The remaining fifteen days slipped by without disturbance.
Luo Yun maintained his routine as before, adjusting only slightly as his cultivation stabilized at the Fourth Layer of Qi Condensation. Sword practice, talisman refinement, nightly cultivation—everything continued at a measured pace. As the time for his next sign-in approached, he weighed his options carefully.
Azure Edge Peak offered sword Qi.
Green-mist Peak offered refined medicinal aura.
The Abyssal boundary offered pressure and tempering.
Yet his thoughts kept returning to his cave.
More specifically, to the strange strawberry-like herbs growing quietly within it.
There were nine plants in total, each identical in structure but subtly different in spiritual rhythm. Two had matured faster than the others, their fruits already formed. The remaining seven showed no signs of fruiting yet, though their vitality was far from ordinary.
One of the mature plants bore azure-blue fruits, translucent and cool, pulsing softly like condensed Qi.
The other carried crimson-red fruits, deeper in color, radiating a warmth that made the air around them feel thick and heavy.
Dozens of fruits hung beneath the leaves, glowing faintly, rising and falling in rhythm—almost like breathing.
Luo Yun had searched for them in sect manuals before. Even the more complete herb catalogues at Green-mist Peak did not contain anything similar. The fact that they grew so harmoniously beside Spirit Bamboo and under the spirit-gathering core only deepened their mystery.
If sign-in rewards truly depended on location- then why not sign-in beside these two herbs. He would get something related to them, maybe even helping him use them.
And even if his idea failed, Qi density at this place- due to spirit bamboo, these 9 herbs and Qi gathering core- was very high. And the surrounding "vibe" combined- this place wouldn't give anything of lesser quality.
Even if the reward had nothing to do with the plants, it would not be wasted.
He waited until nightfall, when the cave was quiet and the spiritual field at its calmest. Then he stepped carefully between the two mature plants, positioning himself at the center of the nine.
He steadied his breathing.
And activated the sign-in.
A familiar sound echoed within his mind.
────────────────────────
Sign-In Successful.
Reward Obtained: "Herb Compendium and Basic Pill Refinement Record."
────────────────────────
A jade slip appeared in his hand.
The moment his spirit sense touched it, structured information flowed into his consciousness—not in a chaotic flood, but in clear layers, as if the creator had deliberately organized it for practical use.
Luo Yun absorbed it slowly.
This was not a high-grade alchemy inheritance. But it was far from ordinary.
The jade slip contained three major sections.
The first detailed basic spirit herb identification, covering most herbs used from Qi Condensation through early Foundation Establishment. Growth conditions, spiritual signatures, compatibility, and toxicity were all included.
As he reached the latter part of this section, his breathing slowed. The strawberry-like plants were recorded.
They were known collectively as Ninefold Vitality Berries.
Each plant matured at a different stage:
The Azure Vitality Berry — matured at around eighty years, nourishing Qi and stabilizing spiritual energy.
The Crimson Vitality Berry — also matured at eighty years, strengthening blood essence and physical vitality.
The remaining seven matured later, between one hundred and one hundred fifty years, each fruiting only once every several decades. Their effects were listed clearly:
-Strengthening meridians
-Toughening skin
-Refining bones
-Nourishing internal organs
-Enhancing recovery
-Improving Qi–body coordination
-And finally, gentle nourishment of the soul
They were body-refinement herbs of extremely high compatibility.
Their effects were strongest when consumed after physical exertion. The manual warned of two things only: excessive consumption within a short time could overload the body, and repeated use would gradually reduce effectiveness.
There were no poisons.
No hidden backlash.
Only pain.
The second section explained basic usage methods.
The berries could be taken directly, refined into soup using auxiliary herbs, or processed into pills. Unfortunately, every auxiliary herb listed was either rare or entirely unfamiliar to Luo Yun—none appeared in the sect library manuals he had seen.
For now, direct consumption was his only option.
The third section detailed basic pill refinement.
This part was far denser.
At the Qi Condensation stage, pill refinement was notoriously difficult. Without a proper pill furnace, cultivators relied on low-grade alchemy cauldrons and Qi-controlled flames. Temperature control was crude. Timing was unforgiving.
The jade slip recorded dozens extensive experience of its creator—burned herbs, shattered cauldrons, pills that turned to ash or toxic sludge. These records were not hidden. They were emphasized.
A beginner typically failed thirty to forty times before producing a usable pill.
Because of this detailed record, while refining simplest qi replenishing pill, Luo Yun succeeded on his fifteenth attempt.
Even then, the pill he produced was crude, uneven in color, and weak compared to proper sect-made pills. But it was stable, effective, and safe.
He sat quietly afterward, feeling his spirit sense ache dully.
Alchemy was not gentle.
The jade slip also recorded several Qi Condensation and early Foundation Establishment pill recipes—Qi replenishing pills, body-warming pills, minor recovery pills.
Then one entry made him pause.
A pill called Ninefold Tempering Pill.
Its effect was direct and almost unbelievable:
At Qi Condensation realm, it could raise cultivation by one minor realm.
The description was precise. The pill could be taken more than once, though its effect diminished with each use. For most cultivators, this limitation was meaningless—obtaining even one such pill was nearly impossible.
But the ingredients listed were unmistakable.
The Ninefold Vitality Berries.
All nine.
Luo Yun stared at the description for a long time.
According to the record, without special catalysts like Azure Dew or similar treasures, the berries required seventy more years to mature fully.
He exhaled slowly.
"So that's how it is…"
For now, refinement was out of reach.
After a brief pause, he reached out and plucked a single Azure Vitality Berry.
The moment he swallowed it, pain exploded through his meridians. Qi surged wildly, battering his dantian like a flood breaking through a dam. His body trembled, sweat soaking his robes as he forced himself into meditation.
He felt that flood of Qi was flowing through his meridians- he concentrated through the pain- guiding it through Qi pathways, gritting his teeth.
The process lasted an entire day.
When it finally ended, his Qi felt noticeably denser—cleaner, purer.
The next day, he consumed a Crimson Vitality Berry.
This time, the pain was worse.
Heat surged through his blood, his heart pounding violently as if it might burst. His muscles cramped, veins bulging beneath his skin. Only after long hours of controlled breathing did the sensation finally subside.
His body felt heavier. Stronger.
From that day onward, his routine changed.
Alchemy was added to his schedule.
He acquired a low-grade alchemy cauldron, small and unadorned, the kind most Qi Condensation cultivators used for practice. It cost him several spirit stones—expensive, but unavoidable. Flames were generated through controlled Qi output, steady and restrained, lest the herbs burn instantly.
He failed often.
But each failure taught him something.
And slowly, methodically, Luo Yun continued refining—not rushing, not forcing progress.
The path ahead was clear now.