While in the hall, Ji Zong saw Lian standing and looking around.
She noticed him and waved.
"You're back."
"So, how did it go with your father-in-law?"
Ji Zong sighed. "Nothing much. The man is dying, and I have to make a pill for him."
She froze. "You know alchemy?"
Ji Zong shook his head. "No. I've never tried. To do alchemy, one needs control over the soul flame."
"Then how did you figure it out?" she asked. "Or did he tell you he's dying?"
He brushed off the question with a wave of his hand.
"No, he didn't tell me. I just guessed. He had blood marks, darkened eyes, and scars on his face and hands; his aura was unstable, and he smelled like someone who'd slept in a farm of herbs."
"You've got a sharp nose," she said, half-amused. "That's all I caught from what you said."
"But… are you just going to let him die?"
Ji Zong replied flatly, "No. He still has value, and the reward he's offering is worth it."
She asked, "So, are you going to learn alchemy?"
Ji Zong said, "Why are you so interested in alchemy?"
She replied, "I was born into an alchemy family. My father was once one of the leading alchemy masters on this continent, but he was ruined by a conspiracy. They accused him of making a poison pill and feeding it to Xie Tian."
Ji Zong stayed silent, thinking.
I knew she had talent in alchemy, which is why I planned to give her some recipes. But I didn't expect her background to be this strong.
He said, "Then why not continue your family's work? I can give you the recipes I know."
She froze and then bowed in respect.
"Thank you. I want to, but first I need my meridians opened."
Ji Zong was about to answer when he heard Rou Mei speaking with the maid as they entered the hall.
"Cancel the birthday party," Rou Mei ordered.
"Send apology letters to everyone invited."
She added, "Do we have any houses near the outskirts?"
The maid replied, "No, ma'am."
"Most are under repair, but the young lady's house in the southern outskirts is free since she's not there."
"Good."
Rou Mei pointed at Ji Zong. "Give him anything he asks for—medicine, pills, whatever he needs."
Then she left.
Ji Zong turned to Lian. "Did you see the anger on her face?"
Lian nodded. "Yes. She seemed furious. But what did you do?"
Ji Zong smirked. "She probably thinks I was challenging her control, but that wasn't it. My guess is her father warned her."
Just then, a servant entered the hall. "Please follow me."
They were led to a residence on the outskirts.
The servant opened the gate and said, "Sir, if you need anything, you can give me a list now. Normally, a servant comes daily to clean, but this house has already been prepared."
Ji Zong waved his hand.
"No need to come every day. We'll handle cleaning and food ourselves. If I need something, I'll come ask directly."
The servant bowed and left.
Ji Zong turned to Lian.
"Give me the Spirit Opening Pill—and don't disturb me unless it's important."
She nodded and handed him the pill.
Later, Ji Zong sat alone in a closed room.
"It's time to take one step closer to my goal."
Crossing his legs into a lotus position, he closed his eyes and swallowed the Spirit Opening Pill.
At once, the temperature in the room began to rise.
Sweat poured down his body as his veins glowed faintly, his skin shifting in color.
His flesh screamed in pain.
Every nerve burned as though knives pierced his skin, yet his expression remained blank—untouched by emotion.
Inside his mind, a golden light suddenly burst forth.
Done. I stabilized my core.
The light pulsed in his consciousness.
I can see it clearly. The energy flows through every meridian and channel. I've stepped into the path of cultivation—the first stage of the Body Tempering Realm.
In the mortal realm, there are five major realms: Body Tempering, Qi Sensing, Qi Refining, True Origin Realm, and Profound Spirit Realm. Each is divided into five stages.
As Ji Zong reflected on this, a strange scent caught his attention. He frowned and sniffed the air.
"Aphrodisiac incense?" His eyes narrowed. "It must be Lian, thinking it would aid my cultivation."
He gave a low laugh. "It's fine. I can control my body even while burning in lava."
His vision blurred.
The room tilted.
He tried to move, but the weight in his body dragged him down.
Then—darkness.
...
When Ji Zong opened his eyes again, morning light slipped through the window.
His body felt strangely light, yet sore in ways he couldn't explain.
He pushed himself up, only to freeze.
The blanket slid down; his chest was bare—no, his whole body.
Naked.
For a moment he just stared at himself, breathing slowly, his mind trying to piece together the gap in his memory.