Another night passed, and we returned to the hermitage.
Looking at the steaming hot medicine, Bai Cang couldn't help but feel a bit like a fly rubbing its hands together.
This was the medicinal cuisine he had been looking forward to.
During those ten days, he practiced diligently without stopping.
Aside from listening to lectures in the scripture hall or familiarizing themselves with the properties of medicines in the medicine hall, they were almost always trying to find ways to increase the efficiency of their cultivation.
However, the progress was minimal, and that wisp of true energy was still only the size of a hair.
At most, it just grew from malnourished hair strands to thick, black hair strands.
However, his physique and strength grew rapidly. Bai Cang, who appeared to be lean on the surface, had streamlined muscles all over his body when he took off his clothes, which even he himself envied.
Moreover, his strength has increased dramatically. Now, with a swing of his arms, he has the strength of around 200 jin (100 kg), which is more than double what it was ten days ago.
Back then, Bai Cang had some difficulty lifting that hundred-odd-pound Vajra Pestle.
Now he can wield a 100-pound stone weight on each side without any effort, displaying a fierce and violent nature.
However, the slow growth of his true energy made Bai Cang lose his appetite.
These past two days, I've only been able to eat three large pork knuckles, two large fat ducks, ten bowls of rice, and "a little" vegetables to cleanse my palate.
Even though he ate and drank like crazy, the amount of essence he extracted each day was still pitifully small.
This also made Bai Cang see the reality: taking drugs is the only way!
Others who take drugs have to worry about the "three parts poison" principle, as well as drug resistance, drug absorption, and many other issues.
Bai Cang had only one problem: poverty!
He couldn't solve any problem that could be solved with money.
"I heard that this medicinal cuisine is made primarily with soft-shelled turtle, along with other highly nourishing herbs such as Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, Paeonia lactiflora, ginseng, cinnamon, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Poria cocos, and Angelica sinensis."
"This small bowl costs ten taels of silver. I hope it won't disappoint me!"
Bai Cang picked up the fragrant medicinal meal and downed it in one gulp.
Then, assuming the stance of the Hunyuan stance, he activated the "Transportation Method" to continuously refine the medicinal power into a constant stream of essence.
In just a dozen breaths, all the medicinal power was transformed into pure vital energy by the "Quality of Food" talent, and integrated into that nascent true energy.
Bai Cang sensed it briefly and found that the true energy had increased by about 10%.
"A bowl of medicinal food is equivalent to one-tenth of a small health-preserving pill. The temple is truly honest and fair to all, young and old."
Bai Cang thought to himself, his desire for "cultivation through taking medicine" growing stronger.
He estimated that if he relied solely on his own essence, he could only cultivate one strand of true qi every three months, and the standard for opening up the meridians required at least thirty-six strands of true qi.
In other words, without taking any medicine, it would take Bai Cang a full nine years to open his first meridian and become a second-rate master.
If one wants to fully open up the twelve regular meridians and connect one of the eight extraordinary meridians to become a first-rate master with even the lowest level of skill, one would probably have to "remember to tell one's ancestors at the family sacrifice".
However, if he takes drugs, he only needs thirty-six small health-preserving pills or three hundred and sixty bowls of medicinal food to advance to the level of a second-rate master.
In short: 3,600 taels of silver!
If Bai Cang could eat the small health-preserving pills like candy, he wouldn't even need half a night to open up his first meridian and advance to the level of a second-rate master.
Of course, this is because he has the talent of "quality of food", which allows him to absorb the medicinal power indefinitely and with super efficiency.
Moreover, his masterful "internal cultivation method" is enough to support him in cultivating to the level of a first-class master without encountering any bottlenecks.
"In other words, I'm only 43,200 taels of silver away from becoming a top-tier master!"
Bai Cang suddenly felt a strong urge to rush up to Zhang He or Jiao Fei and say: "I am the innate drug-using saintly body, give me money."
For just 50,000 taels of silver, I can give you a top-notch adopted son/brother.
