Chapter 26: Herbs for Strengthening Muscles and Bones

As they were about to part ways, Zhang Pu, in a gesture of courtesy, offered to walk Zeng Guoxing and Wang Gang out. The latter two did not refuse. When they reached the entrance of South Lake Park, Zhang Pu was surprised to see that Zeng Guoxing and Wang Gang had arrived in a military vehicle. Though it wasn’t one of those luxury models worth millions, it bore distinctive military plates.

Zhang Pu understood well: vehicles with such special plates wielded more influence on the roads than any luxury car, even traffic police would hesitate to stop them.

For a moment, Zhang Pu and Zeng Guoxing parted ways.

Although he was a little shaken, Zhang Pu quickly regained his composure and headed back to his rented apartment.

Zeng Guoxing, a man who could command the winds and clouds across the entire Qingwu region, paled in comparison to those Zhang Pu had met in his previous life—especially those he encountered in the celestial realms. In a few years, he thought, his own influence might even surpass Zeng Guoxing’s.

He could help him now, and with greater abilities in the future, perhaps he wouldn’t need Zeng Guoxing’s protection at all.

After Zhang Pu left, inside the distant military vehicle, the two occupants happened to be discussing him—

“Sir, we’ve investigated everything about this young man named Zhang Pu…”

Wang Gang was reporting to Zeng Guoxing. He laid out clearly that Zhang Pu came from the countryside, currently rented a place, and what his relationship was with the Hong Guishan family in Qingwu City.

But when it came to the mysterious figure behind Zhang Pu, Wang Gang could provide no information whatsoever.

On the surface, Zhang Pu’s background was entirely ordinary. Yet, to ask Zeng Guoxing to believe there was no remarkable figure supporting someone like Zhang Pu—he would never accept that, not even in death.

“Let it be, we’ll keep investigating,” Zeng Guoxing said, almost as if comforting Wang Gang. “A true master never reveals himself to ordinary people.”

His words were laden with meaning, prompting his subordinate to glance at him with renewed seriousness.

Despite his noble status, Zeng Guoxing was also a martial arts expert, trained in the specialized techniques of elite military units. He had profound respect for true martial arts masters.

Among martial arts masters, there were many ranks; not all were equally matched in combat.

In his heart, Zeng Guoxing was convinced: the figure behind Zhang Pu was no ordinary martial arts master. How could he believe all these miracles were Zhang Pu’s doing alone? He had meant to invite Zhang Pu and his mysterious benefactor for a meal or a drink, but somehow forgot to mention it.

Never mind, there would be time in the future. Zeng Guoxing closed his eyes.

Their military vehicle sped away.

By then, Zhang Pu had returned to his rented apartment.

He closed the door behind him, feeling like a thief who had just enjoyed a great haul. In such a short span, he had amassed tens of thousands in savings! How could he not be overjoyed?

After all, he was just a student. How many students had so much spending money?

And this was only the beginning. From now on, Zhang Pu knew he could continue to earn handsomely without much effort.

With such skills, why worry about not having money flow in like water?

With plenty of time left in the evening, after dinner, Zhang Pu decided to visit several major pharmacies in Qingwu City—partly for his own cultivation, partly to buy low-cost medicinal herbs for Zeng Guoxing’s pill refining. He had already instructed them to procure the expensive ingredients themselves.

Now that he had money again, cultivation required funds for rapid progress. This was the eternal lament, whether in the celestial realms or on Earth; there seemed to be no escaping this fate!

That night, besides acquiring herbs for Zeng Guoxing’s second batch of Vitality Pills, Zhang Pu purchased for himself deer antler, epimedium, dodder seed, morinda root, immortality grass, cistanche, and eucommia—all herbs for strengthening tendons and bones.

Previously, when he began cultivating immortality, Zhang Pu bought nourishing herbs like ginseng, angelica, and astragalus, because his newly reborn body was that of a mortal student. Without a robust foundation, he could not withstand the impact of stepping into the cultivation threshold.

Now, he had reached the intermediate stage of Qi Refining; his body had already begun to transcend its mortal shell. There was no need for further nourishment-type herbs, as his cultivation now automatically replenished his body.

He was now entering the phase of strengthening tendons and bones, hence the deer antler, epimedium, dodder seed, morinda root, immortality grass, cistanche, and eucommia.

Eventually, once he advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage—even at its onset—he would no longer need these strengthening herbs. The principle was the same as with the nourishing ones: his cultivation would then begin to fortify his body’s tendons and bones.

Although these earthly herbs could not compare to those found in the celestial realms, Zhang Pu had to make do for now.

He spent the evening wandering, returning late with a bulging bag of herbs.

Having received another large transfer from Wang Gang’s account, he indulged freely while shopping, almost uncontrollably.

Zhang Pu found his own appearance rather comical, hardly resembling a student, yet his youthful demeanor still betrayed him.

He finally walked alone along a street not far from his apartment.

Suddenly, memories of that night resurfaced—the night he was ambushed here.

He had yet to investigate the origins of the three masked assailants.

But Zhang Pu felt he had little time or need to do so. With absolute strength, he felt indifferent.

He had suffered no loss that night; even if those people returned, it would only be their own undoing.

He continued walking at a leisurely pace, feeling like an old man or woman bent under a bundle of firewood in the countryside, with his sack of herbs.

Is my appearance amusing now? At a certain moment, Zhang Pu even mocked himself.

Too bad there were no spectators here; otherwise, he would have liked to perform the role more deeply.

But was this deserted street truly devoid of “spectators” tonight?

For a brief instant, Zhang Pu’s face shifted slightly.

He had never expected that, after all, there were “spectators” here.