149: partner

Over the next month, West Lake City seemed to return to its former tranquility.

The wounds from the Wokou Chaos were gradually healing. After the Cao Gang and the Vice City Lord's forces were uprooted, the resulting power vacuum was quickly filled by the City Lord's Mansion, the Four Seas Merchant Guild, and the emerging branch of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. The streets were bustling with traffic, and merchant ships lined the docks, as if the previous bloody storm had only been a dream.

Inside the Green Bamboo Courtyard, Qin Feng did not relax in the slightest.

He knew well that the humiliation brought by the Bai Family Martial Emperor that day was not an end, but a warning bell. Early Stage Martial King might allow him to dominate in a secluded corner like West Lake City, but looking at the Imperial Capital, or even the entire Great Qian Imperial Dynasty, it was still nothing. Power—he needed greater power!

He dedicated most of his energy to Cultivating the Upper Volume of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art. This Blue Grade Cultivation Technique, obtained from the System's intelligence, was profoundly mysterious and subtly compatible with his Awakened Sword Heart and Sword Bone. When the Cultivation Technique operated, the True Qi within his body no longer merely surged and rushed, but seemed to transform into a Primordial Chaos Qi, balancing Yin and Yang, combining rigidity and flexibility, nourishing his limbs and bones, and continuously tempering his already extraordinary Sword Bone and Sword Heart.

With the enhancement of the Sword Heart and Sword Bone, his comprehension of this Cultivation Technique advanced rapidly. The True Qi in his body became increasingly pure and refined, his Dantian Qi Sea continuously expanded, and his Meridians grew tougher and wider.

Late at night, one month later.

Inside the Quiet Room, Qin Feng sat cross-legged, his aura contained, yet faintly radiating an essence of flawless Perfection. He slowly opened his eyes, and a flash of Chaos Sword Qi seemed to pass through them before they regained their clarity.

"Early Stage Martial King, Peak Realm..." He muttered, sensing the power surging within him, ready to overflow yet perfectly controlled.

This Upper Volume of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art was indeed incredibly miraculous, allowing him to completely solidify his newly entered Martial King Realm and push it to the Peak in just one month. He was only one opportunity away from attempting to Breakthrough to Mid-stage Martial King. He could feel that the quality of his True Qi far surpassed those of the same Rank, carrying a unified, Primordial Chaos-like weight and sharpness.

However, upon reaching this step, he clearly perceived his limit. The Upper Volume of the Cultivation Technique had reached Perfection, and an invisible barrier seemed to block his path forward. Without the Lower Volume Cultivation Technique, if he were to forcibly Breakthrough, he would not only achieve minimal results for maximum effort but also risk an unstable Foundation.

"System," he silently recited in his mind.

[Ding! The zi hour has arrived! Daily Intelligence has been refreshed!]

[White Intelligence: Su Yuetang returned, and the Bai Family did not make things difficult for her. She is currently planting flowers and herbs in a Separate Courtyard.]

[White Intelligence: The secret to the particularly delicious Meat Buns at Baiyue Tower is that they contain venison.]

[Green Intelligence: Auntie Li's garden in the east of the city unintentionally grew three stalks of the Medicinal Herb, Ephemeral Grass.]

He quickly scanned the Panel, his gaze sweeping over the few White and Green Intelligence entries, his brow slightly furrowed. There were still no clues regarding the Lower Volume of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art.

"A Blue Grade Cultivation Technique... it seems the intelligence for its Lower Volume must itself be at least Blue Grade, or even a higher Rank." Qin Feng realized. "According to the System rules, blue intelligence requires accumulation... Do I really have to stop acquiring other intelligence and focus on waiting a month to 'guarantee' it?"

[Ding! Does the Host wish to spend one month freezing the System to guarantee the appearance of intelligence regarding the Lower Volume of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art.]

"Yes." Qin Feng made his decision. "Pause intelligence gathering in other directions, concentrate 'Luck,' and lock onto the Lower Volume of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art! One month, I can afford to wait!"

He must obtain the complete Cultivation Technique; this was the cornerstone for reaching a higher Realm. He wouldn't be idle this month... And Ji Ruxue also did not waste her time during this same month.

