11: The Secret of the Soul and Yafei's Invitation

The disturbance from the law enforcement team temporarily subsided, but the alarm bells in Xiao Chen's heart rang incessantly. The hostility from the First Elder's faction was no longer concealed; this failed frame-up would surely be followed by another. The Third Elder's timely protection, while seemingly helpful, was in fact an invisible form of restraint.

He had to quickly gain the power to protect himself, rather than placing his hopes on the protection of others or mysterious aid.

After seeing off Xiao Yan, who was filled with guilt and anger, Xiao Chen re-closed his door. He looked at the messy room but didn't rush to tidy it. Instead, he sat cross-legged on the bed, sinking his consciousness into his mind to carefully study the newly appeared [Soul Strength] progress bar.

[Soul Strength: Novice (7/100)]

It had recovered two points since before, but the speed was extremely slow. At this rate, it would probably take several days to recover to a state where he could perform synthesis again (at least 50 points or more for safety). This was too slow!

"System, is there a way to quickly recover or increase Soul Strength?" Xiao Chen tried to ask. Although the system's functions were rudimentary, it occasionally provided some key information.

[Searching database...]

[Related information: Soul Strength is closely related to the host's mental power, willpower, and life essence. Methods of improvement include:]

[1. Natural growth: Slowly increases with the host's age, experience, and strength.]

[2. Special cultivation techniques: Practicing soul-type cultivation techniques can significantly increase it. (Current database has no relevant cultivation technique information)]

[3. Medicinal pill assistance: Taking medicinal pills that nourish the soul. (For example: Soul Nurturing Saliva, Spirit Fostering Dust, etc., at least Rank 3 or above, extremely rare and expensive)]

[4. Extreme tempering: In the cycle of soul power depletion and recovery, the upper limit can be slightly increased. (Current method is inefficient and carries risks)]

[5. Special opportunities: Absorbing ownerless soul essence or special energy. (Carries great risks, not recommended for the host to attempt at this stage)]

Indeed, there were no shortcuts. Medicinal pills of Rank 3 or above? He could barely synthesize low-grade mortal-level Rank 1 medicinal pills right now; Rank 3 medicinal pills were like a fantasy to him. Special cultivation techniques? Even harder to come by.

It seemed that, in the short term, he could only rely on the most cumbersome "extreme tempering" method. But it was inefficient, and the system explicitly warned of risks.

"Risks... what kind of risks?" Xiao Chen pressed.

[Overdrawing soul power may lead to soul damage. Minor damage can cause mental fatigue and memory confusion, while severe damage can lead to becoming an idiot or even soul dissipation.]

Xiao Chen gasped. The risks were indeed significant. It seemed that he couldn't be greedy with each synthesis; he had to leave some leeway.

"Then is there any way to reduce the soul consumption during synthesis? Or improve synthesis efficiency?"

[Increasing system authority or optimizing the synthesis algorithm can reduce consumption and increase the success rate. Current authority is insufficient, unable to optimize.]

Authority again! Xiao Chen felt a surge of powerlessness looking at the 10,000-point energy requirement. This was a dead loop: he needed energy to increase authority to reduce consumption and risks, but acquiring and using energy itself came with consumption and risks.

"I must find a way to break this cycle..." Xiao Chen fell into deep thought. Perhaps, he should change his approach? Not necessarily rely entirely on system synthesis?

His gaze fell on the remaining few herbs. What if... he didn't directly synthesize finished medicinal pills, but instead used the system's Scan function to learn the alchemy knowledge of this world and try to refine them using traditional methods?

The system's Scan could precisely analyze the composition and properties of herbs, which was an incredible cheat for learning alchemy! If he could master even the lowest-grade alchemy, he could legitimately acquire resources without relying entirely on the higher-risk system synthesis. Moreover, the alchemy process itself was a form of tempering for soul power!

This idea invigorated Xiao Chen. Although learning alchemy also required time and resources, it was a more stable and potentially greater path. System replication could serve as a trump card and accelerator, but not as the sole reliance.

"It seems I need to find a way to get my hands on some basic alchemy knowledge." Xiao Chen made up his mind. The most likely place in Wutan City to access alchemy knowledge, besides the major families, was the Mittel Auction House. Perhaps Ya Fei could offer some help?

Just as he was planning how to approach Ya Fei, footsteps were heard outside the courtyard again. This time, they were very light, and there was only one person.

"Is Young Master Xiao Chen in?" It was the familiar voice of the old servant, Uncle Chen.

Xiao Chen opened the door to see the old servant standing alone outside, a gentle smile on his face. He wasn't holding a food box, but a gilded invitation.

