Chapter 16: Giving the Spirit Condensing Pill

If the Marquis of Yan's estate were to produce three people with spiritual roots at once, no one would be happier than the Old Marquis of Yan.

"I cannot discern the grade of this Spirit Condensing Pill; perhaps it is because Qin Bi has only just begun dealing with alchemy," the Old Marquis said impatiently. "Take it quickly. It is not easy to obtain three Spirit Condensing Pills."

Qin Di hesitated for a moment and glanced at Qin Tang. Since there were many uncertainties involved in activating spiritual roots after consuming the pills, it was best to do so within the Old Marquis's courtyard.

The Marquis of Yan subsequently rushed over, worried that something might go wrong during the activation process.

Seeing his eldest son arrive, the Old Marquis commanded, "Go fetch the spiritual plants from the study. If there aren't enough, go ask the Second Branch."

If something went wrong during the activation, spiritual plants could serve as an aid.

The Old Marquis had only managed to amass about a dozen spiritual plants in total, but the Marquis of Yan did not mind his brothers using them.

However, the Marquis of Yan hesitated: "My second brother is easygoing, but I fear Qin He will not agree to give them up."

Qin He held significant weight in the Second Branch; almost all the resources of that branch were provided by her. He Yan and Heir Xue would frequently send her various resources, and Qin He would give the leftovers to the Second Branch.

The Old Marquis pondered for a moment: "Go and ask. If your second brother won't give them, then forget it."

At this moment, Qin Yan also arrived upon hearing the news. The Marquis of Yan went to the study to retrieve the spiritual plants the Old Marquis had amassed. Upon seeing Qin Yan, he sent him on an errand: "Go to my study and bring the spiritual plants I've saved. On your way, stop by your second uncle's courtyard and ask him for spiritual plants to assist your fourth uncle and Qin Tang in activating their spiritual roots."

Qin Yan did not dare delay and left in a hurry.

In the Third Branch's courtyard, Qin Lang had just finished tidying up and was about to head out to play with several childhood friends when Qin Bi arrived. Instead of going directly to her third uncle and aunt, she first stopped by Qin Lang's courtyard.

"Sister, you're back?" Qin Lang greeted her with a mix of surprise and enthusiasm.

If anyone in the entire Marquis's estate truly cared for Qin Bi, it was only the people of the Fourth and Third Branches.

Qin Bi felt like crying again from the sheer frustration of it all. Composing herself, she didn't beat around the bush and produced the Spirit Condensing Pill. Before she could even speak, Qin Lang's eyes widened.

"A Spirit Condensing Pill?" Qin Lang knew her stuff.

Qin Lang's eyes sparkled; if this pill hadn't belonged to Qin Bi, he would have tried to snatch it right then and there.

"I refined this pill for the children to eat. I made three in total, and our Fourth Branch is keeping two," Qin Bi explained. "I intend to give this one to your Third Branch. I came to tell you first, and then I will go see my third uncle and aunt. If you want to activate your spiritual roots, come with me to see my third uncle."

This was a world of cultivation, set in a fictionalized ancient era.

The brothers of the Marquis of Yan all had wives and concubines, and they had produced many legitimate and illegitimate children. With so many children, there were always favorites. Qin Bi worried that if she gave the pill to her third uncle, he might simply hand it over to one of his other children.

By bringing Qin Lang along, it would depend on Qin Lang's own ability.

As the legitimate son of the Third Branch, if he could not compete with the illegitimate children, then it wouldn't matter if he activated his spiritual roots or not.

Qin Lang was clever and immediately said, "Let's go. I'll go with you to see my father."

He did not forget to send a servant ahead to inform Qin Tan and Lady Zhu that Qin Bi had arrived. The servant ran to the study to tell Qin Tan, who then left the study to meet Qin Bi in the main room with Lady Zhu.

Shortly after, Qin Bi and Qin Lang arrived. Qin Lang entered the room and dismissed the servants.

Qin Tan narrowed his eyes. Qin Bi produced the Spirit Condensing Pill for her third uncle, Qin Tan. Qin Tan, who had been sitting and lifting a teacup, had not even taken a sip before he suddenly stood up in excitement.

