Wan Sanqian offered a brief word of instruction before hurrying to catch up with Su Qingluan and her companion. "Please, Princess, walk this way; the VIP passage is right here..."
...
At the same time, at the main entrance of the Qizhen Pavilion, Sha Wei sat beside his carriage, intently studying "Foundations of Alchemy."
A familiar voice suddenly reached his ears. "Ma—Master, wait for me..."
"Get lost! If it weren't for you, would I have suffered such humiliation?"
"Huh?"
Sha Wei looked up to see Ouyang Shang being kicked out of the carriage by Wen Guji.
Ouyang Shang, his head swollen like a giant pig's, tumbled across the ground for several yards, then looked up at the departing carriage with a face full of misery.
As an old acquaintance of Ouyang Shang’s, Sha Wei stepped forward. "Ouyang Shang, what’s going on with you?"
Ouyang Shang froze, then turned to see Sha Wei regarding him with a peculiar expression. He immediately burst out, "Oh, it's you, Brother Sha. Don't even ask—I've had the worst luck today..."
"Tell me about it. Perhaps I can offer some advice," Sha Wei suggested.
Remembering Sha Wei's status, Ouyang Shang recounted the incident. However, with his embellishments, the story became one of Ning Wuque deliberately setting a trap for him and his master.
He did not, however, mention the names of Mu Yunshang or Ning Wuque. After all, the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate was not someone he could afford to provoke. As for Ning Wuque... he simply could not bear to utter those three words.
"Brother Sha," Ouyang Shang pleaded, "you have to help me get revenge!"
Sha Wei frowned. "What is that man’s strength?"
"Hah! I’d say he’s about our age," Ouyang Shang replied. "He couldn't be above the Spirit Refining Realm at most; in all likelihood, he's just in the Qi Refining Realm. Brother Sha, just help me this once, and I'll give you that 'Map of Ten Thousand Miles of Mountains and Rivers' once it's done!"
Sha Wei’s eyes lit up. He had already prepared a gift for Luan Hongyi, but it paled in comparison to the "Map of Ten Thousand Miles of Mountains and Rivers."
Yet, Sha Wei looked toward the Qizhen Pavilion and hesitated. *If the Grandmaster comes out first, I’ll have to accompany him back. If I let Ouyang Shang’s enemy get away in the meantime, this brat will likely blame me...*
He had known Ouyang Shang for years and was well aware of his vindictive nature. If his revenge failed because of Sha Wei, he would certainly harbor a grudge. Although Sha Wei did not fear him, Ouyang Shang was backed by Concubine Ouyang of the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate, and his own brother was the leading talent of the Ouyang Family’s younger generation. That man was formidable, and Sha Wei had no desire to provoke him.
With that thought, Sha Wei said in a deep voice, "Ouyang Shang, I’ve given it some thought. If he’s only at the Ninth Layer of the Qi Condensation Realm, I may not need to intervene. Isn't the Yulong Gang supported by the Ouyang Family? Go find a master at the Spirit Refining Realm, and I’ll provide backup. If you truly can’t handle him, then I’ll step in. How does that sound?"
Ouyang Shang had been blinded by rage earlier, leading him to offer the map as a reward. Now that he had calmed down, he realized the cost was indeed steep for dealing with a mere Qi Condensation practitioner. He had been wondering how to negotiate a lower price, so hearing Sha Wei suggest this, he was more than happy to agree.
"Fine, we'll do as you say!"
Ouyang Shang nodded, then paid a passerby ten taels of silver to fetch men from the Yulong Gang. He then leaned against the carriage next to Sha Wei and asked, "Brother Sha, Grandmaster Luan has taken a mysterious expert as his master. Why are you here instead of being busy with the apprenticeship banquet at the estate?"
"Don't ask what you shouldn't," Sha Wei said coolly. "You'd better focus on how you're going to get your revenge."
Luan Hongyi had instructed him not to reveal Ning Wuque’s identity before the banquet, so he dared not say more.
