Courtyard Check-in: Starting with a Small World of Cultivation

At five o'clock in the morning on July 15th, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

Chen Yu finished his four-hour cultivation session in the small world and slowly opened his eyes. After several days of rest, he had fully recovered from the fatigue of his trip to Guangzhou. His spiritual energy was abundant, and his Qi Refining Stage 8 realm was completely stable. Even better, the warm fire element spiritual energy continuously emitted by the fire obsidian fragments soaking in the spiritual spring water had subtly improved the spiritual energy environment of the small world—it was no longer dominated by pure water and wood spiritual energy, but had gained a touch of fire element vitality.

He got up and went to the herb garden to carefully harvest the second batch of mature herbs. This harvest was even more abundant than the first: the ginseng had grown to the thickness of a thumb, with well-developed roots and a faint spiritual glow on its surface; the main root of the astragalus was as long as a forearm, with a pale golden cross-section; and the purple-gold grass had bloomed seven new golden flowers, the fragrance of which contained nearly twice the spiritual energy of the first batch.

"These materials are enough to refine a batch of top-grade Body Tempering Pills." Chen Yu counted his gains with satisfaction. He made improvements to the pill formula in the "Tai Xuan Zhen Jing" and prepared to try refining "Body Tempering Pill - Modified" - using fire obsidian fragments tempered with spiritual spring water as auxiliary ingredients to balance the dryness in the medicinal properties, making the pill milder and the effect longer lasting.

When I exited the miniature world, it was already broad daylight outside. From the courtyard came the sound of Zhang Xiulan sweeping the floor, and Bang Geng reading aloud from his textbook: "...Serving the people is the fundamental purpose of our Party..."

Chen Yu pushed open the door and went out, seeing Bang Geng sitting on his doorstep, holding a Chinese textbook and reading aloud. Since his father went to prison, the child seemed to have grown up overnight, not only studying hard but also often helping his mother with housework.

"Good morning, Bang Geng."

"Good morning, Uncle Chen." Banggeng looked up. "I'm memorizing my text. The teacher said they'll check it when school starts."

"Memorize it well, and you can ask me if you don't understand anything."

"Yes!" Bang Geng nodded vigorously.

Zhang Xiulan came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of steamed buns: "Xiaoyu, have you had breakfast? I just steamed some buns."

"Not yet, thank you Aunt Zhang."

Chen Yu took the two steamed buns and started eating them with his homemade pickled vegetables. Just then, Yi Zhonghai came out of the house, saw Chen Yu, and walked over to him, whispering, "Little Chen, two strangers came to the yard last night, asking about you."

Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat: "Who is it?"

"A man and a woman, both in their thirties, said they were introduced by your friend in Guangzhou," Yi Zhonghai recalled. "But they didn't seem like it; their eyes were shifty, and their questions were strange. When I said you weren't here, they left."

A friend from Guangzhou? Chen Yu immediately thought of Scarface. But a man and a woman… could they be the two he saw on the train?

"What do they look like?"

"The man was tall and thin, with a scar on his left cheek; the woman had short hair and big eyes," Yi Zhonghai said. "Xiao Chen, have you gotten into trouble with someone?"

Scarface! He really came to Beijing! And with a woman!

Chen Yu remained outwardly calm: "They're probably friends I met in Guangzhou, coming to visit. Sir, if they come again, just say I'm away on a business trip and don't know when I'll be back."

"Okay, be careful." Yi Zhonghai patted him on the shoulder. "Things haven't been peaceful in the compound lately. The police came again a few days ago, saying they're investigating the remaining associates of Yan Bugui's case. Everyone's on edge."

Chen Yu nodded. Although the Yan Bugui case had been judged, its repercussions were still being felt. This was good, as it could conceal Scarface's true intentions.

At 8:30 a.m., Chen Yu arrived at the research institute on time. Today, he and Su Hongmei were preparing materials for on-site guidance at the military factory.

Su Hongmei was already in the office, with thick stacks of documents and samples spread out on the table.

"Chen Yu, look at this." She handed over a photo. "This was sent by Chief Engineer Zhao. It's an enlarged photo of the problematic part from their factory."

The photo shows an aircraft engine blade. The surface looks smooth and flat, but when magnified, an extremely fine crack can be seen, like a hair, which is almost invisible unless you look closely.

"Was this discovered using our methods?" Chen Yu asked.

"Yes." Su Hongmei nodded. "The conventional flaw detection didn't find it, but with your observation skills, the technician saw the crack under specific lighting conditions. Chief Engineer Zhao said that if this blade were installed on the engine, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Chen Yu felt a chill run down his spine. An aircraft engine is the heart of an plane; a problem with even a single blade could lead to a crash and loss of life. The method he proposed could uncover such a hidden danger, making its value extend far beyond mere technological innovation.

