With these thoughts, excitement gradually welled up in their hearts. It was well known that An Yiqing’s main profession was as a doctor. Thus, according to her implication...
"Miss, do you mean..." Everyone couldn’t quite believe it and asked nervously.
"Indeed, I have a way to let all of you cultivate ancient martial arts." An Yiqing took out a small porcelain bottle from her bag, pretending to be nonchalant, "These pills are called ’Condense Spirit,’ a type of ancient mystical medicine. It took me more than twenty days and countless attempts to successfully produce just a few of these. After taking one, you will officially enter the Qi Refining Initial Level of ancient martial arts, and from then on, you’ll be able to cultivate just like regular Ancient Martial Artists. However, due to your ages, progress may be slow, but don’t be anxious."
As she spoke, she distributed the equally cut twelve portions of the Jade Spirit to the twelve members of An Zhifeng.
"This is Jade Spirit, which helps Ancient Martial Artists enhance their cultivation level. Records say the extent to which the Jade Spirit can enhance one’s strength entirely depends on individual aptitude and comprehension ability. Don’t be impatient, everyone. Throughout history, no Ancient Martial Artist has become a deity in one step. A higher rank does not necessarily mean greater strength. Remember, in real combat, experience is always more important than illusory ranks."
An Yiqing was speaking from the heart. After the assassination attempt by the four Upper Endurance, she deeply realized that experience and practice are always more useful than those elusive ranks.
The twelve members of An Zhifeng took the Condense Spirit from An Yiqing and, following her instructions, swallowed it whole.
After a while, they felt a warm current rise in their lower abdomen, then start to flow through their limbs and body.
At this moment, the members of An Zhifeng felt a comfortable warmth throughout their bodies. Is this what it feels like to be an Ancient Martial Artist? How magical!
"Condense the spirit and calm the breath! Let your Spiritual Sense follow the flow of Qi!" An Yiqing ordered sharply, bringing everyone’s minds back to focus.
Hearing her command, the twelve members of An Zhifeng immediately guarded their Spiritual Sense and, with hearts calmed, began to circulate the Qi through the meridians throughout their bodies.
Time ticked away second by second, and as more than an hour passed, An Yiqing’s frown deepened.
According to the manual, those who took Condense Spirit should have completed the breathing regulation within fifteen minutes to half an hour. Only those with very poor aptitude would be able to circulate the Qi flow for only a few rounds, and they would finish in less than fifteen minutes.
But why hadn’t the members of An Zhifeng awakened after more than an hour of breath regulation?
Could something have gone wrong?
An Yiqing’s frown grew tighter, and just as she stood up to check on them, Lao Si, An Zhiyun, who was the fourth in rank, slowly opened his eyes.
He was about to speak when An Yiqing’s glance swept over him. An Zhiyun looked at his brothers with their eyes closed around him and swallowed the words he was about to say.
In the following half-hour, the third-ranked An Zhilei, the seventh-ranked An Zhiwu, and the twelfth-ranked An Zhishang successively woke up as well.
After another half hour or so, the remaining few also opened their eyes one by one.
Only after the last to wake, An Zhifeng, Lao Er, An Zhihuo, Lao Jiu, An Zhimei, and Lao Shi, An Zhiying, opened their eyes did An Yiqing finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Approaching An Zhifeng, who was closest to her, An Yiqing took his wrist and gently touched it to her pulse.
Her brows slowly furrowed, and gradually, a hint of disbelief appeared in her eyes, which eventually turned to shock!
An Yiqing could hardly believe what she found as she tested the pulse of the other eleven, one by one, and the results nearly made her jaw drop in astonishment!
Among these twelve, the one with the lowest current strength was the first to awaken, Lao Si, An Zhiyun, at the Qi Refining Mid-Level!