Chapter 44: Qi Sea Realm

Hua Changxi displayed her pill-refining skills, and now not just He Dalang in the Hua family wanted her to leave the Medicinal Bureau's Labor Hall and return to refine pills for the Hua family's pharmacy.

Seeing that He Dalang had failed to persuade Hua Changxi, the Hua family patriarch sent Hua Minghe and Lady Yao to convince her instead.

Of the entire Hua family, Hua Changxi felt the most affection for Hua Minghe and Lady Yao; seeing even them come to pressure her, she was truly fed up.

Lady Yao looked at her daughter: "Ninth Daughter, you went to the Medicinal Bureau first to learn medicine, and second because you did not wish to stay at home. Did I speak correctly?"

Hua Changxi said nothing.

Lady Yao continued: "If you had entered the Apprentice Hall at the Medicinal Bureau, your father and I would never have come to persuade you, but you are currently in the Labor Hall."

"In the Labor Hall, apart from doing physical labor, can you really learn medicine?"

"Now that the family knows of your pill-refining talents, no one will oppose your working at our family pharmacy anymore. I do not understand; why are you unwilling to return?"

Hua Changxi looked at Lady Yao: "Mother, even doing physical labor in the Medicinal Bureau's Labor Hall, my gains will absolutely be greater than those at the Hua family pharmacy."

"At the Hua family pharmacy, I am the Hua family's daughter; in the Medicinal Bureau's Labor Hall, I am Hua Changxi."

Hua Minghe frowned: "Is there any difference in that?"

Hua Changxi: "Of course there is. Let me put it this way: at..."

Hua Minghe paused, seeming to understand what his daughter was insisting upon, yet still said: "You... you are arguing sophistically; how can your matters and mine be lumped together?"

Hua Changxi: "Why can't they? Father, you work at the Six Gates; when others mention you, they speak of you as the person Hua Minghe. If you were a manager at the Hua family pharmacy, when others mentioned you, they might speak of you as the Hua family's eldest son. Do you truly not understand the distinction here, Father?"

"Father, I just ask you: are you willing or not?"

Hua Minghe fell silent and said nothing.

Seeing her husband rendered speechless by their daughter, a smile flickered in Lady Yao's eyes; worrying about his dignity, she forced herself not to laugh aloud.

Hua Changxi continued: "There is another point: Father, you are already the Hua family's heir; serving as manager of the Hua family pharmacy is equivalent to taking early possession of your own inheritance. If you are unwilling to do even that, why do you think I would be willing?"

"If I go to work at the Hua family pharmacy, even if I manage to make it the best and largest pharmacy in all of Jingcheng, it has nothing whatsoever to do with me."

"Tell me, why should I bother?"

Hua Minghe, angered and shamed by her words, said: "Ninth Daughter, putting aside calculations of profit and loss, is working in the Labor Hall truly more important to you than helping your family?"

Hua Changxi nodded very honestly: "Of course. Father, you have a need to establish your own career, and so do I."

Hua Minghe: "Working at our family pharmacy is also establishing a career."

Hua Changxi shook her head: "Working at the Hua family pharmacy establishes the Hua family's career, not mine."

Hua Minghe realized his daughter was too sharp; unable to out-argue her, he could only play the emotional card: "Ninth Daughter, can you not return home for your father and mother's sake?"

Hua Changxi, her face utterly serious, said: "Father, I love you and Mother, but there are many ways to love you; sacrificing myself absolutely cannot be one of them."

Embarrassed by his daughter's blunt expression, Hua Minghe did not know what to say; he could only stand up, flick his sleeve, and say: "Ninth Daughter, your behavior greatly disappoints your mother and me."

Not swayed by emotional blackmail, Hua Changxi said lazily: "Father, your coming here to pressure me disappoints me greatly as well."

Truly at a loss for words, Hua Minghe looked pleadingly at Lady Yao; seeing his wife avoid his gaze, he could only leave with a pained expression.

Hua Changxi had prepared to debate further with her mother, but to her surprise, Lady Yao said nothing and followed her husband out.

In the main hall, the Hua family patriarch watched his eldest son sighing heavily and his eldest daughter-in-law hanging her head in silence; furious, he took several fierce puffs on his pipe.

This couple was truly incompetent, unable even to discipline their own daughter.

Hua Minghe looked at the Hua family patriarch: "Father, since Ninth Daughter wishes to continue working in the Medicinal Bureau's Labor Hall, let us not pressure her anymore; perhaps one day, when she grows tired, she will return on her own."

