43: Chapter 43: Vermillion Fruit Ripening

Following the sound, everyone looked over and saw a middle-aged man with an elegant demeanor, dressed in a moon-white robe, walking slowly. It was Chen Jianhong's Master, the guest Alchemist Lin Yu.

He gently fanned himself with a folding fan, a smile on his face, yet unable to conceal the arrogance in his eyes.

"Greetings, Alchemist Lin," the Disciples of the Dan Hall bowed in salute.

"Nethercloud brother, it's normal for young people to have some competition and rivalry; it's also a way to encourage their progress," Lin Yu said unhurriedly, his gaze sweeping over Chen Jiancang, a hint of scrutiny flashing in his eyes.

"Furthermore, although refining Qi Gathering Pill is difficult, it's not impossible to attempt. If they can take this opportunity to break through under pressure, wouldn't that be a wonderful thing?"

Chen Youyun frowned, his expression still displeased: "Brother Lin, while that may be true, they are still just Dan Hall Disciples. Setting up private bets like this disrupts the harmony of the Dan Hall, and this trend should not be encouraged."

"Indeed, but since things have come to this, let them compete. After this is over, we can punish them," Lin Yu chuckled, closing his fan and lightly tapping it on his palm.

"Moreover, I see that this Disciple is confident. Since he dares to accept the bet, he must have some confidence. Also, I know my Disciple Chen Jianhong well. Why not give them a chance? I am willing to guarantee this competition. If there are any material losses, I will bear them."

Chen Youyun's expression softened slightly upon hearing this. He turned to look at Chen Jiancang and Chen Jianhong and said in a deep voice: "Since Alchemist Lin is willing to guarantee, then it will be as you wish. However, this competition must stop at the point of contact. Do not hurt the harmony, and do not waste too many Materials. The limit is three furnaces of Qi Gathering Pill, and the winner will be determined by a comprehensive evaluation of quality and quantity."

A hint of smugness flashed across Chen Jianhong's face. He stepped forward and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you, Deacon and Master, for your support. I will do my best."

Chen Jiancang also cupped his hands in salute, his expression calm, showing no trace of nervousness.

Chen Jianhong stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Today's refining of the Qinghe Bigu Pill has been very tiring, which will affect my performance. I request to have the competition tomorrow."

Chen Jiancang, upon hearing this, was naturally delighted. He had originally planned to postpone the competition until tomorrow, but he didn't expect Chen Jianhong to get ahead of him. However, this was also good, as it would make him appear more composed.

Chen Youyun frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Chen Jianhong and Chen Jiancang. He said in a deep voice, "Since that is the case, then it will be set for tomorrow atSi hour, in the Alchemy Pavilion of the Dan Hall. You two must arrive on time and not be late." After speaking, he flicked his sleeve and turned, walking away with large strides.

Lin Yu smiled slightly, his gaze falling on Chen Jiancang, and said meaningfully, "This young friend, don't disappoint me tomorrow."

After saying that, he also left with Chen Jianhong.

After everyone dispersed, Qing He looked at Chen Jiancang with a worried expression: "Chen Jiancang, the competition tomorrow... are you really confident? Qi Gathering Pill is not that easy to refine."

Chen Jiancang smiled and comforted her, "Senior Sister Qing He, don't worry. Since I agreed, I have some confidence. Don't worry too much. I'll go back and rest first. Tomorrow, watch me teach Chen Jianhong a good lesson."

Chen Jiancang bid farewell to Qing He and hurried back home. As soon as he entered the house, Crimson Sky happily pounced on him, rubbing affectionately against his legs.

Chen Jiancang gently stroked Crimson Sky's head and soothed it, "Crimson Sky, play by yourself for a while today. I have something important to do."

Chen Jiancang walked directly to the Scarlet Fruit area, his fingers lightly touching the Scarlet Fruit plants.

[Variety] Scarlet Fruit

[Grade] First Order Spirit Plant

[Maturity] 100%

[Usage] Can be eaten as a spirit fruit. In the early stage of Qi Refining, it has a slight effect of widening Meridians and can be used as an auxiliary material for refining Qi Gathering Pill.

[Cultivation Plan] The Spirit Field needs to be covered with hillside soil and green stream sand, and the soil should be loosened by the power of spirit earthworms. The density per mu should not exceed one thousand plants. A spirit rain once every five days. It can mature in 70 days.

"As expected, it has already matured."

[You harvested a Scarlet Fruit and were rewarded with a small spirit energy group.]

[You harvested a Scarlet Fruit and were rewarded with a portion of Qi Gathering Pill experience.]

[You harvested a Scarlet Fruit and were rewarded with a meridian widening effect.]

...

As Chen Jiancang continuously harvested the Scarlet Fruit, prompt sounds kept ringing in his mind.

In just a short while, he had harvested a full basket of Scarlet Fruit, and the rewards he received surprised him even more.

Those small spirit energy groups integrated into his body, making him feel his spiritual energy becoming more abundant. The meridian widening effect also made it smoother for him to circulate spiritual energy, as if the Bottlenecks in his previous cultivation had loosened.

[You harvested a Scarlet Fruit and were rewarded with Alchemy experience.]

[You harvested a Scarlet Fruit and were rewarded with a small spirit energy group.]

As he continued to harvest, those small spirit energy groups surged into his body, warm and vast. He felt his spiritual energy, like a surging tide, rushing and surging in his Meridians.

The meridian widening effect also made it like a smooth-flowing river when he circulated his spiritual energy, completely eliminating the feeling of stagnation he had during cultivation.

A strong desire to break through surged in Chen Jiancang's heart. He knew that this was an excellent opportunity. He closed his eyes tightly, cast aside all distracting thoughts, and immersed himself wholeheartedly in the state of cultivation.

The spiritual energy within his body was like a wild horse that had broken free, charging wildly in the widened Meridians, continuously impacting the barrier of the Qi Refining Stage Sixth Level.

As the spiritual energy continued to gather and impact, that layer of obstruction, like a thin wall being constantly struck by a heavy hammer, began to show fine cracks.

Chen Jiancang gritted his teeth, his forehead covered in sweat, and wholeheartedly guided the spiritual energy, launching the final charge towards the barrier that was about to shatter.

With a loud 'boom', it was as if a thunderclap sounded in his mind. That barrier, which had been as solid as a rock and had confined him, completely collapsed under the impact of the vast spiritual energy again and again.

A brand new, more powerful force spread throughout his body, and he successfully broke through to the Qi Refining Stage Sixth Level!

"I actually broke through a Realm!" Chen Jiancang showed a surprised expression. According to his previous experience, breaking through to the Qi Refining Stage Sixth Level would require harvesting at least two mu of Lueling Grass.

But at this moment, after only harvesting most of the Scarlet Fruit, he unexpectedly broke through to the Qi Refining Stage Sixth Level as a matter of course. He thought it should be the effect of the Scarlet Fruit widening his Meridians.

Chen Jiancang felt the abundant spiritual energy in his body, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly upwards. At only seventeen, he had reached the Qi Refining Stage Sixth Level. Those with Three Spiritual Roots and two Spiritual Roots talents were probably just like this.

Chen Jiancang, with a burst of energy, harvested the remaining Scarlet Fruit completely.

By this time, the sun was setting. The evening glow in the sky was like fire, with large swathes of orange-red spreading out freely, like a beautiful painting. At the edges, wisps of golden yellow were faintly visible, blending with the orange-red, decorating the sky magnificently.

A gentle breeze, carrying the unique coolness of the evening, blew through the Spirit Field, drifting in the void, light and airy, like Chen Jiancang's state of mind, suddenly enlightened.