Handling

The earth fire flickered fiercely, heating the furnace to a glowing orange and warping the air within half a chi.

Over the course of the year, although the Jade Rock Green Origin Pill had not yet been successfully refined, Zhou Chengyuan had absorbed the scattered metal and stone Qi, gaining no small benefit.

Though only five years old, his body was much taller and more slender than that of ordinary children. His skin was fair and delicate, yet tough and strong, and his eyes were sharp and piercing. If one met his gaze, they would feel a slight stinging sensation.

After drawing in a certain amount of metal and stone Qi, Zhou Chengyuan's body reached its limit, forcing him to stop his cultivation. The acupoints around his body bulged slightly, causing his head to feel dizzy and swollen, and he couldn't help but shake his head to alleviate the pain.

Although this cultivation method was beneficial to him because of the metal and stone Qi, he was still only a Qi Initiation cultivator. Absorbing too much would inevitably harm his body.

He turned back to look at Zhou Ping, who was focused intently on the furnace, and then silently rose without making a sound. He neatly arranged the sheets of paper-twenty-seven in total, marking Zhou Ping's dozens of attempts over the past year.

Even though the raw materials for the Jade Rock Green Origin Pill were not precious, such frequent attempts had depleted the Zhou family's reserves by seven or eight parts.

If it weren't for the high income from the White Marrow Grass trade with the Huang family and the resale of branches from the giant White Marrow Grass as sub-plants, the Zhou family would have long been unable to sustain itself.

The Huang family was in a similar predicament. The refinement of the Green Jade Pill had thrown their clan into turmoil. The massive consumption of resources, even with Huang Bailin's suppression, had stirred increasing resentment within the Huang clan.

After all, the raw materials for the Green Jade Pill were not as cheap as those for the Jade Rock Green Origin Pill. Each batch was extremely expensive. Moreover, the Huang clan had many branches, each with its own conflicting interests.

If Huang Zhengming failed to refine the Green Jade Pill within half a year, his branch would have to make sacrifices to appease the accumulated grievances of the clan.

Bang!

A loud rumble sounded, and thick black smoke billowed from the furnace. Zhou Ping was quick-witted; with a light wave of his left hand, a gentle breeze swept through, blowing the black smoke out of the cave.

That was waste gas produced from the raw materials, harmful to the human body. If accidentally inhaled, it would cause a piercing pain in the lungs like golden needles, making life unbearable.

Zhou Ping hurried forward, using the wind to clear the air, and stared intently into the furnace.

Inside lay seven uneven green pills with rough surfaces. Calling them pills was more like calling them strange stones.

Zhou Ping, however, was overjoyed. He quickly took out paper and a brush to record his observations.

"Ten liang of Fei Jade must be of top quality and added at the very beginning of the refinement; Green Stone must be ground to the size of granules for more thorough refinement; Green Origin Fruit must be intact to provide vitality to the pill, preventing it from being too rigid or too yang; Blood Marrow Stone..."

He didn't stop until he had filled an entire sheet of paper. Then, he placed the pills into a small bottle.

Looking around, he couldn't help but sigh. Even with the pill formula, and without needing a pill refiner, it had still taken over a year to figure out these subtle differences.

How difficult must true pill refinement be!

He didn't dwell on it further. Instead, he turned to Zhou Chengyuan and said, "Come, let's return to the mountain with your grandfather."

He wanted to test whether this pill had truly succeeded.

---

In a side courtyard of the Zhou residence, a maidservant entered a room and said, bowing her head, "Miss, Qiu Ping searched everywhere but found nothing unusual."

"Didn't I tell you not to act rashly? Why didn't you listen?"

A young woman emerged from the room. Her skin was like cream and her figure was graceful; she was none other than Zhou Minghu's new wife, Madam Huang.

"We've only been here a short while, and you're already snooping around. Aren't you afraid of causing trouble?"

Though her words were scolding, her tone was filled with concern. The two were mistress and servant, but they had grown up together and were as close as sisters.

