"Fierce Bull's Split Mane!"
The leading Zhang Family disciple threw a punch. An illusion of a giant, wild bull appeared before Wen Qingye, its savage aura striking directly at the soul.
Wen Qingye countered with a punch of his own. It was like a fierce bull stampeding across an open plain—wild, powerful, and unstoppable. With unparalleled dominance, it was the very same Bull Charge that Zhang Qiu had used earlier.
"BAM!"
The Zhang Family disciple was sent flying. The others immediately rushed forward. Their cultivation wasn't high; most were at the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, and some were even at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer.
The truly powerful members of the Zhang Family were likely cultivating right now. Only these small fry had come out to parade around.
"Fierce Bull's Split Mane."
Wen Qingye was putting what he'd just learned to immediate use. In the blink of an eye, he had completely mastered the Fierce Bull Fist Technique. His footwork was fluid, his movements clean and efficient. His execution of the Fist Technique was countless times better than that of these Zhang Family disciples. When he punched out, it was as if a true wild bull had appeared in the world, its might impossible to block.
He moved among the Zhang Family disciples like a tiger among sheep. In a flash, several of them were on the ground.
The faces of the Zhang Family disciples were red and swollen as they lay wailing on the ground, staring at Wen Qingye in terror. 'When did Wen Qingye get so strong? How could so many of us be no match for him alone? And his Fierce Bull Fist Technique... not even Zhang Hui, who has the most profound cultivation in the family, is that skilled.'
"Get out!"
Wen Qingye stood with his hands behind his back, a slight frown on his face as he spoke coolly.
At his word, the Zhang Family disciples scrambled to their feet and fled the small courtyard.
"Wen Qingye, you just wait! I won't let you off the hook!"
"How dare you act so arrogantly in our Zhang Family, Wen Qingye! The Zhang Family will not let you off!"
"You're so arrogant! Brother Chuan won't let you get away with this!"
Wen Qingye watched them scramble away and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Husband," Zhang Xiaoyun said shyly as she walked to Wen Qingye's side. Then, she added worriedly, "I know what they're like. It won't be long before they come back with more people."
Wen Qingye replied calmly, "It's fine. I'm here."
Seeing Wen Qingye's composure, Zhang Xiaoyun's heart fluttered. She said softly, "Husband, I've already prepared breakfast. You should wash up and come eat."
Wen Qingye nodded, and the two of them walked to the kitchen next door.
Looking at the table full of dishes, Wen Qingye secretly marveled at how virtuous and capable Zhang Xiaoyun was.
Zhang Xiaoyun served Wen Qingye a bowl of porridge, then served herself one before sitting down.
"Mm, this tastes good," Wen Qingye said after a sip of the porridge.
Hearing Wen Qingye's praise, Zhang Xiaoyun blushed, looking very happy.
"Um... Wife, about this porridge... from now on, you should add these green leaves later in the process. Cooking them for so long has boiled away all their Essence."
"And this dish, you should simmer it on low heat first, then switch to high heat."
"What's this dish called?" Wen Qingye suddenly asked, pointing at a green leaf in front of him.
Zhang Xiaoyun smiled. "That's Waveleaf. If you like it, I can cook more."
Wen Qingye shook his head. "No, no. This vegetable can strengthen the body. It's best eaten raw as a salad."
Zhang Xiaoyun said, confused, "But it tastes awful raw. I've never seen anyone eat Waveleaf in a salad."
Wen Qingye chuckled. "Don't worry, just listen to me. If you stick to the methods I just told you, your body will definitely grow stronger, and you'll become more and more beautiful."
"Really?" Zhang Xiaoyun asked, her eyes wide.
Wen Qingye nodded. "Of course. I wouldn't lie to you."
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaoyun happily began to eat her meal. After they finished, she went to wash the dishes.
