The improvement in Spiritual Power is slow; no one can say how many years it'll take!
But Cultivation is different.
If Root Bone isn't limited, you can raise Cultivation quickly—just give enough Spirit Stones!
"Four years. No, five years... If I give you five years, can you reach Qi Refining Eighth Layer?" Yin Qinghe stared at Qin Yu intently.
"Reaching Qi Refining Eighth Layer in five years?"
Qin Yu stared blankly at his mentor's wife.
How is that possible?
He's only at Qi Refining Second Layer right now!
Wait.
Qin Yu quickly regained his composure.
Mentor's wife wants him to become an Alchemist within five years?!
That's way too much to expect of him!
"Mentor's wife is being too hasty..."
The hope in Yin Qinghe's eyes slowly faded; she managed a barely-there smile. "You don't have to feel pressured. Just cultivate diligently!"
Qin Yu's brows furrowed a little.
He faintly sensed that Mentor's wife might be troubled by something.
He remembered yesterday when the Shopkeeper delivered news—her face had looked terrible then.
Could someone really be pressuring Danxin Herb Hall?!
No, wait.
Could it be that his mentor—whom he hadn't met—was in trouble?!
Qin Yu felt a jolt in his heart.
No way, right?
He didn't ask about his mentor's whereabouts, but earnestly said, "Mentor's wife, rest assured—your disciple will give it his all!"
If he was just a Top Grade Mortal Bone, then reaching Qi Refining Eighth Layer in five years would be nearly impossible.
But, if he could improve Root Bone again, maybe it wasn't completely hopeless.
"It's good you have the heart for it."
[Yin Qinghe Romantic Point: 15 (Initial Acquaintance)]
The increase in Romantic Point says it all!
At this moment, Mentor's wife was nowhere near as calm as she appeared; a simple phrase actually touched her heart.
Qin Yu originally planned to return to his residence, but Yin Qinghe advised, "This Alchemy Room was specially enhanced by an Array Master—you can train here in the Spirit Gathering Array!"
Since it was still early, Qin Yu agreed, "All right!"
He then sat cross-legged.
He held a Spirit Stone in his hand—not eager to refine it, but first sensed the surrounding Spiritual Qi.
In his perception, the Spiritual Qi in heaven and earth drifted like snowflakes.
Not merely sporadic snowflakes like in the Outer City—it was more like real snowfall.
He could clearly see the Spiritual Qi in the surrounding area being drawn toward him, swirling and gathering into the Alchemy Room; the concentration here was about twice that of nearby places.
"Cultivating here, even without Spirit Stones, is at least three or four times as efficient as the Outer City!"
This time, Qin Yu felt unexpectedly calm and began refining the Spirit Stone in his hand.
When he opened his eyes again, night had fallen.
[Cultivation: Qi Refining Second Layer (26%)]
Just three hours or so—and he'd gained two percent! At this rate, it wouldn't take him long to break through to Qi Refining Third Layer?!
The speed... If Qin Yu couldn't see the progress himself, he wouldn't have dared believe it.
Of course, part of it was being inside the city, but the main reason: he was refining Spirit Stones.
Qin Yu glanced at the Spirit Stone in his hand.
Hiss!
He'd already refined more than half!
At this rate, Cultivation could soar—but if you count twelve hours per day, he'd burn two to three lower grade Spirit Stones!
Sure enough, speeding up Cultivation relies on financial power.
At this rate, just for himself, he'd use up more than ninety Spirit Stones per month!
Qin Yu suddenly felt he wasn't as rich as he'd thought.
And this was only for himself!
Spirit Stones, once you start consuming them, are never enough.
He glanced outside; considering his little wife was tormented so late last night...
Seriously!
Qin Yu decided: Cultivation progress matters most.
Time to rest for a day!
The next day.
When Yin Qinghe arrived, she found Qin Yu still cultivating. Her eyes were full of contentment.
She knew it—
Her good disciple wouldn't get obsessed with those... boring activities.
She was really overthinking!
The whole day, Qin Yu was refining Spirit Stones to improve Cultivation; Mentor's wife purified Medicinal Liquid, and Senior Sister Zhao Mengli practiced.
Nearing dusk, as the Spirit Stone in his hand crumbled to dust, Qin Yu opened his eyes.
[Cultivation: Qi Refining Second Layer (33%)]
He'd used two lower grade Spirit Stones, and raised his realm by eight percent!
Nice!
Qin Yu stood up and said to Yin Qinghe, "Mentor's wife, your disciple will take his leave!"
"Mm."
Yin Qinghe was satisfied with his performance and comforted him, "Cultivation needs tension and relaxation. Go home and get a good rest tonight!"
"Okay!"
...
Qin Yu returned home and was just about to open the door when a soft bundle bumped into his arms.
Looking down—
It was his sister-in-law!
No wonder...
"Shuishui, what are you bumping for?"
Qin Yu put on a stern face and tried to set her aside.
But he didn't expect the little girl to cling on tightly, squeezing into his arms and not noticing her clothes couldn't handle this abuse.
As she squeezed, Lin Shuishui lifted her little head, teary-eyed, both aggrieved and spoiled; one word and Qin Yu's tough heart melted: "Brother-in-law!~"
"I want to complain! Sis is mean!"
Complain?
Qin Yu looked up at his little wife nearby.
Lin Qianqian looked a bit embarrassed as she saw him, "Husband, don't listen to Shuishui's nonsense! She's just a kid, doesn't understand anything..."
Qin Yu frowned; he'd told his sister-in-law to watch Lin Qianqian and make sure she used Spirit Stones for cultivation.
Could it be that little wife didn't do as told?
Lin Qianqian, blushing, tried to pull her sister away, but Qin Yu blocked her:
"Shuishui, you speak."
Looking down, Lin Shuishui hung onto him, pouting, like she'd suffered a huge grievance.
"Brother-in-law! Sis hid the snacks and won't give me any."
Qin Yu was confused.
He knew Lin Qianqian loved her sister; how could she hide snacks?
Lin Qianqian anxiously explained, "Sis isn't lying! That's not actually tasty..."
"Liar!"
Lin Shuishui clung to Qin Yu, stuck out her tongue at her sister, "I didn't sleep two nights ago—I heard it all. Sis, you said yourself it was delicious!"
"Brother-in-law, Shuishui wants some too~"
!!!
Qin Yu's body stiffened and his face froze.
That night, Lin Qianqian ate...
Seeing his little wife so embarrassed she couldn't speak, Qin Yu finally understood it all.
Turns out listening behind the wall that night wasn't just Mentor's wife?!
This...
"You've misunderstood your sister!"
In the end, Qin Yu took the two sisters out and let Lin Shuishui pick out some snacks to bring home. The matter was finally settled.
Night.
Main house.
Yin Qinghe slept well last night, and thought tonight would be the same.