Chapter 921: Luck

A rich medicinal aroma permeated the room.

Wang Chen lifted the lid of the medicine pot and scattered a handful of crushed yellow essence into the boiling concoction.

The charcoal fire in the furnace burned fiercely, and the fragments dissolved swiftly.

Sensing that the boiling time was just right, he picked up the medicine pot and poured the scalding liquid into a nearby ceramic bowl.

It was precisely the right amount for one bowl.

Grasping the steaming bowl of medicine, Wang Chen downed it in one go!

A warm current surged through his throat and into his stomach, the potent medicinal energy instantly spreading throughout Wang Chen’s body, rapidly permeating his five organs and reaching every part of his body.

Tiny, glistening beads of sweat emerged on Wang Chen’s skin.

He set the empty bowl down and exhaled deeply.

Though this bowl of medicine was just enough for Wang Chen to drink in one gulp, its preparation cost at least two to three hundred taels of silver.

That was more than the annual salary of the Linjiang County magistrate!

During this period, Wang Chen had been drinking a bowl like this almost every day.

While the pursuit of martial arts enriches the spirit, ordinary families struggle to bear its expenses. Higher-level martial artists are often built through vast amounts of gold and silver. Yet, even the sons of royalty could not afford to be as extravagant as Wang Chen.

He was consuming the Ling family’s centuries of accumulated wealth!

But the effects were immediate.

[Potential +1]

The familiar notification flashed across Wang Chen’s vision.

Before he could even exhale to check the panel, another striking message appeared.

[Upgrade Available?]

His premonition had come true!

With the recent addition of 1 point to his potential value, Wang Chen’s total potential points had just reached 1000.

A transformation was imminent!

Or, more accurately, he now met the conditions for a panel upgrade.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Wang Chen chose to upgrade.

"Ah!"

In the next instant, he let out a piercing scream.

A sudden, intense pain engulfed Wang Chen entirely—from his soul to his body!

Such a transformation was something Wang Chen had never anticipated.

He was utterly unprepared and was thrust into an unprecedented trial.

The pain was unbearable, as if countless steel needles were simultaneously piercing through Wang Chen’s head and body, penetrating every inch of his muscles and bones.

What was most horrifying was that these "steel needles" were red-hot, and after piercing, they twisted at different angles!

With Wang Chen’s strong will, he could not help but lose his composure on the spot.

The only thing he could do was to suppress his screams as much as possible, then randomly grabbed something and bit down hard.

Crunch!

The medicine bowl he had just shoved into his mouth was crushed by Wang Chen’s bite!

The sharp fragments pierced his lips and mouth, and bright red blood immediately gushed out.

But this pain was trivial compared to what Wang Chen was enduring!

He collapsed to the ground, curled up his body, his limbs twitching continuously, and his entire body was soaked in sweat, soon drenching his clothes.

Pain! Pain! Pain!

Wang Chen felt pain to the point of numbness, with stars flashing before his eyes and his head buzzing!

He had no idea how he managed to hold on, nor how long he struggled on the ground, until the pain that made him wish he could die slowly receded, and his awareness gradually returned.

After lying on the ground for nearly an incense stick’s time, Wang Chen finally managed to crawl up.

His clothes were completely soaked with blood and sweat, a thick layer of dirt clung to his skin, and he emitted a very unpleasant odor. All the hair on his body, including his head, had fallen out!

Yet at that moment, Wang Chen felt an unprecedented lightness, as if he had shed a ten-thousand-jin burden.

He called up the panel.

[Name: Wang Chen (Ling Zhiyuan)]

[Age: 16]

[Cultivation Level: Martial General]

[Technique: Bloodshed Wheel (Thief Swallowing): 126/400]

[Potential: 0]

[Fortune: 3]

Having consumed 1000 points of potential and endured unimaginable pain, a new entry appeared on Wang Chen’s panel.

Fortune!

As for what this “fortune” did and how to increase it, Wang Chen had no idea. Clearly, he would need to explore and figure it out himself, feeling somewhat at a loss.

However, his intuition told him that this fortune value was definitely a more important and powerful attribute than potential!

Then Wang Chen discovered that this “fortune” could actually be used or consumed.

Due to the small number of points, he acted prudently and decided to wait until he figured out how to increase this number before studying its uses.

After all, Wang Chen understood the meaning of the word "fortune" and certainly could not squander it carelessly.

At that moment, he regained some strength and went to take a bath.

After washing away all the dirt and sweat, and changing into a clean set of clothes, Wang Chen felt like he was alive again.

Moreover, he was in an unprecedentedly good state, especially his mental awareness, which was particularly sharp and clear.

Although there was no increase in cultivation, Wang Chen felt that he could easily defeat his pre-upgrade self!

It was like a complete transformation!

Feeling inspired, he immediately went to the small courtyard outside his room, took out the Seven-Pronged Spear, and began to practice the Wildfire Spear Technique.

After a few moves, Wang Chen realized that his power had surged dramatically.

His understanding of the essence of this spear technique had terrifyingly improved within just a few moves. Even without activating the bloodshed wheel’s power, the spear tip flicked and burst into shining arcs of energy, releasing a fierce killing intent.

Completing Wildfire’s Nine Strikes, Wang Chen’s spear technique reached a new height!

Suddenly, someone knocked on the courtyard gate: “Sir Ling, Zongqi Pang asks you to come over right now for an important matter!”

Pang Tai?

Wang Chen’s gaze sharpened as he replied, “Okay, I’ll be there right away!”

He put away the Seven-Pronged Spear, took his Blood Guard badge, Yan Feather Blade, and other items, then headed out towards the Wei Hall.

To facilitate his martial arts training, Wang Chen had already moved out of the Wei Hall dormitory a while ago and rented a separate house nearby.

Since the distance was short, he didn’t need to ride a horse, and soon arrived at the Wei Hall.

He saw Pang Tai in the hall.

“Guard Ling Zhiyuan, I salute you, Lord Pang!”

Wang Chen noticed that besides Pang Tai, there was another man in the hall with a resolute expression.

The latter was observing him with keen interest.

“No need for excessive courtesy.”

Pang Tai said: “Ling Zhiyuan, let me introduce you. This is Zongqi Xue from the capital!”

Wang Chen quickly bowed to the other party: “I greet you, Zongqi Xue!”

Zongqi Xue waved his hand and smiled: “No wonder you are the new leader of Iron Furnace Camp; you are indeed a true dragon among men. Ling Zhiyuan, do you know why Lord Pang called you here?”

Wang Chen’s heart stirred with a faint guess.

But he kept his expression blank: “I do not know, please enlighten me, my lord.”

“Of course, it’s good news!”

Pang Tai said with a smile: “I’ve already discussed with Zongqi Xue to report to the capital to commend you; you are about to become the newly promoted Xiaoqi of Linjiang Wei Hall!”