Section 72: Splitting Pills, Stern Punishment for Unruly Guests
Author: Gu Zhenren
Section 72: Splitting Pills, Stern Punishment for Unruly Guests
Coral palace walls, blue glazed tiles, and a plaque with gold trim bore four grand characters, like dragons ascending, drawn with sharp strokes. They were “Star Sea Dragon Palace.”
Chu Yun walked through the entrance, first entering the front hall. Here, on both sides, stood small mountains of Tiangang Stone Coins. They were slowly being depleted, maintaining the Vital Energy within the Star Sea Dragon Palace at a specific concentration, and simultaneously regulating it into the form most needed by the Dragon Palace’s Demonic creatures.
This was a vast fortune. The first pile was acquired after looting Ning Family Island. The second pile was obtained only after conquering Yan Family Island.
Of course, Shu Family Island’s treasury contained even more. However, the rate of consumption was also more than ten times higher here.
Following consecutive battles, whether it was building warships, repairing weapons, or distributing pensions, all were significant expenditures of funds.
Wars were fought with money. Fortunately, Chu Yun had looted Ning Family Island and conquered Yan Family Island, filling Shu Family’s financial deficit. This made it possible for Shu Family not only to operate but even to have a surplus, allowing investment in education, culture, and other fields.
Chu Yun did not linger and proceeded to the middle hall. Here were thirty rosewood desks, most of which were now filled with various pill elixirs, demon soldiers, and Jade Slips. These were all rare treasures; if leaked, they would undoubtedly cause the world to fight to the death over them.
Chu Yun stopped before one of the desks and took two pill elixirs from it. These were the Heaven Spirit True Heart Pills obtained from Master Yu Ya.
Beyond the middle hall lay a remarkably spacious and vast rear garden.
Lush green grass and bamboo groves flourished. Clear springs flowed with a melodious sound. Trees interlocked, and winding paths of crushed pebbles led through hidden corridors, creating a profound sense of depth. It was a fresh scene, naturally formed and exuding tranquility and elegance. Upon closer inspection, it did not feel cramped but contained a majestic grandeur, complementing the magnificent palace before it, making one reluctant to leave.
“The more I visit the Star Sea Dragon Palace, the more I appreciate its exquisite ancient layout and heroic spirit. This suggests the magnanimity and ambition of the Sea Dragon King, Jiang Bo. It’s a pity he didn’t achieve sainthood; all is in vain. Such powerful beings have vanished into the vast river of history. Although I have been reborn and my achievements now surpass my previous life, the road to becoming a King level expert is still immeasurably distant. I must not be careless or complacent.”
Chu Yun silently exhorted himself and walked about a hundred paces, turning left and right, before a clearing opened up. He had arrived at the northern altar of the Revolving Pill Yuan Tree.
The northern altar was raised above the ground and was over one zhang in area. Chu Yun ascended the steps and stood beside the Revolving Pill Yuan Tree. Turning back, he could see the scenery of the other four altars: east, central, south, and west.
He sat cross-legged beneath the Revolving Pill Yuan Tree, his fingers moving rapidly, like dreamlike bubbles and blooming flowers. Each hand seal caused a ripple in the Vital Energy within his body. The Revolving Pill Yuan Tree before him also swayed its branches, its green light like moonlight, enveloping the tree.
These were fundamental pill-refining hand seals. Chu Yun had already reached the peak of “instinctive mastery.” Although he had spent the past six months on various battlefields, his training with these hand seals had never ceased.
Even the Eight-Section Brocade Pill Refining hand seals had reached a state of perfect proficiency, just one step away from advancing to the instinctive realm.
After performing this set of fundamental pill-refining hand seals, Chu Yun felt warmed up. He carefully took two perfectly round Heaven Spirit True Heart Pills and buried them in the soil near the roots of the Revolving Pill Yuan Tree.
Then, he formed the pill-splitting hand seals and began refining.
The pill-splitting hand seals were also of a higher grade, on the same level as the Eight-Section Brocade Pill Refining hand seals. Chu Yun had obtained them after looting Ning Family Island and had practiced them extensively recently, becoming very proficient.
His hands interlaced, sometimes clenched into fists, sometimes spread into palms, sometimes fingers tangled, forming various seals. The transitions between each hand seal were fluid, like flowing clouds and water, creating a dazzling aesthetic.
The superior pill-refining hand seals immediately formed a stark contrast with the fundamental refining seals just performed. The Revolving Pill Yuan Tree rustled its branches, its green light like a rosy glow, not only completely enveloping the tree but also spreading out to encompass Chu Yun, rendering the northern part of the Dragon Garden a breathtaking green landscape.
After a full two and a half hours of refining, Chu Yun, drenched in sweat, stopped his hand seals, his great task accomplished.
The Revolving Pill Yuan Tree bloomed and bore fruit. In the center of each flower was a pill elixir that had been refined. Chu Yun took one out and brought it to his nose, inhaling its fragrance.
He then carefully counted and examined them, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his lips. “Two Heaven Spirit True Heart Pills were split into 18 smaller pills, but the advantage is the increased quantity, which can be given to multiple people to consume. Furthermore, after re-refining, the overall Resistance of these is even stronger than the sum of the original two pills. The pill-splitting hand seal truly lives up to its reputation as a superior refining technique.”
