Chapter 255: Forcefully Breaking Through
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
In Qinhai City, the other prominent families knew that Ruan Qiaojun had returned, but there was little commotion about it. After all, it had nothing to do with them. However, when they found out that a young Aperture Tempering realm expert had also arrived at the Ruan family, the various families quickly took notice.
Each family sent representatives to the Ruan family under the pretext of welcoming Ruan Qiaojun back, but in reality, they wanted to get close to this Aperture Tempering realm expert.
However, Chen Fei didn’t meet with anyone, as there was no need.
Qinhai City was similar to Apricot Fen City in that it didn’t have any permanent Aperture Tempering realm experts. Most of the time, they only had occasional visitors who would stay in Qinhai City for a few days and then leave.
Each family had acquaintances among the Aperture Tempering realm experts, but they rarely contacted them unless it was a critical situation. Only then would they use the favors they had accumulated to request the assistance of a Aperture Tempering realm expert.
The Ruan family also had familiar Aperture Tempering realm experts, but they were not in Qinhai City. They were located more than a hundred miles away, and it was a favor acquired by Ruan Qiaojun’s father for the survival of the family.
The piece of Gold Sky Stone served as a precaution. If their favors weren’t enough, they could use the Gold Sky Stone to hire a Aperture Tempering realm expert.
Ruan Donglai was extremely enthusiastic about Chen Fei, or rather, the entire Ruan family was very welcoming to Chen Fei, considering his young age as an Aperture Tempering realm expert. Many eligible young women constantly appeared in front of Chen Fei.
The message was clear: if there was a chance for Chen Fei to leave behind an heir in the Ruan family, the Ruan family would benefit greatly. They didn’t expect Chen Fei to be deeply involved in the upbringing of this heir; they just wanted to secure the family’s bloodline.
It must be said that the women of the Ruan family were all exceptionally beautiful, including Ruan Qiaojun.
Being a prominent family within the city, they were selective when it came to choosing their wives and concubines. Over time, they naturally avoided having unattractive descendants.
Plus, a life of luxury and no need for manual labor kept them fair and radiant, catching the eye of many. Their figures and appearances were all top-notch.
Upon seeing Chen Fei, these women blushed and felt their hearts stir.
Before coming, they had expected to encounter a middle-aged man’s appearance, as most Aperture Tempering realm experts they had seen looked that way.
The women of the Ruan family didn’t hold any grievances about this; Aperture Tempering realm experts, regardless of age, were figures they looked up to. If they could catch one’s eye and enjoy a night of romance, their status would change dramatically.
However, now they discovered that Chen Fei was so young and didn’t look much older than themselves.
What’s more, his appearance was remarkably handsome. This image perfectly matched their imaginations of their future partners.
As a result, their initially enthusiastic attitude became even more proactive, hoping that Chen Fei would notice them and keep them by his side.
Unfortunately, Chen Fei didn’t take anyone with him. Although these women were indeed beautiful and Chen Fei could easily avoid taking responsibility afterward, it still conflicted with his personal values.
This was entirely different from letting loose in a bar and listening to music.
Early the next morning, Ruan Qiaojun brought Chen Fei to the Ruan family’s treasure vault.
In the morning, when Ruan Qiaojun learned that Chen Fei hadn’t brought any of the Ruan family’s women to accompany him, she inexplicably felt very pleased.
Unbeknownst to her, Ruan Qiaojun had already developed feelings for Chen Fei. In times of danger, the image of Chen Fei standing in the forefront, blocking all storms, had already taken root in Ruan Qiaojun’s heart.
Regarding Chen Fei, Ruan Qiaojun’s thoughts had already shifted from how she initially saw him as a senior expert. She just hadn’t realized it yet.
“Senior, this is the Gold Sky Stone,” Ruan Qiaojun said as she took out a wooden box from a hidden compartment in the treasure vault and handed it to Chen Fei.
Only three people in the Ruan family knew about this hidden compartment, but with his father and another uncle’s recent passing due to severe injuries, only Ruan Qiaojun was aware of it now.
If one more person found out, the intensity and number of Rain Tower assassins pursuing Ruan Qiaojun would likely double.
Chen Fei opened the wooden box and looked at the golden stone inside, a faint smile appearing on his face.
