The Martial Saint Started from Scavenging

Upon seeing Yun Zhonghe, Ye Sheng was filled with fear and almost fled the Ghost Market.

He rushed out of the dark cave entrance without even saying goodbye to the black-robed guide, and plunged headlong into the night fog of the mass grave.

The cold wind rushed into his lungs, feeling like knives cutting into them, but he dared not stop.

Ye Sheng felt as if his heart was being gripped by an icy hand, and the blood in his limbs seemed to rush to his head in an instant, and then recede in an instant, leaving only coldness and stiffness.

Yun Zhonghe! As a deacon of the Qingyun Sword Sect, why is he in the Ghost Market? And why isn't he wearing a mask?!

It is highly unusual for a deacon of a major sect to make no attempt to conceal his identity in such a strange and chaotic place.

Moreover, the way he had looked at him just now was cold yet playful, yet it also carried a sense of oppressive power that seemed to see right through him, making Ye Sheng feel as if he had been thoroughly examined by the other party, inside and out.

Could it be another coincidence? Ye Sheng simply refused to believe it.

The first encounter in the mountains was a coincidence, but the second encounter in the ghost market could only be deliberate.

He must have come for me.

Ye Sheng ran wildly, the dry bones and rubble under his feet crunching loudly.

But he dared not turn around, always feeling that sharp gaze was still following him, like a shadow.

Only after running out of the mass grave area and stepping back onto the desolate dirt road leading to Shuilongdu did he dare to slow down and lean against a withered tree, panting heavily.

The ten taels of silver in his arms felt heavy, digging painfully into his chest. This was supposed to be a hope for changing his fate, but Ye Sheng couldn't feel happy at this moment.

Because he was being targeted, targeted by someone he couldn't understand at all and absolutely couldn't afford to offend.

Ye Sheng leaned against the tree trunk and slowly slid down to the ground. The night wind dried the cold sweat on his forehead, but it couldn't dispel the chill in his heart.

Father's identity, Su Wan, Blood Pact Merchant Guild, Garrison Command, Yun Zhonghe, Qingyun Sword Sect...

An invisible net seemed to be closing in on him from all directions.

He was just a tiny insect in the center of the net, vulnerable to being crushed at any moment.

Shuilongdu is no longer safe. But where can one go if they leave Shuilongdu?

In this vast world, a person without a registered residence is like a rootless duckweed. What's more, my brother's leg hasn't healed yet.

Ye Sheng buried his face in his knees, feeling an unprecedented sense of powerlessness.

After an unknown amount of time, he slowly raised his head and looked towards the blurry darkness in the direction of Shuilongdu in the distance.

Even in the darkness, there are still people he needs to protect; he cannot fall.

Ye Sheng stood up, dusted himself off, and his eyes, which had initially shown fear and confusion, gradually became sharp, and finally turned into a bottomless pool of black water.

Since we can't escape it, we can only become stronger, strong enough to tear this net apart!

He strode toward the shed, his steps no longer hurried, but unusually steady.

When they returned to the shed, it was still dark. Ye Kai was fast asleep, breathing evenly.

Ye Sheng tiptoed to the fire and added a few more pieces of firewood. The flickering firelight illuminated his young yet resolute face.

On a whim, he opened the skill panel.

Name: Ye Sheng

[Skill: Activated to level 6]

Standing meditation: Beginner (23/100)

[Basic Knife Techniques: Beginner (67/500)]

[Internal Breathing Technique: Beginner (16/100)]

Herbal Identification: Beginner (21/100)

[Scavenging: Proficient (41/500)]

[Literacy: Beginner (43/100)]

Ye Sheng's gaze finally settled on the [Internal Breathing Technique].

He has already mastered the basics of stance training and swordsmanship, giving him a solid foundation. However, the key to truly embarking on the path of martial arts and achieving a qualitative leap lies in internal energy cultivation.

The note clearly stated that once you master the internal breathing method, you can condense your qi and blood and transform it into internal strength.

Only then can one truly break free from the category of "warrior" and step into the threshold of "martial artist".

Every punch and kick is imbued with internal energy, making their power incomparable to those of the past.

However, his progress in the [Internal Breathing Technique] was too slow; after practicing for so long, he only had 16 points of progress.

At this rate, by the time he gets to the basics, it'll probably be too late.

However, the note also mentioned that practicing internal energy cultivation methods can be twice as effective with the aid of medicine.

drug……

Ye Sheng looked at the ten taels of silver in his pocket, as if he had realized something.