"I've drafted a preliminary plan for on-site guidance," Su Hongmei said, handing over a document. "Take a look."

Chen Yu took the document and carefully reviewed it. The plan was very detailed, including a three-day training schedule: the first day for theoretical explanation, the second day for practical operation guidance, and the third day for Q&A and results acceptance. It also listed the equipment, samples, and teaching materials that needed to be prepared…

"Very good, Sister Su has thought this through very thoroughly," Chen Yu praised. "However, I'd like to add one more step—on-site diagnosis. Let the factory's technicians bring in the actual problematic parts, and we'll analyze and resolve them on the spot."

"That's a great idea!" Su Hongmei's eyes lit up. "By combining theory with practice, the effect will be even better. I'll revise the plan right away."

The two worked all morning to perfect the plan. At lunchtime, Lin Zhenhua came over and told them some news: "Xiao Chen, Hongmei, we just received a notice that the military factory wants us to go next week. They have a batch of materials for an urgent task that needs testing, and time is very tight."

"Next week?" Chen Yu calculated the time. "Okay, no problem."

"Then you two get ready quickly," Lin Zhenhua said. "It's not just the two of you going this time; the institute will also send a technical support team. Xiao Chen, you'll be in charge of the technical aspects, Hongmei will be in charge of coordination, and I'll be in charge of liaison."

The matter was settled. In the afternoon, Chen Yu finished his work ahead of schedule and took leave to go to the library. He needed to research some professional knowledge about aerospace materials to prepare for his on-site guidance next week.

In the library, he not only researched materials science but also specifically looked at geological documents about the Ailao Mountains in southern Yunnan. In a 1957 publication, "Southwest Geological Survey Report," he found detailed records of the scientific expedition in which Huang Wenyuan participated.

The report mentions that the expedition team discovered a "paleolithic site of significant archaeological value" deep in the Ailao Mountains, but details are vague, only stating that "further research is needed." The report's appendix includes a blurry photograph of the cave Huang Wenyuan gave him, but taken from a distance, albeit from a different angle.

Chen Yu carefully read the text of the report and found several noteworthy descriptions: "...symbols resembling totems are carved on the cave walls..." "...Local ethnic minorities say this is the 'Cave of the Immortals'..." "...The expedition team collected soil samples from the cave and found that they contained special minerals..."

A special mineral? Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat. Could it be obsidian? Or a similar cultivation material?

He noted down the report number, borrowed it, and prepared to take it back for careful study.

It was already evening when Chen Yu left the library. Instead of going straight home, he took a detour to Shichahai. He wanted to find a quiet place to sort out his thoughts.

On a bench by the Shichahai Lake, several elderly people were playing chess, and children were playing. Chen Yu found a quiet spot to sit down, and quietly spread his spiritual senses. His intermediate-level concealment technique made him appear like an ordinary person taking a walk; no one would notice him.

Scarface has come to Beijing, with his accomplices. What is their purpose? Are they looking for him? Or do they have other plans? Judging from Yi Zhonghai's description, they don't seem to have any malicious intent; they're just inquiring. But this makes things even more unsettling—it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark.

Huang Wenyuan's photographs and scientific research reports reveal a possible site of spiritual practice. The Ailao Mountains in southern Yunnan, ancient monks' caves, obsidian... all these clues point in the same direction.

On-site guidance at a military factory is a significant career opportunity. Success in this role not only earns recognition from the military but also provides crucial capital for future development.

The TCM collaboration project represents another important network of connections. Relationships with figures like Li Jimin and Huang Wenyuan within the medical community may prove unexpectedly valuable in the future.

And Hong Kong… Chen Yu recalled the rumors he had heard at the research institute yesterday. If there really was an opportunity to go to Hong Kong for an exchange program, he would definitely try to seize it.

Clues tangled in his mind, like a complex web. Chen Yu knew he was standing at a crucial crossroads. Every choice he made next could influence the future.

As he pondered, his spiritual sense suddenly detected an unusual fluctuation of spiritual energy. It was very faint, but very familiar—it was the aura of obsidian!

Chen Yu immediately became alert, locking onto the source of the fluctuation with his spiritual sense. About a hundred meters away, behind a clump of trees, a man in gray overalls was talking quietly with a man wearing a straw hat. The man in overalls was carrying a cloth bag, and the aura of obsidian was emanating from it.

"The goods have arrived, ten yuan, good condition," the man in overalls said in a low voice.

The man in the straw hat took the cloth bag, opened it, and glanced inside: "Where's the money?"

"Same as always, inspect the goods first, then pay."

