4: Chapter 4 Seeing Lin Qingxue Again

Xiao Yu stared at the pouch on the table, her eyes unblinking, as if afraid it would fly away if she blinked.

"Brother..."

Her voice was very small, filled with disbelief. "Is this really... a wenmai pill?"

Ye Chen didn't speak. He opened the pouch and took out the small jade box.

As the lid opened, a pale yellow Medicinal Pill lay inside, and the fragrance of the medicine drifted out, carrying a warm, sweet scent.

Xiao Yu leaned in to look, her nose almost touching the Medicinal Pill. After watching for a while, she suddenly reached out and lightly touched the surface of the pill with her fingertip, then quickly pulled back, as if she had been scalded.

"It really is."

She raised her head, her eyes slightly red, but she didn't cry, just sniffled hard.

"Brother, where did you get this?"

"The Lin Family gave it to me."

Ye Chen closed the box and pushed it toward her.

"Eat the medicine first. The doctor said this medicine should be taken with warm water, one pill a day, for seven consecutive days."

Xiao Yu held the jade box, her fingers clutched tightly. She didn't eat it immediately, but instead looked at Ye Chen.

"Brother, are you okay?"

"What could possibly happen to me?"

Ye Chen turned to the stove, scooped half a ladle of cold water into the pot, and added firewood to start the fire.

The firelight flared up, illuminating half of his face.

"The Lin Family... why did they give you this?"

Xiao Yu followed him, squatting by the stove, her voice low. "Are they asking you to do something dangerous?"

"It's not dangerous."

Ye Chen poked the firewood with a wooden stick, the sparks crackling.

"I'm just doing them a small favor. Going there twice a month, it's not troublesome."

Xiao Yu didn't speak, just squatted there, watching the flames jump. The water in the pot slowly heated up, emitting white steam.

"Brother." She called out again.

"Hmm?"

"You have to be careful." Xiao Yu's voice was muffled.

"I don't need to take this. I've been sick for so many years, I can manage without medicine. You shouldn't..."

"What nonsense are you talking about."

Ye Chen interrupted her. The water boiled, so he scooped half a bowl with a broken bowl, blew on it to cool it down, and handed it to her.

"Eat the medicine. Once you eat the medicine and get better, Brother can do things with peace of mind."

Xiao Yu took the bowl, looking at the water sloshing inside for a long while before carefully opening the jade box and taking out the wenmai pill.

She put it in her mouth and swallowed it with the warm water.

After the Medicinal Pill went down, an unnatural flush quickly appeared on her face, and fine sweat beads emerged on her forehead.

Ye Chen helped her to the bed to lie down and covered her with the quilt.

"It's a bit hot."

Xiao Yu said softly, but her voice held a hint of relief. "My chest doesn't feel as tight anymore."

"That's good."

Ye Chen sat by the bed and patted her head. "Sleep. The medicine's effect will disperse faster when you're asleep."

Xiao Yu nodded, closed her eyes, and her breathing gradually steadied.

Ye Chen sat by the bed, listening to the wind outside.

Rain had begun to fall at some point, pitter-pattering on the broken tiles of the roof. He used a wooden basin to catch the leaks, and the water droplets fell inside with a rhythmic sound.

The jade pendant on his chest grew slightly warm again.

Ye Chen looked down, and the phantom of the jade booklet unfolded before his eyes.

【Host: Ye Chen】

【Realm: Meridian Opening Second Level (Early Stage)】

【Bound Beauty: 1】

【Current Bond: Lin Qingxue (Acquaintance at First Sight · Green)】

【Convertible Cultivation: Wheel Sea Realm Third Level (Approximately 30%)】

【Begin conversion?】

Ye Chen looked at the line of text, then glanced at the sleeping Xiao Yu on the bed.

Converting cultivation would cause quite a commotion.

This dilapidated house was drafty on all sides; if it attracted someone... Ye Chen got up, walked to the door, and bolted it.

