Entering the depths of the mine, Yang Che skillfully pulled open a crevice in the rock and took out a yellowed ancient book.
To ensure absolute secrecy and infallibility, Yang Che had long ago taken advantage of his morning runs around Xingshan Mine to hide three ancient books, a scroll, the flake-shaped jade, and the box containing mysterious fine needles in several hidden abandoned mine shafts on the outskirts of the mining area.
The ancient book he held at this moment was neither the Purple Origin Art nor another Cultivation Technique; instead, it was a thick manual called Alchemy Notes.
It recorded the names and effects of many rare medicinal herbs, several medicinal formulas, and detailed methods and steps for refining the Medicinal Pills described in these formulas.
Additionally, there were introductions to the advantages and disadvantages of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire and Cultivator's True Fire. However, Yang Che's current knowledge of characters was limited; he could only skim through it and couldn't fully understand it yet.
Comparing it with this Alchemy Notes, Yang Che also learned the names and exact effects of the three Medicinal Pills, besides 'Grain Abstinence Pill,' in the four bottles he had obtained.
The Medicinal Pill in the blue jade bottle, which could treat external and internal injuries, was called the Nourishing Yuan Pill.
The green bottle contained the Qingxin Pill, which could detoxify all poisons.
The last white jade bottle contained a foundational Medicinal Pill called the Eight Treasures Pill.
Most of these Medicinal Pills were running low, except for the Qingxin Pill.
Especially the Eight Treasures Pill, as stated in the notes, had a significant effect on improving the Cultivation of Cultivators below the ninth level of the Qi Refinement Stage, but it could only be taken after reaching the third level of Qi Refining.
Yang Che read the Alchemy Notes very carefully for a while, then exited the abandoned mine shaft and quickly arrived at another abandoned mine shaft.
Hidden here was another Cultivation Technique called the Heaven and Earth Chaos Art, which was vastly different from the Cultivation method described in the Purple Origin Art.
Based on Yang Che's current understanding of the written language, this seemed to be a Cultivation Technique specifically used to Cultivate Physical Body strength.
The pages were very tattered, and even more miraculously, only the first few pages contained content, while the rest were blank, without any characters.
Holding this Cultivation Technique, Yang Che studied it ravenously; he read very slowly, almost word by word, meticulously pondering each one.
Soon, he was completely immersed in this profound yet astonishingly miraculous Cultivation Technique.
This Cultivation Technique primarily used the absorbed Spiritual Qi to temper the Physical Body.
From the skin to the muscles, to the Meridians and bones, and then to the blood, while simultaneously refining various Heaven And Earth Treasures mentioned on the pages into Medicinal Pills for consumption or soaking in medicinal liquid, thereby continuously increasing Physical Body strength…
Just by studying it, Yang Che felt as if he had entered a magical world, filling him with excitement.
He even unconsciously sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to Cultivate according to the method described, absorbing Spiritual Qi to temper his Meridians, completely forgetting the passage of time…
When Yang Che opened his eyes, his heart was startled, and he quickly hid the Heaven and Earth Chaos Art again, rushing out of the mine shaft…
Returning to the stone house where tools were stored, Yang Che saw Elder Wei looking somewhat displeased and was wondering how to make excuses, but unexpectedly, Elder Wei only said indifferently, “This time you took too long; don't let it happen again.”
Yang Che nodded in agreement, then quickly went to organize and repair the mining tools.
In the following days, Yang Che continued his routine of running a lap around Xingshan Mine every morning.
During this time, he increased his running speed to allow himself more time to study the Alchemy Notes and the Heaven and Earth Chaos Art.
Yang Che was almost simultaneously Cultivating the Purple Origin Art and the Heaven and Earth Chaos Art, but this meant that a portion of the absorbed Spiritual Qi was used to temper his Physical Body, greatly affecting the progress of his Cultivation.
However, for some reason, Yang Che's enthusiasm for the Heaven and Earth Chaos Art subtly surpassed that for the Purple Origin Art.
