Chapter 58: A Frame-Up

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: A Frame-Up

Chen Yue gently clenched his fist. His knuckles crackled like popping beans, and the air in his palm compressed with a low, muffled THUMP.

’My strength has increased by at least twenty percent. And this is just from entering the Bone Forging Realm, from my physical body alone...’

A light blossomed in Chen Yue’s eyes. He could clearly feel that it wasn’t just his strength; his reaction speed, total Qi Blood and recovery rate, and even the fine control over his muscles and bones had all improved across the board.

The bones were the pillars and framework of the body. Strengthening them at a fundamental level brought a huge increase in overall combat power.

With a mere thought, he executed the Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step. His figure instantly blurred into four or five faint afterimages, flickering and weaving within the small confines of the Quiet Chamber. His speed was far greater than before his breakthrough.

His movements were now more unpredictable, and the afterimages he left behind could almost solidify for half a breath.

He circulated the Gang Qi of his Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield. A brilliance flowed over his body as the range of his Protective Gang Qi visibly expanded. Its thickness and density surged, forming an incomparably tough, invisible armor over his skin.

Chen Yue paced slowly around the Quiet Chamber, familiarizing himself with every subtle change brought by his transformation.

With his bones strengthened, the way he exerted force was naturally optimized. He could now execute the same techniques in a more direct and violent manner.

Under the baptism of this fundamental transformation of his Qi Blood and bones, the last faint, almost invisible trace of the black spot on his chest finally vanished completely.

The hidden danger that had plagued him for so long was completely eradicated with this crucial breakthrough.

「The next day, at the crack of dawn.」

As usual, Chen Yue began his new day of cultivation in the small courtyard.

Even after successfully breaking through to the Bone Forging Realm, he didn’t slacken in the slightest. The path of the Martial Dao was like rowing a boat upstream; to not advance was to fall behind.

Besides, he knew he still had a long way to go before he could be considered truly strong.

The Vast Firm Essence Technique drove his Qi Blood, which surged through his body, even more vigorous and pure than the day before. As it circulated, it faintly sounded like wind and thunder.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

「When night fell once more, midnight arrived.」

[Daily Settlement]

[Diligently cultivated. Cultivation +15]

[Diligently cultivated Vast Firm Essence Technique. Experience Points +209]

[Diligently cultivated Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step. Experience Points +201]

[Diligently cultivated Heart Nourishing Technique. Experience Points +107]

[Diligently cultivated Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield. Experience Points +121]

[Consumed Antitoxic Pill. Minor poison resistance increased.]

[Consumed Bone-Enhancing Pill. Minor bone strength increased.]

...

[Realm: Bone Forging Realm (16/2869)]

A smile touched Chen Yue’s eyes as he saw the Experience Points gained for each Cultivation Technique.

With his realm breakthrough, his cultivation efficiency had skyrocketed once again.

The daily Experience Points gained for the two Cultivation Techniques, Vast Firm Essence Technique and Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step, had shot up from nearly 100 to over 200.

Even the extremely difficult Heart Nourishing Technique and Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield had surpassed the 100-point mark, nearly doubling his efficiency compared to when he was in the Refining Flesh Realm.

This meant that the proficiency requirements, which often seemed to be in the thousands or tens of thousands, no longer appeared so unattainable at his current training speed.

Next was the growth in his Cultivation. Although it had decreased from 20 points per day at the peak of the Refining Flesh Realm to 15, the drop was much smaller than Chen Yue had anticipated.

He had originally thought that after breaking through to the Bone Forging Realm, his daily Cultivation gain might plummet to 10 points or even lower.

It seemed the Vast Firm Essence Technique was truly extraordinary. Even after his breakthrough, it still provided an extremely powerful impetus for his cultivation in the Bone Forging Realm.

He could foresee that once he cultivated the Vast Firm Essence Technique to the true Realm of Perfection, his daily Cultivation gain would increase even further.

Finally, the effects of the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill were still holding strong.

The "Minor Marrow Cleansing and Bone Forging" effect hadn’t weakened just because he had broken through to the Bone Forging Realm. It still steadily reduced his realm’s experience cap by 3 points every day.

