Chapter 93: In Hand

With the medicinal ingredients in hand, Yang Fan did not immediately begin refining the medicine upon returning to the villa. He waited until the next day, after Yu Qian had left for the company, before starting.

Among the herbs he acquired from the Chen family, there were actually two extra sets. Since the Chen family was wealthy and influential, Yang Fan simply relied on them to find the necessary materials.

He still used a pot to refine the medicine, but this time he added an extra step: he dripped his own blood into the ingredients. Now, with his cultivation at the middle stage of Qi Refinement, his blood held a certain spiritual essence.

The refining process was complex, but Yang Fan was already skilled. Once the medicine was finished, he retired to his room to cultivate. He drank a bottle of the concoction, activated his cultivation technique, and the room was immediately enveloped by a fierce, sharp aura.

The medicinal power generated a surge of spiritual energy within him, gathering toward his dantian. Yang Fan’s aura grew even more formidable.

For two full hours, he absorbed the medicine’s strength. Sensing the increase in spiritual power within his body, Yang Fan was satisfied: “Once I absorb the spirit stones, my cultivation should reach the late stage of Qi Refinement.”

Without hesitation, he took out the spirit stones and began absorbing their energy to cultivate. His rapid progress to the middle stage of Qi Refinement was mostly luck.

The Fruit of Origin played the primary role.

Although the fourteen spirit stones were of inferior quality, absorbing the spiritual energy contained within them took some time.

By the time he had absorbed all the stones, night had fallen. At this moment, Yang Fan’s aura reached a critical point, and an astonishing force radiated from him.

The entire room seemed to churn with turbulent air, as if stirred by a giant hand. The sharp aura swept the air, producing a thunderous roar.

This force lasted for a full hour before it completely dissipated.

Opening his eyes, Yang Fan revealed excitement: “Late stage of Qi Refinement. I’m one step closer to my goal. If I can acquire more spirit stones, I’ll soon reach the Saint Realm and then leave this place.”

But he knew that having spirit stones to aid his cultivation was a matter of luck.

Now that the stones were gone, if he wanted to improve his strength, he would have to train steadily for the time being. Thus, his progress would slow.

Ordinary spiritual medicines held little effect for him, so he needed to seek out rarer ones.

Now that his cultivation had reached the late stage of Qi Refinement, breaking through to the Transcendent Realm would require absorbing vast amounts of spiritual energy and, crucially, time.

After the breakthrough, his body was covered in grime, so he went out to bathe.

Yu Qian had not returned, likely because the company was busy.

After bathing, Yang Fan went back to his room to rest.

The next day, he took the refined medicine to the Chen family.

Many of the Chen family members were present. Seeing the medicine Yang Fan produced, everyone was puzzled, unsure if it would work.

“This is the refined medicine. Just take it and I guarantee your injuries will heal,” Yang Fan said, handing the concoction to Elder Chen Yang.

Elder Chen Yang stared at the bottle in his hand, feeling a surge of emotion.

If it truly healed him, he could live several more years.

“Grandfather, hurry and take it,” Chen Hui urged.

Under the watchful gaze of the family, Elder Chen Yang drank the medicine and waited for a miracle.

It wasn’t difficult to swallow, but carried a faint bitterness.

He immediately felt a warm current flowing within, his body experiencing unprecedented comfort.

He hadn’t felt this way in years.

The Chen family members watched as the old man’s complexion gradually improved, joy lighting their eyes.

His face, previously pale, began to show healthy color after taking Yang Fan’s medicine.

Chen Yang was well aware of his own condition.

Privately astonished, he hadn’t expected the medicine to be so miraculous.

Once the warmth faded, he circulated his internal energy and found that the pain in his injured areas had vanished.

In the past, every time he activated his energy, his wounds would sting sharply, making it unbearable.

Now, the pain was completely gone, and his energy flowed unhindered.

“Mr. Yang, you are truly extraordinary. I am deeply grateful,” Elder Chen Yang bowed to Yang Fan, expressing his thanks.

If his injuries had not healed, he would have only two years left.

Now that he was cured, he could live several more.

“Well then, since your health is restored, hand me that stone,” Yang Fan gestured, his gaze settling on Chen Hui.

The other members of the Chen family were momentarily taken aback, surprised.

They had expected Yang Fan to ask for money, but he did not.

Without delay, Chen Hui took off the soul stone she wore around her neck and handed it to Yang Fan.

“May I ask, where did you get this stone?” Yang Fan inquired.

“Haha, this stone was a gift from a friend. It was supposedly found by a tomb raider in a general’s tomb,” Elder Chen Yang replied, smiling. “That tomb is now protected by the state, and there’s only one such stone.”

“I see,” Yang Fan said with a hint of disappointment. “I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

As Yang Fan turned to go, Elder Chen Yang quickly called out, “Mr. Yang, wait. There is something I would like to discuss with you.”

Turning with a questioning look, Yang Fan asked, “What is it?”

“It’s like this: in one month, the International Martial Artists Tournament will be held in Jiang City. I hope you will participate and bring honor to our nation,” Elder Chen Yang said, looking at Yang Fan with hopeful anticipation.

He was certain that if Yang Fan competed, he would surely win first place, sweeping aside martial artists from other countries.

Upon hearing about the tournament, Yang Fan immediately declined, “I don’t like to take part in such events.”

“Mr. Yang, as a descendant of our nation, can you bear to see our martial artists defeated by those of other countries?” Elder Chen Yang urged. “Rumor has it that two foreign competitors have reached the late stage of the Postnatal Realm, and among our younger generation, there’s not a single martial artist at that level.”

“I told you, I don’t wish to get involved in such things,” Yang Fan replied firmly.

He had no interest in matters that brought him no benefit.

Seeing Yang Fan refuse, Elder Chen Yang could only smile wryly.

“Mr. Yang, the first prize for this tournament is one hundred million. I believe you would win it easily,” Elder Chen Yang said, gazing at Yang Fan.

Upon hearing the prize was one hundred million, Yang Fan’s brows arched.

Money was a better incentive.

“I can send one of my disciples to compete,” Yang Fan pondered, then answered.

Wang Gang’s cultivation was almost at the threshold of Qi Refinement. Competing against a few Postnatal Realm novices would pose no problem.

“Mr. Yang, what is your disciple’s strength?” Elder Chen Yang asked.

He hadn’t expected Yang Fan, so young, to have a disciple.

But it made sense—Yang Fan was an Innate Realm expert; taking a disciple was normal.

“He can handle martial artists of the Postnatal Realm without issue,” Yang Fan replied confidently.

Hearing this, Elder Chen Yang’s eyes filled with joy.