Qi Gathering Pill

As the sun set in the west, the four members of the Song Family sat together on the open ground, staring at the demonic beast carcasses sprawled in every direction before them. They all let out long breaths. Seeing one another's bedraggled state, they could not help laughing.

"Ha ha! We're working together better and better now. We can take down two Mid-grade Demonic Beasts in one go. Looks like our days are only going to get better from here," Song Changxiong said teasingly with a smile.

"Thirteenth Uncle, have you forgotten how we were nearly chased all the way back to Funiu Mountain by demonic beasts last time? And this time, you drew so many of them over again. You really think too highly of us," Song Qingrui complained helplessly.

"You brat really doesn't know how to appreciate kindness. Second Elder is always telling me to give you more training. Wasn't this painstaking effort on my part?"

"You call this training? Then we really should thank you!" Faced with their stubborn Thirteenth Uncle, Song Qingming and the other two could only look helpless.

After resting where they were for a while, they gradually recovered some of their Mana. Song Qingshi, who had suffered the lightest injuries among the four, rose and said, "Fourth Elder, look after Qingming. Thirteenth Uncle, let's deal with these demonic beast carcasses quickly. If those sharp-nosed Mid-grade Demonic Beasts catch the scent of blood and come over later, we'll be in trouble. We need to leave this place at once."

As the eldest of the Qing Generation, Song Qingshi had always handled matters steadily. Even Song Changxiong, whose seniority and cultivation were both higher than his, had never objected to Song Qingshi's arrangements.

To cultivators, every part of a demonic beast was treasure. The blood of the Green Bamboo Python could be used to make Spirit Talismans, its Snake Gallbladder was an auxiliary spiritual medicine for Alchemy, and its Snake Skin and Snake Fang were excellent materials for Artifact Refining. Although its meat was not worth much, it was still one of cultivators' favorite dishes. Sold to a restaurant in the Marketplace, it could fetch at least a few Spirit Stones.

After a practiced round of butchering, the four men quickly left the area with their abundant spoils on their backs.

Three days later, in a small pavilion called Moon Gazing Pavilion behind Funiu Mountain, Song Qingming sat upright before a Stone Table, drinking a pot of Spirit Wine alone amid the lovely moonlight and cool breeze.

He had traded for this Spirit Wine from Fourth Uncle in Qinghe Market a few months ago. Quietly drinking beneath the moon by himself was one of the few peaceful moments he had outside cultivation.

Song Qingming had only drunk a few cups when a broad-shouldered, powerfully built man suddenly leaped into the pavilion and sat on the other side of the table. The newcomer was none other than Thirteenth Uncle Song Changxiong, who had hunted demons with him on Green Bamboo Mountain a few days earlier.

At the sight of him, Song Qingming hurriedly set down his wine cup.

"Thirteenth Uncle, I'm truly sorry. I left in such a hurry this time that I forgot to bring more cups. Shall we change locations?"

Song Changxiong did not answer. He merely smiled faintly, reached to his waist with his right hand, and produced a white jade wine cup from thin air, which he slowly set upon the Stone Table.

Seeing this, Song Qingming glanced enviously at the Storage Bag at Song Changxiong's waist, then quickly lifted the wine pot and filled his cup.

After draining a cup, Song Changxiong smiled and said, "Don't be in such a hurry, brat. A Storage Bag isn't some rare treasure. It's only because you haven't reached the Mid Qi Refining Stage yet, so you can't project your spiritual power outward to use one. Once you break through to the Mid Qi Refining Stage, won't you have one soon enough?"

"Mm! No hurry, no hurry. It's just that having Storage Bags on you really is convenient. You can carry anything with you at any time. I wonder when I'll be able to use one like you all." Song Qingming smiled as well after speaking.

"I came to find you today because there's a great piece of news, but first you have to let me drink my fill." Song Changxiong raised the cup in his hand again.

"Of course. It's rare for Thirteenth Uncle to come drink with me tonight. Even if I can't get up tomorrow, I'll still be happy."

The two drank and chatted cup after cup. Only when the pot of Spirit Wine was nearly empty did Song Changxiong toss a bag to Song Qingming. "The Demonic Beast Materials from the beasts we hunted together last time have already been sold at the Marketplace. This is your share."