With this piece of Gold Sky Stone, Chen Fei would be able to elevate the Qianyuan Sword to the level of a spiritual weapon within a year. When the sword formation had the support of a spiritual weapon, its power would increase even further.
A martial artist’s strength increased in small increments.
“Senior, in addition to this piece of Gold Sky Stone, my father also left behind a map of the location where he found the Gold Sky Stone. However, my father said that his strength was insufficient to continue further.”
Ruan Qiaojun took out a leather-bound map from the hidden compartment and handed it to Chen Fei.
Chen Fei’s expression twitched slightly as he carefully examined the map. He discovered that the location marked on the map was nearly two hundred miles from Qinhai City, a distance he could cover in a day’s time.
However, he briefly considered it before ultimately suppressing the idea.
Although he had gained the incredible strength of the Dragon Suppressing Elephant, Chen Fei was still in the early stages of the Aperture Tempering realm.
This allowed him to easily defeat some wandering cultivators, but he wasn’t entirely satisfied with his current strength. In the face of real danger, he might not be able to escape.
As his strength increased, his horizons naturally expanded, and ordinary gains no longer satisfied him. Consequently, the dangers he encountered would also increase.
His Soul Chasing Steps was lacking to some extent. Chen Fei needed to have the power to escape if he encountered extreme danger and couldn’t resist, rather than sitting there waiting for his fate.
“Thank you!”
Chen Fei looked at Ruan Qiaojun with gratitude. The Gold Sky Stone didn’t elicit any extraordinary emotions, but Chen Fei was in good spirits.
Moreover, this map wasn’t part of the agreed-upon transaction; it was an additional gift. For Chen Fei, its value was significant.
“Senior, you’re too kind.” Seeing that Chen Fei was satisfied, Ruan Qiaojun smiled gracefully, her heart filled with happiness. Admiration and flattery were intertwined.
“Here, if you want to control the Ruan family, it may not be that easy,” Chen Fei looked at Ruan Qiaojun, pondered for a moment, and spoke in a low voice.
“1 understand, senior,” Ruan Qiaojun sighed softly.
Due to Chen Fei’s protection on the way back, she would undoubtedly become the family head. However, being the family head didn’t necessarily mean having all the power.
After returning for just one day, Ruan Qiaojun noticed that many things were instinctively reported to Ruan Donglai before they were finalized rather than being consulted with her.
Just from this detail alone, many things could be inferred. Although Ruan Qiaojun was deeply devoted to martial arts, she was perceptive and could deduce much from observing.
“Unless your cultivation reaches the Visceral Tempering realm, there’s only a slim chance of having real control,” Chen Fei stated.
Ruan Qiaojun’s current strength was in the late stage of the Marrow Tempering realm. With this level of cultivation in Qinhai City, she was undoubtedly considered a young talent. This was precisely why Ruan Qiaojun had initially gone to Immortal Cloud City to seek further progress.
However, after only a few years, her family, the Ruan family, faced an unexpected crisis, forcing Ruan Qiaojun to return.
Otherwise, if Ruan Qiaojun had stayed in Immortal Cloud City for a few more years, her cultivation would undoubtedly have broken through to the Visceral Tempering realm. At that point, returning to take control of the Ruan family would have been much easier.
Sometimes, cultivation realm didn’t represent everything, but it accounted for more than ninety percent.
Hearing Chen Fei’s words, Ruan Qiaojun’s expression dimmed slightly. She understood the logic, but without the necessary cultivation, understanding was in vain.
“Do you want to break through to the Visceral Tempering realm?” Chen Fei looked at Ruan Qiaojun and whispered.
Today, Ruan Qiaojun had given Chen Fei this map. If others sincerely treated Chen Fei well, he could return the favor within his abilities.
Initially looking down, Ruan Qiaojun looked at Chen Fei with some excitement when she heard his words. “Senior, you can help me break through to the Visceral Tempering realm?”
“Yes!”
Chen Fei nodded affirmatively. “However, this kind of breakthrough may make your foundation unstable, and it will take longer if you want to advance further in the future.”
At the late stage of the Marrow Tempering realm, just before reaching the peak of that realm, breaking through to the Visceral Tempering realm was still a considerable distance away. However, for an Aperture Tempering realm expert, it wasn’t difficult.