He walked to the window, found a broken wooden board, and blocked the largest gap where the wind was blowing in.

The sound of the rain was blocked outside; inside the room, there was only the crackling of burning firewood and the ticking of rainwater dripping into the wooden basin.

He sat cross-legged in the center of the room.

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and whispered in his heart: "Begin conversion."

The moment the thought fell, the True Qi that had been quiet in his Dantian suddenly exploded.

It wasn't a metaphor; it truly exploded.

It felt like a red-hot iron rod had been thrust into his Dantian and stirred violently.

Ye Chen groaned, veins bulging on his forehead, his body leaning forward, almost collapsing to the ground.

It was painful.

But it wasn't just pain.

There was also a massive, unfamiliar power pouring in from the Void Realm, rushing violently into his Meridians.

That wasn't his own True Qi; it was someone else's, carrying a cold, sharp taste—it was Lin Qingxue's True Qi.

That True Qi rampaged through his Meridians, and wherever it passed, his Meridians felt like they were being frozen, or cut by knives.

Ye Chen gritted his teeth until his lips bled, the metallic, sweet taste spreading in his mouth.

He desperately tried to guide that True Qi using the method of the Green Wood Art, but it was completely useless.

The Green Wood Art at the Meridian Opening Second Level was like paper in front of the True Qi of the Wheel Sea Realm.

The jade pendant on his chest suddenly became scalding hot.

That heat flowed down his Meridians like a fire snake, catching up to the rampaging cold energy and biting down on it.

The two energies wrestled in his Meridians, and Ye Chen's body became a battlefield, one moment feeling like he had fallen into an ice cave, the next like he was being roasted on a fire.

He trembled all over, cold sweat pouring out, and his clothes were soon soaked, sticking to his body, cold and clammy.

He couldn't faint.

He bit his teeth hard, his nails digging into his palms until they bled. His consciousness pulled back and forth between clarity and blurriness; for a few moments, he felt like he was going to die.

But every time he couldn't hold on, the heat in his chest surged, suppressing the cold energy by a few points.

He didn't know how long had passed.

Maybe it was the time of an incense stick, or maybe an hour.

The rampaging cold energy was finally slowly tamed.

It didn't disappear; it was wrapped by the heat in his chest, dragged bit by bit into his Dantian, refined, dispersed, and condensed anew.

His Dantian was expanding.

Meridian Opening Second Level... Third Level of Meridian Opening.

The Bottleneck broke again, this time more easily than the last, like poking through a layer of window paper. The True Qi condensed into a stream in his Dantian, more than twice as thick as before, flowing through his Meridians faster and more steadily.

Ye Chen slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

He opened his eyes.

The world before him was different.

It hadn't changed, but it was clearer.

He could see the trajectory of every tongue of flame jumping on the oil lamp.

He could clearly see the shape of the splashes as the raindrops leaking from the roof hit the wooden basin.

The dust hanging on the spiderweb in the corner, particle by particle, drifting slowly in the air.

His hearing was also sharper.

He could hear someone snoring in the courtyard next door, hear dogs barking on the street in the distance, and hear the sound of rainwater flowing down the eaves and dripping onto the bluestone slab.

Ye Chen raised his hand and clenched his fist.

His bones made a faint cracking sound, his muscles tightened, and beneath his skin, True Qi flowed, carrying a gentle power.

Third Level of Meridian Opening.

No, more than that.

The True Qi in his Dantian was far thicker and more solid than that of an ordinary Third Level of Meridian Opening.

He tried to mobilize a trace of True Qi and condense it at his fingertip. A faint white light lit up at his fingertip; although it was dim, it was indeed glowing.

This was a precursor to the external release of True Qi. Usually, one had to reach the Meridian Opening Fourth Level, where the True Qi was sufficiently solid, to achieve this.

Ye Chen looked at the faint white light on his fingertip for a long time before letting it slowly dissipate.

