C4 The Conflict

Ye Chen cast a fleeting glance at the three acolyte disciples who had cornered him and his brow furrowed slightly. He hadn't anticipated being waylaid like this. The trio before him had been adversaries for nearly a year, their enmity tracing back to when Ye Chen first joined the Polaris Holy Land. It was then that he learned from a temple attendant that even as an acolyte, he was entitled to collect Body Tempering Pills from the Pill Hall as part of his remuneration.

With his token in hand, Ye Chen had cheerfully set out to claim his pills, only to be ambushed by these three after his collection. They, having cultivated more and possessing greater strength in numbers, gave Ye Chen a thrashing and forcibly took the freshly acquired pills from him.

Over the past year, they had waylaid Ye Chen several times, seizing his monthly allotment of Body Tempering Pills each time. Initially, Ye Chen believed that by keeping a low profile and avoiding trouble, he would be left in peace. However, he quickly learned that appearing meek often invited aggression.

Despite his preference for discretion, Ye Chen was not one to shy away from conflict. True to his nature, he refused to suffer harassment without retaliation. After standing up to the trio, he found himself on the losing end of a brutal beating, and once again, his Body Tempering Pills were taken.

Since that incident, Ye Chen had made every effort to collect his pills without crossing paths with these bullies. He knew that once back within the safety of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, they wouldn't dare to confront him on Elder Zi Yuan's territory. Yet, here he was, unexpectedly face-to-face with them once more.

Memories of their past humiliations sparked a look of revulsion in Ye Chen's eyes. "What's with that look? You got a problem with us?" sneered Chen Hen, the lead acolyte, tilting his chin up and giving Ye Chen a disdainful sideways glance. Having recently advanced to the late period of the Body Tempering Realm, Chen Hen's arrogance had only grown.

"Last month, you sneaky little thief, you made off with the Body Tempering Pill and had yourself a grand old time. This time, you're not getting away." Zhao Hu, another acolyte, said with a mocking laugh, all the while sending a challenging look Ye Chen's way.

"Hmph," Chen Hen snorted with disdain. "You've got some nerve! Last month, you had the audacity to steal the Body Tempering Pill right under our noses, costing us a significant amount of resources. Seems like you're asking for trouble. Today, you're definitely getting a lesson you won't forget."

With those words, Ye Chen realized that regardless of whether he surrendered the Body Tempering Pill, a beating was inevitable.

Thanks to his Soulcatch cultivation, Ye Chen could tell that Chen Hen's cultivation had reached the late period of Body Tempering, significantly stronger than a year ago, yet his arrogance had grown in kind.

Out of nowhere, Chen Hen's lackey, Zhao Hu, had his hand on Ye Chen's shoulder.

A moment later, a domineering force bore down on his shoulder, seemingly intent on crushing it.

Ye Chen's brow furrowed, but his face remained calm. Wakan from his Qi Sea surged forth, repelling Zhao Hu with its force.

Zhao Hu stumbled back, his face registering surprise, but his mocking smile grew even wider. "Kid, you've got some moves. I underestimated you."

"Keep your hands to yourself, or I won't be so courteous next time," Ye Chen said coolly. He might not have a great need for the Body Tempering Pill and preferred to stay under the radar, but that didn't mean he would tolerate being pushed around.

Chen Hen, the strongest of the trio and only at the late period of Body Tempering, was no match for Ye Chen. If it came to blows, Ye Chen could incapacitate them in an instant.

"Good, very good," Chen Hen said with a smirk, clapping his hands in mock approval. "I've always had a soft spot for people who talk tough without the power to back it up."

He clenched his fists, his muscles pulsing with raw power, looking ready to knock Ye Chen flat.

Almost simultaneously, the three men lunged at Ye Chen, intent on taking him down once and for all.

Upon witnessing the situation, Ye Chen didn't hesitate to act. With a mere thought, wakan surged from his Qi Sea, and his fist brimmed with astonishing power that burst forth wildly. The clash between the Soulcatch and Body Tempering realms had a predictable outcome.

Three figures lay on the ground, wailing in agony. Each of them sported dark circles under their eyes and their bodies were a patchwork of black and blue bruises. They clutched their arms and knees, clearly in pain. Ye Chen had channeled years of pent-up grievances into his blows, breaking their limbs so severely that recovery would take no less than a month.

"Shouldn't one be regarded with new eyes after a mere three days apart? Did you really think I was still the same?" Ye Chen looked down with disdain at the three he had floored, dusted off his hands, and walked away. He had no time to squander on such riffraff.

"Kid, you're done for. My big brother is Chen Shan, an outer sect disciple. You're finished," Chen Hen called out from the ground, attempting to intimidate Ye Chen even in defeat.

"Oh, I'll be waiting," Ye Chen replied coolly, paying him no mind as he continued on his way back to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Rather than waste time with these nobodies, Ye Chen was much more interested in the Vitality Restoration Pill. Once back at the stone house, he shut the door and retrieved the pill from the system. Instantly, a pristine white jade bottle materialized in his hand, filled with dozens of pills.

The Vitality Restoration Pill was renowned for its remarkable ability to strengthen one's core and enhance vitality. It was the premier choice for those in the Soulcatch realm.

"These pills really are quite effective," Ye Chen mused, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

His progress had been swift since he began practicing the Tome of the Celestial Way, fueling his desire for greater strength. Without the aid of such pills, relying solely on absorbing the divine force of heaven and earth for cultivation, it would take him at least five years to reach the Soul Nurturing stage.

For Ye Chen to evolve a godhead within five years was already remarkably quick, a feat made possible by his Yin-Yang Holy Body and dedication to the Tome of the Celestial Way. For the average person aiming for Soul Nurturing, even those deemed prodigies, the journey could easily span a decade.

With the Vitality Restoration Pill, everything changed.

Crafted from a variety of rare treasures, the Vitality Restoration Pill was unparalleled for accelerating one's cultivation.

"I hope this Vitality Restoration Pill lives up to my expectations."

Without a moment's hesitation, Ye Chen popped the Vitality Restoration Pill into his mouth. With a gulp, it slid down his throat.

As soon as the pill touched his tongue, it dissolved, unleashing a massive wave of warmth that flooded every part of Ye Chen's body.

With the power of the pill spreading, Ye Chen began to practice the Tome of the Celestial Way. The wakan in his dantian grew visibly stronger.

Time seemed to stand still as the wakan in Ye Chen's dantian surged.

He then reached a bottleneck and ascended to the peak of the middle period of Soulcatch.

"The peak of the middle period of Soulcatch!"

"Just one Vitality Restoration Pill propelled me to the peak of the middle period. If I consume a few more, could I break into the late period of Soulcatch? And with a month's consumption, might I achieve the perfection of Soulcatch?"

Opening his eyes, Ye Chen felt the burgeoning energy within him and was thoroughly pleased.

Time marched on.