Chapter 45: A Snake Swallowing an Elephant

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: A Snake Swallowing an Elephant

"Miss," Cui finally couldn’t help but ask in a hushed voice on the way to Chen Yue’s Alchemy Room, "that Chen Yue... can he really refine a Solid Essence Pill? Why were you so cautious just now?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuqing turned to Cui. "You don’t understand the Alchemy Dao, so you don’t know what’s at stake. The Blood Circulation Pill is the foundation. Anyone who can refine it can be called a Pill Master, but they’re only at the Entry Level."

Chen Yuqing paused before continuing, "If he can truly succeed in refining a Solid Essence Pill in such a short amount of time, even a low-quality one, it will prove he has incredible potential in the Alchemy Dao. His value will be on a completely different level!"

"If the Patriarch finds out, he will certainly see him in a new light and pour resources into his development. Given time, he might even become like Zhige, capable of holding his own!"

Cui’s eyes went wide as saucers. Of course she knew who Chen Zhige was! He was the Chen Family’s strongest Alchemy Master, a grandmaster of the Alchemy Dao so revered that even Duke Xuanli relied on him.

It was said that certain secret elixirs, available only to the core members of the Chen Family, had to be personally refined by Chen Zhige. His status in the Chen Mansion was beyond compare.

’Miss Yuqing is actually comparing Chen Yue’s future to Lord Chen Zhige’s?’

"B-but... that Chen Yue... wasn’t he just an apprentice before? C-could he be... deceiving you, Miss?" Cui asked, still stammering in disbelief.

Chen Yuqing didn’t break her stride, merely shaking her head gently. "We’ll know soon enough whether it’s true or not. He can’t pull off a deception in front of the Clan Elders and Master Lin. We just need to wait and see."

...

Inside the Alchemy Room, the atmosphere was solemn. A set of ingredients for the Solid Essence Pill lay neatly to one side. Chen Yue stood quietly before the Pill Furnace, his expression calm.

A moment later, Chen Yuqing entered, followed by two others.

One was an elderly man in a brown brocade robe. He was Chen Dingxian, a Chen Clan Elder whom Chen Yuqing had invited. He managed a portion of the Chen Family’s treasury and resource allocation and also had a rudimentary understanding of alchemy.

The other, naturally, was Lin Quan, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

"Elder, Master Lin, thank you both for coming." Chen Yuqing gave the two a slight bow.

"It is no trouble. If he can truly refine a Solid Essence Pill, it would be a great fortune for the family. This trip would be well worth it for this old man," Chen Dingxian said, stroking his beard. His gaze, filled with scrutiny, fell upon Chen Yue.

Chen Yue stepped forward and solemnly cupped his hands in a salute to the three of them. "I am grateful to the Elder, the Manager, and Master Lin for bearing witness. I will now begin refining the pill."

Without another word, Chen Yue turned and walked to the Pill Furnace.

Lighting the fire, warming the furnace, processing the ingredients... Chen Yue’s movements were deliberately careful. He worked slowly, pausing occasionally as if trying to recall a specific step.

At first, Chen Dingxian watched calmly, but as the alchemy progressed, his expression gradually grew serious.

Time slipped by quietly amidst the dancing Pill Fire and the spreading medicinal aroma. Half an hour passed—not too long, but not too short, either.

Finally, Chen Yue’s gaze sharpened. Sensing that the Medicinal Power within the Pill Furnace was about to fully fuse, he quickly covered the top of the furnace with a damp cloth to draw away the residual heat.

The furnace lid was lifted, and a plume of white mist carrying a warm, medicinal scent billowed out. At the bottom of the furnace lay two elixirs, marred with faint, grayish-white, wispy streaks.

The elixirs were dull and their fragrance was muddled, but Chen Dingxian rushed forward. He ignored the searing heat, plucked one up with his fingers, and brought it close to his eyes for a careful inspection before holding it to his nose and taking a deep sniff.

He even scraped off a bit of powder with his fingernail to taste it. The wrinkles on his face immediately smoothed out, and his eyes filled with unconcealable, joyful surprise.

"It’s a Solid Essence Pill, no doubt about it! Although there are impurities and the Medicinal Power isn’t pure, its primary effects have successfully formed!" Chen Dingxian’s voice trembled with excitement.

