Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 559 The Transaction, the Pill Completed, and Resentment
Upon hearing this, Old Master Wu's heart stirred, but his face remained impassive: "Oh? That seedling... could something have happened to it?"

He was puzzled. A mere ten years or so was nothing more than a fleeting moment for the Seven Heart Begonia, which takes a thousand years to mature.

Liu Meizhen smiled gently: "Thanks to you, my Fu family has been fortunate enough to cultivate that Seven Hearts Begonia to maturity."

"What?! It's matured?!"

Upon hearing this, not only did Old Ancestor Wu's expression change drastically and he exclaim in shock, but even the Wu Clan Chief and several elders who were accompanying him were instantly dumbfounded, almost doubting that they had misheard.

For a moment, you could hear a pin drop in the hall.

The Seven-Heart Begonia takes a thousand years to mature! This is a consensus in the cultivation world! How long has the Fu family been gone? Only a little over ten years! How is this possible?!
Old Master Wu, being a man who had weathered many storms, quickly suppressed the turmoil in his heart, though the shock still lingered in his eyes. He took a deep breath, his tone becoming extremely solemn:
"Fellow Daoist Liu... is this true? To accelerate the growth of a thousand-year-old spiritual plant in just over ten years... this is simply defying the creation of heaven and earth! Does your noble family possess such heaven-defying methods?"

In an instant, many thoughts came to mind: the source of life? Or other more precious treasures of heaven and earth? Whichever it was, it demonstrated the unfathomable depth and opportunity of the Fu family.

Liu Meizhen did not directly answer the question about methods, but simply smiled and said:
"It was indeed a stroke of luck. Now that the spiritual plant has matured, my Fu family intends to begin refining the Seven Hearts Pill. However..."

She paused slightly, her gaze turning to Old Master Wu:

“My Fu family has a shallow foundation and happens to lack the formula for the Seven Hearts Pill. I have heard that the noble family has been cultivating the Seven Hearts Begonia for hundreds of years, so you must have some knowledge of the formula. Therefore, I have come to ask for your help and am willing to exchange it for valuable treasures or resources.”

Old Master Wu immediately understood; they had come for the elixir formula. After the initial shock came endless weighing of options and calculations.

The formula for the Seven Hearts Pill is indeed one of the core secrets of the Wu family, the culmination of generations of family efforts, and is extremely precious. Under normal circumstances, it would never be easily revealed to others.

But now, the situation is completely different.

The Fu family was able to accelerate the ripening of the Seven Heart Begonia in just over a decade; their methods were nothing short of miraculous! This meant that they not only possessed a mature main ingredient, but could even continue to produce it in the future! In comparison, their own family's begonia, which had been cultivated for hundreds of years and was still immature, seemed rather embarrassing.

More importantly, the rise of the Fu family is now unstoppable.

Liu Meizhen is a first-grade Golden Core cultivator, and her cultivation is progressing rapidly; Fu Changsheng is even more unfathomable, with astonishing combat power. Now, with the addition of this mature Seven-Heart Begonia... it is almost foreseeable that the Fu family will gain several more Golden Core cultivators, and it is probably only a matter of time before they are promoted to a fifth-grade family.

Befriending someone now is far better than adding to their future success.

In the blink of an eye, an extremely sincere smile appeared on Old Master Wu's face. He waved his hand and spoke with unusually cheerful tone:

"Fellow Daoist Liu, you flatter me! The Fu and Wu families are related by marriage and are of the same blood, so there is no need to talk about exchanging or not exchanging!"

He hesitated for a moment, as if he had made up his mind, and continued, "My Wu family is willing to give the Seven Hearts Pill formula to the Fu family free of charge!"

Liu Meizhen's eyes flickered slightly, but she didn't reply. She knew the other party would have something to say next.

Sure enough, Old Ancestor Wu continued:

"I have no other request, but I humbly request that when the noble family sets up its furnace to refine the Seven Hearts Pill in the future, you may refine one batch for my Wu family. My Wu family will provide the medicinal materials. No matter how many pills are made, my Wu family will only take one! The rest can be considered as payment, how about it?"

This offer is extremely generous, almost like giving away the elixir formula for free, in exchange for a promise of the future and a bond of kinship.

Liu Meizhen understood; the other party was investing in the Fu family's future. She smiled, a smile as gentle as a spring breeze.
"Fellow Daoist Wu is so generous and magnanimous. If my Fu family were to refuse again, it would seem pretentious. I can accept this on behalf of my husband. When my Fu family opens the furnace, we will certainly refine a batch of Seven Hearts Pills for you."

