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

At 4 PM on April 10th, in a suite on the top floor of the Peninsula Hotel, Chen Yu stood before the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking Victoria Harbour. The sea shimmered, several ferries slowly passed by, and the Kowloon Peninsula on the opposite shore was bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. This bustling scene contrasted sharply with his current state of mind—the burning pain in his meridians from the explosive energy powder had not completely subsided, and the thrill of the auction was still vivid in his mind.

"System, second sign-in for today." He closed his eyes and silently recited in his mind. The second sign-in after 3 PM was a weekly sign-in privilege.

[Ding! Weekly check-in successful]

【获得：中级敛息术×1、易容面具（三次）×1、小挪移符×2、1964年粤港水路走私路线图、伪人×3】

Chen Yu's eyes brightened slightly. The Concealing Breath Technique could hide one's cultivation aura, which was exactly what he needed right now; the Disguise Mask could change one's appearance three times, with each mask lasting for twelve hours; the Small Teleportation Talisman could randomly teleport within a hundred meters, a life-saving weapon; the smuggling route map detailed the secret passage from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, and then to the mainland; the addition of the three new imposters brought his manpower to sixteen.

"Pseudo-Men Thirteen, Fourteen, and Fifteen, you are responsible for monitoring the remaining forces of the Heavenly Dao Alliance in Hong Kong, especially the local gangs that Zhao Wuji may be in contact with."

"Fake people sixteen and seventeen, you two secretly protect Lin Wanru and Su Man and ensure their safety after I leave Hong Kong."

"Fake Man Eighteen, you impersonate me and leave through the main entrance of the Peninsula Hotel tomorrow morning to attract attention."

Commands were issued through consciousness, and a dark figure appeared and disappeared in the corner of the room.

A knock sounded at the door. Chen Yu concealed his aura, and the fluctuations of his cultivation level from the seventh level of Qi Refining to around the fourth level—this was the effect of the Breath Concealment Technique.

"Mr. Chen, it's me, Jingxu." The Taoist's steady voice came from outside the door.

After the door opened, Taoist Jingxu and Suman filed in. Neither of them looked well; Jingxu had burn marks on his left sleeve, and Suman's hair was slightly disheveled—clearly, they had also paid the price in the earlier conflict.

"Zhao Wuji's men are still downstairs." Su Man walked quickly to the window, lifted a corner of the curtain, and said, "At least three groups are taking turns keeping watch."

"Where are the Buddhist monks?" Chen Yu asked.

"Master Cihang left two disciples to secretly protect the hotel from the outside, but they will withdraw to Puji Temple tomorrow morning." Jingxu sat down and poured himself a cup of tea. "Fellow Daoist Chen, how are your injuries?"

"It's nothing serious, just need a night of rest and recuperation." Chen Yu sat down opposite him. "But, Daoist, what about your arm..."

"The Yin energy of the Jade Pendant that broke the Dharma has invaded my meridians; it will take three days to expel it." Jingxu smiled bitterly. "Zhao Wuji's Jade Pendant specifically counters the spiritual light of righteous Dharma. If Master Cihang hadn't arrived in time..."

The three remained silent for a moment. Outside the window, the setting sun gradually sank below the horizon, and the lights of Victoria Harbour began to twinkle.

"We must leave Hong Kong as soon as possible." Su Man turned around, her eyes filled with worry. "When I was in Macau, I heard that the Heavenly Dao Alliance has a huge influence in Southeast Asia, and Taiwan is just its headquarters. Here in Hong Kong, they can still mobilize at least five cultivators at the mid-stage of Qi Refining."

"I know," Chen Yu nodded. "I've already booked a train ticket to leave through the Luohu Port tomorrow night at nine o'clock. But before that, there are a few things I need to take care of."

He took out three documents from his pocket: "First, the change of shareholding in Xinghua Group. I will split my 51% stake, transferring 30% to Wanru and having Suman hold the remaining 21% on my behalf. This way, even if the Tiandao Alliance tries to attack through commercial means, they won't be able to touch the company's foundation."

