Courtyard Check-in: Starting with a Small World of Cultivation

On April 3rd, during the Qingming Festival, a light rain fell. Hong Kong was shrouded in a continuous drizzle, and the buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour appeared hazy and picturesque in the rain. In a suite on the top floor of the Peninsula Hotel, Chen Yu sat cross-legged on the carpet in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, his eyes slightly closed, with a faint white aura swirling around him, like smoke and mist.

Nearly twenty days have passed since the essence of the spiritual spring was infused into the small world, and its effects are beginning to fully manifest. The spiritual spring pool has now expanded into a small lake with a diameter of three zhang (approximately 10 meters). The lake water is clear and green, and its surface is shrouded in a milky white spiritual mist all year round. In the medicinal field by the lake, the purple-gold grass has multiplied to more than fifty plants, and other medicinal herbs such as ginseng, lingzhi, and polygonatum are also growing well, some of which have reached the age of several decades.

The first level of the "Mysterious Origin True Scripture," "Gathering Qi and Transforming Yuan," has been perfected. Chen Yu could clearly feel the spiritual energy within his body gradually transforming from a gaseous state to a liquid state. Every strand of spiritual energy was solid and heavy, flowing like molten mercury when circulating. This was a sign that the Qi Refining stage was approaching perfection—when all the spiritual energy in the body was completely liquefied, it would be the ninth level of Qi Refining, the Great Perfection, and one could attempt to establish a foundation.

"System, check-in for today." Chen Yu silently recited in his mind during a break from cultivation.

[Ding! Japanese visa successfully obtained]

[Received: HKD 220, Basic Refining Material Identification (Small), 1964 Hong Kong Antique Market Survey Report, Spirit Gathering Array Improvement Blueprint ×1, Spiritual Furnace (Miniature) ×1]

Knowledge of refining materials flooded his mind, clearly presenting the properties and uses of various ores, metals, and spirit wood. The antique market report, a hefty eighty pages long, detailed information on antique shops, flea markets, and auction houses in various districts of Hong Kong, and marked several locations suspected of containing "genuine items." The improved blueprints for the Spirit Gathering Array increased the efficiency of traditional arrays by 15%. The spiritual furnace, only the size of a palm, was made of bronze, with three legs and two handles; though small, it was fully functional and could be used for miniature alchemy or weapon refining experiments.

Chen Yu memorized the blueprints, preparing to improve the spirit-gathering array there the next time he entered the small world. As for the spiritual furnace, it would be perfect for trying out the refining of several basic elixirs recorded in the "Mysterious Daoist Canon".

He finished his cultivation and slowly opened his eyes. The rain outside the window was gradually subsiding, and the sky was overcast. He raised his hand to check his watch—three o'clock in the afternoon. He had arranged to meet Lin Wanru and Su Man at the company today to discuss the specifics of establishing the foundation.

The phone rang. It was Taoist Jingxu.

"Benefactor Chen, there's been a report." Jingxu's voice was grave. "Qingyun Temple has replied. The Heavenly Dao Alliance has indeed sent people to Hong Kong. The leader is Zhao Wuji, a deacon from the Foreign Affairs Hall, with an eighth-level Qi Refining cultivation. He is accompanied by three others, all at the mid-stage of Qi Refining."

Eighth level of Qi Refining! Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat. He was currently at the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refining. With the help of spiritual artifacts and talismans, he might be able to defeat someone at the seventh level of Qi Refining, but his chances of winning against someone at the eighth level were slim.

"What are they doing in Hong Kong?"

"It's nominally an 'exchange visit,' but the real target is you," Jingxu whispered. "Zhao Wuji went to Xuanmiao Temple yesterday, asking my senior brother about your whereabouts under the guise of 'exchange among fellow practitioners.' My senior brother claimed he didn't know, but Zhao Wuji left a message saying he wanted to 'pay a visit to the holder of the Seven Star Key.'"

A visit? More like a robbery. Chen Yu's eyes turned cold. The news of the cave's inheritance had indeed been leaked.

"What did they say at Qingyun Temple?"

"The abbot of Qingyun Temple agreed to restrain him, but he also said that the Heavenly Dao Alliance is too powerful to confront directly. At most, he can hold Zhao Wuji back for a few days or provide some intelligence."

"That's enough." Chen Yu pondered. "Do you know where Zhao Wuji lives?"

"The Peninsula Hotel is just three floors below you." Jingxu paused. "Mr. Chen, would you like to avoid this place for the time being?"