Pill elixirs, when broken down, have an outer shell, an inner core, and the Pill Aura between them. If broken open crudely, the outer shell would shatter, and the Pill Aura would significantly dissipate, rendering the elixir useless over time.
Only by using the pill-splitting hand seals could the medicinal properties be diffused and the quantity increased. However, this refining method also had its drawbacks. The more times the same pill elixir was consumed, the higher the body’s Resistance would become.
The effect of Chu Yun consuming these 18 small Heaven Spirit True Heart Pills would, in fact, be less than directly consuming the two original pills. Therefore, in addition to the pill-splitting hand seals, there were also pill-combining hand seals, which were used to reduce the body’s Resistance.
However, Chu Yun’s original intention was not to consume these two pills himself.
“Besides the Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill, other pills that can enhance the Vital Energy within the body include the Yin-Yang Harmony Pill, the Nirvana Rebirth Pill, and the Rejuvenation Pill. These pills can be found in the secret treasures and dangerous places of my memory. There are even prescriptions in certain locations. I do not lack such pills, nor am I in urgent need of them. It is better to split these Heaven Spirit True Heart Pills into over a dozen portions for others to consume. This way, the benefits will be maximized.”
He swallowed one small Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill. The pill melted upon contact with his mouth, forming a warm current that flowed down his throat and spread throughout his body along his spine.
A warm sensation filled him, accompanied by a slight tingling. It was like a traveler in the winter cold suddenly entering a warm, enclosed cottage amidst the wind and snow, basking by a fire, feeling the cold gradually dissipate.
It was a wonderful sensation that caused Chu Yun to involuntarily close his eyes, his breathing slowing, and his mood becoming joyous.
The warm current lasted for a full one and a half minutes. When Chu Yun opened his eyes again, he immediately found that his vision had become many times clearer. His body no longer felt heavy; he felt many times lighter. Looking at the Vital Energy within him, it had doubled, shining brightly and radiating light.
“What a powerful Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill! This is even after its medicinal properties have been weakened to a certain extent through pill splitting… However, this level of Vital Energy is still not enough to support a second Spirit Monster.”
Chu Yun did not hesitate and took a second small Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill. This time, the medicinal effect was noticeably weaker than the first, lasting only a quarter of an hour, and the Vital Energy increased by eighty percent.
Half an hour later, Chu Yun took the sixth pill and finally stopped.
“The Vital Energy is now sufficient to support a second Spirit Monster. However, the Resistance within my body has reached its limit. Taking more would yield minimal results and be better suited for others.” Chu Yun carefully stored the 12 small Heaven Spirit True Heart Pills and exited the Star Sea Dragon Palace.
As soon as he stepped out of the door, a servant came to report that a delegation led by Shui Ruolan had arrived at Shu Family Island that morning to pay homage to the Huofang Document. They were currently being entertained by Yan Jisi in the Welcoming Hall.
“They’ve come quite quickly…” Chu Yun sneered inwardly and immediately set off towards the Welcoming Hall of Shu Family City.
Since he had presented the Huofang Document, various islanders from villages and towns had come to pledge allegiance daily, as had delegations dispatched by various factions, large and small.
The Huofang Document represented the orthodoxy of the Stars. It had been passed down from ancient times, and over the vast accumulation of history, it had become deeply ingrained in people’s hearts. Even the Tie Family had dispatched a symbolic delegation.
“Shu Family Island is nothing more than this. Located in such a remote place, it’s not prosperous at all.”
“This Shu Family City isn’t even half the size of my main city. It’s truly disappointing.”
“More importantly, they actually dispatched a minor general to receive us. This is outrageous!”
“With Fairy Ruolan personally gracing us, it’s understandable that Shu Tianhao wouldn’t appear. But for that ‘Little Tyrant’ Chu Yun to put on airs and not show himself until now.”
“Even Tie Ao wasn’t as arrogant as him back then. Young and reckless, young and reckless…”
As Chu Yun approached the Welcoming Hall, he could hear the noisy discussions emanating from within.
Chu Yun let out a cold laugh, strode forward with head held high, and entered the Main Hall. His eyes flashed with fierce light as he saw Shui Ruolan, surrounded by everyone as if she were the center of attention. He didn’t pause, his gaze sweeping over the others in the hall.
Before anyone could react, he spoke, “Hmph, young and reckless? Whoever said I’m young and reckless, step forward.”
“Hmph, that’s right.” Dressed in fine clothing, with a disdainful look, someone walked up to Chu Yun.
“I am the young island master of Lü Family Island, representing the Lü Family to pay homage to the Huofang Document. Chu Yun, do not arrogantly assume that we are here to pay homage to your Shu Family. I am the guest, and you are the host. You should show some manners as a host…”
*Bang*
Before he could finish, Chu Yun suddenly threw a punch.
The punch landed, skewing his nose bridge, and bright red blood instantly streamed down.
“Ah…” He let out an unprepared scream, stumbling back three or four steps before steadying himself. Then he touched his nose, looked at the blood in his hand, and stared at Chu Yun in disbelief, “You dare to hit me? I am…”
“Hmph, I hit you precisely because of who you are!” Chu Yun’s expression was blank. He took a step forward, appearing directly in front of the other person.
Then, with another punch, *bang*, it landed squarely in the other person’s abdomen.
“Ugh…” The young island master of Lü Family immediately bent over like a cooked shrimp, his face contorted, his eyes bulging with extreme pain.
