"Gengyun, breakthrough!"
In the dead of night, Qin Gengyun quietly got up, turned his head to look at the sleeping Qiu Zhihe, got out of bed, and tiptoed into the kitchen, sitting cross-legged on the ground.
He then shouted inwardly.
Suddenly, a surge of spiritual energy burst out from the Spirit Field, swiftly traversing his entire body like a long serpent, making Qin Gengyun feel as if his meridians were about to be torn apart.
He gritted his teeth to endure, kept his mind steady, and silently operated his cultivation technique.
The cultivation technique Qin Gengyun practiced was called "Longevity Technique," a common cultivation method for low-level Loose Cultivators, which could be bought roadside for just a Spirit Stone.
This Longevity Technique had nothing special; it simply allowed cultivators to absorb spiritual energy and gradually enhance their cultivation.
If one wanted to engage in magical combat with others, they would need to learn combat techniques.
For instance, the Profound Ice and Fire Demon Technique of the Demon Sect Saintess Xia Qinglian was the top-tier combat technique; it is said that Xia Qinglian could challenge Foundation Establishment during her late Qi Cultivation stage. However, only the Saintess of the Cyan Lotus Sect is qualified to practice this technique.
Even the next grade of upper-grade cultivation methods is mainly in the hands of the Major Sects.
Although some low-tier combat techniques are circulated outside, they are all quite expensive. Qin Gengyun's entire income was spent on living expenses and suppressing Pill Poison, making them unaffordable.
Enduring the pain of expanding meridians, after running the Longevity Technique for a full circulation, Qin Gengyun opened his eyes with delight on his face.
He pulled up his personal attribute panel.
[Name: Qin Gengyun]
[Lifespan: 35/40]
[Cultivation: Qi Cultivation Third-Layer, 0/500]
[Skills: Alchemy Apprentice, 93/100]
[Spirit Root: Fire Spirit Root, Lower Grade (16/100), Ice Spirit Root, Lower Grade (22/100)]
[Remaining Allocable Cultivation Points: 10 points]
He had finally advanced to the third layer of Qi Cultivation!
His Divine Sense was strong enough to move objects into the furnace, making him qualified to become an Alchemist.
He continued to examine the attribute panel.
Just now, he only had time to add 2 points to his cultivation before he was continuously suppressed by Qiu Zhihe.
Now with 10 points remaining, Qin Gengyun thought for a moment and decided to allocate all 10 points to [Skills].
Soon, a flash of white light appeared on the panel.
[Skill: First Tier Alchemist, 3/200]
Qin Gengyun had finally graduated from "Alchemy Apprentice" to become a true Alchemist.
Upon becoming an Alchemist, there is significant improvement in the perception of ingredients, control of the furnace fire, and purification of medicinal liquids while refining Pills.
Especially the crucial step of "Pill Formation," which involves using spiritual energy and Divine Sense to transmute the refined essence of the medicinal liquid into Pills, something only true Alchemists can perceive.
Qin Gengyun had worked many years at the Alchemy Workshop, rich in theoretical knowledge, but previously lacked enough Divine Sense and Alchemist insight to practice.
Now that he finally reached the realm of Qi Cultivation Third Layer and First Tier Alchemist, he could finally attempt to refine Pills.
However, among the seven mainstream skills in this cultivation world, being an Alchemist is the most resource-intensive.
An Alchemist must not only have sufficient cultivation and skill realm but also possess Alchemy Equipment.
Such Alchemy Equipment includes: Alchemy Furnace, Fire-Control Spirit Fan, and Pill Stone used for generating furnace fire.
Among them, Alchemy Furnace is divided from low to high into Bronze Furnace, Spirit Gathering Furnace, and Longevity Furnace.
Bronze Furnaces are the lowest grade, most low-tier Alchemists use them.
Yet, even the lowest-level Bronze Furnace without any engraved Spirit Gathering Array costs about 100 to 200 Spirit Stones.
Fire-Control Spirit Fan is divided into upper, middle, and lower three grades, with a lower-grade Fire-Control Spirit Fan costing around 50 Spirit Stones.
To become an Alchemist, this initial investment can be a stumbling block for most ordinary Loose Cultivators.
Qin Gengyun recalled that in the Spirit Pill Workshop, there was a Bronze Furnace being unused after the Pavilion Master, along with a lower-grade Fire-Control Spirit Fan; he planned to inquire tomorrow if he could purchase them at a low price.
Pill Stone, on the other hand, is a consumable; 30 spirit coins can buy one lower-grade Pill Stone, and by haggling with vendors at the night market, one Spirit Stone should be able to buy four pieces, which should be enough to refine the "Clear Wind Powder."
Pills are divided into Ninth Grade, with First Grade being the lowest and Ninth Grade the highest.
The lowest in First Grade Pills are often called "Powder," as First Tier Alchemist's pill formation capability is inadequate, resulting in Pills that are difficult to form, mostly granular, hence the name "Powder."
"Clear Wind Powder" is the most common among low-grade First Grade Pills.
