Chapter Sixty-Six: The Gift of the Jade Medallion

"Senior, I would like to ask you a question, if I may?" Su Yizhao could no longer contain himself and cupped his hands in inquiry.

Gou Jiancheng fixed his gaze on him, and Gou Yuer did likewise.

"Consider it your reward for this occasion," Gou Jiancheng said.

Su Yizhao nodded without hesitation. "I accept."

"Ask your question."

"Is there a problem with my cultivation method?"

Gou Jiancheng replied without thinking, "Previously, you focused solely on Qi cultivation—there's nothing wrong with that. Though your progress was swift, your foundation remains solid. This is commendable. Had you continued refining only your Qi, you might have had a chance to enter the Void Realm. But—what a pity."

Su Yizhao frowned. "What do you mean, 'what a pity'?"

"It's a pity that you began cultivating the soul midway and even practiced body refinement as well. It is exceedingly difficult to reach the peak of the Seven Spirits Realm in all three disciplines simultaneously, let alone break through together."

"Why? If I can't break through them together, does that mean I cannot reach the Void Realm?"

"In theory, yes," Gou Jiancheng explained. "Can you keep your cultivation stagnating at the mid-stage of the Six Spirits Realm and only refine your soul or body?"

Su Yizhao fell silent.

"Your talent in Qi cultivation is extraordinary. Every technique you practice, you reach perfection. Even the 'Heavenly Sword Technique' you began just a few days ago, you've already mastered to an impressive degree—enough to make even me ashamed," Gou Jiancheng admitted, his face showing genuine embarrassment.

Su Yizhao felt all the more embarrassed inside. It wasn't his fault! The 'Creation Art' was so heaven-defying that he couldn't help but reach perfection in every technique.

Suddenly, Gou Yuer spoke: "There is a way to resolve this."

Su Yizhao's eyes lit up. "Please, Yuer, share your wisdom!"

Hearing his awkward form of address, Gou Yuer's cheeks flushed. "Seal your Qi cultivation. No matter when, where, or under what circumstances, do not use it—forget it even exists—until your other two cultivation paths catch up."

"But he's already lost five opportunities for enlightenment," Gou Jiancheng interjected.

"Five is just five—the most basic five at that. Some prodigies, with no prior accumulation, need only a single opportunity to reach the Void Realm. In the upper... well, there are many such geniuses."

Su Yizhao watched her, his expression unchanged as if he hadn't noticed her unfinished words. Yet inside, waves crashed in his heart.

In the upper...? Many geniuses?

Upper what...?

The Upper World!

Others might never have seen or even heard of cultivators from the Upper World, but he had witnessed them with his own eyes! Was she from the Upper World? Or did she merely know of it?

With gratitude on his face, Su Yizhao cupped his hands. "Thank you both for your guidance. I now know what I must do!"

Sealing his Qi cultivation was hardly a loss. No matter when or where, no matter the peril, he must not use it—even forget it exists—until the other two paths catch up. Difficult, yes, but possible.

All this, for the sake of reaching the Upper World.

Xiu Yue was in the Upper World!

But if he couldn't even reach the Void Realm, how could he go?

"It's very hard," Gou Jiancheng said, not intending to discourage him. "Casting spells has become second nature to you. In truth, the Void Realm is about forging a new instinct."

Su Yizhao listened intently, and Chi Xiangdong did the same.

But he found himself confused. Wasn't the Void Realm a state of cultivation? Why call it an instinct?

Gou Jiancheng continued, "Think about it—are the attacks of Void Realm cultivators complex? They shatter the void with a single palm strike!"

Su Yizhao had witnessed two Void Realm attacks before—they were, indeed, simple. Just a fist or a palm. The mighty ones from the Upper World were even simpler—a mere flick of the thumb and forefinger.

It really was quite monotonous. Shouldn't it be a dazzling display of magical treasures and colorful spells?

"It is a bit single-minded," Su Yizhao admitted honestly.

