It was nearly noon when Zhou Kai finally stirred awake.
The jade-like beauty beside him was still asleep, her breathing even and soft. Gazing at the snow-white skin before him, Zhou Kai savored the memories of the previous night, then glanced at the now-empty 【Available Omni-Points】.
“My path to immortality is such a narrow path, yet how delightful!” he mused to himself.
The woman in his arms let out a soft murmur and slowly opened her eyes.
Chen Ziyi’s eyes still held a trace of the bashfulness from last night’s rain and dew, along with a hint of complete dependence.
Her cheeks flushed crimson as she recalled the events of the night, and she snuggled deeper into Zhou Kai’s embrace.
She struggled to sit up, enduring some discomfort, and fetched his outer robe to help him dress.
“Master…” Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s hum.
Zhou Kai gave an acknowledging “Hmm,” enjoying her attentiveness.
Seeing her like this pleased him greatly. He lifted her chin with a finger and planted a light kiss on her lips.
Chen Ziyi trembled all over, her face turning even redder as she lowered her head, not daring to look at him.
A knocking sound came from outside the door.
A slightly shrill voice called out, “Guest Elder Zhou, Fifth Elder requests your presence. Please come with me.”
Zhou Kai’s brow furrowed slightly before smoothing out. He patted Chen Ziyi’s hand. “Wait for me here.”
He finished adjusting his robes himself and pushed the door open to leave.
Outside stood a young servant in green attire. Seeing Zhou Kai emerge, he quickly bowed and led the way.
Fifth Elder Chen Heming’s residence.
“Guest Elder Zhou, please sit.” Chen Heming gestured with his hand.
Zhou Kai took a seat as instructed.
“I heard you have broken through to the fourth layer of Qi Condensation. Congratulations.” Chen Heming’s tone was flat. “Guest Elder Zhou is an honored guest of our Chen Family with remarkable potential.”
Zhou Kai cupped his hands respectfully. “It was merely a fortunate breakthrough, entirely thanks to the stable environment provided by the family.”
“Good.” Chen Heming nodded. “Since you have now reached the mid-stage of Qi Condensation, your family benefits will naturally increase. Starting today, your monthly stipend is raised to thirty Spirit Stones.”
With a wave of his hand, two jade bottles appeared on the table.
“Here are two low-grade Qi Gathering Pills and some Clear Spirit Grass for your supplementary cultivation.”
Zhou Kai stood up. “Thank you for your generous gift, Fifth Elder.”
Chen Heming waved dismissively, signaling him to sit back down, then changed the subject. “Now that Guest Elder Zhou has taken my Chen Family daughter Ziyi as a concubine, you are considered half a member of the Chen Family.”
Zhou Kai sneered inwardly. Half a family member? They just see some use in me and are tying me down with a woman.
Outwardly, however, he remained impassive. “To have Sister Ziyi as my companion is Zhou Kai’s good fortune.”
“Hmm.” Chen Heming seemed satisfied with his attitude. “Since you are half a family member now, the family’s honor and disgrace are closely linked to you. From now on, you must devote yourself wholeheartedly to the family without slacking off.”
Here comes the warning, Zhou Kai thought to himself.
“Zhou Kai understands and will certainly live up to the family’s expectations,” he verbally agreed.
I cannot stay here long. Once I have grown my wings a bit more, I must find an opportunity to leave. The waters of the Chen Family are shallow and murky. His thoughts raced, solidifying his resolve.
Chen Heming continued, “Now that you are at the mid-stage of Qi Condensation, you should take on more responsibilities. Each month, you will need to go out and hunt fifty Red-Eyed Snakes and ten Horned Swine to supplement the family’s meat supply and materials.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Kai’s mind worked quickly.
As expected. As soon as I break through, there’s work assigned. Hunting demonic beasts is indeed a duty for mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivators; it’s hard to refuse. I might as well use this chance to ask for an inheritance.
He timely revealed a trace of a bitter smile on his face, tinged with helplessness. “Fifth Elder, it’s not that Zhou Kai wishes to shirk responsibility, but…”
Chen Heming looked at him. “Oh? What difficulty do you face?”
“Fifth Elder is wise and discerning; you know my dantian is damaged,” Zhou Kai sighed. “Channeling spiritual power causes excruciating pain. Even reaching this fourth layer of Qi Condensation took considerable time.”
“Hunting beasts outside—even if they are low-level demonic beasts—requires dealing with many of them. I fear my strength may prove insufficient, and I might delay family affairs; that would be my fault instead.”
Chen Heming lightly tapped his fingers on the table but did not speak immediately.
Seizing the opportunity, Zhou Kai said, “Rather than that, I boldly request that Elder allow me to attempt learning alchemy instead? If by chance I can achieve some small success in the future, perhaps I could refine some basic pills for the family. That would also make up for my inability to serve effectively outside.”
