Chapter 183: Zhongli's Advice
The lid of the chest slowly, smoothly, swung open, revealing the prize nestled within—a small, exquisite porcelain bottle, the color of white jade.
Even more surprising, however, was the semi-transparent panel that materialized out of thin air the moment the chest opened fully. It hovered above the bottle, its design strikingly similar to a game interface, displaying a single, clear line of text.
[Vein-Nourishing and Blood-Activating Pill]
Quality: Green. Harmonizes Qi and blood, nourishes one's foundation, aids in body tempering, and enhances physical strength and resilience.
Everyone stared.
Belle, her mouth twitching as she eyed the floating text box, couldn't hold back her complaint. "You've got to be kidding me... who is designing these increasingly over-the-top pop-ups?! Are we really sure we're not in some kind of immersive holographic game right now?!"
Stelle, on the other hand, was all for it. Her eyes lit up with a familiar, chaotic excitement. "What's wrong with a game interface? It's so intuitive! It tells you exactly what this is and what it's for! Besides, the reward is real!"
She gestured enthusiastically at the bottle. "Wise just got a bottle of green-quality pills for free! Do you know how many points that would cost in the shop? Anyway, the group chat wouldn't trick us!"
Listening from the side, March 7th was rendered a little speechless. She leaned over and whispered to Dan Heng, "Stelle... wasn't she the first one to complain about this whole thing feeling like a game? Now she's the first one singing its praises. Her opinion changes so fast..."
Dan Heng just shook his head, a faint, helpless smile touching his lips.
At that moment, Zhongli stepped forward. His gaze paused on the floating text box for a second before shifting to Wise, his expression thoughtful as he offered some sincere advice.
"Wise, this battle has shown that you have not been lax in your daily training. Your movements and techniques are quite proficient, and your on-the-spot reactions were well-timed."
"Especially in the later stages," he continued, his voice a low, steady baritone. "Your clarity of thought and precise timing in integrating flame into your martial arts—that was what allowed you to shatter that formidable stone armor."
His tone then shifted, gently but firmly pointing out the core issue. "However, your deficiencies are also quite apparent: your physical stamina is lacking, and your foundational cultivation is shallow. As the old saying goes, 'if strength is insufficient, techniques are difficult to apply.' This is the key factor limiting your performance."
Zhongli's gaze fell upon the Vein-Nourishing and Blood-Activating Pill. "This item has come at a propitious moment. 'Harmonizes Qi and blood, nourishes one's foundation, aids in body tempering'—it is the perfect remedy for your immediate needs."
But he didn't suggest Wise take it immediately. Instead, he proposed a more deliberate, long-term plan. "However, the power of elixirs is ultimately an external aid. It must be supported by one's own cultivation to maximize its effectiveness and avoid waste."
"You should first study the Shu Mountain cultivation methods within the Daoist Casket that Paimon placed in the group warehouse. Focus especially on the foundational chapters concerning 'body tempering'and'Qi guiding.'"
"There is no need to be greedy for advanced techniques. First, thoroughly understand the basic methods of the Qi Refining stage. Stabilize your own Qi and blood circulation, then take this pill. In doing so, the medicinal power can be better absorbed and refined, allowing you to achieve twice the result with half the effort."
Zhongli's expression grew more serious, his amber eyes holding a new gravity. "You must understand that until we master the art of alchemy and secure a stable source of raw materials, finished elixirs such as this are scarce resources."
"Unless you are exceptionally lucky and can continuously draw them from rewards, or are willing to spend a huge amount of points in the shop, each one used is one less. Therefore, you must cherish every resource you possess and make the best use of everything. That is the path to long-term growth."
Wise listened intently to every word, knowing this was very useful guidance. He solemnly picked up the small jade bottle and nodded vigorously. "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Zhongli. I will study the basic cultivation methods first before I consider taking the elixir."
Zhongli's long analysis on resource management and solidifying one's foundation was clear, logical, and hit the nail on the head. The others standing around nodded in agreement.
Those with careful minds, like Dan Heng and Wise, truly grasped the deep wisdom in his words, recognizing it as the most stable and efficient path forward.
As for Stelle... sometime during the latter half of Zhongli's lengthy discourse, her eyes had begun to glaze over. Her gaze drifted past his shoulder, her thoughts wandering off into the great unknown. Perhaps she was replaying the impressive entrance of the Damned Vanguard from earlier, or perhaps she was simply pondering what to have for dinner.
She just saw everyone else nodding, so she instinctively followed suit, her face fixed in an expression that said, 'Ah, yes, I see, I understand,' though it was highly likely she hadn't heard a single word.
Wise first expressed his sincere gratitude to Zhongli again. "Thank you, Mr. Zhongli. I will keep your words in mind and build a solid foundation before considering the elixir."
Afterward, he remembered a crucial question and looked toward Stelle, March 7th, and Dan Heng in confusion. "Oh, right, Stelle, why did you all suddenly come over here? Did something happen in the temple area?"
Apparently, he had been so completely engrossed in his battle that he'd had no time to check the chat group. Belle was in the same boat; her entire focus had been on her brother, fearing for his safety, so she had naturally missed the group's discussion as well.
Stelle waved a dismissive hand. "Ugh! Don't even get me started! We were supposed to head to the northern temple area, but halfway there, the Chimera absolutely refused to take us any further."
"A prompt even popped up saying something like, 'This area can be explored later.' It felt just like getting walled off in a game! We had no choice but to hop in the group chat, talk it over with Mr. Zhongli, and re-coordinate our exploration zones."
"The second we finished dividing up the tasks, we heard all the commotion from your fight over here, so of course, we had to rush over and see what was up!"
As she spoke, she gave Wise a hearty pat on the shoulder and a big thumbs-up, her tone filled with genuine praise. "Not bad, Wise! Those last few moves with your fists on fire, that rapid-fire combo—super cool!"
Wise saw the pure, sincere admiration in Stelle's eyes and knew she wasn't mocking his earlier awkwardness. A wave of relief washed over him, and he smiled humbly. "Not at all. Like Mr. Zhongli said, I still have a lot to learn. My physical body is just too weak."
He then steered the conversation back to the main topic. "So, are the tasks re-divided now? What about us here...?"
"They're divided, they're divided!" March 7th chimed in with a bright, energetic smile. "Now we can officially begin exploring according to the new plan! Let's go for it!"
"Woohoo! Treasure chests! Monsters! Points! Here we come!" The moment Stelle heard that it was officially time to start, it was as if a switch had been flipped inside her.
She let out a cheer, and without even waiting for the others to react, she shot off like a rocket toward their newly assigned area, disappearing in an instant.
March 7th and Dan Heng were left standing there, looking at each other in shared, helpless resignation.
"That girl... she's always like this!" March stomped her foot in mild exasperation.
Dan Heng sighed softly. "Let's go. We should keep up with her, just in case she causes any more trouble."
The two hastily called out to Wise and Belle, "We're going on ahead, see you later!" before quickening their pace to chase after the streak of gray and gold that was Stelle.
Belle watched the direction Stelle had vanished in and couldn't help but laugh. "Stelle really is... full of energy! It's like she never gets tired."
Zhongli's gaze followed Stelle's receding figure, a hint of faint appreciation in his eyes. "Indeed," he said thoughtfully. "Perhaps it is precisely this pure, sincere, and single-minded childlike nature that allows her to make such rapid progress on the path of cultivation."
"I recall that after she obtained the blue-quality Fire Dance Whirlwind sword technique, it seemed to take her very little time to master it. One's character, at times, is also a kind of talent."
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