Su Man took the document, her fingers trembling slightly: "Chen Yu, what is this...?"

"Let me finish," Chen Yu waved his hand. "Secondly, I have already contacted Mr. He, and he will use his connections in Macau to provide Xinghua Group with three years of tax-free protection and basic security guarantees. In exchange, 5% of Xinghua's annual profits will be donated to Mr. He's charitable foundation in Macau."

These were the conditions that Stanley Ho delivered through the Buddhist community after the auction this morning. The gambling tycoon clearly understood—Chen Yu's value was not limited to the present.

"Third," Chen Yu looked at Jingxu, "Daoist Master, you will come back to Beijing with me. The inheritance of Senior Xuanzhenzi's cave dwelling requires your presence as the authentic successor to be fully activated. Moreover..." He paused, "I suspect there are also clues about the Seven Star Key in Beijing."

Jingxu's expression was solemn: "That is exactly what I intend. Although Hong Kong is prosperous, it is ultimately not a place for cultivating the Tao."

"What about me?" Su Man stared at Chen Yu, her voice a little tense.

The air in the room seemed to freeze. The Taoist priest, Jingxu, tactfully rose and said, "I'll go check on the array formation downstairs." With that, he pushed open the door and left.

The neon lights outside the window streamed in, casting shifting colors on their faces. The night view of Victoria Harbour was beautiful, but no one was there to appreciate it at this moment.

"Su Man," Chen Yu walked up to her, "you have two choices. One is to stay in Hong Kong. Xinghua Group needs someone to oversee things. Although Wanru is capable, she's not enough to handle the pressure from the cultivation world. Mr. He will provide protection, and you can continue operating as a shareholder, so you'll be safe."

"And the second one?" Su Man's voice was very soft.

"Second, come back to Beijing with me." Chen Yu looked directly into her eyes. "But you need to know that Qin Huairu is in Beijing, along with... several other people. And the journey won't be peaceful; the Heavenly Alliance will definitely try to intercept us."

Su Man smiled, a smile tinged with bitterness and relief: "Chen Yu, from the day I came to Hong Kong with you from Macau, I knew this day would come. I chose the second path."

Why?

"Because..." She turned to look out the window, "My father left Macau in the same way. He said that everyone has to make a few desperate choices in their life. Shooting to save you at the pier was the first time, and now... this is the second."

Chen Yu remained silent. He recalled the image of Su Man, holding two guns, blocking his way at the Macau docks. At that time, she was only at the third level of Qi Refining, facing more than a dozen gunmen under He Hongchang.

"Okay." In the end, he only said one word, but reached out and took her hand.

My palms were warm, with thin calluses from practicing swordsmanship.

At seven o'clock in the evening, Lin Wanru rushed to the hotel. She clearly already knew about the auction; her eyes were slightly red, but her makeup was still exquisite and appropriate—she was a strong-willed woman at heart.

"Mr. Chen, I've already made arrangements at the company." She went straight to the point as soon as she entered the room. "All important documents have been transferred to HSBC's vault, core technical personnel have signed three-year confidentiality agreements, and the production line has been moved to the new factory in Tsuen Wan... Even if the Heavenly Alliance wants to cause trouble, it will take them at least three months to figure out our situation."

Chen Yu admired her inwardly. Lin Wanru truly lived up to her reputation as a powerful businesswoman who could establish herself in Hong Kong's business world; she was decisive and efficient in her actions.

"Wanru, Xinghua Group is now in your hands." He handed her the shareholding documents. "You have the right to exercise voting rights on Su Man's 21% stake. Also, regarding Mr. He..."

"Mr. He sent someone to the company this afternoon." Lin Wanru took the documents, her fingers trembling slightly, but her tone was calm. "His legal team will be here tomorrow to assist with all legal matters. Mr. Chen, do you... really have to leave?"

"I have to leave." Chen Yu nodded. "The Heavenly Alliance's target is me and Seven Star Key. If I stay in Hong Kong, I'll only bring trouble to the company and you guys."

Lin Wanru lowered her head, and after a long while, took out a velvet box from her handbag: "This... is for you."

