215: Chapter 211 Shocking News of a Sudden Change

The other type was Evil-Dispelling Incense. Its function was to dispel harmful, malevolent energies from the air, such as corpse qi, yin qi, ghost qi, miasma, and sickly qi. It was exceptionally effective against malevolent entities that existed between the physical and ethereal realms, like ghosts. It also had a strong repelling and suppressing effect on gu insects, and ordinary snakes, insects, rats, or ants would flee at the first whiff of it; thus, it could also serve as a potent insect repellent. Furthermore, the medicinal ingredients used were all common Chinese herbs, allowing for continuous, large-scale production.

The cultivation world (Ability User world) categorized treasures into two types: Mortal Grade and Spirit Grade. The distinction lay in whether they contained spirituality. The divide between the two was clear, and they were worlds apart in both value and efficacy. Those without spirituality were Mortal; those with spirituality were further divided into four ranks—Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow—based on the amount of spirituality they possessed. Each rank was subdivided into High, Mid, and Low tiers. It was rumored that above High Tier, there was a 'Top Tier' classification. Top Tier treasures were extremely special and could even be categorized as a class of their own, though Cao Xiao did not understand the mysteries behind them. However, he knew that Top Tier treasures were things that could only be encountered by luck and not sought out, appearing perhaps once in a century. Their value could span an entire rank, and every time one appeared, it caused a massive sensation, often accompanied by large-scale conflicts.

The pills and incense beads Cao Xiao had refined were merely Mortal Grade, though they could be considered the pinnacle of that category. He did possess medicinal materials containing spirituality—for instance, ginseng over a hundred years old, exotic python meat, and even the 'sunken wood' formed from the branches of giant trees counted. These reached the Mid Tier of the Black Rank, but their quantities were limited. Once used, they were gone, and he was reluctant to use them to refine Mortal medicines that didn't even rank among Spirit Grades. In the current Age of Dharma Decline, Spirit Grade treasures in the world were almost unseen. The Spirit Grade treasures used by cultivators were mostly nurtured slowly through spirit-nurturing secret methods; weapons and elixirs also required nurturing to improve their rank.

Any natural spiritual material was extremely precious, even if it was only at the Low Tier of the Yellow Rank. This was because nurturing treasures consumed both resources and time. The potential for non-natural materials to increase in spirituality was limited; trying to nurture a Mortal Grade item into a Low Tier Yellow Rank required over a decade of effort, let alone higher ranks. The time required increased exponentially; one couldn't even think about a Low Tier Earth Rank treasure without a thousand or eight hundred years. Moreover, it was difficult for ordinary materials to break through the limitations of the Black Rank. Nowadays, many treasures above the Black Rank were found by cultivators in ancient ruins or passed down through generations. However, it was different if the starting point was already Spirit Grade. The nurturing speed was far faster than Mortal Grade, and the potential was much greater. As long as one was willing to spend the time, they could be elevated to High Tier Black Rank. With explosive luck, there was even a sliver of a chance to nurture a Top Tier treasure, whereas Mortal Grade materials had absolutely zero possibility.

Setting aside Spirit Grade elixirs, even Mortal Grade medicinal powders and pills were treasures that cultivators flocked to. They were items with high demand but no supply; even in the Supervision Department, one needed high merit points to be eligible to exchange for them. As a newcomer, if he didn't make a major contribution or work honestly for several years, he had no hope of seeing an elixir. Yet, what he had given to Hao Linger were several full bottles, thirty pills of each kind—a month's supply. To him, this was just a drop in the bucket. As long as he replaced a few precious ingredients in the formulas, like Wild Mountain Ginseng, with ordinary herbs, he could refine them continuously, albeit with slightly lesser effects.

The reason elixirs were so rare was twofold: first, the ingredients were precious and hard to find; second, not just anyone could refine them. Alchemists were extremely rare among cultivators and required a special talent. One needed talent as well as resources; otherwise, it was all in vain. As long as one could master a single elixir formula and refine it proficiently—even if it was Mortal Grade—they would be treated as an honored guest by any faction. Any cultivator would show them great respect and would not easily offend them. Cao Xiao naturally had no talent for alchemy; it was all formulated by the AI brain through a massive amount of virtual deductions and experiments. But this didn't stop him from packaging himself as an alchemist. This way, he could not only logically sell elixirs to trade for the cultivation resources he needed but also raise his status in the cultivation world, adding a layer of protection to himself and reducing many unnecessary troubles.

"I have to rush back to Huanghe City immediately, so I'm leaving this matter entirely in your hands. I'll give you the funding account as well. The gold is stored in a warehouse at the docks, guarded by bodyguards around the clock. I'll leave the plane for you, too—don't refuse this, it's necessary. If anything happens, you can leave at any time. Once this is over, I'll buy a plane specifically for you. I'm leaving ten bodyguards with you; they are our own people, so you can use them with confidence. With them around, you don't have to fear any danger. However, I hope you can operate as discreetly as possible; it's best if you aren't noticed. If you are exposed, notify me immediately, drop everything, and return to the country. It doesn't matter if all this money goes down the drain; whatever you do, don't take risks. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Alright. I'll be careful."

