“This is... the effect of Dao Comprehension?”
Qin Guiya's heart raced as he turned his attention to the Alchemy problem that had plagued him for many years.
During the Foundation Establishment Stage, he had tried to learn Alchemy, hoping to compensate for the slow Cultivation of his Four Spiritual Roots.
However, after continuously blowing up multiple Pill Furnaces, he had to admit that his talent in this Dao was limited.
Even for his most proficient Grain Abstinence Pill, the Pill formation rate was only about 60%.
At this moment, those failed experiences were infinitely magnified and dissected under the “Dao Comprehension” state.
Fire control, Medicinal Pill compatibility, timing for Pill condensation... every mistake was clearly visible.
Qin Guiya absorbed these “lessons” ravenously, continuously simulating various Alchemy scenarios in his Sea of Consciousness.
The Blue Sprout Pill, a High Grade First-Order Medicinal Pill, was his nightmare; he had only succeeded once in thirty-seven attempts back then.
Now, the characteristics of every Spirit Medicine in the Pill Formula were clear to him.
The blue heart grass needed to be picked at midnight to retain the essence of moonlight.
The Cloud-Rain Flower needed its stamens removed and petals kept to avoid bitterness.
During Fusion, the heat should start high and then reduce to low... “So that’s how it is!”
Qin Guiya suddenly opened his eyes, realizing he had unconsciously taken out the Alchemy Jade Slip he had treasured for many years.
If he were to start a Pill Furnace now, he would be 90% confident in successfully refining a Blue Sprout Pill in one go, and its quality would definitely not be bad!
The Dao Comprehension state was still ongoing, and he quickly reviewed several other Medicinal Pills he had attempted.
The fire control issue of the Low Grade First-Order Gathering Qi Pill, the Spirit Medicine ratio of the Medium Grade First-Order Nourishing Qi Pill... one by one, the problems were resolved.
Just as he was about to delve deeper into the deduction of Second-Order Pills, the cool sensation in his Sea of Consciousness suddenly receded.
Qin Guiya clicked his tongue, feeling a sense of loss.
“It lasted for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea...”
He estimated, yet he was already content.
The gains from this short period were comparable to decades of hard Cultivation for an ordinary person!
If he could regularly obtain such leaves, why would he worry about failing in the Dao of Alchemy?
Amidst his excitement, Qin Guiya suddenly realized a crucial question: How were the leaves generated?
Was it due to the natural maturation over time, or was it related to his Dual Cultivation with Liu Qingchan?
To verify, he carefully recalled the number of intimate encounters in recent days and the changes in the leaves.
The first leaf grew in ten days, during which they had been intimate five times... Was this frequency high or low?
Were there other factors influencing the growth of the leaves?
“Husband?”
Liu Qingchan’s voice came from outside the door, “Dinner is ready.”
Qin Guiya collected his thoughts.
These mysteries could be unraveled slowly; what was more important now was cultivating his feelings for Liu Qingchan.
Whether it was for the growth of the Ancient Tree or for his own... affection for her?
On the dining table, the aroma of Spirit Bamboo Shoot Soup wafted, and next to it were a plate of stir-fried Spirit Mushrooms with meat and several seasonal side dishes.
Liu Qingchan carefully ladled the soup, afraid of spilling a single drop.
“You sit down and eat too.”
Qin Guiya took the soup bowl, gesturing for her to sit beside him instead of across from him.
Liu Qingchan’s fingers trembled.
After ten years together, this was the first time Qin Guiya had invited her to share a meal at the same table.
She sat down, head lowered.
“The Spirit Medicine in the Spirit Field...”
Qin Guiya found a topic, “Which one do you find the most difficult to Cultivate?”
Upon mentioning Spirit Plants, the stiffness in Liu Qingchan’s eyes immediately dissipated a bit:
“The Fire Spirit Grass is the most troublesome; it’s very sensitive to soil moisture. A little too dry and it withers, a little too wet and it rots...”
As she spoke, her voice gradually became more fluid, “However, I’ve found that if watered at noon, it can neutralize some of the fire Qi...”
