Qi can only be controlled if you already have Qi. This principle was so “basic” that most cultivators never thought about it. Meanwhile, this “original Qi” was “yours” only because it automatically aligned with its owner’s consciousness during prenatal development. Although I came into this body differently, the principle remained the same.

The more “native” my central Qi Strand became and the stronger its qualities reflected my own, the better my control over it would be, and the higher its “priority.” This created a subtle inversion of cause and effect: the higher the priority of my Qi, the denser it would become. Thus, I no longer needed to focus on accumulating Qi or consuming pills to advance. I could achieve the tenth level of Qi Condensation today if I wished, though rushing it seemed unwise.

I meditated on this revelation for a while, then rose and stepped outside. Although increasing my Qi reserves was no longer essential, it was still highly desirable for building a “deep foundation” that would impress and inspire envy in the local “shallow foundation” cultivators.

Although I had already absorbed the Qi of four Foundation Establishment cultivators, it wasn’t enough. My greed whispered to me:

“More. More! There’s no such thing as surplus of Qi!”

And I was inclined to agree.

I headed toward the center of the disciples’ settlement, pondering how long it would take for the sect’s higher-ups to realize what was happening if the most advanced cultivators began vanishing without a trace while I skyrocketed through the levels. But before I could pick a target, a disciple approached me, his eyes wide with panic.

“Lord Tang Ji Tao, you have to save him!”

“Who?” - I asked, assessing the seventh-level Qi Condensation disciple. He was weak, a non-threat. Verdict: keep him around for now.

“Sli Ker!” - the disciple exclaimed, practically shouting the name.

“What about him?”

“Someone broke both his arms, blocked his Qi channels, and locked him in a stone room to die of thirst and starvation.”

“Blocked his Qi channels?” - I repeated, honing in on the critical detail.

“Yes! That’s what Bu Duo Kan said — he’s the one who handles the Outer Court disciples’ injuries. But when he examined Sli Ker, he immediately refused to treat him and ordered someone to fetch an alchemist. If Wang Zhu Tang finds out about his apprentice’s condition, we’re all doomed. The steward is merciless when it comes to personal failures. The last time he lost a bet to a disciple, he killed not only the disciple but everyone who knew about the wager. If he learns his apprentice didn’t run away but was left to die right under his nose, none of us will survive!”

“And why are you telling me this?” - I asked, raising an eyebrow. - “Now that I know about Sli Ker, Wang Zhu Tang’s wrath will fall on me too. Perhaps it would be easier to get rid of you and return to my peaceful meditation, pretending I never heard anything.”

“Eek!” - The disciple nearly collapsed to the ground. - “M-my lord! I would never… I mean, I didn’t, please!”

“Relax, I’m joking. Take me to this unlucky disciple. Let’s see if he can be saved.”

The disciple practically dragged me by the arm to the room where Sli Ker lay. The sight was pitiful. His broken arms had festered, blackened with gangrene that had spread up to his shoulders. His body was emaciated from dehydration, and his face was covered in sores, likely from contact with excrement. To top it all off, he shivered violently, suggesting a fever or some other inflammatory condition.

“Maybe it’d be kinder to put him out of his misery?” - I suggested casually, not addressing anyone in particular.

“Lord Alchemist, surely you can try to save him!” - one of the onlookers pleaded.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Perhaps I can” - I replied graciously. - “But first, bring me every herb you have!” - I bellowed directly into the face of the man who had dared to offer a suggestion. - “Or do you think I’ll save him out of my own pocket? Do you think I have an endless supply of precious herbs stored in my rings? Go ransack the entire camp and bring me everything you can find. And if anyone dares hold back, I’ll tell Wang Zhu Tang I couldn’t save his apprentice because of your greed!”

The crowd scattered like frightened chickens, causing a ruckus as they searched for medicinal herbs. I turned my attention back to the patient. I was particularly interested in how I had managed to block his Qi channels. Without that blockage, he would have regained consciousness by morning, called for help, or waited for his bones to heal so he could open the door himself. Without Qi to sustain him, he had degenerated into a mortal who nearly died from minor injuries.

