Chapter 124: 100 Days to Forge a Talent

Chapter 124: Chapter 124: 100 Days to Forge a Talent

Time ticked by as the deduction continued. Outside, the moonlight shifted from the eastern window to the western one. A night breeze slipped through the broken courtyard gate, swirled within, kicking up a few fallen leaves before silently departing.

Chen Yue’s breathing grew steadier and deeper, his entire being seeming to merge with the night. Only in his Sea of Consciousness did the fierce deductions and collisions rage on, like a silent, ceaseless clap of thunder.

When midnight arrived, a familiar ripple spread before Chen Yue’s eyes.

[Daily Settlement]

[Attempted to merge Cultivation Techniques. Merge successful. New Cultivation Technique acquired: Vast Heart Rock Skill!]

...

[Vast Heart Rock Skill, Fourth Layer (Perfection)]

[Talent: Immune to Hundred Poisons (100/100)]

...

Chen Yue looked at the text appearing on the panel, pleasantly surprised. He had expected the merge to succeed, but the results far exceeded his expectations.

The Fourth Layer of the new Cultivation Technique, the Vast Heart Rock Skill, was directly judged to be at the Perfection Realm!

This was likely thanks to the solid foundation provided by his Vast Firm Essence Technique, which was at the Perfection Realm, and the powerful Power of Heart and Spirit he gained after achieving Great Success in the Heart Nourishing Technique.

The two complemented each other, ultimately allowing Chen Yue to directly master the Fourth Layer of the Panshi Skill.

[Talent: Immune to Hundred Poisons (100/100)]

This Talent, the first one he had started to cultivate, had finally, fully formed today!

An indescribable sensation arose from within Chen Yue’s body. It was a tingling itch, as if countless tiny ants were crawling through his flesh and blood, yet it wasn’t painful. On the contrary, it carried a strange sense of comfort.

At the same time, a flood of insights about the Vast Heart Rock Skill surged into his Sea of Consciousness. He rapidly absorbed and assimilated them, turning them into his body’s instincts.

A moment later, Chen Yue slowly opened his eyes.

He withdrew a small vial from his Little Pill Furnace using his Heart Spirit. Inside was Muscle Relaxant Powder, a common underhanded tool in the Jianghu.

It couldn’t be called colorless and odorless; on the contrary, it had a slightly pungent, distinctive smell. After a Martial Artist ingested it, their entire body would become weak and feeble, making it difficult to concentrate their Qi and Blood for a short period.

However, the smell of Muscle Relaxant Powder was too unique. Generally, any Martial Artist with a bit of experience in the Jianghu wouldn’t fall for it so easily.

Chen Yue looked at the vial in his hand, wondering internally, ’Does Muscle Relaxant Powder even count as a poison?’

’Would his Immune to Hundred Poisons Talent be effective against this kind of drug?’

Chen Yue uncorked the vial, and a slightly pungent smell wafted out. He poured out a small amount of the powder, hesitated for a moment, then put it in his mouth and swallowed.

A numbing sensation immediately spread through his body, as if some force was trying to paralyze his meridians and disrupt his Qi and Blood Circulation.

However, the very instant this numbing feeling arose, the Qi and Blood in his body automatically began to circulate faster.

A warm power surged from his limbs and bones, swiftly dissolving and consuming the numbing sensation.

In less than a breath’s time, the numbing sensation vanished completely, as if it had never been there.

Sensing this, a hint of a smile appeared in Chen Yue’s eyes.

He had prepared an Antitoxic Pill just in case, but it seemed he wouldn’t be needing it now.

He looked down at the vial in his hand, then felt the still-stable circulation of his Qi and Blood. He now had a preliminary understanding of his Immune to Hundred Poisons Talent.

Of course, Chen Yue wasn’t sure just how broad the scope of "Immune to Hundred Poisons" was, or to what extent it was effective.

He couldn’t very well test every known poison with his own body, but there was no doubt that ordinary Jianghu tricks should no longer work on him.

