Zhou Kai curled his lip and cursed under his breath. “Damn system.”

He had finally figured it out. Aside from the timely ding at critical moments, this lousy system was a mute gourd. Expecting it to explain itself was less likely than expecting Chen Xingze to chop off his own head and deliver it on a silver platter.

Resigning himself to the silence, his gaze fell upon the entry for the [Roaming Dragon White Jade Body].

He did some quick mental math. Based on the current multiplier, even without pills or active cultivation—just by grinding “Deep Interactions” day and night to farm points—he could push his physical realm to the Bone Forging stage in four months, tops.

That bastard Chen Xingze would likely need another ten months to reach Foundation Establishment. With half a year remaining before the Calamity Abyss Valley opened, Zhou Kai had time to spare.

“Four months… that’s plenty.” A cold, predatory glint flashed in Zhou Kai’s eyes. “Let’s do it.”

The [Roaming Dragon White Jade Body] looked impressive on paper, and Zhou Kai wasn’t one to hesitate. He sat cross-legged, entering a meditative trance to comprehend the technique.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

Aside from traveling, Zhou Kai devoted every spare moment to cultivating the [Cicada Raiment Art], dumping all his earned Vitality points directly into his own stats.

As for the [Roaming Dragon White Jade Body], that project was on hold until the [Cicada Shell Shadow Hiding] technique was initially mastered. He didn’t care if his skills were crude; he was determined to crush his enemies with sheer stat superiority.

The Vitality column on his system panel flickered and updated:

[Vitality: Meridian Opening – Fifth Layer (330/750)]

The effects were visceral. He could feel the raw power surging through his frame, his life force becoming robust and turbulent. Interestingly, the bulky, unsightly muscles that had plagued him were gradually receding, compressing into denser, more efficient fibers.

But Chen Ziyi’s transformation was even more dramatic.

Her imposing, tank-like physique—a side effect of the [Tiger Rush Strength]—had visibly softened over the last few days. The rock-hard deltoids were smoothing out, and her skin began to glow with a faint, jade-like luster. Although she hadn’t fully recovered her original figure, the outline of her graceful, feminine curves was re-emerging from the mass of muscle.

Zhou Kai estimated that within a month, Ziyi would reclaim her status as a peerless beauty.

Inside the tent, the air was thick with the scent of musk and sweat.

“Hah… Husband…”

Chen Ziyi knelt on the bedding, her back arched like a drawn bow. Her skin, flushed pink and glistening with perspiration, felt hot to the touch.

Zhou Kai gripped her hips, his fingers digging into flesh that was firm yet yielding. He drove into her from behind, the rhythmic slapping of skin against skin echoing in the small space. With every thrust, he channeled his Qi, guiding the energy of the [Cicada Raiment Art] to reshape her meridians and soften her body.

“You’re getting softer, Ziyi,” Zhou Kai growled, leaning forward to bite gently at the nape of her neck. He picked up the pace, his movements savage and deep. “My Ziyi is almost back to being that enchanting little temptress. Soon, you’ll be even more beautiful than before.”

“Nngh! Ah!”

Chen Ziyi let out a broken, needy cry, her head thrown back. She no longer had the shy demeanor of a sheltered girl. She pressed back against him, meeting his thrusts with eager desperation.

“Husband… the ‘little temptress’ title… is for my sister…” Her voice was thick with pleasure, carrying a soft, nasal whine. She reached back, her fingers clawing at his thighs. “I just… I want more… fill me up!”

“As you wish!”

Zhou Kai smirked and slammed into her with full force, grinding against her deepest spot. The dual cultivation cycle roared to life, extracting Yin and nourishing Yang, refining their bodies in the crucible of pleasure.

So what if body cultivators were tough? Even steel could be melted if the fire was hot enough.

Later that day, the sated couple followed a winding stream downward.

“Husband, it seems to open up ahead,” Chen Ziyi said, pointing forward. Her tone was light, her earlier fatigue washed away by their intense session.

Zhou Kai looked up. Mist rose from the water ahead, and the narrow view suddenly expanded into a vast, open expanse.

A massive lake appeared before them, its surface as calm as a mirror, reflecting the azure sky and drifting white clouds. The Spirit Qi here was noticeably denser than at Broken Wood Bay.

“This must be Minshan Lake,” Zhou Kai nodded.

In the center of the lake, a small island was faintly visible, shrouded in lush greenery.

They climbed to a high vantage point by the lakeside to scout. Apart from flying birds and swimming fish, there was no trace of human activity—no boats, no smoke, nothing.

Chen Ziyi’s delicate brows furrowed. “Husband, the scenery is excellent, but… it seems uninhabited. Could Master Sun have deceived us?”

Logically, if Master Sun had directed them here, his secluded dwelling should be nearby. But Minshan Lake was vast, and aside from the solitary island, there were no obvious hiding places.

Just as Zhou Kai frowned in thought, the [Truth-Seeking Jade] in his robe suddenly warmed against his chest.

Zhou Kai’s heart leaped.

Someone is concealing their aura!

He focused intently on the subtle magnetic pull of the jade. His gaze snapped toward the small island in the center of the lake. The jade was practically burning now.

“Let’s go. It’s on the island.”

Zhou Kai wrapped an arm around Chen Ziyi’s waist. With a push of his foot, they shot into the air like streaks of light, skimming over the water toward the island.

The island wasn’t large, but the vegetation was suffocatingly dense. Ancient trees pierced the sky, and thick vines coiled around them like slumbering dragons. It was shaded, primitive, and silent.

