Su Family.
Lin Fan took out two bottles of premium Qi Refining Liquid and consumed one. An ordinary master pharmacist could only refine a single portion, but thanks to the mysterious "Little Golden Man" heritage he possessed, he had managed to refine two extra bottles.
Lin Fan directed his consciousness into the stone tower dimension. "I have the Qi Refining Liquid, now I must find a cultivation method."
He once again entered a mental resonance with the "Little Golden Man." He hadn't found any techniques for the Five-Derivation Yin-Yang Great Medicine previously; perhaps he had overlooked some of the scriptures. In truth, Lin Fan had also attempted to cultivate the Qi refining method of the Imperial Lin Family, but it had proven entirely ineffective. Perhaps, having received the mysterious tempering power from the Jade Tripod, he could only cultivate the methods associated with it.
However, after the resonance with the "Little Golden Man" concluded, he remained empty-handed.
*Hum.*
While Lin Fan was lost in thought, the Jade Tripod stirred once more, emitting a brilliant glow. From within, a dozen pages of tattered golden silk scrolls flew out. At the top of the first page were two antiquated ink characters: *The Book of Burials*. Sadly, the golden scroll was incomplete; it had clearly been torn apart, with many pages missing.
"Does the Jade Tripod expect me to cultivate a broken technique?"
Lin Fan was immediately stumped. Coming from an Imperial clan, he knew all too well the consequences of cultivating an incomplete technique. At best, one would be shackled for life; at worst, one’s body would shatter and perish.
"I have spent these past few years living neither as a man nor a ghost. I choose to gamble this once. I would rather be a mayfly fighting for a moment of morning brilliance than live like this!"
Recalling his past, Lin Fan made a resolute decision to cultivate it. The pages of the *Book of Burials* contained no text, only strange, chaotic, and seemingly unorganized illustrations of small figures. How was he to practice this?
Lin Fan held his breath and focused his mind, observing the diagrams in silence. He pressed his palms together, calmed his heart, and synchronized his breathing with the resonance of the tattered scrolls. White mist billowed around him, and a wave of heat flowed through his flesh and blood. As he practiced, his body seemed to cheer; his very muscles began to itch. Finally, silver "vortices" appeared in succession at his feet, hands, dantian, chest, and the Baihui acupoint on his crown.
"It doesn't seem that difficult. I've developed seven 'vortex apertures' in just half a day."
Lin Fan frowned. The mysterious *Book of Burials* was easier to practice than it appeared. Next, he attempted the poses of the small figures from the book, the seven vortex apertures rotating and resonating with the meridians throughout his body. The process was slow, like threading a needle, but the results were astonishing.
The spiritual energy of heaven and earth began to flood into the seven vortex apertures, then surged into his feet, hands, dantian, chest, and crown. The speed increased steadily, and the innate essence within his dantian began transforming into "Mysterious Qi." The Qi Refining Realm was primarily about tempering one’s innate, mortal body. Once a certain level was reached, the innate blood energy would transform into Mysterious Qi, allowing one to step into the Qi Refining Realm.
As he practiced, scabs began to form on Lin Fan's body, one after another, layering over one another.
*Boom!*
The surging blood energy nearly tore him apart.
"First Layer of the Qi Refining Realm! I can finally cultivate!"
Lin Fan let out a cry of overwhelming joy. He had waited nineteen years for this moment.
"When I was a child, I was diagnosed with trash Spiritual Roots, destined to never cultivate in this life. My own kin mocked and ridiculed me, ultimately leaving me with the bleak fate of being cast out. Chu family, Yun family, Lin family—all those enemies from my past, I will settle the score with every one of you."
Lin Fan clenched his fists. He then consumed the second bottle of Qi Refining Liquid, successfully breaking through to the 2nd Layer of Qi Refining.
"The foundation of the physical body truly determines the speed of cultivation."
Lin Fan finally realized just how heaven-defying the *Book of Burials* truly was.
***
Su Family. Evening banquet.
"Hahaha!" The laughter of Su Yuanshan echoed through the hall.
"That's enough," his wife, Zhao Yingrong, barked, unable to listen any longer.
Su Yuanshan restrained himself slightly, though he began to shower Su Xi and Su Xiaoqing with loud praise in front of everyone. His eldest daughter was on good terms with Chen Tiange, and his younger daughter had done even better, having caught the eye of a great pharmacist. These two matters were currently spreading like wildfire throughout Lingyin City, and several families had already taken the initiative to come and offer their congratulations.
"Xiaoqing, you've really made something of yourself."
