The Bearing of an Old Friend

Very soon.

News spread through the Market Town that the old master of the Huang Clan Pill Workshop had become a High-grade Alchemist.

Before anyone could question it,

another highly sensational piece of news was released—the Yi Fa Pill had entered the market.

"One pill costs three hundred Spirit Stones and can equal two years of cultivation for Qi Refinement Late-stage cultivators."

"The medicinal effect gradually weakens. The first three pills are the most effective and can save a total of five years of cultivation."

The price was not high, matching that of the identical pills sold by the other two shops in the Market Town.

The Pill Workshop could earn a fifty percent profit.

As soon as the news came out,

Huang Yueyang personally demonstrated its effects.

He had only broken through to the Qi Condensation Ninth Level three years ago.

Now, after taking six or seven Yi Fa Pills in succession, he directly reached Qi Condensation Perfection.

Though he was already over seventy, and his hopes of attempting Foundation Establishment were slim to none—nearly tantamount to courting death—

he had undeniably proven the pill's efficacy.

This drew many Qi Refinement Late-stage cultivators to scramble to buy it.

Especially cultivators under sixty.

They were at the critical stage of attempting Foundation Establishment.

For a mere nine hundred Spirit Stones, less than the price of a Top-grade Dharma Artifact, they could save five years of time.

To them, it was simply too worthwhile!

Some even learned that the pill completely lost its medicinal effect only after the seventh one.

They directly threw down two thousand one hundred Spirit Stones and bought seven pills.

Pill Workshop.

Chen Sheng clasped his hands. "Father-in-law, you have worked hard!"

His Alchemy Skill was somewhat lacking.

Only Huang Yueyang could refine this pill.

Orders had already been booked three months in advance.

Yet the pill was quite difficult to refine. Huang Yueyang still could not produce multiple pills in a single batch, so he could only work day and night.

They had earned far too much these days.

Even Chen Sheng felt somewhat uneasy, worried that they would not be able to hold onto it.

Huang Yueyang merely waved a hand and advised him,

"This pill has a limited market. After some time, things will settle down."

"For now, we should earn as much as we can."

Chen Sheng considered it, then nodded.

"Father-in-law is right."

Events indeed unfolded as Huang Yueyang had said.

After the first few months,

the nearby Qi Refinement Late-stage cultivators had basically all been swept up.

Fewer and fewer people bought Yi Fa Pills, and often only one or two were sold in an entire month.

Their largest customer now was the Qingmu Merchant Association.

—a Merchant Association under the Qinghua Sect.

The two sides reached an agreement: thirty Yi Fa Pills would be ordered each year at two hundred Spirit Stones each.

At that price,

the Pill Workshop's profits had been squeezed down sharply.

Yet Huang Yueyang was quite pleased.

"We have finally established a connection."

Chen Sheng deeply agreed.

In this world, strength was king in the end.

No matter how many Spirit Stones one earned, it was pointless if one could not keep them.

Thousand Mechanisms Workshop.

The Qingmu Merchant Association's strength and influence both ranked among the very best.

Establishing this connection brought many benefits.

Not only could their business be stabilized,

they would also have a chance to acquire many things rarely seen on the market through the Qingmu Merchant Association's channels.

For example, Foundation Establishment spirit items.

Huang Yueyang suddenly spoke.

"By the way, Yi Jing is already three years old. Has he been tested for a Spirit Root?"

Chen Sheng nodded, looking somewhat disappointed.

"He does not have one."

Upon hearing this, Huang Yueyang patted his shoulder.

"That is normal. Even the offspring of Foundation Establishment cultivators may have no Spirit Root."

"If he cannot cultivate, then teach him medicine and secular martial arts. Let him continue the family line as soon as possible."

"From what I have seen of Chen'er's temperament, he does not seem suited to inherit the Way of Alchemy either. You should make preparations early."

Chen Sheng nodded.

"Thank you for your guidance, Father-in-law."

Suddenly,

a figure flashed through his mind.

He leaned close and whispered a few words to Huang Yueyang.

Huang Yueyang lightly nodded after hearing them.

"If it can be done, it is worth trying."

After a pause, he added,

"If it cannot, do not treat him poorly."

Qin Mansion.

Qin Dajiang came out to greet him. There were more wrinkles on his face, and his complexion had grown increasingly sallow.

Not long ago, Mother had passed away from illness.

Only he remained.

When he saw Chen Sheng,

his voice was hoarse, yet held a trace of happiness.

"Xiaoyun is here!"

