Pill Effects Astonishing, Rapid Progress

Han Yuan cultivated the Yellow Grade High-Rank Cultivation Method, the "Ancient Wood Nourishing Spirit Art." It was a Wood Attribute method with gentle spirit power, best suited for nurturing spiritual essence and possessing enduring breath, but it was not adept at attack.

At this moment, a great deal of medicinal power surged into his meridians. The Wood Spirit Power of the Ancient Wood Nourishing Spirit Art displayed excellent results, its gentle power soothing the turbulent medicinal force and carrying it along through a Meridian Circulation.

As one minor circulation after another was completed, the medicinal power rapidly merged into Han Yuan's own spirit power.

A full two hours later, Han Yuan heavily exhaled a breath of foul air, unable to suppress the delight in his eyes.

"One Spirit Gathering Pill actually equals a month of my hard cultivation. This effect is astonishing!"

Han Yuan was endlessly amazed. He had heard others speak of the effects of Spirit Gathering Pills—one pill was worth seven days of hard cultivation. Yet after taking one himself, it had actually equaled a whole month!

This effect has increased by more than three times... Hmm, perhaps my aptitude is somewhat worse than other people's.

On second thought, Han Yuan understood why there was some discrepancy, but that only made him happier.

Moreover, those lines of text from earlier had not been an illusion. They were real.

So this is my Golden Finger—the Random Buff Multiplier!

The spirit power stored in my Dantian was roughly one-fifth of Qi Refining Second Layer. The spirit power gained from a month of cultivation is equivalent to one-tenth of Qi Refining Second Layer. If the next boosts are all threefold, I'll only need to take seven more pills to reach the peak of Qi Refining Second Layer!

Normally, one has to wait three days before taking another Spirit Gathering Pill. But my Pill Toxin has also been reduced by thirty percent. Doesn't that mean I can take another Spirit Gathering Pill after just one or two days?

As Han Yuan circulated his spirit power, he could sense some lingering Pill Toxin within it. Originally, he would need three days of Meridian Circulation to remove the toxin. Now that thirty percent of it was gone, he might save more than a day, because removing Pill Toxin was difficult at first and easy afterward. The less toxin remained, the faster it could naturally be cleared. Though a thirty-percent reduction might not seem like much, in truth it was far greater than it appeared.

Han Yuan forcibly suppressed the joy in his heart and continued circulating his meridians to wear away the Pill Toxin.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning.

Han Yuan rose early and began clearing the stalks from the fields. These stalks contained spiritual energy and had many uses. They could be used to feed Spirit Beasts and were also one of the raw materials for low-grade Talisman Paper. The materials from these two mu of fields could sell for ten Spirit Stones, so they could not be wasted.

However, the stalks from two mu of Spirit Fields were quite numerous. The spiritual plants were tough, and after a long while, he had only cleared one-eighth of the area.

"Looks like this will take several days!"

Han Yuan first placed the harvested stalks in the Small Courtyard, then headed toward the outer court to complete that day's Outer Sect duties.

After Han Yuan left, he failed to notice a figure among the trees silently watching him depart. Only after he was gone did the person emerge from the shadows.

This person was Hu Yifan, another Outer Sect Disciple who lived nearby.

"I happened to see the Grain Cart passing by yesterday. Could the Spirit Rice Han Yuan planted really have matured?"

Hu Yifan could not help being surprised. Spirit Rice was truly not easy to cultivate. Many first-time growers ended up losing everything. Though he knew Han Yuan had planted Blood Spirit Rice and occasionally passed by the rice fields, he had never believed Han Yuan could truly succeed. But the Grain Cart passing by yesterday had aroused his suspicions.

So, while Han Yuan was out this morning, he had quietly come over to investigate.

Before long, he arrived beside the Spirit Fields in front of Han Yuan's Small Courtyard. Seeing the Spirit Rice stalks stripped of their ears, he was thoroughly convinced that Han Yuan had succeeded in cultivation.

"Doesn't that mean Han Yuan has a large number of Spirit Stones on him now?" Hu Yifan's heart heated up as he began to make plans.

He hurried away, never noticing Wangcai secretly watching him from a corner.

In the blink of an eye, evening arrived.

Han Yuan returned to the Small Courtyard once more, dragging a somewhat weary body behind him.

"Woof! Woof!" Wangcai ran over happily.

Han Yuan smiled faintly and handed him a piece of meat.

Yet Wangcai did not take the meat as usual. Instead, he took several steps toward the edge of the Spirit Field.

Han Yuan was somewhat puzzled.

Wangcai glanced back at him, then stood upright on his hind legs, bared his teeth, and curled one corner of his mouth. The large eyes on his dog face narrowed slightly, making him look rather comical.

Han Yuan frowned. "Wangcai, did someone come by?"

Wangcai returned to normal, happily barked twice, and nodded repeatedly.

"Who was it?" Han Yuan asked again.

Wangcai barked once in the direction of Hu Yifan's courtyard.

