The room fell into a heavy silence as Chen Ziyi supported Zhou Kai away. Chen Rulong picked up his teacup, his fingers tracing the warm porcelain as his gaze grew deep and unfathomable, lost in calculation.

“Patriarch,” Chen Heming broke the silence, his voice tinged with regret. “We were too lenient when we signed that spirit contract. Had it been a Death Contract, we wouldn’t be dealing with these headaches today.”

Chen Rulong set his cup down with a soft tap that echoed sharply in the quiet hall. “His dantian was ruined, his cultivation destined to regress, yet he somehow broke through to the fourth layer of Qi Condensation. It’s baffling. I’ve kept him under surveillance, but I’ve found no obvious explanation for his luck.”

He paused, narrowing his eyes. “Now his heart meridian is mangled, with sword qi festering inside. Hmph. Without heaven-grade spirit pills, a full recovery would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens. This injury… it appears genuine.”

Chen Heming stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Regardless, he has reached the mid-stage of Qi Condensation and can still produce those lucrative Yang Locking Pills. For now, the Chen Family still has a use for him.”

“Xingze’s Foundation Establishment is our grand plan for the next century,” Chen Rulong added coldly. “We cannot afford any distractions. I will personally persuade Xingze to stop obsessing over Shen Hanyi.”

He looked at Chen Heming, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes. “When his ten-year contract expires, we will observe him one last time. If he remains obedient and proves he had no hand in the deaths of Chen Ping and Chen An, we can let him leave to foster goodwill. But if we discover he has ulterior motives…”

Chen Rulong’s voice turned icy. “Then we uproot him and Chen Ziyi together. We leave no loose ends.”

Back in their small courtyard, Zhou Kai went limp the moment the door closed behind them.

“Husband!” Chen Ziyi cried, catching his collapsing frame.

Zhou Kai waved a hand weakly. “The bed… get me to the bed.”

Once he was settled, Ziyi turned to fetch water, but Zhou Kai caught her wrist. His touch was cold, but his grip was firm. “Ziyi, tomorrow you must go to Baolu Pavilion.”

“Baolu Pavilion?”

“Yes,” Zhou Kai whispered, his eyes closed. “Find Wang Qiaoqiao. Only her—do not speak to anyone else.” He handed her a storage bag. “Tell her I need medicine. I want the highest-quality second-grade healing pills she has. If she has pill formulas for sale, buy them regardless of the cost.”

“I understand, Husband,” she promised.

“And one more thing,” Zhou Kai’s voice grew even softer. “Close our doors to everyone. Tell them I am in seclusion to heal and will not see a soul.”

With that, he seemed to drift into an exhausted sleep.

Three days later, in a lightless secret chamber, Zhou Kai exhaled a breath of turbid air. His complexion, once as pale as parchment, had regained a healthy hue. Though his breathing was still slightly ragged, the mortal peril had passed.

Inwardly, he could see the tyrannical sword qi still lingering near his heart, but after three days of relentless suppression with his spiritual power, it was finally confined to a corner. He estimated he needed another ten days of meticulous work to flush it out entirely.

He summoned Chen Ziyi. “Ziyi, my injuries are stable now. However, I want you to spread a rumor. Tell everyone that while I’ve survived, my foundation is shattered and I only have a few years left to live.”

Seeing him alert and speaking clearly, the weight on Ziyi’s heart finally lifted. She nodded obediently, joy lighting her eyes. “Yes, Husband. I will ensure everyone hears exactly that.”

“Also…” Zhou Kai’s gaze softened, drifting over her with a hint of playful ambiguity. He reached out, pulling her close and caressing her cheek. “It’s been far too long since we’ve been close.”

“Ah, Husband, your injuries!” Her face flushed crimson, her hands pressing against his chest in a mix of resistance and longing. “Is it really… alright? Won’t you hurt yourself?”

Zhou Kai didn’t answer with words; he leaned down and claimed her trembling lips.

【Ding! Deep communication with beloved Chen Ziyi completed. Obtained Omni-Points: 27】

“Hiss…”

Zhou Kai propped himself up, rubbing his lower back. “It seems I’m not as healed as I thought. Forcing ‘communication’ really takes it out of a man… I feel like I’ve run a marathon.”

He sighed to himself. I need to find a proper Dual Cultivation technique soon. Relying on raw instinct is way too inefficient and exhausting.

He checked his status and funneled the 27 points into his Wood Spirit Root.

【Zhou Kai】 【Cultivation: Qi Condensation Fourth Layer (1/400)】 【Vitality: Meridian Opening Second Layer (0/200)】 【Spirit Root: Metal (Low 12/100) Wood (Low 92/100) Water (Low 17/100) Fire (Low 23/100)】 【Cultivation Arts: Alchemy (Second Grade 155/300)】 【Beloved: Chen Ziyi (Mortal, Affection 90)】 【Available Omni-Points: 0**】**

One point of progress just from healing? It seems the panel reflects my real-world efforts, he noted. My Wood Spirit Root is almost at the breakthrough point. I wonder what a Mid-Grade aptitude feels like.

Once dressed, Zhou Kai decided it was time to visit Baolu Pavilion. He needed to gauge the attitude of his “investor,” Wang Qiaoqiao. His “near-death” state would be the ultimate test for their partnership; few people were willing to keep betting on a horse with a broken leg.

The Pavilion was as bustling as ever. He bypassed the main floor and headed straight for the second. To his surprise, the maid guided him not to the usual room, but to a heavily warded, quiet chamber.

“Please wait here. Steward Wang will arrive shortly.”

Soon, the scent of a unique perfume preceded the jingle of ornaments as Wang Qiaoqiao pushed through the door. When she saw Zhou Kai sitting there, her eyes narrowed, followed by an unmistakable wave of relief.

“Miss Qiaoqiao, it’s been a while,” Zhou Kai greeted with cupped hands.

“Don’t get up,” she said quickly, waving her maids away. “Leave us. No one enters without my word.”

Once they were alone, she scrutinized him, her eyes lingering on his pale face. She let out a soft, shaky sigh. “Guest Elder Zhou, the rumors gave me a fright. Seeing you alive—even in this state—finally puts my mind at ease.”

“It’s a long story,” Zhou Kai said with a weary smile. “I’ve come to hand over the latest batch of pills for some spirit stones, and to ask for more healing supplies.”

He pushed several jade vials across the table. Wang Qiaoqiao checked the quality, her eyes flickering with satisfaction. “The Yang Locking Pills are as perfect as ever. I’ll take them all.”

After paying him, she leaned in, her expression turning deadly serious. “Zhou Kai, we are partners, so I will be blunt. How confident are you in actually refining a Foundation Establishment Pill?”

Here it is, Zhou Kai thought. The moment of truth.

He looked her in the eye, his voice solemn. “Miss Qiaoqiao, you helped me when I had nothing. I don’t forget such debts. Alchemy is an arduous path, and I won’t lie and claim certain success. But I can promise you this: As long as I draw breath, I will find a way to repay your kindness.”

He leaned closer, his voice dropping an octave. “And if I succeed, I will exhaust every resource I have to ensure you also step into the Foundation Establishment realm.”