Chapter 105: Innate Acupoint Refining Realm

Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Innate Acupoint Refining Realm

Zhao Weiyuan unhurriedly picked up the cup of lukewarm tea at his side, took a sip, and said slowly,

"Dan Peak is managed with a relatively light hand. There are no strict rules forcing disciples to perform a certain amount of Alchemy or to do it at specific times. The Sect understands that Alchemy requires a quiet mind and cannot be forced.

"However, since you enjoy the conveniences of being a Dan Peak disciple, you must also contribute to the Sect. Therefore, a baseline has been set. Every month, you must contribute at least thirty Contribution Points to the Sect."

A flicker of doubt crossed Chen Yue’s eyes, but he didn’t speak up to interrupt.

Zhao Weiyuan set down his teacup and continued,

"The medicinal herbs required for Alchemy are not provided for free. You’ll need to use your accumulated Contribution Points to exchange for them at Dan Peak’s internal pharmacy. And if you turn in the Elixirs you refine to the Sect, the Sect will convert them into a corresponding amount of Contribution Points based on the Elixir’s quality.

"Cultivation Techniques, Martial Techniques, Elixirs, weapons, and even requesting guidance from an Elder can all be exchanged for Contribution Points."

Chen Yue nodded as he listened. This system of Contribution Points matched the information Wang Feng had revealed earlier. It was the core rule that maintained the operations of a Major Sect.

Exchanging contributions for resources, using resources to improve oneself, and then producing more contributions—it formed a virtuous cycle.

Seeing that Chen Yue was listening intently and had no questions, Zhao Weiyuan went on,

"Additionally, the promotion path for a Dan Peak disciple to become an Inner Sect Disciple is different from that of disciples from other peaks."

Zhao Weiyuan held up a single finger. "Successfully refine the Dan Yang Pill, demonstrate stable production, and pass Dan Peak’s assessment, and you can be directly promoted to Inner Sect Disciple without having to challenge Panshi Pass."

A look of sudden understanding flashed in Chen Yue’s eyes upon hearing this.

’This arrangement is indeed more reasonable.’

Alchemy Masters often focus on the Alchemy Dao. Their progress in the Martial Dao might be slower, and they are generally not skilled in practical combat.

Forcing them to challenge Panshi Pass, which is primarily focused on combat, would be asking the impossible. Many talented Pill Masters might never be promoted in their entire lives.

But establishing this path of refining a specific Elixir both affirmed the value of Pill Masters and gave them a clear direction for promotion.

Zhao Weiyuan gently set his teacup down, his gaze falling upon Chen Yue.

"In truth, the Alchemy Dao is profound and has endless wonders. Take the Nourishing Spirit Pill, for example. If you could refine it, what would be so wrong with promoting you directly to True Disciple?"

Zhao Weiyuan paused, then shook his head and chuckled, feeling that this hypothetical was far too distant for the young man before him.

’Nourishing Spirit Pill?’ Chen Yue’s heart skipped a beat.

The Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill he had been pondering recently had such a similar name.

Chen Yue hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and asked tentatively, "Martial Zhao, by a stroke of luck, this disciple once obtained a Pill Formula for a so-called Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill. I wonder, what is the difference between this pill and the Nourishing Spirit Pill you just mentioned?"

"Hm? The Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill?"

Hearing this, Zhao Weiyuan’s hand, which was about to refill his tea, paused. He set down the teapot, picked up the freshly poured cup, and said thoughtfully,

"The Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill is considered a simplified version of the Nourishing Spirit Pill. Its medicinal properties can significantly increase the Cultivation of a Marrow Refining Realm Martial Artist, and it also nourishes and strengthens the Power of Heart and Spirit. You could say it’s an Elixir tailor-made for Marrow Refining Realm Martial Artists."

Zhao Weiyuan’s tone shifted. "The Nourishing Spirit Pill, on the other hand, is of a higher grade, and its Medicinal Power is purer. It no longer focuses on increasing Qi Blood and Cultivation, but is instead entirely dedicated to strengthening a Martial Artist’s Heart Spirit.