"Hide?" Chen Yu laughed. "Hong Kong is my base. Where can I hide? Besides..." A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "Although the eighth level of Qi Refining is strong, this is not the cultivation world. It's a society governed by the rule of law. They have their rules, and I have my ways of playing."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Yu stood by the window, deep in thought. Since the Heavenly Alliance had come knocking, this battle was unavoidable. But a direct confrontation was unwise; a strategic approach was needed.

He first contacted the pseudo-person No. 7 through consciousness: "Check the detailed information of Zao Wou-Ki and his group of four, especially their activities in Hong Kong, the people they contacted, and whether they violated any ordinary laws."

"Yes, Master."

Then he dialed Ho Hung-cheung's private number in Macau. The phone rang seven or eight times before being answered, and Ho Hung-cheung's slightly tired voice came through: "Who is this?"

"Mr. He, I am Chen Yu."

"Mr. Chan!" Ho Hung-cheung perked up. "I was just looking for you! I heard you kicked Li Kwok-wah out of Hong Kong? Well done!"

"It was just luck. Mr. He, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with."

"Say it! As long as I can do it."

Chen Yu briefly explained the situation of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, omitting the details of cultivation, and only said that a group of "special people" from Taiwan wanted to forcibly seize the ancient artifact in his hands.

He Hongchang paused for a moment: "From Taiwan... I know a few influential people in Taiwan who can pass on a message for you. But if it's someone from the underworld, I'm afraid it will be difficult."

"No need to pass on a message," Chen Yu said. "I just need Mr. He to pass on a message for me: say that I have a Tang Dynasty 'Seven Star Plate,' a Buddhist treasure brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang, which is priceless. It will be auctioned publicly at Wing On Auction House in Hong Kong next Saturday."

"This is..."

"Let them fall into the trap," Chen Yu said calmly. "Since they want it, I'll give them a fair and square opportunity to take it. Whether they succeed or not is up to their skills."

Ho Hung-cheung understood: "Alright! Leave this to me! I'll release the news in Taiwan tonight!"

After ending the call, Chen Yu changed into a suit and prepared to go to the company. Before leaving, he packed the Demon-Slaying Sword into a specially made sword bag and carried it on his back—it looked like a golf club bag, but it actually contained the spirit sword. He also placed several talismans close to his body, with the protective jade talismans ready to be activated at any time.

When the elevator reached the twentieth floor, the doors opened. Three people entered: a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a gray Zhongshan suit, with an ordinary face but sharp, eagle-like eyes; a woman in her early thirties, wearing a cheongsam with a trench coat over it, exuding a cool and elegant aura; and a young man in his twenties, wearing a white shirt and black trousers, looking like an ordinary white-collar worker.

Chen Yuling slightly opened his spiritual eye technique and was shocked—all three of them had fluctuations in spiritual energy! The middle-aged man was at the eighth level of Qi Refining, the woman at the sixth level, and the young man at the fifth level! They were indeed people from the Heavenly Dao Alliance!

He remained expressionless, nodded politely, and pressed the button for the first floor.

The middle-aged man suddenly spoke up: "This gentleman has an extraordinary air about him. I wonder what business he's in to make his fortune?" He spoke in Mandarin with a Taiwanese accent.

"I'm doing some small business, in the materials industry," Chen Yu replied in Cantonese, pretending not to understand Mandarin.

"Materials..." The middle-aged man sized him up. "I've heard that a talented young man named Chen has recently emerged in Hong Kong. He also works in materials science, and his explosion-proof coating is quite impressive. Do you know him, sir?"

"I've heard a little about it," Chen Yu said calmly. "The elevator's here, excuse me."

He stepped out of the elevator first, his steps steady, but his spiritual senses were fully activated, sensing the movements of the three people behind him. The three people did not follow him out, but instead headed towards the hotel restaurant.

After leaving the hotel, Chen Yu got into the waiting car and said to the driver, "To the company. Drive fast."

In the car, his mind raced. Zhao Wuji had clearly been testing him. Although his disguise hadn't been exposed, since the other party was staying at the same hotel, they would inevitably run into each other sooner or later. The auction plan needed to be accelerated.

Upon arriving at Huanyu Technology, Lin Wanru and Su Man were already waiting in the conference room. The foundation's preparation documents were laid out on the table.

"Mr. Chen, the registration procedures for the foundation are basically complete." Lin Wanru handed over the documents. "Sir Zhou will serve as the honorary chairman, and the three of us will be directors. The initial funding of one million Hong Kong dollars has been secured, and the office location will be in Wing On Building in Central, with a monthly rent of three thousand."

Chen Yu quickly glanced at the documents: "Very good. Also, please contact Wing On Auction House for me. I want to auction a 'Tang Dynasty Seven Star Plate' next Saturday, with a starting price of HK$500,000."

