At the entrance of the alley where the Silver wolf was confined.
"You've been here quite a while, kid."
"Just lucky, just lucky," Tang Wen looked extremely weak.
"Look at you, scared out of your wits, drenched in cold sweat. It's getting dark, hurry back!"
"Yeah, okay, okay. See you later, sirs."
After a brief exchange, Tang Wen quickly left the alley.
Once he reached the main road, his expression changed, and he started running at full speed.
Hungry!
So hungry!
"Boss, how much for this deer heart?"
"Half a tael of silver. Hey, hey, hey! Why are you eating it raw? You haven't paid yet!"
Tang Wen tossed him a few Silver granules, grabbed the raw deer heart, and started munching on it as he ran.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Arriving home, he knocked on the door urgently, "I'm starving, sis, cook more! I'm starving to death!"
"Alright, alright, why is there so much blood on your face? Are you hurt?"
"No, I ate a raw deer heart."
"Oh, oh, here, gnaw on this radish first. I'll peel it for you," Tang Tang fumbled around.
After performing the Eight Section Brocade five times in front of the Silver wolf, his realm had broken through.
[Eight Section Brocade, Mastery → Proficiency (9/6000)]
[Body: 2.41 → 3.91]
[Spirit: 2.57 → 4.07]
A single attribute increased by 1.5.
"Crunch, crunch, pah, pah, pah"
The radish wasn't washed and had dirt on it, leaving a gritty taste in his mouth.
Sweet potatoes could also be eaten raw.
"Crunch, crunch," Tang Wen nodded in satisfaction: Sweet potatoes are still better, they have a sweet taste.
"Here, the Red-billed Finch is roasted."
"Mm, mm."
"The Foxtail millet porridge is ready, mix it with some warm water, don't burn yourself."
"Roasted chicken, roasted deer ribs."
Tang Tang efficiently handed over plate after plate of food, but her heart was numb: These three birds could be exchanged for three pounds of Foxtail millet, this pheasant could be exchanged for 29 pounds of Foxtail millet, and these five pounds of deer ribs could be exchanged for 60 pounds of Foxtail millet, wuwuwu... Even the Queen's guard captain wouldn't dare to eat like this!
After consuming dozens of pounds of food, Tang Wen collapsed onto the chair, not wanting to move.
It was too dangerous.
He almost snatched food off the street to eat.
Hmm, the few Silver granules he gave the shopkeeper should have been exactly half a tael of silver, so he didn't get a bargain.
In the future, he couldn't just break through outside like that.
It's fine if he can find food, but if he can't, he feels like he might starve to death!
He heard that Mutated Beast Meat is very nourishing, but he doesn't know what it tastes like.
If he gets the chance, he must try some.
The energy density of Mutated Beast Meat must be higher, maybe eating just two pounds would be enough to feel full.
After a quick wipe-down, his sister helped him wash his hair.
Tang Wen dragged his exhausted body to the kang and went to sleep.
...
In the courtyard.
"Up!"
Exhaling sharply.
Tang Wen, lying on a solid wooden bench, exerted strength in both hands and steadily lifted a solid iron rod. At each end of the rod, a large Stone Dumbbell was suspended by iron chains.
A homemade training apparatus, even if he couldn't push it up, it wouldn't crush him.
Bang!
After completing a set of eight, the Stone Dumbbells landed, smashing into the straw mat laid out in advance.
The straw mat didn't provide any cushioning at all, as it was directly driven into the ground.
After all, a single Stone Dumbbell weighing 600 pounds was just too heavy!
Tang Tang, who was practicing her sword in the courtyard, couldn't help but twitch at the sight.
Ever since her brother came back that day and gorged himself, the next day his strength had been increasing.
The stonemason who delivered several pairs of custom-made large Stone Dumbbells that day had exhausted the donkey pulling the cart to the point of foaming at the mouth.
His body was becoming stronger, and his appetite was growing larger and larger.
The young lady pouted, "Why do we have to eat several pounds of meat a day? Can't we just eat foxtail millet?"
Tang Wen: "Of course, we can eat rice, but who would choose rice over meat if given the choice?"
Reluctantly, the siblings slaughtered two more yellow goats that were originally intended for Old Li.