"You're right!" Ouyang Shang nodded, then looked toward the Qizhen Pavilion, a venomous glint flashing in his eyes. *Ning Wuque, how dare you offend me. Just you wait. Once you come out, I'll have someone gouge out your eyes, cut out your tongue, and cripple your limbs to vent my hatred!*
***
Inside the third floor of the Qizhen Pavilion, Wan Sanqian hurried back, looking apologetic. "My apologies for keeping you waiting so long!"
"It is no matter." Ning Wuque smiled, looking at Wan Sanqian with a knowing gaze. "Pavilion Master Wan, did you keep me here because of this Dark Gold Meteorite?"
"Hahaha, nothing escapes you, my young friend. And don't call me Pavilion Master anymore. If you don't mind, why not call me Uncle Wan?" Wan Sanqian laughed heartily.
Ning Wuque glanced at him. Given his age, "Uncle" was appropriate. He nodded. "Uncle Wan."
"Good, good, good!" Wan Sanqian grinned. He genuinely wanted to build a rapport with Ning Wuque, who was an appraisal master even more capable than Wen Guji. He probed, "Wuque, would you be willing to part with that Dark Gold Meteorite?"
"What price are you offering, Uncle Wan?" Ning Wuque asked.
Wan Sanqian was delighted. The item was invaluable, and its rarity meant that once forged into a spirit weapon, its value would multiply. "I can offer fifty... no, I'll pay six hundred thousand taels of silver. What do you think?"
Six hundred thousand was a very sincere offer.
"No problem. But I need to exchange it for a few things." Ning Wuque took paper and a brush to write a list. "Provide me with the items on this list and give me the rest in bank notes. How about that?"
"Done!" Wan Sanqian glanced at the list. "I have all these items. The total value is three hundred thousand, but as a consultant, you get a thirty percent discount, making it two hundred and ten thousand. I’ll make the call to waive another ten thousand, so it’s two hundred thousand total. After that deduction, I’ll give you four hundred thousand in bank notes!"
Ning Wuque nodded. "I recall there are practice rooms in the Qizhen Pavilion?"
"Yes, as a consultant, you are free to use them at any time!" Wan Sanqian smiled.
"Please have someone deliver the items to the practice room," Ning Wuque requested.
"No problem!" Wan Sanqian nodded immediately, ordered a servant to lead Ning Wuque to a room, and went to the vault himself to collect the items.
Before long, Wan Sanqian delivered the goods and the bank notes. "Wuque, everything is here. If you need anything else, let me know, and I’ll arrange it immediately. If we don't have it, I can even request it from our headquarters in Yanjing!"
"Very well, thank you, Uncle Wan!" Ning Wuque nodded with a smile.
"Don't stand on ceremony with me!" Wan Sanqian waved his hand, then probed, "Wuque, the other two things you bought—were they truly just trifles?" He had a vague feeling that Ning Wuque cared more about that scroll and the black stone than the meteorite.
"They were indeed just trifles," Ning Wuque replied with a smile.
Wan Sanqian stared at him but noticed nothing unusual. "Very well... but if you ever have any good items in the future, don't forget me!"
"Naturally." Ning Wuque nodded.
After exchanging a few more words, Wan Sanqian took his leave. Only then did Ning Wuque close the door to the practice room and sit cross-legged on the cushion. He felt a deep sense of satisfaction looking at the treasures worth over two hundred thousand taels.
The Four Extremities Realm was fraught with difficulties. According to his original plan, even with Luan Hongyi's pills, it would have taken at least a month to reach the Qi Refining Extreme Realm. He had not expected his trip to the Qizhen Pavilion to yield such treasures, allowing him to accelerate his breakthrough.
"Dragon Profound Ginseng, Nine-Yang Fluid, Profound Yang Fruit... these ten blood-nourishing treasures should be enough to push me into the Qi Refining Extreme Realm."
Ning Wuque took a deep breath. However, he did not rush to break through immediately. Instead, he took out the scroll and the black stone he had set aside. "To think this trip would yield such treasures. Compared to the Dark Gold Meteorite, these two are the real prizes!"
He hadn't revealed their true nature in public for two reasons. First, the meteorite was enough to crush Wen Guji. Second, he felt these two items were far too valuable; word leaking out would bring unnecessary trouble.
