Immortality begins with raising apprentices

Chapter 148 Qingjun isn't stupid, it's her master who is!

Chen Ye has only just begun to master the art of refining meridian-protecting pills. Even if he were to start another batch, he could only produce two low-grade meridian-protecting pills at most…

at this time,

The two little dumplings looked up at their master.

The eldest disciple's eyes were filled with adoration. Strangely, Zhiwei seemed to be increasingly admiring of his master these days...

The young apprentice, however, looked somewhat unconvinced and stared intently at Chen Ye, eager to learn more about alchemy and surpass his master.

Neither of the two disciples doubted their master's true strength.

Chen Ye was in a difficult situation.

As the saying goes, a disciple need not be inferior to his teacher, nor a teacher necessarily more virtuous than his disciple.

This principle is correct.

But Chen Ye just didn't want to lose face in front of the two little dumplings...

He hoped that he would be the most perfect master in front of his disciple!
Damn male chauvinism!

Chen Ye cursed himself inwardly, when suddenly a thought flashed through his mind:
"It's getting late, and you two are both tired. Cultivation cannot be rushed. Alchemy is even more mentally taxing. Let's stop here for today and go rest. Tomorrow, I will demonstrate it to you in detail."

These words were reasonable. Although the two girls still wanted to observe their master's true strength, they dared not disobey Chen Ye's words and could only obediently agree.

"That was close. I almost ruined my reputation in front of my apprentice."

Looking at the lone, low-grade pill in the furnace and the clump of dark dregs, a spirit of defiance ignited within him.

"I don't believe it anymore!"

That night, Chen Ye put his two disciples to sleep peacefully, and then quietly returned to the bamboo hut where he refined elixirs.

He secretly closed the doors and windows, looked around, and only when he saw that the lights in his two apprentices' windows were off did he wipe away non-existent cold sweat from his forehead.

"Chen Ye, Chen Ye, even with a cheat system, you still can't beat an eight or nine-year-old girl. You might as well kill yourself..."

Chen Ye took out a new batch of materials for the Vein Protection Pill, rubbed his hands together, summoned the Hundred Herbs Furnace, and then took out a flint to relight the furnace.

Fortunately, he had stockpiled enough flints and kept quite a few, so he didn't lack fuel for alchemy.

Of course, cultivators can also use spiritual energy to transform into spiritual fire to refine pills, but this consumes too much spiritual energy, so it is more convenient to use flint.

It is said that there are also strange flames in the world. Cultivators can use these strange flames to refine pills, which is more convenient and efficient than using flint.

Chen Ye recalled the details of the Hundred Herbs Elixir Classic, and thought about the agility of Qingjun's alchemy just now, and began his arduous cultivation.

The flickering firelight illuminated his resolute profile.

Purification, fusion, condensation... He repeated the tedious steps over and over again, his spiritual energy and mental energy being consumed at an alarming rate.

[Introduction to Protecting Meridians Pills: 9/10]

[Minor Success of the Meridian Protection Pill: 15/100]

The Pulse Protection Pill is just a basic pill, and Chen Ye was learning alchemy for the first time. At first, his technique was clumsy, but once he became proficient, his skill improved rapidly.

In addition,

Each time he failed, he would immediately summarize his experience, adjust his technique, and then start the furnace again. He did not just rely on the panel to study alchemy; he also poured his sweat and thought into it.

"Hmph, Qingjun, you probably never imagined that while I was coaxing you to sleep, I was secretly working hard..."

Chen Ye was smug. How could a little girl be as cunning as her master?

Of course, at Qingjun's age, she needs to get enough sleep at night to grow properly. Chen Ye didn't let his disciple rest so that he could surpass her...

"Hehehe... Master must be asleep..."

Suddenly, a little girl's sweet, childlike voice came from outside the door.

"?" Chen Ye was startled.

Immediately, the door was pushed open a crack, and then a hairy head popped out from the crack.

The little girl was horrified when she saw her master refining pills: "Master, why aren't you asleep yet!"

Chen Ye was also greatly surprised: "Qingjun, why aren't you asleep yet?"

For a moment, the two stared at each other in silence. Chen Ye stared at the little girl who was peeking out from the doorway, while the little girl stared back at her sneaky master inside the room.

