After just seven days of arduous training, Qin Xin's physique was noticeably more robust than it had been a few days prior.

"Huff~ Huff~"

Qin Xin wielded a black stick about three feet long, and with a powerful strike, shattered a rock half a zhang high.

Under intense training, the medicinal power of the Meridian Tempering and Bone Strengthening Pill flowed through Qin Xin's meridians and bones, making him feel a tingling sensation all over his body.

It must be said that the Meridian Tempering and Bone Strengthening Pill brought great benefits to Qin Xin. After just a few days of arduous cultivation, Qin Xin could clearly feel that his body was several times stronger than before.

"Too weak..."

Just as Qin Xin was overjoyed at his improved strength, a sound of disapproval came from the side. Dan Qing was lying on the bluestone, looking at Qin Xin with a look of disgust.

"Teacher, it's been several days already, why haven't I felt any progress towards breaking through to the eighth level of the Acquired Realm?" Qin Xin rolled his eyes and asked.

The five Meridian Tempering and Bone Strengthening Pills were quickly used up. Qin Xin could feel the increase in his internal energy, but he had not yet reached the critical point for a breakthrough.

"If you want to go further, you have to lay a solid foundation," Danqing replied irritably, looking at Qin Xin who was somewhat dejected. "He should break through in the next few days."

After tidying up briefly, Qin Xin prepared to leave the back mountain, and Danqing gave him a new prescription.

The four main ingredients of the prescription are Xuan Yuan Guo, Xue Jing Cao, Ling Zhi, and Tian Qing Teng. Among them, Xuan Yuan Guo and Xue Jing Cao take decades to mature and are very expensive.

Walking through the jungle, Qin Xin couldn't help but sigh as he thought about the economic pressure.

"Hey! You brat, it's always others who beg me to refine pills, but you're all whining and complaining when I ask you to buy some medicinal herbs!" Danqing's voice echoed in Qin Xin's mind.

"No wonder alchemists are so rare. How many medicinal herbs are wasted to train an alchemist? How much money does that cost..." Qin Xin smiled bitterly. Currently, he receives ten Qi Gathering Pills and twenty gold coins every month within his clan, which is already considered quite high among the various families in Tianyuan City.

Qin Xin quickly composed himself and decided to take a shower first, then return to the courtyard to think of a solution.

It was summer, and the hillside behind the mountain was a little cool after nightfall.

Qin Xin arrived at the foot of the waterfall and was about to take off his clothes when a scream startled him, causing him to widen his eyes and quickly turn around.

"I didn't know you were here, young lady. I'll be leaving now." Qin Xin caught a glimpse of spring in the air, and his ears turned slightly red. Reason told him that it was best to leave as soon as possible.

"Wait!" A rustling sound came from behind, and the woman quickly put on her dress.

"Qin Xin, is it!" The woman behind him snorted softly, her words carrying a hint of murderous intent. Coupled with a gust of cool wind, Qin Xin couldn't help but shiver.

"Oh, you recognize me?" Qin Xin turned around and saw the beautiful woman in the school uniform looking him up and down. She was quite tall and her hair was wet. After seeing the woman's face, Qin Xin's first thought was to run away.

Because the woman in front of them was Qin Xue, Qin Qianfan's only daughter and Qin Lin's only granddaughter.

"Ahem, Sister Qin Xue, you're back." Qin Xin said somewhat awkwardly.

"Hmph, I heard from Ziling that you were cultivating in the back mountain, so I came to check on you." Qin Xue flicked her fingers, and the moisture in her hair condensed into small droplets that slowly fell down.

"I apologize for what happened back then. After all, I didn't mean to." Qin Xin hesitated for a moment, then took the initiative to apologize.

"And what about today?" Upon hearing this, Qin Xue's expression hardened, and she glared at Qin Xindao.

"It was an accident," Qin Xin hurriedly replied, sounding somewhat guilty, afraid that Qin Xue might suddenly attack him. Qin Xin had been beaten quite a few times when he was a child.

"Never mind, I came to see you because it's important." Over the years, Qin Xue's volatile temper has been tempered and she no longer chases Qin Xin all over the manor like she did when they were children.

"What is it?" Qin Xin frowned, somewhat puzzled.

"Back then, your martial bone was taken away, which may have been related to someone in the clan." Qin Xue's face darkened, revealing her dissatisfaction. She then continued, "Father has been investigating this matter all these years. Although that group of people concealed it well, they did reveal some clues. Qin Yunfeng was sent to the clan for cultivation, probably because of this matter."

"Qin Yunfeng." Upon hearing this name, Qin Xin was very familiar with it. This person was Qin Yunfei's older brother. Their father, Qin Kangyan, was a clan steward in charge of clan punishments, and their grandfather was the clan's Grand Elder, Qin Maoyan.

"Although Qin Yunfeng will be back for this clan competition, you don't need to worry too much." Qin Xue paused for a moment and then said, "I will help you with the spot in the Spirit Cleansing Pool."

"Thank you, I'll get the spot myself." Qin Xin rubbed his nose, now understanding his third grandfather's plan. It turned out that Qin Xue would participate in the clan competition, win a spot, and then give it to Qin Xin to help him recover.

"You're still the same as before, but there's something I have to do now." Qin Xue's previously somber expression suddenly turned into a smile, as if she had some plan in mind.