Song Qingming accepted the bag in confusion. Was this the great news Thirteenth Uncle had mentioned? Then this pot of Spirit Wine had been far too wasted.

Yet when Song Qingming opened the bag, the expression on his face changed again. From the delight he had felt while drinking, to the calmness after receiving the bag, and now to utter bewilderment upon opening it.

The small cloth bag contained more than thirty gleaming Spirit Stones, leaving Song Qingming thoroughly at a loss.

The Demonic Beast Materials from the beasts the four of them had killed a few days ago—two Mid-grade Green Bamboo Pythons and seven low-grade ones—would have been worth, at most, a little over twenty Spirit Stones even if they were all sold at the Marketplace.

Furthermore, Thirteenth Uncle had used two low-grade Spirit Talismans and a pill to restore Spiritual Energy while luring the enemy. How could Song Qingming alone possibly receive so much now?

There were rules governing how profits were distributed when family members went out together to hunt demonic beasts. The losses incurred in battle had to be deducted first, after which the rewards were divided according to cultivation level and contribution.

Among the four this time, Song Qingming's cultivation was the lowest, while Thirteenth Uncle Song Changxiong had contributed the most. Even if the others gave him some extra consideration, his proper share could not possibly exceed twenty percent.

Seeing Song Qingming staring at him with a face full of doubt, Song Changxiong explained calmly, "We know you're anxious about cultivation. The three of us discussed it and decided that since you've been at the Qi Refining Third Layer for nearly five years, your cultivation has long been tempered solid. We simply gave you all the Spirit Stones from selling these Demonic Beast Materials.

"I added a little extra as well. It should be enough for you to break through. I hope you can reach the Mid Qi Refining Stage soon, so that when we go out to hunt demonic beasts next time, you can lend us a few more hands.

"Don't overthink it. Your Big Brother, Fourth Elder, and I all received more or less help from the family elders and our elder brothers when we broke through to the Mid Qi Refining Stage. This can be considered an old tradition of the Song Family."

Looking at the heavy Spirit Stones in his hand, Song Qingming could not help feeling deeply moved. He had nearly saved enough Spirit Stones for his breakthrough himself, but the weighty goodwill that had suddenly come from several elders and elder brothers left him at a loss. Words of gratitude rose to his lips, yet he did not know how to say them. He could only nod, put away the Spirit Stones, pick up the cup on the table, and drain it in one gulp.

"Qingming, Thirteenth Uncle's aptitude is ordinary. I'm no longer as obsessed with cultivation as I once was. Like the other brothers, I may find it difficult even to reach the Late Qi Refining Stage in this lifetime. Perhaps in the future, I'll have to rely on you youngsters to look after me."

"Thirteenth Uncle, you must be joking. With your current cultivation, breaking through to the Late Qi Refining Stage is only a matter of time. We'll still need to rely on you to look after us."

"Then I'll borrow your auspicious words."

After exchanging smiles, the two continued drinking in the pavilion and reminiscing about their past demon-hunting experiences. Only when the sun rose again in the east did they part from Moon Gazing Pavilion, reeking of wine.

After bidding Song Changxiong farewell, Song Qingming returned to his Cave Abode. He meditated for a while to dispel the Spirit Wine within him, then used a low-grade Rainfall Technique to wash himself and changed into clean clothes.

Only after sniffing himself and confirming that there was no scent of wine left did Song Qingming take out the Spirit Stones he had treasured for years, leave his Cave Abode at a brisk pace, and head toward the summit of Funiu Mountain.

On the eastern side of Funiu Mountain's summit lay a place shrouded in mist year-round, one of the Song Family's more mysterious locations.

Song Qingming walked to the center of the mist and formed a hand seal with one hand. A streak of white light flew from his hand and struck an open patch of ground ahead. Before long, the mist around him rippled and gradually dispersed, revealing an exquisite three-story building not far before him. Song Qingming walked to its door and pushed it open.

The building was not large inside. Along the walls of the first floor stood several rows of black shelves, upon which rested a few green Jade Slips. A long table stood in the middle.

A rosy-faced old man stood beside the table, squinting and smiling at Song Qingming as he entered. This man was Song Gucai, the Fourth Elder of the Song Family and keeper of the family's Treasury Pavilion.

