"Chen Zigang."
"Chen Tu."
"Get out of the cell and get changed. The family elders summoned both of you." said the dungeon's supervisor. He had quite a curious expression plastered to his face like he was wondering about something.
They were supposed to be punished by getting locked inside the dungeon for three days. This was the decision made by Chen Tian Peng to teach them a lesson for acting secretly and endangering themselves.
But something happened because only two days had passed. They weren't informed about what happened, so the elders summoned them to the Family Hall.
After changing into clean clothing, the two made their way quickly to the Family Hall.
"The Chen Family is honored with your visit today, milord." Chen Tian Peng's voice can be heard clearly outside the Family Hall. Judging from his tone and manner of speech, the background of this guest is quite powerful.
After all, Chen Tian Peng is accepted to be the number one martial artist here in this Crimson River Town, with the cultivation of the Golden Core Layer. Even the patriarchs from the other four large families were in the middle to the peak of the Spiritual Condensation Layer.
It was said that in Body Tempering Layer, one will refine their Flesh, Bone, and Blood before they achieve the qualification to be addressed as a cultivator. There are nine levels here, with the first three focusing on refining the flesh, the second three on bones, and the last three on blood.
Crossing this threshold will bring the cultivator to the stage of the Spiritual Condensation Layer.
Like the previous layer, one will experience the process of gathering, accumulating, and stashing Spiritual Energy, which is divided into nine levels.
Only after one had achieved the peak of the Spiritual Condensation Layer could they attempt to form their Golden Core.
It was said that a level in Body Tempering Layer is equivalent to one Battle Prowess. As for those in the Spiritual Condensation Layer, each stage is equivalent to ten points.
Hence, this means a level in the Golden Core Layer is equivalent to a hundred points in Battle Prowess. But this is just a baseline of their ability, as it doesn't mean that a hundred-and-one Body Tempering Cultivator can defeat a Golden Core Layer expert.
From how fawning Chen Tian Peng sounded, the special guest could likely be an expert with similar cultivation strength to Chen Tian Peng, perhaps stronger. And if it's not the difference in power, the guest might be someone from the County's Government Office.
Of course, the latter would be more difficult to handle than the former.
An expression of shock could be seen on the two after they came inside the Family Hall. First and foremost, they had no idea that almost all the younger generation members were here. And secondly, it's because the guest was someone they knew.
It was precisely the same old man that stayed beside their prison cell when they got captured.
(What's wrong with father? Why would he show such respect to this elder who got captured and imprisoned in the cell beside ours?)
Chen Zigang secretly asked himself. Of course, the current situation doesn't permit him to run his mouth wildly.
As for Chen Tu, he could only show a stupefied expression while staring at the old man. He remembered that this elder looked disheveled, starved, and was a step away from walking into the coffin.
But right now, he doesn't look like one at all. In fact, the elder look like a noble right now, with a ridiculous life force coming out from him like escaping vapor.
Even weaklings like Chen Tu and Chen Zigang could feel the almighty intent pouring out like an immortal staring at a few ants.
"Elder Jian, allow me to introduce my youngest son, Chen Zigang, and his attendant, Chen Tu." Chen Tian Peng stood from his seat and introduced the two to this elder. Looking around, they'll notice that even Chen Zigang's six brothers and sisters are present.
"Zigang! Xiao Tu! Pay your respect to Elder Jian from the Tiangang Sword Pavilion!" Chen Tian Peng waved his hands and forced the two brats to kneel before the elder.
(Tiangang Sword Pavilion! But... Where is that?)
Even Chen Zigang, being the more educated among them, was clueless about the origin of this place.
"Hehehe... It's normal to have no idea where it was. The pavilion is located outside of this Crimson Cloud County, after all." Elder Jian chuckled. It only took him a gaze to read what Chen Zigang had in his head.
