Su Yan returned from the mountains as usual, first returning home. He instructed the Dark Water Centipede and Velvet Fire Scorpion Bug to secretly guard his courtyard. He then carefully took out the Poison Dragon Golden Body Art, carefully examining it.
He was lost in study for a full hour, only snapping out of his focus when the sky began to dim.
"Refining the body with poison, visualizing the Poison Dragon, manifesting an unbreakable golden body—this technique is far superior to the Golden Ape Stance Skill." Su Yan sighed. Although he had yet to see the full Primary Art of the Golden Ape Martial Academy (the Golden Ape Art), the core visualization of the Poison Dragon Golden Body Art was clearly superior.
'The academy hasn't taught the complete Primary Art (the Golden Ape Art) yet, firstly to prevent rash training from eager disciples, and secondly because the method is too precious to be casually passed on. It's meant to solidify loyalty.' The academy's method was understandable. They used the step-by-step process—from Blood Circulation to Vitality Nurturing and finally True Intent—to train disciples personally, which nurtured both skill and loyalty.
If he hadn't found the Poison Dragon Golden Body Art, Su Yan would have proceeded as planned, relying on his fast progress. But now, with this new method, he had far more choices.
"Skin Refining and Tendon-Bone are for establishing the foundation. Blood Circulation is for nurturing the blood energy for a complete transformation. Finally, after the body is refined, one absorbs Primal Energy, nurtures True Essence, and eventually cultivates the Beast Spirit True Intent. The Poison Dragon Golden Body Art details all this precisely." Su Yan compared the text with the knowledge Master Bai had given him, gaining deeper insight into the entire process.
"No wonder Pang Tianfeng advanced so quickly. The Poison Dragon Golden Body Art is highly efficient for tempering the body and nurturing blood energy, and it allows for the consumption of poisons to cultivate an indestructible Poison Dragon Scale body."
'I already stole a batch of poison from Pang Tianfeng—perfect for refining the Poison Skin Powder for my cultivation. And my Dark Water Centipede and Velvet Fire Scorpion Bug give me access to even more toxic resources than he has.'
Su Yan's only concern was the potential visibility of his True Intent and the Poison Dragon Scale. The scale would start subtly as poison lines and only fully manifest as scales much later. However, cultivating the Beast Spirit True Intent was a concern. If he succeeded, even the false intent of the Vitality Nurturing stage would be obvious. Who could miss a monstrous, Green-Scaled Poison Dragon?
"I must hide it. I need to cultivate the Poison Dragon Golden Body Art but continue learning the full Golden Ape Art to maintain the facade. I will focus on visualizing the White Ape True Intent externally while cultivating the Green-Scaled Poison Dragon True Intent secretly."
With a plan in mind, Su Yan immediately delved into comprehending the Poison Dragon Golden Body Art. The technique was far more complex than the Golden Ape Stance Skill. Su Yan studied all night, only gaining a rudimentary understanding by dawn.
"No wonder Pang Tianfeng didn't destroy this technique. He probably hasn't fully mastered it himself." This technique was likely an accidental find. The complex circulation required constant study and adjustment through the Skin Refining, Tendon-Bone, and Blood Circulation stages. Furthermore, the Vitality Nurturing stage's need to absorb Primal Energy and the final leap to the True Intent stage required visualizing the True Intent and condensing the Phenomenon. Without the Visualization Diagram, an ordinary martial artist might spend their entire life trying to achieve it.
"Even without a Master's guidance, if I can successfully initiate the technique, I can use my panel to correct my form and gradually master the entire art. I will try it, but first, I need to prepare the Poison Dragon Powder." The Poison Dragon Powder was one of the tempering soups associated with the art, centered around Primal Viper Tendon and supplemented with snake venom, ginseng, blood essence, and other herbs. Aside from the core ingredient, the formula was adjustable. Pang Tianfeng's private stash included plenty of Primal Viper Tendon.
Su Yan hid the technique in his Bug Realm space, thinking: "I don't know the current situation in the mountains. Refining medicine here risks exposure. I need to find a new location."
Playing his role completely, Su Yan sent some mountain goods to the market the next day, as if everything were normal. After selling his items, he sat in a teahouse and overheard a few locals chatting.
"Something happened yesterday during the heavy rain." A man whispered: "You won't believe it. I passed by Doctor Du's house, and several Jianghu men were injured. One of them even had a broken arm."
"Hush, don't talk about them, or they'll kill you."
"They don't have time to worry about us; they've all rushed into the mountains." The man who spoke looked smug. Su Yan recognized him as a hunter from the village next door.
"During yesterday's rain, Pang Tianfeng, the big bandit, was tracked down by Chief Constable Xu Guan. They fought, and Pang Tianfeng fled heavily wounded." Su Yan's brow furrowed: 'So yesterday's fire didn't just draw Pang Tianfeng; it drew Xu Guan too. Xu Guan has the skill to actually wound Pang Tianfeng.'
In the teahouse, everyone gasped. Someone praised: "Chief Constable Xu is incredible! Pang Tianfeng can't escape now."
"That's not certain," someone else, who seemed to be privy to some information, countered: "The yamen has pulled back some men. Instead, the Jianghu men (itinerant martial artists) and Knife-Wielders (mercenaries) have rushed into the forests, even hiring guides."
The people in the teahouse continued to gossip, either asking who was hired as a guide or speculating about where Pang Tianfeng might be hiding. Since none of their talk sounded reliable, Su Yan stopped listening.
He stood up, thinking: 'With them pursuing him like this, Pang Tianfeng won't have time to investigate the theft. I should be safe for now. I'll go back to the city to avoid the fuss and spend the silver I have left.' Su Yan left the market and headed straight for Yun Cang Town.
"Junior Brother Su." He had just returned to the Golden Ape Martial Academy and was about to enter when he ran into Gao Zheng. Gao Zheng was on duty, guiding the training of the Outer Door and some Inner Door Disciples. Previously, Su Yan thought Gao Zheng was just a regular Inner Door Disciple, but now he seemed like a Blood Circulation expert.
"Senior Brother." Su Yan greeted him.
Gao Zheng said: "I was just about to look for you. Seeing you here, I feel relieved."
Su Yan frowned slightly: "Is something wrong, Senior Brother?"
"Xu Guan was poisoned during his solo fight with Pang Tianfeng yesterday. He's still being treated at the Hundred Herb Hall. Although Pang Tianfeng was severely injured, his strength remains formidable, and there are Jianghu men causing chaos. The mountains are dangerous," Gao Zheng explained. "I heard Master Bai mention you went back, and I was worried you'd stumble into this mess, so I wanted to warn you."
"Thank you for the warning, Senior Brother." Su Yan sincerely thanked him. He said, "I heard about it today, too. I earned some money trekking recently, so I plan to rest and focus on cultivation for a while."
Gao Zheng smiled: "That's exactly right. You have exceptional talent and should focus on your training. If you run short of money, I have some I can lend you. Just let me know." Gao Zheng was intensely envious of Su Yan. Su Yan had barely joined the academy and was already residing in the Inner Courtyard, receiving personal guidance from Master Bai. Such favor meant that once Su Yan reached the Blood Circulation or Vitality Nurturing stage, he would be accepted as a True Disciple and taught the Golden Ape Art's Visualization Diagram.
Su Yan's eyes flickered: "There is one thing I could use your help with, Senior Brother. I want to find a quiet house in the city to settle down."