C6 Pill Refining Storm

In the afternoon, Chen Chu, intent on alleviating his father's worries, set out to inspect the Chen Family's affiliated trading market. Xiaowan accompanied him, offering to lead the way.

Crossing the threshold of the Chen Family's gate, which he hadn't passed through in three years, the pair began to wander the streets. Wanbei Town, a small city within Qingzhou, bustled with economic activity. With street vendors every few steps and shops not much farther apart, they quickly reached the Chen Family's market. Chen Chu's renown from three years prior was still evident; as he walked the streets, he noticed many curious glances cast his way and gradually became accustomed to the attention.

At a street corner, two warriors clad in black armor stood guard, the words "Chen Family" emblazoned on their chests. They initially registered shock upon seeing him but quickly composed themselves and respectfully addressed him as "Young Master."

Acknowledging them with a nod, Chen Chu and Xiaowan merged into the throng of people and continued their exploration.

The cacophony of vendors' cries didn't bother Chen Chu. He paused before a stall manned by a middle-aged vendor whose wares were startlingly macabre: the forepaw of a Thorn Armor Tiger, the skin of a Dark Scale Cat, and even the skull of an unidentified Strange Beast. While most Strange Beast parts were typically used in crafting armor or weapons, only a select few were suitable for pill refinement. Chen Chu, having no immediate plans in that regard, moved on after a brief inspection.

Before long, Chen Chu found himself in front of a bustling medicine shop within the market. A crowd of mercenaries and bodyguards, bearing the marks of battle, pressed against the shop's modest entrance. These warriors, reliant on pills for treating their wounds, were now loudly demanding refunds, accusing the shopkeeper of selling counterfeit medicine with harmful side effects.

Amidst the chaos, a middle-aged man, the shopkeeper, was visibly overwhelmed, his forehead beaded with sweat.

Chen Chu's brow furrowed as he observed the escalating tension among the mercenaries, who were on the verge of vandalizing the shop. A handful of schemers, stones in hand, were poised to storm the establishment.

"Stop right there."

Chen Chu's commanding voice drew the gaze of nearly everyone present. They eyed him with suspicion, and from the crowd emerged a challenging retort, "Being the Chen Family's Young Lord doesn't give you the right to be a bully. We demand compensation."

That declaration set the crowd abuzz. Gripped by a sense of rightful indignation, they began to close in on Chen Chu. Sensing trouble, Chen Family warriors on patrol hurried to the scene.

"Listen, I get where you're coming from," Chen Chu addressed the crowd. "To show you I'm sorry, I, on behalf of the Chen Family, am announcing that tomorrow afternoon, you can bring these pills here and exchange them for our Chen Family's newly developed pills, free of charge."

His words cut through the commotion like a knife. The prospect of compensation had been enticing enough, but this unexpected offer left them momentarily speechless. Fearing Chen Chu might retract his promise, voices rose in unison:

"Fair enough. The Chen Family Young Lord has made his offer, and we all heard it loud and clear. We, the Frost Wind Mercenary Group, will take you at your word. But if the pills tomorrow aren't up to scratch, don't think we'll let it slide."

Once they had triple-checked the offer was genuine, the crowd dispersed with a buzz of excitement, leaving the rescue-bound patrol team frozen in place. The shopkeeper, witnessing the unfolding events, felt a chill of foreboding. The Chen Family's pill production was already on the decline, and the Young Lord's well-intentioned stopgap seemed only to hasten the market's demise. With a heavy heart, he shut up shop and set off to notify the Patriarch.

Within half an hour, Chen Chu had taken stock of the market's pill offerings. He casually inquired with a few of the mercenary vendors, who, treating the conversation as idle chatter, didn't believe the Chen Family capable of producing anything new.

The market's current top-seller was the first-grade Returning Origin Powder, modestly priced at 120 gold coins for its minor Genuine Qi replenishment. The Origin Returning Pill, a second-grade, low-tier pill, could heal light internal injuries and restore Genuine Qi. The Blood Revival Powder, also second-grade and low-tier, treated external wounds and provided a boost for those weakened.

Refining pills is an incredibly complex endeavor, demanding a precise recipe, an abundance of raw materials, and the expertise of a powerful alchemist. A superior second-tier formula once surfaced at the Northern Town Auction House, fetching a staggering 50,000 gold coins.

As dusk fell, Chen Chu returned to the familiar confines of his courtyard to commence his cultivation. He attuned himself to the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth, purifying it from impurities to form genuine essence, which then flowed into his Qi Sea. This was a lengthy process, completing a full cycle each time.

With the Creation Body Refining Spell in motion, Chen Chu's absorption rate of the Spiritual Qi skyrocketed, multiplying several-fold. The genuine essence fortified every limb and bone in its path.

An hour and a half later, Chen Chu's eyes fluttered open, revealing a Qi Sea brimming with genuine essence. A breakthrough was on the horizon, and with his seasoned intuition, Chen Chu sensed he was on the cusp of ascending to the Fourth Level of the Qi Refinement Stage within a fortnight.

The journey of cultivation was solitary and arduous, and the road to becoming a War God stretched far ahead of him.

Walking through the streets, Chen Chu approached his father's residence. Through the window, he glimpsed two silhouettes cast by candlelight. Barely a few steps closer, the voices of the Third Elder and his father reached his ears, deep in discussion.

"Patriarch Chen, what's your take on handling tomorrow's situation?"

Chen Chu could sense the weight bearing down on his father's spirit. The betrayal of the Second Elder and the market city upheaval were nearly too much for this man, not yet forty, to bear.

"Uncle Fu, let's not blame anyone. Keep it from Little Chu. If we must, we'll liquidate our entire inventory as a last resort. After all, given the circumstances, these pills are unsellable, and the Jin Family is watching us like hawks."

Observing the weary figure in the candlelight, Chen Chu's fists clenched involuntarily. Driven by deep-seated loyalty, he knew he couldn't stand by and watch the Chen Family fall.

With resolve, Chen Chu pushed the wooden door open and, facing the astonished pair, declared with solemn determination, "Leave the pill refining to me tomorrow."

"Stop being ridiculous..."

Before his father could even voice his objections, Chen Chu eagerly blurted out his ability to refine pills, reciting the well-rehearsed excuses he had prepared.

It wasn't until he had nearly talked himself hoarse that his father and Elder Chen grudgingly came to believe him.

Chen Chu recounted how, during his time training outside the Chen Family, he had encountered an alchemist over a trivial matter. The alchemist had imparted some knowledge to him, and over the years of his paralysis, he had furthered his understanding by poring over various alchemy texts.

Though the story had its holes, it was sufficient to deceive his father and the third elder, who were not well-versed in the art of pill making.

Not wanting to crush Chen Chu's passion for alchemy, they reluctantly agreed to let him give it a try, while a glimmer of hope sparked within them.

Eventually, Chen Tong was the only one left, standing by the window.

Watching the young man walk away, Chen Tong gripped his fists, overcome with emotion, "Xilan, our child is doing us proud. I believe it won't be long before our family is reunited."

Lost in his reverie, the solitary moon cast a silvery sheen over Chen Tong's weathered face.