Complete one practice method every day

In ten days, Chen Yue persisted in visualization and contemplation every day, and he had already mastered more than half of this method of cultivating the mind and spirit, reaching (591/1000).

Although the effects are not as immediate as other techniques that enhance strength and speed, Chen Yue can clearly feel the difference.

When Chen Yue calmed his mind and focused on circulating the Heart Nourishing Technique, the world around him seemed to slow down a little.

It wasn't that time actually slowed down, but rather that his mental perception became sharper, clearer, and more focused than ever before.

The trail of leaves rustling in the wind, the subtle sound of insects crawling, the gurgling sound of one's own blood flowing, even the trail of dust particles floating in the air...

Many details that are usually overlooked or difficult to capture will be presented to his perception in a slower and clearer way.

This slowness allows Chen Yue more time to think and react when facing complex or rapidly changing situations, elevating his ability to seize opportunities, anticipate dangers, and control his own power to a new level.

This is the initial manifestation of a strong mind.

Although the effects are still very weak, Chen Yue has already benefited greatly.

He believed that as his understanding of the Mind Cultivation Technique deepened, this ability to anticipate the enemy's moves would become stronger and stronger, and might even lead to other wondrous uses.

Just as Chen Yue was engrossed in his cultivation, deep within the Chen residence, in a heavily guarded alchemy room, the atmosphere was oppressively suffocating.

Chen Zhige stood before a bronze alchemy furnace, his face ashen.

The fire beneath the alchemy furnace still roared, and wisps of white steam rose from the top, emitting a rich yet slightly burnt medicinal aroma.

The furnace lid was open, and at the bottom was a pool of dark brown dregs, with a few pieces of rare medicinal herbs that had not completely melted still visible.

Another failure!

This is the third attempt this month to refine the Nourishing Spirit Pill, and the third time it has ended in failure.

The Nourishing Spirit Pill is a rare elixir used to help martial artists in the Marrow Refining Realm nourish their spirit and harmonize Yin and Yang. It is extremely difficult to refine and requires a high level of mental focus, skill, and even physical condition from the alchemist.

A timid young apprentice, seeing the alchemy furnace open and the medicinal vapors emanating from it, hurriedly stepped forward with a jade plate, intending to clean the dregs from the furnace.

However, just as he approached the alchemy furnace, Chen Zhige suddenly turned his head, his eyes flashing with cold light, and without warning, he raised his leg and kicked the apprentice in the chest!

"Bang!"

Caught off guard, the apprentice screamed and flew backward, crashing heavily into the hard bluestone wall before sliding softly to the ground. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and he curled up, trembling with pain.

"I'm observing why it failed! Who gave you the guts to come and clean it up on your own?" Chen Zhige's voice was icy cold, filled with undisguised violence and irritation.

He didn't care at all. Just a few days ago, the same apprentice was whipped all over with a vine because he was a step too slow in cleaning up the dregs of the medicine.

The apprentice, enduring excruciating pain and fear, scrambled to his knees, touching his head to the ground, his voice trembling: "Disciple...disciple knows his mistake! Please forgive me, Master! Please forgive me, Master!"

Chen Zhige ignored him, his gloomy gaze sweeping over the dregs in the furnace again, his nostrils flaring as if trying to discern the subtle changes in their composition.

But in the end, he simply waved his sleeve in frustration, turned around and strode out of the alchemy room, heading straight for the study where the family head, Chen Jing, was.

Inside the study, Chen Jing was reviewing documents sent from various shops recently, his brow furrowed.

Upon seeing Chen Zhige barge in without prior notice, he was initially taken aback, then waved away the attendants around him, a smile spreading across his face as he personally rose to greet him:

"Zhi Ge has arrived? Please have a seat. Is there any medicinal ingredient you're missing from the refining process? You could have just sent a servant to let me know; there's no need for you to come all this way yourself."

Chen Zhige didn't stand on ceremony. He sat down at the lower end of the main seat, picked up the hot tea that the servant had just served, took a sip, and then looked up at Chen Jing, his voice devoid of emotion:

"I heard that Chen Yue, who moved into the mansion a few days ago, has successfully refined the Qi-Strengthening Pill?"

