In a small corner inside the Book Depository.
Meng Tiancheng was gingerly treating his injuries.
He was like an injured little beast, hiding in his den and licking his wound. He applied the ointment the steward gave him on his face and arm a little bit at a time.
These were the spots where Chen Shaojie had hit him. They were all badly swollen now. The injuries were quite severe.
The bridge of his nose was in an especially bad shape. It had become completely crooked. He had to push it back into place himself, and it was so painful that he gasped in agony.
While Meng Tiancheng was applying the ointment, he could not help but glance at Chen Shaojie with a trace of confusion and curiosity in his eyes.
Chen Shaojie was sitting cross-legged nearby, concentrating on his breathing.
From the sound of Chen Shaojie's nine shallow exhalations and one deep inhalation, Meng Tiancheng could tell that Chen Shaojie was cultivating the "Qing Yu Body Forging Technique".
"So he's really cultivating? He asked me to cultivate...and then he cultivates himself too? Why?"
For the life of him, Meng Tiancheng could not tell what Chen Shaojie was thinking. His eyebrows furrowed into a deep frown.
Suddenly, Chen Shaojie opened his eyes and turned to him, "Are you done applying the ointment?"
Meng Tiancheng was sizing Chen Shaojie up, so when Chen Shaojie suddenly looked over, Meng Tiancheng could not help being startled, causing his hand to jerk a little. He accidentally poked the wounded area, causing himself excruciating pain. He gasped for cold air.
Chen Shaojie frowned. He had no idea what the guy was doing. Did he punch too hard and gave Meng Tiancheng a brain injury?
Meng Tiancheng covered his face, and when the pain had subsided a little, he replied in a hurry, "I'm ...I'm done."
"Give it to me."
Chen Shaojie reached out his hand.
Meng Tiancheng froze for a moment, then realized that Chen Shaojie was asking for the ointment. He quickly passed the small porcelain bottle to Chen Shaojie.
Chen Shaojie opened the lid and sniffed. The ointment had a weird but refreshing smell. He had no idea what the ingredients were.
He scooped a bit of the ointment with his hand, reached into his clothes and applied the ointment to the left side of his chest.
The left side of his chest had been struck by Meng Tiancheng's fist and was now swollen.
Using the standard on Earth, it was now at least a B cup, which was a testament to how serious the injury was.
Chen Shaojie was a little surprised by the miraculous effect of the ointment.
A cool sensation seeped into his body from the spot where he applied the ointment, and much of the pain immediately subsided.
It also alleviated the swollen feeling, so he immediately felt a lot lighter.
Chen Shaojie could not help taking another sniff at the ointment. After thinking about it, he stuffed it into his pocket.
This medicinal effect of the ointment was so good, so of course he must keep it for future use.
Meng Tiancheng did not make any comment on Chen Shaojie's action.
Chen Shaojie raised his head and asked Meng Tiancheng, "Who told you that I have a Qi-Attracting Pill?"
"I-I-I...I can't tell you."
"Oh?"
Chen Shaojie stared at Meng Tiancheng, "You can't tell me? Do you want me to beat you to death?"
"E-E-E...Even if you kill me, I can't tell you."
Perhaps because Meng Tiancheng was feeling anxious, his swollen mouth accidentally came into contact with his teeth. He gritted his teeth in pain, then said, "D-D-D...Don't force me, I really can't tell you."
Hmph, it's not like I don't already know who it is...
I can just ask Sister Li about it tomorrow...
Chen Shaojie did not question him anymore. If he pushed the masochist too hard, he might force the masochist to retaliate.
He contemplated for a while and asked, "What's your cultivation level?"
Meng Tiancheng hesitated for a moment before answering, "I'm almost at the intermediate stage of Mineral Digestion."
So he hadn't reached the intermediate stage of Mineral Digestion yet! Great!
Chen Shaojie thought it was really good news. Meng Tiancheng's cultivation level was actually a little lower than his.
Now, even with Li Xuejiao gone, he could rely on Meng Tiancheng to finish cultivating the "Qing Yu Body Forging Technique".