[Body: 3.99→4.0]
[Spirit: 4.07→4.08]
A month had passed since the breakthrough in the Eight Section Brocade.
Tang Wen's daily ten-hour rigorous training not only increased his attributes but also made him grow significantly taller.
Although his handsome face still carried a hint of youth, no one would mistake him for a mere teenager at first glance.
His tall stature and calm demeanor easily overshadowed the immaturity in his brow.
At the Li family's blacksmith shop, Tang Wen and Tang Tang arrived with goat heads and meat as gifts.
"Brother, you've grown so fast! You're almost as tall as me!" Li Da Niu slapped Tang Wen's back with admiration, not for his height but for his strength. Li Da Niu now dared not compete with him in knife skills, as he was no match in technique or strength.
"Brother Tang is sure to be selected as a guard this year!" Sister-in-law Li, elegant and composed, looked at Tang Wen with appreciation.
Tang Wen smiled, "It depends on my performance."
Tang Tang, chewing on a piece of goat meat, asked, "Brother Li, if you become a guard, does the camp provide meals?"
"Of course, there's a guard canteen."
Tang Tang's eyes lit up, "Can you eat as much as you want?"
"Hahaha, don't worry, little sister! You can eat as much as you want. There are plenty of big eaters in the guard barracks. When I was a soldier, I saw a guy who could eat two large basins of rice and vegetables in one meal!" Li Da Niu gestured, indicating the size of a washbasin.
"That's good, that's good," the young lady nodded happily. Based on her life experience, two large basins could hold dozens of pounds of food, enough to fill her brother's stomach.
"The guard selection is in a little over a month. Prepare well, brother. If you need anything in terms of weapons, just let me know."
"Alright, I won't be shy with Brother Li."
"Brother, you have the strength, the knife skills, and you can even throw flying knives and stones. It would be unjust if you weren't selected." Li Da Niu was even more confident than Tang Wen.
The next day, Tang Wen took his knife to the inner city to see the silver wolf.
"Greetings, three sirs."
"Oh, it's you. It's been a month, and you've grown so fast, taller than me now."
"Still not as tall as you, sir." Tang Wen took out ten copper coins.
"Be careful, that silver wolf has been caged for too long and is a bit crazy."
"Thank you for the reminder, sir."
Entering the room, Tang Wen didn't hesitate. He lifted the wooden board covering the hole and descended the steps.
"Howl~"
The wolf's howls, filled with sorrow and madness, were even more intimidating than before.
Tang Wen's body swayed slightly, but he showed no sign of disturbance, steadily descending the steps.
Thud, thud, thud
As if remembering Tang Wen and his scent, the silver wolf slammed against the iron cage even more fiercely!
Tang Wen ignored it, standing quietly, carefully observing every detail of the silver wolf.
Ears, eyes, nose, fangs, fur, limbs...
After a while, he closed his eyes, attempting to visualize and sketch the image in his mind.
His powerful mental strength allowed him to memorize every aspect of the silver wolf.
Standing firm, visualizing, and entering stillness, he completed the process seamlessly.
[Life-Nurturing Stance → Visualization Meditation Stance, Mastery (911→913→917/1000)]
The experience points were rapidly increasing.
Tang Wen was completely unaware as the image of the Silver wolf in his mind flickered in and out, disappearing and reappearing.
Finally, it solidified into a ferocious, predatory form!
He opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as lightning.
[Life-Nurturing Stance → Visualization Meditation Stance, Mastery (939/1000)]
"Visualization Meditation Stance?"
It sounded more impressive than the Life-Nurturing Stance, but he would only know for sure after upgrading.
Having achieved his goal, Tang Wen left the inner city and returned home, continuing to practice diligently every day.
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.
The day of the guard selection had arrived.
This was the grandest event in the camp, bar none, attracting people from both the inner city and the outer camps. As long as one was physically strong and could pay the registration fee of 10 pounds of grain or 10 copper coins, they were eligible to participate.
The registration fee served as a threshold. Originally, there was none,
but without it, everyone would rush to sign up.
Even farmers in their fifties and sixties wanted to try, refusing to give up no matter how much the guards tried to persuade them.
The camp administrators simply didn't have the time or energy to entertain everyone, so the threshold was introduced.
(End of Chapter)