"By the time I learned of its existence, I had already been excluded from the core of the Qin Family."

She sighed repeatedly: "So, I still don’t know the detailed information about this Medicinal Pill."

"However, I suspect this Medicinal Pill is related to the Demonic Path."

"Demonic Path?"

"Exactly." Qin Xijun nodded: "In recent years, many young disciples with low Aptitude have inexplicably gone missing or died young."

"Last year, the branch family had five children with Spiritual Roots. This spring, only three remained."

"The Elder said the other two died of illness."

"I wanted to find out the reason, but there were always people obstructing my investigation with various excuses."

"I suspect it might be related to that Medicinal Pill."

Song Yan frowned after hearing Qin Xijun’s words.

He was no longer the naive youth he once was.

Inferring from the worst-case scenario, if the situation truly matched Qin Xijun’s guess, then refining that Medicinal Pill, which could enhance Cultivation Aptitude, required "sacrificing" the lives of others.

Then, both the effect of the Medicinal Pill and the conditions required for it were similar to the Spirit Transformation Blood Pill.

Perhaps it was a more advanced Medicinal Pill in terms of the Spirit Transformation Blood Pill’s medicinal properties.

"Colluding with the Demonic Path?"

This was no small matter.

"Can’t we report it to the Sect?"

"The problem now is that there’s not enough evidence, and..."

"The Elder currently responsible for overseeing such matters in the Cave Abyss Sect is Yang Wenxuan."

"..."

So that’s how it is... Song Yan took a deep breath.

The Qin Clan was a quagmire.

He could hardly imagine the pressure and torment Qin Xijun endured while dealing with her former "clan relatives."

"This matter involves too much, and it’s not something you and I can decide."

Qin Xijun said: "You just need to remember to stay away from the Qin Family."

Song Yan nodded.

He had no interest in factional struggles.

He certainly didn’t want to spend his time, which he could use for Cultivating his Sword Dao, on assessing situations and engaging in schemes.

He was merely affected, and Granny Qin had already extricated herself from the muddy waters of the Qin Family.

The most urgent matter at hand was to quickly become stronger.

His reliance was his Cultivation and Sword Dao.

Since Yang Wenxuan had attacked him without reservation, it didn’t mean he should have restrained his sharpness.

On the contrary, it only indicated one thing.

That was, the strength and talent he displayed were far from enough.

He needed to advance fearlessly, to show his brilliance... to join Demon Subduing Peak!

Demon Subduing Peak, which reported directly to the Sect Master and took orders from Daoist Lijun, without needing to show deference to any Elder!

Thinking of this, Song Yan no longer lingered.

He bid farewell to Qin Xijun.

"There’s still two and a half days... actually, there’s enough time."

He didn’t immediately return to his Immortal Cave, but first went to Lingyuanze Market.

He purchased a batch of Spirit Medicine.

After experiencing major events, people need rest; this is normal.

The Way of Civil and Martial Arts, a balance of tension and relaxation.

One’s mindset also tends to relax.

However, if the relaxation lasts too long, people often develop a procrastinating thought.

That is, "Let’s wait until this period passes."

"Once the current trivia are over, then I’ll seriously continue Cultivating."

In reality, starting now presents no problems; the only obstacle is one’s mindset.

The former Song Yan was like this, always thinking of starting Body Refining after the decisive battle ended.

But now, he had changed his mind.

Let’s start now.

Returning to the Immortal Cave.

He took out a jade box from his qiankun bag; it was the Qilin Blood Essence obtained from the Hidden Qilin Cloud Cave.

To this day, Song Yan didn’t know the difference between "essence blood" and "ordinary blood" in a Demon Beast’s body.

When he asked Xiao He, she knew nothing.

However, it was probably similar to the importance of a Cultivator’s essence blood.

According to the description of the nameless Body Refining Cultivation Technique, mixing Qilin Blood Essence directly with clear water for Body Tempering also yielded excellent results.

If conditions allowed, some Spirit Medicine could be supplemented.

On one hand, the effect would be better; on the other hand, the rejection of Demon Beast blood would be alleviated by the medicinal liquid.

The Spirit Medicine mentioned in it was not too expensive or rare, and Song Yan had already purchased all of it.

Divine Sense, Spiritual Power, Sword Qi, Sword Techniques—these all required long-term effort.

It was unrealistic to achieve significant progress in these areas in a short time.

Body Refining, in fact, was very suitable.

He had been thinking about the necessity of physical strength Cultivation for a Sword Cultivator for a long time.

A stronger body could undoubtedly carry more Sword Qi.

Furthermore, a major reason why Song Yan temporarily couldn’t use many sword-controlling techniques was that his Meridians couldn’t withstand the corresponding intensity of Sword Qi flow.

Thinking of this, Song Yan’s heart burned with eagerness.

He took out the purchased Spirit Medicine one by one and arranged them neatly on the stone platform.

"Green Forest Grass, Cloud Branch..."

"Crimson Flame Fruit."

In the center of the Cultivation room, a half-human-tall bronze Medicine Cauldron was already prepared.

This item was an old one Song Yan had acquired when he was still an outer disciple; although not a Spiritual Artifact, it was sturdy and durable.

Originally used for boiling medicinal liquids, it might now be used for medicinal baths.

His gaze sharpened; he first took the Cloud Branch and gently broke it.

Milky-white sap seeped from the broken end of the branch, dripping into the Medicine Cauldron.

Then, clear water was poured into the cauldron, and the other Spiritual Plants and Spirit Medicine were placed inside, one by one, as described in the Cultivation Technique.

Finally, he solemnly opened the jade box containing the Qilin Blood Essence.

As soon as it was opened, a scorching aura rushed out, and the blood in the box flowed slowly like a living thing.

Without further hesitation, he poured the Qilin Yao Blood into the cauldron.

The medicinal liquid in the cauldron instantly turned crimson, as if ignited, and the temperature of the entire Cultivation room rapidly rose.

Song Yan concentrated his Sword Qi, cut his fingertip, and a drop of his own essence blood dripped into the Medicine Cauldron.

The "blood guide" technique recorded in the Body Refining Cultivation Technique involved dripping one’s own essence blood into it, which could slightly alleviate the rejection of Demon Beast essence blood.

Having prepared everything, he removed his Daoist robe and clothes and stepped into the Medicine Cauldron.

The moment the scalding medicinal liquid and Yao Blood touched his skin, his muscles tensed abruptly.

The pain of this Yao Blood scorching his flesh far exceeded his expectations, as if tens of thousands of red-hot steel needles were simultaneously piercing his pores.

"Hiss—"

He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to sit cross-legged, letting the medicinal liquid cover his chest.

According to the Cultivation Technique’s description, one needed to guide Spiritual Power along specific Meridian routes to stimulate blood flow.

But at this moment, under the intense pain, even maintaining consciousness was extremely difficult.

Before he even began Body Refining, his entire skin was already glowing red like a cooked prawn, and tiny beads of blood continuously seeped from his pores.

The golden-red medicinal liquid was drilling into his body through his pores, and wherever it passed, his Meridians felt as if they were being seared by a branding iron.

He struggled to maintain his breathing and began to slowly circulate the Spiritual Qi within his body according to the Body Refining Cultivation Technique.

The entire Cultivation room was filled with misty vapor.

"Hoo..."

The golden-red medicinal liquid immersed his entire body, and with Song Yan’s every inhale and exhale, it began to slowly transform every inch of his flesh and blood.