He was overjoyed, but he did not show it on his face. He merely nodded. "Your cultivation level is so low. Hurry up and cultivate!"
After saying that, he ignored Meng Tiancheng. He connected to Meng Tiancheng's WiFi and started his cultivation.
Chen Shaojie's words left Meng Tiancheng with complicated feelings. He felt humiliated, ridiculed, reprimanded... In the end, he gritted his teeth and sucked in a few cool breaths to help alleviate the pain, then closed his eyes and started to cultivate too.
...
The next day, after the morning cultivation session, Chen Shaojie approached Li Xuejiao and asked her about the Qi-Attracting Pill.
"I didn't tell anyone, not a single soul! No one knows about my cultivation progress! I swear it's true, Junior Brother!"
Li Xuejiao explained to Chen Shaojie very seriously. She was so serious that the rhythm of her body movement intensified, bouncing violently.
It's not her?...
Chen Shaojie chose to believe Li Xuejiao.
From what Chen Shaojie could tell based on the time they had spent together, Li Xuejiao's personality was straightforward and reliable.
Moreover, because of the burden on her body, her brain was not that good; certainly not good enough to tell such a realistic lie.
'If not her, then who is it?'
'Who told Meng Tiancheng I have a Qi-Attracting Pill?'
'The only people who know I have a Qi-Attracting Pill are Sister Li, Grandmaster Qing Zhu, and myself...'
'It couldn't have been Grandmaster Qing Zhu, right?'
The matter had become a real mystery all of a sudden. Of course, the easiest way would be to ask Meng Tiancheng.
But considering his attitude... Chen Shaojie did not think that he would tell. Forcing him would only result in the opposite effect.
Therefore, he decided to let the matter rest for now.
After all, he still had to rely on Meng Tiancheng for future cultivation. There was no need to make their relationship so tense.
Seeing Chen Shaojie remain silent, Li Xuejiao asked, "You don't believe me, Junior Brother?"
"I do! Of course I do!"
Chen Shaojie stole a glance at the rise and fall of Sister Li's chest... Considering the magnitude of movement, Senior Sister Li was definitely telling the truth.
Li Xuejiao was relieved. After pondering for a while, she told Chen Shaojie, "I managed to find out a piece of information, Junior Brother. In three months, the sect will be opening its gate to welcome in new disciples. At that time, I will choose to take the test to try and get promoted to the upper court."
"Where did you get the information from, Senior Sister?"
Chen Shaojie was curious.
How come everybody had their sources, while he never hear about anything?
Li Xuejiao shook her head. "I... can't tell you, but it's true."
Three months...
Chen Shaojie secretly tried to gauge if he could make it in time.
Li Xuejiao continued, "Junior Brother, after my promotion to the upper court, I'm afraid we won't have many chances to meet anymore, but rest assured that I'll do my very best to find a Foundation-Building Pill for you to help you get promoted to the upper court too! I'll always keep this matter in mind!"
"That's great! Thank you, Senior Sister!"
Chen Shaojie glanced downward and strongly felt the sincerity of his Sister Li.
After that, he went to the Book Depository as usual. He immediately called for Meng Tiancheng, preparing to cultivate.
The injury on Meng Tiancheng's face was hardly visible anymore. It had nearly healed in just a single night. This was a testament to how effective the ointment was.
After they sat down in a corner, Meng Tiancheng took a glance at Chen Shaojie and said after some hesitation, "Can you sit further away, please? I don't like having anyone near me when I'm cultivating."
Chen Shaojie sneered, "Well I happen to like getting up close and personal. Problem?"
Meng Tiancheng scowled. He looked like he wanted to say something, but ended up saying nothing in the end.
Seeing the reluctance on Meng Tiancheng's face, Chen Shaojie decided to tell him, "In three months, the sect will open its gate to welcome in new disciples. You should hurry up and cultivate since your cultivation level is so low. Stop worrying about other trivial stuff."
Meng Tiancheng was momentarily stunned. He quickly asked, "Really?"
Chen Shaojie stared at him like he was an idiot, then simply closed his eyes.
Meng Tiancheng pondered. Then, he gritted his teeth and closed his eyes to cultivate too.