Han Yuan came to a realization. "So it was Hu Yifan!"

He raised a brow. "What is that brat trying to do? Sneaking over to the edge of my Spirit Field, and you even made that expression. Looks like he has something in mind."

Hu Yifan had entered the sect in the same batch as him, and his aptitude was not much different—a Mid-Grade Four Spiritual Roots cultivator. However, his Fire Attribute spiritual root was the best among them, and he cultivated the "Ancient Wood Burning Spirit Art." He had entered Qi Refining Second Layer a year ago. His cultivation was still somewhat higher than Han Yuan's, though not by much.

He frowned and pondered for a moment, then called to Wangcai, "Wangcai, I'm heading out for a while. Guard the house. If you encounter danger, be clever!"

"Woof woof!"

Wangcai wagged his tail in response.

Han Yuan picked up some of the stalks in the courtyard and put them into his Storage Pouch before hurrying away.

Half an hour later.

Han Yuan finally returned and glanced at Wangcai.

Wangcai indicated that no one had come by. Han Yuan turned and went back into his room, seizing the time to cultivate.

In the Cultivation World, strength was everything.

Only then did Wangcai pick up the meat Han Yuan had set down earlier. He happily began eating, while still keeping a wary eye on the direction of the woods.

Han Yuan sat cross-legged and circulated his meridians, tempering his spirit power.

Two hours later, the spirit power in his body became gentle once more, and no Pill Toxin remained within it.

A smile appeared on Han Yuan's face. "Very good. The Pill Toxin has been completely removed. I can continue taking pills!"

With a flip of his hand, a Spirit Gathering Pill appeared from his Storage Pouch.

Tilting back his head, he swallowed it, and the Spirit Gathering Pill entered his stomach.

He carefully stared ahead, and only then did he see a blurry Mysterious Dice spinning rapidly.

An image of four small dots flashed past.

Random Buff Multiplier: 4

Spirit Gathering Pill Effect *400%

Spirit Gathering Pill Toxin -40%

In an instant, the effects of the Spirit Gathering Pill increased astonishingly.

Han Yuan had long been prepared. He steadied his mind and circulated the Ancient Wood Nourishing Spirit Art.

The speed of his Meridian Circulation rose to his current limit as he continuously refined the medicinal power of the Spirit Gathering Pill.

This time, the medicinal power was even more immense. Han Yuan spent a full three hours before refining it completely.

Yet the results were equally gratifying. One night of refinement equaled forty days of hard cultivation. His cultivation had nearly reached halfway through Qi Refining Second Layer, an astonishing rate of progress.

Satisfied, he lay down on the bed and drifted into peaceful sleep.

Another two hours later, Han Yuan rose feeling refreshed and alert.

When he arrived in the courtyard and swept his Spiritual Sense beyond it, he saw two uninvited guests already standing at the entrance.

Hu Yifan also sensed activity within the courtyard and immediately knocked on the door. "Junior Brother Han Yuan, open the door!"

Han Yuan raised a brow, his hand involuntarily settling on the hilt of the sword at his waist. Speaking through the door, he said, "Hu Yifan, what do you want?"

"Open the door. I have something important to tell you." Hu Yifan's tone grew somewhat urgent.

Han Yuan considered it. This was the sect, where robbing others of their property was explicitly forbidden, much less killing for treasure. There was still some guarantee of safety here. Besides, the door had no formation and could not stop cultivators anyway.

With that thought, Han Yuan still opened the door.

There were indeed two people outside. One was the lean Hu Yifan, while the other had wolfish eyes and a hawk's nose, exuding an intensely aggressive air. Once the door opened, that man looked Han Yuan up and down.

Hu Yifan stood slightly behind him, gazing at the man ahead with a flattering expression. "Brother Wu, this is Junior Brother Han I told you about."

Then Hu Yifan turned toward Han Yuan, slightly raising his chin as a trace of arrogance entered his voice. "Junior Brother Han, this is Senior Brother Wu Chao from the previous batch. His cultivation has already reached the late stage of the third layer, and he is not far from the fourth!"

Han Yuan cupped his hands. "So Senior Brother Wu has honored me with his presence. May I ask what brings you here today?"

"You are Han Yuan? I heard you successfully cultivated a batch of Blood Spirit Rice!" Wu Chao examined Han Yuan.

Han Yuan glanced at the stalks in the courtyard. "So what if I did? I have already exchanged all of it with the sect!"

At this moment, Hu Yifan spoke. "Junior Brother Han, do you know about the 'support' arrangement popular among disciples?"

Han Yuan shook his head.

"'Support' is simple. Disciples with poorer aptitude, like us, can choose a disciple with better aptitude as someone to support, using excess Spirit Stones to help him break through in cultivation. Once the supported disciple advances to Qi Refining Mid-Stage or even late Qi Refining, he can in turn support us in raising our cultivation. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement!"

