Chapter 57: Breakthrough, Bone Forging Realm

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Breakthrough, Bone Forging Realm

Chen Jing sat alone in his study, his expression shifting and uncertain.

After sitting in grim silence for a long time, he finally rose and walked toward the serene bamboo forest in the rear courtyard of the Chen Mansion. That was where Chen Xuanli of the Chen Family conducted his secluded cultivation.

Deep within the bamboo forest, Chen Xuanli sat cross-legged on a cushion, his aura obscure and profound. His face was gaunt, but as his eyes opened and closed, a sharp light flickered within them.

"What is it?" Chen Xuanli asked without opening his eyes, his voice calm.

Chen Jing dared not delay. He recounted in full detail what Chen Zhige had requested, including the desire to refine Chen Yue into a Human Pill and the proposal to abduct an Alchemy Master from another family.

After listening, Chen Xuanli’s perpetually placid brow slowly began to furrow.

He opened his eyes, his gaze as sharp as lightning as he looked at Chen Jing.

"That Chen Yue... I’ve heard a little about him. To refine a Solid Essence Pill in such a short time shows impressive Talent. If we truly refine him into a Human Pill, it would be a significant loss for the Chen Family. Besides, we are already short on Pill Masters."

Chen Jing hurriedly said, "Xuanli, you must understand. Zhige is only anxious about the cultivation progress of you and the two other clan elders."

Chen Xuanli pondered for a moment before speaking slowly. "Are there any other suitable targets within the county?"

Chen Jing’s brow furrowed slightly. "Alchemy Masters with exceptional Talent are like rare gems; every family treasures them. In the current climate, they would be heavily guarded."

Chen Jing didn’t finish his sentence, but Chen Xuanli understood his meaning.

"In fact, my Huichun Hall used to have an Alchemy Master with considerable talent. Unfortunately, some time ago, he was abducted by those scoundrels from the Divine Flame Cult! If not for that, we wouldn’t be in such a tight spot, forced to consider such a risky, desperate measure!" Chen Jing said, his voice cold.

At the mention of the Divine Flame Cult, Chen Xuanli’s face darkened, and his eyes filled with killing intent.

An oppressive silence fell over the bamboo forest.

Chen Jing waited for Chen Xuanli’s final decision. Would he tacitly approve Chen Zhige’s plan to sacrifice Chen Yue? Or would he risk making a move on another family?

Chen Xuanli’s gaze shifted to the swaying bamboo shadows outside the hut, the light in his eyes flickering indecisively.

After a moment, Chen Xuanli gave a slight nod. "I understand. I’ll go find Zhige myself and get to the bottom of this."

Before his words had faded, his figure vanished from the bamboo hut. A few breaths later, he materialized outside Chen Zhige’s Alchemy Room, the air thick with the fragrance of herbs. He didn’t wait to be announced, simply pushing the door open and striding inside.

Inside the Alchemy Room, Chen Zhige was contemplating the residue of a newly failed batch of Elixirs. He heard the footsteps but didn’t turn, as if he’d been expecting them. "Did Chen Jing tell you?"

"Yes." Chen Xuanli stepped closer, his gaze sweeping over the charred mass in the furnace. "Can’t refine the Elixirs anymore?"

At his words, Chen Zhige let out a low chuckle. The sound was eerie in the spacious Alchemy Room.

He turned to face Chen Xuanli, a light flashing in the depths of his eyes—a mixture of self-mockery and fanaticism.

"You know better than anyone what my true talent for Alchemy is. If I hadn’t been lucky enough to acquire the Human Pill Technique back then, how could someone of my mediocre ability have ever achieved my current Alchemy Skill?

"And without the Human Pill Technique, without the Nourishing Spirit Dan Yang Pills and Snow Ginseng Jade Marrow Ointment I refine, how could you have ever broken through the shackles of Bone Forging to step into the Marrow Refining Realm?

"With the aid of these Elixirs, even glimpsing the mysteries of Refining the Internal Organs in the future is no longer just a pipe dream."

Chen Xuanli’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly before smoothing out again. He gave a silent nod.

What Chen Zhige said was true. His current level of Cultivation was largely thanks to the Elixirs Chen Zhige refined.

