Shuiyun City.

Zhang Xian effortlessly made his way back to his new residence—a cultivation estate that had cost him a full 800 mid-grade Spirit Stones.

Privacy. Seclusion. These were exactly what he sought. Though the spiritual energy here couldn’t compare to that of a sect or an immortal mountain, living within the city offered unparalleled safety. If he ventured into the remote wilderness to cultivate, he’d risk being murdered and robbed of his treasures.

As for the city’s low spiritual energy density…

Zhang Xian smoothly entered the house, tossed out five mid-grade Spirit Stones, and activated a Spirit Gathering Formation. Instantly, the spiritual energy within the room surged, thickening visibly.

He now possessed 100 high-grade Spirit Stones—equivalent to 10,000 mid-grade ones! He was indulging in nothing short of extravagant waste.

His Classic of Nurturing Golden Cores with Azure Wood had already reached the full maturity of the second stage, placing him firmly at the Fifth Level of Qi Refining.

When this scripture reached the complete maturity of its ninth stage, his False Core would also reach perfection. This was the absolute pinnacle for a rootless cultivator, currently recognized as the highest attainable level in the cultivation world. A perfected False Core roughly corresponded to the early stage of an authentic Golden Core.

But even a False Core cultivator was still an Immortal, with a lifespan approaching a thousand years. With the System by his side, everything remained possible.

Two months later. Yueyang Tower.

Today, Zhao Jia was in an exceptionally good mood. He had successfully invited Lin Yinyin out, and she had agreed to accompany him to a grand auction hosted by the Baoqing Workshop.

This auction was on an unprecedented scale. Its caliber was primarily judged by its currency: most auctions used low-grade Spirit Stones, but this one dealt exclusively in mid-grade ones—a rarity in Shuiyun City. Not only Lin Yinyin, but even Zhao Jia himself couldn’t afford a single item there. Attending was merely a chance to broaden his horizons.

In short, this auction drew elites from all walks of life, including Senior Elders from the Yunmiao Sect, one of the Southern Region’s top-tier powers.

“Heh heh! Let me show you just how wealthy the Zhao family truly is.”

Zhao Jia couldn’t help but wonder if Lin Yinyin realized just how impressive he was. She often treated him with such aloofness, yet he was a wealthy third-generation heir!

He had brought her to the premier restaurant in Shuiyun City for a lavish feast, ordering their signature Spiritual Spring Wine—a bottle costing 100 low-grade Spirit Stones, a luxury even he usually begrudged himself. Surely, this would win her heart completely!

Gazing at Lin Yinyin’s slender waist, Zhao Jia felt a surge of desire. What delightful possibilities might arise if she became intoxicated?

Meanwhile, on the upper floor of the restaurant, Zhang Xian had just arrived.

“As usual, bring me the same dishes as last time.”

“Right away, Honored Guest! And the Spiritual Spring Wine?”

“The usual—ten bottles. Package up whatever is left over.”

“Certainly, Honored Guest!”

The servers adored patrons like Zhang Xian—tough, no-nonsense, and extravagantly generous. In recent days, with the auction taking place in Shuiyun City, many wealthy outsiders had descended upon the city. The restaurant, which normally struggled to sell even a single bottle of Spiritual Spring Wine a day, was now facing a severe shortage.

At this moment, Zhang Xian had already reached the Eighth Level of Qi Refining.

Over the past two months, his cultivation speed had skyrocketed like a rocket. The Classic of Nurturing Golden Cores with Azure Wood was an Arcane-grade cultivation technique. Coupled with his lavish cultivation method—consuming five mid-grade Spirit Stones daily, an amount equal to what ordinary cultivators earned in years—he was progressing at an astonishing pace.

【Ding! Current Favorability: 6.】

Hearing the System’s notification, Zhang Xian glanced around—and noticed Lin Yinyin seated not far away.

The Southern Region was peaceful, and every city was protected by a Star-Dou Protective Formation. This formation not only concentrated spiritual energy but also suppressed the leakage of cultivators’ spiritual power. Simply put, it rendered duels and flight impossible unless one’s internal spiritual force could overpower the formation—a feat achievable only by the most elite cultivators.

This was Zhang Xian’s primary reason for choosing to live in the city: to avoid the constant threat of being murdered for his treasures.

Seeing Lin Yinyin accompanied by a male companion, Zhang Xian decided not to disturb her.

Normally, cultivators who reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining could abstain from food altogether. Yet, human cravings were innate, especially when the ingredients used by this restaurant were rare spiritual herbs and divine birds beneficial for cultivation. Zhang Xian frequented this place often.

His behavior inevitably drew attention from other diners. Yueyang Tower wasn’t a cheap establishment; those who dined here were either conducting business meetings or enjoying romantic dates. A solitary patron like Zhang Xian, quietly devouring his meal as if it were a cafeteria lunch, was indeed unusual.

