You looked up to see Hu Zhongxuan had actually come. Hu Zhongxuan was usually stationed at Yajiangkou and rarely able to leave. His visit to the Danxia Sect must have been for some important matter.

You smiled and said, "Uncle, what a rare guest! You've grown so much since we last met years ago."

Hu Zhongxuan pointed at you with a wry smile. "You brat, always fooling around."

"You seem in good spirits, Uncle?" you asked with a grin.

Hu Zhongxuan laughed heartily. "Indeed, I have good news!" He told you that thanks to Li Anlong's favor, he had been transferred from Yajiangkou back to the capital, now serving as Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, becoming the second most powerful figure in the ministry. Compared to fighting on the front lines, sitting high in the imperial court playing political games was clearly more worthwhile.

But for Hu Zhongxuan, the official position and power were secondary - most importantly, he now had the means to take Deng Wanshu under his care. This put him in excellent spirits. You offered him sincere congratulations. Clearly, Hu Zhongxuan had worked extremely hard at Yajiangkou to earn such special treatment from Li Anlong.

However, Deng Rusong still only permitted Hu Zhongxuan to visit Deng Wanshu, not allowing him to take her to the capital. Deng Rusong understood Hu Zhongxuan's feelings, but she was his own younger sister after all - he wanted to care for her himself as much as possible. There would be time enough to entrust her to Hu Zhongxuan after his own passing.

Hu Zhongxuan wasn't in a hurry either - he now had plenty of time to visit Deng Wanshu.

During your casual conversation, Deng Rusong suddenly noticed three sixth-grade pills lying in your alchemy furnace. He exclaimed in shock, "He Yu, you've achieved Initial Achievement in sixth-grade pills?!"

You chuckled, "It's not that I'm deliberately showing off - you just happened to arrive right as this batch of sixth-grade pills finished."

Deng Rusong stared at you open-mouthed, speechless for a long while. Finally he said in amazement, "You reached Initial Achievement in sixth-grade pills in just over three years?"

After hesitating, you nodded. In truth, you'd spent these three years honing fifth-grade alchemy skills, only attempting sixth-grade pills for the first time today. So it wasn't three years to Initial Achievement - with the boost from Divine Micro-Vision, you'd reached Initial Achievement proficiency in a single attempt. Not bothering to explain, you simply accepted Deng Rusong's assumption.

Deng Rusong's expression kept changing as he looked at you, finally saying, "You brat are truly talented!"

Hu Zhongxuan said nothing, only silently walking over to the furnace. In a low voice he murmured, "Sixth-grade pills... sixth-grade pills..." Then he looked up at you. "He Yu, do you have confidence to reach seventh-grade... or even eighth-grade?"

Hu Zhongxuan's eyes burned with fervent hope - if he weren't male, you might have thought he was confessing his feelings. Hearing this, Deng Rusong also looked at you with expectation.

You understood their meaning - they wanted you, with your Divine Micro-Vision talent, to refine a Reviving Yang Pill to awaken Deng Wanshu.

You nodded. "I can refine a Reviving Yang Pill for Aunt Wanshu, but we lack Earth Source." Your relationship with Deng Wanshu wasn't close enough for you to offer your own Earth Source. Moreover, if you inexplicably produced an Earth Source, you couldn't explain its origin, risking exposure of your cheat abilities - you might have to restart everything. You wouldn't take that risk.

After hesitant consideration, Hu Zhongxuan finally resolved himself. "He Yu, I'll find a way to get the Earth Source!"

Deng Rusong's eyes sharpened. "You can still obtain Earth Source?" Earth Source wasn't some common vegetable that could be acquired by the cartload. It represented the pinnacle of martial arts, symbolizing every martial artist's ultimate dream.

Hu Zhongxuan smiled. "Don't be too surprised, senior brother. I can't guarantee success, but I'll try my best."

Deng Rusong sighed lightly. "Don't push yourself too hard. Wanshu already held Huide back... I don't want you to... ah..."

You laughed lightly. "Sect Leader, aren't you underestimating an Ultimate Grandmaster? At Uncle's level of martial achievement, what could possibly hold him back?"

Deng Rusong suddenly laughed in realization. "Hahaha, true enough! I find you often see things most clearly, you brat!"

"Sect Leader, I wouldn't boast about other things, but you have to admit this much."

Deng Rusong smiled helplessly. "I think you'd boast about anything!"

Hu Zhongxuan looked at you solemnly. "He Yu, name your demands, whatever they may be."

"Uncle, no rewards without merit - I haven't refined the Reviving Yang Pill yet." Though you said this, you actually weren't in a hurry to make demands. Having an Ultimate Grandmaster owe you a massive favor wasn't something to be satisfied with just any request - it needed careful consideration. At least currently you lacked for nothing, with no pressing needs.

As for Yan Zhixue's situation, it remained stable for now. Besides, if you really had Hu Zhongxuan confront Yan Zhixue, you suspected he wouldn't stand a chance against her.

Understanding your meaning, Hu Zhongxuan nodded. "Take your time to think. Today I'll burn some paper offerings for your master before returning to the capital."

"I'll go too," you said.

The three of you came before Xie Huide's grave and burned many paper offerings - now he'd have money to buy alchemy materials in the afterlife. Hu Zhongxuan departed that same day for the capital.

After several days of cultivation at Danxia Sect, you also left. Concealing your whereabouts, you went to find Lin Mo.

In just four years, Lin Mo had advanced from Bone Tempering peak to Marrow Washing late stage - skyrocketing like a rocket. It made your heart pound with astonishment. Moreover, without joining any sect, Lin Mo had somehow obtained two sect-guarding level techniques and practiced them enthusiastically. The Fortune Child's series of fortunate encounters left you utterly dumbfounded.

"Uncle Yu, I've improved the Wandering Heaven Steps - the speed increase is tremendous!"

You said, "Show me."

Lin Mo shot skyward once more, pushing his speed to the limit. In an instant he flew into the distance, returning moments later. His speed now nearly matched that of the Ultimate Grandmasters you'd seen. Only his aerial endurance hadn't increased - a problem even Lin Mo couldn't solve. But this was a minor issue now.

You shouted to Lin Mo in the sky, "Great Sage, please retract your divine powers!"

Lin Mo slowly descended, excited. "Uncle Yu, isn't the improved speed amazing?"

This time even you couldn't bring yourself to offer your usual discouraging remarks. You praised sincerely, "Lin Mo, you've done exceptionally well!"

Thrilled by your praise, Lin Mo asked, "Uncle Yu, the techniques you created back then must have been even more incredible, right?"

You froze, then narrowed your eyes - thinking this was his own doing. Clearing your throat, you asked, "What do you think of the Nine Condensations Profound Skill?"