Chapter 117

Hua Changxi always believed that time was the most precious thing. She was extremely punctual for every class at the Qihuang Hall, starting on time and ending on time.

The menial workers who often attended her lectures were already very familiar with her schedule.

As soon as they heard Hua Changxi announce the end of class, they would rise to see her off, then go about their business—those who wanted to continue alchemy stayed in Hall No. 6, while those with other matters left.

However, those attending Hua Changxi's lecture for the first time, such as Mu Qingying, were somewhat unaccustomed to seeing Hua Changxi stride away without looking back.

In the Apprentice Hall, the Disciple Hall, and Ninth Street, doctors and pharmacists never left directly after finishing their lessons. Instead, they gave everyone the opportunity to ask questions and clarify doubts.

Seeing that Hua Changxi was about to leave the courtyard, Mu Qingying hurried after her: "Hua Changxi."

Hua Changxi stopped and turned to look at her: "Is there something?"

Mu Qingying: "Thank you for your correction just now. If you hadn't pointed it out, I wouldn't have realized my problem. It's clear that your alchemy skills are very proficient. There are many things I don't understand—may I ask for your guidance?"

Hua Changxi flatly refused: "I have other things to attend to. If you have questions, you can raise them in class next time. I only answer questions during my lectures."

Seeing her reject so bluntly, Mu Qingying was taken aback. Ever since she became the apprentice of the Director of the Medical Department, it had been a long time since she had been turned down so directly.

Mu Qingying felt a little awkward: "You're busy—then I won't disturb you."

Hua Changxi nodded slightly, then turned and left.

Hua Shuran and Hua Wanyue, who had originally wanted to strengthen their ties with Hua Changxi, saw that Mu Qingying had hit a wall. Not wanting to lose face, they wisely did not approach.

After Hua Changxi left, Mu Qingying greeted Young Master Chu, Miss Duan, the two He sisters, and Hua Shuran, then quickly departed.

Once she was gone, the others also left one after another. Soon, only a few menial workers still practicing alchemy remained in Hall No. 6.

Hua Wanyue had originally planned to leave with Young Master Chu and Miss Duan, but Hua Shuran pulled her back.

Seeing Hua Wanyue looking at her with confusion, Hua Shuran had to patiently explain: "Can't you see? Miss Duan doesn't want us to follow."

Upon hearing this, Hua Wanyue looked at Young Master Chu's back and showed a regretful expression: "What a pity..."

Hua Shuran let out a snicker: "What's there to pity? Everyone is in the Medical Department. We'll run into them again sooner or later."

Hearing this, Hua Wanyue quickly turned to Hua Shuran: "Fifth Miss, why do you think the Seventh Prince came to listen to Hua Ninth's lecture?"

Hua Shuran shook her head: "Who knows."

Although the Earl's Manor had extensive connections, it still couldn't reach the imperial family, let alone the princes in the palace.

Speaking of Hua Changxi, Hua Wanyue was full of complaints: "Grandfather was right. This Hua Ninth is indeed extremely arrogant and has no one in her eyes."

Hua Shuran also felt that Hua Changxi was a bit too arrogant. The young ladies she usually interacted with, no matter what they thought inside, always appeared "humble and polite" on the surface.

However, she was more curious about why Hua Changxi was so arrogant—where did she get her confidence?

And also, who taught her that alchemy technique, which was even better than that of ordinary pharmacists on Ninth Street?

Duan Yuyan, who was walking ahead, turned to look at Hua Shuran and Hua Wanyue. Seeing that they hadn't followed, she smiled with satisfaction: "At least they know their place. Just because they walked the same road with us, they delusionally tried to cling to us—how annoying."

Seeing that the Seventh Prince Chu Junhao didn't respond, Duan Yuyan was a little displeased and tugged at his sleeve: "Cousin, aren't you listening to me?"

Chu Junhao glanced at her: "I'm thinking about something."

Duan Yuyan: "What are you thinking about?"

The image of Hua Changxi lecturing with focused attention flashed through Chu Junhao's mind, then the image of her ruthlessly rejecting someone. He murmured with a smile: "She really is completely different."

Duan Yuyan didn't understand: "What's different?"

Chu Junhao smiled and shook his head, then asked: "What do you think of Hua Changxi's lecture?"

Duan Yuyan paused for a moment. Although she felt Hua Changxi's attitude wasn't respectful enough, she couldn't bring herself to say the lecture was bad—it was much easier to understand than the pill lectures they usually received.

"It's passable."

Chu Junhao chuckled: "Since you think it's passable, then from now on we'll come listen to her lectures more often."

Duan Yuyan wasn't against attending the lectures, but she still said: "But Hua Changxi teaches mortal pill refining, and what we need to learn now is spiritual pill refining."

Chu Junhao tapped Duan Yuyan's head with his fan: "You just don't like to use your brain. Whether it's mortal pills or spiritual pills, the refining steps and methods actually don't differ much."

"We haven't had much exposure to alchemy before, and our foundation is weak. This is just the right chance to catch up on some lessons."

