“I was fortunate enough to break through to the mid-stage of Qi Condensation, and I’ve reported it to the family at the first opportunity,” Zhou Kai said calmly. “According to our initial agreement, if I reached this stage during my tenure as a Guest Elder, I would only need to return the resources provided by the family to regain my freedom. Here are the thirteen hundred Spirit Stones the family gave me back then.”

As he spoke, Zhou Kai produced a Storage Bag and placed it gently on the table.

Chen Heming’s eyes narrowed. He snatched up the bag, sweeping it with his Divine Sense. The count was exact. Doubt flared in his mind; where had Zhou Kai gotten such a sum? The monthly stipend provided to him should have been bled dry by his recent injuries, leaving him with nothing.

“Guest Elder Zhou, these Spirit Stones…” Chen Heming probed.

“To be honest, Fifth Elder, the Yang Locking Pills I refine have been quite well-received at Baolu Pavilion. Using the promise of a stable future supply as collateral—and delivering my first batch—I managed to secure an advance payment. Combined with years of frugal living and selling off most of my personal effects, I barely managed to scrape this together.”

Zhou Kai’s expression was open and unguarded, leaving no room for suspicion.

Chen Heming fell into thought. Ever since Zhou Kai’s inexplicable breakthrough to the fourth layer, the family had watched him. They had investigated in secret, but no hidden treasure or “opportunity” had ever been found, and his behavior remained unremarkable. The damage to his dantian and his inferior four-element Spirit Root were undeniable facts. His life-threatening injury was also a fact.

Perhaps it truly was just a lucky break through alchemy? the Elder mused.

This man could only refine Yang Locking Pills—a niche product that didn’t compete with the family’s own Solid Origin Pills. Since he was paying back the stones and had a connection to the Wang Family’s pavilion, why not let him go? The Wangs were a family the Chens might need to lean on later. Besides, in ten years, they were only losing a single mortal concubine in Chen Ziyi. That wasn’t a real loss.

“In that case, we shall proceed according to the agreement.” Chen Heming waved his hand and retrieved a contract. With a surge of spiritual power, the parchment instantly crumbled to ash. “From this day forward, you are no longer a Guest Elder of the Chen Family. You may leave as you wish.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Fifth Elder.” Zhou Kai cupped his hands in a final salute and turned away without a hint of hesitation.

The Guest Elder Hall seemed to shrink behind him. As the ten-year contract burned, a profound lightness washed over him; even the air felt easier to breathe.

He went straight back to the small courtyard he had called home for a decade. At the gate, a figure was already waiting. Chen Ziyi hurried forward, her face pale with anticipation. “Husband, how did it go?”

Zhou Kai swept her into his arms, laughing softly against her ear. “It’s done! Come on, let’s go rent a proper place!”

Chen Ziyi nodded obediently and reached for her sister’s hand. Chen Ziqing’s fingers stiffened; she instinctively wanted to recoil. She looked at her sister, then bit her lip and remained still.

If only his dantian wasn’t damaged… if only he wasn’t a walking corpse… she thought, her toes rubbing nervously against the dirt. Her eyes darted toward Zhou Kai before snapping away as if she’d been burned.

Packing was a simple affair. Chen Ziyi’s luggage was a single small bundle—a few changes of clothes and nothing else. It was as if she had no anchors in this world besides Zhou Kai. Ziqing had more, but it all fit into a standard Storage Bag.

Zhou Kai avoided the crowded central market. He led the two women through several streets to a quieter, upscale district where the courtyards were significantly larger and more refined. These homes were built of blue brick and dark tile, and the Spirit Qi was noticeably denser. Most residents here were mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivators.

He stopped before a gate with a sign: Monthly Rent: Fifteen Spirit Stones.

“We’ll take this one.”

The walls were high, the entrance pristine. It offered the safety and quiet he needed to settle in. After paying the rent and deposit and receiving the restriction token, Zhou Kai pushed open the heavy wooden door.

The front courtyard was spacious and paved with bluestone slabs. A few neglected spiritual plants grew in the corners. The backyard was even larger, featuring several side rooms and an independent meditation chamber—a clear sign of a home designed for cultivation.

“This place… it’s so big,” Ziyi whispered in awe.

Ziqing looked around, her mind reeling. Fifteen Spirit Stones? Where did he get this kind of money? She knew the cost of buying a Life Contract was over a thousand stones… and now this rent. Could those Yang Locking Pills truly be that lucrative? She stole a glance at Zhou Kai’s profile, her heart skipping an inexplicable beat.