"Auntie congratulates you. Whether you become a disciple of the great pharmacist or are taken as a concubine, it is a tremendous honor. I'll be able to bask in your glory later," Zhao Yingrong said, smiling as she poured tea for Su Xiaoqing.
Su Xiaoqing sat there, feeling uneasy. Beside them, Su Xi’s face was darker than the bottom of a pot.
After several cups of wine, Su Yuanshan took his two daughters by the hands. "Xi’er, do your best to finalize the betrothal with Chen Tiange as soon as possible. Qing’er, frequent the Xuanji Pavilion and do everything in your power to win the favor of the great pharmacist."
Su Xiaoqing felt completely uncomfortable. Su Xi was different; she declared publicly that when the Taiyi Sect held their recruitment, she would surely secure Chen Tiange.
"Su Yuanshan, my future father-in-law!" A group of people strode in with imposing momentum. The leader was dressed in fine silks and a fur-lined robe, exuding an air of great wealth.
"Family Head Yang." Su Yuanshan stood up, his smile forced. He glared at the guards, wondering why they hadn't stopped him. The guards felt aggrieved; the Yang Family was stronger than the Su Family, and they were in no position to offend them. Besides, weren't the two families supposed to be joining in marriage?
"We are soon to be in-laws, why stand on ceremony?" The head of the Yang Family bowed with a smile, even presenting a fine gift to Zhao Yingrong.
Su Yuanshan’s smile froze. He had only just heard from Zhao Yingrong about the hundred-year-old *taysui* fungus; reconciling with the Yang Family was a good thing, and it would provide a good home for Su Xiaoqing. But after hearing that Su Xiaoqing had caught the eye of a great pharmacist, he couldn't bring himself to be happy. The Yang Family was powerful, yes, but in the presence of a great pharmacist, they were insignificant. If Su Xiaoqing followed the pharmacist, the benefits to the Su Family would be unimaginable. This dilemma had him tearing his hair out. If he refused, he would offend the Yang Family; if he agreed, what if the great pharmacist took offense?
The head of the Yang Family was no fool. Seeing Su Yuanshan’s hesitation, he understood the situation immediately and clapped his hands. "I have a marriage contract here signed by Madam Zhao herself, clear as day."
It was indeed a marriage contract. Now, no one in the Su Family dared to say a word.
"You!" Su Yuanshan glanced at Zhao Yingrong.
"You were the one who said that Xiaoqing marrying into the Yang Family would be a good match," Zhao Yingrong complained.
The Yang family head tucked away the contract, his expression changing. "Since Xiaoqing has caught the eye of a great pharmacist, that is a matter for the Yang Family as well. I will be the one to communicate with the pharmacist; after all, Xiaoqing now represents the Yang Family."
The Su family members were stunned.
"Su Yuanshan, the matter of your eldest son injuring my son has yet to be settled, and now you openly breach our contract? Do not blame me, Yang Xiong, for razing the Su Family to the ground."
Yang Xiong’s words were deafening. Su Xiaoqing could barely stand and slumped back in defeat.
"Serves you right," Su Xi was the only one with a smile on her face.
Just as Su Yuanshan felt completely helpless, Lin Fan walked forward slowly.
"Father-in-law." He reached Su Yuanshan’s side. "Xiaoqing is my wife. This move by the Yang Family is nothing but the forceful seizure of another man’s wife, a crime against the heavens."
Su Yuanshan smiled knowingly, understanding Lin Fan’s intent.
Yang Xiong was furious. "You are Lin Fan? You have clearly divorced Su Xiaoqing, stay out of this."
"Father," Su Xi stepped forward quickly, "Lin Fan and Xiaoqing are divorced, there is—"
"Shut up!" Before she could finish, Su Yuanshan roared. Tears of grievance welled up in Su Xi's eyes.
"This is my son-in-law-to-be," Su Yuanshan said with great solemnity, pulling Lin Fan to his side.
Yang Xiong angrily pulled out the marriage contract. "I have proof! Su Yuanshan, Zhao Yingrong, if you two are going to stab me in the back, then we shall follow the old rules: our two families will send champions to fight on the Life-and-Death Stage. If the Yang Family loses, this contract is torn up on the spot; if the Su Family loses, you will deliver Su Xiaoqing to the Yang Family."
Su Yuanshan broke out in a cold sweat, never having imagined things would escalate to this point—a life-and-death battle. If he refused, the Su Family’s reputation would be ruined.
At this stifling moment, Lin Fan stepped forward. "I am a son-in-law of the Su Family. I should be the one to step onto the Life-and-Death Stage. Let the time be set for one month from today."