15: Batch Synthesis and Soul Breakthrough

With the medicinal ingredients in hand, Xiao Chen wasted no time and immediately began his grand undertaking of frantic synthesis.

He first went to the Mittel Auction House's warehouse and, with his voucher, successfully retrieved the hundred blood coagulation grass and fifty bone regeneration flowers. Looking at the medicinal ingredients piled in the corner, exuding a rich herbal fragrance, Xiao Chen felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.

Returning to his small room, he locked the door, adjusted his breathing, and brought himself to his optimal state.

“System, begin batch synthesis of blood coagulation powder!”

He first took out one set of materials (two blood coagulation grass, one bone regeneration flower) and concentrated his mind.

【Ding! Synthesis initiated, consuming 5 units of energy...】

【Synthesis successful! Obtained blood coagulation powder x1!】

【Current energy: 0.2 (energy draining...)】

【Soul Strength: Low-tier (95/100)】

His soul power had consumed 5 points! It seemed that each synthesis had a fixed burden on his soul. With his current Low-tier perfected soul strength, he could theoretically synthesize twenty times consecutively! But considering recovery and risk, he had to be cautious.

Without pause, Xiao Chen immediately began the second synthesis.

【Synthesis successful! Obtained blood coagulation powder x1!】

【Current energy: 0.2 (energy drain paused, basic consumption stopped because energy pool is below 1 point)】

【Soul Strength: Low-tier (90/100)】

His energy pool was almost depleted, but the synthesis consumed pre-charged energy, independent of the energy pool's current value, as long as there was sufficient balance in the energy pool at the time of synthesis. Energy drain was the system's natural consumption to maintain operation after synthesis was complete. When the energy pool dropped below 1 point, this basic consumption seemed to stop, which was an unexpected discovery.

Third time, fourth time, fifth time... Xiao Chen was like a tireless machine, repeatedly guiding the system's energy, transforming medicinal ingredients into pure medicinal powder. Fine beads of sweat gradually seeped from his forehead, and a sense of mental fatigue began to accumulate. The consumption of soul power was far more uncomfortable than physical exhaustion.

When he synthesized the tenth batch, he felt a distinct dizzy spell, and his soul strength dropped to 【Low-tier (50/100)】.

“No, I can’t continue.” Xiao Chen decisively stopped. His soul power was consumed by more than half, already touching the risk line the system had previously warned about. He had to leave some leeway, just in case.

Looking at the ten small jade bottles neatly arranged before him, filled with the freshly synthesized blood coagulation powder, Xiao Chen let out a long breath. Though tired, he was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

Ten portions of blood coagulation powder! At a price of thirty gold coins per bottle, that was three hundred gold coins! And his cost was merely fifty points of energy (already consumed) and a portion of soul power (recoverable).

A net profit of over two hundred gold coins! More importantly, he had completed his first large-scale production!

“First, I’ll recover my soul power.” Xiao Chen was not in a hurry to sell the pills. Instead, he sat cross-legged and began to cultivate the incomplete diagram of the Soul Condensing Technique, combining it with the system Scan for deep meditation.

This time, perhaps due to the continuous tempering of his soul from the previous syntheses, or perhaps due to practice making perfect, he entered a meditative state faster, and his soul power recovery speed significantly improved.

Two hours later, when he awoke from meditation, his soul strength had recovered to 【Low-tier (80/100)】.

“My recovery speed has increased!” Xiao Chen was delighted. It seemed that this “consumption-recovery” cycle indeed promoted soul cultivation.

He did not continue synthesizing. Instead, he took the ten bottles of blood coagulation powder and went to the Mittel Auction House again. He needed to quickly recover funds and purchase more medicinal ingredients, and also inquire about news from Ya Fei.

He found Steward Li with practiced ease, handed over the ten bottles of blood coagulation powder, and again received three hundred gold coins. Including the payment for the medicinal ingredients that had been offset by the previously mortgaged pills, he had not only paid off his debt for the medicinal ingredients but also had over two hundred gold coins in cash remaining!

The cash flow was finally revitalized!

“Steward Li, the previous batch of medicinal ingredients was of excellent quality. I’d like to order another batch, double the quantity.” Xiao Chen proposed a new request. He wanted to accelerate his accumulation!

Steward Li saw Xiao Chen’s “high productivity” and the consistently stable quality of his pills. His estimation of that “mysterious Elder” increased manifold, and his attitude became even more enthusiastic: “No problem! Young Master Xiao Chen, rest assured, I will arrange it immediately, and the price will still be the most favorable for you!”

While Steward Li went to prepare the goods, Xiao Chen asked, seemingly casually, “Steward Li, how has Miss Ya Fei been recently? Regarding our appointment in three days, what arrangements does Miss Ya Fei have?”

Steward Li smiled and said, “Miss Ya Fei is doing very well. As for three days from now… Miss Ya Fei only asked this old man to tell Young Master to please be sure to come at that time, as there is a matter concerning Young Master’s own fortuitous encounter that she wishes to discuss with him.”

Concerning his own fortuitous encounter? Xiao Chen’s heart stirred, and he couldn’t help but think of the mysterious incomplete diagram again.

Did Ya Fei really discover something from the incomplete diagram, and was this fortuitous encounter related to him?

He suppressed his curiosity and nodded, saying, “Please tell Miss Ya Fei that Xiao Chen will definitely arrive on time.”

