Chapter 36: Uncle, Please Take the Medicine

This breakthrough went very smoothly, faster and calmer than I had estimated.

Chen Chuyang observed his bodily changes; after the advancement, the increase in true qi was secondary, for his true qi was already abundant—others' true qi was a spoonful, while his was a great river, incomparable.

The enhancement of the body was the most crucial this time; the rise in true qi let the body follow, as heavenly and earthly spiritual aura entered the body, forcibly nourishing and tempering it, elevating his body to a higher level. He felt that this body could now withstand attacks from magical artifacts—such an enhancement is terrifying and frightening.

Lastly came the soul's enhancement; the Hunyuan Dao Scripture cultivates essence, energy, and spirit together, so body, true qi, and soul all rise with it. Each breakthrough brings changes, varying by circumstance and progress speed—for example, the soul: Chen Chuyang's soul is the strongest, far surpassing his body and true qi.

His powerful soul lets him go further on the paths of formation and pill refining, and it is also his innate talent's bonus; one could say Chen Chuyang can multitask more, all thanks to his soul's strength.

"The soul's enhancement exceeded expectations; my soul has already become terrifying."

He also does not know how strong his soul is; regardless, he keeps enhancing his soul.

The benefits of soul enhancement are clearly felt by Chen Chuyang, more directly than the increases in true qi and body; after a breakthrough, with a stronger soul, his comprehension of pill refining and techniques improves, as does his perception of heaven and earth.

He closed his eyes to perceive heaven and earth.

Three days and nights passed.

Chen Chuyang's state of mind settled completely; he opened his eyes and looked down the mountain.

Uncle Chen Shen stood outside the formation for a while, not daring to barge in, shouting loudly, but got no response.

He raised a hand, pointed, and the formation opened a gap, allowing Uncle Chen Shen to enter Longshe Shan.

After a quarter hour, the panting Uncle Chen Shen arrived before Chen Chuyang and complained, "Chuyang kid, could you hurry up next time? I've waited a whole two hours for you."

Uncle Chen Shen had come long ago, shouted for a long time, with no response, and dared not act rashly.

He could only wait—who made this nephew's Longshe Shan so terrifying? Reckless entry would be dangerous.

"It's the nephew's fault."

Chen Chuyang hurriedly apologized; before Uncle Chen Shen went up the mountain, he had taken a bath, expelling much impurity from his body, leaving a scent.

After washing, his skin became even snow‑white, like a little girl's.

Uncle Chen Shen sat down, took a sip of spiritual spring water, and kept his eyes fixed on Chen Chuyang.

"Uncle, what are you looking at? Do I have something on my face?"

Uncle Chen Shen doubted: "Nothing, I just feel you've changed, become whiter."

Saying that, he reached out to touch Chen Chuyang's skin.

"Huh?"

He pinched it— that feel, that skin.

"Chuyang, how is your skin whiter and softer than a woman's? How did you achieve that?"

Chen Chuyang's expression froze.

"Cough cough cough."

The benefits brought by the breakthrough can also be called drawbacks.

His skin is as delicate as a girl's, blow‑and‑breakable, making him look rather… lovely; this change is not what Chen Chuyang wanted, he noticed it while bathing and cannot alter it; besides, his body carries a faint Dao resonance, barely perceptible.

Chen Chuyang decided that he would henceforth bask in the sun thoroughly to change his all‑over snow‑white skin.

"Uncle, you can let go now; don't keep pinching."

Uncle Chen Shen's hand kept pinching Chen Chuyang's arm skin, reluctant to stop.

Chen Chuyang shook off Uncle Chen Shen's hand; Uncle Chen Shen still wanted to strike, but Chen Chuyang slapped him away.

"Bang."

Uncle Chen Shen fell to the ground, his body twitching.

After a while, Uncle Chen Shen crawled up, covered in dirt, looking at Chen Chuyang with a wronged expression.

"Chuyang kid, you're too harsh! I'm your uncle, your elder—how could you be so cruel to me?"

"You're behaving wrongly; I'll tell your father that you struck your uncle."

Well then, he brought out Father Chen Yuan.

Is this hitting dad after being beaten?

Dad's not around, so he seeks the older brother— as the saying goes, the elder brother is like a father.

Chen Chuyang was speechless; this uncle is really… childish.

"Here, this is compensation."

He passed over a Hundred Herbs Pill; Chen Chuyang smiled, saying, "Let you pinch me, let you criticize me—since that's the case, Uncle, please test the medicine."

Uncle Chen Shen asked doubtfully: "What is this? It's blackish and has a smell."

Uncle Chen Shen took it, examined it, and wore a look of disdain.

"A pill."

"A pill?" Uncle Chen Shen exclaimed, staring at the black lump in his palm for a long time without recognizing it as a pill.

He raised his head, blinked, and asked: "Are you sure this is a pill?"

"Absolutely certain; moreover, this pill's effect is strong—it will definitely let you break through your realm."

"Really?"

Uncle Chen Shen has been stuck at the first layer of True Gang for a long time, unable to break through.

He tried many methods, yet still could not advance further.

He is anxious to death.

"Uncle, do you not believe your nephew?" Chen Chuyang played the emotion card: "When have I ever deceived you? This pill I painstakingly obtained—I nearly died for it."

"Such a fine thing, I give it to you first, not to my father—showing that you, Uncle, are the one I respect most, and only you can enjoy such a treasure."

Uncle Chen Shen's eyes lit up.

His expression was very pleased.

"Hahaha, still it's Chuyang you have good eyes; Uncle's affection for you is not wasted."

Since you, Chuyang, say so, Uncle Three will naturally accept it.

Uncle Three took the elixir, planning to eat it when he returns.

Chen Chuyang suggested: "Uncle Three, I think it's better to eat it now; it's just right for your nephew to act as your Dharma Protector."

Now? Is that okay?

It's fine; your nephew's Longshe Shan has abundant spiritual energy, most suitable for a breakthrough.

This?

Opportunity must not be missed, it won't come again; Uncle Three, seize the chance for a breakthrough.

Then... alright.

Uncle Three hesitated a moment, thought Chen Chuyang made sense; the chance for a breakthrough isn't always available, now is the best time.

He sat down, looking at the elixir in his palm, slightly frowning.

Nephew Chuyang, can this be eaten?

Definitely; your nephew would never deceive Uncle Three, and besides, Uncle Three you are the smartest of the Chen Clan, how could you be deceived?

That's true; the person who could deceive Uncle Three hasn't even been born yet.

Uncle Three is right.

Uncle Three Chen Shen gritted his teeth, tilted his head back, and shoved the elixir in.

He swallowed it in one gulp.

The elixir entered his throat and got stuck.

That taste was strong; Uncle Three wanted to spit it out.

Chen Chuyang gave a sharp pat, and the elixir went down with a gurgling sound.

Uncle Three Chen Shen stared at Chen Chuyang: "This is..."

Uncle Three, no need to thank me; this is what your nephew should do.

You...

The next second, Uncle Three's expression changed; he widened his eyes staring at Chen Chuyang, very complicated.

Wait for me, Chen Chuyang.

Then he covered his stomach and ran toward the fish pond.

Poof poof poof.

Bombing sounds rang out.

That scene was frightening.

Chen Chuyang, I'm not done with you.

Cursing sounds rang out.

Chen Chuyang saw Uncle Three, in a moment of carelessness, slip into the fish pond.

Then...

It was quite spectacular.

That sight.

Tsk tsk tsk.