"Our Senior Brother Wu Chao is not far from Qi Refining Mid-Stage. Right now, he only lacks a sum of Spirit Stones to improve his cultivation. Once Senior Brother Wu Chao breaks through to Qi Refining Mid-Stage, he can take on some highly rewarding missions, and the assistance he gives us in return will be immense."

By this point, the implication was self-evident.

Wu Chao smiled. "Junior Brother Han, what do you think of this cooperation? Others have already worked with me for two years and contributed quite a few Spirit Stones. I originally did not wish to take on another partner midway, but I am indeed urgently short of a batch of Spirit Stones right now. So long as you give me another hundred and fifty Spirit Stones, you can receive the same treatment as the others. Once I break through to Qi Refining Mid-Stage, there will surely be a generous reward!"

Naturally, Han Yuan was unwilling upon hearing this. Setting aside the fact that he no longer had that many Spirit Stones, the key issue was that he would be investing a huge sum in someone he had met only once or twice. If Wu Chao turned his back on the agreement later, would he not lose everything for nothing?

Put plainly, this was robbery dressed up in nicer words.

Moreover, resources were indispensable to him now.

Han Yuan became solemn and cupped his hands. "My apologies. I still have uses for my Spirit Stones and cannot agree to this. I ask Senior Brother Wu for understanding."

Wu Chao's expression immediately cooled. The pressure of Qi Refining Third Layer burst forth at once, and his cold gaze locked onto Han Yuan. "Say that again?"

Han Yuan frowned slightly. "I need my Spirit Stones for myself. Does Senior Brother Wu intend to violate sect rules and forcibly seize my Spirit Stones?"

Hu Yifan immediately said anxiously, "Han Yuan, do you know how rare this opportunity is? Others find it difficult even to cling to Senior Brother Wu Chao's connections. Senior Brother Wu Chao has Mid-Grade Three Spiritual Roots and is a gifted immortal seed with hopes of Foundation Establishment. Why can't you be a little sharper?"

"My apologies," Han Yuan said.

Wu Chao's expression remained cold. The spirit power inside him began to surge violently, and golden spiritual light glimmered over his palm.

Han Yuan remained very calm. He gathered spirit power in his feet, ready to run at any time.

Trying to intimidate him?

He was not worried.

If the other party damaged his courtyard, he would report him at once!

Suddenly, a clear, cold shout came from the distance.

"What are you doing?"

Everyone turned to look.

A woman in white came riding the wind with a sword in hand, her posture graceful and flowing. Her face was round as a silver platter, her eyes like water-bright apricots, her lips red and brows emerald, her hair like dark silk. The powerful aura of Qi Refining Mid-Stage naturally radiated from her body, striking fear into their hearts.

"Th-this Senior Sister! We were merely chatting!" Wu Chao hurriedly dispersed his spirit power and said in panic.

Han Yuan, meanwhile, said respectfully, "Senior Sister Liu, you're here!"

The woman nodded at Han Yuan, then turned to Wu Chao and Hu Yifan, her brows knitting slightly. "Why are you still here?"

"Senior Sister, please carry on! Please carry on!"

Wu Chao immediately grabbed the dazed Hu Yifan and hurried away. As he turned around, his expression was extremely unpleasant.

Only after they had gone far away did Liu Sisi point at some stalks in the courtyard and say, "These are the materials for feeding Spirit Beasts you mentioned, correct? Do you truly intend to give me a batch every year?"

"Last year, Senior Sister Liu sold Wangcai to me at a low price. I am deeply grateful. For a drop of kindness, one should repay with a gushing spring!" Han Yuan said solemnly.

A faintly amused smile appeared on Liu Sisi's lovely face. At first, she had thought this junior brother had designs on her. Seeing that he was fairly handsome, she had decided to come take a look. She had not expected to witness this scene. So he had been using her as a shield. At most, stalks from two mu of Spirit Rice were worth ten Spirit Stones, yet he wanted her protection with that? He had some nerve.

Han Yuan felt uneasy inside.

"Woof! Woof!" Wangcai ran over and happily circled around Liu Sisi.

Liu Sisi's eyes lit up, and her brows and eyes unconsciously curved. She bent down and stroked Wangcai, saying happily, "Little Wangcai? There is actually a trace of spirit power fluctuation in his body! He counts as a Half-Spirit Beast now. His meat quality is decent; he should taste quite good..."

Wangcai had worn an obedient and delighted expression, but upon hearing those last few words, his fur instantly stood on end. He looked up at Liu Sisi with terrified eyes, scrambled through Han Yuan's legs in a panic, and hid trembling behind him, leaving only half his backside exposed.

"Senior Sister Liu..." Han Yuan scratched his head awkwardly.

Liu Sisi stood up, gave a light snort with her hands behind her back, and turned to leave. A few words then drifted down through the air: "Remember to send them over early. Once they get too old, those Spirit Beasts will not eat them!"

Han Yuan was overjoyed. "This junior brother understands!"