"It is an Elixir prepared for top experts at the Refining Organ Realm, to lay an incomparably solid foundation for their subsequent attempt to break through to the Innate Acupoint Refining Realm. Although the two pills have similar names, their uses and levels are quite different."

Chen Yue listened intently, his mind racing.

’So the Nourishing Spirit Pill Yang Pill is a simplified version of the Nourishing Spirit Pill. If I could refine it, it would be perfect for me at my current stage.’

At the same time, the new realm Zhao Weiyuan had mentioned, the Innate Acupoint Refining Realm, sparked Chen Yue’s curiosity even more.

Back in Youlin County, the highest Martial Artist realm Chen Yue knew of was the Refining Organ Realm, and he had only learned about that from the descriptions of Cultivation Techniques like the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield and the Vast Firm Essence Technique.

In Youlin County, the Marrow Refining Realm was already considered the pinnacle, while the Refining Organ Realm existed only in legends.

As for what realm lay beyond the Refining Organ Realm and what wonders it held, he was completely in the dark.

Zhao Weiyuan seemed to notice the curiosity in Chen Yue’s eyes. He was in a good mood today; otherwise, he would never have said so much to a new Dan Peak disciple.

"You want to know about the Innate Acupoint Refining Realm?"

"Yes, I ask for Martial Zhao’s guidance!" Chen Yue said, cupping his hands.

A faint smile appeared on Zhao Weiyuan’s face.

"The so-called Innate Acupoint Refining Realm is a natural chasm that lies before all Body Tempering Realm Martial Artists."

"In the Five Body Tempering Realms, no matter how powerful one forges their Physique or how robust their Qi Blood Cultivation becomes, they can never transcend the confines of Acquired Muddy Essence. Their lifespan is no more than a century, and aging, and even the decay of their Heart Spirit, are inescapable fates."

"But the Innate Acupoint Refining Realm involves going from the outside in, finding the Acupoints within the body that resonate with heaven and earth. Using one’s immense Qi Blood and pure Heart Spirit as a guide, one must break open the celestial gate, draw a trace of Innate Qi into the body, wash away the Acquired Muddy Essence, and achieve a leap in the Martial Dao."

As he spoke of this realm, Zhao Weiyuan’s voice couldn’t help but become impassioned, because even he yearned for it with extraordinary fervor.

"If you can cross this threshold, it’s like a carp leaping over the dragon gate—a whole new world opens up. Not only will your lifespan increase greatly, allowing you to easily live for more than one hundred and eighty years, but your body will form its own minor Circulation, drawing in Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi to nourish itself. With the world so vast, where could you not go?"

Chen Yue couldn’t help but take a deep breath. Just hearing about this realm was enough to fill a person with longing.

"Even a Refining Organ Realm expert who has cultivated the Body Tempering Realm to its absolute limit is still a mortal.

"They may seem dashing and glorious for decades, but once they grow old and their bodies weaken, the hidden injuries and wear accumulated over the years will erupt in a backlash, like maggots on a rotting bone. At that point, they will languish on their sickbeds for years before finally dying a miserable death. That kind of scene... Hah!"

Zhao Weiyuan didn’t continue. His face, which had held a smile, had now darkened.

He himself was at the Refining Organ Realm, but he saw no chance of opening an Innate Grand Acupoint!

"Thank you for your guidance, Martial Zhao. This disciple has learned a great deal." Chen Yue took a deep breath and bowed to Zhao Weiyuan.

This explanation of the Innate Realm had cleared the fog from the path ahead for Chen Yue, giving him a much clearer direction for his future cultivation.

"Alright, these things are still too far off for you. Don’t get ahead of yourself and disturb your Heart Spirit for no reason."

Zhao Weiyuan withdrew his gaze and reverted to the flat tone of a Dan Peak Steward. He beckoned to a stout young disciple who was organizing medicinal herbs nearby. "Yao Jin, come over here."

The disciple named Yao Jin quickly put down his work, trotted over, and bowed. "Martial Zhao, you called for me?"

