Bai Yunxi’s lips curved into a sweet smile. "Then I will do my best," she said. Her voice was soft but filled with a new resolve.

"Good." Su Kang’s smile was warm. He reached across the table, his fingers gently brushing hers.

But he felt a sudden faint Qi vibration from his storage ring. He paused and retrieved a white jade talisman. A strand of Qi flowed from his fingers into it. As he read the message, a pleased smile bloomed on his face.

Bai Yunxi’s head tilted. Her emerald eyes glinted with curiosity. “Has something good happened?”

He tucked the talisman away. "That was a message from Yue Mei. Senior Zhu has returned." He stood, his gaze already turning toward the courtyard's exit. "I'm going to greet her."

A small, relieved smile touched her lips. “Go on. I hope everything will go smoothly.”

He reached for her hand. He gave it a tight squeeze. "It will.” He offered a warm smile before turning to leave.

A short time later, Su Kang arrived at Yue Mei's courtyard. The faint sound of a distant waterfall drifted on the air, a peaceful murmur in the quiet evening.

Zhu Zhihao sat in the main pavilion. Her flowing black robes seemed to absorb the twilight, her posture relaxed yet regal. A low wooden table stood before her, arranged with tea and cups. Beside her sat two women. Yue Mei was in her familiar red and black robe. The other woman wore simple, dull gray. She held a polite smile, but her hands, folded neatly in her lap, possessed a grace that seemed at odds with her plain attire. Her presence felt intentionally muted. It was the weakest in the room.

Su Kang stopped a few paces away. He bowed slightly. "This junior, Su Kang, greets Senior Zhu."

She inclined her head in acknowledgment. "Young Master Su. How have you been?" Her hand gestured toward the empty seat across from her. "Come. Sit."

Su Kang moved forward and took the offered seat, positioning himself before both women. He settled into the chair. His back was straight. His expression remained neutral.

Zhu Zhihao studied him for a moment, her deep violet eyes probing his composure. A slight curve touched her lips. "You've made progress."

Surprise flickered in Su Kang’s eyes. He nodded. "I was lucky." He knew he couldn't hide his strength from a Nascent Soul expert, though he was unsure if she meant his Qi or his body.

"Luck is a form of strength," Zhu Zhihao stated simply. She gestured to the woman beside her. "Fei Yan, serve the tea." Her gaze sharpened, turning on Su Kang like a pair of swords. “But I hope this newfound confidence isn't born solely from that progress, is it?”

Fei Yan’s hands moved with a graceful, practiced rhythm as she prepared the tea. She glanced at Su Kang, her smile unwavering as she pushed a cup before him. “New realms are often filled with ancient traps. Is it not too risky for a clan to let their most promising heir explore one?"

Su Kang met her polite gaze. "Senior, my family has already conducted a preliminary exploration of the outer region," he replied calmly. "Based on that, we concluded this new realm might not be as dangerous as we first thought. That doesn't mean we will be any less prepared.”

“Tell me more about it,” Zhu Zhihao said, her interest piqued.

"The outer region was guarded by beasts. None were stronger than the peak of the Second Realm," Su Kang answered honestly. "But the deeper areas remain unknown. That is why I sought Senior's help. A Nascent Soul expert makes all the difference."

Zhu Zhihao took a slow sip of tea. "A new realm is indeed a rare opportunity." She set her cup down with a soft click. "I will assist you. But we must be clear on the shares."

"Of course, Senior."

"I will accompany you and ensure our safety. My word on when to advance and when to retreat will be final," she began, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. "And my side will take seventy percent of the resources we obtain."

Su Kang’s expression remained unchanged. He let the silence hang for a beat. He nodded. “Good. I have no problem with that.”

“But,” he continued, his voice steady, “I have some conditions of my own.”

Zhu Zhihao gestured for him to speak. “Let us hear them.”

He met her gaze directly. “I want first priority on any herbs or items suitable for healing a soul injury. If Senior Zhu possesses such a pill, I wish to exchange or buy it. I also wish to exchange some of our share of resources for Qi cultivation scriptures from you, Senior.”

He was fine with getting the smaller share. Thirty percent was still a massive gain, and Zhu Zhihao would be the one bearing the primary risk. His true goals were to form a strong alliance with her. Heal his fractured soul foundation with her help, and acquire high-grade techniques for his clan.

Zhu Zhihao stared at him for a long moment, her gaze seeming to peel back the layers of his soul until she finally gave a slight nod. “I have no objection.”

