Chapter 42

Walk out of this building.

Only then did Li Yi slightly exhale in relief.

Just now, he knew clearly that if he hadn’t handled things well, he never would’ve walked out of that basement so easily—perhaps he’d have been killed on the spot by Yang Yi.

Of course, a single fist technique might not be worth Yang Yi’s effort; after all, as long as Li Yi didn’t teach it, Yang Yi had no way to force it from him—but what if Li Yi inadvertently revealed the incomplete wonder-item on his person?

The fist technique plus the wonder-item together were enough for Yang Yi to shatter any so-called morality and unhesitatingly erase Li Yi from this world.

Li Yi would never foolishly believe Yang Yi wouldn’t do exactly that.

When the elevator was seized and he found himself alone in the underground training ground, he understood: Yang Yi was determined to get his fist technique.

Whether through intimidation or bribery, if he didn’t hand over the technique, Li Yi wouldn’t walk out.

So, realizing this, Li Yi generously gave away the technique for free before things turned hostile, leaving Yang Yi no opening to strike.

“That incomplete fist technique isn’t easy to practice—without professional guidance, you’ll easily train wrong; once your power release goes awry, it’s already too late... but I’ve noted this debt. Right now, he’s strong and I’m weak—I must bow my head. But if one day I’m strong and he’s weak, don’t blame me for abandoning morality.”

Li Yi hopped into a taxi without looking back and left Anding District; as the vehicle pulled farther away, his gaze slowly turned cold.

Having lived in the old district all his life, he knew well: the world’s essence was survival of the fittest.

Even in Anding District, the law couldn’t restrain cultivation experts like Yang Yi.

Yesterday’s public splitting of He Army was the best proof.

“I’m still too weak—I need to keep improving.”

After reflecting for a moment, Li Yi slowly closed his eyes and silently resolved: after receiving this money, he’d return home and cultivate diligently.

Only when he grew strong himself would such helplessness no longer happen.

“This trip out, as a guide I earned 990,000; one trip outside the danger zone earned me 800,000; I received 2 million in compensation; then I sold a Biao and got 20 million; minus the 500,000 each I gave to Zhang Gao and Tao Ge’s families for personal compensation, I still have 22.79 million left.”

“With such a large sum, without buying property in Anding District, it should last me a long time.”

“But for safety’s sake, I’d better deposit this money in the bank first.”

Li Yi had the taxi stop outside a bank, deposited 20 million, then took the remaining cash to a pharmacy to buy nutrient solutions.

This time he was extravagant—he gritted his teeth and bought twenty vials of Gold Nutrient Solution.

Each vial of Gold Nutrient Solution cost 100,000.

Twenty vials cost him 2 million.

Because he’d asked: Gold Nutrient Solution not only replenishes spiritual cultivators’ nutrition, but also repairs bodily damage, nourishes the body, and promotes cellular regeneration; long-term use by ordinary people can even extend lifespan.

Now that he had money, Li Yi felt he needed to invest in himself—he couldn’t be stingy, and he still had hidden injuries that needed proper care.

He also bought a box of fifty No.10 Nutrient Solutions—for the medical pod; these nourished the comatose, though less potent than Gold Nutrient Solution, they were sufficient since comatose bodies had low nutritional demands, and No.10 was already among the top-tier supplements on the market.

After all, he couldn’t neglect his parents now that he’d earned money.

This alone spent 2.5 million; he now had only 290,000 cash left.

Li Yi inquired about cultivation pods and found none for sale on the market—he’d have to order one directly from headquarters, and no one knew the price; the clerk only said the deposit was at least 100 million.

Hearing that price, Li Yi inwardly gasped; he then asked about the latest medical pods.

Medical pods were also absurdly expensive: the cheapest cost 5 million, the most expensive 18 million.

After hearing the prices, Li Yi clenched his fists and slunk away.

He wasn’t worthy of using a medical pod yet.

After buying the nutrient solutions, Li Yi didn’t linger—he bought a few daily essentials and hurried home.

Back in the familiar old district.

Li Yi frowned.

The air reeked of rot, dampness, and foul stench.

The odor was pungent and unbearable.

“The smell hasn’t changed—my nose has become more sensitive. This is a sign of bodily evolution,” Li Yi thought to himself.

Enduring the stench, he entered the dim stairwell.

