The He Family Village was by no means small, but upon entering the Xu Family Fort, He Yiming realized that the Xu holdings dwarfed the He Estate.

Yet, today, led by Xie Mingjin and mounted on a tall steed, galloping across the grounds of the Xie Mansion, He Yiming finally grasped the true, unfathomable scale of these venerable clans that had persisted for a thousand years.

Of course, if one factored in the arable farmland of the Xu Family Fort, it might exceed the acreage of the Xie Mansion. But when considering sheer residential space, the multitude of rooms, the architecture, and the ornamentation, the three great families of Taicang County were utterly unrivaled.

Xie Mingjin dismounted in a heavily guarded courtyard. Although he was known throughout the Xie Mansion as the eldest young master, the guards here paid him little mind until he produced a golden plaque, whereupon they respectfully granted passage. The rigor of enforcement among the Xie Mansion retainers was evident.

This courtyard contained more than ten rooms, each bearing a small inscription above the entrance. Without hesitation, Xie Mingjin led He Yiming directly to a room marked "Golden Core" (Jindan), pushing the door open and stepping inside. His ease suggested complete familiarity with the layout, likely due to Xie Nuanyi having brought him here many times before.

Entering the room, He Yiming was greatly astonished. It housed two towering bookcases overflowing with volumes. Some books were ancient, others newer, and among them were even legendary bamboo slips—a method of recording text long abandoned eight centuries prior. Perhaps only in families tracing their lineage back a millennium could such antiques be preserved. A sweeping glance across the two bookcases brought a wave of bitterness to his heart. Truly worthy of a thousand-year heritage; just the collection dedicated to the Golden Core was this vast. How could he possibly read through it all? His initial request had been simple: to find prescriptions for refining an Inner Core into a Golden Core. But locating a specific text among such a massive collection was far from easy.