"Good." Su Kang inclined his head. "Does Senior have any item that can help with the recovery of a soul injury?”

"Yes," Zhu Zhihao said. Her expression turned thoughtful. "But it is not something that can offer a complete recovery."

She raised her hand. A small, translucent flower materialized from her storage ring. Its petals shimmered like clear crystal. Faint, silvery threads of soul energy drifted from it, filling the air with a quiet, calming presence.

The flower floated from her palm. It stopped in the air before Su Kang.

“This is a Soul Lotus Petal,” she said softly. “It can heal light soul injuries. For heavier ones, it will not be enough. It can also be used to make high-grade soul-healing pills.”

Su Kang focused his spiritual sense on the lotus petal. He could feel the pure, gentle energy within it. The sensation was like cool water washing over his mind, soothing the hidden cracks in his soul pagoda.

A delighted look appeared on his face. This should be almost enough, he thought. Though it couldn't heal serious soul injuries, his own were not so severe. His soul pagoda foundation had small cracks, not a major wound, and his dual cultivation with Bai Yunxi had already helped a little.

“Senior Zhu, I want this,” he said, his voice firm. “What is the price?”

“Its market price is eight high-grade spirit stones,” Zhu Zhihao replied calmly. “Since we are acquaintances, I will give you a discount of one high-grade spirit stone.”

Almost eight hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones, then

, Su Kang thought. The standard conversion was one high-grade to one hundred mid-grade, or ten thousand low-grade. But that was just a theoretical ratio. In reality, the qualitative leap was immense; no one would ever trade a single high-grade stone for a mere one hundred mid-grade ones. The actual market value was always far higher.

“Good. I will send you the amount later,” Su Kang said. But he sighed internally at disparity. I can't even buy such things here. This is the difference between a rich, resourceful region and a poor, lacking one.

“There is no hurry,” Zhu Zhihao said. “We are not going anywhere for now.” She took a sip of her tea, her gaze steady. “How many people are going with us on this exploration?”

“I am going alone from my clan,” Su Kang answered. “I don't know if you plan to bring more people.”

Zhu Zhihao, Fei Yan, and Yue Mei were all taken aback by this.

Yue Mei’s eyes widened. “You are going alone to explore a realm?” she asked, her voice filled with confusion.

Su Kang nodded. “Yes.”

Fei Yan smiled politely, but her words carried a playful, teasing tone. “How did your family agree to that, Young Master Su? Do they have no idea what a secret realm exploration means? Or perhaps,” she added, her eyes twinkling, “you must be so amazing that they trust you to go alone?”

Zhu Zhihao did not say anything, but her gaze was on Su Kang, silently seeking an explanation.

“We will be exploring the deeper areas. Bringing Foundation Building cultivators there is useless. They would be too weak. More people would mean Senior Zhu has to divert her attention during any unexpected situations." He paused, his expression turning serious. "Besides myself, my clan has only two other Core Formation cultivators. We cannot afford to risk another."

He met Zhu Zhihao’s gaze directly. “And I possess certain information that I believe will make this exploration faster and more efficient.”

“What Young Master Su says makes sense,” Fei Yan said, her smile turning mischievous. “But still, I cannot help but think someone is trying to get a free lunch here.”

Su Kang's smile didn't waver, though he noted the sharpness beneath her playful tone. “I know it seems that way,” Su Kang smiled wryly. “But I really do have information about the realm that my clan is unaware of. You will see once we are there.”

“Okay. I will trust you,” Zhu Zhihao said finally. She took a sip of tea, a slight frown creasing her brow. “But two people exploring a realm is still not a good idea.”

“Lady Zhu, can't you see me?” Fei Yan asked, her eyes wide with feigned surprise. “My, my, so you really don't trust me. Mei’er, am I really untrustworthy?”

Yue Mei immediately nodded. “Aunt, do not go alone! Take me and Aunt Fei Yan with you!”

Fei Yan laughed. “At least Mei’er is sensible,” she said, but then shook her head. “But Little Mei, you are not old enough to explore a secret realm yet. You should focus on your cultivation and relax. Aunt Fei will bring lots of gifts back for you.”

“I’m already—” Yue Mei began, frustration flashing across her face before Zhu Zhihao cut her off.

“You are not going anywhere,” Zhu Zhihao said, looking at her with a stern, non-negotiable gaze.