Chapter 8: Guiyuan Pill is in hand, can Liu Qianru also be snatched away?

“Ying.”

The sound came from Liu Qianru, who had fallen unconscious. Perhaps Zhou Chen had walked too fast and accidentally pulled her wound.

At this moment, Zhou Chen had already arrived at an uninhabited cave.

He first gently laid Liu Qianru down. Her clothes were torn in many places.

The edges of the tears glowed faintly, indicating that even her clothes were a High Grade Profound Rank Spiritual Artifact.

Looking at Liu Qianru’s impressive figure, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t tempted.

However, a Prodigy like her would always have backup plans, and Zhou Chen didn’t have the Protagonist Halo that lowers intelligence.

If he really did something, he would probably be dead very soon. Just think, how many people of the same age could defeat a Middle Stage Golden Core Yao Beast while only being in the Early Stage Golden Core?

Shaking off distracting thoughts, he began to focus on saving her.

Zhou Chen carefully cleaned the bloodstains on Liu Qianru, then took out a clean set of clothes from his Storage Pouch and draped them over Liu Qianru.

Immediately after, he took out a drop of Earth Mother Essence and gave it to Liu Qianru. At the same time, he used his crude first-aid knowledge from before his Transmigration to stop the bleeding and perform simple bandaging.

After all this, Zhou Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was truly not easy. Only now did he have free time to stop and properly observe Liu Qianru.

Fair-skinned and beautiful, captivatingly gorgeous, coupled with an impressive figure, she was just a bit too cold.

Even in a coma, she was so eye-catching. Tsk tsk, as expected of Wenxian Sect’s top Prodigy.

“System, check panel.”

Taking advantage of being alone, he opened the System panel to check Liu Qianru’s panel.

【Name: Liu Qianru.】

(Bind? Current bound count 0/3. After binding, you can view Opportunities at any time without being face-to-face.)

【Realm: Golden Core Stage Second Layer.】

Early Stage Golden Core is from the first to third layer, Middle Stage is from the fourth to sixth layer. The snake Yao Beast Liu Qianru killed was a Golden Core Stage Fourth Layer. Late Stage Golden Core is from the seventh to ninth layer, and the tenth layer of Golden Core is Great Perfection.

【Fate: Purple Fate.】

【Destiny: Her ancestors once produced a Female Emperor, possessing the Female Emperor Bloodline (Unawakened). She is one of Ye Chen’s concubines. The Female Emperor Bloodline never awakened in her lifetime, and her Cultivation stopped at the Saint Stage Fifth Layer. She will be the future Vice Sect Leader of Blazing Fire Holy Land, and she will self-destruct with Ye Chen.】

【Recent Opportunity 1: After a great battle with the snake Yao Beast, she gained insight and Breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage Third Layer.】

【Recent Opportunity 2: Three days later, she returns to the Sect and discovers a Face-Preserving Pill under an unknown stone tablet in the Sect’s back mountain.】

【Recent Opportunity 3: …】

【Female Emperor Bloodline (Gold) (Inactive): Possesses one-tenth of the Female Emperor Bloodline. If fully activated, there is hope for Immortal Ascension. Combat power can slaughter gods and destroy immortals, unrivaled in the same Realm.】

【Heavenly Talent (Purple): Heaven-Grade Cultivation talent, astonishing Comprehension Ability. Cultivating is as easy as eating and drinking. This life is destined to be far from mediocrity.】

【Profound Fortune (Purple): Favored by the Heavenly Dao, your fortune is very profound. Your life will be smooth sailing, and you will often obtain many good treasures. In difficult times, you can always turn danger into safety, and you will often have noble people to assist you.】

【Prosperous Husband (Purple): Possesses great Luck. Forming a Dao Companion relationship with you will make your Dao Companion also favored by the Heavenly Dao, thus gaining the Mandate of Heaven and smooth sailing.】

Zhou Chen was shocked. Female Emperor Bloodline. This was the first time he had seen a Gold Fate.

