Thanks to Gu Can’s deliberate loudmouthing, the news of Gu Yue’s ascension to Foundation Establishment swept through Wuji Market like a wildfire.

The fallout, however, defied Qin Lu’s expectations. The coercion and suppression he had anticipated from the four existing Foundation Establishment experts never materialized. Instead, the response was a display of exquisite social etiquette.

Every established powerhouse sent personal gifts to the Gu residence. Even Li Qingdu, the “Local Emperor” who ruled the market with an iron fist, dispatched a disciple to deliver a token of respect.

It was a masterclass in saving face. In the cultivation world, one did not lightly offend a peer of equal realm.

Consequently, the Gu threshold was worn down by a daily parade of visitors. Loose cultivators flocked to her door, desperate to secure a livelihood under a new patron. Even though Gu Yue explicitly stated she had no intention of founding a sect or clan, preferring a life of secluded cultivation, she couldn’t stem the tide of burning enthusiasm from the lower rungs of society.

Time flowed on, slow and steady.

In the blink of an eye, two more months passed.

Through relentless, grinding effort in his meditation chamber, Qin Lu finally shattered the bottleneck. He had reached the Ninth Level of Qi Refining.

Hiss!

The [Blue Rainbow Sword] thrust forward, the blade vibrating with such speed that it sent a visible ripple through the air.

Qin Lu didn’t stop. He pivoted, leaning his body back like a drawn bow, and unleashed a reverse thrust. His movements were fluid, precise, and deadly, resembling a swordmaster who had immersed himself in the Way of the Sword for decades rather than months.

“Huff… huff…”

Qin Lu struggled to regulate his breathing, his arms heavy as lead.

Steam rose from the crown of his head in wispy columns. His thin training robes were soaked through, clinging to his skin and revealing the lean, corded muscle beneath.

As his proficiency with the sword art climbed, the power of his strikes grew terrifying, but so did the physical toll. The fatigue didn’t diminish; the ceiling just got higher.

Shing!

Another thrust!

Suddenly, Qin Lu’s breath hitched. His limbs began to tremble violently, his muscles screaming in protest, twisting and spasming in exhaustion. He froze in place, locked by his own body’s limits.

But less than two breaths later, something snapped.

It was as if invisible shackles had shattered. His movements regained their fluidity, faster and smoother than before.

However, the breakthrough came at a cost. His spiritual energy bottomed out instantly. His center of gravity shifted, and he collapsed onto the flagstones.

“Huff! Huff!”

Qin Lu lay spread-eagled on the ground, gasping for air like a landed fish. Yet, his face was split by a wide grin, his eyes shining with a fierce light as he stared up at the sky.

“Finally… Grandmaster rank.”

After months of “grinding”—practicing four times a day without fail—he had finally pushed his sword art to the pinnacle.

With a thought, he summoned his interface.

[Name: Qin Lu] [Lifespan: 36/137 Years] [Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 9: 2/100]

[Cultivation Methods:]

Mystic Sun Mantra (Legend): 1273/∞

[Skills:]

Spells:

Ignition Technique (Legend): 3/∞

Finger Flick Technique (Legend): 25/∞

Illumination Technique (Legend): 5/∞

Cutting Technique (Legend): 3/∞

Soft Wind Technique (Legend): 108/∞

Spirit Shield Technique (Grandmaster): 15/3000

Heavenly Eye Technique (Grandmaster): 1546/3000

Disguise Technique (Grandmaster): 4/3000

Object Control Technique (Grandmaster): 10/3000

Ice Qi Technique (Proficient): 208/600

Lightning Strike Technique (Proficient): 204/600

Talisman Crafting:

Water Qi Shield (Grandmaster): 2/3000

Cleansing Talisman (Proficient): 18/200

Body Protection Shield (Proficient): 514/600

Swift Step Talisman (Novice): 16/100

Golden Light Talisman (Grandmaster): 714/3000

Sword Arts:

Gray Shadow Sword Art (Legend): 1/∞

[Talent: None]

Qin Lu grinned, revealing brilliant white teeth.

It was September. He had been in this world for exactly one year.

In twelve months, he had gone from a destitute loose cultivator at the Second Level of Qi Refining to an elite at the Ninth Level.

With his current stats, winning the tournament championship would have been as easy as reaching into a bag for a coin. Even against a peak Qi Refining expert, he had more than a fighting chance.

He felt the corner of his lip curling in pride.

Immediately, he slapped his own cheeks, physically wiping away the arrogance. He sat up, his expression serious.

“Guard against arrogance and impetuosity! Keep a low profile! Remember!”

He walked to the stone table in the courtyard and downed a cup of cold spirit tea.

The last three months had been remarkably peaceful. Even the chaos in The Slums had quieted down.

Qin Lu had maintained his daily talisman output. His [Golden Light Talismans]—high quality and high volume—were a hit, further elevating the Wanbao Pavilion’s reputation.

However, despite the revenue, his savings were abysmal.

Aside from daily expenses, Qin Lu had poured a fortune into buying the [Fasting Pill] formula and raw materials, attempting to conquer alchemy at home.

It was a disaster. He now understood why they called alchemy a “bottomless pit.”

Over a thousand Spirit Stones had flowed away like water, vanished into smoke and ash. He hadn’t produced a single usable pill.

Thinking of his lost fortune, Qin Lu looked up at the sky and sighed.

“Alas. Whether it’s Artifact Refining or Alchemy, I have absolutely zero talent.”

“Am I destined to draw talismans for a lifetime?”

He drummed his fingers on the table. “How can I make money work for me? Is there a once-and-for-all method? A bank? No, no banks here…”

Qin Lu sat there, his spirit wandering, indulging in wild fantasies of financial freedom in a cultivation world.

His brooding was interrupted by the sound of light, happy footsteps.

A teenage girl in yellow robes ran into the courtyard, her face glowing with excitement. It was Feng Xi.

“Master! Master! I finally learned the [Cutting Technique]!”

“Oh?” Qin Lu sat up straighter, smiling with genuine interest. “Let me see.”

After Steward Chen had taught her to read and write, Feng Xi’s mind had opened up. Her literacy had improved by leaps and bounds, so Qin Lu had given her the second volume of the Simple Spell Cultivation Method.

She had quickly mastered the minor spells like [Finger Flick] and [Ignition], but the [Cutting Technique] had stumped her. Since Qin Lu needed her to process demon beast hides for his talismans, he had been keeping a close eye on her progress.

“Watch this!”

Feng Xi’s expression turned solemn. She extended a single finger, staring intently at the tip as she channeled her Qi.

Ten breaths passed.

Finally, a slender thread of spiritual energy, about the length of a pinky finger, extended from her nail.

“Master, look! Is it like this?!” she shouted, vibrating with excitement.

“Not bad, not bad at all. That is exactly right,” Qin Lu praised warmly.

Looking at her beaming face, Qin Lu decided against demonstrating his own version of the spell. Showing her a three-hundred-foot blade of invisible force that could shear a house in half might dampen her enthusiasm.

He opened his mouth to offer a few pointers on efficiency, but his words died in his throat.

His body seized. His instincts screamed.

He jerked his head up toward the sky.

BOOM!

A black shadow descended from the heavens like a meteor.

With a deafening crash, it slammed into the center of his courtyard, cracking the stone tiles and sending a shockwave of dust rolling outward.

Qin Lu was on his feet in an instant, his hand hovering near his storage bag.

As the dust settled, a figure emerged. A middle-aged man with cold, arrogant eyes.

Qin Lu’s heart went cold.

It was Li Qingdu.