“Ziyi, tidy up. I’m going out for a bit.” With that, Zhou Kai headed straight for Baolu Pavilion.

Ziqing followed her sister inside, but her eyes remained glued to Zhou Kai’s retreating back. She chose the side room furthest from the master bedroom and began to unpack. How did I end up following them like a stray dog? she wondered. Is it because I feel more “hope” with him than I ever did with the Chens? The thought terrified her.

Inside Baolu Pavilion, a clerk named Xiao Zhang spotted Zhou Kai. He dropped his work and rushed forward with a broad smile. “Alchemist Zhou!”

Clearly, word of the Yang Locking Pills had reached the staff.

“I’m looking for Miss Qiaoqiao.”

Xiao Zhang’s smile faltered. “You’ve come at an unfortunate time, Alchemist Zhou. Miss Qiaoqiao is not here today.”

Zhou Kai frowned. He had come to tell her he was a free man, ready for full cooperation. “What about Steward Wang Jilai? I have pills to sell.”

Xiao Zhang sighed, his voice dropping. “To be honest… our Steward perished at the Desolate Herb Garden.”

Zhou Kai’s brow furrowed deeper. Wang Jilai is dead?

He didn’t care about the man personally—they weren’t friends—but the implications were massive. With Jilai dead, Wang Qiaoqiao’s standing in the pavilion and the Wang Family would likely plummet. The Wangs weren’t primarily merchants; their core business was Purple Bamboo Marrow. While Qiaoqiao was from the main lineage, her father hadn’t been a core Elder. They were likely marginal members, much like Chen Muhui. If they were truly influential, they’d be managing the Purple Bamboo Forest, not a side venture like the Pavilion.

Without her father’s protection, how much influence did she have left? Could she even keep her promises?

What a mess… Zhou Kai thought. Is my plan doomed before it starts?

But then, a glint appeared in his eyes. Wait… maybe this is the perfect opportunity. Offering help when someone is drowning is worth more than a thousand gifts given in prosperity. I need to deliver ‘charcoal in a blizzard.’

“When will she return?” Zhou Kai asked, suppressing his thoughts.

“I don’t know. After she heard the news, she rushed home to handle the funeral arrangements.”

Zhou Kai nodded and handed a jade vial to Xiao Zhang. “This contains ten Yang Locking Pills. Keep them safe. When Miss Qiaoqiao returns, notify me immediately. Tell her: ‘The loose cultivator Zhou Kai has important matters to discuss and wishes to offer his assistance.'”

Xiao Zhang’s eyes lit up. “Rest assured, Alchemist Zhou! The Steward guided me since I was a child; I practically watched Miss Qiaoqiao grow up. I will relay your words personally—not a single syllable missing!”

Zhou Kai noted the clerk’s sharp wit. It seemed the father and daughter had treated him well. He might be a useful contact. He gave a final nod and left.

As he returned to his new home, a boisterous, hearty laugh boomed from the street. “Hahaha! Is this our new neighbor? I’m Zhao Tieshan from next door! I’ve come to pay my respects!”

A burly, dark-skinned man strode into the courtyard. He carried a fresh, bloody slab of monster meat over his shoulder—a rustic, wild aura radiating from him. His eyes were bright, his steps heavy and sure. A body cultivator.

“This Horned Swine I just bagged is to celebrate your move!” Zhao Tieshan laughed, slamming the meat onto the bluestone table.

Thud! The table groaned under the weight.

Ziyi and Ziqing were startled by the rough man, both taking a half-step back. Instinctively, Ziqing moved closer to Zhou Kai.

“Fellow Daoist Zhao, a pleasure!” Zhou Kai smiled, cupping his hands. “I am Zhou Kai. I just moved in today. I was planning to visit my neighbors tomorrow; I didn’t expect you to be so enthusiastic!”

“You’re too kind! Neighbors should look out for one another! I haven’t seen your face around here before—where are you from?”

“I previously served as a Guest Elder for the Chen Family. I’ve dissolved my contract to seek a quiet place to refine pills.”

“Oh? A Chen Guest Elder?” A flash of surprise hit Zhao Tieshan’s eyes. “An alchemist! A pleasure indeed! No wonder you could afford a place like this.”

“I only know a few crude formulas,” Zhou Kai replied modestly. “I can only manage first-grade pills for now.”

“Wait… did you say your name was Zhou Kai?” Zhao Tieshan’s eyes went wide. “The same Zhou Kai who refines the ‘Chicken-Aid’—I mean, the Yang Locking Pill?”