To reach the Saint Stage Fifth Layer without Awakening her Bloodline throughout her life, if she could awaken the Female Emperor Bloodline, wouldn’t that mean the Emperor Realm, or even stronger?

If it was a complete Female Emperor Bloodline, he dared not imagine. Unrivaled in the same Realm, and with the Aptitude for Immortal Ascension.

She was actually so devoted to Ye Chen. What a good girl. Damn Ye Chen, damn Protagonist Halo, just like that, he ruined her.

“Ding! Congratulations to the host for intercepting Liu Qianru, a concubine of the Son of Luck. Ten thousand times return of the Female Emperor Bloodline (complete).”

Holy cow.

Is this the MVP settlement screen? Can Liu Qianru also be intercepted, System bro?

Zhou Chen was completely numb. With the complete Female Emperor Bloodline in his hands, wouldn’t that mean Liu Qianru would have a chance to achieve Immortal Ascension in the future?

Hiss!

No!

He couldn’t expose the Female Emperor Bloodline for now. Zhou Chen thought for a moment. Exposing this thing when he was weak was like lighting a lantern in a toilet—seeking death.

In an era where the Emperor Realm did not appear, a future Emperor Realm Cultivator, a sure thing, would stir up a bloody storm for any force.

If he helped Liu Qianru awaken now, it would be like asking for death.

It might be better to first build a good relationship with Liu Qianru, and then see the situation later. Zhou Chen thought for a moment and finally decided to play it safe first.

However, the System seemed to have gained a binding function. Zhou Chen remembered that when he plundered Ye Chen’s Cultivation Technique, the Sky Flame Art, there seemed to be a prompt about a System upgrade.

He didn’t pay attention, thinking there was no difference, but he didn’t expect this function to be added.

This was very good. This way, he wouldn’t have to constantly monitor the Son of Heaven and could still intercept Opportunities.

“Bind!” Zhou Chen muttered.

The next second, Liu Qianru’s panel became:

【Name: Liu Qianru.】

(Bound. Current bound count 1/3. After binding, you can view Opportunities at any time without being face-to-face.)

“Who are you!”

Just as Zhou Chen was looking at the System rewards, Liu Qianru suddenly opened her eyes and roared, quickly getting up.

At the same time, she struck Zhou Chen with a palm.

Zhou Chen had no time to prepare, and the difference in strength was too great. He was instantly sent flying, heavily crashing backward.

Pfft!

Struggling to get up, Zhou Chen spat out a mouthful of blood mist. This was a casual strike from a Golden Core Stage Cultivator. Even without using Spiritual Qi, it was not something an ordinary Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator could withstand.

“I am an Outer Sect Disciple of Wenxian Sect. I saw you fainted outside, and seeing that you are also a Wenxian Sect Disciple, I kindly saved you with no ill intentions. Why are you hitting me, Miss!”

Worried that she would strike again, Zhou Chen quickly shouted.

Zhou Chen’s worry was not unfounded. At this moment, Liu Qianru’s hand slowly lowered. If Zhou Chen had explained any later, it would be hard to say if he would still be alive the next moment.

However, Liu Qianru did not let down her guard. She released her Divine Sense to carefully check her body’s condition.

Perceiving that her clothes had not been tampered with, her wounds were bandaged, and her internal injuries and Spiritual Qi were rapidly recovering in a miraculous way, she finally relaxed.

“My apologies, I misunderstood you. Qi Refinement Stage Seventh Layer, good Aptitude. Haven’t you been promoted to Inner Sect Disciple? Why haven’t I seen you? Also, what Spirit Medicine did you give me? I will return it to you.”

Liu Qianru’s expression softened slightly, but her tone was still quite stiff.

“No need to return it. I’m an Outer Sect Disciple of Third Pill Refinement Peak. My name is Zhou Chen, and I haven’t joined the Inner Sect yet.”

Zhou Chen said unhappily.

