I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 172: Wenqing Lane

After Duan Rong achieved the Second Layer of the Fetal Concealment Scripture, he was able to project his Divine Sense. In recent days, while standing in the post stance and circulating his Inner Breath, he projected his Divine Sense and penetrated his own body to inspect the situation of the Inner Breath circulating in his meridians and Dantian.

This kind of Divine Sense Investigation is different from the Introspection when cultivating Inner Strength.

That "Introspection" is actually a vague perception, formed through the sense of Qi flow, the sensations from the organs, and the interaction between consciousness and the Inner Breath in the meridians and Dantian, creating a comprehensive introspection.

But when Duan Rong used Divine Sense Projection to examine his body, the precision and detail were far superior to the "Introspection" during Inner Strength cultivation.

Under such detailed and meticulous observation, many issues were discovered.

Duan Rong discovered that the prescription given by Xiao Zongting had potent medicinal effects. Throughout the Inner Breath circulation process, the medicinal power in the organs and meridians would continuously be stimulated and converge into the Inner Breath in the meridians.

But the penetrative ability of this medicinal power was very weak. Though it surged violently in the larger meridians, once it reached slightly finer meridians, the medicinal power would hover and accumulate outside the meridians, unable to penetrate inside...

If one only observed through Introspection, these detailed situations would be invisible, but Duan Rong saw them very clearly with his Divine Sense.

In the meridian route of the Third Level Inner Breath, the participation of such fine meridians reached nearly one-third. This means if Duan Rong could solve the penetration problem of the medicinal power, allowing it to permeate into the finer meridians, his Inner Breath cultivation speed would be greatly enhanced.

Moreover, this issue does not solely belong to the Third Level. Now, Duan Rong has already devoured the Five Tigers and Sheep Saber at the Great Success Realm. Though he hasn’t started cultivating the Fourth Level Inner Breath yet, he already understands the method of operation thoroughly.

In the Fourth Level Inner Breath meridian route, the involvement of these fine meridians was even higher. In the Great Success Realm’s Inner Breath cultivation, the participation of such fine meridians reached nearly half.

"If I can solve the penetration issue of the medicinal power, my Inner Breath cultivation speed could ascend significantly!"

"Moreover, the insufficient penetration problem of this medicinal power will have a greater impact on the Fourth Level Inner Breath cultivation."

Duan Rong looked resolute and finally made up his mind to try solving this issue.

As they say, sharpening the axe does not delay the work of chopping firewood. What if it’s solved?

"To solve this problem, I must start with the prescription and the properties of the herbs..." Duan Rong stood in the courtyard, muttering to himself with a profound look in his eyes.

Wenqing Lane, intersecting with West Main Street, was not far from South City. Compared to the bustling area of West Main Street, it clearly showed signs of decline.

The shops on both sides of the street looked old and dirty.

At the southeast corner of the intersection of Wenqing Lane and West Main Street stood a medical hall, the owner of which was Gu Suxiu, who treated Xiao Baijiao with acupuncture.

After having breakfast in the backyard, Gu Suxiu opened the medical hall’s door, first offering three sticks of incense to the Buddha figure enshrined in the shrine next to the door, bowing three times and placing the incense in the incense burner.

The Gu Family has believed in Buddhism since Gu Suxiu’s grandfather, and this faith, alongside medical skills, was passed down within the family.

A family of medical professionals, which is quite normal — a benevolent heart and skillful hands after all!

After worshiping Buddha, Gu Suxiu brewed a cup of green tea, sat before the desk, rotating a pair of Phoebe Wooden Palm Beads in his hand, while flipping through an ancient manuscript copy on acupuncture techniques.

The pair of Phoebe Wooden Palm Beads in Gu Suxiu’s hand was made by himself in his early twenties. These beads have accompanied him for over thirty years...

Each bead has six smooth protrusions, adding up to twelve protrusions for the two.