Wen Qingye found some paper and a brush. Even the lowest-level Fist Technique he had learned in his past life required the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer Heaven to practice. Right now, the only one he knew was the Fierce Bull Fist Technique he had just learned by watching.
'I need to increase my strength as soon as possible.' Wen Qingye took out all the Primordial Stones he had—these fifteen Low-Grade Primordial Stones were his entire fortune.
One Mid-grade Primordial Stone could be exchanged for ten Low-Grade Primordial Stones, and one Top-Grade Primordial Stone for ten Mid-grade ones. Primordial Stones contained vast amounts of Primordial Qi, which people could absorb to accelerate their cultivation.
Wen Qingye took the Primordial Stones and left the Zhang Family residence. He made a quick exit this time; there was a small gate behind the courtyard that led directly outside the Zhang Family grounds, a fact Zhang Xiaoyun had told him about.
Wen Qingye stepped through the small gate into a secluded, dim alley. After a short walk, he emerged from the other end.
Before long, Wen Qingye arrived at a medicinal herb shop.
Behind the counter, a middle-aged man with a furrowed brow was constantly writing something, muttering to himself, "Just what is this Pill Formula from Master missing? I've already tried almost every herb I can think of."
Wen Qingye walked up to the man and said, "Shopkeeper, I'd like to get some medicinal herbs."
The middle-aged man frowned. "Don't bother me. Can't you see I'm working on a Pill Formula?"
Just then, an Attendant hurried over, giving a strained smile. "Sir, whatever you need, just tell me. There's no need to trouble Master Zuo while he's working on a Pill Formula."
Wen Qingye didn't mind. He took out a list he had written and asked, "I'd like to know, roughly how many Primordial Stones will these herbs cost?"
The Attendant glanced at Wen Qingye, then took the list. "This is quite a large quantity. It'll probably cost sixteen or seventeen Low-Grade Primordial Stones."
Upon hearing this, Wen Qingye couldn't help but frown.
"Alright then, reduce the quantity. Just give me half of it."
"Okay, I'll go get it for you right away." The Attendant nodded and left.
A moment later, the Attendant returned and handed Wen Qingye a bag of herbs. "Here you are, sir. That will be eight Low-Grade Primordial Stones in total."
Wen Qingye took out the Primordial Stones, handed them to the Attendant, and slowly started to walk away.
As he passed the middle-aged man, he paused briefly and said nonchalantly, "Three-Flower Print, Seven Stars Grass, Glazed Begonia, and Danggui. You've added too many herbs. Besides, the pill refined from this Pill Formula is useless. You shouldn't waste so much effort on it."
After speaking, Wen Qingye turned to leave with brisk steps.
"Wait! Kid, what did you say? You said I added too many herbs? And you said the Pill Formula my master developed is useless?" The middle-aged man was already on edge, and Wen Qingye's words made him roar with anger.
The surrounding crowd couldn't help but turn to look, their expressions a little surprised when they saw Master Zuo.
"Isn't that Master Zuo from Jishi Hall?"
"Huh? Why is he so furious?"
"He's a Pill Master capable of refining Second-Grade Pills! And he's right here in Jishi Hall."
Seeing this, the Attendant rushed over to placate him. "Master Zuo, please calm down, please calm down."
Wen Qingye shook his head and said with a smile, "You did indeed add four extra herbs. Among them, Three-Flower Print and Seven Stars Grass are not materials for Alchemy. You must understand, there are countless wonders in the world; not all medicinal herbs are suitable for refining into pills. Furthermore, the Glazed Begonia possesses a Dark Yang nature, which is incompatible with the main ingredient of your Pill Formula, Duhuo. As for Danggui, its role in Alchemy is to harmonize ingredients. Since this Pill Formula's effect is not potent, it naturally doesn't require harmonization."
"Ignorant brat! So ignorant!" Master Zuo sneered at Wen Qingye, enraged. "Countless Pill Formulas use Seven Stars Grass and Three-Flower Print for Alchemy! And Glazed Begonia has a Yin nature, yet you speak of 'Dark Yang.' To top it all off, you have the gall to claim my master's Pill Formula isn't valuable! Get out! Get out right now!"
