After a long time, the night sky over Lingqu City finally returned to calm. Qin Xiu slowly opened his eyes. In his sharp gaze, it was as if the stars of the heavens were swirling. He stood up, the sound of his joints exploding like a true dragon descending to the mortal world. As he clenched his fists, the aura between his brows surged with the elegance of an immortal cleansing himself of worldly dust.
“Finally…”
Qin Xiu resisted the overwhelming power surging within him and raised his hand. A strand of spiritual Qi danced on his fingertip, mysterious and unfathomable like the cosmos, flashing with a dazzling and enigmatic radiance.
“So this is the chaotic spiritual Qi brought by the divine seed?”
The spiritual Qi of a special physique and bloodline was entirely different from that of ordinary cultivators. Yun Xuerong could condense trickling water at her fingertips, but his chaotic spiritual Qi was far more domineering and profound.
Eighteen years of shackles shattered in an instant. Qin Xiu couldn’t resist lifting his head and punching out fiercely.
BOOM!
A mournful tearing sound rang out in the air as the punch tore through space, and the gust from the punch caused the furniture in the room to shake violently.
Qin Xiu’s eyes lit up with amazement. This punch carried at least 250 kilograms of force.
Although he hadn’t been able to cultivate before, he had long understood the basic knowledge of cultivation. Having just refined spiritual Qi, he was currently at the 1st stage Qi Refining Realm. At this stage, without considering spiritual Qi enhancement or techniques, the strength of one’s physical body should only be around 50 kilograms.
The Qi Refining Realm had nine stages, with each stage increasing strength by about 50 kilograms. This meant he had just awakened yet possessed the strength of a 5th stage Qi Refining Realm cultivator.
Furthermore, as the divine seed bloomed, the potent medicinal effects from all the spirit herbs he had taken over the years continued to nourish his body.
Looking at his flawless divine body that seemed like flawless jade, Qin Xiu finally understood what his father meant by “even waiting eighty years would be worth it.”
“Now that I’ve awakened the divine body, the rest of my life is mine to command.”
Suddenly, Qin Xiu noticed the three-inch small tree in his dantian, its trunk shrouded in the same mysterious divine light as his spiritual Qi. On its leaves, it seemed more opportunities awaited him.
But just as Qin Xiu was about to examine it more closely, a commotion arose outside the courtyard.
“It’s here. I saw it clearly. The thunderclouds first gathered above the Yun family!”
“No way. Didn’t the Yun family just have someone awaken the Water Radiance Spirit Body? Another peerless genius so soon?”
“This phenomenon was way more terrifying than the one from the Yun family’s eldest daughter. What kind of spirit body must this be?”
After the thunderclouds dispersed, Lingqu City finally recovered from the fear. The entire city exploded in an uproar. Even commoners who couldn’t cultivate knew that such a heavenly phenomenon was earth-shaking.
Experts from all the major noble families flooded the streets searching. It had been a long time since so many powerful figures flew through the skies of Lingqu City.
Some of the faces among them were actually old ancestors who had declared secluded cultivation for years—or even claimed dead to the outside world.
Lingqu City’s Lord, Ling Guhai, also hovered in the sky, his gaze solemn as he looked toward the Yun residence.
“Are you sure the thunderclouds originated from above the Yun residence?”
“Absolutely! I happened to pass by the Yun family at that moment. I thought a thunderstorm was coming, but it turned out to be the precursor to this phenomenon.”
Ling Guhai’s expression changed drastically. After a long moment, he finally calmed his emotions and dived toward the Yun residence.
“Lady Yun, it seems I must congratulate you again. Within just one month, your residence has twice witnessed heavenly phenomena heralding the birth of a peerless genius.”
Gao Wanhua was still visibly shaken. Only then did she realize the phenomenon had come from the Yun family.
“Lady Yun, which genius in your residence has awakened? Did someone have a cultivation breakthrough tonight?”
There were usually two kinds of awakenings for special physiques and bloodlines. One was innate, awakening at birth—a true blessing from the heavens. The second occurred during a breakthrough in cultivation, when the body’s potential was activated.
Judging by the current situation, no one had given birth in the Yun residence, so it must be the second case.
“Breakthrough?”
Gao Wanhua murmured, then suddenly her eyes lit up.
“Could it be Yang’er?”
“Yes! I just gave him some spirit herbs earlier. As you all know, he’s been stuck at the peak of the 4th stage Qi Refining Realm for quite a while.”
Ling Guhai exchanged glances with the other family experts. Some among them knew Gao Yang and were aware of his cultivation state. According to Gao Wanhua, it was highly likely to be him.