Hua Sanlang also chimed in: "Yes, Grandfather; Ninth Daughter is strong-willed. The more the family forces her, the more she will oppose us. If the family stops pressuring her and lets her choose for herself, she might come to realize it on her own."

The Hua family patriarch glanced at the father and son but said nothing.

Ninth Daughter's attitude, impervious to both kindness and severity, truly infuriated him.

In the past, he could have punished her physically, but now that the family pharmacy depended on her pill formulas, that girl had become difficult to control.

On the fourth, fifth, and sixth days of the first lunar month, Hua Changxi taught Hua Sanlang at the Hua family pharmacy how to refine Qi-Blood Pills, Body-Tempering Pills, and Foundation-Stabilizing Pills.

During this period, no one in the family mentioned again the idea of bringing Hua Changxi home.

Hua Sanlang had been studying medicine for several years; although the efficacy of the pills he refined could not match Hua Changxi's, they were comparable to those available on the market.

Though the efficacy was similar, the pill formulas Hua Changxi provided used nearly half fewer medicinal ingredients, meaning the Hua family's costs were far lower than those of other pharmacies.

With low costs and the perpetual shortage of medicines for martial artists, one could imagine that the Hua family pharmacy's future business would certainly not be poor.

On the sixth day, both the Hua family patriarch and He Dalang came to the Hua family pharmacy; watching Hua Changxi teaching Hua Sanlang to refine pills in the rear courtyard, both wore expressions of regret.

The Hua family patriarch said: "It would have been better if Ninth Daughter were a boy."

Although He Dalang shared the same thought, he still said: "Even if she is a girl, she is still the Hua family's daughter."

The Hua family patriarch shook his head: "Girls turn outward. Ninth Daughter has not yet married, yet she already does not side with the Hua family; after she marries, it will only be worse."

Speaking thus, he sighed with self-reproach.

"It is all my fault; when your grandmother was disciplining Ninth Daughter, I did not stop your father and mother. Had your father and mother not indulged and protected her, Ninth Daughter's nature would not have become so rebellious."

He Dalang could not speak ill of his parents, so he could only listen silently as the Hua family patriarch continued to complain.

"Now that Ninth Daughter has grown up, relying on her few skills, she increasingly fails to respect her family elders."

"Only our family does not take serious action against her; in other families with strict rules, a young lady like Ninth Daughter would be confined to the ancestral temple."

Hearing this, He Dalang quickly said: "Grandfather, do not be angry; Ninth Daughter is still young. When she grows a little older, she will understand the importance of the family to her."

The Hua family patriarch did not refute his eldest grandson; he stepped forward into the rear courtyard.

He Dalang hurriedly followed, carrying medicinal ingredients.

Seeing the Hua family patriarch and He Dalang approach, Hua Changxi was not surprised; tomorrow she would return to work, and if her eldest brother was eager for Shackle-Breaking Pills, he would certainly come to her today to have them refined.

Hua Sanlang had already gone to greet them: "Eldest Brother, have you gathered all the medicinal ingredients for the Shackle-Breaking Pills?"

He Dalang hummed an affirmation and placed the medicinal ingredients on the table.

Hua Changxi walked over, examined them, and raised an eyebrow: "These medicinal ingredients are of superior quality. Eldest Brother, it seems your friend is quite influential."

The higher the grade of medicine used by martial artists, the stricter the imperial court's control over it.

For an ordinary person to gather all the ingredients needed to refine pills for a sixth-grade martial artist within a few days was nearly impossible.

Hua Dalang smiled and did not elaborate on the origins of the medicinal ingredients; gathering them had indeed required some effort, involving both personal favors and promises made.

He had promised those who supplied the ingredients that once the Shackle-Breaking Pill was refined, he would share a portion with them.

In other words, his most powerful trump card was actually his younger sister, the alchemist capable of refining grade-six Shackle-Breaking Pills.

During these few days of collecting ingredients, Hua Dalang gradually began to understand why Hua Changxi had been angry on New Year's Eve.

A grade-six alchemist was truly difficult to find.

Some of the renowned ones were beyond the reach of even the Hua family's status.

Thinking of this, Hua Dalang looked at Hua Changxi with much softer eyes: "Ninth Sister, can you refine the pills today?"

"Yes."

As Hua Changxi spoke, she began organizing her alchemy tools; Hua Sanlang wanted to help but found no way to intervene.

