12: Chapter 12 Advancement in Alchemy and the Warmth and Fragrance of Soft Jade

Chen Fan felt a slight shock in his heart; he hadn't expected the lady before him to be so decisive in her killing, whereas he himself had been a bit too cautious.

Two times, and nearly thirty-five Spirit Stones were gone; that was no small amount. Although he could earn Spirit Stones, the money he earned by working from dawn to dusk was hard-earned.

What was even more troublesome was that the other party seemed unlikely to stop.

"I must raise my Realm as soon as possible; I cannot delay any longer," Chen Fan secretly resolved.

A month later, after diligent Cultivate, Qin Mei successfully became pregnant.

When this news reached the ears of Great Elder Qin Yuanshan, a strange expression appeared on his face.

"This kid is too lustful. Qin Mei has been married out for many years, and because her stomach wasn't up to the task, she only gave birth to one girl. I didn't expect that after just one month, she would actually be pregnant."

Chen Fan wasn't overly happy about this; the most important thing right now was to raise his Realm.

After all, refining higher-quality Medicinal Pills required immense Spiritual Sense, and a Cultivator would only develop Spiritual Sense upon reaching Qi Refining Level 3.

This day, he took out all the Medicinal Pills he had accumulated over time, including those he had refined himself, those purchased from the market, and the last spirit-gathering pill rewarded by the System.

After five days of secluded Cultivate, having consumed a large number of Medicinal Pills, Chen Fan slowly opened his eyes as a white mist dissipated behind him.

A smile appeared on his face; having consumed a large amount of cultivation resources accumulated over a long time, he had finally successfully reached a Breakthrough to Qi Refining Level 3.

He could clearly feel that his Physical Body and magic power were much stronger than before. More importantly, his Spiritual Sense had emerged, though the range of his probing was not large, only...

At this moment, Chen Fan was not in a hurry to leave the room; instead, he worked hard to Cultivate various Spells, such as the low-tier Fireball Spell, Lightning Strike Spell, and Sword Control Spell.

Only after mastering them did he bathe and change his clothes.

"Congratulations, Husband."

The wives showed expressions of joy, and Qin Mei was even more overjoyed, the look of determination in her eyes growing stronger.

Chen Fan nodded slightly and walked directly into the Pill Refining Room in the courtyard to begin refining Medicinal Pills.

He had always refined Low Grade Medicinal Pills with two or three patterns; today, he wanted to see if he could make a Breakthrough.

Just like any other day, he began to start the fire, warm the furnace, preheat, and toss in the Spiritual Plant, but unlike before, he could now use his Spiritual Sense to carefully perceive the Fusion of the Spiritual Plant and the changes in the Medicinal Pill.

Before long, a batch of Medicinal Pills was quickly refined.

Compared to before, the success rate was higher, and the consumption of energy was lower.

In the Qin Family, Medicinal Pills with fewer than three patterns were all provided to Cultivators below Qi Refining Level 4, and the price was cheaper, which meant that the profit from them was not as much as imagined.

"I wonder if I can refine four-pattern Medicinal Pills now?"

Thinking of this, he immediately began to refine. Not long after, with a "Boom" sound, the pill room was filled with smoke.

Clearly, the first attempt at refining had failed.

Then came the second batch; he refined three times in a row, and only the last batch succeeded.

Looking at the four-pattern spirit-gathering pill before him, a long-lost smile appeared on Chen Fan's face.

As long as the quality of the Medicinal Pills improved, advancing to Qi Refining Level 4 in the future would be a matter of course; even if he had to smash his way through with Medicinal Pills, he would succeed.

With a wave of his long sleeves, he opened the System panel and his gaze fell on the task bar.

[New side quest: Advance to Qi Refining Level 4 as soon as possible, and produce five descendants with Spiritual Roots.]

"Right now, two children have Spiritual Roots, and it is highly likely that the one in Qin Mei's belly also has Spiritual Roots. To complete the System side quest, it seems I must marry again."

Thinking of this, he headed towards the Grand Elder's residence.

In a residence in the Qin Family filled with dense Spiritual Qi, Chen Fan's attitude was respectful.

