Thirty-seven stalks of Spiritual Medicine—had they been fully absorbed or not?
Guang Xiaoyu wasn’t too sure herself. Right now, all she felt was a sense of comfort throughout her body, her limbs full of strength, and it seemed like a considerable amount of Spirit Qi had gathered in her Dantian.
Well, it looks like it’s not bad.
"I’ve checked your body. Your meridians aren’t strong enough, and your Dantian is too small; it can’t sustain the circulation of a hundred Zhou Tians, so... wait a bit longer," Chen Pingping said. "Wait for tonight, and we’ll try another round of Body Refining, or maybe tomorrow."
Didn’t he say he absolutely didn’t peek? What does this ’checking’ mean?
Guang Xiaoyu was so exasperated she could have spat blood.
"Also, there’s another matter." Chen Pingping took out a few stalks of Spiritual Medicine. "The Sect Leader has called for me, so, Junior Sister, could you help me feed that old cow?"
"Feed the cow?" Guang Xiaoyu exploded instantly.
I, the great Demon Emperor, would go feed a cow? Are you kidding me?
Before she could refuse, Chen Pingping left the Spiritual Medicine behind and departed, leaving Guang Xiaoyu alone, reeling in the wind.
「Atop the peak of the Wuji Sect.」
The contemporary Sect Leader, Baili Jiansan, lived up to his name—tall and skinny, customarily clad in a long robe, his body straight as a sword. His stern face emanated an aura of authority without him needing to be angry.
He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance.
Before long, Chen Pingping’s voice sounded from behind, "Greetings, Sect Leader."
"Nephew Chen, you’ve arrived!" Baili Jiansan turned around, smiling. "I’ve heard that you accepted a female disciple during the recruitment ceremony. How is she now?"
"It wasn’t I who took her in, but Master," Chen Pingping corrected.
"How is her aptitude?"
"For the newcomer contest in half a year, do you have any confidence?" Baili Jiansan inquired.
"It all depends on Master," Chen Pingping said gloomily.
One asking what he already knew, the other responding perfunctorily. How could the entire Sect not know about Guang Xiaoyu’s aptitude? And how could the Sect Leader, of all people, be unaware? With her aptitude, whether she could enter the top ten of the newcomer contest was painfully obvious.
Baili Jiansan smiled faintly. "I believe, Nephew Chen, it’s been three years since you joined the Sect, right?"
"Although Junior Sister Wen is somewhat busy and has neglected much of your cultivation, you’ve been lenient with yourself these past three years. You’ve never pushed yourself and have been indolent in your cultivation." Baili Jiansan sighed. "Alas, those young ones who joined the Sect at the same time as you have already stepped into the Soul Condensation Realm."
Is that really neglect? When had Master ever taught me about cultivation? When I learned to absorb Qi, Master was away. On the day I broke through to the Breaking Sun realm, Master was still away. When I reached Soul Condensation, I still couldn’t find any trace of Master. He felt so wronged! As for being lenient and lazy, he couldn’t be bothered to explain.
But Chen Pingping had to admit, in certain respects, Master had indeed treated him very well.
For example, Wen Yuqing had given him full control of Qingfeng Mountain and never interfered. Similarly, she never inquired about the development of the land behind the mountain. Then there was the time when disciples from the Three Peaks challenged him.
Chen Pingping remembered it was two years ago. Wen Yuqing, sword in hand, had gone to demand an explanation. In the end, the Three Peaks compensated with a large amount of Spiritual Medicine and Spirit Pills, all of which were given to Chen Pingping.
The most outrageous part was that he had been tending cows on Qingfeng Mountain for three years, and Wen Yuqing never showed any intention of expelling him from the Sect.
Wen Yuqing had said, "My disciples can do whatever they want—who are you all to interfere?"
Gentle, yet domineering.
Chen Pingping responded with a smile, "Yes, yes, I will surely cultivate diligently and strive to improve myself."
