Inside and outside the Affairs Hall, servants and maids bustled about with brooms and rags. The ground had been washed wet and slick.

Zhou Kai avoided the puddles and casually asked a sweeping servant, “Why is the Affairs Hall so busy today?”

The servant looked up, saw it was Zhou Kai, and quickly bowed. “Replying to Guest Elder Zhou, it’s because Young Master Xingze is returning! I heard he received special permission from the Heavenly Spring Sect to return home for a few days to visit family. The entire clan has been mobilized and ordered to prepare grandly. We absolutely must not show any neglect!”

“Chen Xingze?” A vague impression surfaced in Zhou Kai’s mind.

The Chen family’s prodigal son. Blessed with a superior-grade Spirit Root, he was accepted as an Inner Sect Disciple by the Heavenly Spring Sect at a young age. The entire Chen family of Crouching Tiger Mountain placed their highest hopes on him, viewing him as the future pillar of the clan.

It was said this person possessed the best aptitude the Chen family had seen in three hundred years. Despite his youth, he had already reached the late stage of Qi Condensation. Foundation Establishment was almost a certainty.

The Chen family of Crouching Tiger Mountain had produced a Foundation Establishment cultivator among their ancestors. Unfortunately, after that ancestor passed away over three hundred years ago, the family’s fortunes had steadily declined, their former glory fading. Not only had their assets shrunk by more than half, but their territory had also been nibbled away significantly.

Fortunately, that Foundation Establishment ancestor had joined the Heavenly Spring Sect and was known for being humble and courteous, never making mortal enemies. Additionally, the Chen family frequently intermarried with other families on Crouching Tiger Mountain and occasionally had descendants accepted into the Heavenly Spring Sect. This was how the Chen family had managed to survive until now.

The Heavenly Spring Sect’s management is quite strict; one cannot leave the sect without reason. How could he possibly return home just for a family visit?

A genius disciple burdened with such high hopes suddenly returning to the family… Is this good news or a variable?

Zhou Kai pondered to himself: This person is from the most direct line of the Chen family bloodline, having no inherent connection with an outsider Guest Elder like me. However, if he returns to stay long-term, there will inevitably be shifts in the internal power structure of the family. My current strength is low. It’s better for me to avoid getting involved. Keeping a low profile and making my fortune quietly is the right path.

Suppressing these thoughts, Zhou Kai paid no more attention to the servant and walked straight into the Affairs Hall.

There weren’t many people inside. The Deacon in charge of registration looked up—it was Chen Muhui, who had tried to drink him under the table at yesterday’s banquet and was also one of the few Chen family members Zhou Kai got along with.

Seeing Zhou Kai, he said, “Oh? Zhou Kai?”

“Did you enjoy yourself last night? Ziyi is one of the top beauties among our Chen family’s branch lines. You got lucky.”

“Thanks to Brother Muhui’s blessing, it was indeed quite good.”

“Haha, I told you so!” Chen Muhui took his words as confirmation. “What brings you here today? Asking for leave? Want to spend more time with the beauty? Don’t worry, leave the Spirit Beast Garden to those below; nothing will go wrong.”

“Leave isn’t necessary.” Zhou Kai walked up to his desk. “I just came by to simply… broaden your horizons.”

Zhou Kai offered no further explanation. He circulated a trace of spiritual power within his body, settled his stance, and clenched a single fist.

Snap!

An aura belonging to the fourth layer of Qi Condensation spread out.

Chen Muhui’s eyes widened. He shot up from his seat, exclaiming in disbelief, “Qi Condensation fourth layer?”

“Zhou Kai… your dantian injury… it’s healed?”

He scrutinized Zhou Kai from head to toe, his face full of incredulity.

How could someone with a damaged dantian and an inferior-grade Spirit Root—someone whose path to immortality was practically severed—possibly make a breakthrough?

“No, perhaps my luck has just turned.”

Zhou Kai stepped forward and reached out to pat Chen Muhui on the shoulder. “Last night… well, my mood was indeed quite pleasant. Some long-standing knots seemed to loosen a bit. Coupled with the good luck Miss Ziyi brought… I just happened to break through by chance? Even I feel like it’s a dream.”

