The sun hadn't fully risen, but Li Xuan was already crossing the white-stone bridge that led to the Alchemy Palace—a place few outer disciples dared approach.
Not because it was forbidden, but because it was useless to them.
The Alchemy Palace was dominated by inner disciples and alchemy geniuses. Outer disciples weren't even allowed inside unless they had a proper reason.
Li Xuan had one.
System Mission – Side Objective:
—Task: Enlarge Meridians Using Flame-Infused Elixirs
—Goal: Expand Qi Pathways to prepare for 7th Stage breakthrough
—Required Materials:
• Heartfire Lotus Petals x5
• Spirit Congealing Resin x3
• Tempering Flame Root x2
• Clear River Dew x1
Rewards:
+15 LCP
+Permanent Increase to Energy Circulation (+5%)
+System Unlock: Meridians Map Overlay
System Voice (Long Chen):
"Don't expect them to give you anything. You're still a nobody here. If they won't sell it… take it."
Li Xuan chuckled.
"Stealing from alchemists? That sounds suicidal."
Long Chen's voice replied, full of amusement:
"Then don't steal. Trade. Intimidate. Manipulate. Figure it out, brat. This is cultivation—if you can't take what's needed, you're just another ant."
Alchemy Palace – Outer Pavilion
The palace air was thick with incense and medicinal herbs. Apprentice alchemists bustled about with trays of ingredients, scrolls, and bubbling cauldrons. On the outer shelves were lower-grade herbs sold to disciples—but none of the rare ingredients he needed.
"Excuse me," Li Xuan called to an attendant in green robes. "I'm here to purchase high-tier ingredients for body refinement."
The girl looked him up and down, noting his outer disciple robes and the dull, cracked storage ring on his finger.
Her tone turned stiff. "Only ranked inner disciples can access rare refinement-grade herbs. If you want—"
Li Xuan interrupted her with a flash of a jade token.
System Forged Item: Flame Passage Token
—Temporary Access Level: Intermediate Tier Inventory (Expires in 3 hours)
—Generated using 20 LCP
The girl blinked. "That token… alright, follow me."
Inner Vault – 2nd Tier Access Chamber
The door slid open with a hiss, and the temperature immediately dropped. The chamber was lined with crystal shelves, each holding sealed boxes with glowing seals.
Li Xuan's gaze fell on the Tempering Flame Roots first—coiled like burning snakes in a frost-imbued container. Nearby, the Heartfire Lotus Petals shimmered like golden silk, humming faintly with stored fire energy.
It would've cost thousands of contribution points—points he didn't have.
But he had Long Chen Points.
System Notification:
—LCP Transaction Executed
• Heartfire Lotus Petals x5: 20 LCP
• Tempering Flame Root x2: 15 LCP
• Spirit Congealing Resin x3: 12 LCP
• Clear River Dew x1: 10 LCP
—Total Spent: 57 LCP
—Remaining Balance: 8 LCP
Long Chen Voice:
"That's your monthly allowance. Make it worth the pain."
Cultivation Cave – That Night
The cauldron blazed before him.
The concoction he prepared wasn't meant to be consumed—it was meant to be absorbed.
He stood naked in the stone tub as he poured the glowing red liquid into it. The concoction hissed, releasing intense heat that stung his lungs.
Then he stepped in.
Agony.
The heat wasn't physical—it struck straight into his meridians.
They twisted, shivered, stretched.
Blood trickled from his nose, eyes, and ears.
Muscles spasmed.
Bones creaked.
System Warning:
—Meridian Expansion Process: 12% Complete
—Warning: Risk of meridian rupture at 40% threshold
—Suggest fallback procedure: Withdraw from bath
Li Xuan growled, clenching his jaw. "No fallback. Push it."
System Voice (Long Chen):
"Heh… good. Now scream for me."
He did.
It echoed through the cave and cracked the cauldron lid.
Time blurred. The liquid sizzled into steam. His skin burned red.
But by the end of it—he was still conscious. Barely.
System Update – Meridian Expansion
• Status: Complete (82% success rate)
• Qi Circulation Efficiency: +5.4%
• Maximum Energy Tolerance: +8.2%
• New System Overlay: Meridian Map Unlocked
• Cultivation Speed (Normal): +10%
• Nine Star Boost Multiplier Increased: x2.9
• Duration: 35 Seconds Max
• Fatigue Debuff: -1 Level
LCP Earned: +15 (Mission Complete)
Balance: 23 LCP
Next Morning – Mission Board
Li Xuan's limbs still ached, but his eyes burned with clarity.
The outer disciple mission board loomed tall. Most disciples were avoiding one mission that had stayed unclaimed for weeks:
"Beast Forest Purge – Scarhide Region"
Difficulty: High
Reward: 300 Contribution Points
Note: Outer disciples discouraged unless suicidal.
He tapped the wooden plaque and took the jade mission token.
Long Chen's voice buzzed with amusement.
"Now you're talking. Beast blood, monster cores… maybe some profit too. Time to make this hellhole worth the pain."
Li Xuan turned toward the forest trail, eyes sharp, breath steady.
A new day.
A new path.
A new reason to fight.