Who gave you permission to refine demons like this?

After selling everything, Lin Sheng counted the silver in his purse, totaling thirteen taels and five mace, and tucked it into his pocket, and couldn't help but laugh.

"As expected, money is always so attractive, especially thirteen taels, which is a considerable sum of money."

He felt a surge of joy, and his steps became noticeably lighter.

After calculating the time, he figured he would be practicing until very late again today, so he decided to first get his bedding ready and then go to the dojo.

After ignoring the shopkeeper's strong recommendation for the bedding, Lin Sheng decisively chose the more affordable regular bedding.

Holding the soft bedding, Lin Sheng thought he could finally get a good night's sleep. But after being persuaded by the shopkeeper, he bought some other household items, and before he knew it, a tael of silver had been spent.

"Money is attractive everywhere, but it also doesn't last long anywhere."

After getting everything ready, and knowing that the store offered a home delivery service for a fee, Lin Sheng simply carried his things home.

I didn't feel tired at all on the way, and I quickly arrived home and started decorating.

After everything was settled, looking at the house in front of him, Lin Sheng felt a sense of home for the first time.

After a short while, he went out and bumped into Aunt Zhao, who had just returned from her trip next door.

"Xiao Sheng, are you going out?"

"It's getting cold, remember to wear more clothes."

"Yes, ma'am, you're back from selling your things."

In my memory, Aunt Zhao was very kind to me, her junior, and would often share some of her own vegetables with me. In return, Lin Sheng would share some local produce. The two families got along very well.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Aunt Zhao said in a low voice, "Xiao Sheng, you shouldn't go up the mountain lately. It's not safe there, it's really scary."

"What's wrong, ma'am?"

"Recently, I don't know why, but there have been repeated calls from that mountain, and sometimes the noise is quite loud."

"Some say the mountain god was disturbed."

Listening to what the other person said, Lin Sheng dared not say that the turmoil on the mountain might have been caused by a few corpses, and could only nod repeatedly.

"Several hikers and hunters went to get some good stuff, but they all came back injured."

"Did we encounter a wild beast or monster?"

"I can't say for sure, but everyone says the fog is even thicker there, and it's easy to get lost going down the mountain. You shouldn't go up there anytime soon. If you need anything, just tell me."

Lin Sheng nodded his thanks. He knew that Aunt Zhao's family was also struggling, barely making ends meet with their noodle shop.

He doesn't lack anything right now; what he lacks is time to grow.

After parting ways, Lin Sheng went straight to Liuyun Pavilion, where he immediately saw his second senior brother, Cao Xingyi, practicing his spear.

Upon seeing Lin Sheng arrive, Cao Xing twirled his spear and stood still, saying, "Junior brother, you've arrived so early today."

"I was hoping you would come in the afternoon."

"No, senior brother. I came here as soon as I finished taking care of things this morning."

"Alright, I'll continue teaching you the Water Flow Technique. You can practice it for now, and I'll arrange your training path when you return."

"That's great, Senior Brother!"

"By the way, senior brother, I was thinking of asking you this yesterday when you mentioned that our eldest senior brother isn't in the sect and Master has temporarily left. Could I know what the situation is?"

"It's no secret. Our eldest brother has already gone to work at the Martial Virtue Division, so he's naturally not in the sect anymore. Our master has recently gone to deal with demons, and he should be back soon."

Lin Sheng nodded knowingly, and then heard his second senior brother inquire about the pills.

Apart from Zhenyuan, Lin Sheng naturally told the truth, saying that he felt good when he woke up in the morning and his body felt full and firm.

Upon hearing the answer, Cao Xingyi was taken aback for a moment, then patted Lin Sheng on the shoulder.

After sensing for a moment, he asked with slight surprise, "Junior brother hasn't taken any other substances?"

"No, there's nothing else besides our regular daily meals."

"It seems that you have a good physical foundation, junior brother, and you've taken good care of yourself, so you don't have anything to lose."

"The feeling of fullness you mentioned usually requires taking two or three pills after practicing the cultivation method. It's a good thing that you have this feeling now, which means that the cultivation method is progressing well."

Cao Xingyi nodded as he looked at his junior brother's robust physique, both trusting his own judgment and not wanting to dampen his junior brother's enthusiasm.

Good progress in cultivation does not necessarily mean that one can seek the Dharma.

Seeking the Dharma is not an easy task. Cultivating the Dharma is merely preparation for the next step of becoming a cultivator, and taking that first step to transcend the mundane world is by no means easy.