"Yes."

Zhao Weiyuan pointed at Chen Yue. "This is a new outer sect disciple of Dan Peak, Chen Yue. For the next few days, you will be responsible for familiarizing him with the daily affairs of Dan Peak and the rules he needs to be aware of.

"Also, take him to find a place to live and get him settled."

"Yes, Martial Zhao. This disciple understands."

Yao Jin respectfully agreed, then gave Chen Yue a friendly smile. "Junior Brother Chen, please follow me."

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother Yao," Chen Yue said with a cupped-hand bow.

After bidding farewell to Zhao Weiyuan, Yao Jin led Chen Yue away from the Hundred Herbs Pavilion and toward the outer area of Dan Peak.

Along the way, Yao Jin enthusiastically introduced the functions of the various buildings on Dan Peak, as well as the temperaments and preferences of some of the senior brothers and sisters, giving Chen Yue a more direct understanding of the inner workings of Dan Peak.

Before long, the two arrived before a row of small houses built against the mountain. Each cottage had its own separate door and a small courtyard. Although not large, they looked clean, tidy, and tranquil.

Yao Jin led Chen Yue to one of the vacant cottages, pushed open the wooden door, and gestured inside.

"Junior Brother Chen, we Dan Peak disciples are relatively few in number, not like other peaks where many people live together. Therefore, every Formal Disciple is assigned their own separate house. This will be your residence from now on.

"I’ll call a Servant Disciple over in a moment to give the inside a thorough cleaning and change the bedding. Then you can move in."

Chen Yue walked into the cottage and looked around.

The space inside was indeed not large, about ten feet square, but just as Yao Jin had said, it had all the basic furniture, which was well-maintained. The windows were bright and the furniture was clean. Opening the back window revealed a small bamboo grove, making for a rather elegant environment.

For a place where one needed to cultivate and perform Alchemy in peace, it was more than enough.

"Thank you for the arrangements, Senior Brother Yao."

Chen Yue expressed his thanks, and then, recalling Yao Jin’s mention of Servant Disciples, he asked casually, "Senior Brother Yao, we have Servant Disciples in the Panshi Sect?"

"We do."

Yao Jin nodded and explained, "The Panshi Sect is large, but it’s impossible to accept everyone who comes seeking to join as a disciple. Those who don’t meet the requirements but are sincere and resolute can become Servant Disciples.

"They are mainly responsible for various chores within the Sect, essentially trading their labor for an opportunity to stay here."

Chen Yue nodded. For many people, it was a way of taking one step back to take two steps forward.

Yao Jin paused for a moment before continuing,

"After becoming Servant Disciples, the Sect also teaches them the first level of the Panshi Skill Heart Method. If they can cultivate and break through on their own with this and pass a simple assessment, they have a chance to be promoted to official outer sect disciples.

"Here on Dan Peak, we also have a few Servant Disciples assigned to handle menial tasks and run errands."

The hierarchical system of the Panshi Sect was indeed strict and clear, with distinct progressive levels.

The more outstanding you were, the more resources and opportunities you received, forming a complete channel for competition and advancement.

Under such a system, as long as one demonstrated sufficient ability and value, one could steadily climb higher.

However, after experiencing the senseless conspiracy and slaughter at the Chen Mansion, a deep-seated wariness remained in Chen Yue’s heart.

He needed to observe for a while longer to get a clearer picture of the true situation inside the Panshi Sect.

Chen Yue glanced at the friendly Yao Jin beside him, and a thought stirred in his mind. He recalled the abnormality concerning Chen Zhige.

"Senior Brother Yao, this junior brother has a question. Is it possible for a Pill Master’s blood to be a different color from a normal person’s? For example, dark green?"

"Dark green blood?" Yao Jin was visibly startled by the question.

He frowned and thought for a moment. Suddenly, his brow furrowed tightly, and his expression turned grave. He lowered his voice and said,

"Junior Brother Chen, a text in the Hidden Skills Pavilion does record a Secret Technique similar to what you’re describing. It’s called the Human Pill Technique!"