Stealing Immortal
Chapter 17 - 16: Warm Sunshine

Chapter 17: Chapter 16: Warm Sunshine

"...That bitch is about to die, and while I’m waiting for her to croak, I’ve run out of Qi-Introducing Pills to take!"

In the Alchemy Room.

Liu Tao was standing before a Copper Mirror, cursing Xu Baoling while meticulously examining her own face. She suddenly glanced back at Chen Qingyang. "Tell me, don’t you think I’ve been aging quickly lately?"

After a careful look, although he couldn’t see any change, Chen Qingyang still nodded in agreement.

"Ah!" Liu Tao shrieked. "This is terrible... Last time, that bitch said she could break through in half a month. It’s almost been half a month now, hasn’t it? Is there any news from her?"

Only then did Chen Qingyang realize he had said the wrong thing. "But... looking more closely, Senior Sister, you haven’t changed at all. I’ll confirm with Senior Sister Xu when I see her tonight."

Today, Liu Tao wore a green robe. Her aged face had a bit more life to it, but her back remained hunched, giving her a somewhat terrifying appearance that eroded any trace of a transcendent, immortal-like aura.

She began staring at Chen Qingyang again. "Hmph. Be more careful. How have you gotten so much younger? Can your Cultivation really increase this fast?"

"It’s probably the Qi Gathering Pills taking effect. I have you to thank for my progress today, Senior Sister!"

"No, no!" Liu Tao shook her head vigorously. "If you break through to the Qi Refining Second Realm, you’ll look 20 years younger, like a man in his fifties. What Furnace Boy suddenly becomes young like that? Wouldn’t that arouse suspicion... Oh, right. The Elixirs Xu Baoling gave you, have you been taking them?"

This wasn’t just fear of suspicion; it was also the jealousy of an old person seeing another suddenly grow young.

Chen Qingyang didn’t plan on saying anything else, replying only, "I’ve taken some, but not many."

"Then do you think the Pills I Refine are better, or are hers?"

Chen Qingyang had actually observed them closely. When it came to the quality of Qi Gathering Pills, Liu Tao was no match for Xu Baoling.

"Yours, of course, Senior Sister Liu."

Liu Tao laughed happily. "You old rascal, you know what’s good for you. Do you know what Pill I’m best at Refining?"

Chen Qingyang shook his head.

"The Warm Sun Pill."

Chen Qingyang had heard of this Elixir long ago. It was meant to be taken in conjunction with Qi Gathering Pills to Refine the impurities they left behind in the body, and it also had the effect of strengthening one’s Meridians and Dantian.

A person’s Essence Blood is yang, while the soul is yin.

This was the meaning behind ’Warm Sun’.

At this, Liu Tao grew smug. "A Tier Two Warm Sun Pill, to be exact. With your level of Cultivation, if you take one Qi Gathering Pill daily and one Tier Two Warm Sun Pill every seven days, your Cultivation speed will be extremely fast. It’ll also build a solid foundation for future breakthroughs. The ingredients you use to Refine Qi-Introducing Pills were all traded for with these Tier Two Warm Sun Pills of mine."

Thinking of this, Chen Qingyang suddenly felt that giving so many Qi Gathering Pills to Wu Boyou had been a complete waste.

"Since you’re so skilled, Senior Sister, could you Refine a few for me as well?"

Liu Tao’s eyes widened. "It takes me a whole day’s work to produce a single one! How could I possibly have a few to give you? But don’t you worry. As long as you accept all the Elixirs that bitch gives you, I won’t treat you poorly in the future."

As she spoke, she pulled an object from her sleeve—an Elixir—and placed it in Chen Qingyang’s palm. "This is a Tier Two Warm Sun Pill. Take it for now. When your Cultivation improves, your skill in Refining Qi-Introducing Pills will also improve. That will make it easier for me to break through!"

Chen Qingyang accepted it and bowed. "This is the wisest decision you’ve made since I’ve known you, Senior Sister!"

Liu Tao said angrily, "You old rascal, are you implying something with those words?"

"I wouldn’t dare."

With that said, right in front of Liu Tao, Chen Qingyang took out three Qi Gathering Pills and swallowed them, followed by the Warm Sun Pill.

After meditating for a moment, a Qi Mechanism surged through his body, and he instantly became revitalized. The progress on his panel increased by 1.

Even with mediocre aptitude, as long as one had an unlimited supply of Elixirs, one’s Cultivation could still advance rapidly.

This act made Liu Tao, who was standing nearby, look uncertain. She hesitated for a long, long time before asking, "Are you sure this is your first time cultivating?"

Chen Qingyang was completely baffled. "What do you mean by that?"

"I’ve heard that True Monarchs at the Golden Core realm or above, if they cannot break through, will abandon their physical bodies. They send their Divine Soul, hidden in the ’mud-pill palace,’ to be tempered on the Bridge of Longevity, then find a suitable pregnant woman to be reincarnated into. These people are naturally suited for Cultivation, and they become terrifyingly powerful once their Innate Wisdom awakens. You seem a lot like one of them right now, don’t you think?"

There were indeed many similarities. The difference was that none of this had been his choice; Stealing Immortal had brought him here.

He neither confirmed nor denied it, simply choosing not to elaborate. "Thank you for the compliment, Senior Sister!"

After that, Chen Qingyang uncovered the Pill Furnace and prepared to begin Alchemy.