Baili Jiansan nodded. "I hope you won’t let down Junior Sister Wen’s expectations of you."
「On the hillside, one person, one cow, and one dog.」
The ox was still Old Yellow, and the dog was still Blackie, but the person was no longer Chen Pingping; it was an infuriated Guang Xiaoyu.
She had tried to feed Old Yellow several times, but the stubborn ox paid her no attention, not even sparing a glance for the Spiritual Medicine in her hand.
You’re just an ox! This Emperor is kindly offering you food, and you scorn it?
Gritting her teeth, Guang Xiaoyu rolled up her sleeves, preparing to teach it a lesson, only to be sent flying by a powerful kick from Old Yellow.
After picking herself up, Guang Xiaoyu was stunned.
Is this an ox? Can this even be called an ox? A common farm animal just sent a Demon Emperor flying. Can you believe it?
Blackie barked loudly, seemingly cheering, "Go for it!"
Guang Xiaoyu’s face flushed with anger, ready to attack once more—a Demon Emperor’s dignity could not be defiled.
At that moment, Chen Pingping’s voice came from afar, "You can’t beat it."
What a joke! I, the mighty Demon Emperor, can’t beat an ox? Hmm, Senior Brother?
Quickly straightening her clothes, Guang Xiaoyu smiled. "We cultivators should be broad-minded and graceful. How could I possibly take an ox seriously?"
Damn it, Senior Brother actually said I can’t beat that Old Yellow?
Chen Pingping just smiled and said nothing as he took the Spiritual Medicine from her hands. Old Yellow immediately started munching on it contentedly.
Seeing this, Guang Xiaoyu grew considerably calmer.
It’s not unusual for livestock to recognize people, so such an intelligent ox wasn’t a rare occurrence. But this ox eats Spiritual Medicine. This is no simple matter! Looking once more into Old Yellow’s eyes—disdain, aloofness, mockery, pride... so much spirit! For a moment, Guang Xiaoyu even suspected Old Yellow might be a Spiritual Beast. As the invincible Demon Emperor, she was naturally widely experienced. She had seen all kinds of Spiritual Beasts, Ferocious Beasts, Demon Beasts, and the like, but she had never seen a domesticated animal that had achieved sentience. Something’s not right.
"Senior Brother, do you always feed it Spiritual Medicine?" Guang Xiaoyu asked.
Such inhuman extravagance! Guang Xiaoyu couldn’t think of any other way to describe it.
"Let me tell you something," Chen Pingping turned around. "Your aptitude is too poor, so the Body Refining stage must be taken seriously. Senior Brother will devise a plan for you in a moment."
My aptitude isn’t poor! It really isn’t poor... Alright! My aptitude does have a slight issue. But wait until this Emperor begins cultivation and everything is on the right track. Hmph, you despicable mortal Senior Brother, just wait for the day you’ll bask in this Emperor’s glory! This trashy sect? With just a bit of effort from this Emperor, won’t my realm soar rapidly? When that time comes, the entire Wuji Sect will grovel at this Emperor’s feet! Of course, thoughts are just thoughts; the actual problem still needs to be solved.
"What plan?" Guang Xiaoyu asked curiously.
"Of course, it’s..." Chen Pingping said with a kind smile, "to intensify the Body Refining process."
Poor aptitude? No matter, Senior Brother has Spiritual Medicine. Meridians not good enough? Expand them with Spiritual Medicine. Dantian not big enough? Use Spiritual Medicine to develop it... Qingfeng Mountain lacks many things, but not Spiritual Medicine.
Chen Pingping had already made up his mind to elevate Guang Xiaoyu’s realm, no matter what.
The first Body Refining session used thirty-seven stalks of Spiritual Medicine.
For the second, logically, the dosage should be increased. However, Chen Pingping believed that Guang Xiaoyu’s body wasn’t nearly strong enough to bear it yet.