We're practicing all martial arts, so why did you switch to easy mode?

Chapter 116 Fiery Clouds Transformation (Crimson Flame Transformation), Unexpected Wealth Falls from the Sky

Night falls.

"Help! The master is injured!"

At the Ge residence, a piercing sound ripped through the night sky, and a group of guards and maids rushed out to help the seriously injured 'Ge An' inside.

Ge An casually dealt with everyone, then went to his study and told no one to disturb him.

Although the lady and the butler were worried about Ge An's injuries, they dared not offer any advice in the face of the domineering Ge An.

This 'Ge An' is actually Su Chen in disguise.

After entering the study, Su Chen began searching for Ge An's treasures. From the information he had gathered, he knew that Ge An often stayed in the study.

Maybe there's some hidden treasure here.

This is quite different from some movies and TV dramas, where some martial arts masters like to set up hidden compartments or secret rooms in their studies to hide things.

Of course, all of this was just Su Chen's speculation.

After searching for about half an hour, Su Chen finally found the mechanism in a book on the bookshelf. He turned the mechanism, and sure enough, a hidden compartment was revealed.

The hidden compartment wasn't large, but it contained several items.

Secret manuals, bottles, money, jewelry...

"Sometimes, TV dramas and movies are actually quite reliable!"

Su Chen exclaimed with delight, then took all the items out and placed them on the desk.

There were five manuals, which were well protected. Su Chen picked one up and saw that it was a musical score.

"They've hidden it so well, yet they're still trying to cover it up. Do they really think everyone else is a fool?"

Su Chen was already extremely familiar with this kind of tactic.

There must be a secret technique hidden in the so-called musical score, which is difficult for others to discover, but it is easy for Su Chen.

However, he did not immediately check the manual, but instead looked at the other treasures.

He quickly tallied up his spoils: twenty-five Qi and Blood Pills, forty thousand taels of silver notes, and a pile of jewelry.

Considering the number of Qi and Blood Pills, Su Chen was slightly surprised. He thought Ge An would have a lot of Qi and Blood Pills, but he didn't expect there to be only forty in total.

It seems that the Xuan Shui Sect has very strict control over the Qi and Blood Pills sold to outsiders; even someone of Ge An's level doesn't have many Qi and Blood Pills.

After carefully putting away the Qi and Blood Pills and the money, Su Chen opened the sheet music and slowly began to read it.

An hour later, Su Chen finished organizing it and learned the name of the manual: "Fire Cloud Transformation"!
To be precise, the name of this manual is "The Four Transformations of Fire Clouds".

There are four transformations in total: Starfire Transformation, Crimson Flame Transformation, Blazing Inferno Transformation, and Burning Cloud Transformation.

Each change represents an improvement in strength, from the initial spark to crimson flames, to raging inferno, and finally to scorching fire mist, each corresponding to one of the four realms before the Blood Transformation stage.

In other words, this is a technique that directly leads to the realm of bone forging.

After learning about the Fire Cloud Transformation, Su Chen secretly sighed that his trip had not been in vain, as the most valuable gain from this trip was this cultivation technique.

"Payout panel, let me see your limits. Spend money and activate easy mode."

The panel then played that familiar voice as if on cue:
[Easy Mode Activated: Simply warm yourself by the fire for ten minutes to reach the beginner level of the Fire Cloud Transformation skill.]

The so-called "warming by a fire" does not necessarily mean warming yourself by a large fire. Even standing within a meter of a candle can be considered warming yourself by a fire.

After standing in front of the candlelight for ten minutes, Su Chen suddenly shuddered and became alert, before returning to normal.

He had only just begun practicing the Fiery Cloud Transformation technique, and apart from his body becoming warmer, there were no other noticeable changes.

It wasn't over yet; Su Chen continued to spend money on in-game purchases.

[Easy Mode Activated: Warm up by the fire for twenty minutes to train the Fiery Cloud Transformation to the first transformation.]

After reaching the first stage of cultivation, his body underwent significant changes. A fiery cloud appeared faintly near his heart, and his heartbeat became as energetic as if he had been injected with hormones. Su Chen could feel the speed of blood and qi circulation accelerating.

This acceleration is different from the acceleration of the Xuan Yuan Jue. It is more like the heart's blood supply capacity being released frantically in a short period of time, with blood vessels constantly expelling blood, thereby promoting blood circulation.

However, this state did not last long before things returned to normal.

"The second transformation requires ten Qi and Blood Pills, so I can only upgrade it after I go back."