"A painting within a painting, hidden using the triple-layered technique. Even in the inheritance of the Sword Ancestor, this is an advanced method. To use such a secret technique to deceive the eyes of others—this painting is not simple at all!" Ning Wuque gently caressed the scroll.
The triple-layer technique involved hiding the true work beneath two fake ones. To align the thickness so that three paintings seemed like one was incredibly difficult. The top layer had already been stripped away by the pavilion's appraisers, exposing the second layer—which was also a fake—leading the pavilion to set a low price. It was Ning Wuque’s gain.
*Hoo!*
Ning Wuque exhaled a long breath and began to carefully work on the scroll. After more than half an hour of effort, the true painting was revealed.
*Hiss!*
Ning Wuque gasped. "It’s actually this painting?"
The ordinary landscape painting had transformed into a portrait. It depicted a graceful and luxurious Empress, dressed in golden robes, stepping upon a dragon and phoenix.
"This is the 'Portrait of the Empress,' the founding empress of the Great Zhou Dynasty who united the ten kingdoms of the Southern Prefecture. Ever since the fall of the Great Zhou, this painting has been missing. Legend has it that a great treasury of the dynasty is hidden within it. Countless dynasties have spent immense resources searching for it. To think it would fall into my hands..."
Ning Wuque was ecstatic. He immediately began to study the portrait but could find no clues regarding the treasury. He carefully put it away and turned his attention to the black stone.
"This is also a rare treasure. It's a pity the appraisers thought it was just ordinary meteoric iron..." Ning Wuque shook his head and let a drop of his blood fall onto the black stone.
A faint red light shimmered on its hard surface. Gradually, the outer layer of black material peeled away, revealing two crystalline jade stones, each shaped like a dragon's eye. The larger one was the size of an infant's fist, the smaller the size of a jujube. Within each stone, a tiny figure was curled up.
"Soul crystals indeed. Given the soul power condensed within, this must have been a powerhouse at the Fifth Layer of the Yin-Yang Realm or higher. The large one is enough to help me impact the Spirit Refining Extreme Realm, and as for the small one, I'll give it to Hongyi to help him step into the Fourth Rank..."
Ning Wuque stored the soul crystals away. These were treasures of immense value, condensed by high-level experts at the cost of their own soul power. To consume it would be to risk one's own foundations; the small crystal alone was worth more than the Dark Gold Meteorite.
"Both are priceless. Especially the Portrait of the Empress—it involves the imperial history and must not be exposed easily. But for now, the most important thing is the breakthrough."
Ning Wuque inhaled deeply and began to circulate the *Chaos Infinity Sword Canon*. He tossed a piece of the Dragon Profound Ginseng into his mouth. The ginseng melted instantly into a warm stream, coursing through his veins. His blood surged like a raging river, like ten thousand galloping horses. A red glow spread across his skin, and the heat radiating from his body made the very air in the room feel as if it were boiling.
"Not enough. Still not enough..."
Ning Wuque consumed the rest of the herbs one by one, pushing his cultivation technique to its absolute limit. Soon, the agony of bone-gnawing pain and meridian-tearing sensations hit him simultaneously. The veins on his forehead bulged, and his face contorted in a ferocious grimace.
The Extreme Realm is as hard to attain as ascending to heaven. Without great opportunity, one cannot find the secret methods or treasures. Without great perseverance to withstand inhuman pain, one cannot enter.
"Hold on... hold on..."
Low, guttural growls escaped his throat. Images of the people from Prince Shenwu's Estate mercilessly carving up his body flashed through his mind. Despite the waves of desire to simply give up, and despite the fact that his blood felt like boiling water scorching every inch of his body, he did not yield.
More than half a day later, with a dull boom, Ning Wuque’s body shuddered. Beads of black blood burst through his pores, forming thin, dark lines that splattered across the floor. This represented a full fifth of his blood volume. Yet, he felt no weakness—instead, he was brimming with endless power. Had he cut his wrist, he would have seen that his blood had become thick, heavy, and glinted with a faint, golden hue.
His *qi* was harmonious, and his blood flowed like mercury. These were the signs of the Qi Refining Extreme Realm.