He looked down at his chest.

The jade pendant had returned to being warm and smooth, no longer hot. But the phantom of the jade booklet was still floating before his eyes, and the text had changed:

【Conversion complete】

【Current Realm: Third Level of Meridian Opening (Peak)】

【Talent enhancement obtained: Profound Yin Perception (Intermediate) - Can clearly perceive Profound Yin energy and slightly resist cold erosion】

【New entry unlocked in Beauty Directory: bond log (Can view interaction records with bound Beauties)】

Ye Chen thought, and clicked on the bond log. There was only one record on it:

【Lin Qingxue: Extended a helping hand to alleviate the cold illness. Bond level increased to "Acquaintance at First Sight"】

He closed the log and looked at the "Profound Yin Perception" column.

Intermediate... that meant his perception of cold energy was now sharper, and he could resist some cold erosion.

This was an unexpected pleasant surprise.

The rain outside the window had lightened a bit, pitter-pattering, not as urgent as before.

Ye Chen stood up and stretched his limbs. His bones cracked like popping beans.

He walked to the water vat, scooped a ladle of cold water, and poured it over his head.

The cold water made him shiver, but soon, the True Qi in his body circulated automatically, dispelling the chill.

He wiped himself dry, changed into clean clothes, and walked to the bed.

Xiao Yu was sleeping soundly, the unnatural flush on her face had faded, and her breathing was steady and long.

He reached out to check her pulse; it was stronger than before and not as chaotic.

The wenmai pill was truly effective.

Ye Chen sat by the bed, watching his sister's sleeping face for a long time.

The rain stopped completely.

A fish-belly white appeared on the horizon, and the roosters crowed for the first time.

A new day.

...

Ye Chen was awakened by a knock on the door.

He opened his eyes, and it was already broad daylight.

Xiao Yu was already up, cooking porridge by the stove, and looked back at him upon hearing the knocking.

"Brother, someone is looking for you."

Ye Chen got up to open the door.

Standing outside the door was the Scar-faced Guard, wearing the same tight outfit as yesterday, but his complexion looked better than yesterday.

"Young Master Ye." The Scar-faced Guard cupped his hands.

"Young Miss invites you to come over for a visit."

"Now?"

"Yes."

The Scar-faced Guard stepped aside. "Young Miss said she has something to ask you."

Ye Chen looked back at Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu nodded at him, signaling that she was fine. Only then did he follow the Scar-faced Guard out.

The Lin Family estate was not far from the West Courtyard, just two streets away. Seeing the Lin Family estate during the day, it was even more grand.

The vermilion gate was open; the gatekeeper saw the Scar-faced Guard and hurriedly bowed, looking at Ye Chen with a bit more curiosity.

It was the same quiet room.

Lin Qingxue wasn't lying down today. She was sitting on a chair by the window, wearing a pale green outer garment, her hair loosely tied up and fixed with a wooden hairpin.

Her complexion was better than yesterday, but still pale.

A small stove was placed in front of her, with a clay pot sitting on it, steam puffing from the spout, and the fragrance of tea drifting out.

"Sit."

Lin Qingxue raised her hand and pointed to the chair opposite.

Ye Chen sat down.

The Scar-faced Guard retreated and closed the door.

Lin Qingxue lifted the clay pot, poured a cup of tea, and pushed it in front of him.

The tea was pale green and steaming.

"Last night, you had a Breakthrough."

She said, not as a question.

Ye Chen picked up the teacup, didn't drink, but held it, letting the heat warm his hands:

"Yes."

"Third Level of Meridian Opening."

Lin Qingxue looked at him, her gaze falling on his hands.

"The True Qi is solid, with faint signs of external release. This doesn't look like someone who just had a Breakthrough."

Ye Chen didn't say anything.

"The cold energy in my body is a great tonic for you."

Lin Qingxue continued, her voice flat, as if talking about something unrelated to herself.

