Heavenly Sword Saint
Morning sunlight filled the courtyard.
Jian Chen stood beneath the old tree, quietly looking at the wooden sword in his hand.
His cultivation had reached the sixth stage of body tempering realm.
His body was also stronger than before.
But he wasn't satisfied.
He knew exactly what he needed next.
Resources.
Not resources that could simply increase his cultivation...
But resources that could strengthen his body.
Opening another meridian was an extremely painful process.
Jian Chen had already experienced it several times.
The Heavenly Sword Scripture was constantly tempering his flesh, but that alone wasn't enough.
If he wanted to continue opening his meridians safely, he needed to strengthen his physique even further.
After consuming the fruits he could fill that his body was about to advanced to the first stage.
From what he knwen body cultivator are very powerful and when cultivate to a certain level they could impermeable to sword and fire
He needed his body to be strong enough to withstand the impact of opening new meridians
The medicinal herbs he had gathered in the Azure Wind Mountains gave him an opportunity.
Jian Chen returned to his room.
He closed the door and placed his cloth bag on the table.
One by one, he removed the herbs.
The first was a dark green plant with three narrow leaves.
"Moonlight Grass."
Jian Chen carefully examined it.
Moonlight Grass possessed gentle medicinal properties.
It could stabilize the blood and help the body recover from internal injuries.
Next...
He took out a purple red plant.
"Purple Blood Grass."
His eyes became slightly brighter.
This was the most important herb among the ingredients he had gathered.
Purple Blood Grass could strengthen the blood and improve the body's ability to recover from physical damage.
Then came a dark brown root.
"Ironbone Root."
Its surface was covered with faint lines resembling cracks in iron.
Ironbone Root was capable of nourishing the bones and increasing their resilience.
Jian Chen placed it beside the Purple Blood Grass.
Next was a long green vine.
"Jade Muscle Vine."
The vine looked ordinary.
However, its medicinal properties were far from ordinary.
It could nourish the muscles and accelerate the recovery of damaged flesh.
Finally...
Jian Chen took out several pale-white flowers.
"Cloudmist Flower."
This herb wasn't as powerful as the others.
Its greatest value was its ability to balance medicinal properties and help remove impurities from the body.
Jian Chen looked at the ingredients arranged across the table.
Moonlight Grass.
Purple Blood Grass.
Ironbone Root.
Jade Muscle Vine.
Cloudmist Flower.
Five different medicinal ingredients.
Combined properly...
They could produce a medicinal bath capable of strengthening his physique.
Jian Chen's expression became thoughtful.
"In my current condition..."
"This should be enough for the first bath."
He didn't expect these herbs to transform his body overnight.
That wasn't possible.
But cultivation was never about one single breakthrough.
Small improvements accumulated over time.
If he could strengthen his body a little with each medicinal bath...
Eventually, the difference would become enormous.
Jian Chen reached for the Purple Blood Grass.
His eyes narrowed.
"Once my physique becomes stronger..."
"The risk of opening another meridian will decrease."
He had no intention of forcing his body beyond its limits.
His previous life had taught him the price of recklessness.
Strength without a solid foundation would eventually become a weakness.
Jian Chen carefully stored the herbs.
There was still one problem.
A medicinal cauldron.
He needed something capable of heating and refining the herbs.
A normal cooking pot wouldn't work.
The medicinal properties would be lost before the herbs could properly combine.
Jian Chen stood.
He walked toward the door.
He didn't need to search the clan's medicine hall.
He could simply ask his mother.
Jian Chen entered the main room.
Liu Ruyan was sitting beside the window.
She looked up when she saw him.
"Chen'er."
"Mother."
Jian Chen sat down.
"I need your help with something."
Liu Ruyan immediately became attentive.
"What is it?"
"I need a medicinal cauldron."
She blinked.
"A medicinal cauldron?"
"Yes."
Jian Chen nodded.
"I want to prepare some medicinal herbs."
Liu Ruyan looked at him curiously.
"You know how to prepare medicine?"
Jian Chen smiled faintly.
"I know a little."
He didn't explain further.
His knowledge of medicine from his previous life was far beyond what he could reveal.
Liu Ruyan thought for a moment.
"There might be one somewhere in the clan."
"I don't need anything valuable."
