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In the following days, Qi Yuan spent most of his time in the cave, studying the elixir recipes recorded in the *Vulcan Treasure Record*. He carefully selected two pill recipes suitable for Jindan cultivators and dedicated himself to refining them.
Since his own elixir garden lacked the necessary herbs for alchemy, he sent Xiaomei to the city to procure them. With the Chaos Cauldron accelerating the cultivation process, obtaining high-quality alchemy ingredients was no longer an issue.
Meanwhile, Qi Yuan subtly influenced Xin Ruyin and Xiaomei, overwhelming them to the point where they could no longer resist him. Only then did he bring up Yuan Yao and Yan Li. If he had mentioned them outright, Xin Ruyin and the others might not have objected openly, but they would have felt uneasy. Instead, Qi Yuan used a calculated approach—he first pushed Xin Ruyin to her limits, making her recognize her own weaknesses, before introducing Yuan Yao and Yan Li into the conversation.
However, he didn't rush things. Rather than having them move in immediately, he provided the two women with pass tokens, allowing them free access to his cave on the forty-ninth floor of the Holy Mountain. This arrangement gave them time to interact naturally and determine whether they could coexist. If tensions arose, he would arrange for a separate cave for Yuan Yao and Yan Li. If harmony prevailed, he would eventually invite them to move in.
Wang Heng, who remained active in Tianxing City, frequently visited Qi Yuan or invited him over. Their conversations mainly revolved around cultivation and other casual matters, avoiding any direct persuasion to join the Miaoyin Sect. Instead, Wang Heng employed a softer approach, seeking to build rapport and strengthen their connection.
Fortunately, Wang Heng and his wife could not remain in Tianxing City indefinitely, which gave Qi Yuan some respite. However, before leaving, Wang Heng assigned Fan Jingmei, the Left Envoy of Miaoyin Sect, to maintain contact with Qi Yuan. When they first met, Qi Yuan was surprised to discover that Fan Jingmei's Yuan Yin body was still intact. He quickly deduced that she had yet to meet Elder Zhao from the sect, thus retaining her purity.
Qi Yuan attended every auction hosted by the four major business alliances, taking his women along in turns to broaden their experiences. He successfully bid on various valuable treasures, including rare materials for magical weapons, high-level demon cores, and thunder-based movement techniques. At one auction, he even acquired the Five Elements Fantasy Jade at a remarkably low price, as its niche utility limited its demand.
Xin Ruyin and Xiaomei, having long been accustomed to Qi Yuan's extraordinary abilities, remained composed. In contrast, Yuan Yao and Yan Li, who had only recently joined him, were visibly stunned throughout the auction. The vast difference in social status and resources was apparent—Qi Yuan, with Wang Heng's support, had successfully infiltrated high-level Jindan cultivator gatherings in Tianxing City. These secret meetings allowed him to exchange resources, expand his knowledge of the *Chaos Star Sea*, and acquire rare treasures. With the Chaos Cauldron at his disposal, even common materials could be refined into superior versions.
As long as Tianxing City's millions of cultivators continued producing Yin and Yang Qi through their tireless cultivation, the Chaos Cauldron would remain fully charged and functional.
One day, an unexpected phenomenon shook the Holy Mountain in Tianxing City. The sky darkened, lightning crackled, and thunder roared as dark clouds loomed over the city.
"A pill is forming! Someone is reaching the Jindan stage!"
"Look, fellow Daoist! That aura is coming from the forty-ninth floor. Anyone living there must be extraordinary."
"Sigh, I'm nearing the end of my lifespan. I wonder if I'll ever form my own pill before I die... How envious."
Yan Ruyan's breakthrough into the Jindan stage drew the attention of countless forces in Tianxing City. Divine senses discreetly probed Qi Yuan's cave, eager for firsthand information.
Having already formed his golden core, Qi Yuan remained unfazed. However, Xin Ruyin and the other women, who had never witnessed such an event, were both awed and envious. Yuan Yao and Yan Li, in particular, were shaken—if someone among them had already reached the Jindan stage, could they, too, achieve it given enough time?
The pill-forming spectacle lasted several hours before the skies cleared, leaving behind an air of tranquility. The retreat chamber, sealed for years, finally opened, releasing a cloud of thick dust. A graceful figure stepped out, exuding the oppressive aura of a Jindan cultivator.
Suddenly, a chilling palm strike shot toward Qi Yuan, leaving a trail of deadly frost in its wake.
Xin Ruyin and the others paled in shock. Why was Yan Ruyan attacking Qi Yuan?
Qi Yuan, unperturbed, raised a hand from within his robe. With a smirk, he pointed a colorful beam of sharp light, effortlessly shattering the icy attack.
Yan Ruyan, fresh from her breakthrough, stood her ground, her beauty even more dazzling than before. However, her puffed cheeks revealed her displeasure.
"You dare challenge your master the moment you step out? Quite bold."
"Hmph. Can't I at least test my strength?" she retorted.
Xin Ruyin, still shaken, approached. "Ruyan, you nearly scared me to death."
Xiaomei nodded in agreement.
Seeing her old companions, Yan Ruyan's expression softened. She took Xin Ruyin's hand and reassured her, "I was only joking, Ruyin. Don't take it to heart."
Her gaze then shifted to Yuan Yao and Yan Li. Their striking beauty made her instinctively wary—had Qi Yuan taken in new victims?
"Yuan Yao, Yan Li, greet Sister Ruyan," Xin Ruyin prompted.
The two stepped forward and saluted respectfully.
Yan Ruyan studied them for a moment before handing over some high-quality elixirs. "As your elder sister, here's a gift. If you need more, ask. But whether you can obtain them depends on your abilities."
She had once endured the same struggles and knew their unspoken fears.
Yuan Yao and Yan Li, catching her meaning, blushed and lowered their heads in embarrassment.
Qi Yuan coughed, interrupting. "Yan'er, don't tease them too much. Xiaomei, go buy the materials from this list."
He handed a slip of paper to Xiaomei. It contained ingredients for Qi training stage pills, as well as Jindan-level elixirs meant for Nangong Wan and Master Hongfu. His goal was to nurture Nascent Soul cultivators before the opening of Xutian Palace.
After Xiaomei left, Xin Ruyin discreetly signaled Yuan Yao and the others to leave, giving Qi Yuan and Yan Ruyan some privacy.
Seeing everyone retreat, panic flashed in Yan Ruyan's eyes. She tried to slip away, but Qi Yuan swiftly caught her wrist.
He pulled her into an embrace, seated himself on a large rock, and smirked. "Are you afraid of me?"
"Who… who's afraid of you?" she stammered.
Qi Yuan chuckled and pressed a palm to her forehead, transferring a mysterious energy into her. Yan Ruyan's eyes widened in shock—he had returned her soul to her. Wasn't he afraid she might leave for good?
"From today on, you are free. If you wish to leave, I won't stop you."
Qi Yuan released his hold on her waist.
Yan Ruyan hesitated, her mind racing. What was his true intention? Before she could decide, Qi Yuan suddenly captured her lips in a deep kiss, his touch unrestrained and possessive.
Caught off guard, she blushed deeply. Her body, despite itself, responded, arms wrapping around his neck for support.
The gentle wind carried a few fallen leaves through the air.
Moments later, Yan Ruyan gasped for breath, her cheeks flushed. She shot Qi Yuan an annoyed glare and whispered, "You scoundrel."
Qi Yuan grinned. "Yan'er, are you sure you can escape me?"
She huffed but didn't deny it.
Their fate was already sealed.
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