"This was the place I was talking about, Elder Jing. Does it suit your requirements?" Yi Chen asked with great enthusiasm as he showed Elder Jing the crystal-clear pond and the surrounding area.
It was the same spot he had visited with Feng Yu the other day.
"Mhmm." Elder Jing hummed as she looked around while sensing the natural Qi density of the place. Soon, a satisfied expression formed on her face and with a subtle nod, she walked towards the pond's edge.
She raised her right hand to her shoulder level, and the next moment, the tip of her index finger shone with dense blue light.
With her finger, which was now infused with Qi, Elder Jing effortlessly made several strokes in the air and a circular diagram that looked like an array started taking form in midair.
'Is this what I think it is?' Yi Chen couldn't help but hold his breath at this sight. Seeing the things he had only read in novels becoming a reality right in front of him was an exhilarating feeling.
Although curious as to what this array's function was, he didn't dare disturb Elder Jing and silently observed from the side. His eyes remained plastered at the array the whole time as it started taking form.
Finally, around fifteen minutes later, the intricate array was finally complete.
The completed array was almost 100 centimetres in diameter, and its every stroke radiated with Qi, making it stand distinct in the air.
A second later, Elder Jing gently pushed the array with her palm, and it floated towards the centre of the pond.
Once at that point, the array changed its orientation and became horizontal to the pond's surface.
Wooosh!
It started rotating on its axis with great intensity, displacing the tranquil water underneath and the next moment, shot straight up several hundred feet into the sky.
'Just what is she planning to do?' Yi Chen couldn't help but think to himself as he tried his best to catch a sight of the array through his squinted eyes.
As if to answer his question, the array expanded several hundred meters the very next moment and emitted a strong, blinding light before disappearing as if it never existed.
'This…is this Qi?' Feeling the surrounding air feel significantly denser, a realisation flashed in Yi Chen's mind as he kept waving his hand in the air and explored this new feeling.
Meanwhile, a relieved smile formed on Elder Jing's face as she thought to herself, 'It's better than I had imagined. With this, I should be able to recover all my Qi in ten days.'
Turning towards Yi Chen, she said, "It's a good place, Xiao Chen. You may leave now."
'It's clear that she wants to cultivate here, so I must not disturb her anymore,' Yi Chen thought to himself. He was already satisfied with the progress in their relationship today, as he had gained a lot just by talking with her.
With more effort, he might benefit even more in the future, so it was better to take things slowly.
"Yes, Elder Jing," Yi Chen bowed and asked the next moment, "When should I send the carriage back here to pick you up?"
"Oh, there won't be any need for that. I'll be staying here for a few days and will leave soon. Thank you for everything, and also send my regards to Zheng Ru for being a wonderful host," Elder Jing said the next moment.
From the tone of her voice, it was clear that she had made up her mind.
"Is that so?" Yi Chen's expression couldn't help but falter at the news. However, he didn't let it stay for long and soon responded with a bow, "Alright, Elder Jing, I'll inform Master Ru about it. Thank you for all your guidance earlier. It has helped a lot."
Elder Jing hummed in acknowledgement.
Hearing this, Yi Chen turned around and sighed internally while walking towards the carriage in a defeated mood.
'It was foolish of me from the start to think that I would get as lucky as those protagonists from the novels…' he thought bitterly.
Seeing Yi Chen's departing figure, which clearly emitted disappointment, Elder Jing couldn't help but think to herself with a chuckle, 'He must have wanted to ask more questions about martial arts.'
She was about to turn around and fully focus on her recovery when she suddenly remembered something.
"Xiao Chen, wait a moment!" her voice rang out, making Yi Chen stop in his tracks.
'…wait? Does she want to give me a parting gift? I knew you were the generous kind. Elder Jing, I love you!' Yi Chen's mood took a one-eighty-degree turn, and the next moment, he turned around to face Elder Jing.
"Yes, Elder Jing, is there a matter?" he asked innocently while trying hard to prevent a smirk from appearing on his lips.
"I almost forgot about your engagement and marriage. Since I won't be here to attend those, I thought of giving you an early marriage gift. It just so happens that would be very beneficial to you," Elder Jing said thoughtfully with an elderly smile.
'Hell yeah! My dream of becoming an overpowered protagonist is finally taking flight." Yi Chen almost jumped from excitement and looked towards Elder Jing with an expectant expression.
Satisfied with his reaction, Elder Jing looked for something inside her pendant's subspace and took it out the next moment. It was a bottle containing 20-30 red pills, the size of a marble.
'She said it was something very beneficial to me…could it be that these pills will help me to quickly open up all my Qi Absorbing pores? Or even better, increase my Qi absorption rate in the next cultivation stage?'
Various thoughts flooded Yi Chen's mind as he received those pills from Elder Jing's hands with a vibrant expression.
Holding those pills in his hands, he failed to control his curiosity any longer and asked, "Elder Jing, what are these pills called? What do they do?"
A bright smile formed on Elder Jing's face as she answered, "Eternal Fire pills, that's what they are called."
"Eternal Fire Pills…" Yi Chen repeated to himself in awe. Just from the name itself, he could sense how domineering its effect was going to be as he leaned in to listen to her next words.
Elder Jing nodded and continued, "It's clear that your physique is very weak right now. While it's good that you've started working on it, the result will still take time to come. Therefore, I've decided to gift you these pills.
The night after marriage is a very important time, and it would be a pity if you fail to make it memorable for your wife. Take one of these pills that night, and she will forever treasure the memory."
A nostalgic expression formed on Elder Jing's aged face when she finished her words.
'…'
Yi Chen's entire body froze from disbelief when he deciphered Elder Jing's words.
"Alright, Xiao Chen," Elder Jing gently patted him on his shoulder and said with a smile, "I wish you a happy married life."
With that said, Elder Jing turned around and went towards the pond's edge to meditate.
Seeing this, Yi Chen finally tilted his head down at the bottle containing those red pills.
'…Freaking Arousal Pills!' he didn't know whether to laugh or cry at his cursed fate.
With a completely defeated sigh, he placed it inside his robes and left for the carriage.