“One thing at a time. I am very grateful that you saved me. You are very good. For your Realm to still be an Outer Sect Disciple, I think those Outer Sect deacons must be blind.”

Liu Qianru frowned.

“My Realm has only recently improved. I had some Opportunities.”

Zhou Chen’s reply was also neither warm nor cold. After all, anyone would be annoyed after being seriously injured for no reason.

Even with Liu Qianru’s cold personality, her face couldn’t help but flush at this moment.

It was indeed her fault, but as a Golden Core Stage Cultivator facing a Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator, she still had to maintain her dignity.

However, the atmosphere gradually grew cold.

After a long while, Liu Qianru finally spoke.

“I am a Core Disciple of the Sect, and my surname is Liu. Because I need to suppress my injuries right now, I temporarily cannot use Spiritual Qi. If you send me back to a nearby Sect relay station, I will give you a Guiyuan Pill as repayment. How about it?”

Seeing Zhou Chen silent, she thought he didn’t know the effects of the Guiyuan Pill.

“The Guiyuan Pill is a rare Earth-Grade Medicinal Pill. I only have a few. Taking one can help you Breakthrough one layer of Qi Refinement Stage Cultivation, and it can continuously temper your Spiritual Qi, laying the most solid Foundation in the Qi Refinement Stage, maximizing your potential, and making future Cultivation easier.”

Liu Qianru continued.

But Zhou Chen still didn’t speak. At this moment, he felt underestimated.

He even felt a strong insult. Liu Qianru didn’t even tell him her full name.

Thinking about the Guiyuan Pill made him laugh. If it weren’t for the return reward, Zhou Chen might not even care for the Guiyuan Pill.

Leaving aside everything else, just a single drop of Earth Mother Essence had effects that the Guiyuan Pill couldn’t compare to. A hundred Guiyuan Pills couldn’t compare to one drop of Earth Mother Essence.

Indeed, only sufficient strength is the basis of dignity. Without strength, you can’t even see someone’s true face.

“Okay, then we’ll be even afterwards. I won’t make things difficult for you.”

After a while, Zhou Chen replied indifferently.

“Very good. With your Aptitude, there is still great hope for Foundation Establishment in the future. If you need any help, you can also come find me.”

After saying that, she closed her eyes to rest, no longer speaking.

After a period of rest, Zhou Chen took Liu Qianru and left the original spot, heading towards the Sect’s contact point.

Niu Tou Mountain.

Without encountering Liu Qianru, Ye Chen went directly to the Niu Tou Mountain area.

He continued to collect the second medicinal ingredient described in the Sect mission, Red Serpent Grass.

Ye Chen killed several guarding Yao Beasts, placed the Red Serpent Grass into a jade box, and was just about to leave.

Suddenly, as if guided by something mysterious, Ye Chen felt a faint Spiritual Qi fluctuation from the ridge not far ahead.

“Master, this seems to be a Secret Realm.”

Ye Chen said excitedly.

“Let this master take a look.”

A Divine Thought swept over.

“Disciple, the aura of this Secret Realm is very stable, with no risk of collapse, and there are no very powerful auras. It wouldn’t hurt to go in and take a look.”

After hearing this, Ye Chen flashed through the Secret Realm entrance and entered the Secret Realm.

Upon entering the Secret Realm, Ye Chen immediately activated his Spiritual Qi shield, tightly gripped a sword in his hand, and vigilantly observed his surroundings.

After some observation, he found that the space here was not large, the surroundings were empty, the sky was gray, and there was no vegetation whatsoever.

In front of Ye Chen was only a courtyard. The entire Secret Realm looked full of Death Qi.

After a careful inspection, confirming that there were no Formations or dangers, Ye Chen walked into the courtyard.

What met Ye Chen’s eyes at this moment was a skeleton. Out of respect, Ye Chen bowed to the skeleton.

Then he looked around.

Clearly, he didn’t know that this place had already been completely plundered by Zhou Chen, with nothing left.