"This kid is actually trying to lecture Master Zuo on Alchemy. How ridiculous."
"Isn't Master Zuo's master the number one Pill Master of our Phoenix Pool, Guo Weiyu? This kid actually said Master Guo Weiyu's Pill Formula isn't very effective. He's way too arrogant."
Hearing this, the surrounding crowd also began to jeer.
Wen Qingye looked at the furious Master Zuo, unoffended. He calmly cupped his fist and said, "You are right, I misspoke. I was being arrogant, ignorant, and parochial. My apologies for the disturbance."
With that, Wen Qingye walked out of Jishi Hall, one step at a time.
Master Zuo flicked his sleeve and said disdainfully, "An ignorant brat dares to spout such nonsense in my Jishi Hall. How outrageous!"
"Xiaoyu, what was all that noise just now? Why was there another commotion?" an old man asked as he walked out.
Everyone looked over. Wasn't this Jishi Hall's foremost Alchemy Master, the only Pill Master in Phoenix Pool capable of refining Third-Grade Pills, Guo Weiyu?
When Zuo Yu saw Guo Weiyu, he hurriedly bowed. "Master, a brat was just spouting nonsense in Jishi Hall, trying to lecture me on my alchemy techniques."
Guo Weiyu stroked his beard and chuckled, asking curiously, "That is rather amusing. What did he say?"
"He said the Pill Formula you gave me yesterday, Master, has four extra herbs: Three-Flower Print, Seven Stars Grass, Glazed Begonia, and Danggui."
Hearing this, Guo Weiyu's smile vanished. He frowned and asked, "What else did he say?"
Zuo Yu laughed. "He also said that Three-Flower Print and Seven Stars Grass aren't suitable for Alchemy, that Glazed Begonia has a Dark Yang nature, and that Danggui clashes with Duhuo, making it unsuitable for this Pill Formula. Then he shamelessly claimed the Pill Formula isn't valuable and its effects are weak."
"CLAP!"
At this, Guo Weiyu clapped his hands in delight. "So that's why I couldn't figure out this Pill Formula! That's the reason! This person is incredible!"
The surrounding crowd was stunned. Zuo Yu asked, bewildered, "Ma... Master, what are you talking about?"
"This Pill Formula was actually a test for you. It does indeed have a few extra herbs. However, I only knew that Glazed Begonia and Danggui were the extra ones. As for the other two, the ancient texts of our lineage state that Seven Stars Grass and Three-Flower Print are supposed to be in it."
Zuo Yu's jaw dropped. He said in disbelief, "Does... does that mean what that kid said just now... was true?"
Guo Weiyu nodded heavily. "He was completely right. There are indeed four extra herbs in it. In our entire lineage, countless people have only ever identified two of the extra ingredients; no one ever noticed the other two. And this Pill Formula really is useless—it's just for purging toxins from the body."
"An Alchemy Master has come to our Phoenix City! This is a joyous occasion! And he even personally gave you pointers, Xiaoyu. This shows you have deep karmic fortune." Guo Weiyu scanned the surroundings and asked in confusion, "By the way, where is that Alchemy Master now? I must ask him some questions."
An Alchemy Master! The crowd was completely dumbfounded. That young man was an Alchemy Master? Even Guo Weiyu had to ask him for guidance? Was this real?
In an instant, many in the crowd were filled with regret. That young man had been so approachable. If they had just gone up and exchanged a few pleasantries, they might have gotten to know an Alchemy Master.
Zuo Yu swallowed hard and stammered, "Just now... I... I drove him out."
Hearing this, Guo Weiyu was too shocked to even be angry. He pointed at Zuo Yu in disbelief and exclaimed, "What? You... you... you actually drove away an Alchemy Master?"