[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength":3,"chapter-i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-22":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Subdue the Immortals with Strength",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2295324,4490,"Chapter 22: Uninvited Guest","i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-22",22,"\u003Cp>The season had already entered early winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In northern Mangzhou, the land was now a frozen wasteland of ice and snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in the south, nights had finally grown chilly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming sat cross-legged in the back courtyard, holding a San Yuan Gui Xue Pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday, Ji Wenyue had returned quickly, bringing him a bundle of pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them were ten San Yuan Gui Xue Pills, each worth two hundred taels on the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the ones Ji Wenyue gave him were top-grade San Yuan Gui Xue Pills meant for Ji family disciples—if sold openly, they might fetch three hundred taels each.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just these alone were worth three thousand taels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides the San Yuan Gui Xue Pills, there were Ling Cang Pills of comparable efficacy, Jiu Gu Ointment, Qing Lian Bu Li Dan, and many other pills with lesser effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming couldn’t precisely value the total, but on the market they’d start at least six thousand taels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was only the first batch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s so much easier—and sweeter—to live off a woman’s wealth!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming muttered to himself, then tossed the San Yuan Gui Xue Pill into his mouth like a bean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a powerful surge of medicinal energy spread through his meridians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept taking pills and cultivating until early Yin hour, then slowly opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simple system interface appeared in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivation Base: Fifth-Rank Wu Shi\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level-One Meridian Strengthening Progress: Sixty Percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just two days ago, the progress on Level-One Meridians was still zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s so much easier—and sweeter—to live off a woman’s wealth!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming couldn’t help but sigh again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The efficacy of these San Yuan Gui Xue Pills has dropped significantly; the remaining two can be saved for Liu Qiaolian after she breaks through to Fourth-Rank Wu Shi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming looked at the brocade box still holding two San Yuan Gui Xue Pills, then put it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three months passed in the blink of an eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming realized he’d underestimated just how much gold the system devoured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each of the nine strengthenings at Fifth-Rank was harder than the last, requiring ever greater quantities of tonic pills and meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And each took longer than the one before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He completed Level-One Meridian Strengthening in just four days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Level-Eight Meridian Strengthening took him a full twenty days—and consumed astonishing resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was due not only to the higher level of meridian strengthening requiring better-quality tonics, but also to the fact that he’d consumed the same pills repeatedly, causing their efficacy to keep declining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Ji family pills had limited quality, designed primarily for Sixth-Rank Da Wu Shi and below; above that, their effects became negligible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Xia Daoming’s meridians reached Level-Four, he was already comparable to a Sixth-Rank Da Wu Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, his cultivation base was still Fifth-Rank, allowing Ji family pills to retain considerable effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as the levels rose higher, the waste grew worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, over these three months, Liu Qiaolian, thanks to Xia Daoming, received treatment equal to that of a major sect’s direct disciple—and five days ago, she broke through to Fourth-Rank Wu Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, besides continuing her tonics and diligent cultivation, Liu Qiaolian had begun taking Long Yuan Ointment, the secret formula from Qian Jiao Martial Hall for condensing blood and qi, preparing to observe the secret map and cultivate hidden force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond cultivation breakthroughs, over these three months, Liu Qiaolian had grown increasingly eager to please Xia Daoming during card games, making him unable to resist, nearly leading him into sensual indulgence and derailing his true path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Xia Daoming noticed in time, pulled himself back from the brink, and set strict limits on their encounters, restoring his discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One night, deep in the dark, in Xia’s courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming slowly opened his eyes, “watching” the system interface showing only two percent progress on Level-Nine Meridian Strengthening; he frowned slightly, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This won’t do! In such a short time, I’ve consumed so many resources—even if Ji Wenyue holds great power in her family, she must be under heavy pressure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For Level-Nine Meridian Strengthening, the conversion rate of Ji Wenyue’s pills is even lower, and the waste is extreme. To complete it, I don’t know how many more pills I’ll need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps after a few days, once I’ve observed the secret map, I should accompany Zhuo Shixiong on a few escort runs. He frequently travels between major southern cities—perhaps I can buy higher-grade pills there, easing Wenyue’s burden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’d also be a chance to see the world, broaden my horizons, and earn some silver. Even small insects add up—living off a woman’s wealth isn’t sustainable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having made up his mind, Xia Daoming stopped taking pills and ceased cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eight thousand taels he had on hand had barely been touched over these three months, aside from daily expenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even that wouldn’t buy many higher-grade pills, and he still needed to prepare for Sixth-Rank Meridian Strengthening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he should avoid wasting the pills he had—better to save them for future sale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t considered how Ji Wenyue might feel if she learned he was reselling her gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Family Fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the study of the Wu clan patriarch’s residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old man in gray robes bowed slightly behind Wu Yue Li and whispered: “Master, the suspicions against Tian Family, Hu Dao Men, and five others have largely been ruled out—they’re unlikely to have killed Young Master Wu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, only Qian Jiao Martial Hall remains. Our scouts report that six months ago, Liang Jingtang suddenly took on a new disciple—right around the time Young Master Wu Changlu was murdered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A token of loyalty!” Wu Yue Li’s heart stirred, his eyes flashing with killing intent—but he soon shook his head. “Unlikely. Changlu was cunning; he knew his status was special, so he pretended to be a wastrel, even concealing his cultivation when he could, to avoid drawing attention.