Most of the pharmacies in Nanyang City are owned by Miaoshou Garden.
Lu Changsheng naturally wouldn't go to Miaoshou Garden's affiliated pharmacy to buy medicinal meals to avoid exposing his identity.
He went to a small pharmacy run by an individual.
The pharmacy owner is just a small-town physician who makes a living by treating illnesses and selling some medicinal herbs.
Lu Changsheng walked in, and the physician kindly asked, "Do you feel unwell?"
Lu Changsheng shook his head and said, "I'm not here for treatment; I'm here to buy medicine."
"Oh? Do you have a prescription?"
"No, I'm here to purchase medicinal meals for martial arts practice."
The physician pondered for a moment, then looked at Lu Changsheng and nodded, saying, "In martial arts practice, it's essential to strengthen your blood and vitality. The most famous medicinal meals in Nanyang City are from Miaoshou Garden."
"However, my family has a traditional recipe that is just as effective as Miaoshou Garden's medicinal meals."
"Our ancient recipe is called Eight Treasures Blood-Boosting Powder. It requires eight precious medicinal herbs and greatly aids in enhancing your vitality for martial arts practice."
"But since it's an ancient recipe, it's naturally quite expensive. It depends on whether you're willing to spend the silver."
Lu Changsheng's eyes lit up. "Is it really more effective than Miaoshou Garden's medicinal meals?"
"Indeed. I've been running this pharmacy for years. Would I lie to you?"
Lu Changsheng nodded; this seemed to be true.
A pharmacy with a long-standing tradition wouldn't deceive its customers.
"How much do you sell your Eight Treasures Blood-Boosting Powder for?"
"One dose of Eight Treasures Blood-Boosting Powder costs nine taels of silver and can be consumed for three days."
"Nine taels of silver? Miaoshou Garden's medicinal meals are only seven taels per dose."
"But my Eight Treasures Blood-Boosting Powder has even better effects!"
Lu Changsheng hesitated for a moment.
It should be safe to assume that they wouldn't deceive him in this matter. Although it was expensive, he couldn't risk buying medicinal meals from Miaoshou Garden.
"Alright, I'll take two doses to try."
Lu Changsheng purchased two doses of Eight Treasures Blood-Boosting Powder.
The physician was pleased because he knew that those who practiced martial arts, once they used medicinal meals, would become long-term customers.
After buying the doses, Lu Changsheng went to look for a martial arts school. If he wanted to learn martial arts, he had to visit a martial arts school.
Lu Changsheng found a place called the "Feihe Martial Arts School."
As soon as he entered, a middle-aged man greeted him enthusiastically, "Are you here to learn martial arts? Our Feihe Martial Arts School is one of the largest martial arts schools in Nanyang City, with many skilled masters." Follow current novels on NovᴇlFir(e).nᴇt
The man kept boasting, but Lu Changsheng paid no attention to it. Instead, he saw a room inside where someone seemed to be teaching martial arts to the students.
Lu Changsheng pondered for a moment and asked, "Can I take a look inside?"
The middle-aged man led Lu Changsheng into the room.
The room was spacious, with about twenty or thirty disciples inside. Among them, a burly man was demonstrating martial arts.
"This is Master Meng from our martial arts school, known for his powerful and dominant Golden Arhat Fist technique. He's unbeatable."
All the exaggerated praise about being unbeatable was ignored by Lu Changsheng.
He narrowed his eyes and stared at Master Meng.
Master Meng unleashed a powerful punch, and Lu Changsheng could feel an overwhelming surge of energy, like a scorching wave, flowing throughout the room. This was the essence of vitality!
Master Meng's vital energy was undoubtedly very formidable.
Master Meng's punch landed on a large stone, shattering it into pieces. This was the power to break stones and split rocks!
The disciples below all had their eyes wide open, filled with eagerness.
Master Meng smiled slightly and said, "Did you see that? This is the power of vital energy!"
"The first stage of martial arts is body refinement, which consists of three levels: strengthening blood, tempering bones, and refining organs."
"The essence of these three stages is to toughen the physical body and lay a solid foundation. The more solid your foundation, the higher your future achievements in martial arts."
"Above body refinement is the Divine Power Realm! The so-called 'easy marrow for blood,' 'self-generated divine power.' Once you reach the Divine Power Realm, you're in a completely different league from ordinary people."
"For example, I've been practicing martial arts for decades, and I've only reached the stage of tempering bones, still a long way from refining organs. I'll never reach the Divine Power Realm in this lifetime. But if you lay a solid foundation, there's hope for you to achieve the Divine Power Realm!"
Lu Changsheng's eyes lit up. From Master Meng's explanation, he learned some common martial arts knowledge.
For the first time, he understood that the first stage of martial arts was body refinement, which had three levels. The firmer the foundation, the easier it was to advance to the second stage, the Divine Power Realm.
"Master Meng is at the stage of tempering bones, which means he has strong vital energy. I'm currently only at the strengthening blood stage, still far behind..."
Lu Changsheng was deep in thought, and he knew what he needed to focus on next.
The middle-aged man beside him said, "How about it? Master Meng is excellent, right? If you pay, you can become Master Meng's disciple immediately."
Although the middle-aged man thought Lu Changsheng was considering it, Lu Changsheng turned and left without a word.
He didn't want to rely solely on the words of the Feihe Martial Arts School.
He gathered information from various sources about the black market and found that it was consistent with what the people from the Feihe Martial Arts School had said.
Feeling reassured, he returned to Miaoshou Garden and patiently waited.
Seeing that it was still early in the evening, Lu Changsheng decided to try the Eight Treasures Blood-Boosting Powder he had purchased.
He used about one-third of the Eight Treasures Blood-Boosting Powder, dissolving it in hot water and drinking it.
After consuming it, he felt a burning sensation in his abdomen.
He hurriedly used the Grand River Vitality Technique to circulate his vital energy.
Usually, when he used the technique, it had minimal effects. However, this time was different. Every time he circulated his vital energy, he felt a warm flow spreading rapidly throughout his body. His blood and vital energy visibly increased at a rate he could see with his naked eye.
Lu Changsheng was excited. "This Eight Treasures Blood-Boosting Powder is truly miraculous!"
"Just one use, and my blood and vital energy have increased by nearly half compared to the months of strenuous effort before."
He clenched his fist, feeling his body filled with strength.
He understood why they said that martial artists needed medicinal meals. Having them and not having them made a world of difference.
It was no wonder people said that martial arts favored the wealthy and that without financial means, it was impossible to make progress.
"I need to continue using the Eight Treasures Blood-Boosting Powder."
"The only drawback of expensive things is that they are costly!"
Lu Changsheng concluded his training and checked the time; it was almost midnight.
Leaving Miaoshou Garden, Lu Changsheng headed towards the black market in the southern part of the city.