"Finally, I have reached this state. With my current strength, I am invincible below the Mortal Shedding Realm. I finally have the ability to protect myself."
Ning Wuque clenched his fists, feeling the boundless power within, and a bright smile spread across his face. "It's been over half a day. I shouldn't keep Sha Wei waiting at the gate any longer. I'll return to the estate first, then plan my breakthrough to the Spirit Refining Realm."
With that thought, Ning Wuque stood up and walked toward the exit of the Qizhen Pavilion.
***
At the entrance to the Qizhen Pavilion, Ouyang Shang sat in a high-backed chair, legs crossed, applying ice to his swollen cheek. His gaze drifted toward the pavilion, and he muttered with impatience, "It's been half a day. Why hasn't that brat come out? Don't tell me he slipped out through the VIP passage?"
"Rest assured, Young Master Ouyang, we have had people guarding the VIP passage since we arrived. We haven't seen the brat you described!" beside him, a burly, brutish-looking man replied in a low voice. His manner was sycophantic. This was He Hu, the fourth leader of the Yulong Gang. His cultivation was at the Third Layer of the Spirit Refining Realm, and having lived a life of violence, his combat effectiveness was not inferior to an ordinary Fourth Layer master.
Ouyang Shang hummed, a vicious glint in his eyes. "He Hu, when that brat comes out, break his limbs first."
"Consider it done, Young Master!" He Hu chuckled.
"Good, good!" Ouyang Shang nodded with satisfaction. Just as he was about to speak, he leaped from his chair, his eyes bulging wide with a mix of excitement and malice. He pointed at the exit of the Qizhen Pavilion. "That's him! Catch him!"
He Hu waved his hand, his voice cold. "Go!"
*Swish! Swish! Swish!*
Six figures darted out from around Ouyang Shang, surrounding Ning Wuque just as he stepped out of the pavilion.
"Who are you people?" Ning Wuque arched an eyebrow. Ever since he was eight, he had campaigned for Prince Shenwu's Estate; he had survived ambushes of hundreds, let alone six men. He did not take them seriously in the slightest.
"Brat, you're finally out. Our young master has been waiting for you for half a day!"
"Come with us!"
"Your young master?" Ning Wuque paused, his gaze shifting past them to Ouyang Shang. He laughed, "I wondered who it was. It's you, brat. What? Did your master lose the bet, and now you’re here to settle the score for him?"
As he spoke, Ning Wuque brushed past two of them as if they were nothing and walked straight up to Ouyang Shang. He scanned Ouyang Shang and He Hu, smiled, pulled over another chair, sat down, and crossed his legs. The entire process was smooth and indifferent.
Ouyang Shang’s breathing grew ragged, and his eyes turned blood-red. In his mind, he had expected Ning Wuque to be trembling with fear and kneeling to beg for mercy. But instead... Ning Wuque was acting so nonchalant, as if they didn't exist. It left him feeling like he had punched a pile of cotton.
"You—stand up!" Ouyang Shang managed to choke out after a long silence.
"Speak if you have something to say, or get lost," Ning Wuque replied. "I don't have time to play games with you."
"Audacious!" He Hu roared, staring at Ning Wuque with a fierce gaze. "Brat, have you grown bold enough to eat a bear's heart and a leopard's gall? How dare you speak to our young master like that?"
Ning Wuque raised an eyebrow. "And who might you be?"
"Hmph, I am He Hu, the fourth leader of the Yulong Gang. People in the underworld call me Master Hu!" He Hu said arrogantly.
"Calling yourself 'Master' in front of me?" Ning Wuque’s eyes narrowed, flickering with a dangerous light. As the former heir to Prince Shenwu's Estate, he had traversed the northern borders for over eight years and fought in over a thousand battles. Who dared to refer to themselves as 'Master' in his presence?
Yet, He Hu remained oblivious to the impending danger, assuming Ning Wuque was stunned by his reputation. He grinned sinisterly. "Our young master said he would first break your four limbs, then gouge out your eyes, and cut out your tongue..."
"Break my limbs? Gouge my eyes? Cut my tongue?" Ning Wuque’s smile slowly faded as he repeated the words.
"That's right!"