Chapter 42: Cloud Dragon Body Fold

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Cloud Dragon Body Fold

The next day, Chen Yue began his daily cultivation in the courtyard as usual.

The moment he circulated his newly acquired Mountain-Suppressing Essence-Stabilizing Technique, he immediately felt an experience completely different from his previous Mountain Shattering Technique.

His Qi Blood still surged powerfully, but it now possessed a balanced, enduring, and profound quality. The power flowed more smoothly through his body, nourishing his muscles and bones more effectively. With every breath, he could even feel a subtle force being drawn into his body, slowly solidifying his foundation.

When he finished cultivating, he wasn’t tired at all. Instead, he felt refreshed and invigorated, his Qi Blood abundant.

And when Chen Yue tried his new Body Technique, the Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step, he was met with one pleasant surprise after another.

With just a thought, his figure appeared several zhang away. Not only was he as fast as a phantom, but his movements had a unique lightness and airiness, as if he could truly step on clouds to gain momentum.

He weaved between the rockeries, short trees, and stone benches in the courtyard as if on level ground, turning with perfect ease. Its adaptability to complex terrain far surpassed that of the Floating Light and Shadow Technique.

What was even more amazing was that when Chen Yue condensed a portion of his Qi Blood at the soles of his feet and unleashed it according to a specific Technique, a single step left a shallow imprint on the bluestone pavers, demonstrating the fierce impact contained within his stride.

And this was only at the Great Success Realm. If he cultivated it to Perfection, its power and marvels would likely far exceed what they were now.

’The panel’s fusion ability is truly profound,’ Chen Yue marveled internally.

Night fell. Lanterns in the Chen Mansion lit up one by one, and the rhythmic footsteps of patrolling guards echoed through the grounds.

His figure like a wisp of green smoke, Chen Yue silently vaulted over the courtyard wall. In a different location, he changed into an inconspicuous set of dark gray, coarse linen short clothes. He activated his Disguise Technique, put on a bamboo hat, and covered his face with a black cloth, melting into the deep darkness outside.

Chen Yue knew the layout of Youlin County like the back of his hand. He specifically chose quiet, deserted alleys to travel through. With the Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step, he moved extremely fast and silently.

Even when the occasional patrolling Night Watchman or soldier passed by, they would only feel a slight breeze brush past them. By the time they turned to look, there was no one there.

Before long, Chen Yue once again arrived at the chaotic old district in the eastern part of the city. He confidently strode into the black market, treading a familiar path.

Shen Dujiang’s stall was as deserted as ever. He was resting his hands in his sleeves and leaning against a pile of junk, feigning sleep. Only when he heard footsteps approach did he lazily lift his eyelids.

When he saw it was Chen Yue, wearing his bamboo hat and mask, an imperceptible trace of relief flickered in his eyes.

"You punk, why didn’t you show up the last few days? Did something happen?" Shen Dujiang asked in a low voice.

He had been genuinely worried. He couldn’t afford for this stable supply of Bone Marrow Cleansing Pills to be cut off by some accident. These days, reliable Alchemy Masters and stable supply chains were both scarce resources.

"Something did come up,"

Chen Yue’s voice came through his mask, slightly hoarse. "But it’s been dealt with. Thanks for your concern."

Shen Dujiang nodded and didn’t press for details. In the black market, asking too many questions wasn’t a good habit. He stood up and gestured toward the small hut behind him. "Let’s talk inside."

One after the other, they entered the dim hut. Shen Dujiang fumbled in a corner and pulled out two medicinal herb packets, carefully wrapped in oil paper, and handed them to Chen Yue.

"Just like we discussed last time, here are the ingredients for three sets of Bone Marrow Cleansing Pills, and one set for the Antitoxic Pill. The ingredients for the Antitoxic Pill were hard to find; it took me a few days to gather them."

Chen Yue took them and began to inspect them carefully by the bean-sized flame of the oil lamp inside.

The quality of the ingredients for the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill was still top-notch. The ingredients for the Antitoxic Pill were mostly poisonous herbs, and the proportions matched the requirements of the Pill Formula.

"The ingredients are fine. Thank you for your trouble."

Chen Yue stored the ingredients away, then took a small porcelain vial from his robes and handed it over. "Here are this time’s Bone Marrow Cleansing Pills. Three of them, similar in quality to the last batch."

Shen Dujiang took the vial, uncorked it, and poured out the Elixirs to inspect them. The medicinal fragrance was pure—they were indeed of superior quality. A smile appeared on his face as he nodded and carefully put the Elixirs away.

