Ten days later.

Qin Lu sat cross-legged in his room, submerged in deep meditation.

The spiritual energy within his dantian had reached a critical mass. It felt like a bucket filled to the absolute brim, the water tension trembling, ready to spill over with the slightest disturbance. This sensation was the hallmark of the final bottleneck.

With a mental push, the barrier shattered.

Qin Lu pressed his palms downward, exhaling a long, turbid breath as he opened his eyes. A satisfied smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

He had successfully broken through. He had reached the Great Perfection of the Qi Refining realm.

The distance to Foundation Establishment was now merely a step away.

Clenching his fist, he felt a surge of power far exceeding what he possessed during the siege of You Ye. If he had to face that square-faced cultivator again today, Qin Lu was confident he could kill the man in a one-on-one duel without sustaining heavy injuries.

He finally possessed the strength to fight above his realm.

“Unconsciously, I’ve already reached the peak of combat power in Wuji Market,” Qin Lu mused, feeling a rare moment of sentimentality. “It’s only been a little over a year. This ‘Golden Finger’ is truly formidable.”

With a thought, he summoned his attribute panel.

[Name: Qin Lu] [Lifespan: 37 / 142 years] [Cultivation: Qi Refinement Perfection: 1 / 100]

[Cultivation Techniques:]

Mystic Sun Mantra (Legend): 2533 / ∞

[Skills:]

Spells:

Ignition Technique (Legend): 8 / ∞

Finger Flick Technique (Legend): 8725 / ∞

Illumination Technique (Legend): 12 / ∞

Cutting Technique (Legend): 78 / ∞

Soft Wind Technique (Legend): 1508 / ∞

Spirit Shield Technique (Legend): 18 / ∞

Heavenly Eye Technique (Legend): 98 / ∞

Disguise Technique (Legend): 3 / ∞

Object Control Technique (Legend): 26 / ∞

Ice Qi Technique (Grandmaster): 15 / 3000

Lightning Strike Technique (Grandmaster): 10 / 3000

Breath Concealment Mantra (Grandmaster): 10 / 3000

Talisman Making:

Water Qi Shield (Grandmaster): 2 / 3000

Cleaning Talisman (Proficient): 18 / 200

Body Protection Shield (Proficient): 514 / 600

Swift Step Talisman (Novice): 16 / 100

Golden Light Talisman (Grandmaster): 1374 / 3000

Sword Art:

Gray Shadow Sword Art (Legend): 1402 / ∞

Qin Lu nodded with satisfaction as he scanned the data. Over the past three months, he hadn’t wasted a single moment; he had mercilessly ground the proficiency of his core spells until they hit the “Legend” grade.

“Hmm… The Finger Flick Technique is only a thousand points away from leveling up again,” Qin Lu muttered, rubbing his chin. “I wonder what grade lies beyond Legend?”

Since maxing out most of his utility spells, he had stopped spreading his efforts and focused entirely on the Finger Flick Technique, intent on seeing just how high the ceiling went.

He dismissed the panel.

Spiritual energy hummed through his meridians as he activated the Breath Concealment Mantra. A mysterious, veiling aura washed over him, suppressing his outward cultivation signature down to the eighth level of Qi Refining.

At the Grandmaster rank, the Breath Concealment Mantra allowed him to manipulate his aura at will. He could appear as a mortal with zero spiritual energy if he chose. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn’t be able to see through the disguise.

It rendered the Hidden Spirit Bracelet he had bought from Gu Yue completely obsolete. That expensive trinket now sat gathering dust in the corner of his Storage Bag.

For now, his true strength remained a secret known only to himself.

“Phew. Nothing pressing today,” Qin Lu said, standing up and stretching. “Time to read.”

He walked over to his desk and sank into the exquisite rosewood official’s chair. He picked up a thick book that had been resting on the tabletop.

Five large characters were embossed on the cover: Nine Truths Langya List.