Jian Chen continued.
"An ordinary bronze cauldron is enough, as long as it isn't damaged and can withstand high temperatures."
Liu Ruyan nodded.
"I'll see what I can find."
"Thank you, Mother."
She smiled.
"You've only just returned from the mountains, yet you're already thinking about medicine."
Jian Chen smiled.
"I want to make sure my body continues recovering."
Liu Ruyan's expression softened.
"Then I'll find one for you."
She stood.
Jian Chen returned to his courtyard.
He didn't immediately cultivate.
Instead, he began preparing the area.
The medicinal bath would require a large amount of water.
He also needed a place where the medicinal liquid could be maintained at the correct temperature.
Most importantly...
He needed privacy.
The process would place considerable strain on his body.
He didn't want anyone to disturb him.
Jian Chen spent the next hour arranging everything.
By the time he finished...
Footsteps sounded outside.
"Young Master."
It was Xiao Yue.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Xiao Yue entered.
Her eyes immediately landed on the herbs.
She recognized none of them.
Jian Chen calmly said,
"Don't touch those."
Xiao Yue nodded.
"Alright."
Jian Chen looked at her.
"If my mother returns with a cauldron, bring it here."
"Yes, Young Master."
Xiao Yue left.
Jian Chen looked at the herbs again.
His expression became serious.
The medicinal bath was only a beginning.
His goal was much greater.
He needed to strengthen his body enough to withstand the pain of opening another meridian.
He needed to continue cultivating.
And eventually...
He would have to face the annual examination.
The thought of it made his eyes sharpen.
But before worrying about the examination...
He needed to build his foundation.
Jian Chen walked into the courtyard.
The wooden sword was still leaning against the wall.
He picked it up.
Then began practicing.
The Flowing Cloud Sword Art moved through his hands.
Step.
Turn.
Slash.
Withdraw.
His movements were smooth.
The breakthrough to the fourth stage had slightly improved his physical abilities.
His movements were faster.
His balance was better.
His strength was greater.
But Jian Chen didn't pursue speed.
He focused on control.
The sword followed his body.
His body followed his feet.
Every movement flowed naturally into the next.
After nearly an hour...
Jian Chen finally stopped.
Sweat covered his forehead.
He exhaled slowly.
The Heavenly Sword Scripture circulated.
The fatigue gradually disappeared.
He looked down at his hands.
His body was improving.
But it still wasn't enough.
"I need the medicinal bath."
He had barely finished speaking when Liu Ruyan's voice came from outside.
"Chen'er."
Jian Chen turned.
His mother walked into the courtyard carrying a wooden box.
"I found one."
Jian Chen's eyes immediately fell on the box.
Liu Ruyan placed it on the stone table.
She opened the lid.
Inside was a small bronze cauldron.
It wasn't beautiful.
Its surface was covered with scratches.
Several marks showed that it had been used many times.
But Jian Chen immediately recognized that it was still usable.
He lifted it from the box.
It was heavier than he expected.
He inspected the bottom.
No cracks.
The walls were thick enough.
It could withstand considerable heat.
Jian Chen nodded.
"This is enough."
Liu Ruyan looked at him.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Jian Chen placed the cauldron on the table.
"Thank you, Mother."
Liu Ruyan smiled.
"Then use it carefully."
Jian Chen nodded.
After she left...
He turned toward the medicinal herbs.
His gaze moved from one to another.
Moonlight Grass.
Purple Blood Grass.
Ironbone Root.
Jade Muscle Vine.
Cloudmist Flower.
Then his gaze shifted toward the bronze cauldron.
Everything was ready.
The herbs.
The cauldron.
The water.
And his body.
Jian Chen's expression gradually became serious.
He knew the medicinal bath wouldn't be comfortable.
Medicinal energy entering the flesh could cause considerable pain.
But compared with opening a new meridian...
That pain was nothing.
More importantly...
If this medicinal bath succeeded, his body would become stronger.
And once his physique reached the required level...
He could attempt the next meridian.
Jian Chen slowly clenched his fist.
He could already imagine what would happen when his body became strong enough to withstand even greater amounts of spiritual energy.
His path had only just begun.
He placed his hand on the bronze cauldron.
A faint smile appeared.
"Let's see how much stronger this body can become."