Another hour passed, and at the Secret Realm exit, Ye Chen walked out with a depressed look. The Secret Realm inside was even cleaner than his face.

Other than a skeleton, there was nothing!

It seemed he should check the almanac before going out these days. This trip, apart from the Sect mission, had yielded no gains whatsoever.

However, Ye Chen didn’t care, as he had encountered many Opportunities. He couldn’t possibly take all the benefits.

Wenxian Sect Contact Point.

The journey was uneventful. Zhou Chen and Liu Qianru quickly arrived near the Sect’s contact point.

“Senior Sister Liu, that’s the Sect’s contact point ahead. My mission is complete.”

Zhou Chen stopped, turned around, and cupped his hands to Liu Qianru behind him.

“Here’s the Guiyuan Pill for you.”

Liu Qianru took out a small porcelain bottle from her Storage Pouch, extended her beautiful and slender hand, and instead of directly handing the small porcelain bottle to Zhou Chen, she sent it to Zhou Chen’s hand with Spiritual Qi from a distance.

“Thank you, Senior Sister Liu. However, I also want to say something to Senior Sister: thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, do not bully a young man for being poor. I believe Senior Sister will one day tell me your name honorably.”

After saying that, Zhou Chen left without looking back.

Liu Qianru stood rooted to the spot for a while, then sighed inwardly and silently departed.

Clearly, she did not believe Zhou Chen possessed the qualifications to be taken seriously by her.

Qi Refining and Golden Core, it sounded like a mayfly and an elephant. The difference between them was self-evident.

“Ding! Congratulations to the host for intercepting an Opportunity, one Guiyuan Pill. Thousand times return of one bottle of Heaven Rank High Grade Guiling Pill.”

The System’s prompt sounded.

Zhou Chen, who was originally quite depressed, suddenly rejoiced upon hearing the System prompt.

The Guiling Pill originated from the Guiyuan Pill and belonged to Heaven Rank Medicinal Pills. It could not only help Qi Refining Cultivators Breakthrough their Realm, but its Spiritual Qi tempering effect was also countless times better than the Guiyuan Pill.

Currently, the Pill Formula for the Guiling Pill had been lost. Only ancient Cultivators or ancient Holy Lands had remnants of the Guiyuan Pill.

More importantly, although both of these Medicinal Pills could only be taken once, the Guiling Pill and Guiyuan Pill were not fundamentally in conflict.

These two Medicinal Pills could be taken simultaneously, and there was no need to worry about an unstable Foundation.

Good stuff! As expected of a System product.

Zhou Chen also returned to the Sect’s Third Pill Refinement Peak, then headed straight for the Cultivation Chamber.

Witnessing Liu Qianru’s battle with the Yao Beast made Zhou Chen deeply realize how weak he currently was, and he was eager to become stronger.

The Cultivation Chamber was a public Cultivation ground of the Sect, provided for Sect Disciples to Cultivate.

The Spiritual Qi inside was several times that outside, and each Cultivation Chamber had strong defensive Formations and concealment Formations. Cultivating inside meant no worries about being interrupted or insufficient Spiritual Qi.

Under normal circumstances, Qi Refinement Stage Outer Sect Disciples had one free Opportunity to Cultivate in the Cultivation Chamber. Other times required paying relatively expensive Sect contribution points, which could not be paid with Spirit Stones.

Coincidentally, Zhou Chen’s free Cultivation session had not yet been used.

“The free Cultivation time is one day. You will need to come out at this time tomorrow. Your Sect token will remind you, but if you come out late, the overtime portion will require double contribution points. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

A Sect Disciple responsible for reception explained.

“Okay, please take me to the Cultivation Chamber.”

After verifying his identity token, Zhou Chen entered one of the Cultivation Chambers.

The Cultivation Chamber was not large, and he couldn’t hear any sound from outside. The Spiritual Qi was also very abundant.

This made Zhou Chen very satisfied; the environment was much better than his own room.

Zhou Chen sat down cross-legged, adjusted his breathing, and began to Cultivate.