Zhao Tieshan’s breathing grew noticeably heavy, and the grin on his face became even more fervent.

“I’d heard of your name before, Fellow Daoist, but I never imagined we’d become neighbors today. Fate! This is truly fate!”

Zhao Tieshan leaned in, his voice taking on a seasoned, weary tone. “Fellow Daoist Zhou, as an alchemist, you might not fully grasp the hardships we loose cultivators face. This Crouching Tiger Mountain Range may look like a treasure trove, but the demon beasts within are savage. Every time we venture in, we’re on a knife’s edge. A single moment of carelessness, and you’re finished.”

“Take that Horned Swine, for instance. One charge from that beast could shatter every bone in your body! And don’t get me started on the venomous ones, or the beasts that command frost and flame. Recovering from those wounds is a nightmare. It’s not just slow; it feels like your very essence is leaking away when your tendons and bones are compromised.”

He sighed, slapping his own thigh. “We body cultivators live and die by our vitality. If that well runs dry, we’re as good as dead.”

Zhao Tieshan’s eyes flickered with a mix of shame and hope. “To be frank, after years of struggling in those mountains, I’ve been battered more times than I can count. This old body… it just isn’t as sturdy as it used to be. Especially when it comes to… certain kinds of strength. Sometimes, I just can’t muster the energy.”

Zhou Kai inwardly rolled his eyes. All that dramatic buildup just to ask for the blue pills.

He wasn’t stingy, however. He produced a jade vial and handed it over without hesitation. “A small token for our first meeting. If you don’t mind, Fellow Daoist Zhao, please accept these ten Yang Locking Pills. If the effects are to your liking, feel free to come to me in the future to trade for any rare materials you might hunt.”

Zhao Tieshan snatched the vial and eagerly popped the stopper.

“Good pills! Exquisite!” His eyes practically glowed. “Your skills are far from ‘rudimentary,’ Fellow Daoist! This is master-level work. I won’t stand on ceremony then!”

He carefully tucked the vial away, his attitude instantly turning ten times more enthusiastic. He thumped his massive chest. “Fellow Daoist Zhou, if you ever need an errand run or word on the street, just say the word! I’ve got deep roots in this area.”

“I appreciate that, Fellow Daoist Zhao. I suspect I’ll be troubling you quite often,” Zhou Kai said with a polite smile.

Zhao Tieshan gave a sly chuckle and lowered his voice. “Since you’ve been cooped up… I should warn you, the Crouching Tiger Mountain Range hasn’t been peaceful lately.”

“Oh? How so?” Zhou Kai’s interest was instantly piqued.

“The specifics are above my pay grade, but word is that even those elusive Foundation Establishment grand cultivators have been sighted deep within the range!” Zhao Tieshan’s eyes flashed with a cocktail of wariness and excitement. “It involves the Heavenly Spring Sect and Calamity Abyss Valley. When the great sects move, life gets harder for those of us living by the blade. But…” He chuckled again. “The more chaotic the waters, the more fish there are to catch. It just depends on who’s fast enough to grab them!”

Zhou Kai nodded thoughtfully. Foundation Establishment cultivators? It has to be related to the ruins Shen Hanyi found.

The Heavenly Spring Sect and Calamity Abyss Valley were neighbors. Lone Goose Palace, on the other hand, was far away. If the sword cultivators from the Palace arrived to back their disciple, Crouching Tiger Mountain would turn into a powder keg.

“Thank you for the warning. As a newcomer, I value friends who stay informed,” Zhou Kai said, saluting with cupped hands.

“Of course! An alchemist of your caliber is a golden ticket in these parts. In the future, the best of my hunts go to you first!” Zhao Tieshan was savvy enough to know when to cement a bridge.

After a few more pleasantries, the burly man took his leave, looking thoroughly satisfied. Watching him go, Zhou Kai’s eyes narrowed. A fifth-layer Meridian Opening hunter with a solid network. Keeping him close will be useful.

Night fell, and the soft glow of moonlight stones bathed the courtyard in a pale luminescence. Dinner was simple but hearty—fresh demon beast meat from Zhao Tieshan’s gift.

