Chapter 10° Yang Xin
___
"Hong!"
Xiang Yun's body immediately became the center of a vortex of soul force, drawing in all the surrounding spiritual energy within a ten-meter radius into his Dantian.
The collision between the two forces triggered a powerful reaction, distorting the air with the overwhelming amount of soul energy. His Five Element Star Technique activated on its own, causing his Soul Form to tremble as it accepted the influx of power, absorbing it at an astonishing rate.
"Incredible! Just as I expected. Only a high-grade pill could produce such intense effects," Xiang Yun thought, circulating his cultivation technique, stabilizing his foundation, and reaching 235 soul force within minutes.
"Luckily, it was a success. Now I can begin forming a business relationship with the Alchemist Association," he confirmed aloud.
An hour later, having fully recovered his soul force, Xiang Yun began refining once again. This time, it was the same pill, but with an additional ingredient—this batch was intended specifically for Yang Xin, just like Nie Li did in the canon.
This time, the process was slightly easier. He only failed twice before successfully refining three good-quality pills, though two were rendered useless.
Afterward, he took one of the pills along with the letter he had written and sent them to the Alchemist Association.
____
Three days later.
[Alchemist Association]
Inside the Alchemy Hall, a soft fragrance of lilies and spiritual ingredients floated through the air, mingling with the gentle glow of spiritual light crystals embedded in the walls.
Seated on a small white jade chair, Yang Xin lounged lazily, her silk blue robes clinging to her curves with calculated perfection. Her snow-white cleavage quivered slightly with every idle movement.
In her delicate fingers, she held a plain porcelain vial—far too ordinary-looking for what it contained. Beside her rested a folded rice paper letter, sealed with red wax, and carrying a faint aura of pressure that had initially made her hesitate to open it.
Fortunately, curiosity won out.
Yang Xin slid the scroll from the simple envelope, still faintly scented with medicinal fragrance. Her manicured nails traced the edges of the paper as she carefully unfolded it.
Inside, the handwriting was clean and direct—no signature, no emblems, no embellishments.
Leaning back, she began reading the letter's contents.
____
[Spiritual Gathering Pill]
This pill increases the rate of spiritual energy absorption by up to ten times during cultivation. One day will be equivalent to ten.
The effects are temporary, lasting a minimum of ten days, but they are stable and safe. While the ingredients are relatively easy to obtain, the refining techniques are specialized, so attempting to reverse-engineer the formula is unnecessary.
In exchange for the full recipe of this and other pills with equal or greater effects, I propose a simple deal:
50% share of all profits from sales.
I will provide the formulas. The Alchemist Association will handle production, marketing, and distribution.
Regardless of your response, my disciple will soon attend the test to become an official alchemist. You may give him your answer then.
___
Yang Xin arched a brow, a slight smile on her lips. "Who does this arrogant person think they are? I don't even know if this pill works, and they want half the profits—without even appearing in person for a proper agreement? Ridiculous."
She leaned back in the chair, slowly swinging one leg. But the name of the pill lingered in her thoughts.
Spiritual Gathering Pill…
It didn't sound ordinary. She couldn't recall anything by that name from her memory. And while the deal was bold, it also implied confidence—or a very good bluff.
Her gaze shifted from the letter to the rustic vial on the tray. The pill inside gave off a faint crystalline glow and still felt warm, as if freshly refined.
From her knowledge, it seemed to be of good quality.
But what caught her eye the most was the final line of the letter, written separately—as if to draw her special attention:
["As a gift for our future partnership, this pill includes a small bonus just for you. Let's say… a touch of added beauty."]
Yang Xin let out a soft laugh, low and slightly seductive.
The young assistant standing by the hall entrance shuddered slightly at the sound. Yang Xin noticed and turned to him slowly, a playful smile on her lips.
"What's the matter, Xiao Gang? Are you so curious you want to try the pill yourself?"