"Good! Good! Good!" Old Ancestor Wu clapped his hands and laughed heartily, feeling a weight lifted from his heart. He was extremely pleased. "Fellow Daoist Liu is a man of few words! I will immediately send someone to fetch the jade slip containing the elixir formula!"

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was extremely harmonious, and both host and guests enjoyed themselves immensely. The Wu family members looked at Liu Meizhen with a mixture of awe and eagerness.

...

...

Inside the Fu family's council hall, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Liu Meizhen sat upright at the desk, an ancient jade slip laid out before her—the very formula for the Seven Hearts Pill she had obtained from the Wu family. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, her fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the table as she fell into deep thought.

A flash of light appeared outside the hall, and Fu Changsheng's figure appeared silently.

"My husband is back." Liu Meizhen looked up and saw her husband. A smile appeared on her face, but the thoughtful look between her brows did not fade.

Fu Changsheng nodded and sat down beside her: "Did things go smoothly?" His gaze swept over the jade slip.

"The Wu family was quite straightforward and didn't tamper with the formula. They gave us the original ancient slip." Liu Meizhen pushed the jade slip towards Fu Changsheng, her tone tinged with doubt. "However... after studying it repeatedly, I feel that this formula seems to have some... shortcomings."

She pointed to a note on the jade slip:
"According to this formula, after adding all the auxiliary ingredients and a main leaf of a mature Seven Heart Begonia to a single batch, only two pills are produced. Moreover, there are many places where the medicinal power is stagnant during the refining process, and it seems that some of the essence has not been perfectly transformed, resulting in a loss of more than 30%. Considering the immense medicinal power of a thousand-year-old spiritual plant like the Seven Heart Begonia, this pill-making rate and medicinal power utilization rate are indeed rather low. It seems that the formula itself... has some flaws."

Fu Changsheng took the jade slip and immersed his consciousness into it.

Although he was not very proficient in alchemy, his understanding was profound, and he had his own understanding of energy flow and the interaction of the five elements. With a slight sense, he also noticed that there seemed to be some stagnation and lack of smoothness in the energy flow in the formula.

“The Wu family should not dare to deceive us,” Fu Changsheng pondered. “Perhaps the pill formula they obtained was incomplete, or there were errors in its transmission through generations.”

A slight thought stirred within him, but he showed no sign of it on his face, feigning deep contemplation while secretly communicating with the system within his sea of ​​consciousness:

"System, analyze and optimize the formula for this Seven Hearts Elixir."

"Ding--"

"Consuming 5,000 family contribution points, beginning the analysis and deduction of the [Seven Hearts Pill Formula] (Original Version)..."

"Analysis in progress... Three points of conflicting medicinal effects have been identified, five instances of redundant spiritual energy flow have been found, and two instances of optimal combinations of the principal, assistant, and adjuvant herbs have been discovered..."

"Demonstration complete! Optimized solution generated!"

A complex and exquisite flow of information instantly flooded into Fu Changsheng's sea of ​​consciousness, not only filling in the flaws in the pill formula, but also elevating the details of the entire refining process, the control of the heat, and the fusion of medicinal power to a new level!
Fu Changsheng slowly opened his eyes, the chaotic light in them fading away. He coughed lightly, a look of realization and感慨 appearing on his face at just the right moment.

“Meizhen, what you feel may not be an illusion.”

Fu Changsheng tapped the table lightly with his finger, as if he had just remembered something:

"When I was looking at this prescription just now, I suddenly had an epiphany."

"I recall that when I last entered the Great Zhou Treasure Pavilion, I seemed to have glimpsed a few words about the Seven Hearts Pill in an ancient jade slip used for alchemy. The description seemed slightly different from this formula, but I didn't have time to think about it at the time. Now, comparing the two, perhaps it can fill in the gaps in this formula."

Upon hearing this, Liu Meizhen's beautiful eyes lit up immediately: "My husband actually saw relevant records in the treasure pavilion?"

The Great Zhou Treasure Pavilion is all-encompassing, and it is not surprising that it contains ancient lost alchemical formulas and secret manuals; she had no choice but to believe it.

Fu Changsheng nodded with a smile, took a jade pen and a new sheet of silk, and with swift, flowing strokes, calmly wrote down the optimized version of the pill formula derived by the system. As he wrote, he spoke as if recalling something:

"The jade slip mentions that although the Seven Heart Begonia has powerful medicinal properties, its core creative power is hidden and cannot be released. It needs to be activated by the 'Three-Turn Pill Condensation Technique' and the stamen of the 'Earth Core Fire Lotus' as a guide to fully activate it and reduce the dissipation of medicinal power... The roles of the principal, assistant, and adjuvant ingredients can be adjusted by adding three ounces of 'Azure Stone Milk' to harmonize the fiery energy of the Fire Lotus and make the medicinal power easier to integrate..."

