The sun set behind West Mountain, its light painting the sky with red clouds. At Shantytown Number Thirteen, the bun shop was packing up its steamers as usual while men returning from a hard day’s work gathered at the entrance, munching on buns.

"I heard a bunch of high schools had their practical training go south because of Demon Beasts. Hundreds of people died! We’ve only had a few years of peace, and now this is happening again."

"Tell me about it. The high school here in Zone Eight organized one, too, and we haven’t heard any news of their return."

"Poor Xiaoqiu... His parents died a few years ago. He worked so hard to become an outstanding student, but we haven’t seen him for the past half a month. He probably..."

"Huh? Look over there! Xiaoqiu’s back, and he brought a girl with him!"

At the surprised shout, the men and the bun shop owner all looked toward the alley entrance. Jiang Qiu was strolling along, a black duffel bag in hand. Beside him, a short-haired girl whose head reached just above his shoulder had a lovely smile on her face. She was also hugging a black duffel bag, this one stained deep red.

"Hehe, it was so great meeting you. Everyone from our Zone Eight site got a share of Wusu Fragrance. After I take my medicinal bath, I should be able to break through to the Copper Skin Realm before the college entrance exams," Liu Zili said with a grin, her bright eyes sparkling. Her two dimples danced on her cheeks. "Hehe..."

"That’s great. By the way, are you in a hurry for the bucket? I can help you carry it home in a bit."

A natural smile lifted the corners of Jiang Qiu’s mouth as a warm breath escaped his nose.

’That large wooden bucket I borrowed... I can’t believe it’s been over half a month. It’s really time I returned it.’

’It’s just that buying a new medicinal bath bucket will take a lot of time. I’ll have to take so many rides to the commoner districts, searching one big shopping center after another...’

"Ah? The bucket..." Liu Zili’s cheeks suddenly flushed pink. Her large, round eyes darted from side to side. She froze for a moment, then shook her head. "Oh, no, no, you use it first. I’ll come get it after you’re done, there’s no rush... I’ve walked too far, my bad. I’m heading home now, bye-bye!"

She raised a pale wrist above her shoulder and waved, then turned with light steps and headed back down the alley. In a flash, she turned a corner and was out of sight.

Jiang Qiu stood there stunned, blinking. ’She walked all the way here with me, but wasn’t she planning on getting the bucket?’

’But then, what on earth did she use that bucket for? It’s been half a month, and she’s still not in a hurry to get it back...’

Raising an eyebrow, he chuckled and started walking home. ’This works out, I guess. It’ll be convenient to take the Qiang Su Fragrance medicinal bath tonight. I’ll get myself a new tub tomorrow; I can’t keep borrowing hers.’

As the young man’s figure receded into the distance, the men in front of the nearby bun shop gulped down their food, their eyes wide. "Holy crap, I think I just heard them say Wusu Fragrance. Isn’t that stuff you can’t even buy for hundreds of thousands? And they said everyone got a share!"

"From what that girl said, sounds like Xiaoqiu is pretty amazing, huh?"

"How could he not be? He’s wearing the outstanding student uniform! And I bet that girl is no slouch either. What a lucky kid..."

Amidst the men’s laughter, the bun shop owner pursed his lips. "It’s good enough that they came back from the practical training hunt smiling. The high schools in the neighboring districts lost over three hundred people in total. The mood has been gloomy even here in the shantytown."

...

SPLASH—

A large basin of hot water was poured into the big wooden bucket in the living room. Billowing steam surged upward, coating Jiang Qiu’s face with a layer of moisture.

He pulled an exquisite wooden box from the black bag. With a CLICK, he opened the lid and took out a vial. Its rim was engraved with a pattern like silver flowers, and inside was the shimmering purple Qiang Su Fragrance.

DRIP...

A large drop of the purple liquid fell into the bucket, dissolving into crimson-purple wisps in an instant.

’The Qiang Su Fragrance isn’t physically stimulating, so absorption should be quick.’ Jiang Qiu glanced at the thirteen vials of fluorescent blue Wusu Fragrance lined up on the chair. ’I’ll pour those in too while the water’s still hot.’

He stripped off his clothes and climbed into the large wooden bucket.

The moment he sat down, the pores on the submerged half of his body flew open, greedily absorbing the intangible essence from the water. Countless strands of essence passed through his skin and hair, flowing into his blood vessels and meridians. Like a thousand rivers returning to the sea, it all surged upward into his mind, the impact forcing Jiang Qiu’s eyes wide open.