"Greetings, Fourth Elder." Upon seeing him, Song Qingming hurriedly clasped his hands and bowed.

"Oh, Qingming. Have you come to accept a family task, or are you looking for cultivation techniques again?" Song Gucai stroked the beard on his chin and asked with a smile.

"Heh heh, you understand me best, Elder. But this time, I came to exchange for a Qi Gathering Pill. Please see whether these Spirit Stones are enough." Song Qingming smiled as he answered, then carefully took a bag from his robes and handed it over.

Song Gucai slowly accepted the bag Song Qingming handed him. When he opened it, he saw nearly a hundred Spirit Stones arranged neatly within. Before long, his half-closed eyes slowly opened fully, and he looked at Song Qingming with surprise.

"Eh? Didn't you say last month that you were still twenty Spirit Stones short? How did you gather them so quickly? Tell me honestly—where did these Spirit Stones come from?" After carefully confirming the number of Spirit Stones in the bag, Song Gucai voiced his question.

"Thirteenth Uncle, Big Brother, and the others lent me some. That's how I managed to gather enough." Song Qingming, who had been watching him nervously, answered truthfully.

After hearing Song Qingming's reply, Song Gucai nodded in satisfaction and motioned for him to wait on the first floor. He then turned and brought down an antique yellow box from the second floor.

"You have fifteen Merit Points recorded in the Merit Ledger. Together with the eighty-five Spirit Stones you brought, it is exactly enough. Are you certain you want to exchange for a Qi Gathering Pill? If so, I'll cross out the Merit Points on your record."

"Yes, please. Sorry to trouble you."

Upon hearing Song Qingming's confirmation, Song Gucai took up his brush and made several strokes in the Merit Ledger before handing the small box on the table to Song Qingming.

Although the Song Family was merely a small Qi Refining family, it maintained a strict Merit Points system. Family members could earn Merit Points by completing the various tasks issued by the family or by turning in supplies and materials needed by the family.

They could then use Merit Points or Spirit Stones of equivalent value to exchange for cultivation techniques, pills, magic artifacts, and other items in the Treasury Pavilion. One Merit Point was worth the same as one Spirit Stone.

Though the Treasury Pavilion of the Song Family did not have as wide a selection or as many items as the Marketplace, it still carried most commonly used First-grade Spirit Talismans and pills.

Some of these items were made by members of the family themselves, while others were purchased from Qinghe Market. Every month, the Song Family sent people to Qinghe Market to buy cultivation resources needed by family members.

Song Qingming took the box and opened it. Within lay a round, golden pill—the Qi Gathering Pill he had dreamed of obtaining. His heart surged with excitement, and he hurriedly clasped his hands toward Song Gucai in thanks.

"Qingming, the reason someone in the family stepped forward to help you today is that we share the same bloodline and come from the same family. In the future, you must also remain united with your fellow family members. Only by supporting one another can we endure," Song Gucai solemnly instructed the younger family member before him.

"Thank you for Fourth Elder's instruction. Qingming understands."

"On the path of cultivation, it is not only talent and diligence that matter. There are also the opportunities fated for each of us. This Old Man has cultivated for a lifetime, yet remained cooped up in this tiny Qinghe County. Though acting with the utmost caution allowed me to cling to life, I never found even a sliver of opportunity, and could only waste my entire life within the Qi Refining Stage.

"If you have the chance, you must leave this place and see the vast skies beyond. Perhaps you may find the opportunity that belongs to you."

Song Qingming nodded thoughtfully after hearing this. When he had been young in the Family School, he had often heard Eighth Uncle-Grandfather speak such words to encourage them. Now that he had heard them so often, the excitement of his youth had faded. The path of cultivation was unimaginably difficult, and he had already experienced this deeply.

With mediocre aptitude, even the bottleneck at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining had left him helpless for nearly two years. If opportunities in the Cultivation World were so easily obtained, there would not be so many cultivators who spent their entire lives in the Qi Refining Stage.

Over the Song Family's more than two hundred years of history, five or six dozen cultivators had emerged. Aside from the Founding Ancestor, who had been a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, only a handful had successfully cultivated to the Ninth Level of Qi Refining in the past two centuries.