Lin Quan also stepped forward to examine it. After confirming the assessment, he stroked his beard with a smile and nodded at Chen Yuqing.

Standing a short distance away, Chen Yuqing looked from the elixir in Chen Dingxian’s hand to the calm expression on Chen Yue’s face, and the last shred of doubt in her heart vanished completely.

Cui, who had been standing in the corner the entire time, saw the Elder’s unconcealed delight and the way he cradled the two ugly elixirs as if they were treasures. Her own face instantly fell.

News of Chen Yue’s successful refinement of the Solid Essence Pill sent ripples through the Chen Mansion, eventually reaching the Patriarch, Chen Jing.

Chen Yue was respectfully summoned by a manager to the Chen Mansion’s main assembly hall. The hall was brightly lit, and Chen Jing was seated on the main chair at its head, his presence naturally imposing.

Seated on either side were several Chen Clan Elders and managers. Chen Yuqing was also among them, though her seat was slightly toward the back.

All eyes were fixed on the young man who had just stepped into the hall.

"This junior, Chen Yue, pays his respects to the Patriarch and greets the esteemed Elders and managers." Chen Yue stepped into the center of the hall and saluted with cupped hands.

"No need for such formalities."

Chen Jing’s voice was gentle. "Chen Yue, your progress on the Alchemy Dao has been astonishingly fast. To be able to refine a Solid Essence Pill in such a short time is truly a blessing for Huichun Hall. I’ve summoned you today for two reasons. First, to commend you. Second, to ask if you are facing any difficulties or are in need of anything in the mansion."

’So, they’re ready to offer some real rewards and support.’

Chen Yue understood perfectly. He put on an expression of just the right mix of gratitude and pleasant surprise, saluting again. "Thank you for your concern, Patriarch. Everything in the mansion is fine, and both Master Lin and Miss Yuqing have taken good care of me. It’s just..."

Chen Yue hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "It’s just that I’m required to refine twenty-five Blood Circulation Pills every day. While I manage to complete the task, it consumes a great deal of my time. I was wondering if that number could be reduced slightly? I am by no means trying to shirk my duties; I’m simply finding it difficult to keep up."

"Hahaha!" Instead of being displeased, Chen Jing let out a hearty laugh.

"Twenty-five Blood Circulation Pills a day is indeed a heavy burden. The fact that you managed to persevere shows your diligence. Now that you have reached the threshold of refining the Solid Essence Pill, your energy should be focused on exploring the higher echelons of the Alchemy Dao."

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Jing’s gaze swept over the people on both sides. "Let’s do this. The world outside is in turmoil, and the elixirs from our shops are essential. From tomorrow onward, you will only be required to complete three Blood Circulation Pills per day. You can use the rest of your time to focus on the Solid Essence Pill. How does that sound?"

’Only three a day!’

Chen Yue felt a sense of relief, and a smile spread across his face. "I will do my utmost and not disappoint the trust you’ve placed in me!"

"Good."

Chen Jing nodded in satisfaction and asked, "Aside from adjusting your alchemy duties, is there anything else you need? Don’t hesitate to ask."

’I can ask for more?’

Chen Yue’s heart stirred. ’It seems the value I’ve demonstrated has truly caused a fundamental shift in the Chen Family’s attitude toward me.’

He looked up at Chen Jing. "In reply to the Patriarch, I do have one more presumptuous request. This junior has always longed to pursue the path of Martial Arts. In these chaotic times, with bandits running rampant, I know that even though I am devoted to the Alchemy Dao, it will be difficult for me to survive without some means of self-defense..."

The moment he spoke, the hall fell silent. Several of the clan elders and managers exchanged glances, their expressions varied. Standing off to the side, Chen Yuqing’s elegant brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. The look she gave Chen Yue was tinged with an indescribable strangeness.

’I just gave him Stepping on Snow Without Trace a few days ago, and now he’s asking for another Cultivation Technique? What is he thinking? Cultivation of the Martial Dao values specialization. Doesn’t he understand the saying about biting off more than you can chew?’

’Or does he really think he can become a master just by reading a few more Secret Manuals?’