With a decision made, Jia’Er took out a Centennial Snow Lotus, removed a leaf, and added it to the Prenatal Medicine. This ingredient was originally in the Prenatal Medicine but was replaced with this centennial level, naturally enhancing its effect.
After finishing brewing the medicine and successfully gaining some alchemy experience, Shen Wang drank the remaining potion, feeling the effect of the Centennial Snow Lotus.
His stomach warmed, his whole body felt comfortable, the medicinal power was incomparably gentle, perfect indeed.
"Just in time to study pharmacology, perhaps I can make full use of these Snow Lotuses by then."
Shen Wang washed the bowl, went to the secret chamber, took out the Snow Lotuses, and categorized them by age into wooden boxes.
He then took out Low-level Talisman Paper and drew Isolation Talismans, sticking them on the boxes to preserve the numerous Snow Lotuses with Talisman Power.
After storing the Snow Toad as well, he then took out the belongings of the Black Death Blade King.
Worried these items might still be poisonous, he deliberately used Talisman Power in the secret chamber to section off a space to browse books separately.
Perhaps out of curiosity, Shen Wang first glanced at the "Detailed Analysis of Sexual Poison."
Just as he thought, it was all used in hybridization, not only for humans but also for Demon Beasts, with plenty of types, which made Shen Wang’s evil flames flare up.
He was startled, quickly closed it, and frowned: "This thing seems extraordinary; many things in here can threaten powerful cultivators, perhaps that woman back then..."
Shen Wang couldn’t help but think of the strange experience he had when he went out, sighing softly: "I wonder how she’s doing now, if she’s pregnant or not. Judging by the system prompt, it’s likely she isn’t pregnant, probably because the strength gap is too large, making the chance of conception low."
Shaking his head, he set the "Detailed Analysis of Sexual Poison" aside to review it seriously when he had time.
Though he wouldn’t use the things inside to harm others or engage in sordid actions, knowing more and defending against others’ schemes was still very necessary.
The second book was not the Black Death Saber Technique, but the "Hundred Poison Complete Book."
The saber technique could be learned during daily martial arts training, now he had to spend more effort on the Poison Dao and Medicine Dao.
Opening the "Hundred Poison Complete Book," Shen Wang frowned continuously as he read.
Not until the afternoon did Shen Wang stop, rubbing his temples.
"I didn’t expect the Poison Dao to have so many intricacies, just the variety of poisons is enormous."
Shen Wang exhaled; the classification of poisons was diverse, categorized by status into common solid, liquid, and gaseous states, energy states, and virtual states. Each type was subdivided, with virtual state poisons being the most terrifying because they truly have no physical form and are purely rule-level poisons.
For example, curses are rule-level poisons, something he hadn’t understood before. In contrast, the Black Poison Qi he encountered was relatively easy to handle, likely a combination of gaseous and energetic states.
Poison is further divided by activity into dead poison and living poison. Dead poison is confined to a certain range, mostly requiring passive contact to contract.
While living poison moves, with types such as Gu Poison, and some that change with time.
What surprised him most was the explanation of poison; anything that harms life is considered poison, not limited to a specific substance, and can include illusions or curses, those special existences.
Having no prior exposure to the Poison Dao, this book was an eye-opener, leaving him somewhat captivated.
The setting sun outside the window brought Shen Wang back to his senses, shaking his head: "I can’t get so engrossed in this, they are all side doors, one’s own cultivation is fundamental."
He organized his thoughts, went out to help Jia’Er nurture her body, and gained a bit of cultivation.
Gave his daughter a turn, cultivation increased by 1 again.
Shen Wang felt speechless: "System, allowing me to gain cultivation so effortlessly, is this trying to lead me astray?"
If he had ten children at this moment, nourishing each one morning and evening, his cultivation could increase by 20 points a day, a feat not likely achievable through a month of training.
"Still, it is leading me off course..."
Shen Wang resigned, truly wanting to improve his cultivation through his own efforts, but the benefits brought by his daughter and second child were too great.
"Pregnancy lasts ten months; I need to consider the next wife."
Shen Wang sighed, never wanting to admit certain things.
That he shouldn’t just be a seed-sowing machine.
Now, facing the threat of the Black Death Blade King, experiencing this almost cheating feeling, he could only admit it was good.
Shen Wang went to the poolside, watching the fish in the water, his expression shifting.
From his upbringing and teachings he’d always been taught that the most important aspect for a cultivator is cultivating one’s heart, relying too much on external things won’t lead you far.
Yet the experiences of the last year all told him that without external aids, cultivation is difficult.
The system also openly informed him now that without cheats, cultivation is difficult too.
This clash of values left Shen Wang quite torn.
He feared becoming just a tool for generating offspring.
After thinking for a long time, his gaze became clear.
Whatever one does, moderation is key; neither frantically seeking women to bear his children nor ignoring the benefits provided by the system.
He set a standard for himself, refusing to marry anyone but beautiful, young women, and regardless of his offspring’s talents, he would take responsibility for his women and children.
Liu Shan approached, having something to report.
Shen Wang estimated it was something he’d asked Liu Shan to investigate.
"The people who died in the town were bitten by zombies, and... the dead are transforming at night, some are spreading rumors that it’s all because of you, Master."
Liu Shan hesitated: "The town’s people are too ignorant, saying the demon catching people is from Grave Mountain, and it’s because Master offended the demon."
"Heh, it’s just that thing finding them easy to deal with, they dare not retaliate against the evil spirit, so they blame me instead, likely deciding I’m human and easier to bully."
Shen Wang sneered: "If they came to seek my help, or perhaps, I would still lend a hand, but daring to blame me , let them live or die as they please, or flee from here."
"Just worried they’ll all come together to cause trouble."
Liu Shan expressed his concern.
"If they come, fight them off. Your strength has also improved quite a bit lately; dealing with a few villagers shouldn’t be a problem."
Shen Wang paid no heed, hating the weak who dare not retaliate against the strong, yet turn their blade onto another weak person.
Even if he didn’t consider himself weak, to those villagers, he appeared as someone they could bully, evident from the past when some tried to steal his things.
Liu Shan nodded; over the past month, consuming Spirit Rice daily and occasionally guided by Shen Wang, he had reached Mid-stage Postnatal. Out there, he was a second-tier expert, ten or eight mountain villagers couldn’t even come close to him.
"If you have time today, bring your wife over, and I’ll teach you some new techniques later."
Liu Shan was overjoyed and ran to call Hongping over.
Shen Wang taught Hongping the Blood-Transforming Palm, a technique quite suitable for women to cultivate, as it followed the path of Blood Refining and Qi Transformation.
He passed the Wolf Step to Liu Shan, along with several moves of the Black Death Saber Technique, enough for both to practice for some time.