However, Huang Yueyang only managed to split into seven thousand threads, let alone Chen Sheng.
After years of rigorous practice, he had just barely entered the basics, only able to split into a thousand threads, just enough to get started.
Before long, Chen Sheng skillfully tossed in herbs one by one, as threads of fire wrapped around them tightly, gradually melting them into various colored medicinal liquids.
"Congeal!"
One spell after another was cast, liquid gathering and vortex condensation.
He carefully controlled the medicinal liquid to cluster, slowly rotating, gradually speeding up, using powerful centrifugal force to flick out the impurities.
The pill furnace shook, and a round green pill gradually spun into shape.
It was at this moment that Chen Sheng cast nineteen spells in succession—solidifying the elixir, sealing in the spiritual power.
At this step, each practitioner has a different method, yet it is extremely crucial!
Some people practice alchemy all their lives, yet cannot create an elixir with eighty percent efficacy, while Huang Yueyang was able to steadily refine high-quality elixirs with pill patterns.
The core of it lay in the trick of this step, which was Huang Yueyang's inspiration obtained from observing a master's alchemy.
After many years of contemplating, he finally realized a secret technique—"Sealing Spirit Technique."
The technique was like a ten-sided ambush, capable of sealing in ninety percent of the spiritual power, enhancing the medicinal effectiveness.
Finally, Chen Sheng cast the pill collection technique at the pill furnace.
"Collect the pill!"
The pill furnace opened in response, and a dragon-eye-sized green pill flew out, landing in his hand. It was precisely Huang's Rejuvenating Pill.
Chen Sheng assessed it himself:
"The pill body is flawless, and the medicinal fragrance is transparent, achieving eighty-five percent efficacy."
"It's a pity the pill pattern hasn't formed, so it's only considered a small high-quality product."
Although Huang's Rejuvenating Pill is a lower grade elixir, its refinement difficulty is among the upper ranks.
Not to mention, Chen Sheng had crafted one—a small high-quality pill that ordinary alchemists struggle to achieve in a lifetime—evidencing the rapid progress in his alchemy over these years.
Not long after.
Inside the hall, Huang Yueyang repeatedly examined the pill, showing a satisfied smile:
"From tomorrow, the refinement of the Rejuvenating Pill at the pill workshop will be handed over to you, be cautious and do not tarnish the reputation."
He paused, the smile lingering in his eyes:
"You can take eighty percent of the profit, leaving twenty percent to me as rent. You and Wangyou also need to support your family."
Hearing this, Chen Sheng respectfully bowed to him:
"Thank you, father-in-law!"
Huang Yueyang smiled gently:
"Alright, go on, and don't forget to spend more time with Wangyou."
Chen Sheng, hearing this, also revealed a faint smile:
"I understand, father-in-law."
He exited the inner hall.
Chen Sheng silently calculated in his heart the profits that the Rejuvenating Pill could bring him, quickly concluding that it would be three to four hundred spirit stones a year.
No doubt, this was the gold value of the Huang family's three major trademarks, as Chen Sheng slowly exhaled a deep breath:
"I can finally support the family."
He felt a weight lifted from his shoulders as he walked briskly to the back courtyard.
...
Under the grape trellis in the backyard.
Huang Wangyou lay on a bamboo chair, holding a piece of sour fruit in her hand. She had grown a bit plumper, her belly showing, and was pregnant again.
In the shade of a nearby tree, a girl full of spirit, her hands forming spells.
Strands of blue sword light crisscrossing, forming a tight sword net in the air.
As the sword net fell, over ten vulnerable points on the distant training copper man bore five-inch thick sword marks.
"Return!"
The sword light flew back, landing in the girl's hand, revealing a three-foot blue flying sword.
Not far away, Chen Sheng gazed at his daughter practicing swordplay, showing a pleased expression.
Six years had passed, and the once young girl had grown gracefully.
Tang Xichen's nature was resolute, her Dao Heart firm, her cultivation advancing rapidly, nearly progressing one layer every two years. She had now reached the late stage of the Qi Cultivation Third Layer and estimated to reach the Fourth Layer in another six months.
Her middle grade spiritual root and early to mid-stage Qi Cultivation showed no bottlenecks.
Speaking of which, his daughter's excellence put quite a bit of pressure on Chen Sheng. According to Huang Yueyang's nurturing method for Chen Sheng and his wife, without his father-in-law's support, he would have long been unable to sustain the family.
Tang Xichen spotted Chen Sheng and immediately ran over with eyes full of smiles.
"Daddy, how is my Star Cluster move?"
Chen Sheng laughed heartily:
"Daddy's swordsmanship can't compare to yours anymore."