After glancing at the conditions on the panel, Su Chen temporarily gave up on taking pills to improve his Fire Cloud Transformation. He didn't think his body could handle ten Qi and Blood Pills in one night.

"Who?"

Just as Su Chen finished packing his things and was about to leave the study, he suddenly heard a faint sound of footsteps outside the door.

He was startled, then turned his gaze to the man in black who had suddenly appeared in the study, his face solemn.

"it's me!"

The man in black did not panic at being discovered. Instead, he looked at Ge An and said calmly. When he saw the wariness in Ge An's eyes, he couldn't help but snort, "Heh, Vice Chief Ge really has a bad memory. You've forgotten me so quickly?"

Su Chen didn't speak, but carefully considered the other person's words and quickly determined that this person should know Ge An.

"What do you want with me?" With this guess in mind, Su Chen calmed down a bit and asked calmly.

The man in black didn't care about Su Chen's indifferent attitude. The news of Ge An losing his beloved son was already common knowledge in Dafeng City, and many people secretly called him "Crazy Ge." He didn't need to bother with him over this matter.

His gaze swept around before landing on Su Chen, and he said calmly, "Five days from now, members of the Chu family from Yunzhou will be coming to Dafeng City. I need you to facilitate the Chu family disciples' move into the Liuhe Gang."

A member of the Chu family of Yunzhou?

Joining the Six Harmonies Gang?
Upon hearing this, Su Chen frowned, as if deep in thought.

The term "Chu family scions" immediately suggests that they are from a prominent family.

Indeed, the Chu family was the most prominent family in Yunzhou, holding a status equivalent to that of the Hong family in Qinzhou.

What he couldn't understand was why this person would let a member of the Chu family stay at the Liuhe Gang when they came to Qinzhou.

After pondering for a moment, Su Chen had no clue, but he still nodded to avoid being noticed by the man in black.

call out!
The man in black was very satisfied with Su Chen's attitude. He casually tossed a bottle of pills to Su Chen, and after Su Chen caught the pills, he said, "Here's what you wanted."

Su Chen didn't speak, but opened the bottle and took a look. When he saw the pills inside, his pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

It's the Profound Origin Pill!

One, two, three... a total of nine Xuan Yuan Pills.

"Could this person be from the Xuan Shui Sect? Did Ge An cooperate with the Xuan Shui Sect because of this Xuan Yuan Pill? Then why does he need the Xuan Yuan Pill?"

A variety of questions arose in Su Chen's mind.

Suddenly, he seemed to remember something.

"The Xuan Yuan Pill is an essential item for Xuan Shui Sect disciples to cultivate. Why is Ge An asking for the Xuan Yuan Pill? Is it because he has cultivated the Xuan Shui Sect's techniques, or is he originally a member of the Xuan Shui Sect, an insider sent by the Xuan Shui Sect to the Liu He Gang?"

It felt like a scene from Infernal Affairs, churning in Su Chen's mind.

But he quickly dismissed the guess.

"No, when I fought Ge An, I didn't detect any trace of him having cultivated the Xuan Yuan Technique. His fiery energy clearly indicated that he had cultivated the Fire Cloud Transformation."

Then why would he ask the man in black for the elixir?
The Fiery Cloud Transformation and the Profound Origin Technique involve fire and water, which are completely unrelated. It's impossible to cultivate the Fiery Cloud Transformation with the help of the Profound Origin Pill.

Wait a minute, maybe that's actually possible.

The Fiery Cloud Transformation is an extremely powerful and yang-based cultivation technique. Perhaps Ge An has made a mistake in its practice, which is why he needs the Profound Origin Pill to complement it.

Thinking this, Su Chen smiled and said, "Whether it's possible or not, I've benefited in the end. However, there are only nine Xuan Yuan Pills here, one short of the required amount for the Xuan Yuan Technique. I wonder if this guy will give me one more?"

He silently put away the pills and coughed lightly: "Could I have a few more?"

Upon hearing this, the man in black's expression hardened, somewhat displeased with Su Chen's overreaching behavior. He coldly said, "Nine Profound Origin Pills are enough for you to sustain yourself for a month."

It really is related to cultivation!

Su Chen's face lit up with joy, confirming his guess.

But outwardly he still feigned a pitiful appearance, coughed a few times, and said, "You know what's been going on lately. My qi and blood have been attacking my heart, causing a problem in my cultivation, so..."

He didn't continue speaking, but the man in black already understood what he meant.

That old man, how dare he try to bargain with him!

After letting out a cold snort, the man in black threw out another small cyan bottle from his arms. Su Chen caught it and saw that there were three Xuan Yuan Pills inside.