He kept writing, explaining the key points one by one, such as the optimized combination of medicinal materials, the slight adjustment of the dosage, the refining temperature, and the techniques for condensing the elixir.

At first, Liu Meizhen listened attentively, but the more she listened, the more shocked she became, until finally she could no longer hide her surprise and admiration!

She snatched the silk paper that Fu Changsheng had just finished writing on, her gaze sweeping over it quickly and intently, her eyes growing brighter as she deduced more:
"Wonderful! Wonderful, my husband! Adding the core of the Earth Core Fire Lotus as a catalyst has such a perfect finishing touch! And this Azure Stone Milk perfectly neutralizes its dryness and promotes the liquefaction and fusion of the medicinal power! This 'Three-Turn Elixir Condensation Technique' is even more exquisite, perfectly solving the core problem of the stagnation of medicinal power!"

She suddenly looked up at Fu Changsheng, her excitement overflowing:
"If the pills are refined according to this improved formula, the loss of medicinal power can be reduced by at least half! The success rate of pills will definitely increase greatly! The number of fully formed pills... I estimate that it will not be two, but at least four! Husband, you have done a great service this time! The value of this formula far exceeds that of the original formula!"

Looking at his wife's excited expression, Fu Changsheng smiled nonchalantly, as if he had only done a trivial thing:

"It's good if it can benefit the family. Perhaps it's fate that the Fu family is destined to obtain this complete elixir formula."

Liu Meizhen carefully put away the improved pill formula, as if holding a priceless treasure, her eyes gleaming with a shrewd, strategic brilliance.
"With this formula in hand, my Fu family is sure to reap a great harvest from this batch of Seven Hearts Pills! My husband's trip to the Treasure Pavilion this time is truly blessed!"

at the same time.

A familiar mechanical voice echoed in Fu Changsheng's mind:
"Ding"

"You have improved a pill formula for the family, earning 2,000 family contribution points."

Followed by.

The family contribution value on the panel has been changed to eight thousand.

Fu Changsheng's heart stirred slightly, and he stood up and said:
"Meizhen, I will entrust the refining of the Seven Hearts Pill to you and An'an. I will rest for a while and then head to the Demon Suppression Pass. After that, you will be in charge of all the clan's affairs."

……

Return to your private room.

He closed the magic array and with a thought, he appeared in the Five Elements Space in the next instant. As soon as Fu Changsheng stepped into the Five Elements Space, the ground beneath his feet trembled slightly.

The mysterious palace standing in the center of the space seemed to awaken from an ancient slumber, radiating a hazy and ancient glow. The indistinct runes on the surface of the palace began to flow as if they were alive, creating a wonderful resonance with the spiritual energy of the five elements in the entire Five Elements Space.

"Om-!"

Before Fu Changsheng could examine it closely, the broken cauldron in his dantian, which he had obtained from the Great Zhou Treasure Pavilion, began to tremble violently and uncontrollably, emitting a low but eager hum!
The next moment, a flash of gray light appeared, and the ancient, broken cauldron shot out from his dantian on its own, hovering in mid-air. It exuded a desolate and heavy aura, and the blurry patterns on its body became much clearer, faintly outlining the contours of mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, the sun, moon, and stars. Furthermore, an indescribable chaotic Daoist charm permeated the air.

The tremors in the central palace grew increasingly violent, as if responding to the call of the broken cauldron.

"call out!"

The broken cauldron transformed into a stream of light, no longer under Fu Changsheng's control, and flew straight toward the central palace!

Fu Changsheng's gaze sharpened, but he did not forcefully stop them. He could sense an extremely close connection between the broken cauldron and the palace. He moved swiftly, following closely behind.

The broken cauldron flew to the palace's tightly closed, enormous gate, made of an unknown material. Instead of striking it, it silently disappeared into the gate, like a drop of water merging into the ocean.

Immediately afterwards, the entire palace shone brightly! The previously dim runes on the doors lit up one by one, outlining a more complete and profound pattern. A more primal and fundamental aura than the five elements—the Qi of Chaos—seeped out from the cracks in the doors. Although extremely weak, it caused the Chaos Golden Core within Fu Changsheng's body to circulate wildly, bringing an incomparably comfortable and yearning feeling.

"Click..."

With a soft sound, the massive palace gate, which had been sealed for countless years and which Fu Changsheng had tried various methods to move without success, slowly opened a crack inward!
Although it was only a crack, it seemed to open a door to another world. A more refined and concentrated chaotic energy rushed in. Inside the door was a deep darkness, as if it contained the universe and stars. It was indistinct, with only the broken cauldron floating in the darkness behind the door, slowly rotating, like a pivot guarding the core, integrated with the entire palace and even the entire Five Elements Space.

