I accidentally Married the Leader of the Noble Path

Chapter 31 - Inferior Minor Essence Pill



The fire had stopped.

When the furnace lid was opened, thick green mist billowed out, overwhelming the chimney’s capacity to vent it all, leaving the entire medicine room shrouded in a somber haze.

Qin Nan had to open the medicine room door to clear the smoke.

After waiting a moment, the smoke had mostly dissipated.

Qin Nan stepped back into the medicine room, looking at the still-warm alchemy furnace with anticipation.

Using tongs, he retrieved the pills from inside.

On a small stone tray lay more than a dozen freshly made pills, still steaming hot.

Each pill was slightly larger than a thumb, not very smooth, resembling walnuts with uneven surfaces.

The appearance wasn’t great. Looking closer at their quality, they lacked translucence, and there were quite a few impurities.

Qin Nan picked up one pill, weighed it in his hand, and blew on it to cool it down.

Finally, it was cool enough to hold properly.

Using his fingernail, he scraped off a tiny bit and placed it in his mouth to test the effect.

“Though the appearance leaves much to be desired, the efficacy is decent,” Qin Nan said with delight.

His efforts and the resources he had spent were not in vain.

Without hesitation, Qin Nan popped the pill into his mouth, crunching it as he chewed and swallowed.

True alchemy pills wouldn’t need chewing—they would dissolve instantly upon entering the mouth.

But he had no choice. Even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice.

For Qin Nan to use wild herbs, supplemented with a few spirit plants, and refine them with a subpar furnace into actual pills was already an impressive feat.

Other alchemists of his level wouldn’t dare guarantee success with such materials.

The pill he had created was called the Minor Essence Pill, a common pill in the world of cultivation.

Most alchemists began their journey with this basic recipe.

However, due to insufficient ingredients, Qin Nan’s version was merely an inferior variant of the Minor Essence Pill.

Still, the effects were not far off.

With better materials in the future, he might even refine a proper Minor Essence Pill.

After taking the pill, Qin Nan quickly felt warmth spreading from his abdomen. Subtle changes began to manifest in his muscles and bones as the pill’s effects kicked in.

He immediately sat cross-legged, circulating his Demonic techniques to better absorb the energy and enhance his physique.

Although the Minor Essence Pill was a foundational item, it was known for its versatility, often called the “universal pill.”

It could heal injuries, detoxify, cure ailments, enhance physique, and even extend one’s lifespan.

Suitable for all ages, it could be used by both cultivators and ordinary people, albeit with milder effects.

“The effects are lacking,” Qin Nan muttered, grabbing a handful of the inferior Minor Essence Pills and stuffing them into his mouth, crunching away.

Even though the pills were subpar, consuming several at once made up for the deficit in efficacy.

Almost instantly, he felt an overwhelming surge of heat in his abdomen, several times stronger than before.

Without delay, he circulated his demonic techniques to absorb the potent energy.

Sweat poured down his flushed body, soaking his clothes.

An hour later, Qin Nan opened his eyes, radiating sharp brilliance. He felt refreshed, as though he had shed ten years of age.

Even though he was already young, feeling ten years younger would take him back to the age of wearing open-crotch pants.

His body was covered in grime, the impurities expelled by the Minor Essence Pill cleansing his physique.

Anticipating this, Qin Nan had worn old clothes, not minding the mess.

After checking his cultivation, he found he had advanced to the third stage of the Qi Drawing Realm.

Though it was only a single-stage increase, the Minor Essence Pill wasn’t meant for rapid cultivation breakthroughs.

Gaining one stage was already impressive.

His physique had improved significantly, his meridians strengthened, and his innate talent enhanced. Future cultivation would be much smoother.

Leaving the medicine room, Qin Nan immediately spotted a graceful, elegant figure waiting for him.

It was his wife, Shangguan Rouyue, her gaze steady and intent.

“Wifey, have you been waiting long?” Qin Nan asked.

He was a bit flustered but managed to maintain a calm demeanor.

While cultivating in the medicine room, he had hoped she hadn’t noticed.

“I just got here. You’ve been in the medicine room for a long time, and I was worried something might have happened,” Shangguan Rouyue replied.

“I’m fine. I even successfully refined the Minor Essence Pill,” Qin Nan said.

“I can tell. Your filthy appearance must be from taking the pill, right?” she asked.

“Exactly. Even though it’s an inferior version, the effects are decent,” Qin Nan said.

“To refine a Minor Essence Pill with regular herbs and a few spirit plants using a basic furnace is quite impressive. If you were nurtured by a sect, you’d surely become an alchemy master,” Shangguan Rouyue praised.

“It’s nothing,” Qin Nan said, feigning modesty while puffing up slightly with pride.

“You’re dirty. Let me prepare a bath for you,” Shangguan Rouyue offered.

“Thank you, dear,” Qin Nan said, not bothering with formalities.

After all, they were an old married couple—no need to stand on ceremony.

“Bathing alone feels lonely. Why don’t you join me? We’ve never bathed together,” Qin Nan suggested mischievously.

Shangguan Rouyue’s face reddened slightly. She shot him a reproachful look but said nothing, heading toward the house.

Watching her graceful figure, Qin Nan couldn’t tell if her silence meant agreement or rejection.

Either way, he was hopeful.

Having planned for this, Qin Nan had already bought a large wooden tub yesterday while purchasing a new alchemy furnace.

When they emerged from the room, both had damp hair, their expressions relaxed, and they wore clean clothes.

Perhaps due to the hot bath, Shangguan Rouyue’s cheeks were still flushed, her demeanor shy.

“These Minor Essence Pills are for you, dear,” Qin Nan said, handing her several walnut-like pills.

Shangguan Rouyue, however, didn’t accept them.

“I don’t need them. You can take them yourself,” she said.

Qin Nan knew his wife wasn’t rejecting the pills because of their poor appearance but genuinely didn’t need them.

With her physique, the Minor Essence Pills—especially the inferior ones—had no effect on her.

Later, when Yang Xiaoqi visited the Qin family, Qin Nan gave her a few pills and directed her to the training grounds in the backyard to absorb the energy.

Being at the Body Refinement stage, she hadn’t yet cultivated true Qi, so she could only perform basic breathing exercises. Once she reached the Qi Drawing Realm, she would develop true Qi and officially step onto the path of cultivation.

The Body Refinement stage and Qi Drawing Realm marked a critical dividing line.

Half a day passed.

When Yang Xiaoqi didn’t return from the training grounds, Qin Nan, worried something might have gone wrong, went to check.

He arrived just as Yang Xiaoqi finished her practice. Her body was covered in grime, her clothes clinging to her figure, accentuating her delicate curves.

Even though he knew her chest was padded, the sight was still somewhat… captivating.

“Brother Qin Nan, I’m so dirty,” Yang Xiaoqi said.

“I can see that. Head to the nearby spring for a bath. Your clothes are filthy, so take them off—I’ll find you something clean to wear,” Qin Nan instructed.

“Okay,” Yang Xiaoqi replied, heading toward the spring.

At the spring, she loosened her collar, revealing a glimpse of fair skin.

 


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