"Patriarch, could you order the kitchen to prepare something for this old man? I'm feeling a little heartbroken from seeing these two starving for the whole day..." the elder continued. It might be due to looking at Chen Tu, who was thinking nothing except what kind of buns he would get to eat later.
"Of... Of course!" the request stuns Chen Tian Peng for a split second before he nodded.
"Order the kitchen to prepare something for the elder!" Chen Tian Peng instructed. To ensure nothing goes wrong, even the second family head is sent to the kitchen to monitor them.
Soon, plates cover the table, leaving only three empty spots. Naturally, it's because the two brats have caught the elder's attention and now have the qualification to sit together at the same table.
"Eat. Treat me like an old man in the neighborhood.
"En!" the two nodded. Even to Chen Zigang, this was the first he could eat at a table with more than twenty dishes. Except for certain family members getting married, the chances for him to eat so many delicacies were during the new year.
While to Chen Tu, this is more than shocking. There's so much food on the table, but his hand only reaches for the steamed buns he fancied.
It allows the elder to make up his mind by looking at one glutton and another timid youngster.
"Xiao Zigang... Do you want to come with me to the Tiangang Sword Pavilion?" Elder Jian said. His question shocked everyone present in the hall.
"Tiangang Sword Pavilion?" Chen Zigang pondered.He had heard about the Blood Refining Grotto, Golden Staff Abode, and Meteor Fist Academy but not about Tiangang Sword Pavilion. The thought that he had no idea where it was made Chen Zigang wonders if he should say yes or no."Stupid brat! Tiangang Sword Pa... Umph?" Chen Tian Peng tried to interrupt, but before he finished his words, a strange power covered his mouth, stopping him from making a sound.Everyone inside the Family Hall gasped for air and tightly shut their mouth. Naturally, they're afraid that they'll be treated similarly."The Tiangang Sword Pavilion is one of the five superpowers in the Grand Blue Sky Prefecture. Naturally, your background would be much stronger if you joined and be a part of us." Elder Jian said."Is that much bigger than Blood Refining Grotto, Golden Staff Abode, and Meteor Fist Academy?" Chen Tu asked while biting into another steamed bun. The bowl of steamed buns was finished by Chen Tu alone."Of
(Toothpick? Don't you see all these muscles we have all over our body?)Those born with the surname "Chen" wished they could correct what the expert from Blood Refining Grotto said. But again... What kind of status they had, except for being a slightly large family in this Crimson River Town?For this faction alone, the town-level settlements serving them numbered over twenty. There are even three cities affiliated with Blood Refining Grotto alone, providing more than a thousand potential candidates for them to choose from.The people from Chen Family can't do anything, even if the expert decides to renegade his decision later. After all, he was here today to give some face to Elder Jian, who hails from the Tiangang Sword Pavilion.If it was normal for an individual to hug firmly at the thigh of someone powerful. Then it was acceptable for a small faction like Blood Refining Grotto to worship the Tiangang Sword Pavilion like it was their ancestor.Someone might ask if they're devoid o
Morning.This was Chen Tu's first day here in this Blood Refining Grotto as its outer disciple.Although he was already here the previous afternoon, it couldn't be accounted for because the registration alone took almost the entire afternoon. It was already evening when he was guided to the disciple's accommodation building.Because he missed the chow time last night, Chen Tu woke up starving. After ensuring where the disciple's canteen was, he made his trip to the building in a hurry.Chen Tu was the first to wait outside the canteen. The waiting lasted for a while until the door to the canteen was opened by those on duty.He immediately went to where the cooks were waiting.It was quite a long meal distribution counter with several options. There are plenty of choices, from steamed buns to congee, sweet cakes, flatbreads, and crepes. But surprisingly, everything here is made from rice, wheat flour, and eggs.There's barely any seasoning added to the food, making them taste bland. Ev