Standing in front of the door, Fu Changsheng could clearly feel that as the palace gate opened slightly, his control over the entire Five Elements Space suddenly increased to a higher level! The space became more stable, and its range seemed to have expanded slightly. The flow of the Five Elements spiritual energy was endless, more dynamic and natural.

More importantly, the chaotic energy that kept overflowing from the crack in the door, though small in quantity, provided him with an unprecedentedly excellent environment for cultivating the "Chaos Creation Scripture"!
"So that's how it is..." Fu Changsheng's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he realized, "This broken cauldron is actually the key to opening this core palace! Or rather, it's the core component that restores some of the palace's functions!"

He tried to probe the crack in the door with his divine sense, but felt a powerful resistance. Clearly, with his current cultivation level and control over space, he was not yet able to truly step inside. Even so, the mere traces of chaotic energy emanating from the crack and the increased control over space were already an immense surprise!

"It seems that to fully open and control this palace, we need to find other innate spiritual objects with the five elements, or... other missing parts of this broken cauldron?"

He resisted the urge to sit cross-legged, refine the chaotic energy, and build his Dao foundation. Chang Lei was trapped in the Demon Suppression Pass, and he had to go there.

and.

We arrived at the Demon Suppression Pass.

He has more opportunities to make meritorious contributions.

Whether it's for his own advancement to a fifth-rank Imperial Patrolman, or for the Fu family's advancement to a fifth-rank aristocratic family, or even for opening the Yin-Yang Path and gathering fifty Golden Core Divine Souls, it's a major pathway.

Also.

Ever since the Azure Dragon awakened its true dragon bloodline, the one from the Fallen Dragon Abyss in the Eastern Wilderness has been constantly sending his subordinates to investigate the situation. This time, he was also trying to avoid the limelight.

Furthermore.

He couldn't keep Xiaoqing hidden in the Five Elements Space forever.

Emerging from the secret room.

Fu Changsheng gave Meizhen a few more instructions before taking Fu Qingyun to Zhenmo Pass.

...

...

Deep within the Fu family's alchemy room, layers of restrictions were activated, isolating the inside from the outside.

In the center stood a cauldron about ten feet tall, its body a dark gold color, with lifelike dragon and phoenix patterns swirling around it. It was the Taixu Dragon and Phoenix Divine Cauldron left behind by Fu Changsheng. Inside the cauldron, strange fire rose, its heat stable and powerful.

Liu Meizhen and her son Fu Yong'an sat facing each other, their expressions solemn.

On the table, various processed auxiliary medicines exuded a vibrant spiritual energy, with the main leaf of the seven-heart begonia, shimmering with iridescent light, being particularly eye-catching.

"Yong'an, guard your mind, circulate your magic seed, sense the flow of the medicine, and help me harmonize the monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy." Liu Meizhen's voice was steady, carrying a reassuring power.

“Yes, Mother.” Fu Yong’an nodded solemnly.

He took a deep breath, and the [Dan Fusion of Myriad Phenomena] technique seed bestowed upon him by his father quietly began to operate within his body. A strange and gentle wave emanated from his body, like the most delicate tentacles, slowly probing into the alchemy furnace, keenly sensing the subtle changes of each medicinal herb under the heat, and transmitting this perception to Liu Meizhen with unparalleled clarity.

Liu Meizhen nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Fu Yong'an's performance.

She held her breath, her eyes seemingly shimmering with seven-colored light, her seven-aperture exquisite mind operating at its peak. The "Seven Aperture Elixir Classic" complemented this mind, enabling her to process massive amounts of information in an instant and perfectly deduce the myriad changes within the elixir furnace.

"start!"

With a flick of her finger, she channeled a stream of pure magical power into the divine cauldron. The cauldron trembled slightly, and the sounds of dragons roaring and phoenixes crying could be faintly heard. The next moment, Liu Meizhen's movements were as swift as lightning, carrying a strange rhythm. The main and auxiliary ingredients were added to the cauldron in sequence, each addition perfectly timed, angled, and forceful. Her ten fingers flew, casting intricate and complex incantations that seeped into the cauldron, guiding the surging medicinal power to merge and stimulate each other.

With Fu Yong'an's full cooperation, the power of the [Dan Rong Wan Xiang] method seed meticulously soothed every trace of agitation at the point of conflict between the medicinal effects.

The entire alchemy process lasted for several months.

