Chapter Six: Advice

Braving the swirling snowflakes and biting wind, Gao Wu rode his bicycle out of the school gates. He first stopped by a large supermarket nearby to stock up on groceries, then returned home, his arms laden with bags, to their house in the old Dong’an district.

The old neighborhood was lined with aging buildings, and there were still many single-story houses facing the street. At a glance, the only modern thing on the whole street seemed to be the streetlights.

His family lived in a two-story house facing the street, complete with its own private yard.

Grandfather Shang Hongyi stood beneath the eaves, hands clasped behind his back, while three children of about eleven or twelve stood nearby, each with chest out and chin up, practicing their stances.

After parking his bicycle, Gao Wu lifted his bulging shopping bags toward his grandfather with a grin.

“Grandpa, tonight we’re having a feast!” he announced cheerfully.

Shang Hongyi’s thick eyebrows rose. “Came into some money, did you?”

The old man was of average height, with white hair and brows, deep wrinkles at the corners of his eyes as if carved by a blade, and a gaze that ran fathoms deep. He wore a dark blue, traditional quilted long coat and cloth shoes with layered soles, his back straight as a rod—a true masterful presence.

It was thanks to this dignified appearance that his training school always managed to attract a few young students.

Knowing his grandfather wasn’t fond of idle talk, Gao Wu chuckled. “Got lucky today, made a nice little windfall.”

“Alright, go get dinner started,” his grandfather nodded, not pressing for details.

Gao Wu carried the goods into the kitchen, skillfully sorting fruit and meat into the fridge. He took out a slab of Black Ironhorn Mutton, set water boiling on the stove, and blanched the ribs to remove the gaminess before moving them to the pressure cooker.

The Black Ironhorn Sheep was an exotic beast of the Spirit Realm. Its mutton was rich in source energy particles and nutrients—a true tonic for the body. After much research, the Alliance had finally devised a way to raise them on a large scale, but even so, the meat sold for over three hundred yuan per pound.

Wealthy families ate it often, believing it could strengthen the body and even invigorate the yin and yang. For martial artists in particular, regular consumption made it easier to resonate with source energy.

The red envelope Song Yunhe had given him contained a full eighty thousand yuan, so Gao Wu had indulged himself, buying ten pounds of the prized mutton.

Since the incident when he was fourteen, Gao Wu had been taken in by the old man. Originally, Grandfather Shang had intended to take him as a disciple, but reconsidering the difference in generations, he never had Gao Wu formally bow in apprenticeship. Instead, Gao Wu simply called him “Grandpa” and referred to Shang Qingjun, the old man’s granddaughter, as “sister.”

For more than four years, Gao Wu had come to regard this place as home. With so much money in hand for the first time, he naturally wanted to express his gratitude and bring some joy to his grandfather.

Dinner that night was sumptuous—four dishes and a soup.

Once he learned the reason for Gao Wu’s windfall, Shang Hongyi was genuinely pleased. Though upright and kind to Gao Wu, the old man rarely offered praise. This time, however, he made an exception, commending the boy.

After dinner, Gao Wu sought out his grandfather in the study.

“Grandpa, the Song family gave me eighty thousand yuan. I’m young and inexperienced, so I think it’s best if you keep it for me.”

The old man glanced at the thick envelope, his expression thoughtful. “They’re generous. From the Song family, you say?”

Ever since Song Xuetao had ascended as a Martial King in Dongjiang City, the Song family had become a prominent clan in the northern province. In Dongjiang, if a wealthy Song was involved, it was almost certainly that family.

“I heard the benefactor is a manager at Dragon Soar Corporation, so it must be the Song family,” Gao Wu replied.

“The money is of little consequence. What matters is you saved a life—a great deed, a great merit. As for ties with the Song family, don’t dwell on it too much.”

Grandfather Shang, with his lifetime of experience, knew well how complicated such powerful clans could be. Becoming too closely entwined with them was not always wise.

