Chapter 38
Fleeing Like The Wind
“Ah, the method is right,” nodded Chi Defeng. “When facing an evil entity, you either need deep cultivation to endure it or run. If you can’t escape, there is no other way.”
“Is it true that the evil entity can cause hallucinations?” suddenly asked Chen Fei.
“Have you encountered this level of the evil entity?” Chi Defeng looked at Chen Fei with some surprise.
“I’m not sure,” Chen Fei shook his head.
“The evil entity indeed varies in strength and severity. The kind that causes hallucinations is the most troublesome.”
After thinking for a moment, Chi Defeng ran to another room and returned shortly after with a secret manual in his hand, which he handed to Chen Fei.
Chen Fei looked at Chi Defeng with confusion.
“Clear Heart Formula.”
“From the Cloud Sword Sect?”
“Not all techniques are from Cloud Sword Sect,” Chi Defeng laughed and cursed, “I don’t know which sect it’s from. It’s not helpful for cultivation and can’t be used to harm enemies. It can only calm the mind and help beginners remain level-headed in emergencies.”
“Can it help one break free from the hallucinations caused by the evil entity?”
“Only by cultivating to a high level,” Chi Defeng nodded, “but mastering Clear Heart Formula is extremely difficult, and even if you manage to master it, the difficulty of cultivation is immense. You must be mentally prepared.”
Chen Fei was overjoyed to receive the secret manual. Finally, he had another way to escape from the evil entities.
“What about the disciples of Cloud Sword Sect? How do they avoid having hallucinations?” Chen Fei remained curious about the sect.
“Thunderous Sword Force. This technique is imbued with the power of thunder, making it immune to the effects of the evil entity. Cloud Sword Sect has many similar techniques,” shrugged Chi Defeng.
Chen Fei grinned. It was no wonder that top sects had comprehensive systems of techniques, making it unnecessary to think so much. It was only cultivators like him who had to scramble for whatever they could get.
Surprisingly, Chi Defeng didn’t charge an exorbitant price for Clear Heart Formula. Perhaps he realized that few would be willing to purchase such a supplementary manual, or maybe he was simply being kind.
For most warriors, practicing internal energy and techniques was already arduous enough. Learning a technique that was difficult to master and couldn’t directly harm enemies would be unappealing.
Even without the interface, Chen Fei still wouldn’t have wanted it. It wasn’t due to a lack of effort but rather his limited talent, time, and energy.
“Simplifying Clear Heart Formula…simplification was successful…Clear Heart Formula → Coldwater Hair Wash!”
Chen Fei blinked. So this was a way to reduce brain heat through physical means?
Several days had passed since then, and apart from his daily internal energy practice, Chen Fei had spent most of his time integrating new footwork techniques. He wasn’t able to deduce the formula for the Light Spirit Pill yet, so for now, the most important thing was his speed.
In the recent incidents he had encountered, if Chen Fei hadn’t been fast enough, he would have been defeated. Therefore, in addition to cultivating his internal energy, footwork was his top priority. As new techniques were continually integrated, Chen Fei could feel himself getting faster and faster.
Even his normal speed was gradually approaching his previous sprinting state. Chen Fei had never seen a warrior who had reached the Marrow Tempering realm and wondered what kind of speed they would have. Based on his estimation, he was probably on par, if not a little slower.
As for Clear Heart Formula, Chen Fei didn’t neglect it. Besides the threat of the evil entities, he found that his state of mind had become much calmer since he started practicing it.
Previously, due to his insufficient strength and various dangerous situations in the outside world, Chen Fei always lacked a sense of security. This lack of security manifested itself in his constant grinding for experience. He had no leisure time or entertainment and was always practicing various techniques.
This tension made Chen Fei unconsciously anxious, but the exhaustion deep in his heart was also accumulating and uncontainable. However, after practicing Clear Heart Formula, Chen Fei was able to treat external crises and vigilance more calmly than before, no longer allowing them to constantly surround his mind.
In simpler terms, Chen Fei could now face things with a relatively calm attitude. This change resulted in a relaxation of his body and mind, despite his continuous efforts to improve. His mindset was gradually changing.
The North City Medical Hall continued to operate as usual, and the Zhang family had brought in some guards from other places. However, the position of managing the medicine hall was now vacant.
They didn’t ask Chen Fei to take up the position permanently but allowed him to temporarily take on the responsibilities until further arrangements were made.
Chen Fei was in the pill refining room of the medicine hall refining the Qi Rejuvenation Pill. Recently, he had stopped refining Vitality Pills and started to showcase his skill in refining Qi Rejuvenation Pill instead. In order to maintain his relatively genius character, Chen Fei couldn’t always be refining Vitality Pills.
Upon discovering that Chen Fei was capable of refining the Qi Rejuvenation Pill, he could clearly feel a change in attitude from the Zhang family. Obviously, the Zhang family had shifted their focus from Chen Fei being just a slightly talented alchemist to an object of great interest.
At this rate, perhaps in another decade or so, the Zhang family would willingly bestow upon Chen Fei the recipe for the Light Spirit Pill.
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the pill room. Just as Chen Fei stepped out, Liu Jun ran up to him and exclaimed, “The army has entered the city! The army has entered the city!”
Chen Fei furrowed his brows. In the end, the army had arrived at Pingyin County. However, it was unclear whether they intended to station themselves there or if they were merely passing through.
That night, the most prosperous restaurant in Pingyin County was aglow with light.
Both the county officials and the various prominent families were gathered there, hosting a banquet for the army’s generals.
Chen Fei was also invited but only sat in the corner of the restaurant’s first floor.
As the wine flowed, the atmosphere in the restaurant became increasingly lively. Chen Fei watched the people around him but said nothing, nor did he attempt to strike up a conversation. He simply regarded himself as a transparent individual.
It was only approaching midnight when the feast finally ended. The next day, the various prominent families began contributing supplies to the army, including medicinal herbs, elixirs, grains, meats, and a considerable amount of silver.
At the same time, they began conscripting young men into the army to replenish their depleted numbers.
Due to the army’s arrival, the entire Pingyin County was in a state of great commotion.
As the deputy manager of the medical hall, Chen Fei was responsible for arranging the supply of various elixirs and was tasked with refining the Qi Rejuvenation Pill.
In private, Chen Fei heard some complaints from the Zhang family. Clearly, the level of their contributions had exceeded what they had voluntarily agreed to. However, with the military’s power at play, the Zhang family had no choice but to comply.
Through other channels, Chen Fei inquired about the cultivation methods of the soldiers. In the end, he was somewhat disappointed to find that most of them practiced extremely rudimentary techniques.
Only the generals had more advanced cultivation methods, but they were unlikely to teach others their techniques.
After all kinds of resources were filled into the army, on the fifth day, the troops stationed outside the city suddenly withdrew.
This withdrawal left the people of Pingyin County somewhat puzzled. Shortly thereafter, news arrived that rebels had appeared ten miles outside the county and were heading towards them in a frenzy.