The resources required for the Fifteenth Refinement would likely far exceed imagination.
With only the pill in his hand, even with the aid of Xuanhuang Qi, there was no guarantee.
He needed more resources—vast quantities of precious herbs and spiritual materials.
"One bite at a time, one step at a time."
Chen Qing murmured to himself, suppressing the flicker of impatience in his heart.
The more critical the moment, the more he needed to steady his mind and calm his breath.
He pushed open the door and stepped outside.
It was early summer, and Wanfa Peak was lush with thriving vegetation.
Sunlight filtered through layer upon layer of pine needles, casting dappled shadows across the bluestone path.
Seclusion made one forget the passage of time. Only upon emerging did he realize that the mountain had already become a riot of green, brimming with life.
Chen Qing strolled down from the summit and arrived at the side hall where he usually ate.
Zi Su had long since prepared the meal: several stir-fried seasonal vegetables, a plate of braised exotic beast meat, and a bowl of porridge made from spiritual rice. All of it replenished Qi and Blood and nourished the Meridians.
He ate every bite carefully, and the trace of exhaustion brought on by his days of seclusion gradually faded away.
"Have Ping Bo come." Chen Qing set down his bowl and chopsticks and instructed Qing Dai, who stood waiting nearby.
Before long, Ping Bo's slightly stooped figure appeared outside the hall.
"Young Master." Ping Bo bowed.
"Sit." Chen Qing gestured for him to take the seat opposite him. "While I was in seclusion, was everything on the peak stable?"
"In reply to Young Master, everything on the peak has proceeded as usual."
After taking his seat, Ping Bo reported carefully,