Transformation Diagram: Starting as a Skinny Dog

Official Chai?

Li Yuancheng's first thought was, could it be Official Chai from the Martial Arts Scholar Chai's family? That was a man whose noble, official status once allowed him to sit with the County Magistrate as an equal. Although that glory was decades old, their status in Baojiao County was still undeniably present.

If it truly were that Chai Family, Li Yuancheng couldn't help but look at his brother-in-law with new seriousness.

"Is it really Official Chai Tiangui?"

He received an affirmative response.

He was shocked. That was a figure from the highest echelons of Baojiao County society, someone utterly beyond his reach, even as a Deputy Constable. How could this brother-in-law of his possibly know such dignitaries and nobles? However, after receiving Chen Ku's confirmation, Li Yuancheng, amidst his admiration and shock, also felt more confident about the matter.

So, the two of them sat in the house and began to discuss the details.

Before long, it was dinnertime.

His sister, Chen Tian, brought a large pot of steamed Treasure Fish to the table. The aroma instantly filled the house and wafted out, reaching the other households in the courtyard.

"Treasure Fish... it smells so fragrant and fresh!"

Fish from the Dragon River were inherently delicious, and this Treasure Fish—a rare ingredient, mutated to possess unique qualities—was even more so.

Even Li Yuancheng, a Deputy Constable holding a respectable position in the county, couldn't help but swallow hard. It was his first time tasting Treasure Fish.

It wasn't that his salary couldn't cover it; it was that he couldn't bring himself to spend so much on a single meal.

Chen Ku also found his mouth watering. This Treasure Fish was worth dozens of silver taels. In his past life, its value was comparable to expensive seafood like East Star Grouper or Bluefin Tuna. While an ordinary person's savings might technically cover the cost, hardly anyone would willingly spend that much on a single meal.

"Let's eat, let's eat! I also want to see how effective this Treasure Fish is for martial training."

Chen Ku first served his sister a large helping of fish, then took a bite himself. The fish was succulent and firm, with a satisfying chewiness. Simply steamed with some scallions, ginger, and soy sauce, it was the most delicious food he had tasted in either of his lives.

Most importantly, the moment the fish entered his stomach, he felt a powerful surge of heat spread instantly through his limbs and bones.

It was even more easily absorbed than the medicinal effect of Treasured Medicine.

The two martial artists, Chen Ku and Li Yuancheng, polished off the entire fish in just half an hour, leaving not a single scrap.

Li Yuancheng closed his eyes and exclaimed, "This one meal is equivalent to at least two months of my accumulated Blood Qi!"

Looking at Chen Ku, his eyes filled with a complex mix of respect, admiration, and gratitude. It was the look one gives to a kinsman who has surpassed oneself in significant ways.

Chen Ku, however, though his face was flushed, showed little reaction. This was because he had consumed so many Treasured Medicines that his Vital Energy was constantly accumulating. Only upon reaching the Inner Qi realm could it be fully refined; until then, it settled into his flesh and blood, further solidifying his foundation.

"Alright, this meal is finished. I'll head to the county government office later to submit the application. For getting it approved, I'll be relying on you, brother-in-law."

After the meal, Chen Ku left. He first went to the county government office and duly filed his application.

After that, he pondered for a moment, then went to the small courtyard. He checked the cage where Skinny Dog's pups had cornered the entire litter of eight bait mice. After some thought, he selected one bait mouse, placed it in a small cage, and covered it with a cloth.

As evening approached, he arrived at Chai Tiangui's mansion.

"Chen Ku? Who's that?"

Official Chai was in a side room, toying with a Pixiu bracelet. After all, he was known for his chivalry and generosity, and had cultivated connections with many figures from the Martial Forest and heroes from all walks of life.

"Tell him I'm not feeling well and can't see anyone."

Official Chai looked somewhat vexed. The typhoid epidemic in the countryside was worsening daily. For a wealthy man like him, falling ill was the greatest fear. Consequently, out of caution and vexation, he had seen very few visitors lately, afraid that someone might inadvertently bring the contagion into his home.

"It's Chen Ku, the apprentice from Medicine King Hall—the one the Official personally gave instructions about regarding the crafting of a thousand-pound Refined Iron Rod. He says he has brought a gift for you, Official, and implores you to accept it to repay your generosity for the weapon," the gatekeeper said.

Official Chai waved his hand dismissively, "No need, no need."

Why would he need gifts from others? He never chose friends based on their wealth—after all, none were as wealthy as he—and the gifts he usually received were trifles.

"Official," the gatekeeper continued, then lowered his voice, "Chen Ku mentioned that what he brought is something the Official and the other young masters and misses discussed as urgently needed at the Fragrance Pavilion gathering. He insists you must accept it. I also took a peek under the cloth covering the cage... it's a very peculiar rabbit-like mouse. It strongly resembles that 'thing' the Official has been talking about these past few days."

Chai Tiangui shot up from his seat, his face flushed with excitement. "What? Quickly, quickly, invite Brother Chen in!"