Inside the alchemy room, the fragrance of medicine grew stronger and stronger, eventually transforming into a unique and sweet aroma. The Taixu Dragon and Phoenix Divine Cauldron vibrated more and more frequently, and rays of auspicious light shone through the gaps in the lid.

Sudden--

Above the alchemy room, a dark cloud suddenly gathered, with lightning crackling within it! An invisible pressure from heaven and earth locked down upon it!

"The Pill Tribulation!" Fu Yong'an's expression hardened as he felt the overwhelming heavenly might, and his breath caught in his throat.

Liu Meizhen remained calm under pressure, a sharp glint flashing in her beautiful eyes: "You've come at the perfect time!"

She stood up, her hands forming a profound hand seal, and the aura of the second level of the Golden Core realm within her body erupted without reservation! However, she was not using the methods of the "Seven Apertures Elixir Scripture," but rather the ancient and domineering "Chaos Devouring Heaven Technique"!
"Boom!"

A bolt of purple tribulation lightning tore through the clouds and struck the restrictions of the alchemy room! Liu Meizhen actually guided part of the tribulation lightning's power to intercept it!

The destructive power of the lightning was forcibly twisted and refined by the Chaos Devouring Heaven Technique the moment it touched her body! An invisible chaotic vortex seemed to appear around her, domineeringly transforming the lightning into the purest primordial energy of heaven and earth, which was continuously absorbed into her body!

After the lightning strike, the dark clouds vanished, and the sky returned to its clear state.

At that moment, the Taixu Dragon and Phoenix Divine Cauldron emitted a clear and melodious sound, and its lid suddenly burst open!

Three pills, each the size of a longan, perfectly round and flawless, with natural cloud patterns on their surface, radiating a seven-colored glow and immense medicinal power, shot out and were collected one by one by Liu Meizhen in her prepared jade bottle.

Three pills were successfully formed! This far exceeds the original pill formula's limit of two pills!

Liu Meizhen closed the jade bottle, a hint of fatigue on her face, but mostly joy and satisfaction. She felt the surging, purer magical power within her body, nearly doubled in strength, and a slight smile played on her lips. Refining a portion of the Pill Tribulation power had caused her cultivation to increase dramatically, saving her at least sixty years of arduous training!
"Congratulations, Mother! Congratulations, Mother!" Fu Yong'an stepped forward, his face beaming with excitement and admiration. "You've successfully produced three pills, Mother's cultivation has advanced significantly!"

"Yong'an, you have made a great contribution to this alchemy. Before your father went to Zhenmo Pass, he instructed that if this pill is successful, one of them should be yours."

Liu Meizhen paused, looking at this composed illegitimate son, her tone becoming even gentler: "You have assisted your mother in refining the Nine-Herb Pill, the Jade-Nourishing Pill, and now the Seven-Heart Pill. You have devoted yourself wholeheartedly to refining these high-level spiritual pills three times, consuming a great deal of mental energy. This Seven-Heart Pill is a reward you deserve, and it is also your father's recognition of you."

Upon hearing this, Fu Yong'an's face lit up with joy.

He knew all too well how precious auxiliary spiritual items were for achieving the Golden Core stage; they were enough to make countless cultivators fight tooth and nail for them. This pill would undoubtedly be a tremendous aid to his breakthrough to the Golden Core realm.

However, after a moment's hesitation, he raised his head, his gaze clear and firm as he looked at Liu Meizhen, bowed deeply with his hands clasped, and spoke in a sincere yet tactful tone:
"Thank you, Mother, for informing me of Father's kindness, and thank you for acknowledging my humble contribution. However... I have a request that I dare to make."

"Oh? Please speak freely." Liu Meizhen's eyes flickered slightly, and she had already vaguely guessed what was going on.

Fu Yong'an took a deep breath and said:

"My foundation still needs to be honed. Although this pill is a treasure to me, I fear I cannot fully utilize its effects. I wish to... I would like to humbly request my mother's permission to give this Seven Hearts Pill, which my father bestowed upon me, to my mother, Qingru. She has been stuck at the Pseudo-Core Realm for a long time. If she has the help of this pill, she may be able to glimpse a glimpse of the Golden Core Path."

He spoke with utmost sincerity, his words filled with concern and filial piety for his birth mother, Yu Qingru, and without the slightest disrespect for Liu Meizhen.

Liu Meizhen listened quietly, her face showing no anger or surprise. She looked at Fu Yong'an; he was already the head of an eighth-rank aristocratic family, yet he had never displayed arrogance or pride. On the contrary, he was always composed and sensible. Although he wasn't her son, she was still very happy that the Fu family had such a talented individual.