Ling Guhai’s eyes gleamed, “Where is Young Master Gao Yang? Please introduce us, Lady Gao.”
As the Lord of Lingqu City, his strength was unrivaled in the city. He also held the position of outer sect steward in the Heavenly Profound Sect. Among the younger generation in Lingqu City, none dared be disrespectful in front of him.
Previously, only Yun Xuerong had earned the title of the Yun family’s precious daughter from him. But this time, Ling Guhai clearly lowered his tone with Gao Wanhua, and the flattery in his voice was obvious. Gao Wanhua enjoyed it immensely.
“So it really was Yang’er. Wonderful. Our Gao family must be blessed by our ancestors.”
Ecstatic, Gao Wanhua swayed her waist and hurried to the inner courtyard.
“Yang’er, Yang’er, my good child, come let your aunt take a look. All these years I’ve loved you for a reason.”
At this moment, Gao Yang was clutching his abdomen in pain, coughing up several mouthfuls of blood.
“What the hell just happened?! I felt like I was almost struck dead by lightning!”
Earlier, he had sensed a storm brewing and didn’t think much of it. He took the spirit herbs Gao Wanhua gave him and tried to break through. But then the heavens seemed to collapse, spiritual Qi went berserk, and he barely survived the backlash.
Though he did manage to break through, the internal injuries left behind were severe. He’d need at least one or two months to recover.
Just as he wiped the blood from his mouth, Gao Wanhua’s delighted voice rang out.
“Yang’er, good boy, you’ve really made your aunt proud!”
Before he could react, Gao Wanhua burst through the door. When Gao Yang saw who followed her, his expression froze, and the corners of his mouth twitched.
“T-The… Lord of the City?!”
And those other old ancestors from the major families—weren’t some of them pronounced dead years ago?
Gao Yang shakily tried to get up and greet them, but Ling Guhai moved faster, flashing forward to support him and kindly wiping the blood from his mouth with a sleeve.
“Come now, don’t call me Lord of the City. If you don’t mind, you can call me Uncle Ling from now on.”
As he spoke, Ling Guhai took out two precious healing pills and fed them to Gao Yang.
The aura didn’t lie—he had just made a breakthrough. It was clearly Gao Yang who triggered the heavenly phenomenon.
“Lady Yun, why didn’t you call me to stand guard during Young Master Gao Yang’s breakthrough?”
“Look at how injured he is. If something went wrong, wouldn’t that be a grave oversight on Lingqu City’s part?”
Gao Yang stared blankly, being fed pills by the city lord. What was happening? He broke through, and the city lord personally came to protect him?
Gao Wanhua also stepped up to stroke his forehead. “Yang’er, are you alright? I never expected our Gao family to have such fortune.”
“First, Xuerong awakened the Water Radiance Spirit Body. Now you’ve triggered such a powerful phenomenon. Quickly, tell Auntie—what spirit body have you awakened?”
Gao Yang was even more bewildered. I… triggered the phenomenon? Awakened a spirit body?
But the major families only thought he hadn’t yet accepted the great blessing. Judging by the scale of the phenomenon, Gao Yang clearly surpassed Yun Xuerong—by a wide margin.
“Young Master Gao, I greet you. Do you still remember last year when you bought spirit herbs from my Zhou family? I even gave you a discount. From now on, any herbs you need, the Zhou family will provide them for free.”
“You truly are a heavenly chosen, with extraordinary bearing. The younger ones in my clan have long admired you but felt too inferior to express their feelings.”
“Young Master Gao, your father and I are old friends. Do you remember when I held you as a baby?”
The old ancestors of the noble families smiled flatteringly, looking like blooming chrysanthemums. They regretted not reacting as quickly as Ling Guhai. A few healing pills had already left a deep impression on the peerless genius.
Gao Yang was dazed for a while before he burst into crazed laughter. So the heavenly phenomenon earlier… was caused by him?
“Hahaha! Spirit body! I’ve awakened a spirit body too!”
“I, Gao Yang, am now also a heavenly chosen with a spirit body!”
He waved his arms excitedly. Although the thunderclouds had appeared even before he took the herbs, maybe the heavens sensed his awakening. Weren’t there always signs when a peerless genius awakened?
That wasn’t a lightning tribulation—it was the grand sound of his rise to glory!
“Where’s Nishang? Aunt, call Nishang here. I want to ask her right now—why did she reject me?”
Gao Yang looked proud yet furious. For years, he had pursued Yun Nishang, but she’d rather suffer with Qin Xiu than even hold his hand.