As he fretted inwardly, Xie Mingjin swiftly moved to one of the bookcases and asked, "Brother He, do you wish to start learning from the fundamentals, or are you only interested in refining the Golden Core?" He Yiming paused, inquiring, "What is the difference?" "If you want to learn from the beginning, you must start with the complete set of introductory texts. You would need to absorb about one-fifth of the collection here, mastering it thoroughly, before you could be considered competent." He Yiming shook his head without a second thought; he certainly did not possess that amount of leisure time. "If you don't intend to master the entire body of knowledge, then you only need a slight understanding of the classifications and functions of the Golden Core. As for the prescriptions, that will rely on your rote memorization." Xie Mingjin’s expression grew serious. "You may examine any prescription here, but copying them out is strictly forbidden." He Yiming nodded in understanding. That they would even allow him to view the Golden Core prescriptions was a tremendous favor; pressing further to copy them would surely provoke immediate resentment. However, he also understood why Xie Nanhang had been so generous. Relying only on memory, how many prescriptions could he possibly retain? Dozens, at most. Dozens of formulas were but a drop in the ocean compared to the contents of this room. They understood this principle, making it easy for them to appear magnanimous. "Brother Xie, I will focus only on the books concerning the uses of the Golden Core and the relevant formulas." "Very well." Xie Mingjin stood before the bookcase, considering for a moment before drawing out several volumes. "These are the most essential materials. Begin by familiarizing yourself with these." He Yiming accepted them, nodding gratefully. Without his host present, he truly would not have known where to begin. Suddenly, Xie Mingjin leaned in close, lowering his voice, "Brother He, take your time reading. I’ll slip out and fetch something special for you." He Yiming gave a casual acknowledgment, not understanding what "special" item he might bring. Once Xie Mingjin departed, He Yiming opened the first volume. Starting from the very first page, it began detailing the various uses of the Golden Core and methods for distinguishing them. It turned out that Golden Cores were numerous, each serving a different purpose. Beyond the Limit-Breaking Golden Core, which allowed one to easily surpass natural limits and breach barriers, there was another type of Golden Core highly coveted by cultivators. This was the Vitality Golden Core (Jingli Jindan). Upon consumption, it dramatically increased a person's vitality. Increased vitality translated directly into a greater capacity to convert Inner Strength (Neijin). While this core, which visibly accelerated cultivation speed, was not as precious as the breakthrough variety, it was still far beyond the reach of ordinary people. However, due to the rarity of Spirit Beast Inner Cores, when one was obtained, the priority was almost always refining the Limit-Breaking Golden Core. Vitality Cores were, at best, fashioned from residual scraps. Even so, if a Vitality Golden Core appeared on the market, it would be instantly snatched up, an item of absolute scarcity. In addition, several other Golden Cores were vaguely mentioned, their functions wildly diverse. Some could staunch bleeding rapidly, others could heal internal injuries, and some even offered protection against plagues and miasmas. It was all so chaotic that He Yiming’s head spun, and he decided to skip ahead. Flipping several pages, He Yiming suddenly found a description of the Limit-Breaking Golden Core's effects. He read through it carefully, marveling inwardly. The author used the analogy of a water vat to represent the human body: once a Post-Heaven expert reached a certain level, the water in the vat reached its maximum capacity, and further accumulation was impossible. To advance further, one needed to expand the vat’s capacity—that is, elevate their Inner Strength cultivation realm. While this task wasn't as arduous as advancing to the Pre-Heaven realm, it was by no means easy. This is where the primary function of the Limit-Breaking Golden Core manifested. Once consumed, what increased within the body was not vitality, but the Inner Strength itself. The Inner Strength, having already reached its limit, needed only a slight push to create the optimal opportunity for a breakthrough. In such a state, if one could muster the momentum to unblock sealed meridians, success would be natural, leading to promotion to the next stage. However, if the meridians could not be opened, the added bit of Inner Strength would gradually lose its potency and eventually dissipate outside the body. The text specifically noted that the efficacy of a Golden Core was closely tied to two factors: the core's quality and the consumer's age. The better the core’s quality, the higher the chance of successfully breaking through the bottleneck. Likewise, the younger the consumer, the more abundant their inherent vitality, leading to a greater probability of breakthrough. Yet, nothing was absolute. Ultimate success depended on individual will and other factors, and could not be generalized. After finishing this section, He Yiming felt profound respect. Though he didn't know the author, this person was certainly a venerable and esteemed master. Suddenly, the closed door opened, and Xie Mingjin strode back in, giving He Yiming a meaningful look. He Yiming turned, his face clouded with confusion. Xie Mingjin closed the door, approached him, and produced several items from his robes. He Yiming’s eyes widened, leaving him momentarily stunned and speechless. What Xie Mingjin had brought were writing brushes, ink, and paper. He Yiming instantly understood what his "special item" was. The rule here was strict: view only, no copying. At best, he could commit twenty or thirty prescriptions to memory. But now, with writing materials, while he might not copy every single formula, recording a hundred or even more should be entirely feasible. He Yiming lowered his voice, "Brother Xie, you..." Xie Mingjin waved a hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter. These formulas are going to waste sitting here anyway. If you copy them, you can help them flourish." He Yiming blinked. "Waste? How can they be wasted?" "Of course, they are wasted. You witnessed the might of the Spirit Beasts on the mountain this time. Think about it: besides you, how many others can hunt Spirit Beasts and take their Inner Cores?" Xie Mingjin sighed deeply. "Our Xie family has accumulated texts for a thousand years, containing prescriptions for refining hundreds of elixirs. Yet, we might not fire up the furnace once in decades. If these fell into your hands, perhaps they could be utilized frequently." He Yiming pondered for a moment, forced to admit that his words held undeniable logic. However, copying the family's secret knowledge right in front of them was something he had never experienced, and he felt deeply uneasy about it. If Xie Mingjin hadn't offered the help, and He Yiming had been forced to rely on his memory, he wouldn't have felt any burden. But the surreptitious provision of paper and ink changed everything. With a soft sigh, He Yiming made up his mind. He looked deeply at Xie Mingjin, extended his hand, and said, "Very well, I accept your kindness." Xie Mingjin placed the writing supplies on the table and then turned to leave. In the distance, he spotted Xie Nuanyi outside the courtyard, nodding and smiling at him. Xie Nuanyi then turned and departed swiftly. Although Xie Mingjin was bold, he would never dare to casually gift writing materials to He Yiming without the permission of the clan elders. Even if, as he claimed, these Golden Core prescriptions were largely impractical given the scarcity of Spirit Beast Inner Cores—making them essentially useless—they were still not something he could freely disseminate on his own authority. However, since his father had given the instruction, he had no choice but to comply. He also understood that this was his father enabling him to bestow a favor, a reward that would ultimately benefit him personally, not just the clan. His temperament might not suit leadership, but he was hardly a fool; he saw that much clearly.