"Since this pill was given to you by your father, you can decide how to use it. Your filial piety is commendable, and it is only natural for you to want to give this pill to your mother. Why would I object? So, I will grant your wish."

She agreed very readily, displaying the magnanimity and composure of the principal wife.

"Thank you for your kindness, Mother!" Fu Yong'an bowed again, his face showing a relieved and grateful expression.

……

Holding a jade bottle containing the Seven Heart Pills, Fu Yong'an walked briskly to the elegant courtyard where his birth mother, Yu Qingru, lived.

In the courtyard, Yu Qingru was sitting on a stone bench talking quietly with her daughter, Fu Yongning.

Sunlight filtered through the vines, illuminating Yu Qingru's hair, where a few strands of early-blooming white hair could be faintly seen hidden among her dark locks—the marks left by her years of dedicated study of the fourth-order formation.

“Mother, Ningning.” Fu Yong’an walked forward with a smile.

Yu Qingru looked up and saw her son. A gentle smile appeared on her face: "Yong'an is here. Is everything done in the alchemy room? I heard that the alchemy was successful this time?" Although she did not directly participate in core affairs, she was still well-informed.

"That's exactly why I've come." Fu Yong'an sat down beside his mother, gently placing the jade bottle on the stone table. His tone was filled with joy and solemnity. "Mother, the refining of the Seven Hearts Pill has been successful. Before Father went into seclusion, he instructed me to give him one. But after much thought, I believe that this pill... should be taken by Mother."

He opened the bottle, and immediately a pleasant fragrance that soothed the soul filled the air. The elixir was round and plump, with a shimmering glow.

Yu Qingru's smile froze instantly. She looked at the elixir, which was enough to arouse the covetousness of countless cultivators, then looked at her son, her brows furrowing sharply, her tone unusually stern:
"Confused!"

She stood up abruptly, her voice rising with urgency:
"Such a Golden Core spiritual treasure is extremely precious! You are currently at a crucial stage in your breakthrough to the Golden Core realm, and this pill is a stepping stone to the Great Dao for you! What use is it to an old woman like me? It's a complete waste! Take it back and consume it immediately to stabilize your cultivation and prepare for the formation of your Golden Core!"

Her reaction was intense; there was no trace of desire for the elixir in her eyes, only anxiety for her son's future.

Fu Yong'an did not back down. His expression remained unchanged, his gaze fixed firmly on his mother, his tone calm and composed:
"Mother, please calm down. I did not act impulsively. Please listen to me. I am the head of a branch of the Fu family in Yijingzhou. I have the support of my father and mother, and I also control the resources of the Yu family, which is about to be promoted to the seventh rank. I am still young. The more solid my foundation is, the greater my chances of forming my core in the future. I can wait for the opportunity, or I can fight for it myself!"

He paused, his voice softening, but becoming even more resolute:
“But Mother, you have been stuck at the False Core realm for a long time. This pill can help you break through in one fell swoop. Your well-being and the progress of your cultivation are the greatest support for your child. I have made up my mind about this matter, so please do not refuse, Mother.”

After saying that, he gently pushed the jade bottle toward Yu Qingru. Before his mother could object, he stood up and cupped his hands in greeting: "There are still matters in the clan that need to be dealt with. I must return to Jingzhou immediately. Mother, Ningning, take care."

He acted decisively, and after speaking, he turned and left, leaving behind a calm and reliable figure.

Yu Qingru gazed in the direction her son had left, opened her mouth, but all her scolding and persuasion ultimately turned into a complex sigh. She knew this son; he seemed gentle, but in reality, he was extremely opinionated, and once he made a decision, it was difficult to change it.

Her gaze fell back on the jade bottle on the stone table; the Seven Heart Pill's glow was soft yet dazzling.

Just then, she noticed her daughter, Fu Yongning, staring intently at the pill, her eyes filled with complex emotions—resentment, longing, and a deep-suppressed, almost burning fire of hatred.

Yu Qingru's heart clenched suddenly.

She instantly recalled the inhuman torture her daughter had suffered in the Seventh Prince's Mansion over the years, the endless suffering brought by that heartless man, and the way her daughter was on the verge of death and with her Dao foundation damaged when she escaped back home... As her mother, she had failed to protect her back then, and that was still the deepest pain and debt in her heart!
Ning'er was determined to take revenge, but her enemies were powerful, and her old injuries and mental state hindered her breakthrough to the Golden Core stage. Her desire for revenge was like a mirage. But if she had this Seven Hearts Pill... everything might be different.

At that moment, Yu Qingru acted almost without hesitation.

Her concerns about her son's future and her own desire to improve were instantly overwhelmed by her overwhelming maternal love and desire to make amends.

