Chapter 60: A Reminder to Huo

I’ve seen plenty of people weeping uncontrollably, but cases like hers are rare.

After a few minutes, Zhang Yunlu sat up straight, turned her attention inward, and the staff stepped aside.

Inside her spiritual sea, the originally pure white spiritual power now shimmered with a silver sheen, appearing far denser, and the sea’s size had expanded by a third due to the intense pain.

Although the Nine Qi Cultivation Method is violent, its unique effects far surpass ordinary cultivation methods.

As warmth flowed from the red jade on her chest, the pain throughout her body gradually lessened.

A few minutes later, Zhang Yunlu opened her eyes and rose slowly, leaving the staff member who had moved to assist her momentarily stunned.

Huh? She can stand up already? “Thank you.”

Zhang Yunlu gave the staff member a slight nod, then walked straight out.

As soon as she stepped out, the doors to cultivation rooms seven and eight also opened.

From room seven, two staff members carried out a stretcher bearing a pale-faced youth, who looked utterly drained and listless.

What emerged from room eight was far more chilling.

Though it was also a stretcher, it was covered with a white sheet.

Dead?!! Though the youth from room seven was extremely weak, he was still stunned—was cultivation this dangerous? Maybe I should just use a spiritual energy pod for Foundation Establishment instead.

For a moment, he reconsidered his resolve.

Like most people, he couldn’t endure the pain of “refinement” and barely survived by expelling his spiritual seal.

But Zhang Yunlu realized the man wasn’t dead; after countless life-or-death battles, she had a sharp sense for whether someone lived or died.

There was just a faint, almost imperceptible stench…

So that’s it—he’s not dead, he’s just afraid of public humiliation, so he covered his face.

The staff member assigned to Zhang Yunlu shut off the ceiling device and came over to her side.

“Only you and the previous one succeeded today.”

Zhang Yunlu paused: “Are successful cultivators rare?”

“Yes, very rare.”

Those who come here all have full confidence in their foundations, yet only a tiny fraction survive the first stage.

And since most use the Basic Cultivation Method, which reduces pain, many give up when the second stage no longer eases the suffering.

Those who ultimately complete all three stages are exceedingly few.

“The previous one used the Basic Cultivation Method, so your success rate in the latter two stages is even higher than theirs,” the staff member smiled.

Cultivators who purchase tier-three care services and require no self-management are every staff member’s favorite.

Not to mention, just for the generous commission alone, she wouldn’t hesitate to offer a few words of blessing.

Besides, it’s the truth.

“Please follow me—I’ll open the door to the main hall.”

Usually, those who successfully complete cultivation go to the main hall to bask in others’ admiration.

“No need. I’ll leave through the back door.”

Zhang Yunlu declined—leaving through the back door was faster.

She had no interest in such things; she only wanted to return quickly and enter the trial space to fight other cultivators and gain experience.

“Then… please this way.”

…………

Near the city center square was a famous mushroom hotpot restaurant.

The interior was packed; every guest present had a cultivation base no lower than Foundation Establishment, for the mushrooms used here were spiritual ingredients—delicious beyond compare, yet as toxic as poison to Qi Refining cultivators.

Such establishments with cultivation requirements existed throughout the Central Continent since ancient times; Foundation Establishment was even considered low.

Xu Xing and Chi Jiuyu sat by a window, between them a pot of freshly boiled mushroom hotpot; Chi Jiuyu held bowl and chopsticks, devouring eagerly.

As a Nascent Soul peak “great cultivator,” she didn’t care if it was raw or undercooked—even eating it raw posed no threat! But lower-level guests weren’t so lucky: if the cooking time hadn’t passed, they weren’t given utensils; if any guest showed intent to sneak a bite, they were immediately stopped, ejected, and blacklisted.

At that moment, three figures entered gracefully, drawing every eye. The room’s chatter faded as all attention fixed on the three women.

Each possessed exquisite beauty, each with a distinct style.

One wore a tight cropped tank top and denim shorts, a baseball cap on her head, revealing a slender waist and long, fair legs.

Another wore a purple palace gown, identical to Jiang Yujiu’s, exuding elegance and poise.

The last wore a white blouse, a short skirt, black stockings, tall and slender, with gold-rimmed glasses.

Hehuan Sect’s seduction cultivators! Three women, three different styles.

They laughed and chatted, their mere presence pleasing to the eye, capturing the attention of nearly every guest.

“????”

Chi Jiuyu blinked—why were so many Hehuan Sect members here? Xuanjian City was just a remote little town!

But she quickly understood.

Of course!

It’s that trial Master Shu set up—these idiots are riding the hype!

Jiang Yujiu’s ranking of thirty-three in the trial today made her livestream viewers multiply several times over; of course these Hehuan Sect people are envious!

Thinking this, she glanced at Xu Xing and noticed he wasn’t staring at the seduction cultivators like everyone else.

“Why are you looking at me?”

“Hmm… Master Shu, will your trial pull in later cultivators too?”

“No.”

In truth, cultivators from other sects were also heading to Xuanjian City—not just Hehuan Sect, but Hehuan Sect was simply more experienced in this.

Like ancient times, when divine opportunities appeared, cultivators from all corners rushed to claim them.

Unfortunately, Xu Xing would offer no second chances—miss it, and it’s gone forever.

Hearing this, Chi Jiuyu finally felt satisfied.

Good.

If they can’t ride the hype, I’ll post a thread when I get back and drive them crazy!

Thinking of this, she ate two more giant bowls!

Xu Xing looked out the window.

Recalling what had happened that afternoon.

His daring to strike at the He Dao cultivator wasn’t merely desperation, as Huo assumed—it was because he truly believed he could brainwash that Taishang Dao Sect He Dao junior.

When Xu Xing severed the connection, he had attempted to trace cause and effect to locate Him, but the thread was too faint to succeed.

Compared to before his seclusion, the Cang Clan’s peak existence had grown far more secretive and elusive.

That’s why Xu Xing ultimately redirected Him to Huo.

First, to give the Cang Clan a “surprise.”

Second, to remind Huo—not to be the one tricked instead.

Please collect and follow!! (End of Chapter)