"Gulp."

Chen Ye's Adam's apple moved as he hesitated no more, throwing the nearly priceless top-grade Qi Nourishing Pill directly into his mouth.

The pill melted instantly, not with the overwhelming force he had imagined, but like a gentle stream, slowly flowing into his limbs and bones.

The feeling wasn't like swallowing a pill; it was more like savoring an exquisite delicacy.

An hour later, after refining the medicinal power, Chen Ye slowly opened his eyes.

Feeling his internal spiritual power, it had become slightly purer than before, and his cultivation stabilized at the early stage of the Qi Cultivation eighth layer.

"The effect is approximately... forty percent stronger than that of upper-grade pills!"

Chen Ye silently assessed in his heart,

"But the most crucial thing is, after consuming it, there wasn't the slightest feeling of stagnation inside me, as if this spiritual power was something I achieved through diligent cultivation."

It's just a pity that this type of Qi Nourishing Pill wasn't very effective for someone like Chen Ye, who was already in the late period of Qi Cultivation.

But practicing alchemy isn't only for one's own use.

Feeding it to disciples or selling it were both good options.

...

The next day.

Peach Mountain District, Wei Family residence.

In a luxuriously decorated hall, Wei Cheng is sipping spirit tea, laughing and chatting with a few Wei Family cultivators.

"Brother Wei."

A middle-aged cultivator, dressed in fine clothes and somewhat resembling Wei Cheng, put down his teacup and asked with a smile,

"That new supervisor at Lisong Valley, has there been any movement from him recently?"

Wei Cheng chuckled softly at the words:

"That fellow Chen, he's just a hothead. Humph, does he think he's impressive just because he's become a steward? He's just a frog in a well. Ever since his recruitment attempt failed, there's been no activity, hiding in the valley all day, not knowing what he's up to. He must be terrified by the mess of a garden."

Wei Cheng picked up his teacup, shaking his head disapprovingly.

He's seen many such cultivators.

Especially those who jump from loose cultivator to steward, thinking they are superior.

Little do they know, a steward is just a laborer for the sect, how could they compete with a cultivation clan like the Wei Family?

Even with the sect's backing, does the Wei Family not have anyone in the Lingyin Sect?

"That's good then. Once you acquire Lisong Valley, you'll be a great merit to the Wei Family!" The middle-aged cultivator looked excited, suddenly mocked, "That Chen Ye is really clutching at straws. Those peach farmers are just sheep for the Wei Family, how would they dare defy us and turn to him?"

Just as everyone was laughing and chatting happily.

A servant suddenly ran in from outside, kneeling in panic, trembling as he reported:

"Steward Wei! It's bad news!"

Wei Cheng frowned, displeased, "Panicking like this, what decorum is this! Speak quickly!"

The servant swallowed, pointed towards the direction of Peach Grove Collection, stammering, "Peach... Peach Grove Collection, that... that Chen Steward of Lisong Valley, has... has gone to recruit again!"

"Oh?" Wei Cheng sneered at the news, dismissively saying, "Let him go then. Last time he went back empty-handed, this time won't be any different. Surely no one with brains would respond to him?"

"No... no, Steward!"

The servant was almost in tears,

"This time is different! That... that Lin Jinghua of the Lin Family, he's... he's the first one to step up! Now... now the fruit farmers of the Wei Family, they're... they're about to be recruited by that Chen Steward!!"

"What?! Didn't he only recruit ten people? Wait, why would anyone respond? And why is it happening to the Wei Family?"

Wei Cheng's smile froze instantly, his mind on the verge of exploding.

The servant, face pale with fear, kowtowed hurriedly: "Yes... he has recruited over thirty, all seasoned fruit farmers! And... more than half are from the Wei Family's Peach Garden!"

"What?"

Wei Cheng's vision darkened; how could Chen Ye recruit from the Wei Family?

Wait a minute...

He remembered now, for the sake of obtaining sect protection and benefits, the Wei Family's peach garden was under the nominal ownership of the Lingyin Sect.

Therefore, he was previously able to bring outer sect disciples from Lisong Valley to the Wei Family's peach garden.

Similarly, Chen Ye had the authority to move the Wei Family's peach farmers to Lisong Valley, only needing higher-level sect approval.

Officially, it's legitimate to do so,

but which higher-level sect official would do something so lacking in morals??

A mysterious golden-furred ball scratched its head, "Huh? Which jerk dares to curse this lady behind her back!"

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