In the bright room sat a practical table made of nanmu wood, with several kao chairs crafted from the same timber.
These furnishings were rather ordinary, even the style being one that was most popular two decades ago. As one of the three great families of Taicang County, Old Master He Wude was known as the most frugal elder, ensuring that even the younger members of his household never acquired the extravagant air of great wealth.
And perhaps this was the real reason why the He family’s third generation had never produced any prodigal sons.
He Yiming was currently seated on the opposite side of the table; given his current standing within the estate, he was afforded a suitable seat even in such a setting.
“Yiming, since we summoned you here, you must have guessed the reason,” Old Master He Wude said with a smile, unable to contain his genuine delight whenever he looked upon his most outstanding grandson.
He Yiming nodded slightly. “Grandfather, I know you called me here regarding your recent period of closed-door cultivation. However, I cannot fathom why you made such a tense affair of it, causing people to become suspicious.”
He Wude sighed softly. “I did not wish it to be so, but this matter is too crucial for our He family. Therefore, we would rather be overly cautious than allow even the slightest misstep.”
He Yiming’s gaze swept across his elder uncle and He Laibao, then he suddenly asked, “Did you succeed?”
“Indeed.” The body of He Wude sitting in his chair seemed to straighten slightly, his voice laced with indescribable pride. “We have indeed succeeded.”
“Grandfather, you still haven’t told me exactly what you were doing,” He Yiming expressed a touch of dissatisfaction.
He Wude let out several loud laughs, then suddenly blinked twice, asking, “Why don't you try to guess?”
He Yiming was momentarily stunned. This was the first time he had ever seen his usually composed grandfather act with such a mischievous air; even when he learned that He Yiming’s Neijin cultivation had advanced to the Ninth Layer, he hadn't displayed such a playful expression. This suggested the old man’s current mood was one of rare elation, perhaps unseen in a decade.
Countless thoughts spun rapidly through his mind, and suddenly, a notion stirred within He Yiming. “Is this related to the Golden-Crested Python?”
The smiles on the faces of the three elders—He Wude, He Quanxin, and He Laibao—simultaneously stiffened. They exchanged a glance, both ending in wry smiles.
He Quanxin asked, “Yiming, how did you guess?”
He Yiming spread his hands slightly. “The biggest event to happen in our He family over the last year was hunting the Golden-Crested Python on the mountain. Given how secretive you all were, I truly could not imagine any other possibility related to this matter.”
He Wude sighed. “Yiming is not only extraordinarily talented but also immensely astute. It is indeed Heaven’s will that our He family could be blessed with such a prodigy.”
He Quanxin and He Laibao nodded in agreement. Before today, He Yiming had no idea what they were doing, but his ability to name it instantly proved that calling him exceptionally clever was no exaggeration.
“Grandfather, what exactly happened? Just tell me plainly,” He Yiming chuckled twice.
“Very well, Yiming. After we hunted the Golden-Crested Python, we obtained an Inner Core. After six months of collecting, we finally gathered the remaining auxiliary medicinal herbs, refined the mixture in the furnace, and, by sheer luck, succeeded in producing three Golden Pills,” He Wude stated with a solemn expression.
“Golden Pills?” He Yiming asked, his expression puzzled.
This was entirely new to him. That spiritual beasts could possess an Inner Core, and that one could gather herbs to refine Golden Pills—these were things he had absolutely never heard of.
“That is right, Golden Pills,” He Wude slowly affirmed. “I once spent a full twenty years in the alchemy room, serving as an apprentice for two decades, and I refined quite a few Golden Pills in that time. To return to my old trade after several decades and not have let my skills lapse—that is quite commendable.”
Though he spoke humbly about what was commendable, his beaming face and smug smile revealed his current state of satisfaction unmistakably.
He Yiming’s gaze swept over the three elders. Seeing not only the Old Master but also his elder uncle and He Laibao overjoyed, he pondered briefly and asked, “Grandfather, does the function of a Golden Pill allow for the advancement of Neijin cultivation?”
He Wude paused again, then chuckled. “The little fellow is indeed smart. Golden Pills can do more than just boost Neijin cultivation; when consumed, they can even help one leap across the boundary of limits.”
He Yiming’s eyes instantly lit up. While breaking through the limit barrier was not difficult for him—about as hard as an ordinary person eating a meal—the effect of the Golden Pills would be enormous for others, and utterly vital for a family.
After speaking, He Wude took out three small jade bottles and carefully placed them on the table.
He Yiming could clearly sense a hint of yearning in the gazes of He Quanxin and He Laibao; these were truly invaluable treasures for cultivators.
“Yiming, I have already decided. These three Golden Pills—you, Quanxin, and Laibao shall each take one,” Old Master He Wude stated in a deep voice.
He Yiming hesitated for a moment. “Grandfather, is your Neijin cultivation not already at the peak of the Tenth Layer?”
He Wude nodded slightly. “That is correct.”