Chen Tu lay flatly on the bed to start reflecting on what had happened earlier. Being alone inside this ten by ten feet room provided to each individual allows him to think quietly.(You're too passive...)The word Chen Zigang said came into Chen Tu's mind.(If there's an opportunity where you're accepted into a faction, make sure you behave like I do. Do not simply give in to other's threats and place all the concern on yourself first. It won't be too late to consider other matters after you do what I said...)This was what Chen Zigang told him back when they went to their secret hideout. Based on the word's content, he greatly highlighted his concern over Chen Tu, worrying that he'll suffer from unjust from all sides.To ensure he wouldn't go empty-handed, Chen Zigang even packed a few belongings for Chen Tu in case his worry developed. And inside the item he prepared for Chen Tu, there's something he secretly pocketed from the treasure chest brought back by Chen Tian Lang.Inside t
His schedule was about the same as yesterday. But not before filling his stomach to the brim to compensate for skipping his dinner last night. After he had his fill, Chen Tu made his way to the Mission Hall in a hurry.After all, this was his second day here in this Blood Refining Grotto. Thanks to the practice where all transactions require Contribution Token to proceed, how can Chen Tu stay idle without looking for things to do?Not doing anything was the luxury of well-to-do disciples, and not him. Unlike them, he had neither a good background nor a supporter standing tall behind him.Chen Tu would likely be drowned by the disciple's spit if his thought was known by the others.Because he was illiterate, it greatly hindered Chen Tu's process in picking a work to do. He had no choice but to go for something nobody would go for. Reaching his hand out on one of the papers, Chen Tu asked people to read the work on his behalf.It turned out that the assignment paper he had gotten was a
"Tu, as in rabbit?" the elder curiously asked."Yes, elder. It was as you said." Qin Lei nodded in response. His attitude towards the elder is full of reverence and respect. After all, all his achievement today in cultivation was thanks to the elder's care.Without the elder interest in him, it was questionable if he could get into the top 1000 disciples. Of course, his attitude and effort were likable to start with. Or else, it would be pointless even if his Qin Family tried their best to obtain this elder's guidance."After completing his task, give him an additional token as a reward. While you're at it, ask if he's happy to return again tomorrow." the elder said. It seems that the elder has quite a positive opinion of Chen Tu.While an additional token given out wasn't much in the eyes of an elder, to a disciple like Chen Tu and Qin Lei, it was a lot!Nobody would complain about having too many tokens."Disciple understands." Qin Lei nodded at the elder. After saying what he had t
Although this was his first time cultivating using the Sun and Moon Condensation Art, the unfamiliarity of Chen Tu didn't seem to hinder the process.The Spiritual Energy in his surrounding seemed to be descending toward Chen Tun in an organized manner. The movement also seems to carry a fragment of profoundness that other Spiritual Gathering Art couldn't produce.The Spiritual Energy that came at Chen Tu in a spiraling fashion lasted for a while until he felt bloated from absorbing them.One has to know that only a top-grade Spiritual Gathering Art could speed up the absorption process. This Sun and Moon Condensation Art is apparently one of the top-grade art mentioned.Perhaps in this entire Blood Refining Grotto, only this Sun and Moon Condensation Art could supply enough Spiritual Energy in a single cycle.Chen Tu immediately stops at the end of that cycle. But to his surprise, two energies appear inside his underdeveloped core. They're similar, each carrying a part of the sun's a
The current Qin Lei looks different from the one Chen Tu met this morning at the Spiritual Garden. Right now, he's wearing a set of tailor-made clothing with exquisite decoration around his collar sleeve and skirt. It also comes with another long robe with a loose belt from both ends.This set of clothing made Qin Lei's aura looks more refined as he appeared like a young prince from some royal family.Of course, part of Qin Lei's appealing characteristics comes from his strong cultivation level and his young and tender age of sixteen."Where are you heading to, junior Chen?" Qin Lei asked. He didn't just see Chen Tu but had already monitored him for a while. After all, his room was across from Chen Tu's but on a different building's end."Replying to senior brother, this junior is trying to familiarize himself with the Outer Grotto." Chen Tu replied to the question politely. In his reply, it carries a hint of formality and friendliness.Chen Tu secretly hoped his reply would be adequa