With the transaction complete, Shen Dujiang showed no intention of sending him off. He looked at Chen Yue and said in a low voice, "Didn’t you ask me last time to keep an eye out for any new and unusual Pill Formulas or Cultivation Technique Manuals on the black market?"

Hearing this, Chen Yue’s eyes lit up slightly. "Good news?"

"There aren’t any profound, peerless Secret Manuals, of course. That kind of thing wouldn’t find its way here."

Shen Dujiang chuckled softly and continued, "However, someone’s recently been selling a manual on Hidden Weapon Techniques. It’s a bit of an unorthodox path, but I hear that once mastered, it’s impossible to defend against. Are you interested?"

"Hidden Weapon Techniques?"

Chen Yue’s interest was piqued. For close combat, he had the Mountain-Suppressing Essence-Stabilizing Technique and the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield. For weaponry, he had the Furious Wave Saber Technique. For movement, he had the Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step. Ranged attacks and stealth assassinations were indeed his weak points.

While Hidden Weapon Techniques might seem unorthodox, they could be surprisingly effective in certain situations.

"It’s good for broadening my horizons and adding another self-defense tool to my arsenal. Is there anything else?" Chen Yue asked.

Shen Dujiang nodded. "There’s also a Pill Formula for something called a Bone-Enhancing Pill. Ever heard of it?"

"Bone-Enhancing Pill?" Chen Yue shook his head. He had never heard that name before.

"I made some inquiries for you."

Shen Dujiang explained, "Apparently, the original intention behind this Bone-Enhancing Pill was to create an elixir that could postnatally enhance bone strength.

In theory, if one could strengthen their bones, it would not only reduce the difficulty and risk for a Martial Artist breaking through to the Bone Forging realm, but also directly increase their strength. After all, muscles and bones are connected; stronger bones mean greater power."

’It can strengthen bones, lower the difficulty of breaking through to the Bone Forging realm, and directly increase strength?’

Chen Yue asked, "Is this elixir really that effective?"

Shen Dujiang shook his head. "The idea is good, but the actual effect... is negligible, almost imperceptible. It’s even less reliable than that Antitoxic Pill. Otherwise, if a Pill Formula truly had such miraculous effects, it would have been snatched up and hoarded by the major powers long ago. How could it end up in the black market?"

Hearing this, however, a thought sparked in Chen Yue’s mind.

’A negligible effect? Perhaps for others, but for me... The effect of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill on improving aptitude was also negligible, but with the panel’s amplification, it became significant.’

’I haven’t tried the Antitoxic Pill yet, but I imagine it won’t be bad either.’

’If this Bone-Enhancing Pill truly has even the slightest fundamental effect of strengthening bones, then under the panel’s amplification, it might produce an astonishing transformation. This is exactly the kind of special-effect elixir I’ve been looking for.’

Chen Yue nodded, his tone calm, betraying none of the turmoil in his heart. "What’s their asking price?"

"I already felt them out."

Shen Dujiang held up three fingers. "The seller knows this Pill Formula is useless, so the asking price isn’t high. I haggled them down. We should be able to get it for three taels of silver. But let me be clear: I can’t vouch for its authenticity, and you heard about its effects. Don’t blame me if you end up with a bad deal."

"You jest. A transaction is voluntary; there’s no reason for blame. Three taels of silver is fine."

Chen Yue agreed readily and asked, "And the price for that manual on Hidden Weapon Techniques?"

"That one’s not worth much. Half a tael of silver should be enough," Shen Dujiang said with a smile. "If you want both, I’ll take you over there. You can try to negotiate with the stall owner yourself."

"I’d appreciate that," Chen Yue said, cupping his hands.

A short while later, under Shen Dujiang’s guidance, Chen Yue successfully traded three and a half taels of silver for a worn piece of parchment recording the Pill Formula for the Bone-Enhancing Pill, and a Secret Manual on Hidden Weapon Techniques called the Meridian Bone-Piercing Nail.

He put the two items away with the medicinal ingredients, thanked Shen Dujiang again, and turned to leave the black market.

On the way back to the Chen Mansion, Chen Yue walked at a steady pace. Just as he was passing through a narrow alley, his steps faltered for an almost imperceptible moment.

’Is that an extremely faint sound behind me, different from the night wind and the chirping of insects? And more than one?’

Chen Yue didn’t look back, nor did he speed up. But just as he reached a corner in the alley, his footwork changed.

SWOOSH!

Chen Yue left a faint afterimage in his place as his real body, using an exquisite move from the Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step—the Cloud Dragon Body Fold—vanished on the spot.