When Ge Ming approached Tang Yan, the latter curiously asked, “Master Ge, what brings you here?”

“I merely lent you my cauldron, and in return, you’ve gifted me a recipe. Perhaps to you, that recipe is just a simple sheet of paper, but to me, it’s a life-saving treasure. I owe you a great debt,” Ge Ming said seriously.

Seeing the sincerity in Ge Ming’s eyes, Tang Yan realized that the cauldron Ge Ming was offering would be of high quality. Accepting it would put him in the debt of another.

Although he hesitated for a moment, Tang Yan knew he needed a cauldron. After thinking it over, he said, “Master Ge, your kindness is too much. I humbly accept your gift. If you ever need help in the future, you have my word that I will do everything in my power to assist you.”

Ge Ming smiled, pleased with Tang Yan’s response. He motioned for someone to bring over a cart to transport the cauldron.

As Tang Yan looked at the cart, he saw the exact cauldron he had used earlier being placed on it.

“Let’s cover it up,” Ge Ming said, nodding at Tang Yan. “Take care, my friend. I’ll be in the front hall.”

“Thank you, Master Ge,” Tang Yan said, waving his hand as he walked away with Xiao Cui.

Xiao Cui looked at the cauldron and asked, “Master, did the Old Master send you to buy this?”

Tang Yan corrected her, “Ge Ming just gave it to me as a gift. How could it be something I bought?”

“Gave it to you?” Xiao Cui was taken aback. As a servant in the Tang family, she had seen and heard more than most, especially about Miaodanfang’s intimidating power. She had only ever heard of people offering gifts to Miaodanfang to gain favor, but here was her master, receiving a cauldron for free without paying a single silver tael.

“Exactly. Otherwise, with the amount of silver I have, I couldn’t even afford a low-tier cauldron,” Tang Yan replied with a smirk.

As they walked, they approached the Tang family estate. Once inside, they saw the enraged figure of Tang’s grandfather storming toward them.

“Good afternoon, Grandpa!” Tang Yan greeted with a grin.

“Good afternoon, my foot!” Tang’s grandfather snapped.

Tang Yan was left confused. Why was Grandpa angry at him?

“I told you not to cause trouble when you leave, but not even a few steps out, you’re already fighting with that little brat from the Liu family! Your dantian’s destroyed, and that kid’s at the fourth rank of the Origin stage. If he hurt you, how many more beatings can your body take?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

At his grandfather’s reproach, Tang Yan couldn’t help but smile inwardly. So, Grandpa was concerned about him—just going about it in an unusual way.

“Grandpa, it’s not my fault. Liu Yuan’s the one who started it. We agreed from the start that we wouldn’t hold back. I didn’t kill him, so I showed restraint,” Tang Yan shrugged, as though regretting not being harsher.

Tang’s grandfather’s eyes widened in shock. “What? You wanted to kill him? Good thing you didn’t—if you had, the Tang and Liu families would’ve had an open break! The Liu family would’ve either killed you or crippled you for sure.”

However, he didn’t want to outright warn Tang Yan about this, especially after hearing the reports about how Tang Yan had mercilessly beaten Liu Yuan. It had given the Tang family some face, at least.

Thinking about the way Tang Yan had mercilessly destroyed Liu Yuan, Tang’s grandfather was both exasperated and amused. He could barely suppress a chuckle at the thought. “Why are all the tricks and schemes coming from my generation? What happened to the straightforward, upright Tang family?”

“Alright, next time be more careful. Your dantian’s destroyed, so you’ll only be able to get beaten if you face a real opponent. If you pull this stunt again, don’t think I won’t discipline you!” Tang’s grandfather rumbled, his voice firm, before turning and leaving.

Tang Yan let out a relieved breath. His grandfather was too preoccupied with being angry, so he didn’t even ask about the cauldron anymore, which worked out well for Tang Yan. He quickly had some men carry the cauldron into the back yard.

After dismissing the servants, Tang Yan pulled out the two porcelain bottles from his bag. Looking at the bright green Initial Spirit Pills, he didn’t hesitate—he swallowed one right away.

The Initial Spirit Pill, a long-standing alchemy treasure, was highly regarded among cultivators of early stages, especially in ancient China. It was the perfect pill for cultivating at the beginning stages.

As soon as the pill hit his mouth, it dissolved, leaving a fragrant taste. A warm flow of energy surged toward his dantian. Just as he was about to absorb it, the Heavenly Creation Cauldron inside his dantian suddenly opened with a loud snap, absorbing the entire pill.

Tang Yan’s face turned red with fury. “Did you just eat my pill?”

He tried to force the energy from the pill into his body, but the cauldron remained stubbornly still, as though nothing had happened. All of his effort amounted to nothing.

Cursing, he grabbed another Initial Spirit Pill, swallowing it again. Once more, the cauldron’s lid snapped open and absorbed the pill.

“What the hell are you doing, taking my pills?!” Tang Yan was beyond frustrated now.

Desperate, he pulled out the remaining pills and swallowed them all in one go.

The cauldron’s lid opened, but this time it only consumed one pill. The remaining five pills erupted, unleashing a torrent of pure energy that shot up toward his meridians.

“What the hell?! Why didn’t you eat those too?” Tang Yan thought, confused and relieved at the same time.

The energy from the pills flooded his body, his meridians stretching painfully as they tried to absorb the immense power.

Despite the pain, Tang Yan gritted his teeth, determined to circulate the energy. But just as the energy reached its peak, the Heavenly Creation Cauldron snapped open again, releasing even more potent energy.

Tang Yan’s face twisted in horror. “What are you doing now?!”