"The cold energy you absorb, after refining it, can help you have a Breakthrough. Am I right?"

Ye Chen raised his eyes and looked at her.

"Right." He admitted.

Lin Qingxue nodded and didn't press further.

She picked up her own teacup, took a sip, and put it down.

"I checked."

She said, "Ye Family West Courtyard, Ye Chen, sixteen years old, parents died early, has a younger sister named Xiao Yu, weak since childhood. You are not favored in the Ye Family, and the monthly allowance you receive is not even enough to buy the cheapest medicinal herb."

Ye Chen's fingers holding the teacup tightened slightly.

"Yesterday you saved my life, and I gave you a reward, so we are even."

Lin Qingxue looked at him, her gaze very calm.

"But you said you could help me channel the cold energy every month, and I agreed, and I also said I would guide your cultivation. This is not a transaction, it is a promise."

She paused: "A promise should look like a promise. I keep my word, and you must too."

Ye Chen put down the teacup: "I naturally keep my word."

"Good." Lin Qingxue took something out of her sleeve and placed it on the table.

It was a wooden token, about half a palm in size, with the word "Lin" carved on it.

"This is my Lin Family's Guest Elder token."

She said.

"Holding this token, you can freely enter and exit the Lin Family, and you can receive a monthly allowance of ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Of course, the premise is that you must come on time on the first and fifteenth of every month."

Ye Chen looked at the wooden token but didn't move.

"What, you think it's too little?" Lin Qingxue raised her eyebrows slightly.

"No."

Ye Chen shook his head, "I just don't understand why Miss Lin is so... considerate of me."

Lin Qingxue was silent for a while.

"The cold energy in my body cannot be cured by ordinary physicians."

She said slowly.

"Although your cultivation is low, your Physique is special and can absorb cold energy. This is a life-saving matter for me. Naturally, I have to be polite to you."

She spoke frankly, so Ye Chen couldn't ask any more.

"Also."

Lin Qingxue spoke again.

"At the beginning of next month, the three great families of Qingyun City have a small competition. The Ye Family, the Wang Family, and my Lin Family will each send three disciples under the age of sixteen to compete in the 'Trial Valley' outside the city. The winner can obtain a 'Qi Condensation Pill'."

Ye Chen's heart stirred.

Qi Condensation Pill, an auxiliary Medicinal Pill for breaking through from the Meridian Opening Realm to the Wheel Sea Realm. Although not as precious as the wenmai pill, it was still worth twenty or thirty Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

More importantly, with the Qi Condensation Pill, the chances of having a Breakthrough to the Wheel Sea Realm could increase by thirty percent.

"The Ye Family has already decided on the candidates."

Lin Qingxue looked at him, "Ye Hu is one, and the other two are from the East Courtyard. You are not included."

Ye Chen didn't speak.

"But if you want to go, I can help you."

Lin Qingxue said, "The Lin Family has one more spot, and I can decide to give it to you."

"What are the conditions?" Ye Chen asked.

"You represent the Lin Family in the battle."

Lin Qingxue said, "If you win, the Qi Condensation Pill is yours. Additionally, the Lin Family will give you another fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones as payment."

Ye Chen looked at the wooden token on the table, then at Lin Qingxue.

"Why me?"

"Because you need it."

Lin Qingxue said very directly, "You need resources, you need opportunities. And I need someone who can help me suppress the cold energy. The stronger you are, the more cold energy you can absorb, which is more beneficial to me. This is a win-win."

She said it clearly and plainly, without any concealment.

Ye Chen was silent for a long time.

There were birds chirping outside the window, twittering away.

The clay pot on the stove boiled again, white steam spraying from the spout, making a puffing sound.

"Okay." Ye Chen reached out and picked up the wooden token.

The wooden token felt warm and smooth to the touch, carrying a hint of the chill from Lin Qingxue's body.

"I agree."