Hu Zhongxuan's smile froze as he reluctantly returned the pill to you: "Kid, it was all a misunderstanding."

"All a misunderstanding?"

"Exactly."

"Then return the previous two pills as well."

Hu Zhongxuan shook his head with pained reluctance: "He Yu, I thought you were a kind and generous child, never expected you..."

"You ate them, didn't you?" You interrupted expressionlessly.

Hu Zhongxuan pulled you to sit down: "How could you think that of your uncle? I'm not that kind of person!"

"Then you gave them to Auntie."

Hu Zhongxuan hesitated: "Well... it's possible that might have happened..."

"Did you tell Auntie I was the one who refined them?"

Hu Zhongxuan looked awkward: "Wanshu can't hear anything in her condition..."

Your face fell: "Uncle, I worked so hard refining these pills, and I don't even get the credit!"

Hu Zhongxuan looked uncomfortable: "Next time for sure!"

You stood up angrily: "I'm leaving. This hurts my pride. Whoever wants to refine pills can do it themselves - I quit!"

You took three quick steps forward, then retreated one step, glancing back at Hu Zhongxuan.

Hu Zhongxuan watched you silently.

You took three more steps and retreated two: "I'm really leaving this time?"

Hu Zhongxuan watched you failing to exit the study and shook his head helplessly: "Alright, out with it. What do you want?"

You grinned: "Uncle, with your political influence and worldly wisdom, my admiration for you—"

"Enough flattery. What do you want?"

You smiled: "Just give me something interesting, Uncle. A few hundred sect-defining cultivation manuals or martial techniques would do - I'm not picky."

As you spoke, the situation felt strangely familiar.

You remembered similarly extracting treasures from Xie Huide and Deng Rusong before.

Essentially, you'd milked all three of Danxia Sect's old foxes dry.

"They all volunteered!" You thought shamelessly without remorse.

Hu Zhongxuan pondered: "I don't have hundreds of manuals, but there is something interesting I can give you."

He retrieved an Earth Source bowl from a hidden compartment behind the study and handed it to you.

Now experienced, you immediately recognized it as a container for Earth Source.

You asked suspiciously: "Uncle, what's this? You're giving me Earth Source now?"

"Not the actual Earth Source. This contains a strand of my purified Source Power, imbued with Earth Source's essence. Studying it will help your comprehension of both."

Hu Zhongxuan continued smiling: "While useless now, when you reach Grandmaster's peak and find Earth Source, this will significantly accelerate your fusion process."

You accepted it calmly: "My thanks, Uncle."

Noting your expression, Hu Zhongxuan asked: "Not satisfied? If you really want cultivation manuals instead—"

You quickly said: "This will do. Though unusable now, it's something to look forward to."

Outwardly composed, you were internally ecstatic - exactly what you needed currently.

Only two Earth Source sword qi remained uncomprehended, the most stubborn ones, showing no progress for over a year.

Hu Zhongxuan's gift arrived perfectly timed - like receiving a pillow when drowsy.

After more casual conversation, you returned to your residence.

Immediately extracting the Source Power strand, you activated Divine Micro-Vision and Mind Awakening Technique, fully focusing on perception.

Source Power results from martial artists fusing with Earth Source.

This strand illuminated the path to Earth Source fusion's final form, immensely aiding your comprehension.

Within half a month, you'd completely mastered the strand's secrets.

The enlightenment was tremendous, filling your mind with new Earth Source knowledge.

You felt confident about comprehending the remaining two sword qi.

Just as you prepared to begin, Old Wang delivered a letter.

Expecting Danxia Sect troubles, you instead found it was from Lin Mo.

The message could be summarized in one line - he'd advanced again.

Lin Mo had reached mid-stage Grandmaster!

Holding the letter silently, tears welled as caravan bells seemed to ring in your ears.

Had you remained at Danxia Sect, receiving his bragging letter would've been understandable.

But why track you down in the capital?

Shaking your head weakly: "Kid, you're hunting me down!"

Lin Mo had advanced a minor realm in under two years - abnormally fast.

After consideration, you realized: "My Earth Source sword qi insights must have accelerated his cultivation."

"But it's been years since I shared any. Such lasting effects? I never noticed them myself."

You regretted sharing those insights - fearing both Lin Mo's suffering and his success.

Now he wasn't just succeeding - he was skyrocketing.

Fortunately, you quickly regained composure.

"Petty Lin Mo dares shake my Dao heart!"

Brushing off this minor disturbance, you began comprehending the final two sword qi.

Year 44.

Sitting cross-legged in your courtyard, eyes closed with a smile.

Appearing deep in cultivation, but your consciousness had long departed.

All awareness now resided within the simulation space.

Your consciousness manifested as your form.

A shimmering ethereal sword orbited you excitedly.

This was the Earth Source sword.

Thanks to Hu Zhongxuan's Source Power boost, you'd finally comprehended all twenty-four sword qi!

Meaning you'd gained this Earth Source's complete recognition.

The sword radiated joyous energy, as if saying:

"Only Brother He Yu truly understands me! If it's Brother He Yu... that thing would be okay!"

You sensed you could fuse with the Earth Source anytime now.

But you decided to return to Danxia Sect for fusion.

Attempting fusion under Ultimate Grandmaster Hu Zhongxuan's nose would be detected.

Even remote fusion in your private zoo might alert capital's Ultimate Grandmasters.

So you bid Hu Zhongxuan farewell, claiming to visit old friends - to check if they'd died yet.

No longer needing to worry about Deng Wanshu's safety, as Hu Zhongxuan - marginalized by Li Anlong after implementing the Taxation by Land Acreage policy - now had more time to guard her.

You could leave peacefully.

Departing the capital that same day, you rushed excitedly toward Danxia Sect.

Soon arriving back at the familiar sect, you meditated to adjust your state before suddenly opening your eyes: "Finally... time for fusion!"