Cao Xingyi was well aware of the implications of this, as he himself had painstakingly taken the first step in seeking the Dharma.

"Since my junior brother has some talent, perhaps we can use other methods to help him break through."

"We'll decide on that together with my master later."

While Cao Xingyi was thinking, Lin Sheng was also very clear about his own situation.

The so-called foundation comes from absorbing precious essence; otherwise, where would the progress come from?

"Junior brother is a mountain dweller, so you can gather more meat to eat on the mountain on weekdays, which will be very helpful for your health cultivation."

He sighed, "Alas, seeking the Dharma is not easy. Just the fact that one has to eat meat is a considerable burden for ordinary disciples."

"Senior brother, there's been some unrest on the mountain lately, so we can't go. But I still have some meat at home."

"Hmm? What's going on up in the mountains lately?"

Lin Sheng shared the news he had heard from Aunt Zhao in detail, and Cao Xingyi could only sigh after hearing it.

Without saying anything more, he began to teach Lin Sheng the rest of the "Water Flowing Skill".

"Junior brother, remember, your movements should be like flowing water, sometimes fast and sometimes slow, but your breathing should be neither hurried nor agitated."

"Start with your breathing, then feel the energy within your body circulating repeatedly like a stream."

Listening to his senior brother's words and following his movements, Lin Sheng carefully felt the movements.

I will remember every step I take, every wave I make, and every gesture and change.

Cao Xing corrected his movements from time to time, and when Lin Sheng occasionally lost his breath, he would help him calm down so that he could continue to complete the movements.

After a long while, when Lin Sheng smoothly finished the last movement and exhaled, he felt a surge of satisfaction throughout his body.

At the same time, I didn't feel cold in this freezing weather. Instead, my body was filled with heat, my blood was surging, and I had inexhaustible energy.

Cao Xing smiled and asked, "How is Junior Brother?"

"Very good, senior! I feel great right now!"

Lin Sheng was extremely excited; the joy brought by the changes in his body made him happy from the inside out.

He handed the new meatball to Lin Sheng and said, "Eat up, it's almost noon. I'll take you to a restaurant."

Lin Sheng's eyes lit up: "Thank you, Senior Brother!"

After swallowing it whole, he followed Cao Xingyi to a beef restaurant.

Lin Sheng watched as his senior brother slapped the silver onto the counter and said, "Just order whatever you like."

After sitting down, he said somewhat embarrassedly, "Senior brother, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

"You've spent so much money."

Cao Xing waved his hand and said, "This is nothing. When you become a cultivator, the imperial court will give you something even better. Today, your senior brother is treating, so eat as much as you like."

"Waiter, bring me a bowl for my rice."

"Alright, what kind of basin would you like, sir?"

"It's this deep." Cao Xingyi said, using his index finger and thumb to show a hand span (about 15 centimeters).

Lin Sheng's eyes widened: "Senior brother, what are you doing...?"

"Oh, I'm not very hungry today, so I'll eat less."

"Hey, do you want some?"

Lin Sheng quickly shook his head, holding his own bowl, watching as the steaming rice was placed in front of his senior brother.

"Come on, eat more. The beef here is really good. I come here often."

"If you want to raise them, you'll need these things."

The two chatted and ate, but Lin Sheng couldn't eat anymore, so he watched as his senior brother finished everything on the table.

"Junior brother, when you become a cultivator in the future, you will also have such a big appetite." Cao Xingyi said with a smile, looking at Lin Sheng who was a little astonished.

He then explained, "Cultivators consume a lot of energy on a daily basis. In addition to eating and replenishing their bodies, they also need elixirs, precious plants, and precious meats to satisfy their needs."

"That's the principle behind your Weak Flesh Pill. That pill was made using a small amount of demon flesh and blood so that you could get enough nourishment."

Although he already knew this, Lin Sheng still felt a bit dazed when he heard it.

"And high-ranking officials and nobles can also like these things."

"Junior brother, you actually come into contact with these things quite often on a daily basis, but you hide them well. If you're interested, pay more attention."

"Senior brother, do you mean going up the mountain? You do see them occasionally."

I do recall that quite a few hunters or people who went up the mountain occasionally found some strange things, which they could then sell for a good price.

"The wild boars I saw before were of this type."

Cao Xing shook his head and took a sip of tea.

Although he didn't speak, his voice clearly reached Lin Sheng's ears.

"It's getting cold, and some people at the dojo want to have a good New Year."

Something is leaking out.

Lin Sheng's eyes lit up at those few simple words.