Night fell.

The Golden Summit of the Four Golden Peaks was brilliantly lit, while scattered lights twinkled on the mountainside.

After taking his leave of Liu Tao, Chen Qingyang took the Elixirs he had just Refined and went to find Xu Baoling.

He left the Warm Jade Scroll hidden in its original spot. He would only carry it on his person at a critical moment; now was not the time to reveal his hand.

By now, his daily visits no longer required an announcement. He could just push the door open quietly and enter. If she was meditating, he would simply put the Elixirs down and leave.

They had developed a silent understanding over these past days.

Today.

Xu Baoling stood by the window.

A thin white robe was draped over her body, revealing a tall and voluptuous figure. The line between her hips and chest formed an exquisite curve.

Her back was perfectly straight, her thighs pressed tightly together without a hint of a gap. Amidst her alluring charm, she also exuded a sense of righteous, vigorous power.

Afraid of falling for her tricks, Chen Qingyang didn’t dare look for long. As usual, he placed the Elixirs on the long table, bowed his head, and said, "Senior Sister Xu, these are the Elixirs I Refined today."

Xu Baoling slowly turned her head. Her beautiful eyes were wide, her face bathed in a golden light. Her red lips were bewitching, and a faint Golden Lotus could be seen blooming on her forehead.

She was saintly, like a Fairy standing in quiet stillness.

"Lift your head. Look at me."

Chen Qingyang quickly gathered his focus and met her beautiful gaze.

"The ingredients for your Alchemy today—did Liu Tao prepare them, or did you?"

Her tone was slow, neither decadent nor enchanting, but simply held a trace of languor.

This time, she wasn’t using her Righteous Great Divine Dao.

"Senior Sister Liu seems to trust me a bit more lately. I prepared the ingredients myself, and she only watched for a little while. She doesn’t even avoid me when she takes her Elixirs. I think things will be fine in a few more days."

Sneaking a glance at Xu Baoling’s expressionless face, Chen Qingyang added, "Senior Sister Liu also said my Elixirs are very effective. Her Cultivation has increased recently, and she says she can break through to Essence Condensation within three to five years."

Hearing this, Xu Baoling’s cold demeanor vanished, her expression tinged with fury. "Hmph! It would be a disaster if she broke through. The enmity between us is to the death. But fortunately... I can break through in three to five days. I can already feel the aura of the Qi Refining Ninth Realm!"

Hearing this, Chen Qingyang immediately said, "Congratulations, Senior Sister Xu."

Xu Baoling nodded gently. "I may be breaking through, but you are not out of the woods yet. You must gain her trust as quickly as possible. I’ve already prepared the poison—we’ll use Star Meteor Powder. Feed it to her for twenty consecutive days, and it will be her time to die."

’As expected of sisters from the same sect,’ he thought. ’Even the poisons they use are so similar.’

At this point, Xu Baoling’s demeanor toward Chen Qingyang softened again. Her voluptuous body drew near with a delicate posture, and she reached out to stroke his chest.

"Ah, Junior Brother Chen, I won’t forget how good you’ve been to me. If I reach Essence Condensation in the future, you’ll be well rewarded!"

She once again used her Righteous Great Divine Dao, but by now it seemed to have lost its effect on Chen Qingyang. He was no longer bewitched by her.

"I understand. I will be in my best condition for Alchemy these next few days. May I ask how many more days of Elixirs you need, Senior Sister Xu?"

Xu Baoling was most wary of Chen Qingyang prying into her affairs and would always grow suspicious. "Why do you ask?"

Chen Qingyang, having prepared for this, answered smoothly, "Senior Sister Liu keeps saying she’s at the point of breaking through and wants me to stay in the Alchemy Room to constantly Refine Pills for her. Every time, I have to make an excuse because I’m thinking of your matter, Senior Sister. After a while, she’s bound to get suspicious.

"I was thinking that after you break through, Senior Sister, I should stop coming for a while. I’ll come back for the Star Meteor Powder after I’ve fully gained Senior Sister Liu’s trust. That way, I won’t interfere with your grand plan."

"Haha!" Xu Baoling burst out laughing, her ample chest trembling with the motion. "How very thoughtful of you... Three days. I only need you to come for three more days. I’ll use the rest of the time to break through on my own. Remember, you absolutely cannot let that old hag get suspicious. Come find me the moment you’re out."

Chen Qingyang bowed. "Understood. I will head back now, Senior Sister Xu."

"Wait. Take these Qi Gathering Pills. You should take them often. Only by increasing your Cultivation quickly will you be worthy of being my junior brother, understand?"

Chen Qingyang nodded. "I understand, Senior Sister."

Just as he was about to leave, she added another question, "Have you taken all the ones I gave you before?"

"Every single one. I took them all myself."

Only then was Xu Baoling satisfied. "Good. You may go back now."

’She’s urging me to take the Poison Pills,’ he realized. ’She never planned on letting me live for long.’

’Of course. For someone so suspicious, knowing that I helped her murder a fellow senior sister... only by eliminating me could she truly be at ease.’

’Liu Tao is much simpler in this regard.’

After walking out of Xu Baoling’s Alchemy Room, Chen Qingyang silently counted in his mind.

When he reached one hundred and twenty, Xu Baoling’s face appeared in his mind, along with that of Stealing Immortal.