Summer Ning Shang entered the Hall of Contributions and glanced around stealthily, only to find Yang Kai had already left. This caused her to quietly sigh in relief. Perhaps due to the morning's events, she still felt a lingering sense of guilt.
In the midst of her turmoil, she heard the shopkeeper Meng sigh deeply from behind the counter.
"What's wrong, Master?" Summer Ning Shang asked.
"I can't help but regret that boy just now," sighed Shopkeeper Meng sorrowfully. "He's a good lad, willing to endure hardship, diligent, of good character, and even-tempered..."
Hearing her master praise Yang Kai so, Summer Ning Shang couldn't help but feel annoyed. She thought, "You have no idea what he did to your disciple this morning, exposing himself shamelessly and frightening her."
Shopkeeper Meng continued to speak, further riling up Summer Ning Shang. She slammed her hand down on the counter with a loud "snap," the sound of something breaking.
"Crack!" echoed a sound of something shattering.
Shopkeeper Meng looked over, his expression contorting in agony. He wailed, "My Blood Spirit Ganoderma, worth twenty contribution points..."
"Is this the Blood Spirit Ganoderma?" Summer Ning Shang looked at the powder on the table, wondering if her master's eyesight was failing him. How could this be a Blood Spirit Ganoderma?
"No, no, I was mistaken," Shopkeeper Meng sighed lightly, and with a puff of breath, the powder on the counter was suddenly swept away by an invisible force, dispersing outside along the way without a trace.
"Oh right, what did you come to see me for today?" Shopkeeper Meng adjusted his expression, unusually serious.
"I've made a breakthrough," Summer Ning Shang replied.
Shopkeeper Meng's expression shifted slightly as he carefully examined Summer Ning Shang's state, nodding repeatedly. "Good, good, I knew I didn't misjudge. Only someone with your constitution is truly suited for this cultivation method. Here, take this pill to stabilize your breakthrough."
"Mm," Summer Ning Shang took it, hesitating for a moment before softly asking, "How are your injuries, Master?"
Shopkeeper Meng smiled faintly. "Don't worry about me, I've been through so many years, it's nothing serious."
Yang Kai returned to the small cabin with a mix of excitement and anticipation.
Now that both the Three Leaf Soul Remnant Flower and the Extinct Earth Withered Grass were ready, and in considerable quantities, they should last for a while.
With everything prepared, he was eager to find out if the incense burner could truly assist in his cultivation.
The cabin was situated in the most remote and desolate part of the Lingxiao Pavilion, rarely frequented by anyone, so Yang Kai wasn't worried about exposing his secrets. He walked inside, summoned the Nameless Dark Book, flipped to the third page, and retrieved the incense burner, placing it beside his bed.
He then took out the Three Leaf Soul Remnant Flower and the Extinct Earth Withered Grass, stuffing both herbs into the burner before sealing it shut.
Instantly, a faint, peculiar fragrance filled the cabin. Yang Kai took a deep sniff, focusing intently, but found nothing particularly noteworthy about the scent. After inhaling it, he felt no physical sensation.
However, from the holes in the incense burner's lid, a continuous stream of fragrance flowed directly into Yang Kai's nostrils, like slender, serpentine threads. It was eerie and entered his body through his mouth and nose.
Suddenly, he felt something new within his body—sensations of numbness spread through his flesh, blood vessels, even his bone marrow.
Yang Kai didn't dare to be careless, hastily grabbing the incense burner and preparing to cultivate.
But as soon as he took a step, he was astonished. It felt as though his foot was weighed down with lead, incredibly heavy. With each step, his energy rapidly drained.
Taking another step, Yang Kai's body tensed up, sweat pouring down. Every muscle in his body tightened, and the recently cultivated energy pulsated through his meridians, bones creaking.
On the third step, Yang Kai's legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground, the incense burner rolling far away.
Hands on the ground, Yang Kai remained motionless, but his heavy breathing sounded like a bellows. His chest heaved violently, flesh convulsing, tendons, viscera, bones—everything pulsated, contracted, tingling spreading throughout his body. Yang Kai wanted to shout but suppressed it tightly.
In his current state of extreme exhaustion, he felt like he'd overexerted himself, something he'd experienced a few times before. So Yang Kai was somewhat familiar.
But he'd only taken three steps just now, why had he exhausted all his strength? Not only his physical strength but his spirit too, tired to the point his vision blurred.
He could only say his spirit, energy, and focus had hit rock bottom.
In that instant, the effects of the Three Leaf Soul Remnant Flower and the Extinct Earth Withered Grass came to mind.
Both herbs had slight toxicity, not lethal to ordinary people, but the former exhausted the spirit while the latter harmed the body. Given his current state, Yang Kai had a hunch.
It was probably because of the incense burner's fragrance he'd inhaled. It magnified the effects of both herbs infinitely.
Having the Robust Golden Body, his recovery ability was exceptional. Even after a long period of cultivation, he felt no fatigue. But naturally, without reaching the limit, it wouldn't force out his full potential.
But now, it was different. Simply taking three steps had exhausted him to such a limit. In the future, would he still fear the inability to cultivate?
Yang Kai had always believed human potential was limitless, dependent on excavation. Although qualifications might influence a martial artist's growth, self-effort was crucial. Therefore, despite knowing his inadequate talent, he persisted tirelessly, never giving up on cultivation.
Thinking of this, Yang Kai's spirits soared!
Gradually exerting his strength, he propped up his exhausted body. Both thighs shook violently, and Yang Kai's veins bulged, his eyes widened in pain, gradually, inch by inch, he stood himself up.
Nearly collapsing, his legs straightened, trembling like leaves, but his body trended steadily, moving firmly without altering its course.
Finally, with a roar, he stood tall, leaning back slightly, his legs' vigorous dance, and a cold sweat, his whole body tense, his muscles, twist, bone snapped.