Chapter 93: Chapter 94: What Kind of Scoundrel Relatives

GULP~

The Pill entered his mouth, and a bitter taste spread—the flavor of a Demon Beast’s gallbladder.

’I wonder if I can add some flavoring.’

Chen Che thought, then swallowed it whole.

Pills all tasted different, and many were bitter. That was why on Earth Element Star, someone had invented a flavoring agent that didn’t affect a Pill’s efficacy, making them easier to take.

A moment later, a warm current surged from his lower abdomen. It was like a gentle stream, flowing out toward his limbs and bones.

At the same time, his Qi and Blood also began to churn.

’It unblocks meridians and invigorates the body, but it can also increase Qi and Blood?’

Chen Che considered this a pleasant surprise. However, the Leopard Embryo Strengthening Pill was a Body Cultivation Elixir, and since most of its ingredients came from Demon Beasts, it wasn’t too strange that it could increase Qi and Blood.

Feeling the medicinal power spread, he stood up, turned on his phone, and selected a music track.

To the tune of "For all primary and middle school students nationwide, the Sixty-Third Set of Radio Exercises will now begin," Chen Che started moving his arms and legs in the open area of his Cave Mansion.

This was especially true for Body Cultivation Elixirs.

Their effects weren’t immediate after consumption.

This was because Body Cultivation Elixirs mostly acted on the internal organs, torso muscles, meridians, and bones, requiring a certain amount of time for absorption. Only after the effects of one Pill had completely faded could the next one be taken.

Otherwise, a large accumulation of medicinal power would not only be ineffective but could even damage the body.

Depending on the Grade of the Pill, this could take anywhere from three days to several months, or even longer.

As for the Leopard Embryo Strengthening Pill, it required about a month.

However, the radio exercises from Earth Element Star had the effect of tempering one’s Physique and Qi and Blood. Performing the exercises could accelerate the body’s absorption of the medicinal power, reducing the time needed to five to seven days.

HUFF... HUFF...

After two rounds of the exercises, Chen Che was already drenched in sweat. He then performed two sets of the *True Martial Seventeen Scattering Hands*, and his entire body felt wonderfully comfortable.

’One Pill increased the progress on my right foot by a whopping 21%, and it even boosted my Qi and Blood by 5%.’

He glanced at the data, his eyes lighting up:

[Qi and Blood: Qi Refining Sixth Layer (79.7%)]

[Right Foot: Meridian Progress (82%)]

Before, whenever he tried to open them on his own, he could only clear 1-2% of his right foot’s meridians at most. It was a time-consuming and mentally draining process, even with the help of his Divine Sense.

But with a single Pill, not only had the progress on his right foot surged, but even a few points in the other unopened meridians of his body had been cleared by the impact of the medicinal power.

’Perhaps this is the real way to open meridians!’

Chen Che mused.

Whether in this world or on Earth Element Star, all Cultivators followed the rule of ’Foundation Establishment by age sixty’.

If it weren’t for the fact that they had no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment, what sane person would spend so much of their Cultivation time on clearing meridians?

It was just that Earth Element Star lacked the formulas, the materials, and the Pills.

That was why they were powerless to do so.

Next, he circulated the Energy-Introducing Technique until every last nook and cranny of his meridians was filled with True Essence, and only then did he stop.

He placed his hand on the Micro Crystal Brain.

A moment later, a pop-up window appeared:

[Warning: User’s internal True Essence reserves detected to be 37% higher than the standard for Cultivators of the same Tier. Please confirm the reason.]

[Friendly Reminder: The user may proceed to the nearest People’s Hospital for a comprehensive physical examination, or authorize this product to contact the customer service desk for diagnosis or an appointment.]

...

...

"You’re saying the Pills in the shop are gone, and even the shop itself now belongs to Chen Che?"

「Front Street, Ji Family Mansion.」

Several Jinyun Valley disciples were searching the courtyard as Li Hong stared expressionlessly at the Head Shopkeeper of the Pill Shop who had come to report.

"Y-yes..."

The goateed Head Shopkeeper had a miserable look on his face.

"That’s right. There was nothing we could do. They blocked the shop’s entrance, so we couldn’t even send a message, let alone find someone to negotiate. When we couldn’t produce the Spirit Stones, they took the Pills as payment. When the Pills were gone, they took the shop..."

’They lost the shop too?’

The few disciples who knew about the Ji’s Pill Shop’s scheme couldn’t help but exchange a look. The hunter had been pecked in the eye by his prey.

Looking at the empty mansion, Li Hong’s face was as dark as still water.

"Where is Ji Xianlong?"

"The boss..."

The Head Shopkeeper glanced at the mansion.

