"Master, what do you mean?" Lu Qing asked.
"Your physique has always been somewhat weak. To step into the Qi Blood Realm, you must first replenish the deficiencies in your foundation."
"Normally, consuming blood-nourishing and Qi-enhancing pills would have this effect, but that would be somewhat wasteful."
"So catching this golden loach came at just the right time. With it, I can brew a pot of medicinal cuisine soup for you, which will perfectly replenish your deficiencies."
"But Master, I wanted to golden loach with you," Lu Qing said hesitantly.
"Master will just scrounge a bowl of soup from you, no need to be so formal."
The elder doctor said no more and immediately took the golden loach into the kitchen.
Lu Qing followed him inside and saw the elder doctor skillfully processing the golden loach.
Aside from removing the innards, even the blood was kept, all of it put into a clay pot.
Then the elder doctor added some medicinal herbs and started to simmer them.
This simmering lasted an hour.
During this time, as the aroma of the soup filled the house, both Lu Qing and Little Yan couldn't help but swallow saliva continuously.
The elder doctor extinguished the fire, let the clay pot cool a bit, then brought it out and placed it on the table.
As the lid was opened, a rich fragrance assailed their senses, making Lu Qing and his sister salivate even more.
Even the elder doctor, upon smelling it, couldn't help but exclaim, "Indeed worthy of being one of the ten great delicacies, a Strange Fish."
The elder doctor took out two large bowls and one small bowl.
First, he ladled out two bowls of soup.
Then he pushed the remaining contents of the clay pot in front of Lu Qing.
"Little Yan is still young, she can't handle too much medicinal potency, one small bowl is enough for her. As for me, a taste of the flavor will suffice. The rest, you eat it all."
"Master..." Lu Qing hesitated.
"Stop dawdling, remember to eat everything, don't leave even the dregs."
Seeing his master put on a stern face, Lu Qing could only embrace the clay pot and pour himself a bowl of soup.
The elder and the two youngsters began to drink their soup.
With the first sip, Lu Qing felt an indescribable savory taste spreading from the tip of his tongue, so delicious that every pore in his body seemed ready to open.
On the other side, he saw Little Yan drinking happily, her eyes almost squinting with joy.
The elder doctor sipped some soup, savored it carefully, then swallowed.
With a sigh, he said, "Worthy of being one of the world's ten great delicacies, no wonder those nobles and tycoons spare no expense to acquire these Strange Fish."
"Brother, this fish soup is so delicious!" Little Yan was utterly delighted.
Lu Qing, following his master's words, drank bowl after bowl of soup, and soon, half a clay pot of soup was finished. He ate everything, including the dregs.
After finishing the soup and sitting for a while, Lu Qing began to feel warmth all over his body. In his Dantian, there seemed to be a stream of heat moving around.
Seeing his condition, the elder doctor smiled and said, "It's working. The medicinal power of the soup has begun to take effect. Now go outside and practice Nourishing Body Boxing to fully absorb this medicinal power."
Upon hearing this, Lu Qing hurried outside. The medicinal power within him was making it difficult for him to sit still.
Once in the courtyard, he concentrated and collected his heart and spirit, pulled up his stance, and began to practice the first to the ninth forms of Nourishing Body Boxing.
The elder doctor followed outside and saw how quickly Lu Qing had immersed himself in practicing the boxing forms, and he couldn't help but nod repeatedly.
His disciple truly had exceptional Martial Arts Talent, who could quickly enter into a state of cultivation even with the medicinal power burning within his body.
In the courtyard, Lu Qing, who had initially felt somewhat uncomfortable from the medicinal power of the soup, found his thoughts becoming serene as soon as he started practicing the boxing forms.
Various realizations about Nourishing Body Boxing flowed through his mind, and a sense of enlightenment rose in his heart.
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Subconsciously, he began to use Nourishing Body Boxing to guide that medicinal power within his body.
