Cutting Leeks Requires a Conscience

In the trial space, Ye Kong finally began tending to the cauldron in earnest. Without taking his eyes off it, he observed every change in the pill cauldron, occasionally reaching out to tap and prod its surface to gauge the heat. Using the Flame Absorption Palm he had taught himself, he transferred heat into the cauldron and balanced the flames.

Worried about her big sister's safety, Xiuling kept feeding the fire without pause. Her great axe repeatedly chopped down ancient trees within several miles, rapidly reducing the area's green cover.

Jinjiu Master swung a massive palm leaf fan, fluttering it above and below the cauldron's base. His dog paws whipped about as the heat and moisture soaked his golden fur, while he pondered how much Supreme Spirit Liquid he ought to demand from Ye Kong as payment afterward.

Given their friendship, an eighty-twenty split was not too much, right? It was not that he lacked money. He mainly wanted the right atmosphere.

The three divided their tasks clearly, and ten days soon passed.

Starting from the fourth day, the fire cauldron began releasing the fragrance of elixirs, drawing many Spirit Beasts over. Jinjiu Master accepted every one of them and feasted to his heart's content.

Some youths also came searching, believing some heavenly treasure had appeared. When reasoning failed to persuade them to leave, Xiuling chose to convince them with martial virtue instead. She hacked down six Level Two Spiritual Bodies and one Level Three Spiritual Body, intimidating every later arrival.

On the morning of the eleventh day, the medicinal fragrance spread throughout the mountains and wilds, yet no living creature dared approach anymore.

"Brother Lion, have you fanned the heat enough?" Ye Kong clapped his hands, ready to wrap up work, then turned to ask Jinjiu Master about his experience.

"Awoo, I've fanned myself to utter exhaustion. Even if it isn't enough, there's nothing I can do about it."

Jinjiu Master, panting heavily with his tongue hanging out, had long grown sick of fanning before the cauldron. As he wiped the sweat from his forehead, he nearly could not resist tossing the Palm Leaf Spirit Artifact into the fire as well.

"Very good! Little Xiu, your turn. Go lift the cauldron lid!"

A budding streetlamp affinity appeared in Ye Kong as he watched Jinjiu Master's state. He nodded in satisfaction and directed Xiuling to unveil the result.

"Alright!"

The worry Xiuling had carried for the past ten days finally eased. No longer concerned about Wen Qingxuan's condition, she hefted her axe, leaped into the air, and sent the cauldron lid—which had remained still for several days—flying with a single swing.

After ten days and ten nights of burning, there was nothing left to worry about.

The instant the lid was swept away, the fragrance pouring from the pill cauldron became more than ten times richer.

The hazy aura was like an intoxicating warm breeze brushing across their faces. One whiff made them feel as though they might ascend to heaven in a single step. Even Ye Kong could not help closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

Although making this stuff was incredibly exhausting, requiring ten days and ten nights without relaxation and constant effort to adjust the heat, its effects were indeed wonderfully good. His several years of hard work under that black-hearted master had not been in vain.

As the medicinal fragrance fully dispersed, a clear cry rang out from the cauldron. Pale green flames surged into the sky, and within the pillar of fire, the phantom of a gigantic bird faintly formed, spreading its wings and taking flight.

"This thing has quite some kick. Looks like the compatibility of the elixirs I came up with is pretty good. I need to write it down quickly and have those fellows at the Medicine King Institute study it some more later."

Ye Kong pulled out a small booklet and recorded the medicinal bath formula: "Grass Phoenix Blood Pill + Living Spirit Blazing Fire Pill + Little Vajra Pill + Golden Spear Long鸣 Pill = the above and subsequent results." Then he scribbled beneath it in sweeping strokes, drawing a sketch that was barely recognizable.

Finally, he marked it as Great Philanthropist Ye's thirteenth practical record, stated that the patent belonged to Great Philanthropist Ye, and welcomed negotiations for acquisition, among other things.

High in the flames, Wen Qingxuan did not see the astonishment and gratification she had long hoped for on her bargain teacher's face. His handsome, fair features alternated between frowns and relaxation, making him look like he was up to no good.

"This scum of the Buddhist Sect. Who knows what bad idea he's plotting now."