For Chen Fei, it was effortless.
However, within a sect, no one would do this because it would affect the disciple’s subsequent cultivation, making it not worth the cost.
But in Ruan Qiaojun’s current situation, breaking through to the Visceral Tempering realm earlier would have more benefits than drawbacks.
“I hope you’ll fulfill my request, Senior!”
Ruan Qiaojun was overjoyed and was about to bow in gratitude, but Chen Fei stopped her by grabbing her arm.
“Are all the best medicinal herbs from the Ruan family here?” Chen Fei extended his mental senses, scanning everything in the treasure vault.
“Yes, everything is here. If you need anything else, Senior, I can have it prepared for you.” When her arm made contact with Chen Fei, Ruan Qiaojun’s face suddenly turned rosy as she thought of something.
“The medicinal herbs are enough. Please prepare a sturdy alchemical furnace and place it in my courtyard.”
With a slight movement of Chen Fei’s right hand, more than a dozen jade boxes floated into his hand, all containing medicinal herbs that were several decades old.
Fifteen minutes later, in Chen Fei’s courtyard, a fire was kindled, and a delicate alchemical furnace was placed atop it. Chen Fei tossed all the medicinal herbs into it.
In no time, a medicinal fragrance wafted from the furnace, but soon, it gradually dissipated as if all the medicine had been absorbed.
Ruan Qiaojun stood to the side, watching Chen Fei refine the elixir. This method of alchemy, where the flames enveloped the entire furnace from top to bottom, was something Ruan Qiaojun had never seen before, and her eyes were filled with amazement.
Outside the courtyard, Ruan Donglai’s gaze was heavy, and his thoughts were uneasy.
“I never expected this senior to be skilled in alchemy. Truly impressive. If 1 could become his disciple, I would have no regrets!” Ruan Bojun said with admiration.
In the past two days, Ruan Bojun had behaved exceptionally well, refraining from any mistreatment of servants or bullying of women and children. He was afraid of provoking Chen Fei and getting killed by a single sword.
“At a time like this, suddenly practicing alchemy…” Ruan Donglai felt somewhat restless. He had a nagging feeling that something was wrong, but he couldn’t pinpoint the issue.
“Boom!”
A muffled sound suddenly emanated from the courtyard, and a faint medicinal fragrance briefly filled the air before dissipating. Ruan Donglai and the others were taken aback, trying to catch the scent, but it had already disappeared.
In the courtyard, Chen Fei held a Flying Ascent Pill with three pill veins in his hand.
As his mental power increased, Chen Fei became increasingly adept at alchemy. Even if some auxiliary herbs were missing, it didn’t affect his ability to produce pills with pill veins.
“Take it. 1’11 help you refine the medicinal power,” Chen Fei handed the pill to Ruan Qiaojun.
Ruan Qiaojun took it instinctively, without hesitation, and directly ingested it.
“Buzz!”
It was as if a flame had erupted in her chest, and Ruan Qiaojun felt like her entire body was about to ignite.
“Calm your mind and regulate your qi. Activate your cultivation technique!”
Chen Fei’s voice rang in Ruan Qiaojun’s ears, and she snapped back to consciousness. She immediately activated her cultivation technique, trying to refine the medicinal power.
However, this medicinal power was like an ancient behemoth, completely beyond Ruan Qiaojun’s control. In just a moment, she felt her meridians throbbing in pain.
When Ruan Qiaojun didn’t know how to handle the situation, a cool energy suddenly surged from her back, guiding her to activate her cultivation technique and condense all the medicinal power within her meridians.
The speed at which her cultivation technique operated became faster and faster, and Ruan Qiaojun gradually began to exert her own energy.
At one moment, she felt her sea of consciousness tremble, and her cultivation realm broke through from the Marrow Tempering realm to the Visceral Tempering realm.
Outside the courtyard, Ruan Donglai sensed the change in Ruan Qiaojun’s aura, and his expression changed abruptly. He finally understood where his unease was coming from.
However, even if he were given the courage of a leopard, he wouldn’t dare to barge into the courtyard and stop Ruan Qiaojun’s breakthrough at this moment..