Because this speculative operation required going abroad to the world's two gold futures trading centers in the US and Europe, Cao Xiao was inevitably worried. Thus, before leaving, he carefully instructed Hao Linger once more. Other things were fine, but she was reluctant to use Cao Xiao's private plane. Cao Xiao naturally understood the reason—it was because the plane was part of He Yueyou's dowry. After a great deal of persuasion, she finally agreed, albeit reluctantly. Only then did Cao Xiao leave with peace of mind.

At dusk, on the outskirts of Huanghe City, Cao Xiao stood at the entrance of the small courtyard. He looked at the thin figure enjoying the cool air in the yard, his eyes full of hope. When the figure saw him appear, joy was immediately hard to hide, but it quickly faded into a calm, expressionless face as he said flatly, "You've come!"

"Master, your disciple has not failed your expectations. I have now stepped into the realm of Obvious Power. I ask Master to review my progress." Cao Xiao walked up to him, held his breath, and stood with his hands at his sides, his expression solemn.

Hou Jingsheng slowly stood up, his face showing both gratification and a hint of solemnity. He said, "I can see from your bright spirit that you have entered the gate. Given your age and physique, it is truly rare to find the internal mechanism within a month. It shows you have excellent comprehension. What's even more rare is your ability to put in the hard work day and night. However, the path of martial arts cannot be achieved without great determination and perseverance. Your journey has only just begun. You should know that most people of your generation with even a bit of talent have already entered the Obvious Power realm, and some have even mastered it and begun to sense Hidden Power. With your talent, I'm afraid it would normally take several years just to touch the threshold of Obvious Power. We martial artists train our power to discover the potential of our own strength, but personal strength is the foundation..."

Cao Xiao was stunned, thinking his Master must have misheard him. Without waiting for him to finish, he took a stance on his own. For a moment, Cao Xiao's figure moved like a leaping rabbit or a diving falcon in the small courtyard. Sounds of 'Heng' and 'Ha' echoed like muffled thunder, accompanied by crisp cracks. A moment later, Cao Xiao withdrew his stance and stood still. The grass was covered in footprints half an inch deep. The courtyard fell silent. Cao Xiao didn't speak, standing before Hou Jingsheng with his hands down, looking at him calmly.

It was a long time before Hou Jingsheng took a deep breath. He asked loudly, wide-eyed and tongue-tied, "Strong as an ox, blood as turbulent as a tide... to temper your body to such a thick degree in just one month, even the top external cultivation techniques of the Buddhist and Taoist sects couldn't do it. What kind of heavenly treasure did you eat?! Your bones and muscles ring in unison, and your punches and kicks create wind—how did you harness such thick blood and qi to reach Obvious Power!"

"To be honest, Master, I possess an ability. I have joined the Supervision Department and become the person in charge of Huanghe City. I did have some fortuitous encounters during this time. With a large amount of resources piled up and my own decent comprehension, I managed to achieve Obvious Power by chance." Cao Xiao hadn't eaten any heavenly treasures; he couldn't even imagine a treasure that could match the divine effect of Yuan Energy body-tempering. He didn't dare to lie blindly, so he could only deflect, using the Supervision Department as an excuse. He guessed Hou Jingsheng knew of the Supervision Department's existence; considering the issue of confidentiality, Hou Jingsheng likely wouldn't probe further. However, he wasn't sure of Hou Jingsheng's attitude toward officialdom, so he spoke carefully, watching Hou Jingsheng's reaction as he spoke.

Hou Jingsheng sighed and said, "Hmm? Forget it! Those people in the Supervision Department don't have this kind of ability, and I've never heard of any heavenly treasure with such miraculous effects. Everyone has their own secrets; if you won't say, I won't ask anymore." Finally, he added gravely, "But since you have stepped into Obvious Power to become a martial artist, possess an ability, and joined the Supervision Department, as your Master, I cannot stand idly by. It's not that I'm afraid of you involving me, but I want to tell you: treasures move the heart. There are no laws in the cultivation world, and the Supervision Department is no sanctuary either. Human hearts are unpredictable. Something that can strengthen the physical body to such a degree in one step is a divine object. Do not easily reveal your immense strength in front of others; otherwise, if someone discovers the truth, you will be swallowed whole until not even your bones remain. If anyone suspects, just say you have been training with me for several years. I will handle the rest."