"Very good. With your Aptitude, it is indeed rare to be able to advance to Qi Refining Level 3 in such a short time."

Great Elder Qin Yuanshan nodded repeatedly. In fact, seeing the other party arrive, he had long guessed his thoughts.

"I heard that your success rate in refining three-pattern Medicinal Pills has increased. I am very pleased. However, the path of Alchemy is extremely difficult. You have a good start, but do not be careless."

Great Elder Qin Yuanshan's meaning was clear: do not be overly obsessed with female beauty.

Chen Fan naturally understood the implication, but he still tactfully made his request: "Grand Elder, I am still young and full of vigor."

"Is that so?" Great Elder Qin Yuanshan's face once again showed a strange expression.

"Forget it. Since you have successfully entered Qi Refining Level 3, I will naturally fulfill my previous promise. You may go back first!"

After hearing this, Chen Fan was overjoyed and bowed in respect.

"It seems this child's path in the Dao will end here; his future in Alchemy will stop at the first grade, Medium Grade." Great Elder Qin Yuanshan sighed slightly.

One must know that among the Matrilocal son-in-law recruited over the years, none had ever been so proactive in marrying and having children; most were just there to obtain the Qin Family's cultivation resources.

Just as Chen Fan was walking hurriedly back to his residence, a crisp voice slowly came from behind.

"Alchemist Chen, long time no see. I didn't expect you to have become even more handsome."

The speaker was Qin Shuangshuang, wearing a moon-white flowing cloud dress with a light apricot-colored palace sash tied at her waist, outlining her figure in a particularly enchanting way.

After careful dressing, she smiled like a flower, looking delicate and charming.

Especially those soul-stirring eyes that left one distracted after looking at them.

"Alchemist Chen?" Qin Shuangshuang covered her mouth and laughed when she saw the other party staring blankly.

"It is my rudeness, please forgive me." Chen Fan smiled awkwardly.

"It does not matter. I originally wanted to pay a visit, and coincidentally, I just prepared to go out when I met you. A banquet has already been prepared at home, please come over."

"This..."

Chen Fan was not sure if this was Sun Xuan's intention. One must know that usually, their relationship was very distant, even somewhat cold.

"Could it be that Alchemist Chen looks down on this little woman?" Qin Shuangshuang's eyes filled with tears as she saw the other party hesitating, and she began to sob.

"It is my fault. I haven't had a drink with Brother Sun for many days."

Upon hearing this, Qin Shuangshuang's eyes became bright.

However, just as he followed her into the room, the other party became extremely proactive.

A breeze brushed his face, bringing soft jade and warm fragrance, and a round Medicinal Pill was suddenly flicked into his mouth.

"Ah! A drug?" Chen Fan was shocked, his face showing horror.

"Alchemist Chen, no need to worry so much. This is all Shuang'er's own wish."

Because she had not become pregnant for a long time, Qin Shuangshuang felt immense pressure. After all, a woman who could not bear children was of no use to the Qin Family.

After a long period of observation, she discovered that Chen Fan was so capable of siring children, so she came up with this plan today.

Not long after, the sounds of falling clothes and heavy breathing drifted from the room.

An hour passed. Seeing no one around, Chen Fan looked ghastly pale, as if he had been drained dry, and stumbled out of the room.

He felt a sense of self-reproach in his heart. How could he have been so unprepared? If Sun Xuan found out, wouldn't he have gained another enemy? One must know that the other party had already entered Qi Refining Level 5.

However, this feeling seemed to have a unique charm, like a jar of old wine that left one with an endless aftertaste.

Half a month later, Great Elder Qin Yuanshan sent someone to deliver a young female Cultivator with a three-Spiritual Root Aptitude and a Realm of Qi Refining Level 2.

She had bright eyes and white teeth, spirited eyes, a lovely appearance, and was seventeen years old. From her simple outer clothing, one could tell that her family background was very ordinary.

Coupled with her thin figure, she gave people the feeling of being weak and fragile.

"This little woman, Qin Wei, greets Alchemist Chen." Qin Wei curtsied slightly, her eyes timid and somewhat uneasy.