I ordered some water, filtered it, and set it to boil. Soon, the crowd returned, bringing nearly a cubic meter of assorted herbs in a chaotic heap. Without looking, I dumped the entire “haul” into my ring, then began extracting the plants one by one, brewing a “tea” from them. Once cooled, I carefully poured the bitter concoction into Sli Ker’s mouth, guiding the flow with Qi. Judging by his reaction, it tasted awful; his body convulsed as though in a seizure, forcing me to order others to hold him down. After five minutes, the convulsions stopped, and his body relaxed, falling into a deep sleep.

“Let us pray for his soul.”

“Eek!”

The onlookers paled and stared at me in horror.

“The crisis is over” - I reassured them. - “He’s sleeping now, and his body is infused with healing Qi. When he wakes up, we’ll work on unblocking his Qi channels without damaging his cultivation foundation.”

The crowd sighed in collective relief.

At that moment, I heard hurried footsteps, and Wang Zhu Tang himself burst into the room.

“How is he?” - he demanded, striding toward the unconscious body of Sli Ker.

“He’ll live” - I replied calmly. - “In an hour, I can wake him up and begin restoring his Qi channels. Once his energy flow stabilizes, we can give him a healing pill to fully recover his body.”

“Good. Call for me when he wakes up” - Wang Zhu Tang ordered before abruptly turning and leaving the room without further questions.

“Did everyone hear that?” - I barked, turning toward the remaining disciples. - “Get out! This isn’t a circus. Three of you stay outside the door in case I need anything. The rest of you are dismissed.”

The crowd scrambled to comply. In moments, only three nervous disciples remained stationed outside, and I was alone with my “patient.”

Half an hour later, once Sli Ker’s vital signs had stabilized, I poured another mouthful of my “special invigorating brew” down his throat. This time, his eyelids fluttered, and he groaned softly.

“Where… where am I?” - he murmured faintly, struggling to open his eyes.

At last, his gaze settled on me — and I smiled my most terrifying smile.

“AAAAAH!” - he screamed, immediately fainting again.

The disciples outside came rushing in, alarmed by the noise.

“Did I say you could enter?” - I snapped, glaring at them. - “The patient is delirious. Loud noises frighten him and harm his fragile, delicate psyche. Do not barge in here again without permission!”

“Apologies, Lord Alchemist! It won’t happen again, Lord Alchemist!” - stammered the senior disciple before they all retreated hastily.

Round two. I poured more of my brew into Sli Ker’s mouth and waited for him to wake up again.

This time, he opened his eyes more slowly, clearly aware of his surroundings. Seeing me, he recoiled slightly, trembling.

“What… what are you doing?” - he whispered hoarsely, his body paralyzed from the lingering effects of my brew.

“Relax” - I said soothingly. - “Today, you were found in one of the quarters. The disciples called for me, and I pulled you back from the brink of death. That’s the story you need to tell your teacher. Do you understand?”

Sli Ker blinked in confusion, then flinched as I activated the Malicious Gaze, making sure he understood the consequences of disobedience.

“If you say the wrong thing” - I said, voice dropping to a low, ominous tone, - “it might turn out that my attempts to save you were… unsuccessful. Do you understand me now?”

“Yes… yes…” - he stammered weakly, fear etched into his pale face.

“Good. Now rest and drink this.” - I forced another gulp of my concoction into his mouth.

“No! No! It’s disgusting! I can see bug legs and eyes in it!” - he whimpered, gagging.

“Nonsense. I definitely didn’t mix up a dead lizard with the herbs. Or did I? Tell me, how does it taste?”

“Ahhh! No! No!!”

“Yes, yes” - I replied cheerfully. - “I’m your doctor. If you want to live, you’ll listen to me.”

Faced with my terrifying gaze, Sli Ker submitted, letting me feed him more of the vile liquid. I made sure to monitor its effects closely. Although the brew looked and smelled revolting, it was harmless and full of restorative Qi that quickly began repairing his body.

By the time I called for Wang Zhu Tang, Sli Ker was fully under my control. When his teacher entered the room, I stood up and stepped aside.

“Sli Ker, tell me what happened. Who did this to you?” - Wang Zhu Tang demanded without preamble.

“It was me” - Sli Ker croaked weakly.

“What?” - Wang Zhu Tang’s voice turned sharp