Chapter 30 (2/2)

“Do you still have the Qi-refining Pill from yesterday? I want ten of them!”

“Me too! I want ten too!”

“Ten! Do you think you’re buying vegetables from a market!” Prince Zhao took a breath and began shouting, “Come come come! New elixirs, fresh from the boilers of the Elixir Room! Each for five Spirit Stones!”

“Five? I thought you were selling for three apiece?”

“Yesterday? That was our opening day promotion. It’s five Stones for each elixir. We have only three for sale, first come first served!” Prince Zhao continued bellowing at the top of his voice.

“I want them!”

“They’re mine! No one else!”

“Is it true that you have only three? Please give me one! I’ll pay 10 Stones for them!”

Thus, Xiao Chen returned to his cottage with tens of Spirit Stones that night. Holding two more flasks, Prince Zhao continued howling, “We have Energy-fortifying Pills and Energy Pills too! Also from the Elixir Room! Come and get them! This is our clearance sale! Three more days and it’s no more!”

Hence, for the next few days, Xiao Chen made quite a haul. Tens of people waited at the entrance of the Sky-gazing Gorge each morning, waiting for Qi-refining Pills. Even his Energy-fortifying Pills and Energy Pills were also for sale, even though the sales of these other two paled in comparison to the Qi-refining Pills.

Soon, everyone at the Sunset Peak, including those from the gangs of the southern mountain and North Mountain, came to know of the new disciples selling elixirs from the Elixir Room. Xiao Chen then also gave some Energy Pills and Energy-fortifying Pills to his fellow new disciples, earning him respect and friendship that many of them looked to him as their leader.

Everyday, Lil Ruo came without fail, delivering food to him.

Somewhere else, at the territory of the southern mountain gang, a few young men were grumbling bitterly, “Damn! From where did this new source of elixirs sprout from? Our elixirs are selling badly! How are we to report this to Brother Ye!”

“What can we do? There are no rules forbidding others to sell elixirs! But this is terrible! They are selling so cheaply that everyone is going to them!”

At sunset, Xiao Chen and his companions began leaving. He now has enough Spirit Stones to help him increase his powers. He must find ways to reach Lv 2 Qi Refining Realm as soon as possible.

Following behind him, the three princes were chattering merrily. Prince Zhao called to him cheerfully, “Can we have one of those Qi-refining Pills, Senior Brother? We too want to reach the Qi-refining Realm as early as we can!”

“No.” Xiao Chen replied bluntly. Wearing a serious expression, he spoke to them, “You can have the Energy-fortifying Pills or the Energy Pills. As much as you want to. But not the Qi-refining Pill. Not even one.”

Prince Zhao replied mournfully, “Please don’t be so stingy, Senior Brother. We know that the Qi-refining Pills do not come cheaply. How about…”

“No,” said Xiao Chen, his head shaking, “These are powers that you should achieve through training and meditation. It would be best if you do not depend on foreign augmentations that are not yours, to begin with. You will regret one day if you indeed enhance your powers using these elixirs.”

Prince Zhao listened intently, nodding, “Oh… You seem to have a point. But I still want to try one…”

This was the very conundrum that Cultivators faced: many knew the consequences of using elixirs such as Qi-refining Pills to increase their powers, but not many could withstand the temptation of enjoying a sharp climb in their powers. Moreover, there have only been a handful few who had reached high levels in their pursuit of the arcane arts of the Immortals. Hence, elixirs that bestowed upon its users abrupt rise in their powers such as Qi-refining Pills and Foundation Building Pills have always been most heavily sought among all other elixirs and medicine.

Xiao Chen shook his head again, “Very well. I can let you have the Qi-refining Pills. But be warned: you should reach the Qi Refining Realm on your own strength, not with foreign help, especially if you can help it. Remember.” He looked for three Qi-refining Pills which appeared to be the best of his handiwork and handed to them.

“One more thing. I will be trying for Lv 2 Qi Refining Realm soon. I will not be coming with you to the Sky-gazing Gorge tomorrow.” He finished and turned immediately towards the direction of his cottage.

Even though he now has a huge amount of Spirit Stones, he would still need to assimilate the spiritual energies on his own fully. On that night, he consumed close to thirty Spirit Stones.

Then he continued his meditation in the courtyard, sitting cross-legged outside as he flushed all vital meridians in his body. By noon, two white radiance burned over his shoulders, both left and right, its fumes rising into the sky.

Immediately, he could feel a surge of power churning within him. Even though Lv 1 Qi-refining Realm was but only one step below Lv 2, the gap of power between both Levels were distinctly huge.

He struck at a massive boulder with a stroke from his palm. His stroke struck it far away, throwing it dozens of meters behind before it exploded in mid-air, reducing into dust.

“Finally… Lv 2 Qi Refining Realm…”

Seeing that he was deep in his meditation, Lil Ruo had been keeping herself out of his way. Now that he was up, she ran out of the door, exclaiming happily, “My congratulations, Young Master!”

Xiao Chen smiled lightly to her. Suddenly, frantic footsteps could be heard from the outside. Two people had come to his cottage. One of them was Wang Yue, who had once shared a table with him during their lessons. Another was a girl who looked almost the same age.

Xiao Chen’s brows rose curiously, noticing their hastiness, “How can I help you, Junior Sisters?”

“T-this… this is bad!” Wang Yue was panting so hard that she could hardly speak. The girl accompanying her spoke, “Something has happened! At the Sky-gazing Gorge!”