Time passed quickly, and before he knew it, Yang Che had been at Xingshan Mine for half a year, and he had just barely succeeded in Cultivating the second level of the Purple Origin Art, entering the second level of the Qi Refinement Stage.
During this period, Yang Che was able to read the entire Purple Origin Art and learned that the strange Qi flow within his Dantian was originally called magical power.
At the end of the Purple Origin Art Cultivation Technique ancient book, several basic Spells were also attached, but they were too complex and profound; the current Yang Che had not the slightest clue.
After entering the second level of Qi Refining, in addition to the growth of magical power, Yang Che could feel his spirit becoming more full and vigorous, and his Physical Body also seemed much lighter.
This day, in the evening.
After dinner, Yang Che was about to continue Cultivating the Heaven and Earth Chaos Art, but unexpectedly, Elder Wei suddenly arrived.
“Yang Che, how do you think I've treated you these past six months?” Elder Wei suddenly asked somewhat strangely.
Yang Che was slightly stunned, not knowing why Elder Wei suddenly asked this, but still replied truthfully, “Elder Wei has, of course, been very good to me.”
Elder Wei seemed quite satisfied with Yang Che's answer; he coughed a few times and continued, “You must be very curious why I've kept you here helping me for the past six months and made you run circles around Xingshan Mine to strengthen your Physique, right?”
“Indeed, I was a bit puzzled.” Yang Che's eyelids twitched slightly.
“Yang Che, I'll be direct. I kept you here to help me and made you spend six months running around Xingshan Mine to enhance your Physique, all to make you my 'Medicinal Pill Tester.' ”
“Medicinal Pill Tester?” Yang Che didn't understand.
“Precisely. I was originally an Elder of the Poison Hall in the Outer Sect of Wu Gate, but because a detoxification Medicinal Pill for a poison formula I researched had flaws, it caused our Young Miss to be disfigured after being poisoned. The Sect Leader was furious and sentenced me to death, but fortunately, the Young Miss was benevolent and spared my old life, and I was ultimately demoted to this place by the Sect for punishment and reflection.”
Elder Wei sighed, a clear look of desolation on his face, then continued, “For years, I have been diligently researching, hoping to perfect this detoxification formula. In recent days, I feel this formula is almost complete.
However, as a convicted person, I cannot leave Xingshan Mine, so I can only choose you miners as the test subjects.”
Yang Che's face gradually darkened, and his fists involuntarily clenched: “You want me to take poison and then eat the antidote you researched?”
“That's roughly the idea. However, because it's a test, you won't directly ingest the poison. Instead, you'll soak in the poisonous liquid, and I will control the dosage of the poison and antidote to observe the changes in toxicity. Don't worry, there will definitely be no danger to your life.”
At this point, Elder Wei saw that Yang Che's expression was already very grim, paused for a moment, and then continued:
“If you agree to the test, I will find a way for you to join my Wu Gate and enter the Inner Sect directly. If you don't agree… you can leave now and go mining. But Zhao Min is very likely to vent his resentment towards me on you…”
Yang Che clenched his teeth tightly, a cold sneer inexplicably rising in his heart, completely understanding the cruelty and heartlessness of this world.
Aside from his grandfather, no one would be good to him for no reason. Since that was the case, Yang Che didn't want to owe Elder Wei any favors. With the Qingxin Pill, which could detoxify all poisons, in hand, Yang Che struggled for a bit before deciding to agree to the test.
“Elder Wei, I can agree to the test, but I have two conditions.”
“Good. Speak.”
“First, the soaking in the poisonous liquid must take place right here. Second, I hope Elder Wei can teach me martial arts.”
Elder Wei heard this, a look of surprise appearing on his face, but he ultimately agreed.
After Yang Che rested for a while, Elder Wei moved a large wooden tub from his dwelling, then poured clear water into the tub, and then took out a medicinal packet, beginning to add poison to the clear water.