Chapter 64: Night Visit - I Forged Them in Darkness, and They Buried Me in It

Chapter 64: Night Visit After sending Chen An back to the orphanage, Qin Shou didn't get out of the car but headed directly back to Qing City. Chen An, meanwhile, was left alone, carrying a large bundle of medicinal herbs to the kitchen. The orphanage's kitchen was a classic countryside style—no natural gas or stoves, just a large iron pot and a hearth. He chose this place precisely for its rustic simplicity. Alchemy is an essential skill in the cultivation world, with only the level of talent and specialization varying. Cultivators who could dedicate decades or even a century to studying the art of alchemy were usually highly sought after. The path of alchemy demands vast resources, and without the backing of a powerful sect, it's rare for a solo cultivator to make a name for themselves. While Chen An didn't specifically delve deep into alchemy during his cultivation journey, he did dabble with some basic elixirs in his spare time. Most of the pills he concocted ended up being consumed by him like casual candy. He planned to refine three types of pills: the Beauty Nourishment Pill, the Vital Energy Pill, and the Meridian Clearing Pill. The Beauty Nourishment Pill was intended to restore the scorched side of Chen Xi's face, while the Vital Energy Pill was commonly used by Qi Refinement stage cultivators to replenish their spiritual energy. For ordinary mortals, however, it was a miraculous pill, capable of curing any disease and even reviving the dead, making it perfect for treating Chen Xi's eye condition. As for the Meridian Clearing Pill, it was meant to help her unblock her spiritual channels and gain the ability to cultivate. However, the ingredients for the Meridian Clearing Pill weren't something Chen An could easily acquire from just any herb market. The effects of the Meridian Clearing Pill far surpassed those of the Beauty Nourishment Pill. Simply enabling a mortal to open their spiritual channels and step onto the path of cultivation made it immensely valuable. Specifically, some of the rare spiritual herbs required might only be found deep in the mountains of Blue Star or could be sourced from esteemed clans or sects like Qingcheng Mountain, which certainly have some reserves. While contemplating, Chen An reached out with his finger in the air. The sealed herbs, upon being touched, began to float mid-air, much like scenes from a cultivation animation, dancing around him. Then, extending another finger, a sliver of spiritual flame shot forth. The flame split into four streams, swiftly moving toward the herbs. Upon contact, the herbs rapidly melted, turning into globules of vibrant spiritual liquid. This was undoubtedly a defiance of physics, as any flame from Blue Star, regardless of its heat, would have reduced them to mere ashes. But Chen An's spiritual flame was fundamentally different. The very existence of cultivators served as undeniable proof of something beyond this world. Soon, two pills with a smooth surface and a lustrous jade-like sheen emerged. With composure and ease, Chen An grasped them in hand, exuding an effortless grace. Despite being only at the first level of Qi Refinement, his practiced demeanor could easily make late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators flushed with embarrassment. While skill proficiency played a part, the more crucial factor was that the spiritual energy within Chen An far exceeded that of his peers, over tenfold. This was the advantage of rebuilding one's path after breaking through one's limits. If another Nascent Soul cultivator had tried this, they might have perished on the spot. Yet Chen An's undying nature presented endless possibilities. He could recklessly challenge fate, persistently experimenting until a viable method revealed itself. Chen An stood, brushed the dust from his clothes, and left the kitchen. It was mid-morning, the sun shining brightly. In the courtyard, a group of children chased one another, laughter and playful shouts occasionally ringing out. In silence, he watched for a moment, then strode towards the classroom. As expected, a slender figure sat upright at the back of the room. On her desk lay a Braille novel, open to pages filled with raised dots. Chen An entered the room. "What are you reading?" he asked. Hearing him, Chen Xi paused, closed her novel, and softly replied, "The Journal of Vision Loss." He was taken aback. "Didn't know they had a Braille version of that book." Sitting beside her, he reached into his pocket to retrieve a Beauty Nourishment Pill. "Open your mouth." Though puzzled, Chen Xi tilted her head back obediently, opening her small mouth like a tiny dove egg. With a flick of his fingers, Chen An sent the pill arcing through the air, landing gently in her mouth. Trusting her brother Chen An, she didn't spit it out but bit into it instinctively. It was crisply sweet, with a slight bitter undertone. Chen An chuckled, "A little treat for you." Chen Xi, her cheeks puffed adorably, chewed, her expressionless face endearingly cute. "What kind of treat tastes bitter?" she murmured. "One that brings joy after you eat it." Upon hearing this, Chen Xi extended her arms, and Chen An skillfully lifted her from the chair. This was a familiar gesture from their childhood when Chen Xi hadn't yet adapted to living blind and needed Chen An's constant help. Whispering in his ear, she said, "As long as it's from brother Chen An, any treat makes me happy." ... Night fell. The orphanage, shedding its daytime vivacity and clamor, plunged into silence. Rarely did Chen An eschew sleep. In the dark, he rose and made his way to the end of the corridor. There lay a small room set aside by the director especially for Chen Xi, given her unique situation, a rare exception at the orphanage. But with Chen An now funding them, the orphanage would soon see renovations, granting the children individual beds instead of shared bunks. He arrived at the door, knocking gently. He wasn't some deviant sneaking in on his sister; they'd agreed earlier that day he’d visit at night. Mortals, unlike cultivators, hadn't undergone spiritual purification, making them susceptible to strange side effects from sudden pill ingestion without supervision. Moreover, without a cultivator to aid in catalysis, much of a pill's efficacy could be lost. This was why he came at night. It allowed for privacy and provided the necessary time interval between doses for her fragile body. Soft sounds emerged from within the room. Moments later, the door opened to reveal the girl's face. She wore a thin nightdress, her long hair slightly tousled, her eyes vacant beneath her bangs. Her half-scarred face, illuminated by moonlight, appeared hauntingly ghostly. (Chapter End)