On the palm, where acupoints are dense, rolling and rubbing the beads in the palm for long has the effect of invigorating Qi and massaging.

Gu Suxiu’s long-term habit of rolling the beads became a subconscious natural action, whether reading or sitting idly, and even during short noon breaks, he never let go of them. Under years of rubbing, the surface of the two Phoebe Wooden Palm Beads has acquired a shiny patina...

Early in the morning, Duan Rong made his way to the entrance of Wenqing Lane when the medical hall was still empty. It was open already.

The medical hall’s facade wasn’t big, but there was an awning against the wall outside, with a few stools under it for patients waiting for a consultation to rest.

Next to the medical hall’s door hung a very eye-catching wooden sign that read "Suxiu Medical Hall" in neat and vigorous script.

On both sides of the door hung a rather old and peeling wooden plaque couplet: "May there be no illnesses in the world, willing the medicine on the shelves to turn to dust."

Duan Rong glanced at the couplet, eyes slightly moved. As he projected his Divine Sense, he discovered Gu Suxiu was sitting alone inside the medical hall, so he stepped into the medical hall.

Gu Suxiu, who was reading that ancient acupuncture manuscript, suddenly noticed a shadow flash at the medical hall’s door, indicating someone entered.

Gu Suxiu immediately stood up. The entrant was a young man of seventeen or eighteen years, with a square face and bright eyes, appearing calm and self-assured.

Gu Suxiu’s heart trembled, recognizing Duan Rong.

Though he had only met Duan Rong during one encounter before Xiao Baijiao’s death, he remembered Duan Rong clearly.

Because Duan Rong’s acupuncture technique bore traces of their family’s ancestral Plum Blossom Needle Technique, making him feel there might be some connection between this young man and the Gu Family...

"I wonder what brings young friend Duan here?" Gu Suxiu asked Duan Rong with a gentle smile on his face.

Duan Rong was slightly surprised; he hadn’t expected Gu Suxiu to recognize him immediately. He originally thought a brief encounter, after several months, Gu Suxiu should have forgotten, but unexpectedly the old physician had such a remarkable memory.

Duan Rong chuckled lightly and said, "Recently I’ve been restless in mind, often unable to sleep well at night. What might be the reason?"

Gu Suxiu’s eyes flickered slightly. As they say, a physician observes and questions, and when Duan Rong stepped in, he had already observed that this young man’s steps were steady, his gaze warm and spirited, and his breathing calm and long. Not only was he without illness, but he was far healthier than ordinary people.

Thus, when the other walked into the medical hall, he seemingly asked if there was a problem for the sake of propriety, because to him, Duan Rong was not here seeking treatment.

As the saying goes, a master makes a move, immediately revealing their skill. Gu Suxiu was right; Duan Rong indeed was not here for a consultation. But since Duan Rong had mentioned symptoms, he couldn’t abruptly dismiss them; doing so would hurt pride and only by feeling the pulse could he confirm it.

"Please have a seat, young friend!" Gu Suxiu gestured, inviting him to a cushioned chair in front of the examination table.

Duan Rong sat down and placed his hand on the pulse cushion, while Gu Suxiu wiped his hand with a cotton towel, extending his fingers to take the pulse. Two breaths later, he gestured to change hands.

Wiping his hands, Gu Suxiu glanced at Duan Rong, confirming that he had no illness. If someone had trouble sleeping for several nights in a row, their pulse would not be so strong, steady, and powerful, without the slightest stagnation.

Gu Suxiu smiled a little and said, "Young friend might be overthinking; it’s nothing serious. I’ll prescribe a gentle calming formula, just two doses should have you feeling much better."

Gu Suxiu wrote the prescription, and looking up, said, "These ingredients are common herbs that I have at the medical hall. Shall I prepare them for you?"

"Certainly, the less hassle, the better! Thank you very much, Doctor Gu!" Duan Rong replied with a naive smile.