The sky was filled with a rain of light, dreamlike and illusory. Every falling droplet contained energy of the utmost purity.

Zhou Kai bathed in it, feeling a current as warm as jade surging through his body, washing over his internal organs and scrubbing his limbs and bones. Under the scouring of this light rain, his Mana became more condensed and refined. His Vitality galloped through his veins, as if he were undergoing a complete metamorphosis—shedding his mortal body for new bones.

This Spiritual Essence is truly extraordinary! Zhou Kai marveled inwardly.

If ordinary Spirit Qi was a trickling stream, this Spiritual Essence was a majestic river. Not only was the quantity vast, but the quality was worlds apart. It wasn’t just cleansing his Mana and Vitality; it was subtly enhancing the very foundation of his constitution!

If Spirit Qi was common rice to fill the stomach, then this Spiritual Essence was an immortal elixir, a higher form of Source Origin energy. Absorbing Spirit Qi maintained life; letting Spiritual Essence wash over you evolved your life form.

Though the changes were subtle, they could not escape Zhou Kai’s internal vision. He could clearly feel his Mana circulating through his meridians with greater smoothness and roundness. His Vitality was thicker than before, and every movement of his hands and feet carried a more solid sense of power.

With a thought, he summoned his system panel.

[Zhou Kai] [Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Layer 1 (12/—)] [Vitality: Bone Forging Layer 1 (950/—)]

It worked!

The maximum capacity numbers behind his Cultivation and Vitality had shifted. He clearly sensed a subtle improvement in his affinity for Spirit Qi and his body’s ability to withstand stress.

It seems constitution doesn’t just affect cultivation speed; its impact on combat power is immeasurable. It’s a pity the system panel doesn’t display a direct numerical value for constitution, Zhou Kai thought. This benefit was likely far more precious than a simple level up.

If merely bathing in it has such an effect, what if I could refine and absorb this Spiritual Essence into my body?

A gleam flashed in Zhou Kai’s eyes. The Lawless No Word Heavenly Scripture encompasses all things. Perhaps I can give it a try!

Without hesitation, Zhou Kai calmed his mind and drove the Heavenly Scripture to operate at full throttle.

However, the whale-like consumption he imagined did not occur. The moment the Heavenly Scripture activated, the seemingly docile Spiritual Essence turned incredibly stubborn. It continued to wash over his skin, treating his intent to “absorb and refine” with utter disdain.

Zhou Kai tried to guide it, but the essence was like unyielding stone or a slippery loach. No matter how the Heavenly Scripture spun, it couldn’t shake the energy loose, let alone refine it. The feeling was akin to a mortal trying to swallow a star—he felt small and powerless.

He did not get discouraged. Time slowly ticked away in this tedious and difficult tug-of-war.

Meanwhile, Li Youci emerged from her aunt Li Yunmian’s pavilion. She did not return to Taiji Peak. instead, with a tap of her toes, she drifted toward the Outer Sect.

The gate opened. Seeing Li Youci standing gracefully outside, Chen Ziyi paused, stunned, before immediately bowing properly. “Martial Aunt Li.”

Chen Ziqing, Wang Qiaoqiao, and Lin Zhiwei also stepped out upon hearing the noise. Seeing the Young Miss radiating a chilling aura, their hearts tightened, and they hurriedly bowed.

“Greetings, Senior Sister… Martial Aunt.”

Li Youci’s beautiful eyes swept indifferently over the four women. She offered no pleasantries. Instead, a terrifying Divine Sense Aura Pressure crashed down!

Boom!

The four women felt as if Mount Tai were crushing their skulls. Their breathing instantly froze, their faces turned paper-white, and their delicate frames swayed as if about to collapse.

The Chen siblings and Wang Qiaoqiao were merely in the first realm; their legs went soft, and they nearly fell to their knees. Lin Zhiwei’s cultivation was slightly higher, but she was drenched in cold sweat, her beauty drained of color.

“You are not worthy of being the Dao Companions of a prodigy like Zhou Kai,” Li Youci said, her red lips parting slightly. Her voice was icy, devoid of emotion. “You are merely opportunists who latched onto him when he was lowly.”