The little girl was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to advance or retreat, and smiled awkwardly: "Master..."

Chen Ye's eyelids twitched. Oh no! Qing Jun had discovered his secret, arduous cultivation!
The temperature inside Dan's room is very high.

The little girl stared at her stiff master.

Master's clothes were soaked with sweat, and his eyes were bloodshot; he must have been refining pills all night.

She, on the other hand, only sneaked into the alchemy room early in the morning after taking a nap, so as to study and practice diligently and surpass her master as soon as possible—Qingjun wanted to be better than her master in terms of cultivation and everything else!
While I was sleeping, my master actually...

The little girl's eyes were bright and sparkling, which made Chen Ye feel uneasy. He was about to explain something when he saw the little girl turn around and run away, disappearing from the alchemy room.

"This little girl?"

Chen Ye was puzzled and felt uneasy, so he began to tidy up the alchemy furnace.

Just as he finished tidying up the alchemy furnace, he heard the little girl's huffing and puffing sounds coming from behind him.

She was carrying a basin of steaming water, her little face flushed from the steam, and she was moving her short legs with difficulty.

"Master, you...you must be exhausted from refining pills. Please wash your face first."

The little girl placed the wooden basin heavily on the ground, then stood on tiptoe, scooped a hot towel out of the basin, awkwardly wrung it out, and held it up to Chen Ye.

It turned out that the sparkle in her eyes wasn't because she had discovered her master's secret, but because they were brimming with tears...

"Waaah... It's all Qingjun's fault for not being able to help Master, otherwise Master wouldn't be suffering so much..."

The little girl sniffed. Her master told them to sleep comfortably while he worked hard refining pills to earn spirit stones.

If it weren't for these two burdens, Master wouldn't be working so hard.

Chen Ye paused for a moment, then took the towel.

The warm touch from his fingertips instantly calmed his somewhat embarrassed heart, which had been exposed.

This girl has misunderstood...

The little girl's innocent heart made Chen Ye feel ashamed.

He placed the towel on his face and let out a long sigh of relief. The fatigue from staying up all night refining pills dissipated considerably in the warm steam.

"Qingjun..."

Feeling guilty, Chen Ye decided to confess.
"Actually, it's just because Qingjun's talent is too strong, and Master wants to give her some extra practice..."

The little girl held another towel in her hand and wiped Chen Ye's neck, her voice muffled:

"Qingjun is not a fool."

Her words surprised Chen Ye.

Then the little girl whispered, "But Master is an idiot."

My master has always worked very hard since the days of the shantytown redevelopment.

Qingjun saw all of her master's efforts.

From that cramped, dilapidated storeroom, to the cultivation room in the market, to the Pear Garden of the Lingyin Sect, and now to the herb garden hut...

As her master worked hard, she and her senior sister's living conditions improved, allowing them to showcase their talents and access abundant resources.

She is not a fool.

After entering the alchemy room and seeing those pills, she knew her master's true alchemy skills.

My master is a fool.

His hard work is definitely not because of his superior talent.

The reason he explained it that way was because he had never really taken his efforts seriously...

"What's wrong with Master? You brat!"

Chen Ye was very dissatisfied. He knew that once his true level was exposed, this little girl would definitely take advantage of him!

Sure enough, that's why they say Master is a fool!

The little girl pouted, vigorously rubbed Chen Ye's neck, and said angrily:
"Master is stubborn! Master is a fool!"

"How dare you say your master is stubborn!"

"Then how could Master have dared to say Qingjun was stubborn before?" "Because Qingjun really was stubborn!"

"Master is even more stubborn than Qingjun!"

……

The bickering between master and apprentice only ended when He Qi arrived.

"Brother Chen, Master Gu has sent word that your iron sword has been forged!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Ye's heart skipped a beat.

He handed the alchemy furnace to Qingjun to refine the pills, while he and He Qi hurried to the blacksmith shop located in a corner of the market.

Master Gu was still shirtless, intently forging iron.

Upon seeing Chen Ye, he merely grunted through his nose and casually tossed over a long sword that was entirely black, yet its blade gleamed with a dark golden light.

Goodness, it's surprisingly heavy when you hold it.