As he climbed, Li Yi paused slightly, squinting—he saw countless faint glowing specks drifting in the air.

Like fireflies, or some unknown energy.

He tried touching one, but felt nothing.

After a person passed, the specks drifted apart again, like dust in sunlight.

“Ever since my Spirit Medium opened, I’ve always seen abnormal things in my vision—maybe I’ll get used to it over time,” Li Yi shook his head and ignored them; he reached his door, opened it, and returned to his familiar home.

“Dad, Mom, I’m back.”

As usual, he greeted the silent house, then turned on the lights, making the dim space slightly brighter.

Now that he’d earned money, Li Yi didn’t need to save on electricity—he could afford to be a little extravagant.

He entered the bedroom.

Li Yi checked the medical pod.

Seeing his parents, as they’d lain for years without change, he sighed, then expertly replaced two No.10 Nutrient Solutions.

“I don’t know when you two will wake up, but now you don’t need to worry—your son has earned money, bought a box of nutrient solutions, and you’ll never go without again. Also, I’ve saved 20 million in my account—I plan to use it for cultivation. Once I advance, I’ll earn more and move us out of the old district to live in Anding District.”

“We’ve survived the hardest times—our family will only grow happier from now on.”

“Enough talking—I’m going to cultivate now. Time is urgent; I can’t waste it.”

After a brief chat with his parents, Li Yi left the room.

Before cultivating, he checked his phone.

He found a new message in the family group: Haha, my son isn’t mooching—he’s about to awaken his Spirit Medium; soon he’ll become a cultivator.

“That’s Second Uncle’s kid,” Li Yi suddenly remembered.

But Second Uncle’s son had low cultivation talent—he’d been lying idle for years; even now that he’d become a cultivator, his pace was painfully slow.

He himself had broken through to the Spirit Medium realm in less than a month, from an ordinary person.

Of course, Li Yi had the help of a wonder-item—no comparison; Second Uncle’s son’s pace was probably normal for an ordinary person.

Soon after, Second Uncle announced to the group: “For our Li family’s future, please support Li Yue’s cultivation. When Li Yue succeeds, he’ll repay you all. Thank you.”

“Congratulations, congratulations.”

“Supporting a cultivator is good—when one rises, we all benefit.”

“I only have this much this month—don’t think it’s little; I’ll give more next month.”

“Li Yue became a cultivator? Great! Now we won’t be bullied anymore with Li Yue around.”

Quickly, people began transferring money: some sent 2,000, some 5,000, some 10,000, even one sent 100,000.

After all, they were relatives—mutual support was normal.

And if a real cultivator emerged, everyone owed him some face; refusing to give anything would risk offending him.

Li Yi recalled how, when his father was farming, relatives had also contributed money—though small, it was an act of goodwill; unfortunately, his father fell into a coma and never repaid those debts.

Now he had to repay this debt.

Thinking this, Li Yi directly transferred 200,000.

“Li Yi, where did you get so much money? Aren’t you still caring for your dad? Take this back—you need it more than anyone; your family’s situation is harder,” Second Uncle replied with a question mark, unwilling to accept such a large sum.

Everyone knew Li Yi was a child, with comatose parents—life was already hard.

If he took this money, others might say terrible things.

“It’s fine—I recently earned some working for Uncle Biao. I also hope our family produces a powerful cultivator; when Cousin Li Yue succeeds, I hope he’ll look out for me,” Li Yi sent the message and put his phone down.

This money was less about support and more about repaying a debt.

Seeing Li Yi say this, Second Uncle’s family finally accepted it.

Everyone knew cultivation was expensive, and ordinary people couldn’t afford a cultivator alone—they could only pool resources through relatives to raise one.

“If I said I was cultivating too, would these relatives also support me?” Li Yi wondered.

But then he shook his head.

The fewer people who knew he cultivated, the better—his speed with the wonder-item was too fast, too suspicious; better to stay low-key.

After handling these trivial matters, Li Yi finally began cultivating.

He opened a vial of Gold Nutrient Solution and drank one measured cup.

This was to prevent his body from starving and waking him mid-cultivation.

“Tastes fine—slightly sweet, cool, comfortable. This must be the taste of money.”

Li Yi licked the cup, then sat cross-eyed, adjusted his breath, and entered meditation.