"A Spirit Condensing Pill?" Qin Tan asked. "Where did it come from?"

Lady Zhu's expression also changed. Qin Lang had no spiritual roots, and a Spirit Condensing Pill could activate them.

Qin Bi briefly explained the circumstances of the refinement. As Qin Tan took the pill, Qin Bi said, "There were three in total. This one is for the Third Branch. My father and eldest brother have gone to Grandfather's courtyard."

Both Lady Zhu and her son stared at the pill. Qin Tan glanced at his niece, Qin Bi; he was quite shrewd and realized that by bringing Qin Lang along when giving something to the Third Branch, she was worried he might give it to his other children.

Regardless, Qin Tan handed the pill to Qin Lang: "Your cousin gave it to you, take it."

Lady Zhu showed a look of joy, and Qin Lang gingerly accepted the pill with glee. Qin Tan said, "Let's go to your grandfather's courtyard to activate your spiritual roots along with your fourth uncle and cousin."

Unsettled, Lady Zhu insisted on accompanying Qin Bi to the Old Marquis's courtyard.

By this time, Qin Di and his son had not needed any spiritual plants at all. After taking the Spirit Condensing Pill, their bodies felt warm, and they had activated their spiritual roots in less than half an hour, much to the Old Marquis's astonishment.

When Qin Tan and Qin Lang arrived, Qin Tan informed the Old Marquis. Following Qin Di and his son, Qin Lang took the pill. This made the Old Marquis and the Marquis of Yan feel much more at ease.

Qin Lang's activation was very fast; it took only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Now even the Marquis of Yan was surprised. The effect of this Spirit Condensing Pill was too good. He hadn't been able to tell its grade earlier, but the results were incredible. Seeing that they had activated their roots was not enough; the Marquis of Yan brought out a testing stone.

"Test the spiritual roots," the Old Marquis commanded.

Qin Di tested first. He had spiritual roots, but his talent was very low. The same was true for Qin Tang. Even though their talent was low, the eyes of Qin Di and his son reddened; without spiritual roots, they were like ants, but now they finally had them.

"Qin Lang, you test as well," the Marquis of Yan said.

Qin Lang looked at his father, Qin Tan, who nodded. Qin Lang placed his hand on the testing stone. The stone emitted a faint glow; his talent was slightly stronger than that of Qin Di and his son.

"I have spiritual roots!" Qin Lang burst into tears, wiping his eyes.

"My son has spiritual roots!" Lady Zhu also covered her face with a handkerchief, weeping with joy.

Qin Bi felt moved as well, her eyes growing moist as she wiped away a tear.

In the courtyard, everyone was smiling. Lady Zhu and Qin Lang soon turned their tears into laughter, their pent-up frustrations dissipating.

Being young, Qin Lang leaned toward Qin Di and Qin Tang and spoke of going to the Monster Realm small space for training. "I've wanted to go for a long time. Now that I have spiritual roots, I must go to the Monster Realm small space."

Qin Tang shared the same thought and nodded. "We definitely need to go."

The Old Marquis was in high spirits. Hearing the juniors discuss the Monster Realm, he said, "Wait until your eldest uncle and I prepare some things for you. You should prepare yourselves as well."

As everyone was discussing the matter enthusiastically, Qin Yan returned from the Second Branch.

Seeing the lively atmosphere in the courtyard, the displeasure on Qin Yan's face vanished, replaced by surprise. "You've activated your spiritual roots?"

"Yes, yes!" Qin Tang announced to the world impatiently. "I have spiritual roots!"

"Good, wonderful!" Qin Yan was overjoyed.

However, the Marquis of Yan noticed that Qin Yan's expression had been off just a moment ago. Upon asking, he learned that Qin Yan had gone to the Second Branch to ask his second uncle for spiritual plants, but upon hearing the request, Qin He had immediately refused and even voiced her grievances to Qin Yan.

Qin Yan said indignantly, "Qin He said she can support the Second Branch, but she won't support the entire Marquis estate."