The father and daughter both loved cultivation, always close and with a good relationship.
Chen Sheng was still his daughter's swordsmanship partner.
Even though Chen Sheng's sword control skill had long fallen short, he could still teach his daughter a thing or two using his fire control skill and the mana pressure brought by his realm.
On the side, Huang Wangyou was feeling a bit jealous:
"Now that you have a father, you've forgotten your mother."
"How could I!"
Tang Xichen smiled warmly, inheriting her mother's cleverness, and quickly ran to Huang Wangyou's side, massaging her back and shoulders while making playful remarks.
Before long, Huang Wangyou was laughing heartily.
Chen Sheng smiled as he watched this scene unfold.
...
The next day.
Another gathering took place.
Chen Sheng and his wife held a banquet at a restaurant in the market.
Li Huayao, who had just barely finished her apprenticeship, came with her husband Zhang Shichang. This time, it was a farewell banquet for the two of them.
Back then, Li Huayao wasn't wrong at all.
Several years passed, and now she was indeed heading to the Cloud Dragon Market for development.
Zhang Shichang was a tall and commanding middle-aged man, same as Chen Sheng, both at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer.
The two exchanged fist salutes, becoming acquainted.
They both had the intention of forming a friendship, and quickly found themselves having a great conversation. From Zhang Shichang, Chen Sheng learned a lot of information.
At this moment, Li Huayao was also noticeably pregnant, her face radiating with a vibrant smile.
Noticing the swell of Huang Wangyou's belly, she couldn't help but suggest with a laugh:
"Why don't we arrange a betrothal?"
"If I have a son and you have a daughter, let them marry. If they're both daughters, they can be sisters; if both sons, sworn brothers."
Huang Wangyou gave her a playful glare, a smile on her lips:
"You wish. When the little monkey in your belly is born, you'll have plenty to worry about. Remember when Chen'Er learned to walk, messing up all the medicinal herbs everywhere?"
"I chased after her to spank her, and she just laughed gleefully."
Li Huayao laughed heartily:
"That just shows how clever the child is. I hope to have a daughter like Chen'Er, both handsome and sensible."
After the banquet, it was Li Huayao who was somewhat reluctant to part. She hugged Huang Wangyou, tears brimming in her eyes:
"I grew up here. Leaving now, I'm really reluctant."
Huang Wangyou patted her back:
"It's not like you won't come back. Whenever you want, just return and visit."
Li Huayao nodded softly.
The few of them exchanged farewell salutes and took their leave.
A few days later.
Li Huayao and her husband were about to join the large family group heading to the Cloud Dragon Market for development.
At present, the Qin, Li, and Zhang clans, all with Foundation Establishment influences, were focusing their efforts on developing the Cloud Dragon Market.
As for the Thousand Machines Market, it was too stable.
Though it was co-developed by the three families, over the course of a hundred years, the Qinghua Sect, as an Upper Sect, naturally involved itself, collecting taxes and reaping huge profits.
The influence and benefits of the three families gradually diminished.
They couldn't change or shake the decisions of the Upper Sect, and could only shift their focus.
Huang Wangyou sighed softly:
"Six years ago, we bid farewell to Brother Zhang and Senior Sister Luo, and today it's Junior Sister Li. Our old friends are dispersing, leaving behind unknown when we shall meet again."
Chen Sheng held her in his arms, softly comforting:
"There's no such thing as a feast that never ends. Eight hundred miles is just a few days' journey. If you miss them, you can visit next year."
Huang Wangyou pouted:
"I won't. It's too dangerous outside the market, let's just live our own lives."
Chen Sheng smiled gently, both of them being cautious by nature, his words were merely for comfort.
...
Qin Mansion.
A child was sitting cross-legged, cultivating earnestly, his small face full of seriousness.
Over several years, Qin Dajiang had aged considerably, his temples streaked with gray.
Years had passed by.
Qin Shuang had yet to return; the answer was all too clear.
"Foundation Establishment is indeed difficult!"
Qin Dajiang sighed deeply, feeling a trace of sorrow. He didn't even know where his son's corpse lay, unable to collect the remains.
Only when he looked upon his grandson, Qin Yuan, did he reveal a trace of affection.
Seeing Qin Yuan's diligent expression, a hint of regret flashed in Qin Dajiang's tiger eyes.
Two years ago, he tested his grandson's spirit root, revealing only a Lower Grade Wood Spirit Root. With such a root aptitude, the path of cultivation is hard to seek!
Qin Dajiang shook his head, suddenly coming to terms:
"So be it, a Lower Grade Spirit Root—so what? I seek nothing else, just wishing he doesn't strive for strength and power, but lives a peaceful life, carrying on our lineage, and that's good enough."