Though the Human Pill Technique was wicked, it was the key that enabled Chen Zhige to refine High-tier Elixirs, supporting the cultivation of not only Chen Xuanli but the family’s entire upper echelon. This web of mutual benefit and shared sins had long bound the two of them—and indeed, the entire Chen Family—tightly together.

Chen Zhige took a step forward, his gaze sharp as he stared down Chen Xuanli.

"So, what’s your choice? Your own cultivation path and the future foundation of the Chen Family? Or the paltry profits of Huichun Hall and some so-called ’budding talent’ of the Alchemy Dao who hasn’t even matured yet?"

Chen Xuanli stood silently for a moment before speaking.

"There is no choice to be made. However, that Chen Yue was able to refine a Solid Essence Pill in such a short time. His Talent is truly rare. It would be a pity to turn him into a Human Pill just like that. Why don’t I go out and ’invite’ some suitable ’material’ back instead?"

A sardonic smile touched Chen Zhige’s lips, as if he had expected this choice all along.

"Fine by me. I just need a quality ingredient for the Human Pill. Whether it’s Chen Yue, Wang Yue, or Li Yue makes no difference to me."

"Good." Chen Xuanli said nothing more. He nodded, and with a slight flicker, his body vanished from the Alchemy Room, leaving behind only the curling aroma of herbs and the inscrutable, dark expression on Chen Zhige’s face.

...

「Two days passed in a flash.」

The night was as black as ink, silently blanketing the courtyard.

Chen Yue sat cross-legged on the bed in his Quiet Chamber, his palms and soles facing the heavens as his Heart Spirit sank deep within his body.

The Vast Firm Essence Technique circulated slowly through his meridians, emitting a low rumble like a great river’s surging tide.

Right on cue, the ripple marking the turn of the day appeared in his Sea of Consciousness.

[Daily Settlement]

[Diligent Cultivation. Cultivation +20]

...

[Vast Firm Essence Technique (Perfection) (98/6311)]

[Refining Flesh Realm (869/869)]

...

The moment the [Refining Flesh Realm] experience bar finally filled, becoming (869/869).

A searing torrent, born from his Life Origin, erupted from the deepest recesses of his limbs and organs!

This torrent was no ordinary Qi Blood, but a purer, more incandescent Life Essence. Like an awakening ancient volcano, it surged madly toward the two hundred and six bones of his body!

CRACK... CRACK... CRACK...

A series of fine, continuous cracks, possessing a certain profound rhythm, echoed from within Chen Yue’s body.

Every single bone, from the most delicate bones in his fingers to the spine that held up his frame, trembled violently, greedily devouring and fusing with the torrent of life.

The density of his bones increased rapidly, their structure optimizing and restructuring. Deep within the marrow, a gentle, jade-like luster seemed to bloom and circulate. An intense, searing heat emerged from the depths of his marrow and instantly swept through his entire body.

Chen Yue’s body temperature rose at a terrifying rate. His skin turned crimson and grew scalding hot, even giving off wisps of white steam that scorched the surrounding air, causing it to shimmer and distort.

Sweat evaporated into white vapor with a HISS the moment it touched his skin.

Chen Yue felt as if he were at the core of an erupting volcano, enduring an agonizing, searing ordeal akin to being reborn—forged anew like iron into steel.

But under the protection of the Heart Nourishing Technique, his Heart Spirit remained as calm as an ancient well. He clearly perceived every change in his body, guiding the torrent to temper him in an orderly fashion.

The concept of time blurred. He didn’t know how long had passed; it felt like both an instant and a hundred years.

The raging, searing torrent within him finally subsided. Like a receding tide, it integrated completely into every inch of his newly strengthened bones and vanished.

His body temperature dropped back to normal, and the unsettling cracking from his body ceased. A deep, restrained sense of power began to emanate from him naturally.

Chen Yue slowly opened his eyes.

A brilliant light flashed in his eyes, like cold lightning piercing the dark, before it receded, returning to calm.

Chen Yue rose and stood barefoot on the cool floor. He wasn’t consciously channeling any strength, yet just by standing there, a profound and solid sense of power, as if connected to the very veins of the earth, took root from the soles of his feet and permeated his entire being.