Qin Guiya listened and nodded, secretly surprised.
The method Liu Qingchan described was not even recorded in the “Myriad Spirits Compendium,” clearly something she had discovered on her own.
This kind of intuition for Spirit Plants was definitely not as simple as “average” talent.
He thought that the “average” talent on the branch should be a different talent tier compared to external Spirit Planters.
Dinner concluded in a rare harmonious atmosphere.
Qin Guiya voluntarily helped clear the dishes, startling Liu Qingchan so much that she almost dropped a plate.
“Husband, you seem... very happy today?”
She asked tentatively, her fingers twisting the corner of her clothes.
Qin Guiya looked at her gentle profile in the candlelight, suddenly feeling an urge to confide.
But the secret of the Ancient Tree Space was too significant, and he ultimately held back:
“Yes, I’ve figured out some Alchemy problems.”
“Alchemy?”
Liu Qingchan’s eyes lit up; she had never seen her husband practice Alchemy before?
“Qingchan.”
Qin Guiya suddenly held her hand, “Tomorrow I will go to the Scripture Pavilion to look up some Pill Formulas.”
The Scripture Pavilion was a Family stronghold, and Liu Qingchan, being an outsider, found it difficult to enter.
Liu Qingchan quickly lowered her head: “I... I will definitely take good care of the Spirit Medicine at home and prepare dinner, waiting for Husband to return.”
“Mm.”
Qin Guiya nodded.
When it was time to sleep, Qin Guiya actively pulled Liu Qingchan into his arms.
The woman’s body was stiff at first, but soon relaxed, nestling obediently against his chest.
A faint Medicinal Pill scent emanated from her hair, inexplicably reassuring.
“Qingchan.”
In the darkness, Qin Guiya whispered, “Do you want to learn Alchemy?”
The person in his arms clearly trembled: “I... can I?”
Her voice was full of longing and uncertainty.
“Of course.”
Qin Guiya stroked her cheek, “Once I achieve some success in the Dao of Alchemy, I will teach you.”
This promise made Liu Qingchan suddenly turn and hug him, burying her face in the crook of his neck, warm liquid dampening his skin.
Qin Guiya gently patted her back, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He had initially approached Liu Qingchan for the growth of the Ancient Tree, but now he was genuinely starting to want to treat her well.
In his Sea of Consciousness, the side branch of the Ancient Tree gently swayed, and a new bud quietly formed again... In the morning light, Qin Guiya exited his internal observation state, a smile unconsciously playing on his lips.
On that side branch in his Sea of Consciousness, a new tender bud had sprouted again.
He turned to look at Liu Qingchan, who was still sound asleep beside him.
The woman lay on her side, her dark hair spread across the pillow.
Her loose nightgown had slipped from her shoulder, revealing a section of her fair neck.
Qin Guiya reached out and gently stroked her hair, his heart now certain.
The growth of the Ancient Tree’s tender bud was indeed related to their Dual Cultivation.
“Mm... Husband is awake?”
Liu Qingchan groggily opened her eyes, and seeing her husband so close, her cheeks immediately flushed.
After Qin Guiya said he would teach her Alchemy last night, their intimacy had grown even deeper than before.
“Sleep a bit longer.”
Qin Guiya said softly, “Today I need to go to Thousand Eye Island.”
The Scripture Pavilion was an important place for the Qin Family, not on their branch Family’s Peach Forest Island.
Liu Qingchan, however, had already propped herself up: “I’ll go prepare breakfast.”
As she spoke, her nightgown slipped further, revealing a large expanse of fair skin.
She hastily pulled her robe together, but seeing Qin Guiya’s burning gaze, her earlobes flushed.
Breakfast consisted of Spirit Rice porridge and a few side dishes, and Liu Qingchan had even specially steamed a basket of Hundred Flower Cakes.
Made from flour mixed with the dew of ten kinds of Spirit Flowers, it was a popular pastry on Thousand Eye Island.
“When did you learn this?”
Qin Guiya picked up a piece of pastry, surprised by its Qi content.