Duan Yuyan felt that Chu Junhao's reasoning was sound: "Alright, then we'll come listen to Hua Changxi's lectures more often from now on."

Walking at the very end were Zhu Qinghuan and Shen Qianfan.

Shen Qianfan said with emotion: "As expected, everyone who obtained a wooden token is no ordinary person."

Hearing this, Zhu Qinghuan glanced at him and laughed: "Brother Shen, are you complimenting yourself?"

Shen Qianfan showed not the slightest embarrassment; instead, he was very serious: "I am stating a fact. In terms of medical skills, I think I am not lacking. What, are you not confident in yourself?"

Zhu Qinghuan was a bit speechless and instead brought up Hua Changxi: "I really didn't expect Hua Changxi's alchemy skills to be so proficient already."

Shen Qianfan nodded in agreement: "As the saying goes, heroes emerge from youth. Listening to her lecture, I gained a lot."

Zhu Qinghuan glanced at him, somewhat at a loss for words, and continued: "Looking at Hua Changxi's alchemy technique, it doesn't seem like a beginner's; it's more like a veteran who has been refining pills for a long time. She hasn't even reached the age of fifteen yet—how did she develop such skill?"

Shen Qianfan looked at her: "If you really want to know, go ask Hua Changxi face to face. However, I advise you not to ask, because no one likes having their privacy pried into. I need to return to the Disciple Hall. Farewell."

Watching Shen Qianfan stride away, Zhu Qinghuan sighed and murmured: "Indeed, those who obtained wooden tokens—none of them are fools."

The teleportation array issue couldn't be resolved for the time being, so Hua Changxi had to set it aside. Unable to absorb large amounts of spiritual energy for cultivation, she shifted her focus to body refinement.

Every night she would refine her skin once, and each time after refining, her skin's elasticity and toughness increased.

After three rounds of skin refinement, ordinary blades could no longer cut her skin, and she no longer feared things like fire.

After six rounds of skin refinement, her skin initially gained the ability to defend against spiritual power.

After nine rounds of skin refinement, the Skin Refining chapter of the Nine Revolutions Profound Art reached perfection. Hua Changxi's skin was like congealed fat, crystal clear, and even shimmered in the sunlight. At this point, even a full-force strike from a late Qi Refinement cultivator could not break through her skin's defense.

On the fourth day of the sixth month, Hua Changxi began the second chapter of the Nine Revolutions Profound Art—the Flesh Refining chapter.

During skin refinement, she had to endure the pain of the skin repeatedly tearing and healing. When it came to flesh refinement, she not only had to bear the pain of skin tearing but also the pain of flesh and blood dissolving and regenerating.

The pain's agonizing level multiplied several times.

Soaking in the medicinal bath, Hua Changxi clenched her teeth and persisted. When she came out of the bath the next day, the corners of her mouth were bleeding from biting down.

She could refine her skin consecutively, but there was absolutely no way she could do the same for flesh refinement.

It was too painful.

However, the effects were also noticeable. Hua Changxi could clearly feel her body growing stronger. If before her body was made of mud, now it was transforming towards stone.

Hua Changxi soaked in another medicinal bath to soothe and nourish her body before heading to Qihuang Hall for class.

Seeing that Mu Qingying, the He sisters, Hua Shuran and Hua Wanyue, Chu Junhao and Duan Yuyan, Zhu Qinghuan, and Shen Qianfan had come again to listen to her lecture, she only gave them a faint glance.

During this period, these people often came to attend her lectures. Because of their arrival, it also attracted some others—some from the Apprentice Hall, some from the Disciple Hall, and even some registered disciples from the Nine Streets Pharmacy.

Having more listeners not only gave Hua Changxi a greater sense of achievement as the lecturer but also made the sword pattern on the wooden token increasingly 'three-dimensional'.

With such good fortune, Hua Changxi naturally turned no one away.

After finishing the lecture that day, Yu Gui came looking for her: "Sister Changxi, Eunuch Lin from the Eastern Depot is here. He wants to see you."

Hua Changxi was a bit surprised: "Where is Eunuch Lin now?"

Yu Gui: "At my godfather's place."

Hua Changxi: "Then let's go over."

Eunuch Lin hadn't come alone; he had also brought a young eunuch—the one who had nearly died, his godson.

"Manager Hua has arrived."

As soon as Hua Changxi arrived, Eunuch Yu tactfully withdrew with Yu Gui, leaving the room to Hua Changxi and Eunuch Lin and his godson.

"Eunuch Lin, you've come to see me—is there something you need?"

Eunuch Lin smiled and took out ten sets of spirit needles from his storage pouch: "These are the spirit needles Physician Hua requested. Take a look—do they meet your requirements?"

Hua Changxi took the spirit needles with surprise and delight: "They were refined so quickly." As she spoke, she quickly inspected all the spirit needles—they were all fine.

"Eunuch Lin, for ten sets of spirit needles, how much compensation should I pay?"

Eunuch Lin laughed: "I made some inquiries. Tomorrow is Physician Hua's fifteenth birthday. These ten sets of spirit needles are my birthday gift to Physician Hua."

