I run a casino in the immortal realm.

Zheng Yifei walked to the well, drew water to wash his body, and changed into a brand new blue long gown.

When he reached the courtyard gate, he did not reach for the mask in the niche.

Remove the defensive array and pull out the door bolt.

"Squeak—"

The gate, its paint peeling and cracked, was wide open, and sunlight streamed into the courtyard without obstruction.

Under the awning of the steamed bun shop across the alley, Monkey Three was dozing off against a pillar. Hearing the door open, he suddenly opened his eyes and stared straight at them.

The young man who had kept him up for three months, cursing in his dreams, walked out openly and honestly.

He wasn't wearing a straw hat or night clothes; he was dressed in a simple blue robe, and walked with composure.

Monkey Three was stunned. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things, then turned around and scrambled out of the alley.

Zheng Yifei watched Hou San's departing figure, a cold smile curving his lips.

He turned around and knocked on the gate of the neighboring courtyard.

Who is it?

Zhang Biao's rough voice rang out.

The door was halfway open, and Zhang Biao poked his head out. When he saw who it was, his eyes widened instantly.

"Brother, you've emerged from seclusion?"

Zhang Biao looked Zheng Yifei up and down, then gasped.

Having spent years teetering on the edge of life and death, he was extremely sensitive to auras. The young man before him, who was only at the fourth level of Qi Refining just six months ago, was now emanating spiritual energy that made this seasoned hunter at the seventh level of Qi Refining feel a sense of oppression.

"You...you've reached the sixth level of Qi Refining?!"

Zhang Biao lowered his voice, his tone filled with disbelief.

Zheng Yifei smiled and said, "I was lucky to break through. Brother Zhang, thank you so much for running errands these past few months. Come on, let's go to Zuixianlou, it's on me."

Zhang Biao swallowed hard, and the way he looked at Zheng Yifei completely changed.

To advance two realms in half a year—this isn't just good luck, it's practically eating spirit stones like they're food.

"Okay, wait for me to change my clothes."

Half an hour later, in the central district, at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

A private room on the second floor, by the window.

Zheng Yifei ordered eight signature spiritual dishes and two pots of premium bamboo wine.

Zhang Biao picked up the wine bowl, drank it all in one gulp, and exhaled a breath of alcohol: "Brother, I've really seen something new today. Your cultivation speed is comparable to that of the geniuses in the inner sect of the Su family, isn't it?"

How many good things did Chief Escort Zhou give you?

Zheng Yifei picked up a piece of spirit beast meat and put it in his mouth. He didn't deny it, and went along with it: "My uncle did give us some of the family's resources, just a few bottles of pills, but they're almost used up now."

Zhang Biao sighed: "It's tough being a rogue cultivator. Without family support or sect resources, every step forward is a life-or-death struggle. Once you reach the sixth level of Qi Refining, the next hurdle is huge."

Zheng Yifei put down his chopsticks; this was precisely the main purpose of his invitation to dinner today.

"Brother Zhang, I was just about to ask you, how big is the barrier between the sixth and seventh levels of Qi Refining?"

Zhang Biao stopped picking up food with his chopsticks, and his expression turned serious.

"Levels one to three of Qi Refining is the initial stage, levels four to six is ​​the middle stage, and levels seven to nine is the late stage."

Zhang Biao drew three lines on the table with his chopsticks. "From the initial stage to the middle stage, it takes persistent effort. Once you have enough spiritual energy, you can break through."

However, from the middle to the later stages, it involves a reshaping of the meridians and a forced expansion of the Qi Sea.

Zhang Biao pointed to his dantian: "I've been stuck at the sixth level of Qi Refining for four whole years, my daily cultivation progress is slower than a snail's pace. To break through this barrier, I need an extremely large and pure spiritual force to instantly clear all the blocked acupoints."

"Low-grade spirit stones won't work?"

Zheng Yifei asked.

"It's not impossible."

Zhang Biao shook his head: "It's just that the spiritual energy in low-grade spirit stones is too mixed and cannot meet the body's needs. Mid-grade spirit stones are possible, but they are hard to obtain in the market. The most reliable option is pills."

