C15 Unravel the Knot in His Heart.

"Brother!"

"Young Lord!"

Witnessing the unfolding drama, Chen Yue and the senior members of the Chen family blanched.

"He's digging his own grave!"

The short-haired young man's mouth twisted into a cold sneer.

A vengeful thrill surged in Nan Yingyue's heart.

"Hmm?"

As they all braced for Chen Yi's downfall, the gray-haired elder unexpectedly uttered a sound of astonishment.

The crowd was momentarily taken aback, their gazes shifting in unison.

There stood Chen Yi, unfazed beneath the elder's soul-crushing pressure, as if the burden was being borne by someone else entirely.

"This..."

Mouths agape, the onlookers were a picture of incredulity.

Could a Meditation Stage Cultivator really withstand the soul pressure of one at the Crystal Stage?

"You!"

The gray-haired elder's eyes were wide with shock as he fixed his gaze on Chen Yi.

He, more than anyone, understood the gravity of the situation. His soul pressure seemed to vanish into a mire upon touching Chen Yi.

How could a mere Meditation Stage youth elicit such a response?

"Hmph."

A disdainful snort from Chen Yi made the elder involuntarily look up, meeting the chilling gaze that now pierced through him. A shiver ran down his spine as a cold wave swept over his entire being.

Puff!

A tremor ran through him, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

"Ah!"

Before the crowd could grasp what was happening, the elder's agonized scream echoed as he collapsed to the floor, his face deathly pale as if he had just lived through a nightmare.

"Master... Master?"

The short-haired and pudgy youths were equally dumbfounded.

They weren't alone; everyone present was lost in confusion, unable to make sense of the abrupt turn of events.

"You... who exactly are you?"

The elder's quivering voice snapped them back to reality.

As they saw him lying there, terror-stricken and staring at Chen Yi, their mouths fell open in bewilderment.

What was happening?

Wasn't it supposed to be Chen Yi overpowered by the elder's soul pressure? Yet, the scene had completely flipped.

"Scram!"

Chen Yi's voice, cold and commanding, cut through the tension.

Previously, such a command would have enraged the elder, but now it only made him quiver. He scrambled to his feet, "We're leaving!"

With that, he fled the hall without a backward glance, his hasty retreat leaving the onlookers even more astonished.

The short-haired and pudgy youths, though shocked, dared not linger and quickly followed the elder's lead.

"Elder Weng, what should we..."

Nan Yingyue, her face ashen, turned to Elder Weng for guidance.

But Elder Weng was preoccupied, approaching Chen Yi with reverence. He extended the prepared list and prescription, "Master Chen, regarding our transaction..."

"We shall proceed."

Chen Yi remained impassive, not taking the papers. "However, I wish to add a condition."

"Please, Master, go ahead!"

Elder Weng nodded eagerly.

He acknowledged his fault and accepted that Chen Yi's new terms were justified. Besides, the recent bizarre incident only solidified his belief in Chen Yi's identity.

Unharmed by the elder's soul pressure and even managing to retaliate, Chen Yi had erased any lingering doubts in Elder Weng's mind.

Without another word, Chen Yi took out a pen and paper and began to write on a nearby table.

In under two minutes, he presented a new list to Elder Weng, "Prepare everything listed here."

Elder Weng scanned the list, noting the common Spirit Herbs, and nodded without hesitation, "Consider it done."

"Good."

Chen Yi gave a slight nod, then accepted the original list, prescription, and a Space Ring filled with herbs.

"I won't see you out. Yue, we're leaving."

With that, Chen Yi departed the hall with a still-bewildered Chen Yue in tow.

Elder Weng watched them go before turning to Chen Shanheng with an apologetic expression, "Patriarch Chen, my deepest apologies for today's disturbance. I regret any inconvenience caused to the Chen family."

Chen Shanheng, regaining his composure, waved it off, "Not at all. It is our Chen family that owes you an apology for any lack of hospitality. Please, think nothing of it."

After exchanging polite farewells, Elder Weng took his leave with Nan Yingyue, departing from the Chen estate.

Only then did the Chen family elders seem to awaken from a trance.

"Patriarch, about the Young Lord just now..."

They looked to Chen Shanheng, their faces etched with uncertainty.

That was Master Qian Yuan!

Chen Yi had not only withstood his soul pressure but had actually turned the tables on him. To the elders, it was nothing short of miraculous.

"I have no idea!"