Next morning. Following Tang Yun Long's suggestion, Chen Tu made his way to the Registration Office after breakfast. And as usual, he waited with the others in the queue until it was his turn. "What can I do for you today, junior?" the worker asked with impatience in his tone. In his opinion, Chen Tu is likely another disciple coming to claim his monthly salary provided by the Blood Refining Grotto. But all his following words were stuck in his throat before he could continue after Chen Tu had his disciple token taken out. "Chen - Chen Tu? You're Chen Tu?" the worker's tone changed into a more polite and easy to the ear. His attitude also had 180 degrees of turnover. Chen Tu didn't reply to him but simply nodded with a smile. And to these workers who looked down on the weak disciples, such treatment was the best venom to reeducate them. The worker immediately changed how he addressed Chen Tu from "Junior" to "Fellow Disciple Chen." And needless to say, this instantaneous change
"Teacher, really? We're going to attend the examination for the Titled Alchemist this year?" Tang Yun Long couldn't help but feel excited. Naturally, he was very happy with what Elder Wei Xuan had said. After all, Tang Yun Long is turning eighteen this year. And even amongst all the disciples from both elders, his talent in Alchemy was the highest. But regardless of how he requested, Elder Wei Xuan would always reject him when it came to permission to attend the Titled-Alchemist Examination. No matter how much he begged, the elder would deem he was not ready for the test yet. Counting from the year he had been asking until now, it was almost four years past. But today, the sun seems to be rising from the west. Of course, Tang Yun Long realized that the change in Elder Wei Xuan's mind did not come from him but from Chen Tu. Without bathing in this junior brother's brilliance, he might have to wait another year or two before his chances arrive. Obviously, there was a reason for the
"Good. Very good. Then, you'll be the second official disciple of this old man from this moment onward. I am looking forward on how far you can grow." Elder Wei Xuan appeared very satisfied with Chen Tu's instant reply. This could also show how much Chen Tu had longed for this chance. "Disciple understood!" Chen Tu kneeled and raised a teacup in both hands to the elder. Regardless of the custom, serving a cup of tea to your master is essential. This customary practice not only creates a proper master and disciple but also the connections in between. "En... Those unimportant things will be told to you by Xiao Long later. For now, take this as your gift to study under my tutelage. It was the Pill Formula I promised you last time." the elder said after placing the teacup aside and taking something from nothingness. Apparently, the elder had a piece of Spatial Jade too. And from the look of it, the quality is slightly better than what Tang Yun Long had. "Why don't you take a look at i
"junior brother Chen, this Three-Star Pill... Did you refine them by yourself?" Tang Yun Long asked. Even he hadn't had success in refining a pill of this quality. At most, he is only confident in refining Two-Star Pill. Furthermore, this result was before Chen Tu was officially accepted by the elder as his second official disciple. If he was, would he be capable of Four-Star, or even a Five-Star? Of course, that kind of level is nowhere to be heard of... After all, no alchemist would dedicate all their time to researching and refining a four or Five-Star Grain Pellet. Even if that alchemist is the most foolish one, he would likely have zero to little interest in an entry-level pill like this. Looking at the Three-Star Grain Pellet sitting on the table, the elder couldn't calm his heart down. And without further ado, he put his hand out toward Chen Tu and asked for something. "Xiao Tu... Bring the Alchemist Token out." Elder Wei Xuan asked. It appears that what he will be doing
