Chapter 62: Rapid Progress

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Rapid Progress

If they could obtain a continuous supply of Moon God Pills, the benefit to Youquan Prefecture would be immeasurable.

By comparison, the low-level Alchemy Masters in Youlin County, who could at best refine Solid Essence Pills and Nourishing Essence Pills, were simply incomparable in value.

Han Yizhou took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart. The way he looked at Gu Bei was now completely different.

"Steward Gu, by telling me such a secret, aren’t you afraid I’ll get other ideas? Or could it be... that you have other plans for the Moon God Pill?"

Gu Bei met Han Yizhou’s gaze, a smile returning to his face. He wouldn’t have revealed this if he didn’t have sufficient means to maintain control.

"The production of Moon God Pills is limited. My Divine Flame Cult’s own supply is already strained, so we certainly have no surplus to spare. However... if your prefecture is willing to pay a sufficient price, we might be able to negotiate a sale."

Han Yizhou leaned forward slightly. "And what price would that be, Steward Gu?"

But Gu Bei shook his head. "First, let’s stick to what we just agreed upon. Once this is over, seventy percent of the Alchemy Masters in Youlin County will belong to my Divine Flame Cult. In exchange, I will help your prefecture find those two culprits and settle this grudge.

Furthermore, I can spare ten Moon God Pills for your prefecture. All you need to do is prepare twenty sets of the main ingredients required for refining them—Moonlight Grass, Concentration Flower, and so on—in exchange. How does that sound?"

Ten Moon God Pills wasn’t a large number.

But the price was merely the low-level Alchemy Masters of Youlin County and some ingredients—and they would also get their revenge.

Han Yizhou fell silent for a moment, rapidly weighing the pros and cons in his mind before finally nodding.

"Done!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Bei raised his teacup again, gesturing a toast to Han Yizhou.

"You are most decisive, Han Envoy! If your prefecture requires more Moon God Pills in the future, we can negotiate the price then!"

...

Time flew. Seven days slipped by amidst Chen Yue’s cultivation routine, one so disciplined it was almost mechanical.

After moving into Tingzhu Pavilion, Chen Yue became even more focused, free from distractions, and poured all his energy into the Alchemy Dao and the Martial Dao.

His daily rhythm was clear and efficient. He started his mornings by cultivating the Vast Firm Essence Technique and the Heart Nourishing Technique, then spent the later morning refining Blood Circulation Pills and experimenting with new Pill Formulas. Afternoons were for honing his Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield and practicing the Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step.

At night, he would consolidate his Cultivation and wait for his insights to settle at midnight, repeating the cycle day after day.

Thanks to the comprehensive boost from breaking through to the Bone Forging Realm and the continual improvement of his aptitude from the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pills, Chen Yue’s training efficiency in all his Cultivation Techniques had advanced by leaps and bounds.

On his status panel, with the exception of his highest-level Core Techniques—the Vast Firm Essence Technique, Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step, Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield, and Heart Nourishing Technique—everything else had reached the Realm of Perfection. This included his Breath Concealing Technique, Meridian Bone-Piercing Nail, Disguise Technique, and even his refining skills for several elixirs.

The Breath Concealing Technique in particular, a skill-focused auxiliary Cultivation Technique, became remarkably effective after he achieved Perfection.

Now, as long as Chen Yue didn’t actively circulate his Qi Blood, an outsider would be completely unable to discern his true Cultivation. They would, at most, assume he was a Martial Artist in the Skin Refining Realm.

Meanwhile, his Vast Firm Essence Technique and Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step were both steadily progressing toward complete Perfection.

At his current rate of experience gain, both Cultivation Techniques would reach complete Perfection in just over twenty days. When that happened, Chen Yue’s cultivation speed, the agility of his Body Technique, and his overall combat prowess would all see another significant boost.

The training progress for his Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield was comparatively slow; after all, its tier was so high that the experience required just to reach Minor Success was nearly ten thousand points.

Still, seven days of arduous training had pushed the experience bar to (1731/9852).

Chen Yue could clearly feel his strength continuing to grow steadily. His skin, sinews, and bones were becoming tougher, and his Protective Gang Qi was growing more condensed by the day.