"Miss, it's fine," Qiu Ping said dismissively. "I didn't barge in anywhere. I stayed far away."

"It's just that I couldn't go to other places. Otherwise, I'd know if it was the Zhou family."

Over the past year, with the flow of White Marrow Grass in the market, the Huang family had long sensed something amiss.

After all, their family was the source of the sub-plants. Logically, the White Marrow Grass circulating in the market should have been less than what they produced.

But in reality, there were nearly a hundred more plants!

This naturally benefited the refinement of the Green Jade Pill, but the Huang family was more eager to find out where this White Marrow Grass was coming from.

Zhou Minghu had anticipated this before the sales began. He had secretly sold the White Marrow Grass at low prices to some rogue cultivator forces, never revealing his identity. After several rounds of resale, tracing the source became extremely difficult.

The Huang family couldn't conduct a large-scale search, so their leads were repeatedly cut off. They eventually turned their suspicions to the immortal clans in the surrounding counties. The marriage alliance was both to strengthen ties and to probe the secrets of these clans.

"There's a secret on the mountaintop, but I don't know what it is," Qiu Ping continued.

Just then, a voice came from outside. "This servant greets the Third Master."

Madam Huang quickly silenced Qiu Ping, and then Zhou Minghu walked in steadily.

"Greetings, husband."

"Greetings, Master," Qiu Ping bowed.

"Mm, rise."

Zhou Minghu acknowledged them and walked into the inner room, scanning his surroundings but finding nothing amiss.

"Have you been comfortable these past few days?"

"To answer my husband, everything is fine."

The couple sat at the table, exchanging affectionate glances.

Qiu Ping, being attentive, entered the room to light the incense burner, then stepped forward to respectfully pour tea before standing silently to the side.

Zhou Minghu glanced at Qiu Ping as if unintentionally, then said, "This maidservant of yours is quite attentive and meticulous."

"Sister Qiu Ping and I grew up together. She has always been good," Madam Huang replied. As the legitimate daughter of the Huang family, she had been pampered and was unfamiliar with the darker side of things.

Qiu Ping, however, changed expression slightly. Having spent many years in the Huang family, she understood that Zhou Minghu was about to make a move against her.

Zhou Minghu continued, "You will go and learn under Sister Chunlan to handle affairs. In the future, you can help manage the inner courtyard."

Even if Madam Huang was unaware of the dangers, she immediately grew anxious upon hearing that Zhou Minghu wanted to transfer Qiu Ping. She grabbed his hand and said, "Husband, Sister Qiu Ping is like a sister to me. I cannot be without her."

Zhou Minghu, however, patted her hand reassuringly. "When did I say I was taking her away from you? She will still be by your side during the day. It's just that such an attentive maidservant is rare. Sister Chunlan is getting older, so let Qiu Ping learn from her. In the future, she can take over the courtyard's affairs."

Madam Huang was momentarily stunned by his coaxing and didn't raise much objection.

Qiu Ping, however, grew frantic. She wanted to alert Madam Huang, but just then, a dignified middle-aged woman entered from outside, followed by several maidservants.

"Greetings, Third Young Master." Chunlan bowed to Zhou Minghu, then turned and said, "Yahe, Chunyun, Xiahua, from now on, you will serve the Madam."

"Yes."

The three maidservants responded and entered the room, subtly pushing Qiu Ping aside.

"Come with me. Get familiar with the affairs of each courtyard." Chunlan's tone was flat and calm as she took Qiu Ping's hand and led her out.

She had already received Zhou Minghu's instructions and knew exactly what to do.

Madam Huang wanted to stop them, but Zhou Minghu pulled her into his embrace. "My lady, I have been remiss these past days and have neglected you."

With that, he carried her into the inner room, and the door slowly closed.

"Miss..."

Qiu Ping was frantic and wanted to cry out, but Chunlan's face turned cold. She raised her hand and slapped Qiu Ping, sending her sprawling to the ground.

"I need to teach you some proper manners. Take her away."

Two maidservants behind her stepped forward, gagged Qiu Ping, and dragged her out without regard for her well-being.

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