Several days later, within a private room at the Miter Auction House.
Zhou Changqing sat cross-legged on the bed in a meditative posture. The ambient worldly energy gathered around him, surging into his acupoints and flowing through his meridians. As his cultivation method circulated, this energy was steadily refined into Dou Qi and channeled into the Qi Cyclone in his Dantian.
"Hoo... haa... hoo... haa..."
A faint, rhythmic breathing sound emanated from him. With each inhale and exhale, the subtle golden light shimmering on his skin pulsed and flowed in harmony.
An unknown amount of time passed before the worldly energy calmed and the glow on Zhou Changqing's body gradually faded. When he opened his eyes, a sharp glint of light flashed within them, and he felt an incredible sense of well-being course through his entire being.
It was a feeling he had never experienced in the drudgery of his past life. Perhaps this was the true allure of cultivation.
Stretching his stiff limbs, Zhou Changqing raised his left arm, rolling up his sleeve to inspect his elbow.
The deep purple bruise had faded to a light red. He was confident it would be fully healed in less than a day.
He flexed his arm; the injury no longer hindered his movement. The constitution of a cultivator was truly different. An ordinary person would have needed at least half a month to recover from such a wound.
No longer concerned with the injury, Zhou Changqing got off the bed, walked to the door, and opened it.
"Little Brother Changqing, you're awake? My timing is perfect. Come and eat."
At that moment, Ya Fei appeared in the distance, gliding into the main hall. She caught sight of Zhou Changqing emerging from his room and smiled, lifting the food container in her hand.
Zhou Changqing smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Sister Ya Fei. I feel bad having someone as busy as you bring me food personally."
"Oh, please. You don't look the least bit embarrassed. Having a great beauty like me wait on you... you're loving it, aren't you?" Ya Fei rolled her beautiful eyes in a charming, playful manner.
"Ahem."
Zhou Changqing had indeed been enjoying the attention. Now that his thoughts were exposed, he felt a bit awkward and could only clear his throat to cover it up.
"You haven't eaten either, have you, Sister Ya Fei? Why don't you join me?"
"Well, it's good to see you have some consideration, thinking of your big sister."
The two of them sat down at the table in the hall and enjoyed their breakfast.
The food at Miter was undeniably excellent, far better than anything Zhou Changqing could cook for himself. The ingredients even included precious Magic Beast meat, allowing him to indulge for the past few days.
After they finished eating, Zhou Changqing took the initiative to pack the dishes back into the container, setting it aside as he and Ya Fei began to chat.
"How's the injury?"
"It should be fully healed in another day."
"It seems you're recovering well. By the way, I'm planning to auction the Treasure Weapons you brought in a few days. Do you want to come and see the spectacle?"
"I think I'll pass. I'd rather use that time to forge a couple more."
"Alright, as you wish."
"Sister Ya Fei, thank you."
"Hm? Why the sudden formality?"
"I already know everything. If it weren't for you, Sister Ya Fei, I'm afraid I would have no place left in Wu Tan City," Zhou Changqing said, his eyes filled with sincerity as he looked at her.
Ya Fei knew exactly what he was talking about; she just hadn't expected him to find out so quickly.
She was used to his easygoing nature and occasional roguishness. Seeing him this earnest was a little disarming.
Raising a delicate eyebrow, Ya Fei leaned closer and chuckled. "Words are so insincere. Why not offer some tangible benefits instead, Little Brother Changqing?"
Zhou Changqing's sincere expression shattered in an instant.
This woman really knew how to ruin a mood...
Inhaling the fragrant scent that wafted from her, Zhou Changqing replied helplessly, "Fine, something tangible it is. As a token of my gratitude, how about I give you a weapon a tier higher than a Treasure Weapon? Would that satisfy you, Sister Ya Fei?"
"A weapon better than a Treasure Weapon?"
Ya Fei's beautiful eyes lit up with immediate interest.
She never thought a simple tease would yield such a surprising piece of information.
Zhou Changqing nodded affirmatively. "I've been researching it for a long time, and I'm close to a breakthrough. Once I succeed, I'll forge one for you immediately, Sister Ya Fei."
He saw no need to hide the new Monster Core Weapons from her.
By now, nearly every influential power in Wu Tan City knew he was the one who had forged the iron-cleaving Treasure Weapons.
Miter was no exception.
In the future, when he started forging Monster Core Weapons, he would inevitably need to auction the ones he didn't use.
Ya Fei would only have to think for a moment to realize they came from him. There was no point in concealing it.
Hearing this, Ya Fei didn't think Zhou Changqing was lying. After all, this young man had managed to develop the craft of making Treasure Weapons and possessed outstanding cultivation talent. It wouldn't be too surprising if he developed something even better.
She was just curious how much better it would be.
"Then your big sister will be waiting for her gift," Ya Fei said with an expectant smile.
"Right, Sister Ya Fei, I should be heading back soon."
"So soon? Why not wait a little longer? There are still quite a few people watching you."
"Heh, those people didn't get to their current positions by being stupid. They wouldn't dare make a move on me after your warning."
"Besides, the Xiao Clan also intervened, declaring they would protect me."
"And if they really wanted to act, it wouldn't be now. At the very least, they would wait until the storm has passed and both the Miter Auction House and the Xiao Clan have lowered their guard."
"And besides, staying at the auction house forever isn't an option. I still need to work on my new weapons, and it's not convenient here."
"Alright, you've convinced me."
...
After leaving the Miter Auction House, Zhou Changqing returned to his small courtyard.
The journey back was uneventful, but he could clearly sense that the surveillance around his home was gone.
That wasn't entirely true; a few faint gazes still swept over the courtyard from time to time, subtle and unobtrusive, monitoring the activity within. But unlike before, these gazes carried a hint of goodwill.
It was less like surveillance and more like protection.
He knew without thinking that these hidden individuals must have been sent by Ya Fei to protect him.
The gesture moved him.
Although the woman was a temptress and a merchant who prioritized profit, and even if her reasons were tied to the Treasure Weapons, he had to admit she treated him exceptionally well.
Of course, Zhou Changqing was also quite grateful to the Xiao Clan.
Not only had Xiao Yan given him a cultivation method for free, but now his clan had even stepped forward to guarantee his safety.
Though Zhou Changqing knew Xiao Yan's current standing in the Xiao Clan was low, he would never believe his friend had nothing to do with it.
And he wasn't wrong.
The Xiao Clan's intervention was indeed related to Xiao Yan, but it wasn't Xiao Yan who had orchestrated it—it was his father, the clan leader Xiao Zhan.
He was his son's friend, possessed top-tier talent, and could craft Treasure Weapons—items that promised immense profits.
Xiao Zhan was no fool. Why would he offend Zhou Changqing?
As long as such a person wasn't cut down prematurely, his future achievements would be limitless.
Therefore, not only should he not be offended, but he should be befriended. Even if it was just a small gesture of goodwill, he had to show his support.
Thus, under Xiao Zhan's direction, the Xiao Clan had made its declaration to protect him a few days prior.