This meant Chen Yue’s actual daily Cultivation progress was 18 points!

The experience requirement for the Bone Forging Realm was 2869 points. With a steady progress of 18 points per day, it would only take five to six months to break through to the Marrow Refining Realm!

...

The next day, just as Chen Yue finished his routine alchemy of Blood Circulation Pills and placed the four elixirs into a Jade Bottle, a rhythmic knock came from the courtyard gate.

He opened the gate to find two people standing outside: Chen Yuqing and her personal maid, Cui.

It had been many days since he’d last seen her. Chen Yuqing was still dressed in a simple, elegant dress, her hair impeccably styled, but her expression seemed more somber than usual.

As for Cui, standing slightly behind her, her face immediately broke into a somewhat stiff smile upon seeing Chen Yue open the gate. She even subconsciously bent her knees in a half-curtsy, her gaze lowered, not daring to meet his eyes.

Chen Yue noted Cui’s change in behavior. His status in the Chen Family had risen dramatically because of the Solid Essence Pill, so naturally, Cui wouldn’t dare to be impertinent anymore.

’Or perhaps,’ he thought, ’the little maid’s previous words and actions were merely an extension of Chen Yuqing’s will, playing the "bad cop." Now that her master’s attitude has shifted due to my change in value, she, as the mouthpiece, must naturally switch roles as well.’

’Leave the dignity to her own lady, and show respect to me.’

"It’s been a while, Miss Yuqing." Chen Yue stepped aside, ushering the two into the Alchemy Room.

Chen Yuqing stepped inside, her gaze habitually sweeping over the neat and tidy Pill Furnace and Herb Cabinet before finally landing on Chen Yue. "Chen the Pill Master, something happened to the Wang Family last night."

"The Wang Family?" Chen Yue was slightly taken aback.

The Wang Family was one of the great families of Youlin County, on par with the Chen and Zhao Families. They were powerful, with their own masters standing guard.

"Yes."

Chen Yuqing nodded, her tone grave. "Last night, a master infiltrated the Wang Family’s inner residence. Their objective was clear, heading straight for the home of a senior Alchemy Master supported by the family."

"Several guards were killed or injured. The Alchemy Master was abducted on the spot. His whereabouts are unknown, and it’s unclear if he’s alive or dead."

Chen Yue’s brow furrowed slightly at her words.

’The Wang Family’s strength was not much less than the Chen Family’s, so their defenses must be formidable. How could someone manage to sneak into their inner residence, injure the guards, and abduct a highly valued Alchemy Master?’

"Was it the same group that attacked Huichun Hall?" Chen Yue asked in a low voice.

Chen Yuqing shook her head. "We can’t be sure yet. There were very few traces left at the Wang Family’s estate. However, on the wall of the room where the Alchemy Master was abducted, someone had drawn a flame-shaped symbol in blood."

’A flame symbol?’

Chen Yue’s eyes flickered. ’The Divine Flame Cult?’

’But the Divine Flame Cult has always acted in a secretive and insidious manner, priding themselves on leaving no trace. When have they ever been so brazen as to deliberately leave such an obvious mark at the scene?’

’This seems more like a deliberate attempt to frame them.’

Seeing that her mistress had finished speaking, Cui, who was standing to the side, quickly added:

"Our lady came today because she doesn’t want to repeat the Wang Family’s mistake. Her intention is to invite you, Chen the Pill Master, and Master Lin to move into the Chen Mansion’s inner courtyard."

"The inner courtyard is the core area of the family estate. The guards are much stricter, so it’s far more secure. With the county being so unsettled lately, it’s better to be cautious."

Chen Yuqing nodded and looked at Chen Yue.

"That’s right. We cannot afford to lose you or Master Lin, Chen the Pill Master. Your safety is paramount. The Tingzhu Pavilion and Lanzhi Courtyard in the inner courtyard have already been prepared. They are quiet and secluded and also equipped with Alchemy Rooms, so your alchemy will not be affected."

"I will have servants come over later to help you move. What do you think?"