Chen Sheng smiled and nodded. "Uncle."

Over the years,

Chen Sheng had often come to visit.

He had watched with his own eyes as the mighty man from back then gradually aged, and he could not help but sigh inwardly.

As he entered the courtyard,

he saw a young boy practicing spells there.

His back was straight.

There was a composure beyond his years in his brows and eyes.

At first glance, he actually somewhat overlapped with the Qin Shuang in Chen Sheng's memories—the bearing of an old friend.

Chen Sheng could not help smiling.

"Yuan'er is becoming more and more like Brother Shuang."

Upon hearing this, Qin Dajiang also smiled and beckoned the youth over.

"Yuan'er, your uncle is here."

Qin Yuan immediately ran over and respectfully bowed.

"Greetings, Uncle."

His movements were steady, his eyes clear, carrying an air of spirit and composure.

Chen Sheng laughed heartily and rubbed his little head. The more he looked at him, the more he liked him.

At that moment,

he suddenly understood Cao Cao's feelings when looking at Guo Yi, and Huang Tingjian's feelings upon seeing Su Guo.

—the bearing of an old friend, the child of an old friend.

Remembering how Uncle's family had cared for him back then, how could he not extend that affection to such a well-behaved child?

They sat down in the Inner Hall.

Chen Sheng slowly explained his purpose.

"I want Yuan'er to study Alchemy Skill under me."

Qin Dajiang was stunned upon hearing this.

Chen Sheng continued,

"To be honest, Uncle, Yi Jing was tested for a Spirit Root some time ago, but he does not have one."

"That child Xi Chen loves Flying Swords and cultivation, yet he simply does not like alchemy."

"I have observed that Yuan'er is steady and composed in his conduct. Perhaps he can inherit my Way of Alchemy."

"Rest assured, Uncle. I will teach him everything I know and hold nothing back."

Qin Dajiang listened silently. When he came back to his senses, tears actually streamed down his aged face.

"Xiaoyun, Uncle thanks you!"

With age came wisdom; he was no fool.

How could he not understand?

Even if Chen Sheng's own children could not inherit the Way of Alchemy, there would still be the next generation. Why should he hand it over to an outsider?

This was affection.

It all rested on the friendship between their two families over the years.

Chen Sheng hurriedly helped him up. "Uncle, we are family. Do not speak as if we are two separate households."

Upon hearing this, Qin Dajiang gradually calmed himself.

He turned to Qin Yuan beside him.

"Kneel down. Kowtow to your uncle three times and call him Master."

Qin Yuan obediently knelt and kowtowed.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

After three knocks, his forehead was actually smeared with blood.

"This child, why are you being so earnest?"

Chen Sheng hurriedly took medicine from his Storage Bag and wiped his forehead.

A trace of heartache flashed through Qin Dajiang's eyes, but he said,

"Kowtowing to acknowledge a master is only proper."

Chen Sheng then pulled the youth over and spoke with him for a while.

Qin Yuan answered clearly and logically, his gaze focused.

There was not the slightest trace of childish mischief.

Chen Sheng grew even fonder of him.

Suddenly,

Qin Dajiang waved a hand and told Qin Yuan to go outside and play.

Only the two of them remained in the Inner Hall.

Qin Dajiang slowly spoke.

"Xiaoyun, even if I do not say it, you can probably guess."

"Your Brother Shuang failed to achieve Foundation Establishment... and left just like that, leaving only Yuan'er behind."

Chen Sheng's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

He had thought Qin Shuang had died in a Magic Battle while traveling, but he had never expected that he had left after failing at Foundation Establishment.

He had been a prodigy who reached Qi Condensation Perfection in his early thirties, yet he had fallen at the hurdle of Foundation Establishment.

At the mention of this matter again,

Qin Dajiang's face was still filled with grief.

Chen Sheng offered him a few words of comfort.

Qin Dajiang continued,

"Over the past few years, I worried too much and accidentally suffered cultivation deviation. Since then, my body has worsened day by day."

"But Yuan'er is still too young, so I can only force myself to hold on."

As he spoke, his helpless voice trembled.

"I do not dare die!"

Chen Sheng was even more moved by this. He hurriedly took his pulse and examined him.

His meridians were in complete disarray—his condition truly could not have been worse.

Qin Dajiang waved a hand.

"I know my own body. The only one I can't stop worrying about is Yuan'er."

"I had thought that when I could no longer hold on, I would have to come begging you for help."

"But I never expected you to come today."

"Uncle truly thanks you."