Chen Shanheng shook his head, his own astonishment mirroring theirs.

"Alright, that's it for today's business. Everyone is dismissed!"

Before the Chen family elders could say another word, Chen Shanheng gestured dismissively and strode out of the hall.

"Grand Elder, do you have any insight into what just happened?"

With Chen Shanheng gone, the elders turned their questioning gazes to Chen Ji.

"Don't look at me—I'm clueless!" Chen Ji protested, throwing up his hands and quickly making his exit, eager to avoid further interrogation.

The elders frowned in frustration but had no choice but to depart, their minds swirling with unanswered questions.

...

In the quiet courtyard of Chen Yi's home.

"Yue, hold onto this."

Chen Yi handed a small book to Chen Yue, who stood before him with a puzzled look.

"Brother, what's this?"

"It's a chant for a cultivation technique," Chen Yi explained.

"A cultivation technique chant?" Chen Yue's confusion deepened. "But why give it to me, brother? I can't cultivate."

"This particular chant doesn't require spirit energy, just daily meditation to practice," Chen Yi clarified.

"Just meditation?" Chen Yue was astounded. "Is there really such a technique?"

Chen Yi smiled reassuringly. "It's a gift from my master. For now, practice it as instructed. It won't make you a cultivator overnight, but it will help nourish your body and smooth your qi. Most importantly, it'll make it easier for me to address your physical condition later on."

Her brother's words left Chen Yue momentarily stunned. "Brother, are you serious?"

Realizing he'd forgotten to mention this earlier, Chen Yi chuckled. "I should have told you sooner. I've recently taken a master, and after learning about your condition, he believes he can help. There are some prerequisites, but in the meantime, this technique will prepare your body for when we're ready to tackle the issue."

A rare excitement flickered across Chen Yue's face. "You mean it, brother?"

"When have I ever lied to you?" Chen Yi replied with a gentle laugh.

With her brother's assurance, tears welled up in Chen Yue's eyes. She gazed at her hands, whispering, "There's really a way to fix my condition..."

A mix of surprise and elation washed over her, unable to be contained.

"Brother!" Overcome with emotion, she threw herself into Chen Yi's arms, sobbing.

Holding her, Chen Yi smiled softly, his heart warmed by the sight. He remembered all too well the hardships of her childhood—labeled as useless, subjected to endless ridicule and cold remarks. Though she appeared strong, her spirit was fragile. This time, he was determined not to let that scar mar her entire life.

In his past life, that scar had haunted Chen Yue for over two centuries. Now, with the knowledge from his previous existence, he was resolved to heal her. While it would take time to fully address her Body of Seal, he could at least give her hope for the future. And hope, he knew, made all the difference.

"Brother, I'm off then!" Chen Yue, visibly brighter, bid her farewell.

Chen Yi watched her go, his smile broadening. This was the Chen Yue he longed to see.

Once alone, he returned to his study and perused the formulas Elder Weng had provided. He thought back to the earlier encounter with Master Qian Yuan and his disciples. Their disdain had been inconsequential to him; they were like jesters on a stage. And yet, their challenge had inadvertently supplied him with the very herbs he needed.

As for any potential retaliation from Master Qian Yuan, Chen Yi was unconcerned. Let them come if they dared. He had already shaken the master with his willpower, likely sending him and his disciples fleeing from Wood County City.

He glanced over the formulas with a satisfied nod. "Well chosen indeed," he mused. "And just in time. I'll be putting these to use shortly."

Elder Weng had supplied formulas for four different types of medicine pills, each designed to enhance strength—the most valuable kind in a world where power was paramount.

The Rank Three Medicine Pills are primarily distributed to Cultivators at the Spirit Essence Stage. For Chen Yi, that stage wasn't a distant goal. Hence, he would soon have a use for the ingredients required to concoct these four types of pills.

By assisting the South Wind Auction with their pill refinement, he was, in essence, helping himself. They had supplied three batches of herbs for each pill, but with his skills, a single batch was sufficient to complete the process. The surplus, therefore, ended up in his pocket. And even if he didn't need them down the line, he could always turn those herbs into Medicine Pills and exchange them for a hefty sum of gold coins.

All things considered, his arrangement with the South Wind Auction was all gain and no loss.

The investment was the creation of four pills, yet it yielded him an abundance of resources. Such opportunities were the exclusive domain of a Pharmacist. In this world, the profession of a Pharmacist is revered as one of the most lucrative, and for good reason...