From the recent demonic cultivator raid, Han Yu had secured a hefty haul: one Major Merit, ten Minor Merits, two cultivation sessions in the Technique Pavilion, a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills, and a token to claim either a pill or a Magical Artifact.

His cultivation resources were once again plentiful.

Han Yu did not rush to the Technique Pavilion.

With Wanchun Valley’s safety temporarily secured, he had enough on his plate. He was already juggling the Thousand Illusions Secret Art, Sharp Gold Technique, Beast Taming Technique, Wind Blade Technique, and Ice Condensation Technique.

Greed chewed more than it could swallow. It was wiser to save his merits and opportunities for when he truly needed them.

For Han Yu, the priority was simple: speed. He needed to elevate his cultivation base.

Between his leftover stock and the new bottle of Qi Gathering Pills, he was confident he could breach the fourth level of Qi Refining within a few months. At that point, he could publicly report reaching the third level. Given the sect’s ample wartime rewards, a slightly faster breakthrough would be seen as reasonable.

But if it could be even faster, that would be better.

Refining his Spirit Root from four elements to three had significantly raised his daily limit for absorbing Spirit Breath. Yet, in Han Yu’s eyes, it was still sluggish.

He couldn’t always measure his progress against Laborer Disciples or ordinary Outer Disciples. When enemies struck, they wouldn’t ask how long he had been cultivating.

He just wanted to raise his cultivation as quickly as possible. He needed to escape the vulnerability of being weak.

Han Yu flew his Plantain Leaf to the sect’s main peak and entered the Deacon’s Hall. He approached the on-duty Deacon Liu.

“Deacon Liu, what is the absolute best pill for boosting cultivation speed during the Qi Refining stage? I want to improve my base as fast as possible.”

If a pill existed that could grant rapid progress, he would prioritize it immediately, even if it meant forgoing a Magical Artifact.

Deacon Liu held Han Yu in high regard—this was the disciple with excellent spell aptitude who had personally slain a spy and a Demonic Cultivator. He gave the question careful thought.

“Generally speaking, the Clear Heart Qi Gathering Pill surpasses the Qi Gathering Pill, which in turn surpasses the Qi Condensation Pill. That essentially covers the available inventory.”

Han Yu felt a flicker of disappointment.

If the best option was merely the Clear Heart Qi Gathering Pill, he could achieve the same medicinal efficacy by consuming a Mystic Heart Fruit alongside a standard Qi Gathering Pill. The actual impact on his cultivation speed would remain the same.

The pill would not bypass his fundamental limit—the daily cap on absorbing spiritual energy and increasing Spirit Breath.

He was searching for a pill that could add growth beyond that daily limit.

Deacon Liu wasn’t finished. “However, Wanchun Valley specializes in spiritual plants. Our Ancestor handed down many formulas, some of which are unknown elsewhere in the Southern Region.”

“When I was a disciple in the Alchemy Department, I read of a pill superior to the Clear Heart Qi Gathering Pill. It is called the Qi Refining Spirit Boosting Pill. Legend has it that consuming one during the Qi Refining stage instantly grants the equivalent of ten days of cultivation.”

“Instantly?” Han Yu’s pulse quickened. “Such a pill exists?”

Deacon Liu laughed. “Not in the Southern Region. We can’t refine it because we lack the key spiritual herb.”

“What herb?”

“The Jade Spirit Berry.”

Deacon Liu explained, “It is useless when unripe. Once ripe, the slightest touch causes it to dissolve into juice. It spoils within hours. To make the pill, a high-level alchemist must be standing by to refine it the moment it is harvested.”

“The conditions are extremely harsh,” Deacon Liu added with a smile. “Even in the great sects outside the Southern Region, they might not produce a batch for years. The most outstanding disciples might only see a few in a lifetime.”

Han Yu’s heart sank.

The Qi Refining Spirit Boosting Pill sounded incredible, but it was practically a myth. The entire Southern Region didn’t have it. It wasn’t worth chasing a phantom.