He pushed the envelope back to Gao Wu. “You’ve always been disciplined. Next year is your university entrance exam—a crucial time. I’m old and can’t help much. Plan this money well, don’t waste it.”

Then, turning serious, he added, “Remember, never use enhancement serums. Only a specialist physician, with your genetic profile, can create the right neutralizer to minimize side effects. Especially with imitation serums, the side effects are unpredictable and can severely damage your body, even drain all your potential. The top universities strictly check martial arts candidates’ bodies—using subpar serums will almost guarantee rejection.”

He sighed softly. “All I want is for you kids to be healthy. Becoming a warrior isn’t necessarily a blessing...”

At these words, the old man’s expression grew wistful, clearly recalling old sorrows.

Not knowing how to comfort him, Gao Wu said nothing. The old man waved him off. “Go cultivate, no need to keep me company.”

Grandfather Shang was not adept at expressing affection to the younger generation, nor did he wish to appear vulnerable in Gao Wu’s presence.

Gao Wu understood perfectly. Returning to his room, he took out the Blood Dragon Serum that Huang Hai had given him.

His grandfather had served in the military, fighting beasts on the front lines—a formidable warrior, though now, injured and diminished, he could only run a small training school for children. Still, the old man’s experience remained keen; his warning about the serum’s dangers left Gao Wu hesitant.

By rights, he ought to heed his grandfather, or at least discuss it with him.

But this matter involved the Book of Infinite Merit—something he could not confide in anyone.

After much deliberation, Gao Wu decided to try a small dose first.

The package from Huang Hai included a handheld injector. Each serum dose was a standard ten-milligram cartridge, loaded into the device like a bullet. The amount could be adjusted easily.

Gao Wu injected two milligrams of the crimson serum into his left arm. The drug entered his body smoothly, leaving six tiny pinpricks where the multi-needle injector pierced his skin.

Martial artists had dense muscles; the multi-needle design minimized skin damage and pain.

He waited twenty minutes. Soon, a fiery heat surged through him, his muscles tensed, and an intense urge for destruction welled up inside.

Stripping off his outer clothes, Gao Wu stared into the large mirror set into the wall. Veins bulged vividly beneath his purple-red skin, even the tiniest capillaries standing out—a startling sight. Even his irises had flushed crimson, as if his blood was boiling.

His stomach rumbled. Despite the hearty dinner, it felt as though everything had been digested, leaving him ravenously hungry, as if he hadn’t eaten in days.

The fierce hunger only made his agitation worse—he felt he could tear someone apart and devour them whole.

Suppressing the violent impulse, Gao Wu opened the Book of Infinite Merit, focusing his will on the numbers indicating his lifespan. The artifact responded, expanding the numbers in detail according to his intent.

The Book of Infinite Merit could reflect his true physical state, presenting the information in the clearest terms.

As his consciousness entered the record, his remaining lifespan was now displayed down to the hour. Compared to before the injection, he had lost thirty-seven hours of life—a clear indication of the Blood Dragon Serum’s side effects.

Even with a physique more than seven times stronger than an ordinary adult’s, he couldn’t fully neutralize the serum’s harm. It was truly a potent substance.

As planned, Gao Wu silently recited the Azure Dragon Divine Qi Mantra ten times.

Each recitation took thirty seconds; ten took just five minutes.

The intense hunger faded, the veins beneath his skin subsided. Checking the Book of Infinite Merit again, he saw the thirty-seven lost hours of lifespan had returned.

He could not help but rejoice. The Azure Dragon Divine Qi Mantra, at the proficiency he had mastered, truly penetrated his organs, generating pure primal energy to nourish his entire body, completely dispelling the serum’s harm while retaining all its benefits.

“I’m incredible!” Gao Wu exclaimed, hands on his hips, head held high, pride written all over his face.

He had to praise himself—he had every right to be proud!