The four women’s expressions changed drastically.

Chen Ziyi’s brows furrowed, her eyes filling with stubbornness. “What does Aunt mean? My husband and I are in love. How can you call that opportunism?”

Wang Qiaoqiao felt indignant, but facing Li Youci’s crushing pressure, she dared not speak, only gritting her teeth in silence.

Lin Zhiwei, though pale with fright, glared back with angry eyes, refusing to lower her head.

Chen Ziqing, however, looked as if she were about to cry, appearing pitiful and fragile, her eyes full of fear.

Li Youci snorted coldly, ramping up the pressure.

“Love? Hmph. That is merely the self-comfort of the weak. His future achievements are limitless. He is destined for Nascent Soul, Soul Formation, perhaps even higher! You possess shallow cultivation and mediocre aptitude. You will only become his burdens, distractions that hinder his path to the Dao!”

Her words were like sharp knives.

“I have a method that will allow you to become his true support, letting him focus without distraction. Are you willing?”

Chen Ziyi was the first to ask, “May I ask, Aunt, what is this method?”

Li Youci spoke slowly. “This talisman is called the ‘Spirit Platform Kindling Flame.’ Using spiritual power as a guide and rare materials as ink, I will inscribe talisman patterns directly onto your bodies. Once activated, this talisman will forcibly elevate your cultivation base—but you will be unable to use this power yourselves.”

“You will become reservoirs. When he engages in Dual Cultivation with you, this accumulated power will transfer entirely to him, fueling his cultivation.”

“However…” Li Youci’s tone shifted. “This talisman possesses powerful spirituality. Once inscribed, until its energy is completely exhausted, you will be unable to cultivate for yourselves. It will likely require three to five years of quiet recuperation afterwards to fully recover.”

“The benefit is that your foundations will not be permanently damaged. Once the talisman’s power dissipates, you may resume your path.”

She knew Zhou Kai’s flirtatious nature well. If he used them as disposable Cultivation Vessels for “Plucking and Replenishing,” he might become addicted to the pleasure, delaying his practice of the Heavenly Scripture. Furthermore, if she refined these four women into true furnaces, they would lose their Primordial Yin and die, likely causing a rift between her and Zhou Kai.

It was better to let these women “voluntarily” sacrifice themselves. It would enhance Zhou Kai’s strength without destroying their foundations. A few years of lost time for them? Zhou Kai would likely accept that trade-off.

The four women looked at each other. Under Li Youci’s crushing Aura Pressure, did they really have a choice?

Moreover, their Affection was firmly locked at “Unwavering” by the system. If they could help Zhou Kai, they were willing from the bottom of their hearts.

“If it can help my husband, Ziyi is willing,” Chen Ziyi declared, her eyes resolute.

“I’m willing too!” Wang Qiaoqiao followed closely. Though pragmatic, she genuinely loved Zhou Kai. This was the ultimate investment in him.

Lin Zhiwei looked at the others and took a breath. “This humble woman… is also willing.”

Chen Ziqing bit her lip, her eyes shimmering with tears. “As long as it helps Big Brother Zhou, Ziqing will do anything.”

Seeing all four agree, Li Youci’s eyes flashed with undisguised satisfaction. She slowly withdrew her spiritual pressure.

The four women collapsed slightly, gasping for air as if a mountain had been lifted from their shoulders.

“Very good,” Li Youci nodded. “If you are sincere in helping him, remember this: He must not know a single detail of this arrangement. If his heart is burdened by guilt, it will be counterproductive.”

The four women nodded in agreement.

Inside the Aurora Cave.

A full day and night had passed. Zhou Kai’s forehead veins bulged, sweat pouring down like rain. His face flushed red, then purple. The Lawless No Word Heavenly Scripture was operating inside him at a frenzied, unprecedented speed.

Finally.

A tiny, almost imperceptible strand of seven-colored Spiritual Essence—finer than a hair—ceased its resistance. Like a tamed spirit snake, it slowly, arduously merged into his Dantian Qi Sea, completely refined and absorbed by the Heavenly Scripture.