Besides, as Chen Yue’s Cultivation steadily increased, his Qi and Blood would grow more vigorous and his bodily functions stronger. The effects of many poisons were already greatly diminished against high-level Martial Artists.

The formation of the Immune to Hundred Poisons Talent was like adding another barrier on top of that foundation.

Chen Yue put the vial away and closed his eyes again.

Tonight’s gains had been substantial. A new Cultivation Technique perfected, a new Talent formed, and his Cultivation was steadily rising.

Chen Yue slowly began to circulate his newly merged Vast Heart Rock Skill, carefully sensing the completely different operational trajectory and flow of energy compared to any of his previous Cultivation Techniques.

The Qi Force surged through his meridians, no longer just hard and condensed like solid rock, but now possessing an unprecedented harmony, as if every wisp of Qi Force had been imbued with Spirituality.

When one Grand Circulation was complete, a refreshing and clear-headed feeling spontaneously arose.

It was a feeling of being transparent, clear, and light, like the sky after a long rain has finally broken.

In the past, this feeling would only appear when he circulated the Heart Nourishing Technique, and it would take a long time to achieve a similar effect.

But now, after circulating the Vast Heart Rock Skill just once, his Heart Spirit was significantly nourished, even more so than when he circulated the Heart Nourishing Technique alone.

This must be the wondrous change resulting from the fusion of the Heart Spirit-related parts of the Panshi Skill’s Fourth Layer Heart Method with the Heart Nourishing Technique.

The two complemented each other, and their combined efficiency far surpassed a simple sum of the individual techniques.

The night passed quietly as Chen Yue focused on his cultivation.

When the first rays of morning light filtered through the broken window lattice and into the room, Chen Yue slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of turbid air.

In the faint morning light, the turbid air condensed without scattering, like a bolt of white silk. It hung in the air for a moment before slowly dissipating.

Chen Yue felt the abundant power in his body and his clear Heart Spirit, nodding in satisfaction.

The new Cultivation Technique was even better than he had expected.

In the morning, Chen Yue headed to the dining hall on Dan Peak for breakfast, just as he always did.

The moment he stepped into the dining hall, he keenly sensed a subtle change in the atmosphere.

Many of the disciples who were eating looked up when he entered. Their gazes held a complex mix of curiosity, appraisal, awe, and a certain amount of distance and observation.

No one came forward to greet him. Some even subconsciously lowered their heads or looked away as he approached, as if terrified of being associated with him in any way.

The buzz of conversation in the dining hall noticeably quieted the moment he stepped inside, only to resume after he had passed. Now, however, there was a cautious undertone to the noise.

Chen Yue wasn’t surprised by this. Yesterday’s Life and Death Decision had transformed him from an unknown newcomer into the center of attention for the entire Panshi Sect overnight.

But fame could be a double-edged sword.

Although he had displayed immense strength, no one could say how the grudge between him and the Mutual Aid Association would ultimately be resolved.

Or rather, most disciples didn’t have much faith in him. He was just an outer sect disciple at the Bone Forging realm. No matter how strong he was, how could he possibly contend with a deeply entrenched organization with numerous Inner Sect Disciples?

Before the outcome was clear, keeping their distance was the choice most people made.

Chen Yue seemed oblivious to the surrounding stares. As usual, he found a corner seat and ate his breakfast at an unhurried pace.

Then, he got up, left the dining hall, and headed toward the Hundred Herbs Pavilion.

When Chen Yue stepped into the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, the strange looks from the disciples here were even more intense than in the dining hall.

Many subconsciously glanced at Zhao Weiyuan, who was sitting in the main seat. Most of the disciples on Dan Peak were well aware of the relationship between Zhao Zongzhen and Zhao Weiyuan.

Although the two were not immediate family, but rather clansmen with an uncle-nephew relationship, Zhao Zongzhen’s success on Dan Peak and his important position in the Mutual Aid Association were inextricably linked to Zhao Weiyuan’s backing.

Yesterday, Chen Yue had publicly embarrassed Zhao Zongzhen on the Martial Arts Arena. In many people’s eyes, this was equivalent to embarrassing Zhao Weiyuan.

