Eternal Night World.
Li Qing had already spent two full months here, practicing martial arts day and night, striving to forge his physique into something even stronger.
Currently, he was simultaneously training in four martial arts, with the Ancient Hammer Technique showing the most progress, followed by the True Meaning of the Fierce Tiger. As for the Turtle Breathing Technique and the Light Silk Legs, he was still just on the edge of entry-level practice. The former required a long time to cultivate, while he had only recently begun practicing the latter, making it difficult to balance both.
Despite mastering four martial arts, Li Qing was not worried about being unable to handle them all; with his long lifespan, he could take his time.
Boom!
In the secluded courtyard, Li Qing, bare-chested, suddenly unleashed a punch, his qi and blood stirring faintly, full of power.
Fierce Tiger Pouncing!
In the next moment, Li Qing's figure leaped swiftly into the air, agile yet imposing, like a fierce tiger descending the mountain.
"Calculating the time, it should have been about twenty days over there, I wonder how the situation at the border is." Li Qing murmured to himself.
During this time, he had stayed at home, not once stepping outside the courtyard. Occasionally, someone would come to him for blacksmithing; to avoid raising suspicion, he accepted every order, with the payment being black rye mushrooms.
After all, as a blacksmith, if he stayed at home all day without stepping out, anyone would suspect his source of food.
Although his physique was much stronger than it had been two months ago, he had not yet truly cultivated external strength, and he did not want others to take an interest in him.
Slowly retracting his fierce tiger stance, Li Qing, who was now deeply studying martial arts, had eyes that sparkled with vitality, and his muscles were distinctly defined, brimming with strength.
He no longer resembled a person from this world.
The people on the streets around him, if one were to randomly pull someone out, would appear malnourished and emaciated.
How could they compare to Li Qing, whose complexion was rosy and spirit vibrant, completely unlike someone who lived on black rye mushrooms every day?
Of course, all of this was thanks to the large amounts of food and dried meat he had transported from the military grain depot.
Eating well and practicing martial arts diligently, aside from that, he also enjoyed ample sleep.
"It’s about time to go out and see this Obsidian City; I can’t just stay at home forever!" Li Qing exhaled deeply, the scorching qi within him almost forming a long white serpent in the cold air.
The breath was long and unending, and his spirit was full and rounded.
Although he had not yet truly entered the ranks of external strength masters, he felt that he was not far from breaking through that threshold.
Thus, he dared to venture out to explore this lawless city, unafraid of encountering any ill-intentioned individuals on the streets.
This was the confidence that martial arts had given him!
"If any blind person comes looking for trouble, I wouldn’t mind letting him taste my Fierce Tiger Fist!"
Li Qing chuckled, speaking as he donned a large, thick cotton coat to cover his robust muscles.
A gentleman conceals his strength and waits for the right moment to act!
Now, with a single punch capable of knocking an ordinary person to the ground, Li Qing did not wish to flaunt his martial prowess.
In a strange world, learning to hide was essential for long-term survival.
Over the past two months, he had helped his neighbors forge numerous iron tools and repair various daily necessities.
Though his lifespan had not increased much, he had exchanged it for a pile of black rye mushrooms.
This item was hard currency in Obsidian City; as long as one had enough, they could almost exchange it for anything.
Yes, anything!
Previously, there was a period when the harvest of black rye mushrooms outside the city was poor, and the already hungry and impoverished people had eyes that turned green with hunger; a handful of black rye mushrooms could be exchanged for a person!
Of course, with enough food at his disposal, Li Qing certainly would not eat black rye mushrooms; he had no interest in bringing a few people back to his courtyard. Li Qing took a cloth basket and packed up the black rye mushrooms he had accumulated over this time, totaling over twenty pounds.
"Well, calculating the time, today is suitable for going out to do some trading!"
Twenty pounds was nothing for him; carrying it on his back felt like nothing at all, quite easy.
Perhaps due to the recent abundant harvest of black rye mushrooms, there were particularly many people in the city these days, each face adorned with a smile.
Walking along the street towards the market, he saw many people exchanging various items.
Among them, the most eye-catching to Li Qing were some exquisitely crafted jade pieces; if he were to take these back to his original world, their value would be quite considerable!
In this inconspicuous market, it was astonishing that one could exchange some black rye mushrooms for such items.
Thinking about the possibility of returning to a period of poverty after going back, Li Qing's mind began to scheme.
‘Why not exchange some to take back? Once I return, I could trade them for money, and I wouldn’t have to worry about how to make a living.’
Practicing martial arts was quite costly, especially in terms of food.
If nutrition was insufficient, practicing martial arts could harm the body, easily leading to lingering ailments, and one could fall ill at any moment.
However, if one could ensure good meals, eating meat and fish at every meal, then practicing martial arts would yield twice the result with half the effort!
Especially since Li Qing had heard that some Martial Halls would brew medicinal wines to sell, all of which were secret recipes.
Drinking a bowl would significantly boost one’s qi and blood, making progress in martial arts a rapid affair.
Having made up his mind, Li Qing walked directly to the stall selling jade pieces and asked in a deep voice, "Old man, how much for these jades?"
In this era where even food was hard to come by, jade had become quite worthless.
The stall owner was an old man, and his business was very bleak, even to the point of being ignored.
Finally seeing someone come to inquire about prices, the old man, whose face was thin and gaunt with sunken eyes and cheeks, quickly spoke up, "These are all jade pieces passed down from my ancestors, especially this jade lion; look how smooth it is!"
He rambled on with flowery words, merely trying to raise the price and exchange for more black rye mushrooms.
Li Qing, of course, was well aware of this; he feigned indifference, wearing a faint smile as he watched the old man continue to boast.
Seeing Li Qing's demeanor, the old man grew tired of speaking and waved his hand weakly, saying, "Ten pounds of black rye mushrooms, and you can take all these jades."
Ten pounds?
Even Li Qing, who was not very familiar with local market prices, knew that the other party was asking for an exorbitant price!
‘After all this time, I’ve worked hard to help others forge iron, and I’ve only managed to accumulate about twenty pounds of black rye mushrooms; this old man dares to ask for that much!’
Li Qing stood up without saying a word, preparing to browse other stalls.
However, the old man quickly grabbed the corner of his clothing, weakly saying, "Young man, you should at least make a counteroffer; how can you show no sincerity at all?"
"Business is all about fate, and buying jade is even more so; being too impatient is not good!"
Li Qing felt a bit amused and replied, "Three pounds of black rye mushrooms."
"Deal!"
The old man readily agreed, even starting to help Li Qing pack up the jade pieces, seemingly not intending to raise the price at all.
That was hasty. Li Qing thought to himself.
(End of Chapter)