Zhao Jia couldn’t help but glance at him several times, then chuckled. “I wonder which sect this ‘Senior’ belongs to, to be so generous with his spending.”

“Senior cultivator?” Lin Yinyin asked, her beautiful eyes darting repeatedly toward Zhang Xian’s figure.

She had noticed him the very moment he stepped onto the restaurant floor.

There was no helping it—the impression this “eccentric” had left on her was simply too profound. He had spent a staggering ten mid-grade Spirit Stones to purchase her used handkerchief, only to vanish for over two months.

She prided herself on her skillful use of the “leading them on” tactic, but this man’s approach was so bizarre and unpredictable that she simply couldn’t fathom it.

“That’s right. He appears to be only at the eighth level of Qi Refining, yet judging by his bone age, he must be at least a hundred years old. It wouldn’t be surprising if he were a destitute wandering cultivator. But this is Yueyang Tower! Ordering so many exquisite dishes at once—it’s beyond the means of ordinary people. I suspect he might actually be a Senior cultivator at the Golden Core stage concealing his power,” Zhao Jia mused. Even his own grandfather wouldn’t dare spend so lavishly.

Techniques for concealing one’s aura were commonplace in the cultivation world. After hearing Zhao Jia’s analysis, Lin Yinyin found it rather plausible.

So this “eccentric senior” is actually at the Golden Core stage?

In the Southern Region, Qi Refining cultivators were as common as carp swimming upstream—countless in number. However, due to limitations in natural talent and resources, fewer than one in ten could break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

The difficulty increased exponentially beyond that point. Among a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators, not even one could advance to Golden Core. Take Shuiyun City as an example: tens of thousands of cultivators lived there, yet only a few dozen were Golden Core masters. Zhao Jia’s grandfather was one of them.

Beyond the Golden Core, each subsequent stage presented an insurmountable barrier, trapping even the most gifted. Lin Yinyin’s dream was to become a Golden Core cultivator, but beyond that, she didn’t dare to hope.

Should I go over and greet him? Lin Yinyin pondered, feeling it might seem abrupt, unbecoming of her dignified demeanor.

Yet a flicker of disappointment lingered within her. Damn it! I’m breathtakingly beautiful—how could you not notice me, after spending so much money on my handkerchief?

Lost in her thoughts, Zhang Xian continued eating, showing no sign of initiating conversation.

Across from him, Zhao Jia noticed Lin Yinyin’s distracted state. “Yinyin, what’s wrong? Is something troubling you? Drink more—this Spiritual Spring Wine isn’t just fragrant and refreshing; it’s also beneficial for cultivation, especially suited to your Water Spirit Root.”

“I’m feeling a bit unwell, Brother Zhao.” Lin Yinyin shook her head.

“What?” Zhao Jia’s heart skipped a beat. Why had Yinyin suddenly grown distant? Just moments ago, she had been calling him “Brother Zhao”; now she was addressing him as “Senior Brother.”

Was it because I brought her here for drinks? Had she detected my intentions? Or was there some other reason?

Finally, Zhang Xian finished his meal, paid the bill, and prepared to leave.

Missing this opportunity means who knows when another will arise! To hell with dignity!

Lin Yinyin waved casually toward Zhang Xian, feigning nonchalance. “Senior Brother Zhang, what a coincidence!”

“Oh? So it’s you, Fellow Cultivator! Long time no see!” Zhang Xian greeted her with genuine surprise, bowing respectfully.

Zhao Jia leapt to his feet. “Ah! I’ve met the Senior! Yinyin, so you two know each other?”

Who is this Senior?

“I’ve met the Fellow Cultivator, but she’s mistaken—I’m no Senior.” Zhang Xian politely returned the greeting.

Zhao Jia refused to believe it. After all, these old monsters loved to play coy, pretending to be weaklings before striking back with a dazzling display of power. One had to remain vigilant.

“A fleeting encounter. Senior Brother Zhang, have you met your younger sister yet?” Lin Yinyin asked with a touch of shyness.

Her delicate demeanor instantly captivated Zhao Jia—her voice soft and sweet, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.

Too bad it isn’t directed at me. Was this the allure of a Golden Core cultivator? He felt a pang of bitter envy.

“Yes, I have. She loves the gifts.”

“Senior Brother Zhang remembers—we agreed last time to accompany you in selecting a gift.”

“Perfect timing, then. I’m meeting my sister again in a few days. Let’s go now.”

Heh heh heh, since you’ve come to me willingly, don’t blame me for what happens next.

“You’re truly kind to your sister. Senior Brother Zhao, I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now.”

Watching Lin Yinyin follow the “Senior” down the stairs, Zhao Jia felt a chilling autumn wind sweep through him, leaving him utterly numb. His months-long preparations for this date had been abruptly cut short—before he’d even had a chance to take off his pants.

“No!”

“My dear Yinyin! Come to your senses! I’m your true love! Don’t succumb to the Senior’s seductive power!”