With the newly acquired two hundred-plus gold coins and the pick-up voucher for another batch of medicinal ingredients, Xiao Chen returned to his small room. He did not continue synthesizing. Instead, he decided to first restore his soul power to its perfected state, and even attempt to break through to the “Spiritually Agile” realm!

For two consecutive days, Xiao Chen, apart from necessary eating and resting, devoted almost all his time to soul cultivation and synthesis work.

He adopted a more scientific rhythm: after synthesizing five to six times and consuming a portion of his soul power, he would immediately enter deep meditation to recover. Once his soul power recovered to over eighty percent, he would proceed with the next round of synthesis.

Under this highly efficient cycle, his synthesis skills became increasingly proficient, and his soul power was constantly tempered through consumption and recovery. Although the numerical upper limit of the progress bar representing his soul strength remained 100 for now, its color seemed to become more solid and profound.

Late on the second night, when Xiao Chen once again restored his soul power to the perfected state of 【Low-tier (100/100)】, he felt a sensation of saturated throbbing in his mind, as if something was about to break out of its shell!

【Warning! Host’s soul strength has reached the Low-tier critical point. Do you wish to attempt to break through to the ‘Spiritually Agile’ realm? The breakthrough process carries risks and may lead to soul tremors. It is recommended that the Host perform this in an absolutely safe environment.】

The system's prompt sounded at the opportune moment.

Xiao Chen took a deep breath, his eyes firm. He had been waiting for this moment for a long time! Soul power was his foundation; only by breaking through to a higher realm could he withstand more advanced syntheses and unlock more system functions!

He checked the doors and windows, confirmed they were secure, then sat cross-legged, holding his breath and concentrating his mind.

“System, assist me in breaking through to the Spiritually Agile realm!”

After issuing the command, Xiao Chen fully operated the incomplete diagram of the Soul Condensing Technique, completely immersing his mind in his sea of consciousness. The system Scan function also activated synchronously, helping him perceive every subtle fluctuation of his own soul more clearly.

Initially, all was calm. His soul power was like a tranquil lake, undisturbed.

But as he guided his will, ripples began to appear on the lake. His soul power began to slowly rotate along a mysterious trajectory, accelerating, gradually forming a small vortex in the center of his sea of consciousness!

The throbbing sensation grew stronger and stronger! It felt as if his entire head was about to burst!

Xiao Chen firmly held his mind, gritting his teeth and persevering. He knew this was the most crucial moment!

The vortex spun to its extreme, and a tiny pinpoint of light seemed to appear at its center! That light point emitted a nimble, active aura!

Now!

Xiao Chen concentrated all his will, guiding his soul power, and charged fiercely towards that light point!

“Boom!!”

It was as if a thunderclap exploded in his mind! Xiao Chen felt his vision go black, his ears rang, and his entire being seemed about to lose consciousness!

But his powerful will to survive and willpower made him desperately cling to the last shred of clarity in his spiritual platform!

He didn't know how long passed, perhaps an instant, perhaps an eternity. The violent tremor gradually subsided, and the ringing faded away.

Xiao Chen slowly “opened” his eyes (inner vision) and found himself seemingly in a vaster, brighter space of consciousness. The original light blue progress bar had disappeared, replaced by a clearer, more responsive soul perception!

With a slight thought, his soul perception spread outwards like mercury flowing across the ground. Although the range was not large, only covering the small room and a few meters around it, it was immeasurably stronger than the previous vague sensation! He could even “see” the trajectory of a small insect crawling in the corner!

【Ding! Congratulations to Host for breaking through soul realm! Current realm: Spiritually Agile Early Stage (1/1000)】

【Soul perception range increased! Soul power recovery speed increased by 50%! Energy manipulation precision increased!】

【System authority slightly increased, 【Scan】 function precision enhanced, 【Replicate】 function consumption reduced by 10%!】

【Unlocked new function: 【Energy Absorption】 (Passive): Host can slowly absorb weak, free-floating energy from the surrounding environment to replenish the energy pool. (Current efficiency: 0.1 units/day)】

He had broken through! Spiritually Agile Early Stage!

A series of system prompts made Xiao Chen ecstatic!

Not only did his soul perception and recovery speed greatly improve, but even his system authority increased! Scan was more precise, Replicate consumption was reduced! More importantly, the 【Energy Absorption】 passive skill was unlocked!

Although he could only absorb 0.1 units of energy per day, which was negligible, it meant that his energy pool had a stable, albeit slow but continuous, source of replenishment! This was undoubtedly a godsend!

Feeling the nimble, free, and acutely perceptive new state in his mind, Xiao Chen couldn’t help but want to let out a long cry!

More than two days of arduous cultivation and almost frantic synthesis work had finally resulted in a qualitative leap!

Now, he felt that the single soul consumption for synthesizing blood coagulation powder was even smaller, and his recovery speed was faster. He was confident that he could further improve his synthesis efficiency while ensuring safety!

“Tomorrow, I’ll go see Ya Fei!” Xiao Chen’s eyes sparkled. His increase in strength gave him more confidence and anticipation for the upcoming meeting.

He didn't know what Ya Fei's so-called “fortuitous encounter” was, but no matter what, having stronger power would allow him to better seize the opportunity!

The night was deep, but the young man in the small room was like a rising new star, about to illuminate the night sky of Wutan City.