Internally, he thought: The system’s point allocation is indeed domineering; it can even force its way through bottlenecks. It’s just that the dantian problem isn’t solved yet.

“Muhui, go ahead and register it.”

The registration procedure was quickly completed.

Chen Muhui circled Zhou Kai twice, clicking his tongue in amazement. “Really bizarre… your dantian… tsk tsk, you’ve really hit a stroke of great luck.”

He lowered his voice, nudged Zhou Kai with his elbow, and said with a suggestive wink, “Be honest now… was it that beauty last night? Did you get some kind of marvelous Dual Cultivation technique? If you really have something that good… two hundred Spirit Stones! Just sell me a copy.”

“It really was my accumulated efforts finally bearing fruit; I found my path and broke through naturally.”

Chen Muhui’s words did remind Zhou Kai: if he could find an orthodox Dual Cultivation method, it might synergize even better with the system’s effects.

No rush, though. Restoring his dantian took priority.

Hmm… except maybe his kidneys couldn’t hold out.

Leaving the Affairs Hall, Zhou Kai headed toward the Spirit Beast Garden.

The Spirit Beast Garden was located in the rear mountain area of the Chen estate and covered quite a large area.

Zhou Kai oversaw this place; he didn’t have much real authority, but skimming some benefits and arranging conveniences was certainly possible.

The Chen family supported their expenses by breeding and selling spirit beasts. This Spirit Beast Garden was one of their important sites.

Crucial areas were guarded by direct Chen family descendants. Zhou Kai was only responsible for the daily management of some peripheral areas and low-level spirit beasts.

Inside the garden were servants specifically tasked with feeding duties and cultivators at the Qi Condensation first layer. Upon seeing Zhou Kai, they all stopped their work to bow respectfully.

“Guest Elder Zhou.”

Zhou Kai waved casually and said to a Steward nearby who was in charge of overseeing low-level meat-providing spirit beasts, “Today I fortuitously broke through to mid-stage Qi Condensation; I’m in an excellent mood. Fetch one Cloud-Stepping Antelope and one Long-Tailed Rabbit to improve our meals. Put it on my account.”

The Steward hurriedly assented and respectfully went to catch them.

These two types of spirit beasts were local specialties of Crouching Tiger Mountain and also one of the main economic pillars for the Chen family.

Cloud-Stepping Antelope meat was tender and fine-textured; Long-Tailed Rabbit meat was firm and dense. Both were excellent ingredients.

By the time he returned home, dusk was approaching.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, he saw Chen Ziyi tidying up flowers and plants in the yard. Hearing movement, she looked up.

“Master? What are these?” She put down her small hoe and walked over curiously.

The Cloud-Stepping Antelope wasn’t shy at all; however, the Long-Tailed Rabbit seemed somewhat frightened.

“Dinner for tonight. Just brought them back from the Spirit Beast Garden.”

“They’re so cute.” Chen Ziyi crouched down, looking at the little antelope and rabbit with delight on her face.

Zhou Kai looked at her profile and said, “Today I broke through to mid-stage Qi Condensation; it calls for celebration. Tonight… I’ll cook personally so you can taste my skills.”

“The Master knows how to cook?” Chen Ziyi seemed surprised.

In her understanding, immortal masters either transcended worldly needs or had servants attending them.

“When living alone before, one had to learn some skills just to fill one’s stomach; it’s no special talent.”

Zhou Kai smiled gently. “But today my mood is good, plus we’re using spirit beast meat… if I put my heart into it, the flavor shouldn’t be bad. You’ll see later.”

He handled preparing the spirit beast meat cleanly and efficiently. Simple seasonings seemed to gain magic in his hands.

Cooking personally and making a good meal should increase Affection quite a bit?

Thinking this made Zhou Kai put even more effort into it.

Soon enough, an extraordinary meaty aroma wafted through the courtyard air: one plate of temptingly colored, fragrant braised rabbit meat alongside one basin of milky white antelope broth soup!

