The aroma was like red plums just blossomed in winter, mingled with the scorching wind of a summer noon.

He opened the Pill Furnace and saw two gray, walnut-sized Spirit Pills lying quietly in the very center.

That’s right. Not only were the ingredients for the Three-Turn Profound Yuan Pill exceedingly difficult to gather, but a single refinement could only produce a mere two pills.

Fortunately, thanks to his "buy one, get one free" ability, Xiao Chen already had two extra finished pills in his Storage Bag.

"It’s a pity I can’t take too many at once," Xiao Chen muttered. "Otherwise, I’d just pop two and save myself the trouble of cultivating."

Xiao Chen took out a jade bottle to store the elixirs, then let out a slow breath.

With the Three-Turn Profound Yuan Pill, he could directly advance a whole Minor Realm.

Of course, he wouldn’t use it right away. He was already at the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment and estimated he could break through to the eighth layer in another half a month.

Then, after stabilizing his Cultivation for a bit, he could take the Three-Turn Profound Yuan Pill and jump straight to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment.

After that, it would just be a matter of refining his Magical Power and consolidating his Cultivation.

Coincidentally, Xiao Chen had also obtained eight bottles of Stabilizing Pills from the Saint Heir last time.

If everything went smoothly, he could definitely reach the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment before the end of the second month. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Speaking of which, finding that Yin-and-Yang Spiritual Object in the Spirit Ore mine had been a truly pleasant surprise.

Only after putting the Spirit Pills away did a faint smile finally touch Xiao Chen’s lips.

Even with his Celestial Dao Foundation Establishment, reaching the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment was only a matter of time.

But faster was always better, and for good reason.

This wasn’t just about the capacity of his Magical Power; it also involved comprehending the Path of the Five Elements in preparation for Core Formation.

However, the specifics were described rather esoterically in the Cultivation Technique, making it difficult to imagine based on words alone.

He would have to actually reach the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment to investigate the difference for himself.

"Oh, Xiao, you’re finally out!"

Feeling content, Xiao Chen walked out of the Alchemy Room and saw Chang Shunping waiting at the entrance.

The man’s face was etched with anxiety as he handed over a warning notice from the Lingyuan Sect.

In the courtyard behind him stood many members of the Chang Family, all looking over with hopeful expressions.

The atmosphere was very strange.

Xiao Chen read the warning carefully. The gist of it was that some of the invading Demon Cultivators had been found using the Soul-breaking Needle to harm people.

Therefore, this was an advance warning, urging everyone to prepare their defenses as best as they could.

"Is there a problem with this?"

Xiao Chen was a little confused. Chang Shunping had seen him in action twice now, so he should have a decent understanding of his strength. How could a single notice frighten him this badly?

Chang Shunping explained, "Xiao, you may not be aware. I’ve heard that the Demon Cultivators using the Soul-breaking Needle this time are the Four Great Wanderers of the Divine Fire Sect."

"Starting three days ago, up until midnight last night..."

"...at least fourteen Foundation Establishment cultivators have been brutally killed, and the number of Qi Refining cultivators is even higher—simply countless."

’Fourteen Foundation Establishment cultivators?’

Xiao Chen was taken aback by such a high casualty count. ’That shouldn’t be right,’ he thought.

He had provided them with an original Soul-breaking Needle long before he even came to Hezhou.

Logically, it had been almost three months; the Lingyuan Sect should have developed a countermeasure by now.

The power of something like a Secret Technique lies in the very word "secret."

Once an unorthodox method like this is exposed, it shouldn’t be difficult to counter.

Let alone Secret Techniques, even for a standard Inheritance Technique, once its details are leaked, it becomes very easy for an enemy to find a way to counter it.

Xiao Chen truly hadn’t expected the Lingyuan Sect to have still not developed a countermeasure.

But in this regard, his hands were truly tied.

After all, he had only ever practiced the simplest Yellow Level cultivation techniques and had zero experience with techniques that started at the Earth Level.

Xiao Chen put the notice away. "Chang, you don’t need to be so worried."

"If those invading Demon Cultivators dare to come to Qingyang, just leave them to me."

Unexpectedly, Chang Shunping’s expression remained grim. "Xiao, I have an improper request to make."

"If it’s convenient, I’d like to move my clansmen to the Spirit Ore mine for a few days to wait for things to blow over."

"I’ve already prepared all the necessary supplies. We absolutely won’t be a bother."

The clansmen behind him instantly dropped to their knees, their eyes filled with pleading hope.

Clearly, Chang Shunping was genuinely terrified.

Xiao Chen immediately made a gesture to help him up. "Chang, you’re being too formal. It’s a small matter."