Chen Cheng chewed on the Golden-backed Exotic Bear Dried Meat while contemplating the various details of today’s training.

‘I still have two Golden Scale Fruits and two Golden Flesh Carp on hand. They’re worth about twelve days of bitter cultivation. Add to that my main practice, the Secret Six Harmonies Spear…’

‘If all goes well, I should be able to condense the Ninth Pillar of Blood Qi within three or four days.’

After eating enough of the dried meat to take the edge off his hunger, Chen Cheng headed for the kitchen in the courtyard.

At that moment, the sound of stew bubbling could be heard from the pot.

Chen Cheng lifted the pot lid, and a cloud of hot steam rushed into his face.

Two Jade Fat Snakes, shimmering white, bobbed in the roiling, thick broth. Their bodies had been stewed until they were tender enough for the meat to fall from the bone.

There was also an Ink Jade Salamander in the pot. Its black skin had an oily sheen, rich with gelatin. The broth clung to it, translucent and glistening.

The medicinal properties of both were to improve one’s Root Bone. Since their effects were gentle and didn’t conflict, Chen Cheng had decided to stew them together in one pot to save time and effort.

Of course, he knew perfectly well that the effect of external aids on improving one’s Root Bone was ultimately just icing on the cake. They helped, but they weren’t the fundamental solution.

To achieve a fundamental transformation of his Root Bone, he had to rely on continuous training in Foundation Establishment Tai Chi and Inner Strength Tai Chi. Only through gradual, daily accumulation could he see results.

Today, Li Wenrou had repeatedly mentioned Innate talent, which included one’s Root Bone, Comprehension, and the extremely rare special physiques of heaven-sent prodigies and freaks of nature.

And the strength of one’s Innate talent would also affect the strength of their Innate Divine Qi.

If one wanted to perfect their Innate Divine Qi, their Root Bone was a hurdle that could never be bypassed.

For this very reason, Chen Cheng not only couldn’t stop improving his Root Bone, but he would also have to spend even more time on it in the future.

After carefully checking the pot and confirming everything was fine, Chen Cheng replaced the lid, took the two Treasure Medicines he had acquired last night, and left Guan Lan Pavilion.

They were two Healing Treasure Medicines of good quality and excellent efficacy.

However, they weren’t of much use to Chen Cheng. He had always been cautious and never fought a battle he wasn’t confident of winning. And in a battle he was sure to win, he would never get injured.

As such, keeping these two Treasure Medicines would just let them collect dust.

So, Chen Cheng decided to give them to Dong Chuo. Firstly, it was to return a favor—a matter of reciprocity—lest Dong Chuo think he was a petty person who only knew how to take advantage of others.

Secondly, he could also use this opportunity to get to know him better.

If Dong Chuo was truly as Ning Chong said—a person of excellent character worthy of a deep friendship—then Chen Cheng certainly wouldn’t mind making another friend.

No matter when or where, making as many friends as possible and ensuring one’s enemies were utterly crushed was never the wrong move.

“Senior Brother Dong just stepped out. He probably won’t be back until this evening.”

At the gate of the private courtyard, the one who opened the door was a plain-looking female disciple who appeared to be about twenty-six or twenty-seven.

She must be a trusted confidante of Dong Chuo’s; otherwise, she wouldn’t be guarding his private courtyard while he was away.

“How should I address you, Senior Sister? Could you please pass these two Treasure Medicines to Senior Brother Dong for me?” Chen Cheng asked.

“My name is Yin Xi. Senior Brother Chen is about to enter the Inner Sect, so you don’t need to call me Senior Sister.”

Yin Xi said, “As for these two Treasure Medicines, Senior Brother Chen can take them back. Senior Brother Dong has no use for them. Besides, when he gave you that gift, he wasn’t looking for anything in return.”

Chen Cheng nodded without saying much.

‘It’s perfectly normal that a Treasure Medicine I don’t value is also of no interest to him.’

“Senior Brother Chen.”

Seeing that Chen Cheng was about to leave, Yin Xi quickly spoke up again, her voice now carrying a hint of warmth:

“In three days, we’re going into the mountains to hunt. If you’re interested, you can join us. We’ll split the final haul equally. Oh, right, Ning Chong is going too.”

“…I’ll pass.”

Chen Cheng said, “I’m a complete amateur when it comes to hunting in the mountains. I’d only hold everyone back if I went.”

Yin Xi wanted to try and persuade him further, but Chen Cheng directly took his leave and departed.

For Chen Cheng, the time spent hunting in the mountains would be better spent in the water catching Treasure Fish. Whatever he caught would be his own, with no need to split it with anyone.

Besides, hunting required forming a team, cooperating, following orders, and even dealing with others’ moods. How could that compare to the freedom of being underwater all by himself?

Of course.

There was another reason why Chen Cheng had refused so decisively…

‘Dong Chuo is not someone I can get close to!’

Just now, while speaking with Yin Xi, Chen Cheng had faintly heard the sound of Dong Chuo conversing with someone in the main hall.

Although the voices were kept extremely low, Chen Cheng’s senses, far sharper than an ordinary person’s, had caught a few fragments of their conversation.

Now, instead of hurrying back to Guan Lan Pavilion, Chen Cheng slowed his pace, inching forward along the outer wall of the private courtyard.

「Inside the hall.」

Dong Chuo sat in the host’s seat, leaning back slightly. One of his large, thick hands rested on the armrest, his fingers tapping intermittently.

Seated below him was a short-haired young man with a lean frame, high cheekbones, and exceedingly sharp eyes.

The two were quietly discussing the hunt.

When Yin Xi returned, Dong Chuo shot her an inquisitive look.

“…Chen Cheng refuses to go with us.”

Yin Xi shook her head and said coldly, “That kid is much harder to deal with than Ning Chong. He’s impervious to persuasion, won’t respond to the carrot or the stick…”

“…As expected.”

Dong Chuo’s face was expressionless, his tone indifferent, making it impossible for anyone to discern his true feelings.

“Previously, Chen Cheng would rather have been swept out the door than bow his head and submit to me… From that moment on, I knew that taming him would be basically impossible…”

Dong Chuo paused, then added, “Besides, that kid is very shrewd. He took the initiative to join the Fishing Pavilion, a move that seemed baffling and self-destructive.”

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