(Hmm... I wonder what kind of medicinal pill is this Spring and Autumn Profound Pill and Lesser Vitality Pill. Could their effect be something extraordinary, like the Spiritual Replenishing or Spirit Desertification Pill?) Chen Tu spoke to his own while flipping through the pages. The contents were fairly easy for him to understand, and there was nothing to be suspicious about. But when Chen Tu came to the ingredient part, he had the urge to scratch and pull his hair. (Aargh... Now, this is where my first obstacle comes in...) Chen Tu took a few deep breaths after he set the book aside. He had mixed feelings due to what was going on inside his mind. The reason for these confusing thoughts was naturally understandable. After all, this was a lost recipe Qin Lei's father, Qin Tianbao, found from excavating the tomb of a certain expert. Interestingly, this relic site was also where Qin Tianbao had a mishap and lost one of his legs. And no wonder he would be allowed to keep these two
(What an amazing feeling... Could this be something only those in the fourth level would realize?) Chen Tu remained seated, but for every breath he took, the Spiritual Energy of his surroundings was attracted over. His body was like a leaf sponging up all the dew as it absorbed all these blimps of Spiritual Energy to nourish his flesh. This mist-like Spiritual Energy is incomparable to what a Spiritual Replenishing Pill offers. Still, it was something nobody would complain about. After all, no matter how diluted and faint this Spiritual Energy was, they're still the Spiritual Energy everyone pursued. Nobody would cover their water well when it rains because they're afraid it would be overfilled by the rainwater. Apparently, Chen Tu's guess was correct. A feat like this was indeed someone above the Flesh Tempering Stage could enjoy. And thanks to his fully-tempered flesh, Chen Tu is now more than capable of applicating Spiritual Energy to strengthen his physique. Although the diff
A day ago. "Hmm... I wonder what insight that brat had for him to rework the Grain Pellet's Recipe until this level..." Elder Wei Xuan said while holding a Two-Star Pill between his two fingers. Apparently, he was studying the pill for flaws before giving a verdict. He was feeling neither prejudiced nor unhappy. But more or less, there was something he was unable to let go of in his heart for making him so indecisive at this moment. As Chen Tu's Alchemy Teacher, the elder naturally wanted to endorse Chen Tu's reworked recipe and the Grain Pellet he refined. But at the same time, his worries and self-ego made him couldn't help but be indecisive in this matter. In fact, this same ego of his was why Tang Yun Long has yet to participate in the Titled Alchemist Examination. It wasn't overrated to say that with Tang Yun Long's performance to date, he could easily pass the test. "Old Wei... What is occupying your mind so much until you didn't notice me coming in?" Another elder's voice
"Disciple understands." Chen Tu cupped his fists together and replied. His response also helps confirm that he will be taking the assignment seriously. "Xiao Tu will start paying more attention to his pill refinement after returning and wouldn't disappoint the teacher's expectation," he added. After saying what he should, Chen Tu excused himself from the workshop by giving a reason he'll have to get back and prepare. And obviously, the eight Grain Pellets were left in the workshop without saying. That's a must in case the elder changes his mind later. And regardless of how he decides, Chen Tu still has to leave a sample for Elder Wei Xuan to check on them, correct? This means a copy of everything from the ingredient, steps, and final product was left for the elder's inspection. Chen Tu's activities consisted of eating, sleeping, cultivating, and refining pills for the following days. Thanks to all these tasks in his hand, he hardly reported to the Spiritual Garden to work or assis
The question piqued the elder's interest after Xia Xuan-Xuan opened her mouth. Apparently, even the elder couldn't help but feel curious about Chen Tu's answer. But at the same time, he can't ask this question openly. After all, he was an elder. Someone who stood at least a few levels above them in alchemy and cultivation. Wouldn't it hurt his pride slightly to ask a junior about something he should know better? Luckily, there's a Xia Xuan-Xuan in the group. While her talent is neither good nor bad, she has this social commonsense that could make everything work. Hence, she was the elder's icebreaker, always the first to hear and know everything. Chen Tu didn't respond to Xia Xuan-Xuan's question instantly. Still, everyone here could see that Chen Tu's gaze was currently pointed at the pill mold. This reaction from Chen Tu can be partially translated to "look at the result yourself!" He stayed silent and observed the mold until it was completely cooled. Then, instead of inspecti