They landed on the shore, but there were still no signs of habitation.

Zhou Kai didn’t rush in. He stood at the edge of the treeline and spread his Divine Sense, probing the area. It felt like throwing mud into the ocean—his senses vanished without feedback.

He straightened his posture, cupped his hands, and projected his voice into the depths of the forest.

“I am Zhou Kai! I had the fortune of meeting Master Sun at Broken Wood Bay! Today, I have come specifically to seek arrays. I request Master Sun show himself!”

His voice rolled like thunder, echoing through the woods.

Silence.

Chen Ziyi glanced at him with concern, but Zhou Kai remained expressionless, waiting.

Roughly the time it took for an incense stick to burn passed. Just as Zhou Kai’s patience hit its limit and he was ready to leave, the scenery warped.

The dense forest began to ripple and distort like a reflection in disturbed water. The trees receded like a tide, revealing a winding path paved with bluestone.

At the end of the path stood several elegant bamboo houses.

They occupied a considerable area, featuring front and back courtyards filled with exotic flowers and herbs that emitted a refreshing, medicinal fragrance. The Spirit Qi here was several times denser than outside—clearly the work of a high-level Spirit Gathering Array.

“So it was concealed by an Illusion Array,” Zhou Kai muttered, realization flashing in his eyes. “This Truth-Seeking Jade doesn’t just find people; it sniffs out array fluctuations too. What a treasure.”

Creeeak—

The bamboo door of the main house opened, and a slender, hunchbacked figure emerged. It was Master Sun.

“Finding this place counts as having some skill,” Master Sun rasped, his voice hoarse. “Since you’re here, enter.”

He stepped aside but raised a warning finger. “Follow my footsteps exactly. Do not wander. The outer perimeter is an Illusion Array, but the inner sanctum is laid with a Killing Array. Take a wrong step, and you bear the consequences.”

Zhou Kai’s heart tightened. This Master Sun was no ordinary hermit. Just possessing both an Illusion Array and a Killing Array of this caliber was far beyond the means of a typical Qi Condensation cultivator. His mastery of arrays was profound.

The couple followed cautiously, mimicking Master Sun’s stride until they entered the bamboo house.

The interior was simple but refined: a bamboo table, a few chairs, and bookshelves scattered with Jade Slips and beast-skin scrolls. It was spotless and exuded an air of scholarly detachment.

Once seated, Master Sun cut to the chase. “Young friend, where is your immortal registry?”

“This humble one was originally a Loose Cultivator from Crouching Tiger Mountain,” Zhou Kai replied smoothly. “By chance, I entered the Calamity Abyss Valley half a month ago. I am now a disciple of the sect.”

He gestured to the woman beside him. “This is my Dao Companion, Chen Ziyi. She entered the sect with me.”

Master Sun nodded, his sharp gaze sizing Zhou Kai up. “What is your relationship with Zhao Tieshan?”

“Brother Zhao is a neighbor of mine from the Crouching Tiger Mountain market. We usually… look out for each other. Our relationship is quite good.”

Master Sun nodded again, his expression relaxing slightly.

Seeing the opening, Zhou Kai stated his purpose.

“Master Sun, I came today to purchase arrays. I am in dire need of a Trapping Array to confine enemies. Secondly, if you have a Spirit Gathering Array, I would also like to purchase one.”

Originally, his priority had been the Spirit Gathering Array for cultivation. But after the incident with Fu Sheng, the need to prevent enemies—specifically Chen Xingze—from escaping had skyrocketed. He could not afford to let that bastard flee when the time came to kill him.

Master Sun stroked his beard. “This old man’s arrays are only exchanged for spirit herbs aged five hundred years or more.”

Zhou Kai paused. “I do not currently possess five-hundred-year spirit herbs. However… this humble one is a Second-Grade Alchemist. I wonder if I could refine pills for you to offset the cost?”

Master Sun opened his mouth to ask for details when—

Ding-dong… Crash!

A series of chaotic noises erupted from the back room—heavy objects falling, followed by the shattering of porcelain.

A young man stumbled out from the backyard, his movements erratic.

His hair was combed meticulously, but his eyes were dull and vacant. Saliva pooled at the corner of his mouth, and his clothes, though clean, were crumpled and disheveled. He radiated an aura of profound foolishness.

He seemed terrified, running blindly while mumbling incoherent gibberish.

Zhou Kai’s gaze sharpened. He swept his Divine Sense over the man and immediately understood.

His soul is shattered.

The damage was catastrophic—less than a tenth of his soul remained. He was surviving on a wisp of remnant spirit. If not for the daily consumption of extremely pure spirit herbs to nourish his vitality, his soul would have scattered into nothingness long ago.

So that’s why he needs five-hundred-year-old herbs. To prolong this vegetable’s life.

“Brother! Slow down! Don’t fall!”

A voice, sweet and anxious, preceded the arrival of a woman.

She rushed out from the backyard, her pale green dress fluttering like a butterfly’s wings. Her features were exquisitely beautiful and possessed a rare purity. Her hair was styled in a loose cloud bun, secured by an ebony hairpin with a dangling star-sand pendant.

She caught up to the foolish man, supporting him with gentle hands. Her tone was full of affection and tenderness as she wiped his mouth and calmed him down.

After soothing the man, she glanced toward the main hall. Seeing Zhou Kai and Chen Ziyi, she started slightly, then looked at Master Sun with wide, innocent eyes.

“Huh? Uncle Sun, do we have guests?”