Suddenly, a misty white light emerged, and An Yiqing squinted at the contents of the box, a thread-bound book with an ancient style coming into her view, bearing four bold characters that danced like dragons and phoenixes - Shennong Nine Styles!
What is this? It doesn’t seem like a medical text.
An Yiqing was somewhat puzzled; she reached out and gently picked up the book, flipping through it cursorily. Then her clear, watery eyes brightened more and more, joy spreading across her face until finally, she simply sat cross-legged and began to read with relish.
The Shennong Nine Styles was a set of cultivation techniques left behind by Shennong Shi. Ordinary people would strengthen their bodies by learning it, while Martial Cultivators could enhance their strength. This was an original creation by Shennong; he had traversed the world with this technique and became a legend by its merit.
The Shennong Nine Styles, as the name implies, consisted of only nine moves. But it wasn’t to say there were only nine techniques. Each move contained a powerful force, and its deeper meanings were left for the learners to comprehend. If one had high perception, they could grasp more from it. If their perception was poor, then unfortunately, it was merely a book for strengthening the body.
From afar, it forms ridges and peaks, differing in height whether near or far. Such was the exquisite subtlety of the Shennong Nine Styles!
An Yiqing finished the first move completely and gently turned the page, then she froze.
Blank? Where are the words?
She flipped through the remaining pages, only to find that just the first move was recorded in the book; the other eight were completely missing!
What’s going on? An Yiqing frowned, flipping through the book again. By the time she reached the last page, she slowly stopped, her keen eyes catching a line of small text in the lower right corner.
When strength arrives, the words will appear.
An Yiqing’s mouth twitched in annoyance. This Shennong Shi always seemed to love playing these games. These chests had been "When strength arrives, the chest shall open," and now it was the same with this Shennong Nine Styles.
However, this kind of method indeed stimulated the tenacious characteristic within An Yiqing that grew stronger when facing challenges, and her thirst for strength became even more insatiable!
Setting "Shennong Nine Styles" aside, she looked down and began sifting through the other books inside the chest.
Compared to the "Heaven" character chest, the medical texts in this one were clearly much more profound. Even An Yiqing had to ponder over them at times. But the novel medicines and unique treatment methods detailed within truly dazzled her, much like a treasure hunter upon discovering a trove of gems!
Half a day had passed, and by then, An Yiqing had only looked through two medical texts. This was simply unbelievable for her, who had a photographic memory. The insights and Medical Arts within delighted her, leaving her pondering with endless fascination. However, due to time constraints, she decided to first find the book she needed.
After searching for a while, An Yiqing pulled out a yellowed booklet from the bottom of the chest. It was densely filled with various herbal prescriptions and pharmacology. She had never heard of these medicines, nor had she seen them in the secret techniques of the Medicine Sect. And within this booklet was the very kind of medicinal pill that An Yiqing was seeking!
The pill called Condense Spirit, round in shape, was prepared and refined from one hundred and twenty-eight medicinals, with particular attention to the fire used, timing, and technique applied.
"Condense Spirit," was a medicinal creation unique to Shennong, capable of transforming an ordinary person into an Ancient Martial Artist. And this was precisely what An Yiqing needed now!
She had been away from home for nineteen long years, missing out on time spent with her family. Every member of the An Family felt regret and sadness over these lost nineteen years. Although she was back now, her daily travels took her away, and despite the family not voicing it, their expressions revealed their reluctance to part. Ordinary people lived at most only to a hundred years, and some passed away in their sixties or seventies. Old Master An and Old Lady An were worried about leaving too soon and not being able to accompany their beloved granddaughter for long. Kong Shi and An Zisheng felt the same way. Thus, they cherished every moment with An Yiqing, longing to make up for nineteen years of affection.