She reached out, firmly picked up the jade bottle, and placed it back into her daughter's hand.

Fu Yongning looked up in astonishment: "Mother? What's wrong with you...?"

Yu Qingru looked at her daughter with a gentle yet resolute gaze, her voice trembling slightly: "Ning'er, take this. This pill is for you."

"No! Mother, this is for you, brother..." Fu Yongning hurriedly tried to push it back.

Yu Qingru held her hand tightly, with astonishing strength, her eyes filled with unwavering resolve:
"Your path is harder than your mother's. You need it. Don't say anything, just take it! You have to avenge yourself. With it, you have hope."

Fu Yongning felt the slight tremor in her mother's hand and the heavy, almost sacrificial maternal love in her eyes. Looking at the elixir in her hand, which carried infinite possibilities, her eyes instantly reddened. She bit her lip tightly, nodded heavily, and clutched the jade bottle tightly in her palm, as if she had grasped the only glimmer of hope for revenge.

Looking at her daughter, Yu Qingru was filled with mixed emotions, but she felt no regret. For her child, she was willing to sacrifice everything, including the Golden Core path that was within her reach.

...

...

Inside the Fu family's council hall, the air was thick with the subtle fragrance of sandalwood, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Liu Meizhen sat upright in the main seat, watching Fu Changli and Fu Changli being led in by the servants. These two were two of the "Four Immortals" who survived the tragic massacre of their clan at Luofeng Mountain more than a hundred years ago. They were witnesses to the Fu family's resilience through calamities and were the backbone of the family.

"Third brother, fourth sister, please sit." Liu Meizhen smiled slightly, her tone gentle yet dignified.

The two sat down as instructed. Fu Changli appeared somewhat casual, while Fu Changli sat upright, looking at the mistress with a hint of confusion, wondering what the purpose of the summons was.

Liu Meizhen didn't engage in much small talk; she was always decisive in her actions. With a flick of her wrist, two exquisite jade bottles appeared on the table. The bottles were warm and smooth, yet they couldn't conceal the powerful medicinal properties and alluring fragrance emanating from within.

"This is the Seven Hearts Pill." Liu Meizhen got straight to the point, her voice clear to the two of them. "Before my husband went to the Demon Suppression Pass, he specifically instructed me to give it to you two after it was completed."

"Seven-Heart Pill?!"

"Give it to us?"

Fu Changli's relaxed expression was instantly replaced by shock, and he sat up abruptly. Fu Changli's pupils shrank, and his hands on his knees clenched unconsciously as he looked incredulously at the two jade bottles, then at Liu Meizhen.

They know all too well what this means!

This is a supreme treasure that can help people condense the golden elixir!

They were not the only talented members of the clan with the potential to reach the Golden Core stage. Why would the clan leader reserve such a precious opportunity for these "old folks"?
The next moment, a tremendous feeling of emotion swept over the two of them like a warm current.

"Patriarch... Second Brother still cares about us..." Fu Changli's voice was tinged with a barely perceptible sob. Over a hundred years have passed, and the patriarch has never forgotten his old friends, despite the heavy responsibility of reviving the family.

Fu Changli took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly: "Mistress, this pill is far too precious! There are still outstanding members of the Yong and Qing generations in the clan. They are younger and have greater potential. Giving this pill to them might..."

“My husband’s decision has its reasons,” Liu Meizhen gently interrupted her. “You two have made many sacrifices for the family, endured many hardships, and have a solid foundation and resilient character. This pill is not just a reward for you, but also the family’s expectation of you—that you two can take advantage of this opportunity to achieve the Golden Core stage and become the true pillars of the family.”

Her tone turned solemn: "Golden Core spiritual objects are rare and hard to come by. We don't know when they will appear again. This is a great opportunity for the two of you, and also a heavy responsibility entrusted to you by your families. I hope you will cherish it and not let your husband down."

As she spoke, she flicked her sleeve, and two jade bottles floated lightly to the two of them.

Fu Changli received the jade bottle with trembling hands, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world. His usual youthful smile was replaced by an unparalleled solemnity, and he nodded heavily.

"Changli... will certainly live up to the high expectations of the patriarch and mistress! He will do his utmost to achieve the condensation of the elixir!"

Fu Changli nodded solemnly.

...

...

The extraordinary phenomena of Dan Cheng could not be completely concealed.

The dark clouds that suddenly gathered above the alchemy room that day, as well as the terrifying purple lightning that tore through the sky, had already alarmed the entire Fu family.

Fairy Tianyin stood in her elegant guest courtyard, looking up at the clouds of the Pill Tribulation, her beautiful eyes sparkling with wonder, her heart churning with emotion.