Inside the box was a Patek Philippe watch with a platinum case and a deep blue dial, exuding elegance and understated sophistication.

"I bought it last year when the company made a profit, but I haven't had a chance to give it away." Lin Wanru forced a smile. "Consider it... a gift for someone else."

Chen Yu took the watch, solemnly put it on his left wrist, and took off his old Shanghai watch and put it away: "Thank you. Wanru, Xinghua is not only my company, but also your life's work. Manage it well, and maybe one day I will come back."

"I'll wait for you." After saying these three words, Lin Wanru turned around and walked away quickly. Her figure appeared slender yet upright under the corridor lights.

At nine o'clock in the evening, Chen Yu began packing his luggage. Actually, there wasn't much to pack—the important items were all in the small world. The Demon-Slaying Sword, the alchemy furnace, pills, gold, US dollars... and the biggest gain from this trip to Hong Kong: the fragments of the "Xuanzhen Daozang" and the Seven Star Key.

He took the Seven Star Key from his pocket. The key was only three inches long, made of bronze, with the Big Dipper pattern engraved on the handle, almost identical to the fake at the auction. But when the real one was held in his hand, he could feel a strange resonance—as if the key was calling out to something.

"Pseudo-human One, what's the situation in Beijing?" Chen Yu asked through his consciousness.

"Master, everything is normal at the courtyard. Madam Qin Huairu is expected to give birth in five days. Madam Jia Zhang tried to cause trouble last week, but Zhang Xiulan stopped her. As for the steel rolling mill, Director Li has been promoted to deputy director, and Liu Yuhua has taken over as head of the production department. Also..." The fake man number one paused, "Comrade Zhou Xiaomei got married last month to the son of the military region's chief of staff."

Chen Yu paused. Zhou Xiaomei... the girl who brought him sesame candy at the steel mill canteen. Time flies.

"Continue to monitor the courtyard house, and report any unusual activity immediately. I will arrive in Beijing in three days."

"Yes."

Night had fallen. Chen Yu sat cross-legged on the bed, swallowed a Qi-Nourishing Pill, and began circulating the *Tai Xuan Zhen Jing*. The battle at the auction had given him a deeper understanding of the seventh level of Qi Refining; his spiritual energy surged through his meridians, showing faint signs of a breakthrough.

But just as he was immersed in cultivation, his spiritual sense suddenly sounded an alarm!

Outside the window, five figures silently landed on the balcony! The leader was none other than the cold, beautiful woman under Zhao Wuji's command; she held a black bell in her hand and gently shook it—

"jingle..."

Invisible sound waves pierced through the glass and struck Chen Yu's sea of ​​consciousness!

The Concealing Breath Technique activated automatically, completely hiding Chen Yu's cultivation fluctuations. He feigned being affected, his body going limp and collapsing onto the bed, while secretly gripping the Evil-Slaying Sword.

The balcony door was pushed open, and five people filed in. Besides the aloof woman and the young man, there were three unfamiliar faces: a one-eyed old man, a dwarf, and a large, fat monk. All five were at the fifth or sixth level of Qi Refining, clearly independent cultivators recruited by the Heavenly Dao Alliance in Hong Kong.

"Dead?" the dwarf's voice was high-pitched.

"Even a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator will be unconscious for three hours under the influence of the Soul-Capturing Bell." The aloof woman put away the bell. "Search! The Seven Star Key must be on him!"

The five men split up to search. The young man walked to the bedside and reached into Chen Yu's arms—

It's now!

The Demon-Slaying Sword erupted! Chen Yu unleashed his full power at the seventh level of Qi Refining, thrusting the sword straight at the youth's throat! At the same time, he threw out two explosive talismans with his left hand, shooting them towards the cold-faced woman and the one-eyed old man!

"Watch out!" The cold and beautiful woman reacted extremely quickly, retreating rapidly, but the exploding talisman was already in front of her!

"Boom! Boom!"

Two loud bangs! All the windows in the hotel room shattered! Flames and smoke filled the air!