Unless… I get the chance to replicate one.

“I will hold off on the exchange then,” Han Yu said. “I’ll wait until my cultivation is higher to choose something useful.”

Han Yu bid farewell and left the hall.

Just outside, he spotted Pig Third. The man was grinning, whispering mysteriously to Bai Lingyun.

Snippets of the conversation drifted over: “…destiny…” “…no destiny…”

Bai Lingyun looked entranced, his face full of longing.

Han Yu glanced at them once, then mounted his Plantain Leaf and departed.

Was Pig Third peddling the Spirit Root Refining Art again?

Bai Lingyun had poor Spirit Roots, but his family boasted two Foundation Establishment cultivators. Perhaps they could afford the cost of refining a root while he was still in the Qi Refining stage.

The technique was originally a Golden Core cultivator’s secret art. In Pig Third’s hands, it was little more than a tool for scams.

But for someone with Bai Lingyun’s resources… perhaps he might actually achieve something with it.

Han Yu returned to the Spirit Field Department for another day of cultivation.

The next day, Deacon Lu led eleven Outer Disciples to the spirit fields and announced the sect’s latest orders.

Senior Sister Li, Han Yu, and Hua Qi gathered the Laborer Disciples to listen.

“Sect Orders: The external threat has temporarily receded. The sect is now focusing all efforts on recovery.”

“The Exceptional Promotion Order is revoked. We return to standard regulations: Outer Disciples require the fourth level of Qi Refining, and Inner Disciples require the seventh level. Those already promoted will retain their status and will not be demoted.”

“The Technique Pavilion will maintain its discounted rates for Minor Merits to encourage disciples to learn more spells. Spirit Stones can no longer be exchanged for goods, unless surrendered for Minor Merits.”

“All Inner and Outer Disciples are to accept production tasks to drive the sect’s recovery.”

Deacon Lu continued, “Taking the Spirit Field Department as an example: For Laborer Disciples, a yield of over fifty jin per mu allows you to keep thirty percent and earns five Minor Merits. Over thirty jin retains twenty percent and earns three Minor Merits. Below thirty jin? No merit, and the entire harvest must be surrendered.”

“Inner and Outer Disciples may claim ten mu of spirit fields. Upon harvest, they receive ten Minor Merits and may retain fifty percent of the yield.”

The Laborer Disciples looked relieved. The routine of farming diluted the terror of the past few days, when the sect’s array was breached and their lives hung by a thread.

Although the Inner and Outer Disciples received better treatment, that was the natural order of the world.

Deacon Lu then addressed Han Yu and the other two. “The sect remains weak and must still prepare for enemies. The Sect Leader has established the Battle Hall, led personally by him and trained by multiple Elders and Deacons.”

“Disciples with combat talent may join. Techniques in the Battle Hall are cheap to exchange, and outstanding performers will receive additional rewards!”

Senior Sister Li and Hua Qi grinned at Han Yu.

Han Yu chuckled, playing humble. “I’m only at the second level of Qi Refining. My cultivation is too poor. Previously, I relied entirely on talismans. I’ll wait until I reach the fourth level and truly earn my rank before I try.”

Deacon Lu nodded meaningfully. “Don’t forget.”

A disciple fighting that fiercely at only the second level was rare in Wanchun Valley. The Battle Hall would definitely want him.

Lu signaled the eleven new arrivals to step forward. Ten were standard Outer Disciples claiming their land.

The last one was Pig Third. His cultivation had been sealed.

Deacon Lu kicked Pig Third, sending him sprawling into the dirt. He announced the final matter loudly.

“Yesterday, Elder Bai personally reported this man’s crimes! Zhu San is hereby punished to serve as a Laborer Disciple in the Spirit Field Department!”

“The sect strictly forbids all disciples from practicing any technique he spreads! Especially a secret art named the Spirit Root Refining Art!”