14: A storm is brewing, the wind is howling.

Han Qing was just about to click on the special effect details when a soft and respectful knock came from outside the quiet room.

"Master, Feiyan seeks an audience."

"Enter."

Han Qing composed himself, and his voice returned to its usual calm authority.

The door to the quiet room was gently pushed open, and Xu Feiyan, dressed in a pale purple gown, walked in slowly.

Her figure was graceful and her face exceptionally beautiful. After two years of refinement, the slightly immature air she once had had faded significantly, replaced by a more mature and charming allure.

Feeling the terrifying pressure within the quiet room—vast as the sea yet restrained—Xu Feiyan's heart grew even more filled with awe.

Master has been in seclusion for two years, and his aura seems to have become much more profound.

"Master."

Xu Feiyan performed a formal greeting. In her hands, she held a palm-sized jade box that was dark green in color.

"What is it?"

Han Qing's gaze fell upon the jade box, maintaining his composure by not reaching for it immediately.

Xu Feiyan respectfully raised the jade box above her head: "Reporting to Master, this is a Medicinal Pill that the Song Family went to great lengths to find for you some time ago. Knowing you might need it, they immediately sent it to Fuyan City and beg you to examine it."

Han Qing felt a slight stir in his heart.

His fingertips lightly brushed the cool surface of the jade box as he slowly opened it.

The moment the lid opened, a peculiar medicinal fragrance immediately filled the air. Inside the jade box lay a pill the size of a longan fruit, Chaos-colored throughout, with countless tiny points of light seemingly flowing slowly across its surface.

With just one look, Han Qing's heart skipped a beat!

A spirit nurturing pill!

In the cultivation world, there are many types of Medicinal Pills with various effects.

Some raise cultivation, some heal injuries and illnesses, and some assist in combat; there are all sorts.

But among them, one category of Medicinal Pill is the rarest and most Heaven-Defying: those that can improve a Cultivator's bone structure and Aptitude!

A Cultivator's cultivation speed depends largely on their own Innate talent and Aptitude.

The higher the Aptitude, the faster one senses Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, and cultivation naturally yields twice the result with half the effort.

And Aptitude is mostly determined at birth. Trying to change it through Acquired means is as difficult as ascending to the heavens!

But this spirit nurturing pill is one of the legendary Heaven-Defying pills that can improve a Cultivator's Acquired Aptitude!

This pill is a masterpiece among third-Rank pills. The refining Materials are extremely rare, the refining techniques are incredibly complex, and the failure rate is terrifyingly high!

It is said that even if an experienced Alchemy Great Master takes action, ten batches might not yield a single successful pill!

Its effects are even more startling. After ingestion, there is a certain chance it can cleanse a Cultivator's Meridians and bone structure, improving their cultivation Aptitude!

Although the degree of improvement varies from person to person and the success rate is not one hundred percent, even a sliver of possibility for success is enough to make countless Cultivators go mad for it!

After all, an improvement in Aptitude affects a Cultivator's entire cultivation career!

Its long-term value is far, far higher than a pill that directly raises one's Realm by a small stage!

Han Qing truly hadn't expected that the Song Family could find such a thing.

His own Aptitude, to be honest, could only be considered average.

The appearance of this spirit nurturing pill was practically like sending charcoal in a snowstorm!

If he could successfully improve his Aptitude, his future path of cultivation would undoubtedly be much smoother!

He was ecstatic! If the circumstances allowed it, Han Qing would have wanted to open a beer to celebrate!

"A spirit nurturing pill."

Han Qing suppressed his excitement: "The Song Family has been thoughtful. I have noted this contribution. Tell them when you return to continue their good work; I never mistreat those who have performed meritorious service."

"Yes! Feiyan will certainly pass on the message!"

Han Qing put away the spirit nurturing pill along with the jade box, intending to eat it as soon as Xu Feiyan left!

Something that improves one's foundation is naturally better used as early as possible.

He looked up at Xu Feiyan and asked casually, "Besides this, has anything else noteworthy happened recently?"

Although he had the System to block others' probes, he still relied mainly on Xu Feiyan, Ying Rushi, and others to gather and report information about the outside world.

Hearing the question, Xu Feiyan's expression also became much more serious.

"Reporting to Master, there are indeed two major events recently that might require your attention."