Among the crowd, Yun Xuerong felt deeply conflicted. The heavenly phenomenon Gao Yang caused far surpassed hers. That meant the spirit body he awakened must also be far superior.
She had always thought Gao Yang pursued Yun Nishang instead of her because she had more talent than the other girl. But now, the first thing he did after awakening… was still think about Yun Nishang.
Even with her Water Radiance Spirit Body and good looks, she still lost to that wretched girl?!
“Enough, Yang’er. Now if you want Nishang, it’s just a matter of a single word from you.”
Suddenly, Gao Yang’s expression turned vicious.
“Wait, I almost forgot that bastard Qin Xiu!”
He had always hated that trash for taking Yun Nishang’s purity. And now that heaven favored him and the city lord groveled before him, should he tolerate using someone Qin Xiu already touched?
“Damn it! From now on, Nishang will be my maid! That trash—beat him to death and feed him to the dogs!”
At his command, the Yun family members who had beaten Qin Xiu earlier jumped to flatter him.
“You wouldn’t believe it, Young Master. We beat him the whole afternoon. That trash is probably hiding somewhere crying now.”
“Qin Xiu! Young Master Gao awakened a spirit body! Hurry out and kowtow to congratulate him!”
Gao Yang wore a smug smile. Killing Qin Xiu now was no different from kicking a stray dog on the street.
“Drag him out! And those treasures his father left behind—why don’t we just take them…”
Ling Guhai frowned slightly at Gao Yang’s ruthlessness. He had a bit of a connection with Qin Xiu’s father and also knew some of the Yun family’s affairs.
Although he was flattering Gao Yang now, this was going too far…
Fortunately, Gao Wanhua covered Gao Yang’s mouth halfway through.
“Hehe, forgive us for the embarrassment, Lord of the City, everyone.”
“You see, Qin Xiu made some mistakes. They’re private matters of the family, so I won’t air them publicly.”
“Yang’er was just angry and wanted to teach him a lesson. He’s young and a little impulsive.”
Gao Wanhua took on the stance of the family matron and advised Gao Yang, “Enough, Yang’er. If he’s done wrong, the clan rules will deal with him fairly. You’re not allowed to act recklessly, understand?”
Gao Yang looked incredulous. What was happening? His aunt was actually defending that trash?
Didn’t she also want him dead?
After greeting Ling Guhai and the others, Gao Wanhua said, “Everyone, it’s late. Tomorrow, our humble residence will hold a banquet. I’d like to invite all of you to celebrate Yang’er’s awakening together. How about it?”
Ling Guhai heard the implied dismissal. “Lady Gao, you’re too kind. It should be us preparing the banquet and gifts to celebrate Young Master Gao instead.”
“Yes, yes. We came too hastily. Let us return and prepare the proper gifts.”
After sending them off, Gao Yang couldn’t wait to ask, “Aunt, why did you stop me just now?!”
“Did you see those old guys? One word from me, and they’d kill Qin Xiu for me!”
He now had a spirit body, and she still dared scold him?
Once he confirmed there were no outsiders, Gao Wanhua’s face turned cold.
“Of course I know it would be easy to kill him.”
“But all the treasures his father left are locked inside a jade box!”
“The mechanism to open it is something only Qin Xiu knows. If anything goes wrong, the jade box will self-destruct on the spot.”
“If he’d rather die than speak, are we really going to bury those treasures with that trash?”
Gao Yang gritted his teeth, “Then what do you want me to do?”
Was he supposed to awaken his spirit body and still watch Yun Nishang stay by that loser’s side every day?
Gao Wanhua lightly poked his forehead, “Can’t you see it? His only weakness now is Yun Nishang.”
“Control her, and he’ll naturally obey.”
“Death doesn’t scare him, but living a life worse than death—with no path forward—that’ll make him beg for mercy himself. Then you’ll get the treasures and Yun Nishang.”
“Why else do you think I went through all that trouble to frame him?”
The Yun family was a noble house in the city. No matter how ruthless your methods were, you still had to appear clean on the surface.
Gao Wanhua sneered coldly, “Now that the entire Lingqu City is scrambling to curry favor with you, just spread a few words. A trash who can’t cultivate—how could he possibly survive?”
Gao Yang finally understood.
“Then let him live a few more days!”
His eyes grew increasingly cold. “You’re right, Aunt. Kicking him to death would be letting him off too easily.”
“I’ll make sure he can’t even beg on the streets of Lingqu City! He’ll crawl and kneel to beg me for a way out! He’ll hand over the treasures and Yun Nishang to me willingly!”