Top-Class Comprehension: Start with Basic Fist Techniques Chapter 4: Entering the Mountain to Gather Herbs

Days raced by in a flash, with over ten days slipping away unnoticed.

That very morning, Lu Changsheng stirred awake well ahead of the usual rising hour.

He rushed over to the hidden nook reserved for his nighttime martial arts sessions.

The heavens remained shrouded in faint darkness, though a subtle dawn glow began to emerge.

The reason for his early awakening was to train in the Grand River Vitality Technique.

Through more than ten days of unwavering dedication to this method, he felt his blood surging river-like inside him on nearly every occasion.

He realized that sensing his vital energy drew near, likely within just a few days.

As a result, his martial arts practice grew even more intense.

Lu Changsheng repeated the bizarre stances of the Grand River Vitality Technique, following his previous routine.

All at once, his blood roared through his frame like a torrent, the clamor intensifying as his skin flushed entirely crimson.

"Boom!"

Right then, a explosive thunderclap boomed inside Lu Changsheng's mind, conjuring a vivid scene before his inner eye.

It felt as if he could now "see" a brilliant scarlet stream of blood weaving through his body along precise paths.

"Vital energy, this is vital energy!"

Thrilled with delight, Lu Changsheng had at last detected his vital energy, achieving a breakthrough in the Grand River Vitality Technique.

Yet while probing his vital energy more closely, he uncovered a previous misconception.

Vital energy wasn't blood.

The sounds he'd caught weren't from blood's movement, but from vital energy itself.

Vital energy represented a unique internal force that sustained the body; its greater potency fortified the physique.

Lu Changsheng swiftly examined his attribute panel.

Host: Lu Changsheng

Comprehension: 99 (average)

Basic Blade Technique: Minor Achievement

Basic Sword Technique: Minor Achievement

Basic Staff Technique: Minor Achievement

Pounce Technique: Major Achievement

Grand River Vitality Technique: First Layer

As expected, the attribute panel displayed the Grand River Vitality Technique at the first layer.

To Lu Changsheng's senses, his vital energy existed merely as a tiny clump for now. Yet through ongoing practice of the Grand River Vitality Technique over time, this cluster would steadily expand and empower.

The Grand River Vitality Technique consisted of three layers altogether, and Lu Changsheng had barely stepped into the initial one.

Attaining the first layer signified entry into the technique's gateway; the daily odd postures were no longer required. Instead, he could now directly guide his vital energy and "circulate" it through his body.

Testing this, Lu Changsheng observed his vital energy looping repeatedly inside him.

Still, after just a handful of cycles, no substantial vital energy surge appeared. Rather, ravenous hunger gripped him, along with widespread bodily unease.

"Master Liu once mentioned that vital energy requires nourishment to develop. That's why guard unit martial artists consume medicinal cuisine daily to sustain theirs."

"But without joining the guard unit, I lack medicinal cuisine. Progress at this speed would crawl slower than a snail."

"Like this, reaching the second layer of the Grand River Vitality Technique might take years."

Lu Changsheng knitted his brows. Even after sensing vital energy, entry into the guard unit stayed out of reach. Such delayed detection branded him as poor talent, unworthy of their cultivation efforts.

One alternative remained: procuring medicinal cuisine outright.

The guard unit's medicinal cuisine proved rather commonplace, available for purchase at external medicinal shops. Possession of silver would let him acquire it independently.

Yet the issue lay in Lu Changsheng possessing zero silver.

He lacked even a lone copper coin.

"I need to find a way to earn money."

Lu Changsheng mulled it over for several days yet found no viable plan. For the moment, he set the matter aside, resolving to handle it gradually.

"Get up, get up!"

That day, the apprentices assembled in the square just as always.

Steward Zhang bore a grave look upon his face and declared in a heavy tone, "The weather has been getting colder lately, and there are more patients suffering from cold-related illnesses. Moreover, a group of bandits has blocked the trade routes, and the supply of medicinal herbs is gradually running short."

"You've studied medicinal herbs for a while now and can recognize them somewhat. Today, physicians from the garden will lead you into the mountains to collect herbs, accompanied by guards. Safety won't be a concern."

"Gather sufficient medicinal herbs, and you'll earn silver as a reward."

The apprentices' faces brightened instantly upon hearing about the silver.

As menial apprentices, they earned no wages, leaving their pockets even emptier than their stomachs.

They hadn't anticipated an opportunity to pocket some silver.

Even if herb gathering in the mountains proved exhausting, they welcomed it eagerly.

"Very well, time to depart."

Guided by several physicians and escorted by guards, the group of apprentices set out toward the mountains.

Ten miles beyond Nanyang City lay Woniushan.

Woniushan stretched endlessly, shrouded in thick forests teeming with venomous pests and savage beasts.

Dangers intensified the further one delved into the mountains.

Collecting herbs amid such terrain was both demanding and hazardous.

Excitement gripped the apprentices at first, yet complaints erupted the moment they stepped into the mountains.

Still, retreat was impossible; committed to the task, they pressed on to harvest herbs.

Abundant hauls brought rewards, while meager ones invited penalties.

Fearing punishment, everyone desired to avoid it, so they fanned out across the slopes to forage.

Guards cleared venomous critters and wild beasts from a limited perimeter but couldn't shadow every apprentice.

Thus, the apprentices dispersed widely and vanished into the mountain's nooks.

Fortune eluded Lu Changsheng; over an hour of searching yielded merely a handful of ordinary herbs.

Such a paltry collection promised no rewards and likely punishment upon return.

"Precious herbs supposedly thrive in the mountain's depths."

"Silver is essential, so I must venture deeper despite the risks."

Lu Changsheng pondered briefly. Treacherous trails marked the inner regions, yet caution could evade venomous creatures and beasts. Guards served a purpose, equipped to handle threats.

Resolved, Lu Changsheng pushed further into the mountains.

Thorns tore at him en route, inflicting countless scrapes across his skin.

Thankfully, the injuries remained minor, posing no serious threat.

At last, a valley came into view for Lu Changsheng.

Precious herbs blanketed the valley in abundance.

"Could that be ginseng?"

"Ginseng existing deep inside Woniushan is unbelievable."

Keen-sighted, Lu Changsheng discerned what looked like ginseng sprouting in the valley.

Though ginseng was often farmed, wild varieties proved scarce, with aged wild ginseng holding immense worth.

Without delay, Lu Changsheng entered the valley to unearth the wild ginseng.

Having extracted some wild ginseng, Lu Changsheng glanced upward, noting the surrounding cliffs adorned with further rare medicinals.

Abruptly, a concealed cave caught his eye midway up one cliff.

Masterfully hidden, the cave would have escaped notice without close scrutiny.

Lu Changsheng's pulse quickened.

This exceptional valley fostered ideal conditions for medicinal herbs, accounting for the profusion of valuables.

Yet mature precious herbs demanded prompt handling, lest they withered uselessly.

Too numerous to harvest entirely, the herbs overwhelmed Lu Changsheng's capacity.

Alerting the garden might yield a minor prize at best.

What trifle would that be against this bounty?

Silver pressed urgently on Lu Changsheng. Converting these herbs to coin promised a fortune.

"The cave will serve to stash ripe herbs temporarily; I'll process and store them here, then smuggle them out later for silver."

Decision firm, Lu Changsheng scaled toward the cave.

Dry inside, the cave surprisingly held bedding and simple living tools.

"Did someone dwell here?"

Astonishment struck Lu Changsheng. Faint rustles echoed from beyond the entrance then.

Scanning warily, he darted to a silent nook and concealed himself.