The boy shook his head fiercely, quickly looking away and covering his mouth, clearly afraid the strange pill might leap out at him—like it had on past occasions.
With grace, Yang Xin turned back to the vial. A single pill lay inside—unlike any she had seen before. Its body was crystalline, like it had been sculpted from spiritual amber, radiating a pure, soft glow.
"Interesting… The vial is just plain porcelain, the letter is nothing special either." She poured the pill into her smooth palm, inspecting it more closely.
"But this pill… I've never seen anything quite like it."
She drew a small jade blade and carefully scraped the surface. She brought the powder to her nose, inhaled, then extended her small, pink tongue to taste it. Her gaze grew serious.
"No poison, no hidden toxins… It seems to have been refined cleanly, without malicious intent."
As if savoring a forbidden candy, she gently split the pill in half with the blade and swallowed only one portion.
A sudden heat surged through her body—instant, deep, like liquid fire flowing through her meridians, seeping into her bones and soul.
"Ahh…" The moan slipped out before she could hold it back, coloring her beautiful face with a flush.
Yang Xin sat cross-legged, eyes closed, lips slightly parted. Her body felt lighter, her blue robe swaying slightly as her figure seemed to subtly shift.
The spiritual energy around her whirled chaotically—but in a controlled way, as if the entire force was being drawn directly into her body.
Ten minutes later, the young assistant who had been watching her with wide eyes grew more and more stunned.
"Miss Yang… your skin… it's glowing," he whispered, clearly shocked.
Yang Xin opened her eyes and looked at her hands. It was just as he said. Her arms looked paler, her skin firmer—and she felt amazing.
"Is it really?" She rose gracefully, her hair cascading over her shoulders like pure silk. "Come closer. Take a good look—don't you think I look… younger?"
The young assistant gulped, hesitating. "Y-yes… You look at least five years younger. Like when I first started working in the Alchemy Hall…" he muttered, averting his gaze.
Yang Xin laughed again, a hint of mischief dancing in her voice, and stepped forward until her now firmer chest was right in front of his face.
"So then, little brother Xiao Gang… will you still call me big sister now?" she teased, enjoying his flustered reaction.
"I… I didn't—"
BAM!
Her jade fan tapped gently—but with surgical precision—against his forehead, making him stumble back awkwardly.
"Hahaha. Don't get ahead of yourself, little brother. I'm still your superior," Yang Xin said, leaving the poor assistant dazed.
Turning to the bronze mirror, she touched her face, inspecting her firmer skin, the vivid glow in her eyes, and the velvet softness of her lips. Even her breasts looked fuller, and her waist slightly slimmer.
"The effect described in the letter… seems to be working well. And that was just half the pill."
"Also…" She studied her reflection. Yes, she truly did look younger. "So that was the 'special touch' promised in the letter?"
Her smile faded briefly, replaced by a thoughtful expression. A pill that boosted cultivation speed tenfold and rejuvenated the body? That was something she'd never imagined—not now, not even in humanity's golden age.
"I must show this to President Gu Yan."
She placed the remaining half of the pill back into the vial, sealing it with a spiritual seal. But she didn't notice the internal inscription carved inside the vial itself. If she had, she would've realized it was a containment seal—one that preserved the pill's freshness far longer than any ordinary porcelain bottle in Glory City.
"If half of the pill has this effect… What would happen if I took the whole thing? Would I become ten years younger?" she wondered, resisting the temptation.
In the end, she pushed the thought aside and hurried off to inform President Gu Yan.
[Elsewhere]
Meanwhile, as evening approached, a beautiful figure crossed the city, arriving at the training grounds. Today marked Xiao Ning'er's second treatment session, and she had decided to arrive early—she didn't want to keep Xiang Yun waiting.
____
[A/N: There wouldn't be any chapters today, but I decided to write one. If you liked it, leave a comment or an idea. I'm also thinking about who he should have in the Harem. Xiao Ning'er and Yang Xin are confirmed.]