At his current pace, he would surely be able to bring this Body Refining Divine Skill to the Great Success Realm before he broke through to the Marrow Refining Realm!

What Chen Yue found most marvelous, however, was the Heart Nourishing Technique.

This Profound Skill, which cultivated the Power of Heart and Spirit, had now surpassed the Entry Level and reached the Minor Success Realm (531/3000). Its effects were becoming increasingly apparent.

When he was fully focused and activated the technique, the sensation of his surroundings slowing down was much clearer and lasted far longer than before.

It wasn’t that time itself had stopped. Rather, his Heart Spirit’s reaction speed and perceptual acuity were so greatly enhanced that he could perceive more subtle changes, which, in his mind, extended the time he had to react.

This ability was of immeasurable value in actual combat, evasion, and even Alchemy and Fire Control.

That night, just as before, Chen Yue waited for the dead of night. During a gap in the Chen Mansion’s inner courtyard patrols, he quietly executed his Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step, combining it with his Perfect Breath Control Technique to vault silently over the high wall.

Partway there, Chen Yue found a hidden corner and quickly changed into a simple gray robe, donning a bamboo hat and a mask. After confirming he wasn’t being followed, he snuck toward Shen Dujiang’s secluded courtyard in the old district.

Upon vaulting the courtyard wall, he found Shen Dujiang already waiting inside.

By the light of an oil lamp, a shadow of persistent gloom and wariness hung over Shen Dujiang’s features. When he saw Chen Yue enter, he dispensed with the usual pleasantries, merely pointing silently at four herb pouches laid side-by-side on the table.

Chen Yue stepped forward and inspected them one by one.

They were the ingredients for the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, Bone-Enhancing Pill, Antitoxic Pill, and the Blood Nourishing Pill he had requested a few days prior. However, every pouch of ingredients was incomplete!

Some were missing two or three main or supplementary ingredients; others were short by as many as four or five. They were completely unusable for Alchemy.

Chen Yue’s brow furrowed. He looked up at Shen Dujiang. "Why are there so many missing this time?"

Shen Dujiang gave a bitter, helpless laugh.

"Someone’s been secretly investigating our operation. Their methods are sophisticated and their connections are extensive. Even though I switched middlemen, diversified my channels, and was as careful as possible, they still managed to pick up our trail. It’s a miracle I was able to gather even this much."

If I keep procuring those specific ingredients at the same volume and frequency... I’m afraid you won’t see me the next time you come over."

Chen Yue’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Is it the same group that attacked us at the black market?"

Shen Dujiang pondered for a moment before slowly shaking his head.

"I can’t be certain, but nine times out of ten, they’re involved. It could also be another power that has its sights set on the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill. In any case, whoever it is, they mean trouble."

I’ve done my best to lay low, but Youlin County is only so big, and the herb-trading circle is even smaller... From here on out, I’m afraid I can no longer provide you with a stable supply of ingredients in the quantities you need."

Hearing this, Chen Yue’s brow furrowed deeply, his mind racing.

Shen Dujiang was his critical source for elixir ingredients. If this connection were severed, not only would it become impossible to continue refining Bone Marrow Cleansing Pills, but it would also directly impact his daily Cultivation growth and the effects of his Marrow Cleansing and Bone Forging.

Furthermore, it meant his progress toward acquiring the two Talents, Immune to Hundred Poisons and Copper Skin Iron Bones, would grind to a complete halt. He wouldn’t even be able to attempt refining the Blood Nourishing Pill, a formula he had just reached Minor Success with.

This was undoubtedly a fatal blow to Chen Yue’s plans for steadily increasing his strength.

Of course, Chen Yue could find another black market merchant, but procuring such specific ingredients would likely just allow those people to follow the trail back to him.

"Do you have any ideas?" Chen Yue asked, looking at Shen Dujiang.

Shen Dujiang didn’t answer right away. After a moment of contemplation, he said,

"This Youlin County... it’s become a hornet’s nest, a cesspool getting murkier by the day. If we stay here, we’ll eventually be dragged into it, and our survival will be anyone’s guess."

Shen Dujiang paused, his gaze fixed on Chen Yue. "Have you—and that alchemist friend of yours—considered leaving Youlin County?"