"What kind of elixir?"

"Mid-grade or high-grade Spirit Gathering Pills. If you have enough spirit stones, I suggest buying high-grade Spirit Gathering Pills, as this will speed up your cultivation. Given your age, if you break through to the seventh level of Qi Refining before the age of eighteen, you still have a chance to enter the Qingyun Sect."

Zheng Yifei's eyes flickered slightly.

"Does the Su family's Wanbaolou store sell this?"

"Yes, but it's very expensive."

Zhang Biao sneered, his tone filled with the helplessness and resentment of a low-level rogue cultivator, "A high-grade Spirit Gathering Pill costs fifty low-grade spirit stones, which I can't afford."

One low-grade spirit stone out of fifty.

If you eat three pills a day, it will cost 150 spirit stones, which is four or five times the previous amount. It's terrifying. No wonder rogue cultivators can only endure it over time.

Zheng Yifei silently calculated in his mind.

He used to gamble at four different casinos, and at most he could win a thousand dollars a day. Any more than that and he risked being targeted.

Winning once only lasts three or four days, and frequenting gambling dens is a bit dangerous. It seems I'll have to go to the Su family's big gambling den.

"Moreover, even if you have money, you might not be able to buy it."

Zhang Biao continued, "The rule of Wanbaolou is that top-grade pills are given priority to the Su family and the families under the Su family."

Individual cultivators who want to buy need a guarantor and must make a reservation and wait in line. By the time it's your turn, it'll be too late.

"Isn't there any other way?"

Zheng Yifei asked.

Zhang Biao looked around to make sure no one was paying attention before saying in a very low voice, "Underground black market."

"There is a black market at the border of the South District and the West District, which opens on the 15th of every month."

It has everything there: elixirs, magical artifacts, cultivation techniques, and even human lives.

"High-grade Spirit Gathering Pills are available there, but they're a bit more expensive than at Wanbaolou, about two hundred low-grade spirit stones per pill."

The underground black market.

Zheng Yifei picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and thought that this place sounded perfect for him.

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Zhang."

Zheng Yifei raised his glass.

Zhang Biao waved his hand: "What are you thanking me for? But brother, even with Chief Escort Zhou's support, the amount of spirit stones you need is not small. You've just broken through, so focus on stabilizing your realm first. Don't rush into those kinds of places. The black market is a dangerous place; it'll eat you alive."

"I see."

Zheng Yifei nodded.

The two ate and drank for more than an hour before settling the bill and going downstairs.

As we stepped out of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, it was already dark. The psionic lampposts along the street lit up one by one, emitting a dim, yellowish light.

West District, Iron Fist Sect stronghold.

"Bang!"

Sun Liang kicked over the armchair in front of him, the iron clapper creaking in his hand.

Monkey Three knelt on the ground, panting heavily: "Boss, he really came out! He wasn't wearing a mask, he was dressed neatly, and he went to the Drunken Immortal Restaurant with that hunter from next door!"

"Six months."

Sun Liang gritted his teeth, his face contorting with rage. "I've waited six whole months! He's finally finally decided to crawl out of that turtle shell!"

Ma Qi chimed in, "Boss, Chief Escort Zhou has gone to Zhongzhou and won't be back for a while. That kid's just a fat sheep with no backing right now."

"I checked the records of Tongda Pawnshop. When he rented the courtyard, he filled in Heishanfang Market. An outsider, he died in Suzhou, and there wasn't even anyone to collect his body."

Sun Liang suddenly turned around, walked to the weapon rack, and drew out a thick-backed, wide-bladed ghost-head knife.

"Call someone!"

Sun Liang shouted sternly.

"Ma Qi, Er Gou, take four brothers who are at least at the fifth level of Qi Refining. Bring the 'Spirit-Trapping Net.' Whether Zhang Biao is here or not, if he dares to meddle, take him down too!"

"yes!"

Ma Qi responded excitedly.

Fifteen minutes later, seven dark figures took advantage of the darkness and silently crept towards Wutong Lane.