Chapter 48: The Vital Essence Pill!

On the hillside behind the Xiao family estate, a voice rang out.

“Hurry up, faster, keep moving!” Qian Mo urged, chewing slowly on a chicken drumstick in her hand.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yan was suffering. The tantalizing aroma of the chicken made him crave it, but not only was he denied a taste, he was forced to act like a dog—hungry, exhausted, and humiliated.

Drenched in sweat and utterly drained, Xiao Yan pleaded, “Master, please, let me rest a little. I’m about to collapse, I’m starving and exhausted.” He panted, tongue lolling, barely able to speak.

“What did you say? You want to rest?” Qian Mo replied, munching on her chicken.

“Yes, yes,” Xiao Yan answered weakly.

“Too quiet, I couldn’t hear you.” Qian Mo tapped her ear, feigning difficulty.

“Damn it!” Xiao Yan cursed silently, his face darkening. But he dared not voice his anger.

“Yes!” Xiao Yan summoned his last ounce of strength and shouted, then collapsed onto the ground, tongue hanging out. What have I gone through these past two weeks?

“Ah, see? That’s all you had to say. Why shout so loudly? I’m not deaf, my dear disciple,” Qian Mo complained, covering her ears.

Xiao Yan felt utterly defeated, too weary to respond. Whatever he said, the outcome was always to his own detriment.

“Listen, disciple, you must understand my intentions. I train you so harshly for your own good. In just two weeks, you’ve advanced to the second stage of Dou Qi, and I’ve given you neither manuals nor pills; it’s all through sheer physical hardship. Remember, cultivation isn’t just about Dou Qi—your body matters too. Otherwise, if someone ambushes you, you’ll be done for! When you reach the rank of Dou Practitioner, I’ll give you an exceptionally powerful cultivation manual,” Qian Mo said with a deliberately bitter smile.

Lying on the ground, Xiao Yan pondered her words. It made sense: in just two weeks, by enduring physical torment alone, he’d advanced two stages in Dou Qi! Two stages, in only half a month since he began cultivating. Hearing Qian Mo promise a formidable manual once he reached the Dou Practitioner rank, his eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“Yes, Master!” Xiao Yan scrambled up, as if all his fatigue had vanished.

“Here, take these!” Qian Mo conjured two large drumsticks and tossed them to Xiao Yan.

“Thank you, Master!” Xiao Yan snatched the drumsticks from the air, sat on the ground, and devoured them ravenously.

“Mm, delicious! Amazing!” His mouth stuffed with meat, grease dribbled down his chin.

Soon, Xiao Yan polished off both drumsticks and, rubbing his stomach, asked, “Master, do you have any more? I’m still hungry!”

“Don’t eat so much right after training. That’s enough for today. Tonight, and every night from now on, you’ll come here to the back mountain. I’ll prepare a place for you to soak in a medicinal bath and absorb its essence,” Qian Mo instructed.

“Yes, Master!”

Xiao Yan departed, and Qian Mo returned to her ring.

…

Xiao Yan returned from the back mountain to the Xiao family estate and approached the gate.

“Young master, you’re back!” the guards greeted him respectfully.

“Carry on, no need to mind me,” Xiao Yan replied, rushing toward his father Xiao Zhan’s room.

“Father!”

At that moment, a man emerged from the room—it was Xiao Zhan, the current head of the Xiao family.

“Ah, Yan’er!” Xiao Zhan greeted his son warmly. “So, how did training go today?”

“Look, Father!” Xiao Yan released his Dou Qi aura, revealing he had reached the second stage.

“Second stage of Dou Qi?! Yan’er, it’s only been half a month since you started cultivating! Haha! Excellent, my son truly is extraordinary,” Xiao Zhan exclaimed, gripping Xiao Yan’s shoulder in excitement.

“Tell your father I can help the Xiao family grow stronger!” Qian Mo’s voice echoed within Xiao Yan.

“Really? Teacher, thank you!” Xiao Yan confirmed excitedly.

Regaining his composure, Xiao Yan told his father, “Father, my master says she can help the Xiao family as a whole increase its strength. My progress these past two weeks is all thanks to her training.”

“Is that true?” Xiao Zhan asked, deeply moved.

He had suspected Xiao Yan had a teacher behind him. For half a month, his son had returned every day exhausted, like a beaten dog—far more grueling than anything Xiao Yan would impose on himself. Surely, someone was training him, and Xiao Yan could not resist.

“Yes, Father. Hurry and convene a meeting of the elders!” Xiao Yan urged.

“Yes, yes! I’ll do so right away,” Xiao Zhan replied, barely containing his excitement.

…

Soon, the four Xiao family elders and the head of the family gathered in the main hall, all uncertain as to the reason for the meeting.

“Family head, why have you called us together?” one elder inquired.

“The reason is this: Yan’er’s master wishes to help our Xiao family strengthen itself. The specifics will be decided when this esteemed expert arrives,” Xiao Zhan explained, suppressing his excitement.

“Such good fortune? Wonderful! The Xiao family is about to rise!” the elders rejoiced.

“Father, elders!”

As everyone celebrated, a voice came from outside—it was Xiao Yan.

“Yan’er, where is your master?” Xiao Zhan asked.

“Right here.” As Xiao Yan spoke, Qian Mo emerged from the ring.

“Family head Xiao, I am Yao Chen, Xiao Yan’s master,” Qian Mo said, clasping her hands in greeting.

“Ah, greetings! How will you help us, senior?” Xiao Zhan asked, trembling with excitement. He sensed a tremendous pressure from this person.

“Family head Xiao, I see you’re a Grand Dou Master who has been stuck at this level for some time. I have five Qi Origin Pills here. If you and the elders absorb and refine them, you can all break through to Dou King. My pills have no side effects; once you reach Dou King, you’ll not only continue cultivating normally but also progress faster,” Qian Mo said, with a casual wave, and five Qi Origin Pills landed in their hands.

“These…such precious treasures, we cannot accept them!” the elders protested. They had never even heard of such wonders.

“No need to hesitate. From now on, we are family. I am Xiao Yan’s teacher, so you need not worry. Also, your Xiao family lacks a proper facility for refining medicines.”

“I suggest you establish an Alchemy Hall to learn medicine refining. If you need guidance, consult Xiao Yan, who can reach out to me.”

“And, I am an imperial-level alchemist!” Qian Mo finished, then returned to her ring.

The elders and Xiao Zhan were left speechless, at once stunned and elated.

“Spread the word: from today, the Xiao family will establish an Alchemy Hall. Outstanding disciples will be rewarded. We elders will go into seclusion to absorb these Qi Origin Pills and strengthen ourselves as quickly as possible. The Xiao family’s rise begins now! For years, Galio has been unruly.”

“Yes, family head!” the elders replied respectfully.

…

… (End of chapter) …