“If my aptitude proves dull and I fail to make progress, then I will listen entirely to your arrangements without complaint.”
I was just worrying about how to get into alchemy; this old fox presents an opportunity right at my doorstep. This excuse is perfect. Zhou Kai calculated internally.
A flicker of surprise passed through Chen Heming’s eyes. “Alchemy?”
He scrutinized Zhou Kai as if evaluating this proposal.
His aptitude truly isn’t great; his damaged dantian is an even greater shackle. At Qi Condensation layer four, without special opportunities, he’ll probably stop here.
Sending him out hunting beasts wouldn’t be efficient; if he gets injured or killed, it would be a waste of someone who can produce Spirit Root offspring.
Alchemy… on the other hand… although it consumes resources… if he can truly get started… even a first-grade alchemist who can only refine some low-grade pills would be better than nothing for our Chen Family.
Moreover, those who focus on pill-making often have simpler mindsets; no need to worry about him developing ulterior motives later…
But this kid used to be a Bandit Cultivator; better be careful.
Chen Heming weighed these thoughts internally.
After a moment, he spoke: “The path of alchemy is vast and profound; it consumes time, effort, and resources even more so. Are you certain?”
“Zhou Kai has made up his mind.” Zhou Kai bowed deeply. “I beg Elder to grant me this chance.”
Chen Heming pondered briefly, then retrieved a cyan-colored Jade Slip from his Storage Bag.
“Very well, since you have this determination, the family will give you an opportunity.” He handed the Jade Slip to Zhou Kai. “This is the first half of our family collection, ‘The Minor Verdant Spirit Alchemy Technique.’ It contains methods for refining ungraded pills as well as first-grade pills. Study it diligently; do not disappoint the family’s expectations.”
The Jade Slip felt slightly cool in his hand.
“If you can produce qualified first-grade pills, then you won’t need to hunt demonic beasts; you can focus solely on alchemy instead,” Chen Heming said before trailing off meaningfully.
Does this mean I still have to go out on assignments? I thought they’d let me study alchemy within the family.
Despite thinking this, Zhou Kai showed gratitude on his face. “Thank you, Fifth Elder, for your cultivation! If Zhou Kai lacks talent in alchemy, I will naturally submit my full quota of demonic beasts.”
“Hmm, go now.” Chen Heming waved his hand, sending forth another Storage Bag. “This contains low-grade medicinal herbs.”
Zhou Kai bowed respectfully and withdrew from the residence.
Returning to his own small courtyard, Chen Ziyi immediately came forward to meet him.
“Master, did Fifth Elder summon you about hunting demonic beasts?”
Her watery eyes held unconcealed concern, clearly very aware of what duties mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivators in their clan typically undertook.
As someone born into the Chen Family, Chen Ziyi naturally knew that most mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivators were sent out hunting demonic beasts.
Spirit beasts were docile, could be raised domestically, had almost only food value, and were relatively cheaper.
Demonic beasts, however, were fierce, savage, difficult opponents. Not only were they edible, but their fur and blood could make talismans slightly more effective than ordinary ones, while their bones and scales served as materials for artifact forging, too.
“It’s nothing.” Zhou Kai pulled her into an embrace, planting another kiss on her forehead.
“Silly girl, what are you worrying about?” His voice carried a hint of laughter. “It’s good news, actually.”
“Fifth Elder sympathizes with my uncooperative dantian, knows my spiritual power doesn’t flow smoothly, so fighting and killing would be too much strain for me right now. So instead, Elder wants me to switch to learning alchemy.”
Chen Ziyi tugged at Zhou Kai’s sleeve. “Alchemists are much safer than going out hunting beasts, plus they’re respected more, too.”
“And earn more,” added Zhou Kai.
He couldn’t wait any longer, returning inside, sitting cross-legged, and immersing his Divine Sense into that cyan Jade Slip immediately.
A flood of information poured into his mind:
Alchemy basics, herbology, fire control, pill-sealing techniques… plus several pill formulas:
Fasting Pill, Qi Recovery Powder, Clear Spirit Pill, plus what he needed most—the Qi Gathering Pill itself!
The contents within the Jade Slip were detailed yet seemed vague on certain key points. Techniques recorded were somewhat rudimentary, seemingly missing the core essence and crucial parts…
Just basics, indeed, and incomplete too, he concluded, withdrawing his Divine Sense back out again.
Comparing against the understanding granted by the system 【Alchemy (First Grade 25/100)】, everything inside the Jade Slip suddenly became crystal clear. Those vague areas were now faintly hinting at a direction.
The system enhances proficiency and understanding of the essence of pill-making itself, but actual formulas and specific procedures still need reference material. This Jade Slip is perfect. With it, I can legitimately start refining pills openly…