The young man screamed in agony. Although he barely managed to avoid a fatal wound to his throat, his right shoulder was pierced by the Demon-Slaying Sword, and blood gushed out!

"He wasn't hit! Form the array!" the one-eyed old man roared, a black banner appearing in his hand!

The dwarf and the fat monk each unleashed their magical weapons—a poisoned dagger and a string of bone prayer beads!

The five quickly formed a battle formation, surrounding Chen Yu in the middle! The cold and beautiful woman shook the Soul-Capturing Bell again, this time the sound was even more urgent and piercing!

Chen Yu felt a splitting headache and his mind was being pricked by needles! This was a magical artifact specifically designed to attack the soul!

"Slay the evil!" he shouted, and the blood-red runes on the Demon-Slaying Sword shone brightly, its awe-inspiring righteousness temporarily dispelling the influence of the bell! But in that brief delay, the one-eyed old man's black banner had already rolled up in front of him, billowing black smoke rising from it, within which countless distorted human faces were wailing!

The Banner of Vengeful Spirits! This old ghost has harmed at least a hundred people!

Chen Yu's eyes were icy cold. He bit his tongue, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the Demon-Slaying Sword: "The righteous energy of heaven and earth will vanquish evil and destroy demons! Slay!"

The Demon-Slaying Sword emitted a clear and melodious sword cry, its light blazing brightly! With a single slash, the black smoke dissipated like snow meeting boiling water! The one-eyed old man screamed in agony as the Wraith Banner was cleaved in two, the backlash causing blood to flow from his seven orifices!

But the dwarf's poisoned dagger had already reached Chen Yu's back! The fat monk's bone rosary also came crashing down on his head!

In the critical moment, Chen Yu activated the Minor Teleportation Talisman!

The figure vanished instantly, reappearing in another corner of the room! The poisoned dagger and the bone rosary missed their mark!

"Talismans? He still has a trump card!" The cold, beautiful woman's expression changed. "Let's finish this quickly!"

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed down the hotel corridor! Taoist Jingxu and Su Man burst through the door!

"Fellow Daoist Chen!" Jingxu saw the battle situation clearly at a glance, and his Green Bamboo Sword transformed into thousands of bamboo shadows, entangling the fat monk!

Su Man's Flowing Moon Sword went straight for the dwarf!

It was a three-on-five situation, but Chen Yu had the advantage of two magical artifacts (the Evil-Slaying Sword and the Green Bamboo Sword), while among the five members of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, the young man was seriously injured and the one-eyed old man suffered a backlash, leaving only three and a half in actual combat strength.

"Retreat!" The aloof woman made a decisive move, throwing out three black projectiles!

The bullet exploded upon landing, instantly filling the room with thick black smoke! The smoke was pungent and had a psychedelic effect!

When the smoke cleared, the five members of the Heavenly Alliance had disappeared, leaving behind only a mess and several pools of blood.

"Should we chase them or not?" Su Man drew her sword, ready to give chase.

"No need," Chen Yu stopped her. "They're just testing the waters. Zhao Wuji himself didn't come, which means he still has reservations—it could be the Buddhist sect, or it could be Mr. He."

Taoist Jingxu inspected the room and frowned, saying, "The Soul-Capturing Bell, the Resentful Soul Banner, the Poison Dagger, the Bone Prayer Beads... these are all evil magical artifacts. The Heavenly Alliance's origins are indeed illegitimate."

Chen Yu walked to the balcony and looked out at Hong Kong in the night. In the distance, the lights on Victoria Peak shone like stars.

"They won't give up easily," he said. "The road to leaving Hong Kong tomorrow won't be peaceful."

"I have already contacted Master Cihang," Jingxu said. "The Buddhist sect has agreed to send four disciples to escort us to the Luohu Port. But outside the port, we will have to rely on ourselves."

Chen Yu nodded. He returned to his room and picked up the Patek Philippe watch from the rubble—the dial was cracked, but the hands were still moving.

At 3:00 AM on April 11th, there were still 18 hours until departure.

But the journey home has only just begun.