Soon, Hua Changxi began the alchemy process.

Old Master Hua, Hua Dalang, and Hua Sanlang stood aside, completely focused, watching without blinking.

They had no choice; Hua Changxi's speed was too fast. Decomposing, grinding, mixing the compounds, and forming the pills—every step flowed without pause.

Half an hour later, Hua Changxi handed twenty pills, each the size of a longan fruit, to Hua Dalang.

Suppressing his excitement, Hua Dalang carefully accepted the pills: "Ninth Sister, I know a few alchemists at the Martial Academy and have seen them refine pills, but none were ever this fast. How did you do it?"

Hua Changxi replied: "It is merely practice making perfect!"

Upon hearing this, Old Master Hua immediately asked: "Exactly how many pills did you help others refine while you were in the Labor Hall?"

Hearing this, Hua Changxi knew exactly what Old Master Hua was probing for: "Grandfather, I have been in the Medical Bureau for barely three or four months in total, and I still had my regular duties to attend to. How many pills do you think I could have refined?"

Although Old Master Hua did not press further, he intended to bring up again the matter of having Hua Changxi return home to assist with their family apothecary.

However, before the words could leave his mouth, Hua Dalang stopped him.

Hua Dalang had finally understood: with such formidable alchemy skills, his ninth sister would naturally not submit to the family's discipline; some matters could only be planned for gradually in the future.

On the seventh day of the first lunar month, the Medical Bureau resumed work. Hua Changxi rose early, ate breakfast, took the bundle prepared by Lady Yao, and headed out.

Along the way, Hua Changxi checked her status panel.

[Realm: Qi Refining Realm 8100/1000]

She had already absorbed and refined all sixty mid-grade Yuan Spirit Pills, and for the past two days, she had begun refining and absorbing low-grade Yuan Spirit Pills.

[Grade-One Alchemist (Low-Grade Pills): Pills Refined 1 Furnace 1/10]

Only refining spiritual pills would increase her alchemist stats; refining mortal pills served no purpose at all.

She did not lack grade-one pill formulas, but where could she find spiritual plants?

Lost in thought, Hua Changxi injected spiritual energy into her feet, activated the Lingbo Micro-Step technique, and arrived at the back street of the Medical Bureau in just over two quarters of an hour.

"Sister Changxi."

Yu Gui, Wan Xiaozhou, and Li Meng had arrived by carriage again and happened to meet Hua Changxi. "Sister Changxi, get in; we will give you a ride inside."

"Brother Yu, Happy New Year."

Since Hua Changxi intended to ask Yu Gui to sell the pills she held, she did not refuse to share the ride.

Once seated in the carriage, Yu Gui immediately asked curiously: "Sister Changxi, was that lightness skill you just used?"

Hua Changxi paused for a moment, then instantly realized that Yu Gui and the others had spotted her earlier. She smiled and said: "My father is a constable in the Six Doors; he learned some footwork techniques, and I picked up a little from him."

Yu Gui's face showed sudden understanding: "So Elder Uncle is with the Six Doors; no wonder your skills are so good." Then, lowering his voice, he asked, "Sister Changxi, tell me, what rank of martial artist are you?"

Hua Changxi glanced at him: "I do not know my own rank either; regarding the martial path, I only know a bit of the surface."

Hearing this, Yu Gui gave a look that said 'I understand': "If Sister does not wish to say, I understand; I will not ask further."

Hua Changxi smiled; it seemed that telling the truth made no one believe her.

"Brother Yu, what did you do with the pills you did not use?"

Hearing this, Yu Gui knew immediately what Hua Changxi intended to do. He smiled: "What, does Sister want to sell pills?"

Hua Changxi nodded.

Yu Gui said: "If Sister trusts me, give me the pills, and I will sell them for you at the same price as the apothecaries."

Hua Changxi smiled: "I naturally trust Brother Yu, but since we have cooperated more than once or twice, I cannot trouble you every time. Could Brother Yu perhaps introduce me to one or two merchants who purchase pills?"

Yu Gui looked hesitant: "Sister, I am not afraid to tell you, the buyers I find are all sorts of dubious characters; my largest customer buys at most ten pills."

"My godfather does know some merchants who purchase pills; if you wish..."

Hua Changxi quickly shook her head: "Let us not trouble Eunuch Uncle." After a moment's thought, she took two hundred Qi and Blood Pills from her bundle and handed them to Yu Gui: "Brother Yu, please help me sell these pills first."

