Time passed swiftly in cultivation.
Before Zhou Yang realized it, eight hours had flown by—it was already 7 AM. Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing him in warmth as he opened his eyes.
To his surprise, he had remained seated in meditation the entire night. Stranger still, his legs weren't numb, his back didn't ache, and his entire body felt invigorated. His mind was sharper, his energy levels higher than after a full night's sleep. The sensation was exhilarating—his entire being thrummed with power.
*So this is cultivation,* he mused. *It's actually… fun.*
Just then, the voice of the residual soul echoed in his mind: *"Not bad, kid. Your comprehension is decent, and your willpower's solid. After one night, your Qi has grown significantly. At this rate, you'll soon break through to the ninth level of Profound Sky Qi. Once you do, I'll impart my lifetime's worth of medical knowledge to you."*
Zhou Yang's heart raced. Becoming a ninth-tier Qi Refiner alone would be monumental—but mastering medicine on top of that? He'd be unstoppable.
"Thank you, Senior," he said earnestly.
*"Don't thank me. This is fate—our paths were meant to cross. Remember: our connection stays secret."*
"Of course," Zhou Yang replied without hesitation. He wasn't foolish enough to invite unnecessary trouble by revealing his trump card.
A knock interrupted his thoughts. "Son, are you up?" Zhou Ziqiang called through the door. "Teacher Xie is here to see you."
*Teacher Xie? This early?*
After a quick wash, Zhou Yang stepped outside to find a white Range Rover parked at the curb. Leaning against it was Xie Shiya, her curves accentuated by a form-fitting black off-shoulder dress that teased just enough cleavage and thigh to make his pulse quicken.
"Get in," she said with a playful smile. "I'm giving you a ride to school."
Her excuse was flimsy—her route didn't actually pass his home—but Zhou Yang wasn't about to complain. As he slid into the passenger seat, his gaze lingered on the way her skirt rode up whenever she pressed the brakes, forcing her to tug it down repeatedly.
Xie Shiya shot him a knowing look. "Little pervert. Can't keep your eyes to yourself?"
Zhou Yang grinned shamelessly. "You're too tempting, Sister. If your skirt were any shorter, I'd combust."
"Bet you'd prefer no skirt at all," she teased.
"Now you're reading my mind."
Laughing, she swatted his arm. "Enough joking. There's something important—the Spring River Youth Martial Arts Tournament is in a week. Originally, Li Qiang was our school's representative, but thanks to you, he's… indisposed."
Zhou Yang's interest waned immediately. Competing against fourth-tier Qi Refiners as an eighth-tier was pointless—more spectacle than challenge. Worse, winning would thrust him into the spotlight, something he actively avoided.
"I'll pass," he said flatly.
Xie Shiya wasn't deterred. "The provincial champion earns a spot to train under one of Huaxia's Four Great Qi Sects. Their disciples command respect across entire regions. Imagine—one word from you, and even the mightiest in Haidong Province would tremble."
That gave him pause. The Four Great Sects were legendary, their leaders fifth-tier Qi Sovereigns who stood atop the nation's power hierarchy. Even their average disciples were seventh-tier Refiners, revered wherever they went.
For the first time, Zhou Yang hesitated.
*Maybe… just maybe…*