In that instant, his consciousness felt as though it were tied to a massive Bronze Cauldron, suddenly plunging into the depths of the ocean. An extreme sinking sensation pulled at his soul. The cries of a spear burst forth, one after another, like sharp blades slicing through flesh.

Then, like a flashing lantern, images of an Ancient Martial Spear drill appeared before his eyes. With every thrust, poke, and sweep, his feet landed with air-shaking force. The spearhead moved like a dragon or a phoenix, darting and weaving around him...

The Ancient Martial Spear Technique was performed with clean and natural movements. Although there was no opponent, it was as if every skill was met with the clash of weapons and the howling of wind.

[One Spear Dao Enlightenment]

[Spear Dao Transformation]

HUM...

As if a bronze bell had vibrated, Jiang Qiu shivered and squeezed his eyes shut. When he opened them again, his vision was filled with the rim of the wooden bucket and the concrete ceiling. His brain felt like it was sloshing about, trying to peel itself from his skull, as a sharp pain shot through him like a bolt of thunder.

[Spear Sense]

[Features: The cold glint of the spear arrives before the thought to strike.]

"I comprehended a Metamorphosis Attribute?" Jiang Qiu wiped the beads of sweat from his face and rubbed his temples, his eyes shining like bright pearls. "The effect of Qiang Su Fragrance is this good!"

’Although I haven’t yet verified the effectiveness of [Spear Sense], my other Metamorphosis Attributes have been invaluable. [Copper Transformation] significantly boosts my current physical strength, and [Powerful Penetration] allows for an instantaneous burst of power from my limbs. Used together, they form the Mastery Level Ancient Martial Spear Skill: [Soaring Dragon Thrust].’

’The potential of [Spear Sense] must be immense.’

’And I comprehended a Metamorphosis Attribute like this just from a single medicinal bath with Qiang Su Fragrance!’

Suddenly, Wu Shan’s words echoed in Jiang Qiu’s mind: "As a Middle Level Su Fragrance, a single dose of Qiang Su Fragrance will benefit you for life. Even for someone who has reached the Mastery Level with the Ancient Martial Spear, it is still incredibly useful. It’s better than tens of millions of doses of Wusu Fragrance!

But Qiang Su Fragrance is not on the same level as an Advanced Su Fragrance."

At this thought, Jiang Qiu’s brow furrowed. ’[Copper Transformation] was gained by enduring the soul-piercing pain of Body Refining during my first medicinal bath. [Powerful Penetration] came from the Life and Death Drill of facing the Red Armored Giant Lizard for the first time. Gaining these Metamorphosis Attributes requires sufficiently intense stimulation.’

’The stimulation from the Qiang Su Fragrance bath was concentrated on my soul, which is why I comprehended [Spear Sense].’

’Teacher Wu said that someone in Jiangnan Province once used an Advanced Su Fragrance to achieve a Dragon Form transformation. The stimulation and pain of grinding one’s bones and reforging one’s tendons must be unimaginable. If I could get an Advanced Su Fragrance for a medicinal bath, I could definitely comprehend a powerful new attribute...’

Mumbling to himself, Jiang Qiu grabbed two bottles of Wusu Fragrance from the chair and poured them into the water. DRIP, DRIP.

SIZZLE...

The essence of the fluorescent blue Wusu Fragrance rushed toward Jiang Qiu and entered through his pores. But it felt like ants crawling on a great wall; the biting pain was almost imperceptible.

Jiang Qiu couldn’t help but frown. He stood up slightly and poured in another bottle of Wusu Fragrance, feeling a slight itch on his skin.

After pouring in two more bottles, his pores expanded slightly.

DRIP, DRIP...

The thirteen bottles of Wusu Fragrance were now all empty.

[One Medium-Quality Body Refining]

[Iron Flesh]

[502/1000]

A sudden torrent of heat burst through the gateways in Jiang Qiu’s body, and the long-missed sensation of tearing muscle spread through his limbs.

A single Medium-Quality Body Refining session yielded one hundred points.

However, the stimulation was nowhere near as intense as the first time he had used two bottles of Wusu Fragrance. He only had to clench his fists to endure the tempering.

The subsequent effects diminished rapidly.

[One Low-Quality Body Refining]

[One Low-Quality Body Refining]

[...]

’To gain more Metamorphosis Attributes and strengthen myself, this level of stimulation is nowhere near enough.’ The palms of Jiang Qiu’s fists grew hot, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. ’I have to get my hands on an Advanced Su Fragrance and try it!’