Inside the Qin residence, Qin Lu and the Gu siblings sat facing each other in the quiet aftermath of the duel.

“I truly must thank you both,” Qin Lu said, his voice heavy with sincerity. “If not for your intervention, the innocent mortals in my care would likely have been slaughtered in the crossfire.”

Gu Can waved a dismissive hand, leaning back in his chair. “Brother Qin, why be so polite? I already said it—we all escaped Wuji Market together. We refugees have to stick together for warmth!”

Qin Lu nodded, acknowledging the truth in Gu Can’s words. This incident had reinforced a vital lesson: in this ruthless world, reliable allies were as crucial as personal strength. And there were no bonds stronger than those forged in shared adversity.

“Speaking of which,” Gu Yue said, her eyes gleaming with keen interest, “that secret technique of yours is truly formidable. To kill Tao Xi so cleanly without leaving a trace… impressive.”

“A minor trick, hardly worth mentioning,” Qin Lu replied modestly.

“Hardly minor…” Gu Yue mused, then her expression grew serious. “However, we cannot let our guard down. I saw the look in Kong Mengli’s eyes before she left; it was full of resentment. This matter won’t end so simply.”

“Agreed,” Qin Lu said. “That woman seems the type to nurse a grudge over the smallest slight. We need to keep a low profile to give her no excuse to strike.”

As he spoke, Qin Lu’s gaze drifted to Gu Can. Gu Yue followed suit, staring pointedly at her brother. Among the three of them, Gu Can was the only one with a flamboyant, trouble-magnet personality.

“Hey, hey, why are you looking at me?” Gu Can protested, exasperated. “I haven’t been wandering around causing trouble lately!”

Gu Yue raised a skeptical eyebrow. “With your temperament? Can you really resist the urge to show off?”

“Normally, no. But now is different…” Gu Can flashed a profound, mysterious grin. “Because I’m leaving the market to go into seclusion! My Foundation Establishment opportunity has arrived!”

Gu Yue’s face lit up with genuine joy. “That’s wonderful! A change of environment really is the key!”

“Congratulations,” Qin Lu offered, his smile sincere.

Gu Yue shot a teasing glance at Qin Lu. “You’re congratulating him? Why aren’t you hurrying up yourself? Don’t let my little brother beat you to it.”

Qin Lu’s smile turned enigmatic. He ceased suppressing his aura, allowing his body to slowly levitate from his seat until he hovered a foot in the air.

“Actually,” he said with a laugh, “I’ve been at Foundation Establishment for quite a while now.”

The Gu siblings stared, stunned into silence.

In the weeks following the confrontation at the Qin estate, Gu Yue’s reputation soared. The market buzzed with tales of the heroic woman who fearlessly challenged the established powers. By association, Qin Lu also became a minor celebrity, though the rumors surrounding him were far less flattering. The most popular gossip claimed he was a “kept man,” a pretty boy supported by the powerful Gu Yue—a theory that explained why she had defended him so fiercely.

Due to his loose lips in the past, his nickname “Qin Big Mouth” also began to circulate, adding a layer of mockery to his fame.

Qin Lu remained blissfully unaware of these rumors. True to his word, he had embraced a life of hermitic cultivation, refusing to step foot outside his main gate. He turned a deaf ear to external affairs, focusing entirely on grinding his skill proficiencies in the safety of his home.

Gu Can, usually the life of the party, also vanished. He had secretly left the market to find a secluded spot in the deep mountains for his breakthrough.

With the troublemakers gone or in hiding, life returned to a peaceful rhythm. Half a month passed in tranquility.

One afternoon, Qin Lu lay on a reclining chair in the corner of his courtyard. Autumn had arrived, and withered paulownia leaves drifted down from the branches above. Yet, none touched him; an invisible barrier of spiritual energy deflected them inches from his face.

He was feigning sleep, stealing a moment of leisure amidst his grueling training schedule to enjoy the cool autumn breeze.

“Master! I succeeded!”

Feng Xi bounded into the courtyard, presenting a pure white pill between her fingers like a precious jewel.

“Oh?”

Qin Lu sat up, taking the pill. A careful inspection confirmed it was a [Fasting Pill] of decent quality—easily sellable in the market.

“Congratulations, Xiao Xi,” he said, rubbing her head affectionately. “From today on, you are a true Alchemist!”

Feng Xi beamed. Having reached the third layer of Qi Refining, her hard work and Qin Lu’s meticulous guidance had finally paid off. Qin Lu himself had recently unlocked the Fire Affinity talent, allowing him to master the basics of alchemy and pass that knowledge on to her.

“Thank you, Master!” Feng Xi bowed deeply. After living in the cultivation world for so long, she understood the immense value and rarity of alchemists. Her success was a direct result of his investment in her.

“Why be so polite with me?” Qin Lu laughed, handing the pill back. “Keep practicing. If you run out of materials, just tell me.”

“Okay!” Feng Xi chirped, skipping away happily.

Qin Lu watched her go with a contented smile. After a moment, he stretched lazily, preparing to resume his cultivation.

“Immortal Master,” Steward Chen announced, approaching quietly. “There is a visitor at the gate.”

“Who is it?”

“Immortal Master Cao Yunxi.”

“Oh… show him in.”

Qin Lu didn’t bother to stand, sinking back into his chair. With Old Cao, there was no need for formality.

Moments later, Cao Yunxi entered the courtyard.

Qin Lu’s relaxed expression vanished.

Old Cao looked nothing like his usual steady self. His face was gaunt and etched with deep distress, his eyes hollow with exhaustion. He looked like a man who had been ground down by an immense burden.

Qin Lu frowned, sitting up properly. “Old Cao… what happened to you?”