Wen Qingxuan reined in her aura and revealed her true form within the flames. The Golden Soft Armor that Xiuling had thrown in beforehand wrapped around her youthful, vibrant body as she drifted gracefully down.

Perhaps it was the powerful nourishment of the medicinal bath, but in Xiuling's eyes, her big sister's curves had become more than a level more magnificent than before, nearly matching her own.

Moreover, she had grown noticeably taller. The once form-fitting soft armor now seemed barely able to contain her, making it look quite ill-fitting.

Could this medicinal bath actually have such a growth-promoting effect? Master Shi Luo had said this formula was his sect's secret recipe. The Buddhist Sect really did possess extraordinary foundations worthy of its reputation.

"Cough! Cough! Teacher, don't you have any more guidance for your disciple? I was burned so miserably over these past ten days."

Noticing that someone still seemed immersed in his own world and had not come back to his senses, Wen Qingxuan gave two dry coughs and glared unhappily at the notebook in his hands.

She had heard her elders mention that among the Buddhist Sect's forces were many lecherous monks and scum who, under banners such as "Joyful Zen" and "Yoga Secret Transmission," indulged in vile acts of harvesting yin to replenish yang, ruining countless women;

there were also blood monks and demonic fiends addicted to killing, living calamities and stars of slaughter;

and even some hypocrites who looked righteous on the surface while committing endless evil in secret, deceiving the world and stealing fame. Their crimes were truly unforgivable.

But someone like Ye Kong... she had never heard of one. This man did not seem interested in beautiful women's beauty, but he was very interested in beautiful women's money? And he was rather particular about getting things done once he was paid.

Well, Wen Qingxuan was extremely confident in her looks and figure. Among those of her generation in the Wen Clan, no one outshone her.

Even a beauty of her caliber did not interest him. He must have thoroughly learned the Buddhist Sect's precepts. Unfortunately, after entering the worldly realm, he had become obsessed with money.

At that moment, Ye Kong, whose train of thought about simulated negotiations had been interrupted, slowly raised his head. He was about to lecture the child on not interrupting an adult at work when he suddenly noticed the changes in Wen Qingxuan's figure. An idea for cutting leeks with a conscience swiftly rose in his mind.

"If you want to display holiness before others, you must learn to endure suffering behind the scenes. On the path of cultivation, this hardship is nothing at all. That is the first thing I must teach you."

Ye Kong moved underfoot and flashed before Wen Qingxuan. His right hand rested on her snow-white, tender wrist, several fingers continuously twitching as the delight on his face deepened.

"Little Wen, do you feel any discomfort anywhere in your body now? Though I believe there should be no problems, I still need to ask."

After a rough examination confirmed that Wen Qingxuan's body was fine, Ye Kong seemed able to see endless Supreme Spirit Liquid rolling toward him once he established this industry chain in the future. He looked at Wen Qingxuan with great anticipation.

"Uh, no. I feel better than ever before.

"But Teacher, could you stop looking at me like I'm prey? I know you aren't that kind of person, but it still scares me a little."

Wen Qingxuan had intended to ask Ye Kong how she should cultivate next, but when she saw the interest-filled look in his eyes, she instinctively felt like a little lamb that had been stripped bare, with a big gray wolf before her considering how best to cook her.

It secretly alarmed her. She was certain that her current strength was probably more than ten times greater than before she entered the cauldron. It was practically a complete rebirth.

Yet this only made her feel that her teacher's strength was unfathomable. Just how powerful was this man?

They were about the same age. Could the gap between them really be this enormous?

Wen Qingxuan felt her understanding of the world being violently shaken, but she still refused to accept it.

"What are you saying? Do I look like someone who doesn't care about propriety? Really, you're still my temporary disciple."

Ye Kong rolled his eyes and took the initiative to retreat more than ten meters. Under Wen Qingxuan's suddenly frozen gaze, he took out the Dragon Pattern Zen Staff that she knew all too well, planted it on the ground, and smiled.

"Judging by how you looked when you came out just now, you probably still aren't very accustomed to your suddenly increased strength. Take out your spear and practice with your teacher again."

"This is also the essence I learned from that great monk. Don't worry, when it comes to taking your money and handling your affairs, your teacher has always been particular."

Wen Qingxuan: "..." o(╥﹏╥)o

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