"run!"

Seeing Qin Xue's expression, which was almost exactly the same as his own when he was beaten up a few years ago, Qin Xin turned around and was about to run away.

Unexpectedly, Qin Xue suddenly stretched out a foot, with blue true energy bursting out from the toes.

"Thump!"

Just as Qin Xin turned around, Qin Xue kicked him in the buttocks. Propelled by the powerful true energy, Qin Xin fell headfirst into the pool, choking on some water.

"Hahaha, this is your just desserts, you little rascal!" Qin Xue, standing on the shore, laughed heartily.

"Qin Xue, you crazy woman!" Qin Xin roared at the smug Qin Xue.

However, Qin Xue's figure had already gone far away, leaving only a faint fragrance in the air. Qin Xin was somewhat helpless and slowly swam to the shore.

After being kicked, Qin Xin began to have some thoughts.

After all, the gap between the Acquired Realm and the Innate Realm is too great, because the moment Qin Xue made her move, he didn't even have time to retaliate.

Faced with the upcoming clan competition, Qin Xin lost confidence.

"Kid, it seems you're in for a tough time repaying this debt of romantic entanglements." Danqing's teasing voice echoed in Qin Xin's mind.

"What romantic entanglements? She's just a crazy woman," Qin Xin replied angrily.

"Hehe... Don't worry, as long as the medicinal herbs are prepared, advancing to the ninth level of the Acquired Realm in the clan competition will be no problem." Danqing chuckled mischievously.

Wearing damp clothes, Qin Xin returned to the courtyard, looking somewhat exhausted.

After Zi Ling tidied up the courtyard, it looked brand new. Qin Xin returned to his room and fell asleep immediately.

~~~~

The door to the room was kicked open violently with a loud "bang," and Qin Xin, who was sleeping, was suddenly awakened.

Qin Xue rushed in, looked around, and then looked at Qin Xin, who had been startled awake. She snorted, "What time is it? Still sleeping! Grandpa needs to talk to you."

Qin Xin was somewhat bewildered. After glancing at Qin Xue, he said angrily, "Crazy woman, barging into a man's room like that, aren't you afraid you'll never be able to get married!"

Hearing Qin Xin's cursing, Qin Xue waved her fist and said threateningly, "What's wrong? Do you want to get another beating?"

Looking at Qin Xue's pair of white tiger teeth and the wicked smile on her lips, Qin Xin felt a little scared. He remembered being chased all over the manor by this crazy woman and felt a bit afraid.

"Ziling, I'm going to see Third Grandfather. You can have breakfast by yourself."

Qin Xin quickly changed the subject, called out towards the courtyard, and then followed Qin Xue to the courtyard where Qin Lin was.

Along the way, Qin Xue's rather tall figure attracted the attention of many clansmen.

Qin Lin's residence was located near the clan's council hall, and the courtyard was very simple and rustic.

After Qin Xin followed Qin Xue into the courtyard, Qin Lin and Qin Qianfan were waiting.

"Xin'er, come here quickly." Qin Lin hurriedly waved to Qin Xin and said.

Qin Xin was not flustered and took a seat directly.

"Hmph, Grandpa, you're just being biased." Qin Xin, sitting opposite Qin Xin, let out a huff.

"Alright, you're all grown up, why are you still jealous?" Qin Qianfan said with a smile.

"Xue'er has told you everything about Qin Yunfeng, hasn't she?" Qin Lin asked softly during the meal.

"Yes, I've heard about it."

"This kind of traitor should be crippled!"

As soon as Qin Xin finished speaking, Qin Xue, whose mouth was full of food, muttered something.

"This matter is not so simple. I heard from Xue'er that you are also going to participate in the clan competition." Qin Lin said with a somewhat solemn expression.

"Yes, that's right, Third Grandfather." Qin Xin looked up at Qin Lin and said firmly.

"It's up to you. At least you can protect yourself at the seventh level of the Acquired Realm. Anyway, the spot that Xue'er won will be given to you. If you need anything for your cultivation, just ask, and your third grandfather will help you solve it." Looking at Qin Xin's eyes, Qin Lin did not try to persuade him, but he was also very surprised that Qin Xin could break through to the seventh level of the Acquired Realm.

“We do need them now. I wonder if Third Grandfather has any of these medicinal herbs, such as Xuan Yuan Fruit, Blood Essence Grass, Lingzhi, and Tianqing Vine?” Qin Xin didn’t stand on ceremony and immediately told Danqing what medicinal herbs he had asked him to prepare.

"I do have one Xuan Yuan Fruit, but I'm afraid the clan doesn't have the other three types yet. I'll have Xue'er accompany you to the Wanbao Pavilion in the city later; they might have some there," Qin Lin said after thinking for a moment.

"Qin Xin, these medicinal herbs are extremely precious. The Profound Origin Fruit and Blood Essence Grass take decades to mature, and each one would probably cost thousands of gold coins. Moreover, they are priceless and unavailable. You are only at the Acquired Realm. What do you need these things for?" Qin Xue, who was standing to the side, asked with some doubt when she heard about the medicinal herbs Qin Xin needed.

"Anyway, it's useful." Qin Xin replied briefly.

Seeing that Qin Xin was unwilling to talk, Qin Xue stopped asking and after they finished breakfast, Qin Xue took Qin Xin to Wanbaoge.