Before he could speak, the man in black's voice rang out: "This is your share for next month!"

Faced with such an inhuman man in black, Su Chen just smiled awkwardly. "Next month?"
Whether you'll even be able to see Ge An next month is a question.

"Wait a minute..."

After seeing Su Chen accept the pills, the man in black was about to leave when Su Chen's voice rang out.

"What is it?" The man in black stopped, asking without turning his head, his voice tinged with impatience. "Do you still have any Qi and Blood Pills?"

Su Chen's slightly expectant voice rang out, causing the man in black to turn around abruptly and stare straight at Su Chen.

After a long silence, the man in black asked with a forced smile, "What do you need the Qi and Blood Pill for?"

It really does.

Su Chen was secretly delighted, but said without changing his expression, "You know what's been going on lately. My qi and blood have been attacking my heart, which has caused problems in my cultivation, so I need to nourish my qi and blood."

"only these!"

The man in black twitched his lips, gritted his teeth and uttered a sentence, then tossed a bottle of pills to Su Chen.

After saying that, he ignored Su Chen's reaction and disappeared from his sight in a flash.

Su Chen took the pill, watched the black-clad man's elusive movements, and then looked at his own palm, his expression turning solemn.

Although the man in black had not made a move, Su Chen dared not act rashly.

The mere act of the other party throwing a bottle gave Su Chen the feeling of facing Ge An directly.

The opponent is probably even stronger than Ge An!

"I thought there would be more, but it turns out there are only five Qi and Blood Pills."

Even mosquito meat is meat, so Su Chen accepted it without hesitation. Then, carrying a bundle of things, he left the Ge residence when no one was around.

After returning home, Su Chen changed back into his everyday clothes, washed up, and went to bed to rest.

Now Su Chen can swallow five Qi and Blood Pills a day, so in just two days, he mastered the Fire Cloud Transformation to the second level, the Blazing Flame Transformation.

A fiery cloud energy naturally appeared within his body, its power faintly carrying a scorching aura.

Just as Su Chen had guessed, Ge An did indeed ask for the Profound Origin Pill to aid his cultivation.

After cultivating the Fire Cloud Transformation technique and developing its power, it will produce a slight burning sensation in the body.

This burning sensation may not have a significant impact in the short term, but if it continues for a long time, it can cause harm to the body.

Moreover, it will become increasingly intense as Huo Yunbian's cultivation deepens.

If not properly controlled, it will feel like being in a furnace, constantly suffering from the burning flames.

Ge An demanded the Xuan Yuan Pill in order to suppress this burning sensation.

Otherwise, he would be tormented to death by this burning sensation before anyone else could even act.

However, Su Chen did not have such worries. The Profound Origin Technique could offset the side effects of the Fiery Cloud Transformation. Su Chen had already cultivated the Profound Origin Technique to the second level, and was completely immune to this burning sensation.

"There are thirty Qi and Blood Pills left, and eight Profound Origin Pills left. Whether we use Qi and Blood Pills to enhance the Fire Cloud Transformation or Profound Origin Pills to enhance the Profound Origin Technique, it's enough. The two can cancel each other out."

According to his original plan, Su Chen intended to use all the Qi and Blood Pills to advance his Iron Shirt skill. He had a feeling that once he entered the sixth level of Iron Shirt, his strength would undergo a tremendous change, and he would enter the Bone Forging Realm in one fell swoop.

But after thinking about it, I finally decided to focus on upgrading Fire Cloud Transformation first. After all, even if I consume all the Qi and Blood Pills, I still won't be able to advance to Iron Shirt. It's better to upgrade Fire Cloud Transformation first.

"The Profound Origin Technique of the third level and the Fiery Cloud Transformation of the third level complement each other perfectly," Su Chen thought to himself.

With the plan to use the drug temporarily settled, Su Chen soon had other ideas.

"Currently, among the tempering of the five internal organs, Iron Shirt tempers the lungs, Profound Origin Technique tempers the kidneys, and Fiery Cloud Transformation tempers the heart. The liver and spleen are still left. Tomorrow is the opening day of the black market. I'll go to the black market then and see if I can find the corresponding cultivation techniques."

Even if there isn't a complete one, it doesn't matter. I can integrate techniques step by step, just like with Iron Shirt, by fusing incomplete techniques of the same attribute into a complete one, so that I can temper my other internal organs.

In addition, the sword-drawing technique needs to be improved. In the battle with Ge An, the second level of sword-drawing technique was clearly insufficient.

Not only were there not enough techniques, but even steel swords and goose feather swords were insufficient. If Ge An hadn't been caught off guard, even with the added strength, these two ordinary swords might not have been unable to break through his defenses.

