocious fish, so it is rarely available on the market... Although the Azure Dragon Gallbladder cultivated by the Five Rivers Affairs Bureau has increased in production, its medicinal effect is insufficient. Generally speaking, it takes ten to kill the Tongue Thief."

The old man couldn't help but chuckle, "Moreover, a single root can bear five fruits. Due to the special nature of the gentian, the medicinal effect of each fruit gradually increases from bottom to top. Only the third fruit can be considered a normal gentian. The two below... even combined, are not as effective as the third one."

"so……"

The old man glanced at Chen Shunan and said, "If you want to kill the Tongue Thief, you'll need to exchange three times."

Clearly, the old man mistakenly believed that Chen Shunan's true intention in initially trying to kill was the more difficult traitor.

Although he was proud and arrogant, it wasn't impossible for him to achieve such a feat, given his strong and powerful physique.

what?
Upon hearing this, Chen Shunan immediately realized what was happening.

This is outrageous!!

This isn't about bundling sales, creating sunk costs that force you to repeatedly seek quick gains, completely draining your initiative.
The Wuhe River Management Bureau is utterly incompetent. They poured their hearts and souls into it, reaped so much official bribery, and this is the result?

They just do all sorts of fancy and pointless things!

Chen Shunan muttered a few words to himself, but didn't show it on his face. He just nodded slightly, his gaze calmly continuing to move down, his knuckles imperceptibly tracing the pages, and silently turning to the next page.

【Stone Peach】

The Four Great Pots were discovered on Cigu Mountain, with a remaining three-acre peach orchard and 59-year-old trees. The fruit produced has the effects of calming the liver and suppressing yang, resolving phlegm and opening the orifices; consuming it can help to subdue venomous thoughts and has a certain effect.

[Exchange Requirements: 1 item can be exchanged for a Level 2 Major Merit]

[Note: Can be combined with Polygala tenuifolia, cinnabar, and iron filings for better absorption. Only one tablet should be taken per month; may cause loss of appetite.] ...

As Chen Shunan read through the lines, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and he suddenly noticed a detail that was easily overlooked.

Techniques and weapons are one thing, but that's another.

Like some elixirs and precious plants made from the essence of heaven and earth...

The oldest of the materials is only 59 years old.

Less than sixty years have passed.

Chen Shunan remembered that the book "Sanming Tonghui" he had been reading contained a record of something—

At the age of sixty, a spirit was born, encountering favorable winds and clouds, and ascended alone to the moon palace.

All the treasures in the world, those born from wet eggs or wombs, will give rise to various supernatural phenomena once they have lived for sixty years.

If ginseng grows arms and legs, and polygonatum resembles a reclining dragon, then it is no ordinary thing.

"Is it because they can't be found, or because the growing conditions are too difficult... Or is it that the treasures that have reached the age of sixty are already considered celestial treasures, and have all been intercepted by immortals?"

Chen Shunan had a sudden thought, but he suppressed the matter.

During this time, several other martial artists came to claim their rewards.

The old man waved his hand impatiently and said,

"Queue up! Don't stand so close, keep some distance. Don't you know how to avoid suspicion?"

Faced with the old man's reprimand, the martial artists could only smile awkwardly and look with a hint of envy at Chen Shun'an, who was sitting next to the old man and slowly flipping through the exchange book.

Then they quietly walked to the side, either squatting on the ground or with their hands clasped behind their backs, and waited patiently.

Chen Shunan continued reading. In fact, most of the treasures in the exchange book were for fifth-grade minor merits. You could even exchange minor merits for gold and silver. It was roughly thirty taels of pure silver for a fifth-grade minor merit.

Naturally, almost no one chose to exchange directly for gold and silver.

The elixirs were also of all kinds, and Chen Shunan even saw things like Yangqi Stone and Jin Suo Gu Xie Tang, which were yin-nourishing and yang-tonifying substances.

If Scarface Liu were to see this, he would be overjoyed and immediately exchange it...

Chen Shunan's lips curled up slightly.

Perhaps noticing the change in Chen Shunan's expression, the old man spoke up at the opportune moment, offering guidance.

"The Yangqi Stone and Jin Suo Gu Xie Tang have all been redeemed. We are still sourcing some of the Tiger Whip and Rehmannia. If you want to redeem them, you'll have to wait a bit."

Chen Shunan honestly replied, "I do not wish to exchange."

"Ah……"

The old man had an expression that said, "I saw right through you," and a strange smile on his face.

Suddenly, Chen Shunan seemed to see something, and his gaze sharpened.

[Breakthrough Pill]

[This medicine was created by the imperial physicians using hibiscus ointment as a base, which they extracted and improved, and then combined with various potent and dangerous drugs. It can forcibly break through barriers, ignore obstacles, and even target the four senses: body, ears, nose, and eyes.]

[Exchange Requirements: One First-Class Merit Item can be exchanged for]

[Note: This pill is still in its early stages of development and is extremely dangerous! The success rate for breaking through to a higher realm is only 20-30%, and it will gradually and insidiously damage one's foundation, leaving their martial path flawed and their future hopeless. Use with extreme caution!!]

This……

Chen Shunan was stunned for a moment, his face showing shock.

As expected of my Great Holy Dynasty, they can even play like this?
The hibiscus ointment smuggled from Qianning Kingdom, after passing through one hand, becomes a barrier-breaking pill?

It is conceivable that once this pill is released, it will cause a huge uproar in the entire martial arts world.

Countless martial artists struggling with the bottleneck of true essence would risk everything and sell themselves into slavery for this pill.

What do you mean by hopeless? I was already hopeless to begin with. Being able to break through this barrier again is a huge win!
and……

Chen Shunan seemed to have thought of something, and his gaze shifted.

If this thing were packaged properly, or even if the side effects of 'damage to one's martial arts path and hopelessness for the future' were deliberately concealed, it could be named something like 'Ascension Pill' or 'Prescription for Complete Restoration Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold'.

They were then resold to overseas countries, such as the country of Qianning, the origin of the hibiscus oil.

By cutting off the enemy's supply lines, we can strangle a large number of elite warriors from other countries.

Isn't this a case of learning from the barbarians' superior techniques to subdue them?
The more Chen Shunan thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

This is a total rip-off...

Chen Shunan let out a soft breath and glanced briefly at the martial arts and cultivation techniques section of the exchange book.

Most of them were unremarkable, and of the dozen or so superior martial arts techniques recorded, few could compare to "Flying Immortal Force" or "Golden Snake Entwining Silk Hand".

There were a few rare items from the martial arts world that Chen Shunan found quite interesting.

However, the required military merits are considerable, and Chen Shunan is still far from achieving them.

"Then let's exchange for the Azure Dragon Gallbladder first, and save up that fifth-grade minor merit for later."

Chen Shunan returned to the exchange book, then casually asked,

"I wonder if handing over cultivation techniques and treasures can also accumulate military merits."

(End of this chapter)