"First is the news regarding the Heaven-Sent Treasure Chests. According to the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's latest deductions and summarized reports from various parties, the time for the Heaven-Sent Treasure Chests to descend is approximately within half a year."

"As for the location, although it cannot be precisely pinpointed yet, according to past patterns, the eastern part of the Tianhuang Domain—which is the region we are currently in—is very likely to be one of the primary landing zones for the chests."

"At that time, conflicts with the Three Great Families may arise due to the competition for resources!"

Han Qing wasn't particularly surprised.

An ordinary man is innocent, but possessing a treasure makes him guilty.

The Four Seas Merchant Guild had been too prominent these past two years, so it would naturally be seen as a potential competitor by other major powers.

Once a great treasure appears, conflict is inevitable.

"The second matter concerns the Demon Disaster."

"Demon Disaster?"

Han Qing's brow furrowed slightly.

This term made him instinctively feel a hint of foreboding.

Xu Feiyan nodded with a grave expression: "Yes. In the past six months, anomalies have frequently appeared deep within the Endless Forest of the outer domains."

"In recent months, the range of the demon mist in the Endless Forest has been expanding abnormally, and traces of powerful Mountain Demons have appeared. Rumors say a Demon Disaster may be descending!"

Upon hearing this, Han Qing's heart sank abruptly!

The Rank of a Mountain Demon usually corresponds to a Cultivator's Realm.

A Rank 1 Mountain Demon is comparable to Qi Refining, Rank 2 to Foundation Establishment, and Rank 3 is equivalent to a Golden Core Stage Cultivator! As for a Rank 4 Mountain Demon, that is an existence capable of rivaling a Nascent Soul Stage Great Cultivator!

If such a terrifying existence were to appear near the coast, it would absolutely be an apocalyptic catastrophe!

This time, Han Qing truly felt the pressure.

The struggle for the Heaven-Sent Treasure Chests was ultimately an internal conflict between Cultivators; with his System effects, he still had room to maneuver.

But this Demon Disaster, once it erupts, will involve facing an endless, fearless army of Mountain Demons!

Among them, there might even be terrifying Mountain Demons capable of rivaling the Nascent Soul or even stronger existences!

That is truly a power that could destroy heaven and earth!

With his meager cultivation, even if he wore the skin of a Peak Golden Core, he probably wouldn't even be able to make a splash in the face of such a worldly tribulation!

He hadn't even enjoyed his wealth and status for long, and was he already going to die?!

Although he was scared to death inside, he managed to maintain his outward composure.

Seeing her master's calm demeanor, as if he viewed Rank 4 Mountain Demons as nothing, Xu Feiyan's admiration overflowed wildly!

As expected! In her heart, her omnipotent Master didn't care about the so-called Demon Disaster at all!

It made sense!

Master is a top-tier powerhouse at the Late Golden Core Stage!

Even if that rumored Rank 4 Mountain Demon really appeared, with Master's cultivation and strength, even if he couldn't easily slay it, repelling it to protect the peace of the region would be more than enough!

Xu Feiyan's tone was excited, filled with infinite reverence: "However, Feiyan believes that as long as Master is presiding over Fuyan City, let alone just a Demon Disaster warning, even if those Mountain Demons truly invade in force, we have nothing to fear!"

"Mhm."

Han Qing set down his teacup and glanced at Xu Feiyan nonchalantly.

If only I were really as awesome as you imagine!

Now he could only hope this Demon Disaster wouldn't come, or at least come a bit later!

Wait until he had eaten the spirit nurturing pill, raised his Aptitude, and then pushed his cultivation to Foundation Establishment or even Golden Core!

"Very well, I am aware of these matters. Regarding the Heaven-Sent Treasure Chests and the Demon Disaster, have Ying Rushi and the two men, Mu and Chen, pay close attention, gather more detailed intelligence, and report to me at any time."

"As for anything else, there is no need to panic. Just focus on doing your duties peacefully."

"Yes! I shall obey Master's decree!"

Xu Feiyan responded respectfully, then bowed and withdrew from the quiet room.

Inside the quiet room, Han Qing was once again alone.

He had thought that after breaking through to Peak Qi Refining, he could have some comfortable days, but he didn't expect troubles to come one after another, and each one more deadly than the last!

"It seems I must increase my strength as quickly as possible!"