So I need to forge two new weapons. Since I have money now, I might as well forge them to be better so that they can at least help with bone forging.

"I'm going to the black market for three things: first, to find cultivation techniques for tempering the liver and spleen; second, to buy sword techniques; and third, to see if I can continue buying Qi and Blood Pills. As for forging weapons, I'll go to the blacksmith's shop tomorrow morning."

After listing everything out one by one, the logic became much clearer.

Although there were many activities, Su Chen found it enjoyable to do them all, as he thought about how they would improve his strength.

"However, there's one more thing to do before heading to the black market!"

It was late at night.

Cai Mansion.

"Brother Zhu, take a rest. This is bird's nest porridge I made for you. Drink it while it's hot."

Cai Xiaoyue carried the bird's nest porridge into the courtyard and saw Zhu Yan reading by candlelight. A look of heartache appeared on her face.

However, Zhu Yan was completely absorbed in the knowledge of the medical manual at this moment, occasionally stamping his feet and exclaiming in surprise:
"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! How come I never thought of this before? The more I read, the more I realize how shallow and ignorant I am. The knowledge of our ancestors is truly profound!"

Looking at Zhu Yan, who seemed to be in a hysteria, Cai Xiaoyue smiled helplessly, then placed the bird's nest porridge next to Zhu Yan. After thinking for a moment, she decided not to interrupt him.

call out!
After placing the bird's nest porridge, Cai Xiaoyue did not leave. Instead, she sat to the side, gazing intently at Zhu Yan. Suddenly, a voice interrupted her gaze.

"what sound?"

Following the sound, Cai Xiaoyue was startled and immediately noticed the crumpled paper on the ground.

She suddenly stood up, looked around, and her eyes showed a hint of doubt.

Stepping forward, Cai Xiaoyue picked up the crumpled paper, unfolded it, and was immediately stunned. Then, ignoring Zhu Yan behind her, she turned and left with the crumpled paper.

"father."

"Come in!"

With a creak, Cai Xiaoyue entered the study, took out a crumpled piece of paper, handed it to Cai Liuhe, and said, "Father, look at this."

Cai Liuhe was taken aback upon hearing this. He took the crumpled paper and began to read it. Cai Xiaoyue then told Cai Liuhe what had just happened.

"Disciples of the Chu family..."

After reading the contents of the crumpled paper, Cai Liuhe muttered something and looked puzzled.

He had no idea that the Chu family members were coming to Dafeng City.

"Father, is someone targeting the Six Harmonies Gang?" Cai Xiaoyue asked when she saw Cai Liuhe deep in thought.

"not sure."

Cai Liuhe shook his head, but he was thinking about the identity of the person who had tipped him off. He looked at Cai Xiaoyue and said, "It's getting late, you should get some rest."

Cai Xiaoyue responded and then turned to leave.

The next day.

Su Chen took some time to visit the blacksmith shop and spent two thousand taels of silver to have two weapons forged from fine steel.

After agreeing on the pickup time, Su Chen went back to study medical books while waiting for the black market to open that evening.

As the sun set, Su Chen changed his clothes and headed out of the city to the black market.

The black market remained bustling with people.

The person who sold the Qi and Blood Pills before did not show up this time, which Su Chen had expected. He was somewhat disappointed, but he quickly turned his attention to other things.

How much is this swordsmanship manual?

Arriving at a stall, Su Chen quickly found a sword technique manual and bent down to ask about it.

"Ten thousand five hundred taels!"

Upon hearing this, Su Chen turned and left without hesitation.

Selling a tattered manual for over ten thousand taels of silver? Do they really think he's a sucker?

Seeing Su Chen leave so decisively, the man knew he had encountered a 'master', so he smiled and said, "Sir, please wait. The price is negotiable. How much would you be willing to pay?"

"Rounding it down to zero is more like it." Su Chen stopped at the right moment and glanced back at the other person.

"Very well, you are indeed straightforward. In that case, I will be your friend and sell it to you for ten thousand taels!"

As he spoke, the stall owner picked up the secret manual and handed it to Su Chen with a smile.

Su Chen glanced at it but did not reach out to take it. Instead, he smiled and said, "You misunderstood. When I said round it down, I meant 1,500 taels!"

Street vendor: "...!"

Upon hearing this, he stared wide-eyed at Su Chen, clearly not expecting such a rounding-down method.

Immediately, his expression changed unpredictably, and heat seemed to surge from his forehead. He shouted through gritted teeth, "Deal!"

Su Chen: "...!!!"

(End of this chapter)