"Brother Che, you…"
Sikong Qianluo stomped her foot bashfully. Though she had always been lively and carefree by nature, she had never encountered a situation like this before. For a moment, she felt completely flustered.
"Hehe, I'll stop teasing you."
"These pills are for you…"
Jiang Che decided not to push her any further. If she got too embarrassed and ran away, that would defeat the purpose.
"What are these pills?"
Sikong Qianluo stared at the golden, fragrant pills in her hand, astonished. Just inhaling their scent seemed to clear her mind.
Even without being well-versed in alchemy, Sikong Qianluo could tell these pills were anything but ordinary.
"This is the Youth-Retaining Pill. It keeps one's appearance youthful."
"This one is the Barrier-Breaking Pill. It allows the user to break through two minor cultivation levels without any side effects."
"That one is the Small Restoration Pill. It can increase a warrior's inner energy by ten years. While it's not exactly the same as cultivating for a decade, the result is nearly as effective."
"The last one is the Blood Qi Pill. Though not as potent as the Small Restoration Pill, it can still boost a warrior's inner energy by three years."
Jiang Che explained each pill to Sikong Qianluo in turn.
Small Restoration Pill? Youth-Retaining Pill? An increase of ten years' inner energy?
After Jiang Che's explanation, Sikong Qianluo's breathing quickened, and she could no longer remain calm.
She hadn't expected Jiang Che to possess even the legendary Small Restoration Pill!
If she consumed all of these and successfully refined their energy, wouldn't she be able to break through to the Grandmaster level with ease?
"These pills are so valuable… Are you really giving them to me, Brother Che?"
"Shouldn't you take them yourself to enhance your cultivation instead?"
Despite her overwhelming temptation, Sikong Qianluo couldn't help but voice her concern.
To her, if Jiang Che took the Small Restoration Pill, he could likely break through to the legendary Heavenly Realm.
If her man reached such a realm, who in all of Bei Li would dare challenge her?
A warrior of the Heavenly Realm was nearly untouchable in Jiuzhou. Wherever they went, they would be treated with utmost reverence.
Such warriors weren't exactly gods, but they could soar through the skies and walk unscathed through armies of ten thousand.
Even the imperial court of Bei Li would tread carefully around someone like that.
"Silly girl, I have plenty of these pills. Don't worry about me. Go ahead and take them—I'll keep watch for you," Jiang Che said warmly, touched by her selflessness.
He hadn't expected her to resist the allure of such powerful treasures and think of him first.
"Okay. Thank you, Brother Che."
Sikong Qianluo felt a rush of sweetness bloom in her heart. She no longer hesitated.
She first swallowed the Blood Qi Pill and the Barrier-Breaking Pill.
As soon as the potent medicinal energy reached her dantian, Sikong Qianluo didn't dare drop her guard.
She quickly focused her mind and began refining the power of the Blood Qi Pill.
As the energies from both pills dispersed, Sikong Qianluo's aura began to climb at a staggering pace.
Master Level Four…
Master Level Five…
Master Level Six…
The fluctuations of Sikong Qianluo's breakthrough quickly drew the attention of Li Hanyi, who had been practicing swordsmanship at the rear mountain.
Within just a few breaths, Li Hanyi appeared in the bamboo courtyard.
"Master Level Six?!"
Seeing Sikong Qianluo's aura continuously rise beneath the peach blossom tree, Li Hanyi's pupils constricted in shock.
With her sharp perception, she could clearly tell that the young girl was undergoing a series of rapid breakthroughs.
"You actually refined such pills?"
Li Hanyi turned to Jiang Che, her expression complex.
Just yesterday, Sikong Qianluo had only been at Master Level Three. Now, she had jumped three levels in mere moments.
There was no need to ask—this was undoubtedly Jiang Che's doing.
That he had managed to concoct pills capable of significantly boosting cultivation was simply astonishing.
"Yes."
Jiang Che nodded lightly, not bothering to deny it.
At that moment, Sikong Qianluo finished refining the energy from the Blood Qi and Barrier-Breaking Pills.
Without any hesitation, she stabilized her realm briefly, then swallowed the final pill—the Small Restoration Pill.
Boom!
Under Li Hanyi's stunned gaze, Sikong Qianluo's aura surged again.
Master Level Seven…
Master Level Eight…
Master Level Nine…
Grandmaster Level One…
Grandmaster Level Two…
Eventually, her aura stabilized at Grandmaster Level Two!
She was now only slightly weaker than Yin Luoxia herself.
After reaching Grandmaster Level Two, Sikong Qianluo didn't immediately wake. Instead, she remained seated, calmly working to consolidate her newly gained power.
Breaking through so many levels in one go required a solid foundation—otherwise, her cultivation would become unstable.
Though she had relied on medicinal pills to achieve this rapid ascension, it would now be impossible for her to make another breakthrough for at least a month.