The fact that Chen Yue still dared to come to the Hundred Herbs Pavilion today, and even appear before Zhao Weiyuan, was a display of courage that left many disciples secretly dumbfounded.

Just as he usually did, Chen Yue walked to Zhao Weiyuan’s desk, cupped his fists in salute, and said calmly, "Martial Uncle Zhao."

Zhao Weiyuan’s eyelids twitched upward. He set down the Pill Formula scroll he was reading, and his gaze fell upon Chen Yue, sizing him up.

He looked at Chen Yue for a moment, then gave a slight nod. Without saying a word, he lowered his head again and continued to read the Pill Formula in his hands.

In the distance, Yao Jin stood beside a Pill Furnace, a handful of medicinal herbs in his hand, but he hadn’t moved for a long time.

When he saw Chen Yue walk in, a complex look flashed in his eyes, a mix of worry and hesitation.

When he saw Chen Yue salute Zhao Weiyuan, and Zhao Weiyuan merely nodded without lashing out, Yao Jin, for some reason, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

But when Chen Yue’s gaze swept over to him, he opened his mouth as if to say something. In the end, however, noticing the overt and hidden stares from those around them, he didn’t make a sound. He just silently lowered his head, pretending to be focused on the herbs in his hand.

Chen Yue’s gaze passed over Yao Jin, and he saw the look of conflict on his face.

Chen Yue smiled faintly and didn’t go over to greet Yao Jin.

He wasn’t afraid of the Mutual Aid Association, but others didn’t feel the same.

Yao Jin himself was still in the Mutual Aid Association. If he got too close to Chen Yue during such a sensitive time, it would likely bring him unnecessary trouble.

Chen Yue understood his situation and didn’t blame him.

Chen Yue walked straight to the herb exchange counter in the Hundred Herbs Pavilion and placed his Identity Token on the counter. "I’d like to exchange for the ingredients for a Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill."

Hearing this, the disciple at the exchange counter couldn’t help but look up, giving Chen Yue a surprised glance.

He had, of course, already heard the news about yesterday’s Life and Death Decision.

He had assumed that today Chen Yue would either be hiding under Meng Yu Jin’s wing to lie low, or would be busy dealing with the Mutual Aid Association’s subsequent retaliation.

He never expected Chen Yue to dare return to the Hundred Herbs Pavilion so nonchalantly, and to ask for the ingredients for a Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill right off the bat.

"The ingredients for the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill require Contribution Points to be exchanged. Are you sure you want to trade for them?"

Chen Yue had been in the sect for less than a month. According to the rules, many basic herbs could be purchased with silver taels.

But the ingredients for the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill were quite valuable and had to be exchanged for with Contribution Points. This was a rule the Sect had established to prevent precious medicinal herbs from being misused or wasted.

Chen Yue nodded. "I’ll have to trouble you, Martial Brother."

The disciple said no more. He took Chen Yue’s Token and pressed it against the Contribution Spirit Jade, deducting three Contribution Points.

He then turned around, carefully selected, weighed, and packaged the herbs from the cabinets behind him. A moment later, he handed a tightly wrapped package of herbs back to Chen Yue, along with his Identity Token.

Chen Yue took the package but didn’t leave right away. Instead, right in front of the disciple, he carefully checked the type, quantity, and quality of the herbs.

After confirming there were no issues, he cupped his fists at the disciple, said his thanks, and then turned to leave the Hundred Herbs Pavilion.

The disciple watched Chen Yue’s retreating back and couldn’t help but shake his head, thinking to himself, ’This Chen Yue... Is he planning to gamble everything on trying to refine a Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill, hoping it’ll improve his current situation?’

’It’s a nice idea, but Alchemy isn’t something you can succeed at just by wishing for it.’

’Especially with a pill as difficult as the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill. The more impatient and anxious you are, the lower your chances of success in Alchemy.’

’This Chen Yue might have astonishing combat power, but when it comes to the Alchemy Dao, he’s probably about to pay a hefty tuition fee.’