Under the resources provided by Qin Feng and his generous guidance, her already solid Foundation was fully nourished, and her Cultivation advanced rapidly. Finally, on a starless, moonless night, she naturally Broke through to Peak Grand Martial Master Perfection!

Sensing the True Qi several times stronger than before, as well as her more acute Spiritual Perception, a rare hint of relief appeared on Ji Ruxue's icy face. But this ease was quickly replaced by deeper solemnity.

Peak Grand Martial Master Perfection was only one step away from Martial King. But this step was like a chasm. Countless talented and brilliant individuals were stuck here for their entire lives. She needed a "king breaking pill"!

This Spirit Pill, which could increase the chance of Breaking through to Martial King by thirty percent, was priceless and virtually unobtainable. Although Qin Feng had consumed two when he Broke through, her current wealth was far from enough.

Under the cover of night, she found Qin Feng looking up at the starry sky in the courtyard.

"I need to leave for a while," Ji Ruxue's voice was cold and clear, as always.

Qin Feng withdrew his gaze and looked at her, seemingly unsurprised. "Going to raise money to buy a king breaking pill?"

"Yes." Ji Ruxue did not hide it. "Take on a few missions, or... return to the Blood-Filled Tower to settle some old scores." Her tone carried a hint of imperceptible Killing Intent and determination. Returning to the Blood-Filled Tower was undoubtedly stepping into a Dragon's Den, but it offered her the fastest channel to acquire resources.

Qin Feng was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. Moonlight spilled onto his face, carrying a sense of understanding that saw through everything. "Why seek far and risk danger when the solution is near?"

He walked up to Ji Ruxue, his gaze calm but carrying undeniable power. "I will figure out a way for the king breaking pill. Barring any accidents, I will surely find one for you within a month."

Ji Ruxue's pupils contracted, and she abruptly looked up at him. She knew the preciousness of the king breaking pill all too well. Even if Qin Feng had some assets, how could he easily obtain one? What made him dare to assert this?

"The condition?" She did not believe in a free lunch, especially one offered by Qin Feng, who appeared easygoing but was actually meticulous in thought.

Qin Feng looked at her guarded expression, his smile unchanged. "It's simple. The term of our previous one-year Protection Agreement has mostly passed. My condition is that you stay with me for another year. During this year, you will not be a Guard, but a... partner, a partner for jointly Cultivating the Four Symbols Battle Array."

Ji Ruxue was stunned. She had expected Qin Feng to propose harsher conditions, perhaps even using this as blackmail, but she never thought he would merely ask her to extend the agreement by one year, changing her status from "Guard" to "partner."

"Partner..." She repeated the word softly. To her, having grown up amidst slaughter and betrayal, the word was strange and distant.

"Exactly." Qin Feng said seriously. "The Four Symbols Battle Array requires absolute trust and tacit understanding. I don't need a Guard who harbors reservations; I need a Comrade-in-arms whom I can entrust my back to. Your potential is worth my investment. One king breaking pill in exchange for one year fighting side-by-side—I think that's a very good deal."

His words were candid and direct, without any pretense. Ji Ruxue could feel that he genuinely valued her ability, not just her Combat Power or beauty.

A brief silence fell over the courtyard, broken only by the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind.

One year was not a long time for a Martial Artist. Using one year in the relatively free status of a "partner" with resource supply, to exchange for a coveted king breaking pill and a Battle Array that might lead to a higher Realm... This transaction was almost entirely beneficial to her.

She looked at Qin Feng's eyes, which were still bright in the night, seeing no calculation, only a sincere invitation and certainty about the future.

After a long while, she took a deep breath. Her frozen Heart Lake seemed to have a pebble tossed into it, sending out subtle ripples.

[Ding, Ji Ruxue Favorability +10]

[Current Favorability: Su Yuchun 120, Ji Ruxue 60]

"Good." She uttered a single, cold, decisive word. "I agree. I will stay with you for another year, as a partner."

Qin Feng showed a knowing smile and extended his hand. "Pleasure working with you."

Ji Ruxue looked at his hand, hesitated slightly, and finally extended her own cool hand, giving his a light shake.

"Pleasure working with you."

The agreement was reached at this moment. A relationship more solid than mere Employment was quietly established under the moonlight.

This was not just for the Four Symbols Battle Array, but also to truly win the deep-seated recognition and loyalty of this Frost Assassin.