Cao Xiao naturally understood this principle. In the past, he wouldn't have cared, but after encountering the Demon Tree in Yeren Mountain and having his spatial ability fail him, he had put away his contempt for the world. Spatial abilities were not omnipotent. Perhaps no one else mastered a spatial ability, but the cultivation world was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Old monsters like the Demon Tree or powerful Ability Users had means to counter spatial abilities. There were even legends of formations or treasures that could possess spatial powers. In this Age of Dharma Decline, cultivation resources were extremely scarce. Once word got out, countless cultivators would surely swarm like wolves and tigers. Even if he had a thousand methods, it would be hard to withstand the siege. Hou Jingsheng's warning and his willingness to shield him from the wind and rain moved him deeply.

"Disciple understands!"

"Your comprehension is extraordinary. The boxing classic contains my lifelong insights into boxing; if you can fully grasp them, there will be no obstacles to reaching the realm of Hidden Power. As for the realms beyond that, there isn't much I can teach you. Boxing techniques are just the form; the realm is the foundation. Transforming Power is the realm of a Grandmaster; it cannot be obtained through hard cultivation alone. It cannot be explained; it must be realized through enlightenment. In the future, you should dabble in the boxing arts of a hundred schools to learn by analogy. Be like the sea that accepts all rivers, draw from the strengths of many, experience the many flavors of life to see your true nature, and once you have integrated the natural world and reached a state of thorough understanding, you may then attempt to establish your own school. Only then might you touch it. You may go now! Come see me when you have leisure in the future."

Hou Jingsheng seemed deeply moved. After his heartfelt words, he waved his hand to let Cao Xiao leave.

"Master, this is a small token of my respect for you and Mistress, and a little gift for Junior Sister. Please accept them. I will come to seek your guidance again in a few days."

Cao Xiao knew Hou Jingsheng was not a man for long goodbyes, so he didn't mind. He went back to the car, brought a bag of things to Hou Jingsheng, and without waiting for a refusal, turned around, walked out of the yard, and drove away.

...

At the Provincial Museum, in the Chen family villa, it should have been dinner time, but no one present had the appetite to eat. The children and grandchildren of the Chen family were all gathered, along with many friends and relatives. Some were sitting, some standing, all looking toward a room on the second floor, waiting anxiously.

"Big Brother, what exactly is going on? Are you still unwilling to speak even now! It's not like Dad hasn't been down into tombs before, so why was there such a big accident this time? The archaeology team knows nothing, and the officials are keeping everything secret. Before Dad fell unconscious, he wouldn't even let us take him to the hospital. The person Dad asked to contact still hasn't been heard from. Now, even a national expert like Old Zhang can't find the cause and is at his wits' end. It's been two days without any improvement, and instead, it's become critical. We can't just watch Dad..."

The one speaking was Chen Huaiming. As he spoke, his eyes welled with tears, and his voice choked up, unable to continue.

A look of helplessness flashed in Chen Huaiyu's eyes. He clutched his hair and said in pain, "Sigh, the tomb Dad went into this time is extraordinary. There are some dangers that we ordinary people cannot understand. It happened too suddenly; the archaeology team had no preparation. None of the eighteen people who went down were spared. Three died on the spot. Dad's condition is actually considered good; of the other fourteen, only ten are still alive. It's not that we haven't tried to find a way. The relevant special departments from the neighboring province were dispatched immediately. Although they cordoned off the area, it had no effect on the illness. Now we can only wait for the special envoys from the higher-level department to handle it. I've already asked someone to urge them; they are expected to arrive at 2:00 AM. What we need to do now is find a way to stabilize Dad's condition so it doesn't get worse."

"But even Old Zhang can't control it now. Can we really wait until 2:00 AM! Is there really no other way? No... we can't keep waiting like this. I'll immediately arrange a chartered flight to send Dad to Hong Kong!"

Chen Huaiming's emotions were near collapse. As he spoke, he moved to pull out his phone.

Chen Huaiyu suddenly seemed to think of something and immediately interrupted, "Wait, Dad's condition can't handle the travel. Don't be in a rush. I just thought of someone who might have a way."

Chen Huaiming stopped his movements and grabbed Chen Huaiyu excitedly, as if catching a life-saving straw. "Who? Where? I'll go and personally invite them right now!"

Chen Huaiyu said with certainty, "There's no need for you to go. That person is Cao Xiao! He is also in the special department. Even if he can't cure it, he can contact someone who can. When Dad had his accident, I forgot to notify him. I just don't know where he is now or when he can get back. I'll call him right now."

...

"What! Teacher is critically ill! I'm in the city right now. I'll be there immediately!"

Upon receiving Chen Huaiyu's call, Cao Xiao, who had already reached his doorstep, was shocked and horrified. He didn't ask questions; he hung up and drove like a madman, heading straight for the museum. On the way, he ran several red lights, hit several cars, and caused several traffic accidents. A line of traffic police chased him, sirens blaring incessantly. Later, they even set up a roadblock ahead. He didn't even think before charging right through it. He didn't notice the spike strip on the ground; the car spun out of control, and he himself hit his head, resulting in a large bump and bleeding.