In the dry cave.
Without the Three-Flower Three-Leaf Grass, the rich medicinal fragrance in the cave was gone, leaving only pitch-black darkness.
Hong Yu had already woken up. He held two jade bottles in his hands, his expression a little dazed. 'These two Tier One Spirit Pills... did I really refine them myself?'
He wanted to pinch his thigh to see if he was dreaming.
'I heard Hong Lin is in seclusion, preparing to break through to the Eighth Layer Realm. I just beat up Hongyan, and that bastard will definitely snitch to Hong Lin. Plus, Hong Lin and I don't get along. With my current Seventh Layer strength, I'm no match for an Eighth Realm opponent like him. I should use this Yunyuan Pill to break through first!'
Lost in thought, Hong Yu sat down cross-legged and consumed the Yunyuan Pill in his hand.
As the Pill entered his body, it immediately transformed into a warm medicinal flow.
Huhu!
Hong Yu's breathing grew increasingly long and steady. Under the effects of the Yunyuan Pill, his cultivation began to climb, step by step.
Mid-Seventh Layer of the Essence Realm...
Late Stage!
Peak!
His cultivation's growth finally reached a critical point. If he could push past it, he would break through to the Eighth Layer Realm. If he failed, he would remain at the Peak of the Seventh Level. Though it seemed like a small step, the difference in combat power was immense.
'Break!'
Hong Yu suddenly roared in his mind.
Following that internal roar, the rich medicinal power of the Yunyuan Pill, which had been brewing inside him, launched its final assault. With a sensation like an eggshell cracking within his body, Hong Yu finally took the last step, reaching the Eighth Layer of the Essence Realm. But the Yunyuan Pill's medicinal power was not yet exhausted. His cultivation continued to rise, albeit very slowly. A full three hours passed before Hong Yu opened his eyes again. His cultivation had already reached the late Eighth Layer of the Essence Realm.
'I finally broke through! With my current strength, I can even fight and win against an expert at the Early Ninth Layer!'
Hong Yu was quite excited. He meditated for another half hour to adjust, then finally left the cave that had brought him one fortuitous encounter after another.
...
Underground Alliance.
Sister Qin, dressed revealingly and as gorgeous as a blooming rose, lightly covered her cherry-red lips with a slender hand. Her beautiful eyes looked gravely at the young man before her. "My dear little brother, are you sure this bottle of Yunyuan Pills in your hand really has the effect you claim? You have to know, once I submit them to the Alliance's auction house for you, the Alliance's own appraisers will be in charge of authenticating them. If the product's quality doesn't meet the requirements, it will be seen as a provocation against the Alliance's authority."
Sister Qin's concern was like a warm winter sun passing through Hong Yu's heart.
He smiled slightly and said, "Sister Qin, have you ever known me to make baseless claims?"
Sister Qin was taken aback.
Only then did she remember that the young man before her was the youngest Silver Hunter in the several-hundred-year history of the Underground Alliance.
Smiling, Sister Qin returned to her charming demeanor and nodded. "Alright, little brother, just wait here for my good news!"
A smile on his lips, Hong Yu waited quietly.
The Underground Alliance was highly efficient. Sister Qin soon returned with a young man with bedroom eyes.
The young man glanced at Hong Yu and said flatly, "You're Luoo? The effects of that Yunyuan Pill are indeed as you described. The Alliance is giving you two options. One, sell the Yunyuan Pill to the Alliance. We'll give you a price of fifty thousand Gold Coins. Two, put it in the Alliance's auction house to be auctioned in three days. Make your choice."
"Ahem!"
Sister Qin snorted through her delicate nose and winked at Hong Yu.
Hong Yu paused, then understood. He chuckled and said, "I choose the second option!"
"Hmph."
The young man was clearly stunned for a moment, then realized Sister Qin had tipped Hong Yu off. A flash of annoyance and disdain crossed his eyes.
His expression grew colder, and his gaze toward Hong Yu held a trace of hostility as he said flatly, "If that's your choice, then sign the contract."
"Wait, I'd like to request an advance of ten thousand Gold Coins," Hong Yu said.
The mission for the Restoring Yin Grass was urgent, and the auction was still three days away.
Hong Yu didn't want to waste these three days, so he thought of getting an advance on the Gold Coins to make preparations for that mission.
However...
But the young man just snorted coldly and refused with extreme indifference, "No."
Having said his piece, the young man turned and walked away.
Hong Yu could faintly hear the young man's disdainful voice drifting back, "An advance on Gold Coins? Who do you think you are? A piece of trash dares to negotiate terms with me? You really don't know what's good for you..."
"Dear little brother, that's just Wang Ze's temper. Don't be angry!" Sister Qin consoled him.
Hong Yu just smiled, not taking Wang Ze to heart at all.
'Is an eighteen-year-old Apprentice Craftsman something to be proud of?'
'What would he think if he knew that I, at only fifteen, can already refine First-Grade Spirit Pills, and that I'll naturally become a Tier One Spiritual Craftsman as soon as I break through to the Earth Soul Realm?'
Sister Qin breathed a sigh of relief. After all, they were both part of the Underground Alliance, and she didn't want the relationship between Hong Yu and Wang Ze to become too stiff. Then she smiled and said, "Dear little brother, are you in great need of money?"
"Yes, I need to prepare some things to complete the Restoring Yin Grass mission. I'm in urgent need of some money!" Hong Yu didn't hide anything from Sister Qin.