Just as the two were about to make the transaction, the sound of police patrol whistles suddenly came from afar. Their expressions changed, and they quickly separated and disappeared into the crowd.

Chen Yu didn't give chase. He had already seen clearly—the person wearing the straw hat was none other than Scarface! Although his face was covered, his figure and gait were unmistakable.

Scarface is trading obsidian in Beijing! What does this mean? It means he urgently needs this material, and his trading network has extended to Beijing!

Chen Yu's heart sank. Scarface was no pushover, and he had accomplices; if he were to turn against him, it would be a major problem. He had to prepare in advance.

He got up and left Shichahai, returning home after dark. Qin Huairu was teaching Xiaodang and Huaihua to read; seeing him return, she asked, "Why are you so late today?"

"I went to the library to look up some information." Chen Yu put down his bag. "I'm going on a business trip to a military factory next week, so I need to prepare."

"How long will it take?"

"About three days." Chen Yu looked at his wife. "Be careful while I'm gone. Lock the door at night, and if you need anything, ask Uncle or Aunt Zhang."

"I know, that's why you need to be careful," Qin Huairu said. "I heard that military factories are all located in the mountains, where conditions are harsh."

After dinner, Chen Yu entered the small world. He decided to try refining the "Body Tempering Pill - Modified" that night.

He took out the bronze alchemy furnace and lit the Earth Fire Talisman. The orange flame burned steadily at the bottom of the furnace. Following the improved formula, Chen Yu added the medicinal herbs in sequence: ginseng and astragalus as the main ingredients, purple gold grass flower as the auxiliary ingredient, and angelica and wolfberry as the harmonizing ingredients…

The medicinal herbs slowly melted in the furnace, fusing into a pale golden paste. At this moment, Chen Yu took out a piece of tempered obsidian, used his spiritual power to break it into powder, and sprinkled it evenly into the paste.

"Hiss—" The ointment reacted violently, its color changing from light gold to dark gold, and the aroma of the medicine became even richer. Chen Yu controlled the heat, slowly roasting it over a low flame.

An hour later, the ointment solidified into nine dark golden pills, each the size of a longan. The moment the furnace was opened, a rich medicinal fragrance filled the entire small world, and dark red patterns flowed faintly on the surface of the pills—that was the characteristic of obsidian.

[Successfully Refined: Body Tempering Pill - Improved (Excellent)]

[Effects: Strengthens the physical body, enhances bone and muscle strength, boosts blood and qi, and provides slight fire elemental resistance]

[Quality: Excellent (Improved formula, using refined materials, retaining 85% of the medicinal efficacy)]

Excellent quality! 85% of the medicinal efficacy is retained! And it also provides fire resistance!

Chen Yu was overjoyed. He swallowed one pill, and as it entered his stomach, it transformed into a warm torrent that flowed throughout his body. This time, the medicinal power was gentler and longer-lasting than that of ordinary Body Tempering Pills. There was no burning sensation like before; instead, it felt like warm water seeping into every inch of his muscles and flesh.

He could clearly feel his muscle fibers slowly strengthening, his bone density increasing, and even his skin becoming more resilient. More importantly, he felt a slight affinity for fire elemental energy—though faint, it was definitely an added effect of the fire obsidian.

"Excellent pill!" Chen Yu exclaimed. The effect of this modified Body Tempering Pill is equivalent to three ordinary Body Tempering Pills, and it has fewer side effects.

He carefully put away the remaining eight pills. The optimal dosage for this type of pill is one every five days; nine pills would last for forty-five days. Combined with his cultivation, he was confident he could break through to the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage within a month!

It was late at night when Chen Yu exited the small world. Instead of resting immediately, he took out a piece of white paper and began writing down his next action plan:

1. On-site guidance at the military factory (three days): Ensure success and establish relations with the military.

2. Initiation of the TCM Collaboration Project: Determining the Research Direction with Li Jimin.

3. Breakthrough in cultivation: Reach the ninth level of Qi Refining within one month.

4. Scarface Investigation: Discover his purpose through covert surveillance using imposters.

5. Opportunities in Hong Kong: Keep an eye out for exchange opportunities and prepare in advance.

6. Preparations for the trip to southern Yunnan: Gathering information and enhancing capabilities.

After writing it down, he read it carefully, then burned the paper to ashes. It's safest to keep a plan in your mind.

Lying in bed, Chen Yu stared at the ceiling. Moonlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

He knew the next month would be busy. But being busy was a good thing; it meant progress and growth.

In this rapidly changing era, only by constantly moving forward can we seize opportunities and realize our ambitions.

Chen Yu, however, was already prepared.

Outside the window, the night was deep.

But dawn will eventually come.