After being rebuffed by An Chen, the female Disciple left awkwardly and sat down at another table.
This table was full of female Disciples, and clearly, they had a very good relationship with her; as soon as she came over, someone leaned in close.
"How was it?"
"Why are you back so soon? Did it not work out?"
"Quiet, quiet, let her speak! I want to hear what the Junior Brother said!"
The female Disciple said with a bitter expression:
"This Genius Junior Brother, he looks alright, but it seems he has some issues in his head!"
An Chen, however, didn't care how they evaluated him; he quickly finished his meal, packed a few more large flatbreads, and rushed back to his small room.
"Good morning, Junior Brother!"
"Good morning, Junior Brother!"
Along the way, An Chen noticed that Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, both familiar and unfamiliar, those he had seen and those he hadn't, and even fellow Disciples who had arrived on the previous carriage, were all greeting him.
An Chen also responded with a smile.
Becoming the center of attention was not what An Chen hoped for; on the contrary, he wished to be an unknown servant.
His identity was too sensitive; he couldn't let others know.
If this world had an estimation System like Earth, anyone who investigated his background would find that there was no seventeen-year-old boy named An Chen who left home and went up the mountain.
Even if it didn't, a little effort would reveal clues.
Based on An Chen's own judgment, he thought that Zhao Qingfeng had probably already started doing so.
Once the truth came out, he hadn't thought of how to explain it.
That Fire Phoenix Sect distress Talisman was his last trump card.
However, this wasn't the only problem; there were issues on Earth's side as well.
If time was synchronized, then it should be Monday there, and if the school couldn't find him, they would probably contact his uncle.
Although his uncle didn't care much for him and wouldn't give him a single penny if he ran out of money, if he heard that An Chen was gone, he would certainly come to his house to check on him.
If he found that An Chen wasn't home either, then it would be bad.
Thinking of this, An Chen's mind was in a mess.
However, An Chen was clear on one thing: anxiety wouldn't solve the problem, so after returning to his room, he continued to Cultivate.
An Chen decided to Cultivate while thinking.
His greatest strength was to pre-set several possible developments for events and then prepare corresponding solutions.
Most people couldn't consider so much or think so far ahead, but An Chen could.
Time passed quickly; three hours later, the Spiritual Power within An Chen's body was once again compressed to its critical point, and An Chen's Realm suddenly achieved a Breakthrough.
It was that familiar feeling of comfort; An Chen exhaled a long breath of turbid Qi, then swallowed two Foundation Nurturing Pills to stabilize his Realm.
The fluctuations of Spiritual Power quickly calmed down, and a more refined and powerful Spiritual Power circulated within his body.
Upon reaching Qi Refining Third Level, the Impurities in the Meridians had mostly been flushed out; after this, to remove residual Impurities from the body, one would need to consume some Spiritual Plants, Medicinal Pills, or enter special places.
For example, An Chen heard Chen Sheng say that some places have facilities called "Marrow Cleansing Pools," where Cultivator can cleanse Impurities from their bodies, enhance their Spiritual Roots, and purify their Spiritual Power after entering.
In short, there were many benefits.
However, what most people chose was the Marrow Cleansing Pill.
But this type of Medicinal Pill was also extremely rare; even those of Qi Refinement Stage quality could sell for a high price, so An Chen was not considering it for now.
It was already almost noon; after An Chen finished the flatbread he brought from the morning, he wasn't very hungry anymore.
His first priority was to go to the Affairs Hall.
The Gathering Qi Pills were all used up; he needed more.
Although he should have gone to the Heavenly Craft Hall for this, he didn't know the Manager of the Heavenly Craft Hall, so it was more convenient to find Yang Licheng.
Hearing that An Chen had arrived, Manager Yang immediately patted his chest and said it was no problem, then led him directly to the Heavenly Craft Hall.
However, the Manager of the Heavenly Craft Hall, upon hearing Manager Yang's intention, immediately pulled him aside.
"Don't you know that the Medicinal Pills the Grand Elder gave him are all High Grade Qi Refinement Stage Medicinal Pills? He finished ten Gathering Qi Pills in one day, one bottle a day! How much extra expense will my Heavenly Craft Hall have each month?"
Even though the voice was not loud, An Chen still heard this sentence.
The quality division of Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and Magical Artifacts was simple: it was Realm plus Grade, with Grades further divided into Low Grade, Medium Grade, High Grade, and Heaven Grade.
High Grade Qi Refinement Stage Medicinal Pills weren't particularly difficult to refine, but the Heavenly Craft Hall's monthly expenses were fixed, and its output was basically fixed; if An Chen was given dozens more bottles, other Disciples and Elders combined would have to receive dozens fewer bottles. If it wasn't taken from others' resources, then the Heavenly Craft Hall would have to spend more money and use more Spiritual Plants.
Moreover, ordinary Disciples generally only needed Low Grade or Medium Grade Qi Refinement Stage Medicinal Pills; why would they need such good quality!
"Go tell the Grand Elder and the Sect Leader! This is all their decision!"
Glancing at An Chen, Manager Yang lowered his voice and said:
"The Sect Leader took An Chen as his Disciple last night! You understand now, right? Putting aside the Sect Leader's intentions, this kid in the future... *cough cough*!"
Yang Licheng believed that even if the Sect Leader made other Disciples tighten their belts, he would definitely support this Genius in his Cultivation.
And in less than two days, An Chen had already achieved a Breakthrough to Qi Refining Third Level; the results were significant!
"Understood!"
The Hall Master of the Heavenly Craft Hall gritted his teeth, turned around, took out a porcelain bottle from the cabinet behind him, thought for a moment, then took out two more bottles, and handed them all to Manager Yang.
He also understood the logic Yang Licheng spoke of.
The Sect would definitely support him with all its might; if he used this reason to apply, whether for Spirit Stones or Alchemy Materials, they would surely be approved.
"Three days' worth! Don't look for me within three days! Alchemy also takes time!"
"Okay!"
Manager Yang came out cheerfully, holding three small porcelain bottles.
"Here, take these, three days' worth! I told you finding Manager Yang would be useful!"
"Thank you, Manager!"
An Chen cupped his hands and left.
He needed to make some preparations now.
He first went to the Dining Hall and, under the astonished gazes of everyone, took dozens of large flatbreads back to his room, leaving the Dining Hall master dumbfounded.
He wasn't trying to take advantage; he was putting on a show.
An Chen then found a sign, wrote the large characters "Cultivating, Do Not Disturb" on it, and placed it at his door.
After returning to Earth, he didn't know if time here would flow synchronously, so he had to be prepared and put on a good show.
He deliberately took dozens of large flatbreads in front of so many people precisely so others would see it.
After all, no matter how much he could Cultivate, he would only avoid mental fatigue, not hunger. Bringing the flatbreads conspicuously back to his room was to tell others that An Chen would be eating and living in his room for a while, and his purpose, naturally, was to Cultivate diligently, which was very reasonable.
An Chen sat back in the center of the Formation and continued to Cultivate.
These few hours before returning were also time!