Chen Ye secretly estimated that it weighed more than 300 jin, three times the weight of before!
Fortunately, he is much stronger than when he reforged the iron sword last time.

Having reached the late stage of Qi Refining, and having successfully cultivated the Seven Luminaries Soul Nourishing Technique, he has also broken through the limits of the Body Reinforcement Technique, making him able to bear the weight of three hundred jin.

The rust and cracks on the sword have disappeared, replaced by fine forging patterns. The blade's cold light is restrained, yet it exudes a sharpness capable of cutting through the air.

"I will add another 65 pieces of dark gold, plus your 15 pieces, making a total of 80 pieces of dark gold for this sword. With the addition of various spiritual materials, this sword has already reached the first-class top grade."

Master Gu spoke calmly, yet couldn't hide his self-satisfaction.
"However, this sword is too heavy and lacks spiritual energy. To wield it, one must possess abundant spiritual power and a strong physical body. You should take care of yourself."

"Thank you, Master Gu!" Chen Ye stroked the newly refurbished sword and bowed in gratitude.

He just happened to have abundant spiritual power and divine sense, which allowed him to barely use this sword!
Coupled with the Azure Wave Sword Control Technique, he would be invincible among those of the same level!
Given the current quality of the iron sword, it should be able to bring out the full potential of the Azure Wave Thread without damaging the blade.

Previously, the iron sword could not withstand the power of the Azure Wave Line, causing it to self-destruct, which resulted in a reduction in the power of Chen Ye's flying sword technique.

"Why don't you give it a try first? I'm curious to see if you can actually wield this sword."

Master Gu stroked his beard with great interest as he sized up Chen Ye's physique.

Although this person was physically strong, he was no match for those body cultivators. For some reason, he chose a heavy iron sword as his weapon.

But the next moment, Master Gu's eyes widened: "You... what are you doing?"

The man before them drew his iron sword from its sheath with a thought.

This guy is actually using a 300-pound heavy sword as a flying sword?!

In an instant, the iron sword shot into the sky with a clang, flying nimbly around Chen Ye, its powerful momentum creating gusts of wind.

"What a fine sword!"

Chen Ye sighed, made a sword incantation with his hand, and pointed it in the distance. The iron sword transformed into a streak of blue light and slashed fiercely at a piece of hard black iron used for testing in the courtyard!
"boom!"

With a loud bang, iron filings flew everywhere, and the black iron was actually slashed with several deep marks by a single sword strike!
Upon seeing this, Master Gu nearly plucked out his beard.

His cloudy old eyes were now wide open like copper bells. He rushed to the piece of black iron, running his rough fingers along the deep sword marks on it, muttering to himself:

"Impossible... This is absolutely impossible... I've also heard of the Azure Wave Sword Control Technique, which emphasizes intent over brute force, and focuses on using skill to overcome strength. How can you wield such a heavy sword with such agility and power... Boy, how... how did you do that?"

He turned around abruptly, staring intently at Chen Ye, his gaze seeming to see right through him.

Chen Ye sheathed his iron sword, which hovered beside him with a humming sound.

His mind was throbbing with pain; the sword was ultimately too heavy, and wielding it consumed too much of his spiritual energy.

However, Chen Ye appeared nonchalant, as if it were an easy task.

This was a deliberate act on his part.

In the world of cultivation, only those who possess strength can earn the respect of others.

That's why Master Gu, who used to be indifferent to him, is now finally paying him a proper look.

Chen Ye humbly replied, "I have only a slight understanding of the path of divine sense..."

Master Gu's old face scrunched up. Even he was not as good as Chen Ye in terms of spiritual sense. This was called having some experience.

He Qi, standing to the side, was even more dumbfounded. He stammered, "Brother Chen... Brother Chen, you... you're not just a spirit plant cultivator, you're clearly a reincarnated sword immortal! I think you should just leave the Spirit Hidden Sect and join the Refining God Sect!"

Seeing this, Chen Ye knew that the time was right and it was the perfect moment to strike while the iron was hot.

He sheathed his iron sword, bowed respectfully to Master Gu, and carefully took out the broken puppet core from his storage bag: "Master Gu, you have keen eyes. I have another damaged item here, with a rather special origin. I am not very knowledgeable and cannot figure out how to repair it. I would like to ask you to take a look."