The author was a mysterious figure known as “Divine Lord Zhuge.” No one knew his true identity or background, yet this person possessed terrifying omniscience regarding the Nine Truths Region. From the grand affairs of Nascent Soul ancestors down to the squabbles of Qi Refining juniors, nothing seemed to escape his gaze.

The Divine Lord compiled major events, rankings, and gossip, publishing a new edition every two years. It was a bestseller across the entire region.

The book was divided into sections: Nine Truths Headlines, Cultural Landscapes, Beauties List, Prodigies List, and Secret Realms.

Naturally, the Prodigies List and the Beauties List drew the most attention.

Qin Lu flipped through the pages with interest. It was essentially the celebrity tabloid of the cultivation world.

Suddenly, his finger froze. He stared at a name on the Prodigies List.

Wei Zimo.

“This kid actually made the list?” Qin Lu blinked in astonishment.

He remembered Wei Zimo clearly. Back when Qin Lu was a nobody struggling in the slums, he had watched Wei Zimo fly into the market on a dazzling magic sword. The envy he felt back then was still a fresh memory.

Later, during the arena tournament, the seventeen-year-old Wei Zimo had fought Yang Zhen—a veteran in his twenties—to a standstill. Although he lost by a single move, his talent was undeniable.

Qin Lu read the entry:

[Rank 20: Wei Zimo]

Affiliation: Wuji Sect, Inner Disciple

Age: 18

Cultivation: Early Foundation Establishment

Evaluation: Broke through from Qi Refining Level 9 to Foundation Establishment within six months. A rising star of Flowing Cloud Prefecture. Expected to form a Golden Core before the age of thirty-five.

“Tsk, tsk. I didn’t expect a small place like Flowing Cloud Prefecture to produce such a talent.”

Qin Lu felt a strange surge of hometown pride, like seeing a neighbor appear on national television. The Langya List covered the entire Nine Truths Region, and Flowing Cloud Prefecture was just one of thirteen territories. Making the list, even in last place, was a monumental achievement.

Curious, Qin Lu’s eyes drifted to the top of the page.

[Rank 1: Su Hao]

Affiliation: Remnant Moon Sect, Inner Disciple

Age: 17

Cultivation: Late Foundation Establishment

Next to the text was a magical portrait of a youth with a sunny, toothy grin.

Qin Lu stared at the stats for a long moment, then shook his head helplessly.

“Comparing people really is the thief of joy,” he muttered. “How is a minor already Late Foundation Establishment? That’s just unreasonable.”

Just as he was lamenting the unfairness of the world, Steward Chen’s voice came from the doorway.

“Immortal Master, the patrol team is here again.”

“Alright, I know.”

Qin Lu closed the book and stood up immediately.

He wasn’t surprised. According to the grapevine, the border conflict between the Wuji Sect and the Dragon Tiger Sect had escalated. Relations had deteriorated from cold to hostile.

Recently, Wuji Market security had been tight, hunting for Dragon Tiger Sect spies. Routine inspections and interrogations had become part of daily life.

Qin Lu wasn’t worried. His household servants were all mortals purchased legally from the employment agency, with clean paper trails. Even Feng Xi, who had accidentally ascended to cultivation, had already been questioned and cleared.

He walked to the gate and greeted the patrol squad.

As expected, it was strictly routine. The patrol leader asked a few standard questions, checked their registrations, and finding nothing amiss, offered a polite farewell.

Since moving to Willow Street, the patrol’s attitude had improved drastically. They were respectful and efficient, a far cry from the arrogant, nostrils-flaring bullies who patrolled the Slums.

Watching the squad march away, Qin Lu’s brow furrowed.

He turned to Steward Chen. “Chen Ming, the winds of change are picking up. Keep your ears open in the market. Gather every scrap of news you can find regarding the war.”

“This humble one understands,” Chen Ming replied with a bow.

“Ah…”

Qin Lu looked up at the grey winter sky. He could smell the ozone of an approaching storm.