[Wan Qingluan watches you silently with an inexplicable smile]

[After a long while, Wan Qingluan giggles foolishly: "The sect leader asked me how I obtained all five keys. After I told her, she specifically inquired about the key you gave me, then she said..."]

[You raise your head, sensing Wan Qingluan's mental state has now fully transformed into that of a genuine Extermination Sect member]

[A sense of caution rises within you]

[You frown and ask: "What did she say?"]

["Hehe, she's coming to see you next month!"]

[Your heart sinks: "To see me for what?"]

["To ask... why you deliberately gave me that key!"]

[Your face remains calm, but internally you tremble violently: "Fuck? Exposed?!"]

["Did she fucking figure out my plan and is coming to finish me off?!"]

[Your thoughts race wildly, considering countless possibilities in an instant]

[You can't help but lock eyes with Wan Qingluan]

[You stubbornly defend yourself: "What deliberate giving? I just happened to open a clinic for a few days, happened to treat a patient, happened to see the Extermination Sect token, happened to exchange for a key, happened to know you're from the Extermination Sect, and happened to casually give it to you!"]

[A slightly flirtatious, intoxicated smile appears on Wan Qingluan's stunning face]

[She ignores your excuses and turns to leave the courtyard]

[You quickly call out to her, making one last attempt]

[You ask: "If I may ask, what exactly did you wish for?"]

[Wan Qingluan pauses momentarily, laughing softly without answering]

[You shout at her slender, graceful retreating figure: "Big sis, tell me already! Readers will curse you for being so mysterious!!"]

[Wan Qingluan stops briefly and says lightly: "I'll just say it's related to you."]

[With these words, her white-clad figure quickly disappears into the mountains]

[You stand dumbfounded for a moment before cursing angrily: "Classic crazy bitch behavior! Came here to tease me without saying anything substantial, just getting your kicks huh!"]

[Then you frown deeply]

["Regardless of what Little Wan wished for, Yan Zhixue has probably guessed most of my scheme to manipulate her!"]

["Yan Zhixue will definitely come to hold me accountable..."]

[You murmur: "But since Little Wan has feelings for me, for her peace of mind, Yan Zhixue probably won't kill me - but there'll definitely be punishment!"]

["What if she tries seduction? I'd be ruined!"]

[After two breaths of contemplation with a conflicted expression, you finally grit your teeth: "Gotta run. Need to flee immediately!"]

[Yan Zhixue wanted to kill you the first time she came; this time definitely won't be easier]

[Especially since Yan Zhixue is the Extermination Sect leader - this identity makes you extremely wary. You dare not fall into her hands]

[You decide to leave Danxia Sect and seek refuge with Hu Zhongxuan in the capital]

[This way, even if your whereabouts are exposed, you'll have the protection of Hu Zhongxuan, an Ultimate Grandmaster]

[Hu Zhongxuan would certainly welcome you - he's counting on you to refine the Reviving Yang Pill for Deng Wanshu and would love daily updates on your alchemical progress]

[As Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Hu Zhongxuan holds immense power]

[If you wished, you could live a luxurious life of leisure, bullying men and women as you please]

[Having made your decision, you immediately begin packing, though all important items are already in your storage space. Soon everything is ready]

[You first burn abundant paper offerings at Xie Huide's grave]

["Master, extra offerings this time - may you achieve financial freedom in the afterlife."]

[You leave farewell letters for Bai Chen and Jiao Mingxu, saying you're wandering the martial world and they shouldn't look for you]

[You then summon a sect disciple]

[The disciple stands respectfully outside the courtyard: "Seventh Elder!"]

[You hand him a letter: "Give this to Ruan Bai. I'll be away for some time and can't watch over him. Starting today, he'll need to learn to wipe his own ass."]

[The disciple accepts the letter respectfully: "Rest assured, Seventh Elder. I'll deliver it to the sect leader!"]

[After the disciple leaves, you turn to look at the courtyard you've lived in for sixteen years. Nostalgia flashes briefly in your eyes]

[The next moment, you soar into the sky, flying toward the capital]

[The capital lies at the center of Great Qian. From Danxia Sect, it's southwest]

[This route happens to pass by Lin Mo's Heavenly Dao Alliance]

[After seven or eight days of alternating between flying and riding, you reach the Heavenly Dao Alliance]

[You quietly find Lin Mo and similarly inform him you're traveling the martial world, telling him not to panic if he can't find you later]

[Lin Mo thinks nothing of it, assuming you're seeking poetry and distant horizons]

[Lin Mo wants to host a farewell banquet, but you decline the ceremonious "wind whistling, river freezing" sendoff as it feels inauspicious]

[You bid Lin Mo farewell and focus on your journey]

[One day, as you ride a glossy-coated mare along a deserted path]

[This elegant mare with refined features and shiny coat]

[Suddenly, inspiration strikes]

[Your beastly nature erupts as you dismount to sit cross-legged and cultivate]

[The Star River Blade Art rapidly circulates as twinkling starlight surrounds you]

[Mere moments later, your true qi surges violently]

[Boom—]

[Your true qi breaks through barriers, coursing endlessly through your meridians]

[Your eyes snap open, radiating golden light]

[You've officially reached the early-stage Essence Refining realm!]

[Excited, you declare: "Such a simple Essence Refining realm - conquered!"]

[Now even without relying on Earth Source sword qi, you could easily defeat early-stage Grandmaster martial artists]

[With your current true qi reserves, you can unleash all ten comprehended Earth Source sword qi attacks simultaneously - devastating power]

[Overjoyed, you lead the whining mare back and continue your journey]

[While traveling, you also cultivate the Heavenly Desire Formless Technique to early-stage Essence Refining]

[And complete your first true qi refinement in the Essence Refining realm]

[Year 33, age 48]

[After traversing mountains and rivers, you finally reach Great Qian's capital]

[Massive walls, dense population, bustling commerce]

[If a brick fell randomly from the sky, it would hit a ranked capital official]

[Without delay, you proceed directly to Hu Zhongxuan's residence]

[Hu Zhongxuan happens to be returning from court and you intercept him]

[His eyes light up upon seeing you: "He Yu! What brings you here, you rascal!!"]

[You smile: "Tired of cultivation, thought I'd travel and visit my martial uncle. You won't turn me away, will you?"]

["Hahaha! With your thick skin, would it matter if I turned you away? You'd still barge in!"]

["Martial uncle misunderstands me. I'm actually quite shy - I blush when talking to girls."]

[Hu Zhongxuan pulls you toward his residence: "Hahaha, enough nonsense! Come, I'll host a welcome banquet tonight. We'll drink until we drop!"]

[The two guards at Hu Zhongxuan's gate quickly open the doors]

[You and Hu Zhongxuan enter chatting and laughing]

[The two guards exchange glances, hearts pounding with relief]

[They'd actually noticed you earlier, lurking suspiciously near the gate, and nearly ordered you to leave]

[But when Hu Zhongxuan arrived and greeted you warmly, they thanked their stars they hadn't insulted you - or they'd be meeting their ancestors already]

[They rejoice at surviving another day]

[Both decide to renovate their long-negated family graves that very night]