"A Tang Dynasty Seven-Star Compass?" Su Man exclaimed in surprise, "A genuine one?"

"It's a replica, but good enough to fool the real thing," Chen Yu said. "I need this auction to attract some people's attention."

Su Man instantly understood: "People from the Heavenly Dao Alliance?"

"Yeah. I ran into him in the elevator just now. The leader's name is Zhao Wuji, he's at the eighth level of Qi Refining."

Lin Wanru was completely confused, but wisely didn't ask any more questions.

The three then discussed the company's future development plans. The explosion-proof coating technology has been patented in the UK and is expected to be approved within three months. Zhang Min's team is developing a second-generation product, incorporating fire-resistant features. Sir Zhou introduced several clients with military backgrounds, and orders are already booked until the second half of the year.

"There's one more thing," Lin Wanru said hesitantly, "There's a telegram from Beijing... for you."

Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat: "What did you say?"

"Very brief: 'Due date April 15th, looking forward to your return.' Signed Qin."

Qin Huairu is about to give birth! Chen Yu calculated the time; there were still twelve days left. He had to finish his business in Hong Kong as soon as possible and rush back to Beijing.

After the meeting, Chen Yu remained alone in his office. The rain outside intensified, pounding against the glass. Standing by the window, gazing at Hong Kong through the rain, his thoughts drifted across mountains and rivers, returning to his old courtyard house.

How is Qin Huairu now? Can Zhang Xiulan take good care of her? Will the baby be a boy or a girl?...

He shook his head, temporarily suppressing these thoughts. Now was not the time to be distracted. The threat from the Heavenly Alliance had to be dealt with, otherwise, even if he returned to Beijing, he would bring danger back with him.

In the evening, Chen Yu returned to the hotel. He didn't go straight to his room, but went to the hotel gym—this was his habit, using ordinary exercise to disguise his physical training as that of a cultivator.

The gym wasn't crowded. Chen Yu jogged slowly on the treadmill, his spiritual sense alert to his surroundings. Sure enough, after running for twenty minutes, Zhao Wuji appeared with the young man.

The two changed into workout clothes and trained in the nearby weight room. Zhao Wuji lifted the barbell with perfect form and astonishing strength—he deliberately displayed physical abilities far beyond those of ordinary people.

"Young man, your running form is quite good," Zhao Wuji suddenly remarked. "Have you practiced martial arts?"

"I learned Tai Chi from my grandfather for a few days when I was a child," Chen Yu replied casually, without slowing down.

"Tai Chi is good, it cultivates the mind and body." Zhao Wuji put down the barbell and walked over. "But I see your breathing is deep and your steps are steady, you don't seem to have only studied it for a few days. Would you like to spar?"

This was a blatant test. Chen Yu knew he couldn't avoid it, so he stopped running the treadmill, wiped his sweat, and said, "Senior, you flatter me. I'm just exercising; how could I dare to spar with you?"

"No need to be modest." Zhao Wuji's eyes were sharp. "I see you have extraordinary talent; you're good material for martial arts. How about this, we'll exchange a few simple moves, stopping short of defeat."

Everyone else in the gym looked over. Chen Yu knew that refusing would make him seem guilty. He nodded, "Then please guide me, senior."

The two arrived at an open space and stood facing each other. Zhao Wuji adopted the starting stance of Tai Chi, while Chen Yu responded with a normal fighting posture—he deliberately concealed the stance of a cultivator.

"Please." Zhao Wuji made the first move, lightly striking with his palm.

This palm strike, though seemingly slow, actually sealed off all of Chen Yu's escape routes, the wind from the palm carrying hidden spiritual energy! Chen Yu felt a chill run down his spine; this old fellow claimed it was just a friendly spar, but in reality, he had used a sneak attack!

He dared not take the blow head-on, and changed his footwork, using a basic footwork technique from the "Mysterious Escape Technique" to dodge. At the same time, he made a fist with his right hand and struck Zhao Wuji's ribs—a move from military boxing, ordinary but practical.

A look of surprise flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes. He changed his palm into a claw and grabbed at Chen Yu's wrist. Chen Yu smoothly withdrew his fist and swept his left leg towards his opponent's lower body. The two exchanged blows, exchanging seven or eight moves in the blink of an eye.

To outsiders, it was just an ordinary martial arts sparring match. But only the two combatants knew that spiritual energy was secretly clashing with each contact! Zhao Wuji's spiritual energy was as heavy as a mountain, while Chen Yu's spiritual energy was as fluid as water. Although his cultivation level was two levels lower, he managed to hold on thanks to the superiority of the "Mysterious Origin True Scripture" and the tempering effect of the spiritual spring!