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thus, most outsiders believe he was only a Third-Rank Wu Shi, unaware that at his young age, he was already a Fourth-Rank Wu Shi—and had secretly cultivated a trace of hidden force.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liang Jingtang’s new disciple can at most be Fourth-Rank—how could he kill Changlu without giving him a chance to flee? Especially since Changlu had two retainers with him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I also thought so, and long ago excluded Qian Jiao Martial Hall. But now that all other families with grudges against us have been ruled out, only Qian Jiao remains. If it’s not them, we may have no leads left,” the gray-robed elder replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Yue Li frowned, rose, and paced back and forth in his study before suddenly stopping. “Then regardless of whether it’s him or not, find an opportunity to seize him, interrogate him, then kill him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if Liang Jingtang finds out...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu Ren was severely injured by Shi Family’s trap; Liang Jingtang now has no successors, and few truly capable disciples. Even if he learns his new disciple was killed by us, would he dare attack Wu Family Fortress for him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Changlu weren’t my illegitimate son, and if he hadn’t shown such martial talent and secretly earned my favor, I wouldn’t have held onto this grudge for so long.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, Liang Jingtang is formidable and values loyalty—best to keep this quiet. So you’ll handle it yourself.” Wu Yue Li said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Wu Yue Li mention his illegitimate son, the gray-robed elder’s lowered eyelids flickered with a flash of hatred—but his face remained respectful. “As you say, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the inner courtyard hall of Qian Jiao Martial Hall, Xia Daoming bowed respectfully to Liang Jingtang, who lay reclining on a chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re here. Go wait for me in the training chamber,” Liang Jingtang nodded to Xia Daoming, then slowly rose and walked toward his bedroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just three months, Liang Jingtang had grown thin and aged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His once towering, imposing frame now stooped; his steps were slow, trembling with old age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Gu Ren’s death had struck him hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Xia Daoming waited in the training chamber as Liang Jingtang arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Jingtang handed Xia Daoming the Shen Yun Secret Map—and walked away without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, as soon as Xia Daoming unrolled the scroll, his spiritual sense immediately triggered the map’s divine resonance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magnificent, mysterious scene he’d seen half a year ago reappeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he saw it more clearly, understood it more deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His spirit was so drawn in that he nearly activated his force to burst open his sixth meridian—only barely snapping back to awareness in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, with his Level-Nine Fifth-Rank meridians still uncompleted, he would have broken through directly into Sixth-Rank Da Wu Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Jingtang reentered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Xia Daoming’s reaction was the exact opposite of last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, his face was pale, his clothes soaked in cold sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, his expression was calm, unchanged throughout the entire hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Liang Jingtang grew even more disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It only meant that the second time, Xia Daoming had seen nothing different from the first—hence his lack of reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Liang Jingtang said nothing, silently rolled up the Shen Yun Secret Map, and shuffled away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming sat quietly in the training chamber for another hour, carefully pondering and deeply imprinting into his mind the movement patterns of the Seventh and Eighth Layers he’d clearly perceived, before rising to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night was deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pear Blossom Alley was silent and dark; only faint light leaked from within Xia’s courtyard walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming hurried to the front gate of his home, about to knock—then turned around and spoke to the empty street: “Friend, since you’ve come, why hide? Why not come in and sit a while?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Creak!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gate opened from within; Liu Qiaolian stood holding a lantern, puzzled, staring at Xia Daoming’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lian’er, go inside. Tell Xia He and the others to stay indoors—I’m waiting for an uninvited guest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master!” Liu Qiaolian’s face changed slightly; she retreated with the lantern into the front courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Interesting!” From the darkness, an old man in black, masked, stepped forward; faint waves of blood and qi rippled around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming’s pupils contracted slightly—but inside, he breathed a deep sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two viewings of the secret map, though his cultivation hadn’t reached the Eighth Layer, his perception had far surpassed his current rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subtle blood and qi the masked elder had unconsciously revealed allowed Xia Daoming to instantly judge his level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth-Rank Da Wu Shi—and an elderly one at that. For Xia Daoming now, he was practically weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it’s an elder. Come inside—it’ll spare disturbing the neighbors.” Xia Daoming said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well,” the masked elder replied coolly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming entered the room first, standing in the middle of the front courtyard, the front door wide open, lit brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The masked elder glanced through the door, then strolled calmly into the front courtyard and shut the door behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: New book, please help spread the word and promote it, so this book can go further. Thank you!\u003C\u002Fp>",1843,"2026-06-20T05:15:29.288Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","132f2a78acb549da2a959948bf166588cf96b9b94674e104709f1904d77783bb","i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-23","i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-21",484,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-cover.jpg"]