Chen Jing nodded, his tone tinged with a hint of relief:

"Not bad. Although the quality is still lacking, it has indeed been successfully refined. This young man's talent in alchemy is indeed remarkable, and he is progressing quite rapidly. I recently heard that he is still improving, so he is a promising talent. Given time, he may become another capable assistant to my Chen family."

"A promising talent? An assistant?"

Chen Zhige tapped his fingers lightly on the smooth mahogany table, making a "tap-tap" sound, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

He changed the subject, his tone becoming calm: "In the past few days, I have failed repeatedly in refining the Nourishing Spirit Pill. Even the refining of the Snow Ginseng Jade Marrow Paste has not gone smoothly, making it difficult to guarantee the success rate and quality."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jing was first taken aback, then his expression changed slightly, as if he had thought of something, and his eyes sharpened:

"Zhi Ge, are you perhaps thinking of making a move on Chen Yue? Absolutely not!"

"Currently, there are not many direct descendants of alchemists in my Chen family. Lin Quan is getting old and his energy is waning. This Chen Yue is exceptionally talented and young, and it is the perfect time to nurture him. If something happens to him, the future supply of pills to Huichun Hall will be greatly affected!"

Chen Zhige seemed to have anticipated Chen Jing's opposition, showing no surprise on his face, and continued speaking slowly and deliberately:

"The profits from Huichuntang are certainly important. But compared to this..."

He paused, looking directly at Chen Jing, "How should Xuanli's cultivation continue? And how should the other two elders in the clan who are stuck in the Bone Forging Realm break through their bottlenecks?"

Without a stable supply of Nourishing Spirit Elixir and Snow Ginseng Jade Marrow Paste, none of these will be available. The patriarch should know the relative importance of each.

Chen Jing frowned and remained silent.

Chen Xuanli is the pillar of the Chen family and the greatest asset that has enabled the family to stand firm in Youlin County.

The other two elders, both at the Bone Forging Realm, are the backbone of the family. Their cultivation is indeed crucial to the family's survival and prosperity. In comparison, the profits from the Rejuvenation Hall and Chen Yue, this promising young talent, seem... far less significant.

Seeing that Chen Jing was wavering, Chen Zhige continued slowly:

"You all know how good my alchemy talent is. I'm only able to maintain my current level of alchemy skills by relying heavily on the human alchemy method. We both know that. Of course, there are other options, though."

Chen Zhige changed the subject: "If we truly bring Chen Yue into our Chen family and nurture him carefully, he might one day be able to take over the responsibilities of the Nourishing Spirit Pill and the Snow Ginseng Jade Marrow Paste. But..."

He drawled, "How long will this take? Three years? Five years? Or ten years? Can Xuanli and the others afford to wait?"

The study fell silent for a moment, except for the tapping sound of Chen Zhige's fingertips on the table, like a death knell.

After a long silence, Chen Jingcai slowly spoke:

"Refining Chen Yue into a human pill is ultimately a poor choice, resulting in too much loss. How about... secretly abducting a highly talented alchemist from another family in the county? This would solve your immediate problem without harming my Chen family."

This is undoubtedly a more cost-effective idea: sacrificing outsiders to protect one's own people.

Chen Zhige nodded, a knowing smile appearing on his face:

"This is naturally the best choice. However, does the patriarch think that with the alchemists of Huichuntang being kidnapped one after another and the Shenyan Sect secretly watching, will the other families in the county still settle their alchemists as casually as before?"

They've probably already laid layers of protection, perhaps even a trap, just waiting for someone to walk right into it. Have you considered the difficulty and risks of silently abducting a sufficiently talented alchemist?

Chen Jing's expression turned grim again. Chen Zhige was right. Youlin County was in a state of high alert, and the protection of their alchemists by the major families was undoubtedly unprecedented.

"Now that things have come to this, the choice is up to the head of the family."

Chen Zhige stood up, dusted off his robes which were not dusty, and his tone returned to its usual aloof indifference, "Without the aid of a suitable human pill, I have been unable to refine a qualified Yang-Nourishing Pill recently. If Xuanli asks, please explain on my behalf, Patriarch."

After saying that, he stopped looking at Chen Jing's unpredictable expression, turned around and left the study.