For 50,000 taels, you won't lose out or be cheated, but you can buy the genuine "love" of a "top-notch master". What are you waiting for?
Hurry and place your order now to grab this deal!
However, he also knew that this was impossible, and wishful thinking was useless.
Putting aside whether the other party could believe him as "Qin Shi Huang" or whether they could come up with so much money, even if they did, Bai Cang wouldn't dare to exchange so many pills from the Sanyin Temple at once.
This is simply because they don't want to die sooner!
"However, it shouldn't be a big problem to give Old Deng a small blow and then cut the hand of Little Deng who is about to take the bait."
Bai Cang thought to himself, "I'll go to sleep. I'll take a day off tomorrow and go find some bargains."
During this period of time, he not only tried his best to improve his cultivation speed, but also tried to explore the wonderful uses of the "golden finger".
Through research, Bai Cang discovered that items such as antiques, calligraphy and paintings, divine weapons, and martial arts manuals, which embody the hard work of predecessors, are most likely to absorb the essence of Taoism.
Moreover, the longer the time, the more people involved, the more effort invested, or the higher the level of the people involved, the more Daoist wisdom can be absorbed.
By absorbing the essence of the Dao, one can not only receive "blessings," but also invest in the essence of the Dao to promote the advancement of existing blessings/talents.
Moreover, Taoist wisdom is a key resource for promoting the advancement of rank and position.
If one's Daoist aura is insufficient, even with ample wealth and treasures, one cannot be promoted in rank or acquire new talents.
The good news is: Bai Cang currently has neither Daoist cultivation nor money.
Therefore, he doesn't need to worry about this chicken-less talk.
The next morning, Bai Cang did his morning prayers as usual, and then left the Sanyin Temple in high spirits.
Unlike the usual gates of Taoist temples, Sanyin Temple is located in the heart of Guobei County, and occupies the best location in the city.
As soon as he stepped outside, Bai Cang was immediately greeted by the bustling and lively atmosphere of the city.
This stands in stark contrast to the serene and tranquil Sanyin Temple.
Even though it's just a door away, none of the noise and bustle of the outside world can get in.
"Steamed buns! Steamed buns for sale! Fragrant and soft steamed buns..."
"Tofu pudding, white and tender, smooth and creamy, can be either savory or sweet..."
"Steamed buns, big meat buns with thin skin and lots of filling..."
Bai Cang strolled leisurely through the bustling streets, surrounded by the enticing aromas of various foods.
Many people set up stalls and sold their wares along the streets.
It seems that no matter how difficult the times are, they can't stop ordinary people from making a good living.
"The warmth and comfort of everyday life are truly wonderful."
Bai Cang sighed inwardly, but he couldn't help but feel a surge of craving.
Although I had already eaten breakfast at the temple, I still casually found a street stall to sit down.
Then carefully laid out ten coins, and said, "Two fried dough sticks and a bowl of spicy tofu pudding."
Sweet and savory tofu pudding? Those are all heretics, spicy is the way to go.
Spicy tofu pudding goes perfectly with fried dough sticks.
But to Bai Cang's utter surprise, the shopkeeper refused to accept his money no matter what, practically begging him to kneel down and kowtow.
In the end, he had to put on a stern face and scold the other party a few times before they cautiously accepted the money.
"It seems the reputation of the Sanyin Temple isn't very good."
Bai Cang finished his meal and clicked his tongue inwardly before heading towards the antique street.
Divine weapons are hard to come by, and martial arts manuals are also rare commodities.
Only antiques, jade artifacts, and calligraphy and paintings by famous artists might offer a chance to find a bargain.
What? You're saying Bai Cang only has five taels of silver and just spent ten large coins? How dare he go looking for antiques and find bargains?
Hey, do you really think I'm just wearing this Taoist priest's skin for nothing?
Bai Cang hadn't originally intended to "find a bargain" at the antique street, but the vendors' reaction gave him a new idea.
What kind of skill is it to bully the weak? I, Daoist, make my living off the ill-gotten gains of those unscrupulous rich people!
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