"I don’t know either. He was still here on the day of the coffin protest, but I haven’t seen him since the next day. And since he’s the boss, even if he doesn’t show up for ten days or half a month, I’m in no position to ask questions."

"Have any of you seen him?"

Li Hong looked at the disciples.

"No!"

They looked at each other and shook their heads. One of them said,

"We’ve been in charge of watching the Market for the past few days. Forget Ji Xianlong; even people associated with him have disappeared. However, a few days ago, I saw Zhao Deyou’s entire family move into the Pill Shop."

Hearing this, Li Hong’s expression darkened instantly.

Evidently, Zhao Deyou had confessed everything about being bought off. He was afraid Ji Xianlong was no longer among the living.

’It’s very likely it happened that night!’

Li Hong’s eyes narrowed. That night, he had originally planned to find Ji Xianlong to discuss their next steps. But then he’d felt it was better to be cautious and changed his mind at the last minute.

"Does he think hiding in the Pill Shop will keep him safe? He dared to kill my man, isn’t he afraid I’ll kill his?"

"S-Steward Li..."

The Head Shopkeeper stammered, "Right now, more than a dozen disciples have moved in around the Chen’s Pill Shop, rotating in shifts day and night. Even in the middle of the night, there are seven or eight of them, and they never take a single step away from the shop."

"He arranged this even before making his move, all to prevent my retaliation? It seems he’s determined to draw his battle lines and fight me to the death."

Hearing this, Li Hong was so furious he laughed.

With so many people, even he couldn’t possibly kill his way in silently.

"I hear Chen Che doesn’t live in the Market. And he leaves every day, all by himself..."

The Head Shopkeeper’s gaze turned cold. He raised his right hand and made a sharp chopping motion.

"How about we..."

"Idiot!"

Li Hong cursed the moment the words were out.

"He’s already protected the Pill Shop, guarding against my move. Yet he himself travels alone? It’s obviously a trap to lure me in. Can’t you even see that? How did Ji Xianlong make an idiot like you the Head Shopkeeper?"

"No wonder he’s been stuck in the Market all these years."

Li Hong continued to curse angrily while the other man trembled in silence. Only after Li Hong calmed down did the Head Shopkeeper cautiously say,

"I seem to recall hearing that Chen Che has relatives in the mortal world?"

"Hmm?"

Li Hong’s eyes lit up. "That’s right! I believe it’s his uncle and aunt’s family."

The Head Shopkeeper’s face lit up with joy at the suggestion, and he offered a plan:

"Excellent! In that case, let’s capture his relatives. He’s still young and hasn’t been able to sever his worldly ties. We just need to spread the word, and he’ll definitely come. Then, we can easily ambush and kill him."

The Head Shopkeeper spoke faster and faster as his line of thought became clearer.

Even Li Hong couldn’t help but nod in approval. There was even a hint of eagerness in his eyes.

"Indeed, that’s a good idea."

"I once heard from Master Hu that his uncle’s family almost wiped out Chen Che’s line of inheritance. Apparently, Chen Che even set fire to their house and nearly hacked his aunt to death. If we use this family to threaten him..."

At that moment, one of the disciples couldn’t help but interrupt,

"...Will Chen Che really come?"

As soon as he said that, the Head Shopkeeper was rendered speechless.

Li Hong opened his mouth, stunned for a moment, before he couldn’t stop himself from cursing, "What kind of scumbag relatives are those!"

...

WHAP!

「Jinyun Valley.」

The Bamboo Slips were thrown, but Tributor Li stood there, not daring to dodge, allowing them to smash into his head. Blood streamed down from the corner of his forehead.

"I’ll give you another six months. If you can’t complete it, don’t bother coming to see me again!"

Ye Jingzhou sat enthroned above, his gaze lowered.

’This is a Tier Two High Grade Pill Formula, possibly even Tier Three... That’s a formula for the Golden Core Realm! Forget six months...’

Li Hong’s mind was in turmoil, seething with silent complaints.

But when the words reached his lips, he only managed a low reply:

"Yes!"

He slowly backed out of the main hall.

Watching Tributor Li depart, Ye Jingzhou’s eyes were half-closed.

"Valley Master, if this continues, I’m afraid Tributor Li will be worked to death."

Seeing Tributor Li leave with his head covered in blood, Lu Yi, who had just entered the hall, carefully advised, "We have another Pill Master in our valley. Perhaps we could have Tributor Chen join in? Although his foundation isn’t as deep as Li Hong’s, he has plenty of time!"

Ye Jingzhou seemed lost in thought.

...But.

Tributor Chen had no time.

Tributor Chen had homework to do.