"Young Master Xiao Chen, the Third Elder asked this old servant to deliver a message to you." The old servant handed over the invitation. "Miss Ya Fei of the Mittel Auction House is hosting a banquet at First Grade Pavilion tomorrow at noon and wishes to invite Young Master for a chat. The Third Elder said this is a good opportunity and that Young Master must seize it."

Ya Fei's invitation? And at First Grade Pavilion outside, not the auction house?

Xiao Chen's heart stirred. He took the invitation. It was exquisitely made, carrying a faint fragrance, and his name and the invitation content were written in elegant handwriting.

"The Third Elder is very thoughtful. Please thank him on my behalf." Xiao Chen calmly accepted the invitation. The Third Elder's information was indeed well-informed; it seemed he also had connections with the Mittel Auction House, or perhaps he had an informant there.

"Young Master is too kind." The old servant smiled, then lowered his voice. "The Third Elder also asked this old servant to tell Young Master that the First Elder's side has been a bit restless recently. Young Master should reduce his outings these days. If anything happens, you can always have this old servant relay a message for you. There are some basic herb identification guides and miscellaneous notes in the family's treasury. If Young Master is interested, this old servant can borrow them to entertain you."

Herb identification guides! Miscellaneous notes!

Xiao Chen's heart trembled. The Third Elder's gesture of goodwill truly hit his needs precisely! This clearly showed he had noticed his interest in herbs and was actively providing learning materials!

Although he knew this was an attempt to win him over, Xiao Chen couldn't refuse. He desperately needed this basic knowledge now.

"In that case, many thanks to the Third Elder! This junior is indeed very interested in those guides and notes. I trouble Uncle Chen." Xiao Chen's thanks this time were much more sincere.

"Young Master, please wait. This old servant will go fetch them now." The old servant bowed and left. Before long, he returned, carrying several thick, slightly worn books.

"Illustrated Guide to Common Continental Herbs," "Brief Introduction to Low-Grade Magic Cores' Characteristics," "Shallow Analysis of Dou Qi Basic Attributes"... These were all the most basic introductory readings, but to Xiao Chen now, they were priceless treasures!

"Many thanks, Uncle Chen!" Xiao Chen solemnly accepted the books.

"Young Master, please read at ease. This old servant will take his leave." The old servant completed his task and departed, satisfied.

Holding the heavy books, Xiao Chen returned to his room, took a deep breath, and cast aside all distracting thoughts. He first carefully tidied the room, then lit an oil lamp, and eagerly opened the "Illustrated Guide to Common Continental Herbs."

With the system's Scan function as verification, his speed in learning this knowledge was astonishing. Almost every time he saw a textual description of an herb, he could immediately call upon the Scan information in his mind to compare, verify, and deepen his understanding.

[blood coagulation grass, low-grade mortal-level herb, warm in nature, primarily for stopping bleeding...] the book stated.

The system information was even more precise: [Components: Contains weak blood coagulation factors and wood-attribute energy. Optimal harvesting period is...]

The two types of information complemented each other, allowing Xiao Chen's understanding of herbs to rapidly improve. He was like a dry sponge, madly absorbing the moisture of knowledge.

Unconsciously, a night passed.

When the morning sun shone through the window, Xiao Chen finally lifted his head from the ocean of knowledge. Although his eyes were bloodshot, they gleamed with excitement.

Throughout the night, he had almost swallowing whole (swallowed whole without chewing) the basic content of several books, and combined with the system's Scan, he had developed his own unique understanding. Although he was still far from being a true Alchemist, he was at least no longer a novice who knew nothing about herbs.

What surprised him even more was that after this night of high-intensity mental activity (which was also a form of tempering for mental power to some extent), the Soul Strength progress bar in his mind had actually recovered to [Novice (25/100)]! Much faster than natural recovery!

"It seems that learning and thinking can also promote the recovery and growth of soul power!" Xiao Chen found an unexpected pleasant surprise.

Although still tired, his spirits were high. He looked out the window; the sky was already bright.

This afternoon, he still had to attend Ya Fei's appointment. This shrewd auctioneer, inviting him to a private banquet outside, would certainly not just be for a meal.

What did she want to know? What did she want to gain?

Xiao Chen washed up and changed into clean clothes. Although still simple, his entire demeanor was different; he had shed some of his previous apprehension and gained a touch of composure and confidence.

He carefully hid the five blood coagulation powder and the remaining gold coins close to his body. The black token was also cautiously placed in an inner pocket. Then, he picked up the "Illustrated Guide to Common Continental Herbs" and immersed himself in it again.

Now, not a single moment could be wasted. Before the appointment, he needed to acquire more bargaining chips.

The sunlight filled the small room. The figure of the young man hunched over his studies, and the bustling Wutan City outside, seemed like two different worlds. But the threads of fate had quietly woven them all together. At First Grade Pavilion at noon, a new confrontation was about to begin.