Zhou Kai beckoned for Chen Ziyi to sit down. “Try some.”

The rabbit was stewed soft and tender, and the antelope broth was exceptionally delicious, with warmth instantly flowing throughout her body!

Seeing her reaction satisfied him internally, too—he himself ate heartily! At the Qi Condensation fourth layer, digesting these low-level spirit beast meats posed no pressure whatsoever while providing some vitality and spiritual power, too!

His Meridian Opening first layer was definitely closely related to them indeed!

However, being Mortal flesh, she was burdened heavily by the contained Spirit Qi and vitality within the spirit beast meats!

She only ate a little rabbit and drank half a bowl of soup before feeling her stomach full and bloated, her whole body feverish, a healthy flush appearing on her cheeks, too!

“Master… I… I can’t eat anymore.”

“No matter. Mortals cannot digest too much Spirit Qi.” He explained calmly, “Later, once you embark upon the immortal path, then you can enjoy freely!”

Hearing the words “immortal path” stirred another flutter within her heart again!

The dining table atmosphere was warm and harmonious, gradually deepening with the nightfall!

Looking beside him, she was even more charming and captivating due to consuming the spirit beast meat. He reached out and grasped her soft hand resting on the tabletop!

Chen Ziyi’s body trembled slightly, not pulling away, instead lowering her head slightly, an adorable pink coloring her earlobes!

Taking out some gold and silver, then fifty Spirit Stones, he said, “From now on, you needn’t wear maid attire, either. Use these to buy nicer styled clothes!”

How many Loose Cultivators couldn’t save fifty Spirit Stones in a year! Her own father didn’t have them either; the clan only ensured wealth and urged bearing many offspring!

Monthly ten Spirit Stones was the usual side income from the garden; an earlier hopeless path meant few uses, so he had saved over five hundred in the past decade!

Seeing his serious expression and firm promise of guiding her onto the immortal path, plus the small pile of stones on the table, it was far better than her clan sisters serving as Concubines!

Also thinking of her father’s numerous Concubines, perhaps even forgetting her mother’s name!

Immediately resolved, she lifted her small face, whispering softly:

“Master, this was given by the clan…”

His other hand retrieved a jade vial and poured out two pills.

“I said both… for enjoyment, but also for strengthening the foundation and nourishing the essence.”

Swallowing one pill, she lightly bit her lower lip, her eyes growing even more watery and misty!

The unspoken implication already stirred emotions deeply!

Why restrain himself? He hastily swallowed a pill, scooping her up by the waist into an embrace!

“Mmm…” A light gasp, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck!

(Unmentionable content omitted here; please imagine or consult relevant literature)

A long while later, the panting gradually subsided in the room!

【Chen Ziyi Affection +20】 【Affection: 70 (Adoration)】 【Provided Omni-Points: 7】

…

【Zhou Kai (Dantian Damaged)】 【Available Omni-Points: 35】

Holding the deeply sleeping woman, gazing at the panel, he muttered to himself:

“Deep communication has an outstanding effect!”

“The Chen clan resorting to such tactics to win hearts and minds indeed!”

“But…” Lips curling upward. “This method… I like.”

Supporting his aching kidneys, he thought, First breakthrough to Meridian Opening second layer. The remaining twenty-five points go all into Alchemy!

A warm current arising within quickly dissipated the soreness. His skin tightened noticeably, looking around thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old now!

【Zhou Kai (Dantian Damaged)】 【Cultivation: Qi Condensation Fourth Layer (0/400)】 【Vitality: Meridian Opening Second Layer (0/200)】 【Spirit Root: Metal (Inferior 12/100), Wood (Inferior 25/100), Water (Inferior 17/100), Fire (Inferior 23/100)】 【Cultivation Arts: Alchemy (First Grade 25/100)】 【Beauty: Chen Ziyi】 【Available Omni-Points: 0】

“Meridian Opening second layer is enough to handle Ziyi now!”

“But Alchemy feels like nothing yet. Tomorrow I’ll try refining a furnace of Qi Gathering Pills to test!”