Hum!

Zhou Kai felt a thunderclap in his mind. That single strand of Spiritual Essence entered his body and instantly transformed into an indescribably pure energy. It nourished his Mana and Vitality, and even his soul felt a wave of clarity and comfort.

He eagerly threw open his system panel.

[Zhou Kai] [Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Layer 1 (12/—)] [Vitality: Bone Forging Layer 1 (950/—)]

“Holy shit!” Zhou Kai almost shouted aloud.

Just that single strand! Just that microscopic thread of essence! The required Experience Points for his next breakthrough in both his Cultivation and Vitality realms had dropped by one hundred points each!

What terrifying efficiency was this?!

This Spiritual Essence is practically a Super Experience Pill! If I could absorb it in large quantities…

A blazing, greedy light shot from Zhou Kai’s eyes, his breathing becoming heavy.

The eruption within the Aurora Cave finally began to subside. The pillars of light vanished, the rain of light ceased, and the colorful spots on the ceiling returned to their soft, ambient glow.

The meditating cultivators opened their eyes one by one, satisfied smiles on their faces. Clearly, everyone had gained something.

Zhou Kai exhaled a long breath of turbid air. Although he had only successfully refined a single strand over the entire day, little drops make an ocean. If he did this once a month, the enhancement to his constitution would be massive.

He stepped out of the cave entrance only to see a familiar black-clad figure standing gracefully outside.

It was Li Youci.

“You have some wit, knowing to use the Heavenly Scripture to absorb the essence,” Li Youci’s voice transmission echoed in his ear.

“Just luck. Thank you for the opportunity, Young Miss,” Zhou Kai replied.

“Return to Taiji Peak,” Li Youci commanded, her tone brooking no argument. “Without my permission, you are not to leave the peak even half a step.”

Zhou Kai raised an eyebrow. This Young Miss really isn’t giving me any chance to see Ziyi and the others? It seems she’s taking her role as my disciplinarian seriously.

He returned to Taiji Peak, only for a flashy figure to dart out from the side.

“Junior Brother Zhou!”

Gao Feiyang’s signature booming voice, accompanied by a cape emblazoned with ten glistening characters, made Zhou Kai’s eyes physically ache.

Zhou Kai’s heart skipped a beat. Crap. I completely forgot to put in a good word for him.

Seeing Gao Feiyang’s excitement, had Li Youci changed her mind on her own? Or had someone else helped?

“Senior Brother Gao, you…” Zhou Kai started.

“Hey! Junior Brother, stop pretending!” Gao Feiyang slapped Zhou Kai on the shoulder, winking and grinning. “You really get things done efficiently! The Young Miss actually transferred me back from that godforsaken Broken Wood Bay! Today, I absolutely must treat you to a proper drink! I’ve picked the spot—let’s go to the Immortal Gathering Pavilion!”

Zhou Kai blinked. She really did it? Just a casual favor?

Suddenly, Gao Feiyang froze. “Huh?”

His eyes widened as he scrutinized Zhou Kai from head to toe.

“Wait! Junior Brother Zhou, you… you… you… you’ve reached Foundation Establishment?!” Gao Feiyang’s voice cracked, shooting up an octave. He abruptly sensed Zhou Kai’s blood energy.

“Bone Forging Realm?! Your body cultivation broke through too?! Holy shit! It’s only been a few days! Is a top-grade Spirit Root really this insane?!”

Gao Feiyang looked like he had taken a critical hit to the soul. How many years had he been stuck at the peak of Qi Condensation? And here was Zhou Kai, breaking through two major realms in the blink of an eye. How was anyone supposed to live with this envy?

“Ahem,” Zhou Kai cleared his throat modestly. “Luck. Pure luck.”

“Luck my ass!” Gao Feiyang shoved Zhou Kai away, his face a mask of grief and indignation. “Forget the drinks! Damn it, this is too demoralizing! I’m going into seclusion! I won’t come out until I reach Foundation Establishment!”

With that, Gao Feiyang spun around and stormed off toward his cave dwelling, slamming the stone door shut with a dramatic bang.