For an entire day, Aunt Xiang was busy at the hearth, periodically tossing medicinal ingredients into the broth. It wasn’t until evening that she stepped away, slightly breathless and drenched in fragrant sweat. She told Yang Kai he could come out once he had absorbed the medicinal power, then returned to her room to rest.
Yang Kai remained soaking in the tub for the entire night, drawing every last trace of medicinal essence from the broth until not a drop remained.
Returning to his own room, he sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and meditated, sensing the changes in his body.
His realm had risen by a small margin, and the zhenyuan within his body was slightly more refined. The most significant improvement was in his meridians and flesh.
Aunt Xiang had said during the day that the primary effect of that cauldron of broth was to fundamentally improve a person’s meridians. This would make it easier to refine Yuan Qi in future cultivation and simpler to render it dense and pure.
This benefit wasn’t immediately obvious, but it was one that could influence his entire life.
Yang Kai attempted to circulate the True Yang Technique. He was startled to find that its circulation speed was noticeably swifter than before. Moreover, the heaven and earth energy drawn into his body was indeed purer than usual by a slight degree.
The change was subtle, but drops of water pierce stone, and grains of sand pile into a tower. Accumulated over long periods, the effect would surely be extraordinary.
One cauldron of medicinal broth, one extraordinary technique, and such results were achievable. Xiao Fusheng truly possessed heaven-reaching methods.
His combat strength might not rank highly in the world, but he was one of the few mysterious grade high-level alchemists in existence. His mastery of the alchemy art had reached its absolute peak. The wondrous techniques glimpsed through alchemy could be described as skill rivaling the creations of heaven and earth.
At dawn, Xiao Fusheng summoned both Yang Kai and Dong Qingyan.
He did not teach them the art of alchemy. Instead, he imparted a set of techniques for controlling Yuan Qi.
This was closely related to alchemy, as an alchemist needed to command their own Yuan Qi with absolute precision when refining pills. As the saying went, a miss by as much as a hair’s breadth would result in an error of a thousand miles. To produce a good batch of pills, exquisite Yuan Qi manipulation was indispensable.
Such control over Yuan Qi was also relevant to any warrior. In battle, the execution of martial skills depended entirely on Yuan Qi manipulation.
Every powerhouse would be meticulously economical with their Yuan Qi. If a single unit of Yuan Qi could unleash a technique, they would never waste one and a half. This economy allowed Yuan Qi to be utilized to its maximum effect and enabled a warrior to sustain combat for the longest possible duration.
Therefore, both Yang Kai and Dong Qingyan learned with extreme seriousness.
This set of techniques was something Xiao Fusheng had developed himself during his alchemy practice. It was, in a sense, one of his most precious experiences, and he imparted it all without reservation.
This period of instruction lasted for several days. Through intermittent practice, Yang Kai and Dong Qingyan internalized the methods completely. All that remained was practical application.
At this point, Yang Kai suddenly recalled another statement Xiao Fusheng had made that day.
Who said that an alchemist could not reach the pinnacle of the martial path?
When Elder Xiao had said those words, his face had radiated deep confidence.
Just the mastery of Yuan Qi manipulation, pushed to its absolute limit, might allow one to glimpse the secrets of the pinnacle.
Yang Kai felt a surge of profound respect! Every word Elder Xiao spoke held deep meaning and was thought-provoking, each phrase a pearl of wisdom.
For the next several days, Yang Kai and Dong Qingyan focused on mastering the exquisite control of Yuan Qi. As time passed, Yang Kai discovered that this practice not only allowed him to better control each portion of Yuan Qi, but also helped his own zhenyuan fuse and purify gradually and imperceptibly.
His Zhenyuan Realm second stage cultivation was on the verge of its peak, requiring only a single step to break through to the third stage.
One day, while Yang Kai and Dong Qingyan were outside practicing Yuan Qi control through their martial skills, they noticed that all the surrounding peaks were bustling with activity. Many people were hurrying along the steep mountain paths of those peaks. Among them were numerous disciples of the Medicine King Valley, but also many outsiders.
"What’s going on?" Dong Qingyan paused, looking curiously at the surrounding peaks. "How come there are so many outsiders in the Medicine King Valley?"
Yang Kai shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.
"The Alchemy Grand Meeting begins in just a few days," Aunt Xiang and Aunt Lan strolled over, explaining softly.
"Although the Medicine King Valley normally doesn’t allow outsiders to enter, it has countless connections with all the major powers under heaven. So at this time of year, many people come to the various peaks to visit the Elders."
Yang Kai and Dong Qingyan finally understood. Since arriving at Cloud Hidden Peak, they had been carefree and kept mostly to themselves. Time had passed so quickly that they hadn’t noticed the signs of the approaching Alchemy Grand Meeting.
Aunt Xiang chuckled softly. "All the peaks are lively now, except for the restricted Pill Sage Peak and our own Cloud Hidden Peak!"
"Yes, it’s still quiet here!" Aunt Lan also smiled gently.
Dong Qingyan giggled. "If Master were to open our gates, I guarantee they’d come flocking. I’m afraid the other peaks would become quiet very quickly!"
Aunt Xiang gave her a reproachful look. "Then Aunt Lan and I would be exhausted! With so many visitors coming and going, how could we possibly manage serving tea and water?"
During this period together, Aunt Xiang and Aunt Lan had grown very fond of Dong Qingyan. The two elegant women had no children of their own, and they treated Dong Qingyan as if she were their daughter, caring for her with utmost affection.
The young girl’s sweet tongue certainly helped. She didn’t look down on them for being ordinary people or servants, which won her a special place in their hearts.
Just as Aunt Xiang finished speaking, Xiao Fusheng’s door suddenly swung open. A hearty laugh rang out: "It seems my Cloud Hidden Peak won’t remain quiet today either."
"Master!"