Two days later, He Yiming finally emerged from the Golden Core library. He had thoroughly reviewed the books Xie Mingjin selected and successfully copied one hundred methods for refining Golden Cores. He noted that these methods invariably required Spirit Beast Inner Cores. Several of the cores demanded exceptionally specific attributes regarding the spirit beast's age and species. However, these particular Golden Cores were no longer intended for Post-Heaven experts. According to the texts, these were materials potentially usable only by Pre-Heaven masters. If a Post-Heaven cultivator consumed them, the result would not be an explosive surge of Inner Strength, but rather a catastrophic bursting of the body. He Yiming held strong confidence in his eventual ascent to the Pre-Heaven realm, which is why he copied those formulas as well. Finally, he randomly browsed the rest of the bookcase and discovered that the information recorded, while slightly different in nuance, was largely covered by the few volumes Xie Mingjin had prioritized. As for the Golden Core formulas, they were essentially all contained within those select few books, meaning they were undeniably the most valuable items in the entire room. This discovery deepened He Yiming’s gratitude toward Xie Mingjin. During these two days, no one brought him food, as everyone understood that a master of the Tenth Layer of Inner Strength could easily endure two, three, or even five days without sustenance. But the moment he left that room, servants immediately notified Xie Mingjin. "Brother He, you finished everything?" Xie Mingjin emphasized the question slightly. "Yes." He Yiming nodded gently, sharing a look of mutual understanding with him. They walked out of the courtyard side-by-side. Xie Mingjin sighed lightly. "Brother He, I didn't expect you to finish those few books so quickly. I figured you would need at least four days. If I had known, I would have selected a few more for you." He Yiming waved his hand, speaking earnestly, "Brother Xie, I appreciate your kindness. I am already more than satisfied with what I have gained today." "That is good." Xie Mingjin led him back to his own courtyard and ordered a feast prepared. "Rest for a day. Starting tomorrow, I will take you to the Clothing Workshop, and then to the Elixir Refining Chamber. All the materials are ready. The auspicious day is in three days, when the Seventh Uncle-Elder will fire the furnace. We can observe the process then." He Yiming’s heart stirred. He now possessed the formulas and had recorded the entire process of elixir refinement. Observing the actual process would allow him to attempt it himself. Of course, he knew refining was a craft; attempting to mimic it without true understanding would be incredibly difficult. But witnessing it firsthand was vastly different from pure imagination. A thought struck him, and he asked, "What is the Clothing Workshop?" "That is where the family processes leather garments. Don't underestimate it; the leather goods exiting our workshop are treasures worth a fortune outside," Xie Mingjin stated with considerable pride. He Yiming asked in surprise, "Does the leather you process have some special application?" "Indeed. The leather we process isn't just treated; we infuse it with many precious medicinal herbs. Wearing it frequently brings significant benefits to the body. I am taking you there for your Long-Armed Raccoon. That creature’s hide is incredibly tough, virtually impervious to blades and arrows, and highly elastic. I have already decided: we will craft a set of innerwear armor for you to wear close to the skin. It will not only offer protection but, being specially made, will also keep you warm in winter and cool in summer, regulating your body temperature." He Yiming was slightly moved. "With such miraculous effects, can't you craft several more sets?" Xie Mingjin looked helpless. "Brother He, how large is one Long-Armed Raccoon? Even using every usable scrap of skin, it’s barely enough material for one person’s set of innerwear. If you could slay another ten or eight, I could make a few more for you." He Yiming started, then laughed wryly. Encountering two Long-Armed Raccoons had been the extent of his Spirit Beast sightings over several months; asking him to find ten or eight more was ridiculous. The next day, they visited the Clothing Workshop. He Yiming saw a set of soft, already-cut undergarments stretched taut, soaking in some unknown liquid. According to Xie Mingjin, fully finishing this set of innerwear would take a full month—this was the reason Xie Nuanyi had agreed to a one-month timeline with him initially. Three days later, bearing the gold plaque, they entered the most heavily secured area of the Xie Mansion: the Elixir Refining Chamber. The Xie Family’s refining complex occupied a massive courtyard spanning over two thousand square meters, containing dozens of individual refining rooms. However, the best-equipped was undoubtedly the first one they approached. Upon entering Refining Room Number One, two young Daoist acolytes, about their age and clad in Daoist robes, were already diligently organizing the space. Seeing them enter, the acolytes remained aloof, showing no deference due to Xie Mingjin’s status. Xie Mingjin pulled He Yiming to sit on two chairs facing a gigantic medicinal furnace. The furnace itself was plain, without carving or ornamentation, yet it exuded a profound sense of ancient weight that immediately signaled to He Yiming that this object held significant provenance. Before long, an elderly Daoist with white hair and beard entered the room. The two acolytes immediately stepped forward to offer respectful greetings. Xie Mingjin sprang up as if stung, "Great Uncle-Elder, you have finally arrived!" The old Daoist nodded slightly, his gaze flicking over He Yiming. "This must be Mr. He. Indeed, a young man of great potential. I am Daoist Xie Zhien; please forgive any tardiness." He Yiming quickly rose and offered modest remarks. Xie Zhien laughed heartily. "It is a good thing for a young man to be interested in alchemy. However, for us cultivators, achieving success in the art of refinement requires a prerequisite." He Yiming raised his eyebrows. "Please enlighten me." "Ordinary elixirs can be refined by common people. But the rarer and more precious the elixir, the higher the demands placed upon the refiner. Take the Golden Core to be refined for you today, for example. If given to an ordinary person, the success rate would not exceed fifty percent. But with this old Daoist’s efforts, it can reach eighty percent." He Yiming’s eyes brightened. He asked respectfully, "May I ask why?" "It is simple, because this old Daoist is a dual-element cultivator of Fire and Wood."

P.S.: Another chapter in two minutes ^_^