"The Pill Tribulation...it actually triggered the Pill Tribulation!" she murmured, her tone filled with undisguised shock and longing. "What grade of elixir is it? Could it be...the Seven Hearts Pill?"

She had already vaguely heard that the Fu family seemed to be preparing to refine an extremely precious pill. Combined with the previous incident of Liu Meizhen going to the Wu family to ask for the pill formula, as well as the rumors of the Seven Heart Begonia ripening, the answer was almost obvious—a pill that forms a core, the Seven Heart Pill!
Her heart involuntarily quickened. Stuck at the False Core stage for so long, she desperately needed such a elixir to push open the heavy door to the Golden Core path. Although she was a guest elder, she believed she had done her utmost for the Fu family during this time, teaching music and occasionally intervening, never slacking off.

"Will the mistress... consider me?" A glimmer of hope, like a vine, quietly sprouted and entwined in her heart. She thought about her potential as a first-grade Golden Core cultivator, about her own worth—perhaps...perhaps there was a sliver of a chance?
However, a day passed, then two... The alchemy room had long since returned to calm, but the summons from the mistress, Liu Meizhen, was still nowhere to be seen.

What awaited them, however, was news that gradually emerged from within the family and was not deliberately concealed:

Fu Yongning, daughter of Yu Qingru, is in seclusion!
Family elder Fu Changli has gone into seclusion!
Family elder Fu Changli is in seclusion!
The goal is self-evident—to break through to the Golden Core realm!

The news was like a cold spring, instantly extinguishing the burning expectation in Fairy Tianyin's heart, replacing it with a sharp, icy feeling that pierced straight to the bottom of her heart.

Fu Changli and Fu Changli were one thing! They were true elders of the Fu family, survivors of the great calamity more than a hundred years ago, who had struggled alongside the Fu family from humble beginnings to rise to prominence. They had made great contributions and were highly senior. When the patriarch bestowed the Seven Heart Pill upon them, no one could utter a single word of objection. Even Tianyin could only sigh inwardly, "It is only right."

But... Fu Yongning?!
That girl, who grew up in the Yu family, only returned to the main family after adulthood, and whose most notable feature in the family is her shameful past, has never contributed anything to the family! What makes her so special? Just because she is Yu Qingru's daughter? Just because of her promising older brother, Fu Yong'an, who became the head of a branch family?
Why should the thing that Fairy Tianyin so desperately longed for and regarded as the key to the Great Dao fall so easily into the hands of a junior who has accomplished nothing?

The feeling of imbalance was like a venomous snake, frantically gnawing at her heart.

A flame of jealousy burned secretly in her eyes, distorting her originally beautiful face. Her extremely sensitive and extreme nature, honed by her long imprisonment, was now completely ignited.

She felt as if she had returned to those dark and hopeless years, where all her hopes would be dashed, and all the good things were never for her; she could only watch helplessly as she endured injustice and despair.

"The Fu family... Heh, what a Fu family!" She chuckled coldly, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible resentment. "You keep saying you value talent, but in reality, you still practice nepotism! Liu Meizhen... Fu Changsheng... You only care about your own clansmen! Have you ever truly regarded an outsider like me as a guest?"

"If I stay with the Fu family, no matter how hard I try, who knows when the next Core Formation spirit treasure will appear? Even if it does, those with the surname Fu will probably still get priority! As for me? That's just wishful thinking!"

The scales in my heart collapsed and tipped to the other extreme.

That night, the moon was dim and the stars were few.

A slender figure, almost blending into the shadows, silently left the Fu family's guest courtyard. She used exquisite disguise techniques, making her face blurry and ordinary, and concealing her aura to the extreme. Like the most cautious night stalker, she avoided all possible patrol posts and skillfully moved through the streets and alleys of the county town.

Finally, she sneaked into a secluded courtyard house in the west of the city.

Inside the courtyard, a female cultivator dressed in a black robe, her face shrouded in a faint halo, was already waiting. Her aura was deep and mysterious, carrying a subtle, eerie fluctuation.

Upon seeing the arrival of Fairy Tianyin, the black-robed female cultivator was not surprised. She merely let out a soft snort, her voice hoarse and cold: "Oh? You've finally come to your senses? I thought you were going to continue begging for handouts under the eaves of the Fu family, waiting for charity that would never come your way."

The Celestial Fairy tore off her disguise, revealing a beautiful face slightly distorted by jealousy and hatred. Her eyes no longer held their usual restraint, only a resolute madness.

"Stop talking nonsense. Do you still stand by your promise to help me form my core?"

(End of this chapter)