Seeing that Hua Changxi trusted him so much and had given him so many pills at once, Yu Gui immediately smiled: "Rest assured, Sister; these pills will be sold very quickly. I will bring you the silver in a couple of days."

Hua Changxi was surprised: "They sell that fast?"

Yu Gui nodded: "There are countless martial practitioners in our Great Jin Dynasty; many people have no connections and cannot even buy pills."

As they spoke, the four of them entered the back gate of the Medical Bureau in the carriage.

After entering the back gate, seeing more people around, Hua Changxi parted ways with Yu Gui and the other two, walking to the Labor Hall on her own.

Upon arriving at the dormitory, she found that most of her roommates had already returned; everyone was distributing New Year goods brought from home.

Hua Changxi saw several portions of food placed at the head of her bed as well.

"Changxi, these things were all brought from our homes; do not dislike them."

Hua Changxi picked up a piece of cake, tasted it, and smiled: "It is delicious."

Shi Sao laughed: "That plum blossom cake was made by my mother-in-law; if you like it, I have more here."

Perhaps because Hua Changxi had previously saved those poisoned while processing medicinal ingredients, the attitude of the people in the dormitory toward her had improved significantly.

Shi Sao brought out another pack of plum blossom cakes. Hua Changxi found it hard to refuse; she had not brought much food herself, and since everyone else had shared some of their home-brought goods with her, she felt she could not give nothing in return.

Rummaging through her bundle, Hua Changxi discovered that what she had most of was actually pills.

Thus, under the mutual gazes of everyone present, Hua Changxi distributed one Body-Strengthening Pill to each person: "For strengthening the body and improving health."

Wang Yun responded with particular enthusiasm: "The effect of this pill is exceptionally good. Previously, Changxi gave me two; after my younger brother and I consumed them, our hands and feet, which used to be ice-cold every winter, remained warm throughout this year's New Year celebrations."

Upon hearing this, everyone realized the pills were valuable treasures and carefully stored them away.

Afterwards, Hua Changxi did not alter her mode of interaction with the others; while on duty, she still operated alone, and as soon as she completed her tasks, she would return to her dormitory to cultivate.

On the tenth day of the first lunar month, Yu Gui gave Hua Changxi a silver note worth one thousand taels; at five taels per Qi-Blood Pill, two hundred pills amounted to exactly one thousand taels.

After receiving the silver note, she handed another hundred Body-Tempering Pills to Yu Gui, asking him to sell them on her behalf.

During the first lunar month, the quantity of medicinal herbs delivered to the Medical Bureau remained low; since Yu Gui had not yet summoned her to the Qihuang Hall to refine medicines, Hua Changxi devoted herself entirely to cultivation.

On the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, while cultivating, Hua Changxi felt a roaring vibration within her dantian, akin to a floodgate bursting open; immediately afterward, the warm current that had flowed through her body like a stream transformed into a surging river.

At that moment, Hua Changxi discovered she seemed able to see through her own body; she 'saw' a red sea of qi, the size of a chicken egg, appear at the location of her dantian.

[Realm: Sea of Qi Realm/]

Her realm had changed!

"After the Qi Refining Realm comes the Sea of Qi Realm."

Looking at the number following 'Sea of Qi Realm,' Hua Changxi felt considerable pressure; if advancing from Qi Refining to Sea of Qi was so difficult, progressing beyond the Sea of Qi Realm would only be harder.

Relying on step-by-step cultivation, she knew not how many years or months it would take; she still needed to find spiritual plants!

Hua Changxi had already discovered one type of spiritual plant, the Yuan Spirit Grass, within the Medical Bureau, which made her somewhat anxious.

If the Medical Bureau, mobilizing the entire power of the Great Jin Dynasty, had failed to discover spiritual plants, the probability of her finding any by searching mountains and fields on her own was even smaller.

"Is it that the Medical Bureau possesses none, or have the spiritual plants already been collected and sent upward?"

Spiritual plants contain spiritual qi and differ greatly from ordinary medicines; even if one did not recognize them, one would not miss them upon encounter.

Hua Changxi suspected the Medical Bureau must have collected other spiritual plants, but they were seized by superiors the moment they were discovered; here in the Labor Hall, only the Yuan Spirit Grass, which withers immediately upon leaving the ground, had been overlooked.

How was she to find other spiritual plants that could aid in advancing her realm?