C9 Soul Nourishing Pill

Xu Qing, feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders, didn't care about saving face anymore. He nodded eagerly, got up in a hurry, and with his guards in tow, didn't even bother with the carriage. They pushed through the crowd, making a beeline for the Xu family estate as if their lives depended on it.

"Take Lee Huai'en's body and get out of here. Go back and tell Lee Yu that if he wants to avenge his son, he can come find me at the House of Protector anytime!" Chen Dutian glanced at the two Lee family guards sprawled on the ground, then strode confidently into the Crimson Moon.

Pang Yuan grinned, quickly following him inside. Once they reached a private room, Pang Yuan didn't call for any maids to entertain them. Instead, he ordered a table full of food and drinks, then shut the door behind them.

"Man, you were really something back there!" Pang Yuan beamed, pouring Chen Dutian a drink, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"This Imperial Capital may seem calm, but there's a lot going on beneath the surface. My father took troops into the mountains, and plenty of people have their eyes on the House of Protector," Chen Dutian said with a wry smile, taking a sip from his glass.

Pang Yuan, being a sharp guy, paused for a moment before catching the drift of Chen Dutian's words. Throughout history, those who achieve great feats often find themselves in precarious positions. When the emperor needs you to conquer, you're indispensable, but once peace reigns, you become a potential threat.

Chen Dou's former troops were numerous, and the 500,000 elite soldiers of the Red Banner Army were fiercely loyal to him. If he ever harbored rebellious intentions, no one in the entire Phethia Dynasty could stop him.

"Today, you killed Antler Marquis Qin Fan and the eldest son of the Minister of Personnel, Lee Huai'en. Wang Xuanyang and Lee Yu won't let this slide easily!"

"Don't worry, as long as the Red Banner Army is around, no one in the Imperial Capital would dare to make a move against me! By my calculations... my father should be returning soon!"

In Chen Dutian's memory, a month later, Lord Protector Chen Dou returned triumphantly from quelling the southern empire, using the 500,000-strong Red Banner Army to overthrow the Phethia Dynasty...

Pang Yuan nodded and said, "With Lord Protector Chen holding such power, once he returns, no one in the Imperial Capital will dare challenge the House of Protector!"

The two chatted and drank for over half an hour when suddenly there was a knock at the door. Pang Yuan, slightly drunk, cursed, "Who is it? Mr. Chen and I are in the middle of something. If it's nothing important, get lost!"

"Young master, your father is calling you back!" a guard outside replied cautiously.

Thinking of his father, Pang Yuan shivered, put down his glass, stood up, and sheepishly scratched the back of his head with a dry laugh, "Brother, I have to go now. Let's catch up another day, alright?"

Chen Dutian smiled slightly, not making any effort to hold Pang Yuan back. After Pang Yuan left, Chen Dutian drank two more pots of wine before slowly getting up and walking out of the Crimson Moon.

"Sir, should we head back now?" a guard approached and asked softly.

"Yes, it's getting late..." Chen Dutian looked up at the sky, where the full moon hung high, and his father's image, Chen Dou, flashed through his mind.

"Let's stop by Herb Haven in the South Market first!"

Chen Dutian needed to quickly strengthen himself to face the impending upheaval in the capital. Although Yan Chen and Yan Nantian's plot to frame the House of Protector with Qin Fan's help had failed, their ambitions remained unchecked. They still saw Lord Protector Chen Dou as a major threat and would act sooner or later.

In this world where the strong prey on the weak, having enough power is the only way to protect his loved ones. Chen Dutian knew his real opponent was the old man in the royal city, who had reached the Skyflight level.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Chen Dutian rode up to the entrance of Herb Haven in the South Market on his tall horse. The shop was still brightly lit, and two attendants at the door saw Chen Dutian approaching with his guards. They greeted him warmly and asked, "Mr. Chen, what brings you to Herb Haven so late? Just let us know what you need, and we'll have it sent to your residence right away!"

Chen Dutian ignored the two attendants and strolled into Herb Haven. After taking a leisurely walk around, he settled into a large mahogany chair by the wall.

“Mr. Chen, please try this supreme grade Snow Ginseng Tea!” The shopkeeper personally served Chen Dutian the tea, then respectfully stepped aside.

“Hmm, I need a 300-year-old Dragonheart Herb, some Ebony Vine, and a few Iceflowers. Also, bring me a Crimson Cloud Fruit,” Chen Dutian instructed casually while sipping his tea.

The shopkeeper noted everything down and nodded, saying, “Alright, Mr. Chen, please wait a moment. I’ll get those for you right away!”

Herb Haven was the most well-stocked place for medicinal herbs in the capital. Though the items Chen Dutian requested were rare, the shop still had some in stock.

In no time, the shopkeeper returned with several boxes and placed them on the table next to Chen Dutian, chuckling awkwardly. “Mr. Chen, everything you asked for is here. Shall I have someone deliver them to your residence?”

Chen Dutian set down his teacup, opened the boxes for a quick inspection, and said softly, “No need, these herbs look quite good.”

With that, Chen Dutian took out all the silver notes from his pocket and casually tossed them onto the table.

These herbs are top-notch and incredibly rare. A mere hundred thousand dollars is nowhere near enough. However, the shopkeeper didn't dare to say much, gratefully escorting Chen Dutian out of Herb Haven. Watching them disappear into the night, he sighed, "Ah, such exquisite herbs bought by a dandy... what a waste!"

Back at his estate, Chen Dutian instructed his servants to deliver the herbs to his room and specifically asked for a high-quality furnace. He then closed the door and sat cross-legged on his bed.

In his previous life, Chen Dutian was the God-Emperor, renowned not only for his unmatched cultivation skills but also for his exceptional alchemy. Although he now only possessed the power of the Spirit Convergence level, crafting some low-level pills was still particularly easy for him.

"The Soul Nourishing Pill! A third-level pill that can condense spiritual energy and strengthen the body. If I can craft a fifth-level Soul Nourishing Pill, it might help me reach the Fifth Heaven of the Spirit Convergence level!"

In the world of alchemy, pills are classified into nine levels, with each type further divided into five stages. The higher the level, the more precious the pill. Ninth-level pills are even called divine pills, capable of miraculous feats. Crafting a fifth-level pill not only requires immense spiritual energy but also a bit of luck.

Chen Dutian held his breath, focusing intently as he circulated the energy within his body through his meridians several times. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and he raised his hand to release a burst of energy. It shot forward, crashing heavily into the furnace three yards away.