Chapter 126: Chapter 125: Evil Cultivator, Pill Formula

RUMBLE!

A low rumble of thunder rolled across the sky as rain fell in straight lines, pelting the surface of the pond. The Little Chick rushed back through the storm. With a shake of its wings, the droplets on its feathers instantly turned into a fine mist.

It now stood neck-high, having shed most of its youthful appearance. It had even started to grow some feathers, giving it a more majestic air.

Chen Che looked up.

At that moment, the Little Chick’s talons held a white-furred Demon Wolf the size of a water buffalo pinned to the ground. The wolf was suffused with Demon Qi and brimming with Evil Qi; there was no telling how many livestock and Cultivators it had devoured. Its sharp claws scraped against the earth, producing a piercing shriek that spoke to its immense power.

But now, it was pinned firmly to the ground by the Little Chick’s massive talons, unable to struggle in the slightest.

With a single peck, its head burst open.

’I’ve only been gone for less than half a month, and it’s already reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer! This pace is just too fast...’

He glanced at the data on his Micro Crystal Brain. Although he had grown accustomed to the speed of the Little Chick’s improvement, seeing it in person still left Chen Che slightly dumbfounded. ’At this rate, it might even reach Foundation Establishment before I do.’

’Look at its size. It won’t be long before I can ride it!’

A look of anticipation filled Chen Che’s eyes.

’Then I’ll finally be able to see the lands beyond Yunzhou.’

Limited by how fast he could travel on foot, he had never left Yunzhou. For low-level Loose Cultivators, using their True Essence to travel was an incredible luxury, as they needed to conserve it to defend against potential Tribulation Cultivators and Demon Beasts along the way.

Therefore, powerful Cultivators or those from prominent clans all used Demon Beasts as mounts.

This was because Demon Beasts possessed incredible stamina, and their Physiques were far superior to those of Cultivators.

Of course, this was an innate talent of Demon Beasts.

However, the shortcomings of Demon Beasts were just as apparent: they could not wield various Magical Artifacts and Weapons with the same flexibility as Cultivators. Only after their Cultivation reached a certain level could a Demon Beast use its Inner Core or refine parts of its own body into a Magical Artifact.

As these thoughts ran through his mind, he continued to pour his True Essence into the Chixia Tripod.

He watched as the chick, having shattered the Demon Wolf’s skull, made short work of swallowing it whole. Then, it folded its wings, grew as quiet as a cat, and tilted its head to watch Chen Che perform Alchemy.

’As expected of a Golden Core Demon Beast’s offspring, its intelligence is already on par with a five or six-year-old child. Hmm? The Pill is ready!’

Just as he was thinking this, a stir from the Pill Furnace snapped his focus back to the task at hand.

Amidst an emergent rosy glow, five Leopard Embryo Elixirs flew into his hand.

’Cultivation is a true bottomless pit. This single batch of elixirs is worth an entire month’s revenue for the shop.’

Staring at the round elixirs in his hand, Chen Che couldn’t help but sigh. Even owning an Elixir Shop couldn’t support his rate of consumption. If not for Ji Xianlong’s inheritance propping it up, he might have already drained the Pill Shop dry.

After all, these were Tier Two Middle-grade Elixirs.

’Zhao Deyou has just about completed his apprenticeship. Once he can start training apprentices of his own, the shop’s operations can double in scale.’

Noticing the Concentration Incense had burned out, he lit three more sticks.

GULP~

He popped an elixir into his mouth.

Feeling the surging medicinal power, Chen Che clenched his fists and began to practice the True Martial Seventeen Scattering Hands.

CRACKLE! POP!

The sound of his bones and sinews grinding together echoed out. He knew this technique like the back of his hand, familiar with its every variation.

’The power of this Scattering Hand technique isn’t enough anymore! I need to master at least one more close-quarters combat art...’

HUU~

SHII~

As he mulled this over, he went through the Scattering Hand routine over and over, more than a dozen times. Just as he was about to fully digest the elixir’s effects, Chen Che suddenly felt a stir within him, as if he had sensed something.

’What is this?’

His eyes lit up.

Probing with his Divine Sense, he felt his Qi and Blood churning without end, like a great tide with each wave cresting higher than the last. This was unmistakably a sign of a breakthrough in his Qi and Blood!

’Again!’

Without hesitation, he tossed another elixir into his mouth. As a wave of heat spread through his body, Chen Che began practicing the Scattering Hand technique once more.

But this time was different.

His every punch and kick was incredibly soft and slow, seemingly devoid of any force. Yet, as each strike landed, it produced an explosive CRACK, as sharp and clear as a clap of thunder. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

BOOM!

At a certain moment, as Chen Che completed the final move of the Scattering Hand, a sound like a roaring tsunami suddenly erupted from within his body.

WHOOSH!

It was the sensation of Qi and Blood flowing unimpeded, coursing through his entire body.

What is Qi and Blood?

Textbooks described it as the substance, energy, and information that circulated ceaselessly within the human body. To put it simply, it was one’s breath and blood. The stronger a person’s body, the more powerful their Qi and Blood. The reverse was also true: a weak Physique meant that one’s Qi and Blood would inevitably be feeble.

He glanced at the Micro Crystal Brain out of the corner of his eye. Scrolling text appeared, displaying his new stats:

[Name: Chen Che]

[Realm: Qi Refining Seventh Layer (18.24%)]

[Qi and Blood: Qi Refining Eighth Layer (2.97%)]

[Divine Sense: Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer (67.3%)]

[Alert: True Essence reserves are 150.1% higher than Cultivators of the Same Tier]

’Not only has my Qi and Blood reached the Eighth Layer, but my True Essence reserves have also increased by a huge amount!’

As he flexed his fingers, his knuckles let out a deep, muffled crack.

Chen Che felt as if his entire body was brimming with inexhaustible strength.

’If I had this level of Qi and Blood during the provincial tournament, I could have shattered Jiang Jingyuan’s Protective Talisman on the spot with the True Martial Seventeen Scattering Hands alone. He wouldn’t have even had a chance to make a second move!’

He narrowed his eyes, sensing the power of his Qi and Blood.

He then circulated the Energy-Introducing Technique one more time before finally, utterly exhausted, going to sleep.

At the crack of dawn, he returned to Earth Element Star for his classes.

After class, he found Li Xiaoshuang and explained his reason for being there. Although Li Xiaoshuang said he couldn’t teach him ahead of schedule, he still tossed him a booklist. The list was filled with Tier Two Magic techniques, and he told Chen Che to purchase the books in his own time. If there was anything he didn’t understand, he could ask him about it after class hours.

At the same time, Old Li subtly hinted that the school had given him the green light; he no longer needed to show up for non-essential classes.