He had only initially incorporated the Mysterious Soul Crystal and the Condensed Nether Soul into it, but the repair was not yet complete.

Although there is a proficiency panel, repairing the core is only a matter of time.

But what he lacks now is time. Whether it's cultivation, alchemy, practicing spells, or tempering his divine sense, all of these require a lot of time.

It would be better to just find a weapon refiner to repair it; that would save time and effort.

As soon as the puppet core was revealed, a sharp sword intent immediately filled the previously calm blacksmith shop.

The core was crystal clear, with countless runes floating inside, but it was pierced by four ferocious sword marks, its light dimmed, and it looked dilapidated.

He Qi curiously stepped forward: "What kind of treasure is this? It looks like the core of some kind of formation?"

Master Gu's expression changed completely the moment he saw the core.

His smile vanished completely. He rushed to Chen Ye, disregarding all manners, and snatched the core away, examining it closely.

"This is the divine power core of the Myriad Puppet Sect? And it's used by a second-tier puppet!" Master Gu's face was filled with shock. "The sword marks on it... are incredibly sharp. The person who used it must have had extremely high swordsmanship. Boy, where did you get this?"

Chen Ye only said that it was a gift from a senior master, without revealing Bai Susu's identity.

Master Gu couldn't help but glance at He Qi: "Fellow Daoist He, your friend is truly extraordinary..."

They have both connections and ability.

Perhaps... I can help him.

Seeing the usually composed weapon-refining master so shocked, He Qi couldn't help but scratch his head and flatter him: "Of course, how could my brother He Qi be a simple person?"

Master Gu looked at Chen Ye again and sighed: "This is a second-tier magic weapon. The complexity of its array patterns is far beyond that of a first-tier weapon. Although I have some experience in weapon crafting, I am only a first-tier weapon crafter. I am not capable of completely repairing it."

Hearing this, Chen Ye, though having expected it, still couldn't help feeling somewhat disappointed.

Since Master Gu was not a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it was indeed difficult for him to repair the magic weapon.

"However..." Master Gu changed the subject, "It's easy for him to activate a first-tier puppet. Moreover, this second-tier puppet core can support a sufficiently powerful puppet! As long as the puppet is of high quality, it can be invincible within the Qi Refining stage."

Chen Ye's spirits lifted: "I wonder how many spirit stones are needed to repair the core?"

Master Gu examined the core for a while and pondered, "Hmm... You have already fused the two spiritual materials in the core, so there is no need for excessive expenses. I will charge you fifty spirit stones."

Another fifty spirit stones gone...

Chen Ye felt a pang of heartache, but without any hesitation, he quickly handed fifty spirit stones to Master Gu.

……

After bidding farewell to Master Gu, Chen Ye was in high spirits.

With this heavy sword and the opportunity to repair the puppet's core, he felt that the future was bright.

"Once I've crafted a superior puppet, I'm afraid I'll be able to easily challenge opponents of higher levels..."

Previously, the kill of the guard at the eighth level of Qi Refining relied entirely on He Qi acting as a meat shield to deplete his spiritual power.

However, once the puppet is completed and equipped with this 300-pound flying sword, he should be able to easily defeat the guard at the eighth level of Qi Refining in a one-on-one fight.

It was already afternoon when we returned to the herb garden of the Herbal Pavilion.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he saw his two apprentices playing with Li Qiuyun in the herb garden.

The spirited young girl, her eyes blindfolded, was waving her hands haphazardly, playing a game of bluff with her two apprentices.

"Sister Qiuyun, you are not allowed to use your divine sense!" Qingjun reminded her loudly.

"Then you're not allowed to hold your breath either..."

Li Qiuyun's voice carried a hint of helplessness; her tone was troubled as she fumbled around, unable to resist asking questions.

"Oh dear, why hasn't your master returned yet? I need to speak with him!"

Today, the Mao family suddenly began purchasing supplies from outside, which will only last for two days before they close Shenwu Valley again.

This means that Chen Ye must prepare in the next two days to infiltrate the Mao family and return to Yuexi Lake Lane!

　Thank you to Honeysuckle Dew and Wine Dusk for the 500 coins!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)