Soon after, Chen Ku, carrying the cage, entered the two-courtyard mansion and arrived at Chai Tiangui's main hall. Upon entering, he smiled, lifted the cover from the bait mouse's cage, and said,

"I know Official Chai wants for little. Fortunately, a friend of mine was recently hunting near Two Realms Mountain and chanced upon this treasure. So, I've brought it to you."

"A bait mouse! It truly is the bait mouse that can neutralize a hundred poisons!"

Chai Tiangui stared at the creature in Chen Ku's hands—its transparent belly, its peculiar rabbit-like ears—then turned to Chen Ku, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Brother Chen, how did you know I've been desperately seeking this very thing these past few days? You're a true lifesaver! Please, accept my deepest gratitude."

Such a creature was incredibly rare; despite his wealth, it wasn't something he could easily procure.

"I'm glad Official Chai is pleased. But please, don't stand on ceremony with me," Chen Ku said, quickly stepping forward to prevent Chai Tiangui from bowing. "This creature only needs to be fed medicinal herbs daily to live a long time. In a critical moment, it can be used as an emergency antidote."

What Chai Tiangui needed most was precisely such a life-saving talisman. Though his own life was invaluable, he still had to reciprocate Chen Ku's gesture. He instructed, "Take the bait mouse away and ensure it's cared for meticulously. Then, prepare a gift of one thousand taels of silver for Brother Chen as a token of my thanks."

The standing reward offered elsewhere for such a creature was over three hundred taels, yet no one had succeeded in catching one. Thus, whatever Chai Tiangui chose to give was, effectively, its price.

Chen Ku, however, raised a hand and said, "To be honest, Official, I didn't come to see you today for these thousand taels. Actually, I'm here because…"

After Chen Ku explained, Chai Tiangui nodded in understanding. "So, Brother Chen, you're planning to start a mining operation and need some startup capital? Tell me, how much crow sink sand do you estimate is in that mine, and how much funding do you require?"

Chen Ku had been conservative with his sister and brother-in-law, but before this exceedingly generous official, there was no need to hold back. He stated his maximum estimated yield for the mine, "Between two hundred thousand and one million pounds."

"I don't know much about these things, Brother Chen." Chai Tiangui held up one finger. "I'll lend you ten thousand taels of silver. Go ahead and start your mining business. If it fails, I won't ask for the money back. If you make a profit, no matter how much, just return the ten thousand taels to me. That's all."

However thick-skinned Chen Ku might be, he still felt a little embarrassed and said directly, "Official, I was actually hoping you would invest and take a share of the profits."

Chai Tiangui laughed heartily. "Brother Chen, do you think I'm short of money? To put it bluntly, this bait mouse you've brought might save a life in my family. That's what true friendship is about."

In other words, he didn't need such paltry sums. Tens of thousands of silver taels were no great fortune to him; he valued the bonds of brotherhood far more.

Since Chai Tiangui had put it so plainly, Chen Ku couldn't press further without appearing ungracious. He could only sigh inwardly, Once you're in the right circles, everything becomes so much easier. The prerequisite, of course, is being able to provide something they need.

And so, Chen Ku left Chai Mansion with a silver note for ten thousand taels.

He had initially planned to borrow only three to five thousand taels but had unexpectedly received ten thousand. He first withdrew one thousand taels in silver, offered it to the Transformation Diagram, then went to Hunter's Forest and bought ten pounds of demon blood for over five hundred taels, which he also offered to the Transformation Diagram.

Just two days later, his brother-in-law informed him that the permit and the contract for leasing the river area had been approved smoothly.

Money certainly made things easier.

In just three to five days, Chen Ku had assembled a workforce of dozens for his new workshop. Tents were erected, and he called Li Jiyang from the countryside to help, appointing him as a foreman.

"I told you I'd look out for you," Chen Ku said, pleased by Li Jiyang's ecstatic, simple grin. How could he be stingy with an opportunity that benefited himself while also giving a friend from his village a chance to earn money?

Moreover, he trusted Jiyang's integrity to supervise the work, ensuring that everything would run smoothly even in his absence.

Once operations officially commenced, crow sink sand was soon being extracted daily—dug from the riverbed, then processed through screening and panning. They produced over a thousand pounds of crow sink sand each day.

Within a mere half-month, Chen Ku had obtained ten thousand pounds of crow sink sand, which he offered to the Transformation Diagram. He still had several hundred thousand pounds of crow sink sand remaining to sell for profit.

Now, only the final condition remains: Unity of Intent and Force. Then I can cultivate the third transformation diagram!

Every day, Chen Ku practiced the Skyward Strike in his Spirit Ape form and, in his Skinny Dog form, ventured into the wilds to search for Crescent Moon Flowers.

With his various resources, his Spirit Ape form, and the Fundamental Diagram, achieving a breakthrough to Divine Intent was a natural progression.

Imperceptibly, as Chen Ku cultivated in his Spirit Ape form, his Force Power reached the state of Unity of Intent and Force, and he successfully refined the Spirit Ape's Divine Intent.

[All conditions for cultivating the Third Transformation Diagram have been met!]

[Third Transformation Diagram! Open!]