Hua Changxi's eyes flickered: "Eunuch, one does not accept rewards without merit. This gift is far too valuable; I dare not accept it."

Eunuch Lin quickly said: "How could it be without merit? Physician Hua, you saved my life—a great kindness." As he spoke, he glanced at the young eunuch beside him.

"Lin Sheng, hurry up and kowtow to thank your lifesaver."

Lin Sheng, upon hearing this, knelt down with a thud in front of Hua Changxi: "Thank you, Doctor Hua, for saving my life."

Hua Changxi couldn't stop him in time and quickly told him to rise: "Lord Eunuch, you flatter me."

Eunuch Lin shook his head: "Doctor Hua, you don't know, although this child is my adopted son, he is actually blood-related to me. I treat him as my own son."

"By saving him, you have saved me as well. To me, just ten sets of spiritual needles still feel insufficient to express my gratitude."

Hua Changxi looked at Eunuch Lin and Lin Sheng, who were both full of gratitude toward her, and knew in her heart that they must have other motives.

Having been at a complete loss in finding a talisman master, she had long realized that her social network was too narrow. Wanting to expand it, she went along with their words.

"Lord Eunuch, since you are so generous, I'll shamelessly accept these ten sets of spiritual needles. If you ever need anything in the future, just let me know, and I'll help as much as I can."

Seeing her accept the needles, Eunuch Lin relaxed a little, then put on an expression of wanting to say something but hesitating.

Hua Changxi had already guessed that Eunuch Lin had another purpose, so she wasn't surprised at all: "Lord Eunuch, if you have something to say, feel free to speak directly."

Eunuch Lin steeled himself: "Doctor Hua, I want my worthless son to follow you."

Upon hearing this request, Hua Changxi was actually a bit surprised: "Follow me? I'm just a menial servant."

Eunuch Lin: "Doctor Hua is being modest. I heard from Eunuch Yu that the entire menial servant hall now holds you in high regard. For him to follow you is actually his good fortune."

Worried she would refuse, Eunuch Lin continued: "Doctor Hua, my son is only a seventh-rank martial artist, but the work of the Eastern Depot is too dangerous. I'm afraid if he stays there, he'll eventually lose his life."

"Last time, if not for meeting Doctor Hua, he and many other martial artists from the Eastern Depot would have died."

"I know Doctor Hua might look down on my son, but he still has some use. Most importantly, he's obedient and can run errands and deliver messages for you."

Hua Changxi didn't want to get too involved with the Eastern Depot and was just about to refuse when Eunuch Lin stood up and handed her a wooden box.

"I heard from Eunuch Xuan that Doctor Hua is looking for a talisman master."

"As for talisman masters, I don't know any personally, but I do know where you can find one."

Hua Changxi: "Oh? Where can I find one?"

Eunuch Lin: "The Ghost Market."

Hua Changxi frowned: "Ghost Market? What Ghost Market? Where is it? I've never heard of it before."

Eunuch Lin pushed the wooden box forward: "The Ghost Market is located within the capital's domain, but it's very mysterious. To enter, you need a guide; otherwise, it's almost impossible to get in on your own, unless you're extremely lucky and happen to stumble upon its entrance."

"Inside this wooden box is a token for entering and leaving the Ghost Market. The holder of the token can sense where the entrance is."

"The Ghost Market was built by cultivators, and only cultivators come and go. Inside, you can not only buy all kinds of items used by cultivators, but also find artifact refiners, talisman masters, alchemists, and formation masters."

After hearing Eunuch Lin's introduction to the Ghost Market, Hua Changxi couldn't take her eyes off the wooden box. Since she began cultivating, she had never really entered the circle of cultivators.

If the Ghost Market was truly as Eunuch Lin described, it would be an excellent place to learn about cultivator society.

After a moment's hesitation, Hua Changxi looked at Lin Sheng: "If you follow me, you must take a heart demon oath never to betray me, or your soul will be destroyed."

Lin Sheng glanced at Eunuch Lin: "As long as it doesn't harm my godfather, I am willing to obey Doctor Hua in everything else."

Hearing his reply, Eunuch Lin felt gratified inside, but afraid Hua Changxi would refuse, he immediately scolded: "Nonsense! Once you follow Doctor Hua, she is your only master. Whatever she tells you to do, you must do it."

Lin Sheng lowered his head and remained stubbornly silent.

Hua Changxi saw this and actually thought a little higher of him: "Alright, I'll take him in."

After drawing blood and swearing the heart demon oath, Hua Changxi finally took the wooden box and opened it, revealing a black token painted with a skull.

Hua Changxi turned the token over a couple of times, put it away, and then looked at Eunuch Lin curiously: "Given your status, Lord Eunuch, it shouldn't be hard for you to find a place for Lin Sheng. Why choose me?"

Eunuch Lin smiled: "Doctor Hua's willingness to give lectures to the menial servants is truly an act of great kindness. Lin Sheng is a eunuch, and wherever a eunuch goes, he ends up a servant. By following Doctor Hua, he might have a better life."

Hua Changxi hadn't expected such a simple reason. If he wasn't lying, then he truly had a sincere father's love for his son.