Gou Jiancheng smiled. "Within that simple attack lies the fusion of the three disciplines."

"The fusion of three disciplines?" Su Yizhao was dazed.

No wonder he'd never seen Void Realm cultivators unleash magical treasures or cast elaborate spells, nor specialized soul attacks. It was all fused within that single strike.

"This is instinct—knowing precisely when to shatter the void, when to strike, how much soul force, vital energy, and physical power to blend—it's all instinct. Do you understand?" Gou Jiancheng spoke slowly, almost word by word, fearing Su Yizhao might not grasp it.

A dawning realization came over Su Yizhao. He truly understood now!

No wonder each palm and fist seemed so perfectly timed.

It was like his first sword strike to save Gou Haitian—precise and unerring. At that moment, he didn't have time to think. He summoned his flying sword and thrust it at Gou Haitian's throat in an instant.

That was instinct!

The instinct to kill, the instinct to judge, the intuition after enlightenment—he couldn't name them all, but at that moment, he simply acted.

Had that dwarf cultivator not appeared, his flying sword would have severed Gou Haitian's neck.

Yet the dwarf did appear—right in the path of his sword.

"I think I understand now!" Su Yizhao once more cupped his hands, face full of gratitude. Such guidance was truly priceless.

Gou Yuer seemed pleased at his understanding.

Su Yizhao suddenly asked, "Those people...?"

"The dwarf was just a disguise. These cultivators were all at the peak of the Six Spirits Realm. In all of Mount Reliance City, who could they be?" Gou Haitian realized with a start, exclaiming, "The Kai Mountain Sect? Could it be...?"

Gou Jiancheng shook his head. "The Kai Mountain Sect isn't that foolish, nor that bold."

"Perhaps someone wants to frame the Kai Mountain Sect?" Chi Xiangdong suggested.

Gou Jiancheng shook his head again. "Their target is me—they aim at our Gou Family Auction House. Such audacity!"

Su Yizhao and Chi Xiangdong exchanged glances, both seeing shock in the other's eyes.

Who would have thought that casually joining a sect would entangle them in such affairs?

After all, the Gou Family Auction House monopolized the auctions across the continent—its wealth and power were formidable.

Yet the enemy dared to make a move; could they possibly be weak?

Suddenly, Gou Yuer smiled. "No need to worry. It's a small matter. It seems our Gou Family Auction House has been too patient for too long—people have forgotten us! Su Yizhao, would you care to take a walk with me?"

Su Yizhao was flattered and nodded at once. Ever since learning she hailed from the Upper World, he felt a subtle pressure in her presence.

"Aunt, I want to join you!" Gou Haitian protested.

But Gou Jiancheng heard something in her words and stopped him. "Haitian, prepare yourself. We must go to the Kai Mountain Sect to cultivate."

In the rear garden, the flowers were in full bloom.

Yet when Gou Yuer stood among them, all the blossoms seemed to lose their brilliance.

Su Yizhao dared not be presumptuous and asked softly, "Yuer, have you any instructions?"

Gou Yuer turned to study him closely.

She nodded first, then shook her head, leaving Su Yizhao somewhat perplexed.

"Su Yizhao, you remind me of someone," she said, unable to put her finger on it, sighing softly.

Su Yizhao was speechless.

Like someone? He was just himself, wasn’t he?

"Here," Gou Yuer suddenly handed him a jade token.

Su Yizhao was puzzled and did not accept it.

"With this, you may sit in the supreme seats at any Gou Family Auction House on the continent. Do you understand?" Gou Yuer offered it again.

Of course Su Yizhao understood. All too well! In the supreme section of an auction, even the highest-level cultivators would show you respect. It would be a most enviable privilege.

Still, he hesitated to take it.

It was simply too precious!

Moreover, being poor, he rarely visited auction houses.

Since he seldom went, why waste it?

"Take it. Perhaps one day you’ll need it, and perhaps the Gou Family Auction House will need you as well."