Sister Qin's eyes, as bright as stars, darted about. She suddenly parted her vermilion lips and said, "Dear little brother, I have some private savings here. It's not much, but it should be enough for you to get some things done."
Seeing Hong Yu looking at her in surprise, Sister Qin pretended to be calm and joked, "But this is my dowry money! You have to pay me back when you're rich. Otherwise, I'll never be able to get married!"
"Sister Qin..."
Hong Yu stared blankly at the bewitching beauty before him, so moved he didn't know what to say.
Sister Qin reached out a delicate, rosy finger to tap the tip of Hong Yu's nose, giggling flirtatiously. "Why are you staring at me so blankly? Could it be that my little brother Luoo is moved? Hehe, don't feel embarrassed. Just don't forget your big sister when you make it big in the future!"
Hong Yu smiled.
He calmly accepted the purse from Sister Qin's hand and nodded firmly at the thorny rose before him, a woman who could captivate any man. "As long as I live, I will never let Sister Qin suffer any grievances!"
The young man's promise seemed a bit childish, but it was so pure and sincere, without any ulterior motives.
Sister Qin had navigated the Underground Alliance for years and had seen all sorts of men: the attentive, the flirtatious, the wealthy...
But she had always kept her heart—outwardly passionate but inwardly cold—from being captured by anyone.
But in this moment, looking into the young man's bright, clear eyes, Sister Qin felt as if something was slowly melting the layer of ice around her heart.
'Was I moved?'
'Maybe, maybe not!'
Matters between men and women were always subtle; no one could ever say for sure.
Sister Qin was, after all, a shrewd woman who navigated the Underground Alliance. She giggled to hide that brief moment of emotion and said with a beaming smile, "Well then, I'll be waiting for you!"
The young man nodded firmly again.
It wasn't a formality, but a promise from the heart.
With three days until the auction, Hong Yu took the six thousand Gold Coins Sister Qin had lent him and went directly to the market in the Underground Alliance to purchase a few items.
Most of them were for preventing and neutralizing poison, all to guard against the deadly venom of the Red Yin Poison Scorpion, which was said to kill on contact with blood.
As for the equipment needed to attack and surround the Red Yin Poison Scorpion, those were expensive items that cost five to six thousand Gold Coins each. He would have to wait until after the auction for those.
When he left the Underground Alliance, Hong Yu didn't run into the bewitching Sister Qin again, which he found a little disappointing.
A short while later, Hong Yu returned home.
But as soon as he reached the door, his expression changed.
...
In the simple, small courtyard, things were smashed and thrown about, a complete mess.
Yun Mengyao was soaked to the bone, a glaring red palm print on her tender cheek. With her hands on her hips, she glared at the villains in front of her—the very ones who had just trashed her home and were now closing in on her. "You bastards, don't come any closer! My brother won't let you get away with this!"
"Tsk tsk, your brother? Oh, we're so scared!"
"Seventh Young Master, this Yun Mengyao and Hong Yu call each other brother and sister, but who knows what their relationship is really like in private!"
"This little girl isn't old, but her body's developed quite nicely. Look at that chest, that face... If I had a sister like that, I'd go for it whether she was my real sister or not!"
"I heard her brother has to treat her illness every month. You think they might be using dual cultivation to treat her?"
"JYE JYE JYE, little sister Mengyao, let your big brother here treat your illness too!"
The ones speaking were none other than Hongyan and his master, the Seventh Young Master of the Hong Family—Hong Lin!
After being taught a harsh lesson by Hong Yu yesterday, Hongyan had made up his mind to bring Hong Lin back for revenge.
Unfortunately, Hong Lin was in seclusion for his breakthrough, so Hongyan had to wait for a full day and night.
It wasn't until today that Hong Lin finally came out of seclusion. Moreover, he had broken through to the Eighth Realm of the Essence Realm, and his strength had soared.
Spurred on by Hongyan's exaggerated and embellished report, Hong Lin, who already disliked Hong Yu, flew into a rage. Believing that Hong Yu was challenging his authority, he had charged over, seething with killing intent.
Upon arriving at Hong Yu's house, they were frustrated to find he wasn't there.
However, since they were dead set on causing trouble, they weren't about to give up so easily. They shifted their target to the beautiful and lovely Yun Mengyao.
Don't be fooled by Yun Mengyao's gentle and considerate nature—that was reserved only for Hong Yu. In front of people like Hong Lin, she was as wild as a young leopardess and naturally resisted their advances.
The reason she was soaking wet was that she had been splashed when she picked up a small water cistern to throw at Hong Lin.
This completely ignited Hong Lin's desire. He sneered, "Hehe, I didn't expect a little firecracker. Not bad, not bad. A little spicy, but this young master likes feisty women like you. It's more fun to play with you that way. Little sister Mengyao, what future do you have with that Hong Yu? You'd be better off with me. As long as you come back with me, this young master guarantees he'll make you feel ecstatic."
"You're not even worthy of carrying my brother's shoes," Yun Mengyao retorted fiercely.
"Your brother? Hehe, this young master is already at the Eighth Layer Realm of the Essence Realm. If your brother dares to show his face, I can crush him with one hand."
Hong Lin gritted his teeth and said viciously, "Since you refuse a toast only to drink a loss, then you'll kneel and give this young master ten loud kowtows. Otherwise, I'll burn this dump of a house down today and make your whole family sleep on the streets."
However...
Just as he finished his threat, a voice tinged with a hint of coldness suddenly came from outside the door, causing Hong Lin's expression to instantly turn ugly...
"Make my whole family sleep on the streets? I'm afraid you don't have the ability!"