After a moment, he made a decision.

Starting today, I'm going into seclusion!

He stopped going out to chop firewood and scavenge along the riverbank. He wanted to use the money to buy his most precious time and resources to focus all his efforts on mastering the basics of the Inner Breath Technique.

This was a huge gamble. Ten taels of silver were the money that would sustain him and his brother for a long time to come.

But Ye Sheng had no choice. Yun Zhonghe's two appearances were like a sword hanging over his head, ready to fall at any moment. He no longer had time to slowly and methodically hone his skills.

After daybreak, Ye Sheng woke Ye Kai up.

"Brother, I need to find a secluded place to focus on my training these next few days, so I might not have time to go out and earn money. Keep this money, and I'll prepare the food in advance."

He handed over eight taels of silver and some copper coins to Ye Kai.

Ye Kai stared at the large sum of money, somewhat stunned: "Brother, you..."

"obedient."

Ye Sheng stuffed the money into his hand and instructed him, "Hide it well, and don't give it to anyone. If the boatmen come to bring you food, accept it without hesitation."

He then took out the best-looking golden thread orchid and said, "Keep this. Every three days, break off a small piece of leaf and steep it in water to drink. Remember, only a small piece."

After explaining everything, Ye Sheng took the remaining two taels of silver and went out the door.

He didn't go to town, but went directly to Liu the Cripple's wooden house.

Liu the Cripple was sitting in the doorway sunbathing when he saw Ye Sheng. He lazily raised his eyelids and said, "Kid, didn't you say you weren't going to the ghost market lately? How come I heard you went again last night, and you ran out like you'd seen a ghost?"

"Master Liu, I went to the Ghost Market last night to take care of some business. I'm here today to see you about something."

Ye Sheng didn't explain much, but went straight to the point and said, "I want to buy something from you."

"Buy something?" Liu the Cripple asked, intrigued. "Buy what?"

"Medicinal herbs that can aid in martial arts training and nourish qi and blood," Ye Sheng said in a deep voice.

Liu the Cripple squinted and looked him up and down, as if he were getting to know him all over again.

"Kid, are you planning to embark on a martial arts career? Are you serious?"

"Um."

Liu the Cripple was silent for a moment, then tapped his pipe and said, "The things you want aren't cheap."

"I know."

Ye Sheng placed two taels of silver on the stone steps in front of him and said, "That's all. You can decide what to do with it, Master Liu. Whatever you have, that's all you need."

Liu the Cripple looked at the two silver ingots, then at Ye Sheng's calm eyes, and suddenly smiled.

"Alright. Since you're so brave, I'll go and find out for you."

He put away the silver and said, "But let me make this clear: the business of medicinal herbs is murky. I can only try my best to get you some genuine ingredients, but I can't guarantee their effectiveness."

"Thank you, Master Liu."

"Come pick up the goods in three days." Liu the Cripple waved his hand and stopped looking at him.

Ye Sheng turned and left.

For the next three days, he completely "locked" himself up in a remote place in Shuilongdu.

Aside from cooking and preparing medicine for Ye Kai, he devoted all his time to cultivation.

Standing meditation, basic knife techniques, and internal breathing techniques.

Like a tireless caged beast, he relentlessly honed his skills.

His clothes were soaked with sweat, then dried and then soaked again. His muscles ached, and his veins throbbed, but he gritted his teeth and endured it all.

Three days later, Ye Sheng returned to Liu the Cripple's residence.

Liu the Cripple handed him an oilcloth bag.

Everything you wanted is inside.

Ye Sheng opened the cloth bag, and a strong medicinal fragrance wafted out.

Inside were three things: a section of old ginseng as thick as an arm, with its roots intact; a small packet of sliced ​​astragalus root, golden in color; and a small porcelain bottle containing ten black pills the size of longans.

"What are these pills for?"

"Qi and Blood Pill".

Liu the Cripple said calmly, "It was made by an old pharmacist in Blackstone Town, using more than a dozen medicinal herbs. One pill is equivalent to three days of arduous Qi and Blood cultivation. Most of your two taels of silver went into this."

Ye Sheng picked up a Qi and Blood Pill and smelled it. A pure medicinal power mixed with the smell of blood entered his nostrils.

His innate scavenging ability told him that this was genuine.

"Thank you, Mr. Liu." Ye Sheng packed his things and turned to leave.

"Wait a minute," Liu the Cripple called out to him.