During cultivation, it helps attain tranquility and can also alleviate the most common miasma poison.
The teams of cultivators venturing to the Northern Wilderness usually prepare some.
It's also the easiest First Grade Pill to refine.
Qin Gengyun decided his first attempt at alchemy would be to try his hand at "Clear Wind Powder."
Tomorrow, he will inquire at the Spirit Pill Workshop, and if he can purchase the unused Bronze Furnace and Fire-Control Spirit Fan at a low price, the rest would be easy to manage.
Having made up his mind, Qin Gengyun felt considerably better, and at this moment, he noticed on his attribute panel that his Fire Spirit Root had increased by 4 points, and his Ice Spirit Root had increased by 5 points.
This was yet another unexpected gain.
Well, with how much I've been exploited, a little extra benefit isn't too much to ask for, right?
Qin Gengyun quietly returned to bed, seeing Qiu Zhihe lying on her side, breathing evenly, seemingly in a deep sleep.
He couldn't help but feel puzzled.
His wife, who appeared so cold and oblivious to human interactions, why was she so keen on marital matters?
The most aggravating part was that she was clearly the one who initiated every time, yet remained expressionless during the act.
With such a lack of emotion, why are you so enthusiastic?
Is it because... I'm too quick?
At this thought, Qin Gengyun sighed silently.
Once my alchemy business is on track, I must improve my stamina, can't remain a "thirty-second guy" any longer.
That day, he had worked too hard, and feeling exhausted, he fell asleep as soon as he hit the pillow.
At this moment, Qiu Zhihe, who had been facing away from him, suddenly opened her eyes.
Her body floated lightly off the bed, her fair, tender feet making no sound on the ground, as she walked into the kitchen and paused where Qin Gengyun had been sitting cross-legged.
A puzzled expression appeared on her cute, round face.
Then, she sat down cross-legged.
Soon, a faint glow appeared in the kitchen, sometimes fiery red, sometimes snow-white.
After an incense stick of time, Qiu Zhihe silently returned to bed, glanced at Qin Gengyun, turned her back to him, and closed her eyes.
...
The next day.
Morning.
As usual, Qin Gengyun got up early, while Qiu Zhihe was still asleep.
He sighed helplessly, dressed, freshened up briefly, and prepared to leave.
"I've already washed the bridal gown, who should I return it to?"
A crisp, cold voice came from behind, and Qin Gengyun turned around to see Qiu Zhihe sitting up on the bed, wrapped in a quilt, her hairpins askew, with a lazy and cute expression.
Qin Gengyun pointed to the right: "The Taoist couple next door, the male cultivator is Zhang Chengdao, and the female cultivator is Chen Fang. These two are nice people, if you have nothing to do, you can interact with them more."
Thinking for a moment, Qin Gengyun looked at Qiu Zhihe's pure yet charming face and pointed to the left side:
"The Taoist friend living on this side... isn't very proper. If he says anything to you, just ignore it."
"Alright."
Qiu Zhihe nodded, suddenly saying:
"You haven't eaten breakfast yet, have you? There's still a lot of porridge left from last night, let me make it for you."
"No, no need, I'm running late for roll call, you eat by yourself."
Qin Gengyun's expression changed, quickly opened the door, and slipped out.
After Qin Gengyun left, Qiu Zhihe dressed and went into the kitchen, looking at the pot of black porridge, she paused silently, extended her slender, fair hand.
The next moment, a chill emanated from her palm, soon turning the pot of black porridge into ice.
Then, from that jade-like hand, flames appeared, and the black ice in the pot quickly melted, boiled, becoming a sticky, thick liquid.
"Back to the Second-Layer of Qi Cultivation."
Qiu Zhihe murmured, hesitated for a moment, dipped a chopstick into the black thick liquid, brought it to her mouth, extending her soft little tongue, licked the chopstick.
"Ugh, ugh!"
Qiu Zhihe frowned, spitting several times, with an incredulous look:
"Is the porridge I made really that bad?"
Ignoring the pot of black porridge, she walked back to the window, took down the bridal gown she washed yesterday from the clothes rod.
There were still some small stains not washed clean, but for the first-time launderer Qiu Zhihe, this was acceptable enough.
She folded the bridal gown irregularly, hugged it, and walked out the door, turning right to the neighboring Taoist couple's door.
Suddenly, through the coarse sound insulation array, Qiu Zhihe heard a series of ambiguous sounds from within.
She paused silently, turned, and walked back to her own door.
The door of the left-side neighbor opened, and a sleazy-looking male cultivator stepped out, face pale, steps unsteady, obviously drained by indulgence.
Seeing Qiu Zhihe, his narrow triangular eyes lit up, and he asked with a grin:
"Are you the newlywed wife of Taoist Friend Qin?"
Qiu Zhihe remembered Qin Gengyun's words, ignored him, directly entered her house, and slammed the door shut.
The sleazy male cultivator stroked his chin, eyes full of amazement:
"A youthful face with a bountiful figure, slim branches bearing large fruits, exquisite!"