“Then let me give my share to you, Grandfather,” He Yiming laughed heartily. “I wish you success in entering the Xiantian Realm soon, allowing our He Family Estate to stand unrivaled in Taicang County.”
Previously, He Yiming only knew that the highest Neijin cultivation was the peak Tenth Layer. But later, he gradually understood that above the peak Tenth Layer existed the Xiantian Realm, and even beyond that, higher realms he could not yet imagine. Having his grandfather take this Golden Pill might allow the old man to ascend to the next level.
Unexpectedly, He Wude let out a long sigh and said regretfully, “Yiming, I appreciate your kind intentions, but this Golden Pill will not help me.”
He Yiming paused, asking, “Why?”
“The Golden-Crested Python is indeed a spiritual beast, but it is the lowest tier among them. The Golden Pills refined using its Inner Core as the primary ingredient can only benefit cultivators below the Xiantian Realm. For a cultivator at the peak of the Tenth Layer aiming for a higher realm, this level of Golden Pill is insufficient to achieve it.”
He Yiming looked at the three jade bottles on the table with surprise. Although these items were excellent, they would be a complete waste in his hands.
“Yiming, you have already reached the Ninth Layer of Neijin. Take the Golden Pill and safeguard it well. When you reach the peak of the Ninth Layer and touch the limit barrier, you can swallow the pill to break through; your chance of success will be much greater,” He Wude instructed.
He Yiming hesitated for a long time before finally taking one jade bottle, though he secretly resolved to leave it for his elder brother.
“Quanxin, Laibao, you take yours as well.”
“Yes.” He Quanxin responded and took a bottle. His Neijin had long reached the peak of the Ninth Layer, but he had not advanced an inch in ten years. Obtaining this Golden Pill today might be his last real chance in life, so how could he not cherish it?
He Laibao’s gaze lingered on his jade bottle for a long moment, then he let out a sudden sigh. “Old Master, I don’t need mine.”
He Wude’s expression hardened. “Laibao, what nonsense are you spouting?”
He Laibao continued to shake his head. “Old Master, how old are you this year?”
He Wude was momentarily taken aback and replied instinctively, “Eighty-three.”
Martial artists indeed married and had children much later than ordinary people, and this was even more true for those who achieved He Wude’s level of cultivation.
He Laibao sighed with emotion. “Old Master, in the blink of an eye, you are eighty-three, and I, who have followed you since childhood, am eighty years old.”
He Wude’s tone softened, filled with infinite emotion. “That is right, we are both old.”
He Laibao raised his head. “Indeed, we are old. You are already at the peak Tenth Layer. If you could break through the limit and step into Xiantian, your lifespan could be extended by several decades. But I have no hope of that in this lifetime. Even if I consume the Golden Pill and manage to linger for a few more years, it would only be a waste. Rather than that, it is better to leave the Golden Pill to Yitian; he will need it.”
A flicker of hesitation crossed He Wude’s face. He naturally knew that his old companion, who had grown up alongside him, was not wrong. Even if He Laibao consumed the Golden Pill and became a Tenth Layer master, acquired masters generally only lived to be about a hundred years old. Twenty years was certainly far less useful than leaving the pill to He Yitian.
However, he had lived alongside He Laibao for decades; their relationship was nominally master and servant, but in truth, they were brothers. He Laibao had contributed immensely to the establishment of the He Family Estate. If he were to retract this Golden Pill now, he would not be able to forgive himself.
He Quanxin’s face flushed slightly, and he placed the jade bottle in his hand back down. “Uncle Bao, I will leave mine to Tian’er. If you can advance to the Tenth Layer, it will still bring some benefit.”
He Laibao gave a wry smile. “Eldest Master, you jest. If the Old Master cannot successfully advance to Xiantian, and we depart one after the other, then the He Family Estate must rely on you to support it. At the very least, before you and I leave, you must advance to the Tenth Layer.”
Though his words were somewhat ominous, given his age, there was little taboo in saying them.
He Quanxin turned and looked at Yiming. “Uncle Bao, we still have Yiming.”
He Laibao continued to shake his head. “Eldest Master, Yiming is different from us; the Taicang He Family cannot restrain him.”
He Yiming’s heart broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly intervened. “Grandpa Bao, Uncle, please stop arguing.” He placed the pill in his hand back on the table. “I will leave mine to Elder Brother.”
“Nonsense.”
Three different voices sounded simultaneously.
Ps: Today is Saturday; tomorrow is Sunday, and the day after tomorrow is Monday, which will also be February 1st.
If nothing unexpected occurs, this book will be officially released on February 1st. I will check with the editor then; if possible, Bai He will update three chapters, totaling nine thousand characters, at midnight. Of course, if access is not granted at midnight, I will have no choice but to delay until the morning of the 1st.
The first twenty-four hours of subscription for a new book are extremely important. If you are able, please subscribe. Thank you… [bookid=1429437,bookname=《The Strategist Lü Buwei of the Warring States》]