On the tenth move, Zhao Wuji suddenly increased his strength and slapped Chen Yu on the shoulder! Chen Yu groaned and took three steps back, his shoulder burning with pain—his opponent had held back, otherwise this palm strike could have shattered his shoulder bone.

"You flatter me." Zhao Wuji withdrew his stance, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "Young man, impressive skill. Who is your master?"

"My family's unorthodox style is nothing but a amateurish one; I'm afraid I've made a fool of myself in front of you, senior." Chen Yu rubbed his shoulder. "Your Tai Chi has reached a state of perfection; I admire you."

Zhao Wuji gave him a deep look, then left without asking any further questions, leading the young man away.

Chen Yu returned to his room, closed the door, and his expression darkened. He took off his shirt, revealing a clear, purplish-red, blackened handprint on his shoulder. Zhao Wuji's palm strike had not only injured his flesh but also sent a wisp of spiritual energy into his meridians, attempting to probe the depths of his cultivation!

Fortunately, the "Mysterious Origin True Scripture" was profound, and the invading spiritual energy was quickly neutralized. Chen Yu circulated his cultivation technique and, in conjunction with the Rejuvenating Powder, his injuries rapidly improved.

"Pseudo-Man Seven," he communicated through telepathy, "what are Zhao Wuji and the others' plans for tonight?"

"Master, they left the hotel at seven o'clock and went to a place in Kowloon called 'Lung Mun Tea House'. It's a secret gathering place for practitioners in Hong Kong, where they hold small trading sessions every Wednesday night."

"The trade fair..." Chen Yu mused. "Continue to monitor it, but don't get too close. A Qi Refining Level 8 cultivator's spiritual sense is very sharp."

After ending the communication, Chen Yu entered the small world. He needed to improve his strength as soon as possible. He was at the peak of the sixth level of Qi Refining, only a hair's breadth away from the seventh; he had to break through tonight!

By the Spirit Spring Lake, he sat cross-legged, took out three Qi-Nourishing Pills and swallowed them—these were top-grade pills made from Purple Gold Grass, with a gentle and lasting medicinal effect. Then he circulated the Profound Origin True Scripture, focusing all his efforts on breaking through the bottleneck.

The spiritual energy from the lake surged in like mist, seeping into every pore of his body. His internal spiritual power surged like a raging river, repeatedly crashing against the invisible barrier. Reaching the sixth to seventh level of Qi Refining is crucial from the mid-to-late stages; after breaking through, his total spiritual power will double, and his spiritual sense range will reach a hundred feet!

Two hours later, Chen Yu was soaked in sweat, but the barrier remained strong. He gritted his teeth, swallowed another Qi-nourishing pill, and focused his consciousness into his dantian to observe the flow of spiritual energy.

The "Mysterious Origin True Scripture" emphasizes "gathering Qi and transforming it into Yuan," which involves condensing scattered spiritual energy into pure "Yuan power." His current problem is that while the purity of his spiritual power is sufficient, the total amount is insufficient. It's like a tank of water that is very pure, but the tank itself isn't big enough.

"Expand the container..." Chen Yu suddenly had a flash of inspiration and thought of a secret technique recorded in the "Xuanzhen Daozang"—"Meridian Expansion Technique." This method expands the meridians in a special way to increase the capacity of spiritual energy, but the process is extremely painful and risky.

He decided to give it a try. Following the instructions of the secret method, he used his spiritual power as a knife, carefully "carving" into several major meridians. A sharp pain struck, as if thousands of steel needles were piercing into him at the same time! Chen Yu gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, but his movements did not stop in the slightest.

An hour later, his meridians had expanded by 30%! His spiritual energy capacity had greatly increased! Taking this opportunity, he once again attempted to break through his bottleneck!

"boom--!"

A thunderous roar erupted within his body, shattering the barrier! Spiritual energy surged forth like a flood, instantly filling his newly expanded meridians! He had successfully reached the seventh level of Qi Refining!

Chen Yu opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and piercing. His spiritual sense expanded, easily covering an area of ​​a hundred feet! He had complete control over the situation on all three floors of the hotel—Zhao Wuji had just returned to his room; the woman was cultivating, and the young man was reading...

He exited the small world, and only two hours had passed in real time. The palm print on his shoulder had completely disappeared, and his cultivation level had stabilized at the early stage of the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Standing by the window, Chen Yu gazed at the dazzling Hong Kong night view. But he knew that beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were surging.

The auction is in five days.

The threat posed by the Heavenly Alliance must be dealt with.

Then, he was going back to Beijing.

Welcoming the arrival of new life.

We will also embrace new challenges.

The rain started again, tapping against the window.

Chen Yu's gaze was deeper than the rainy night and sharper than a sword.