To Zhou Kai’s surprise, Chen Ziyi finished a large bowl with gusto. Previously, with gentler spirit beast meat like Long-Tailed Rabbit, she could barely finish half a bowl. Is her constitution improving from the constant spiritual diet, or is the more ‘aggressive’ meat of a demon beast triggering something?

Setting the thought aside, Zhou Kai retreated to the quiet room in the backyard and summoned his system panel.

【Zhou Kai】 【Cultivation: Qi Condensation Fourth Layer (23/400)】 【Vitality: Meridian Opening Second Layer (0/200)】 【Spirit Root: Metal (Low 12/100), Wood (Mid 300/300), Water (Low 17/100), Fire (Low 23/100)】 【Cultivation Arts: Alchemy (Second Grade 200/300)】 【Red Beauty: Chen Ziyi (Mortal, Affection 90)】 【Available Omni-Points: 170**】**

His lips curled. A Mid-Grade Spirit Root was indeed a game-changer. Even while spending time on alchemy, his progress was steady. If he focused solely on cultivation and used his unlimited supply of top-tier Spirit Gathering Pills, he could reach the peak of Qi Condensation in less than two years.

His mind drifted to Chen Xingze. A Superior-Grade Spirit Root, twenty-five years old, ten years in the Heavenly Spring Sect with an entire clan backing him—and he was only at the eighth layer?

His setup is basically the ‘Deluxe Edition’ protagonist start, Zhou Kai mused, frowning. After ten years of being force-fed resources, he should be much further along. Unless… Chen Xingze is just an empty suit?

He shook his head and turned his attention back to his points.

“System, add 100 points to Wood Spirit Root.”

【Ding! Spirit Root: Wood (Mid-Grade 300/300)】

“Breakthrough!”

The world seemed to explode in color. Vibrant green orbs of light danced joyfully around him as if celebrating. Every cell in his body screamed with life, greedily inhaling the spiritual energy in the air. The sensation of boundless vitality was intoxicating.

“The Wood Spirit Qi here is incredibly dense… it feels like a churning tide.”

Next, he turned to his craft. “Add 20 points to Alchemy.”

【Ding! Alchemy (Second Grade 220/300)】

Good enough for now. A second-grade alchemist at the fourth layer of Qi Condensation is already a freak of nature.

He kept the remaining 50 points as a safety net. He stood up and walked toward the master bedroom. As he entered, Chen Ziyi turned away slightly, her face pale.

“Husband… not tonight. It is that time of the month. My body is not feeling well.”

Zhou Kai’s gaze instinctively drifted toward the wall that separated them from Chen Ziqing’s room.

The movement didn’t escape Ziyi. She shot him a reproachful, slightly sour look. “Husband, where are you looking? Can it be that while you hold your wife, your heart is with her sister? Do you truly desire such fortune—to have both sisters by your side in the days to come?”

Zhou Kai laughed heartily. “And who was it that insisted we bring Ziqing along when we left the Chens?”

He walked over and took her hand. “I am a second-grade alchemist now. In this entire district, you can count men of my rank on one hand. We will never lack for Spirit Stones or pills again. My dantian is healed, and the peak of Qi Condensation is within my grasp. In the future, I may even attempt Foundation Establishment!”

Ziyi was stunned for a heartbeat before she saw through him. “Husband, why are you telling me this? I already know these things. Those words weren’t meant for my ears, were they?”

She smirked. “You want them relayed to your little sister-in-law, don’t you?”

Zhou Kai didn’t answer; he just looked at her with a knowing depth in his eyes. Ziyi was gentle, but she wasn’t a fool. She understood that a man with this kind of potential was a lifeline in the brutal world of cultivation. Binding her sister to him wasn’t just about lust—it was about securing both their futures on a ship destined for the heavens.

“If Ziqing does not agree… please do not force her,” Ziyi whispered.

Zhou Kai squeezed her hand. “I promised I would set you on the path to immortality. I intend to keep that promise for both of you.”