Nourishing Body Boxing was the result of the elder doctor's lifetime of efforts, extrapolated and perfected from an incomplete Cultivation Technique he had chanced upon in his youth.
It encapsulated his decades of practice in medicine, incorporating his understanding of the human body's Qi-Blood, sinews, and bones, as well as the functioning of the inner organs.
It had remarkable effects on nourishing the physical body and strengthening one's constitution.
Nourishing Body Boxing consisted of thirty-six forms, with the first nine forming a self-contained system, interlocking and complementing each other.
Performing it in succession could nurture Qi-Blood and regulate one's breath, and it was an excellent Cultivation Method for Qi-Blood.
Lu Qing immersed himself in the practice of boxing, repeatedly performing the first nine forms of Nourishing Body Boxing.
As he practiced, the medicinal power generated from the Great Replenishing Soup, like birds returning to their nest, was swiftly gathered by him.
Slowly refined, it merged into his Qi-Blood, transforming into Life Essence Energy, fortifying the foundations of his body.
Lu Qing practiced the boxing forms in a state of self-forgetfulness, unaware of the passing of time outside.
He did not know how much time had passed when he suddenly felt a jolt throughout his body.
The Qi-Blood in his body seemed to break through a certain node, instantaneously connecting into one whole, circulating wherever his Will directed, achieving absolute harmony.
Lu Qing was blessed with a sudden insight and began to slowly conclude his movements, closing his eyes to quietly feel the changes within his body.
"Good, the Qi-Blood is connected and circulating throughout the body. This Qi Blood Realm is finally achieved!"
The elder doctor exclaimed in admiration upon witnessing this scene.
After a while, Lu Qing opened his eyes.
At this moment, he felt relaxed and as if he had inexhaustible strength in his body.
His control over his own body had also greatly improved.
He extended his palm and, focusing his thoughts, a concentration of blood energy instantly formed on his hand. His palm turned rosy, almost dripping blood.
As his thoughts dispersed, so did the Qi-Blood, and his hand promptly returned to its normal appearance.
"The so-called Qi Blood Realm is when a Martial Artist can control the Qi-Blood throughout the body, cleanse the Physical Body, and enhance their vitality,"
"With the Will at the helm, the whole body's Qi-Blood connects, not only unleashing powerful strength but also significantly boosting the body's defensive power."
"That's why even several strong, ordinary Great Han would stand no chance against a Martial Artist who has stepped into the Qi Blood Realm."
"Whether it's explosive power or defensive power, they are too far behind and simply have no chance of winning."
Having entered the Qi Blood Realm and feeling the various changes within his body, a sense of enlightenment arose in Lu Qing's heart.
No wonder his master said that a Qi Blood Realm Martial Artist could easily throw off several Great Han if they tried to hold onto him.
Compared to ordinary people, the explosive power of a Qi Blood Realm Martial Artist was indeed extraordinary.
"How do you feel after stepping into the Qi Blood Realm?"
At this time, the elder doctor approached.
"I feel great," Lu Qing said joyfully, "Master, no wonder you said Martial Artists are powerful. I just entered the Qi Blood Realm and already feel much stronger. I can't imagine how powerful those higher-level Martial Artists are."
"With your talent, reaching that level is just a matter of time."
The elder doctor had great confidence in Lu Qing's Martial Arts talent.
After all, how many people could, within a few short days, progress from a feeble youth to stepping into the Qi Blood Realm?
The Martial Arts Talent that Lu Qing exhibited was not inferior to those young prodigies he had heard about during his travels across the world.
"Ah Qing, now that you have stepped into the Qi Blood Realm and become a true Martial Artist, there are some things you need to understand."
The elder doctor's expression suddenly turned solemn.
"Please tell me, Master." Lu Qing said with a steely heart, respectfully.
"You must know, in the Cultivation Techniques of Martial Artists, there is usually a distinction between Cultivation Method and Fighting Skill..."