Chapter 11: The Hall of Ten Thousand Spirits.

When news of Qian Junyou breaking through to the third layer of Qi Refining spread, the entire Prince Rui’s residence exploded with excitement. Everyone was shouting and cheering as if he had just passed the imperial examination with top honors. They even sent a thousand-mile voice transmission to Prince Rui, who was still at work.

It was said that right after Qian Junyou was born, he could already read, write, and speak—an unparalleled genius that shocked the world! Prince Rui once suspected he hadn’t drunk the Meng Po soup.

He originally had excellent immortal cultivation talent, but after reaching the third layer of Qi Refining, he could no longer advance no matter what. Gradually, he gave up on himself and became a worthless noble profligate.

The phrase “innate genius, acquired waste” was known to many and had become something of an open secret.

On Xueya’s suggestion, Qian Junyou decided to consolidate his foundation. Since there was still time today, he would first head to “Ten Thousand Spirits Hall” to buy some pills and medicinal herbs.

Ten Thousand Spirits Hall was the largest immortal cultivation marketplace on the Central Huan Continent. It had existed since the previous dynasty and already had a history of two thousand six hundred years. Almost any magic treasure, immortal artifact, divine pill, or wondrous medicine could be found there.

Because “Qian Junyou” had given up on cultivation very early, he had basically never been there before. Xueya, however, frequently visited as a servant of the Prince Rui’s residence.

Prince Rui treated Xueya like his adopted daughter and had never been stingy on her cultivation path. She had consumed plenty of immortal pills and spiritual herbs, and she never lacked cultivation manuals or books.

Xueya’s talent was comparable to that of the protagonist’s younger sister. Thanks to better resources, she had always stayed ahead.

For ordinary cultivators, reaching Qi Refining before twenty and Foundation Establishment before thirty was considered decent. Being able to connect star veins around forty and begin Core Formation was already quite fast.

After that came the long process of Core Formation. Reaching Golden Core before eighty and greatly extending one’s lifespan was considered stepping onto the immortal path.

Bai Shuxi had reached Foundation Establishment eighth layer at eighteen—she was a genius among geniuses. In comparison, Nalan Xueya was practically cheating by starting Core Formation at twenty-two!

Qian Junyou was also twenty-two, but due to the interference of the evil qi, he had only barely entered the fourth layer of Qi Refining today…

‘As expected, comparing people really can anger one to death…’

Ten Thousand Spirits Hall was built against a mountain, grand and magnificent like a vast palace. Alchemists, witch doctors, immortal cultivators, and martial cultivators came and went. Some people engaged in shady business also came here to trade.

As super VIPs, anyone from the Prince Rui’s residence received dedicated service. When the shopkeeper’s代理 learned that Qian Junyou could continue cultivating, he offered congratulations, gifts, and even prepared to notify the hall master so he could personally deliver congratulations to the residence later.

Although this was Qian Junyou’s first time at Ten Thousand Spirits Hall, he was not unfamiliar with the place at all. In the original novel, he knew exactly when and what treasures would appear here.

Today his primary target was a weapon called the “Jade Clear Sword” in the pawn section. It had been pawned for a thousand-year period, which had just expired yesterday. In truth, the immortal who had pawned the sword had already fallen eight hundred years ago.

The weapon was neither sharp nor possessed spiritual qi. Its only merit was its rather special material. If not for the added prestige of having belonged to an immortal, no one would have looked at it twice. Now it only held some collector’s value.

In the original story, it should have been sold four days later, passing through several hands before finally ending up with Third Suffering Prince, where it would gather dust inside a storage ring.

But the sword’s greatest secret was not the sword itself. Hidden within its body was a long-lost imperial heavenly fate great dao cultivation method—Primal Chaos Taiwei True Art.

This technique perfectly matched his physique. In the later part of the original novel, after Third Suffering Prince learned it, he could not only channel spiritual qi to form Primal Chaos power, but could also summon nine golden dragons for protection in critical moments, and even apply large-area team strengthening buffs!

Thus, while Xueya was selecting various medicinal herbs and immortal pills, Qian Junyou proactively suggested seeing this “Jade Clear Sword.”

“I’m sorry, our hall has a vast collection. Which sword is Young Master referring to? What is its grade?”

The attendant in charge of reception looked a bit confused, but since it was a pawn item from a thousand years ago, it was normal not to know.

“On the Hero Soul Festival a thousand years ago, an immortal pawned an ordinary immortal sword here. The pawn period was exactly one thousand years. The blade is forged from soul platinum, and the hilt is inlaid with three golden jade dragon rings. It is indestructible, surpassing gold and stone.”

An ordinary-grade item? Yet also an immortal sword? What material was soul platinum? The attendant, who had worked here for ten years, grew more confused the more he heard, but he didn’t dare question the young master to his face.

“This… if it is indeed one of our hall’s collections, there should be records. Would Young Master like to follow me to the treasure pavilion? I’ll have someone check.”

“Very well, thank you for leading the way.”

Xueya stayed in the VIP room to check the items. Under the guidance of the etiquette department attendant, Qian Junyou made his way to the bustling central hall.

Just as he reached the entrance, a small shopkeeper came running over from behind in a hurry.

“Prince Heir, please wait—! Wait for me!”

The man wore a red Tang-style robe. His round, chubby figure looked like a panda, topped with an exaggerated oily belly that was at least twelve months pregnant—and possibly twins.

He wasn’t very old, probably around the same age as Qian Junyou, but a head shorter.

“You’re… cosplaying Fight the Landlord?”

“Prince Heir, I finally caught up with you! I’ve found those two treasures you asked me to look for!”

The little fatty was holding two brocade boxes in his arms—one long and one short. After the attendant helped open them, they revealed a sword and a cultivation manual.

“These are definitely genuine! Jade珀 Sword and Soul-Sealing Blazing Ice Art! If you give these to Miss Bai, she’ll be overjoyed! Hehe…”

This small shopkeeper was a minor merchant in Ten Thousand Spirits Hall’s private trade circle, dealing in international business. He stared at Qian Junyou with a silly smile, the flesh on his face squeezing his eyes into narrow slits.

Although Qian Junyou didn’t recognize him, he was very familiar with these two items. As the female lead, Bai Shuxi relied on these two treasures to rapidly increase her combat strength. They complemented each other perfectly and formed a complete set that matched Bai Shuxi’s physique.

It seemed these were gifts that “Qian Junyou” had intended to give Bai Shuxi. But according to the original plot, these two items should have appeared at the auction four days later, right?

“Young Master, these took a lot of effort to obtain. As we agreed before, thirty superior-grade spirit stones. Hehe.”

The small shopkeeper smiled foolishly and rubbed his hands eagerly. Only then did Qian Junyou realize that after he had been killed by the protagonist, this guy probably couldn’t find a buyer and the items had ended up at the auction.

Thirty superior-grade spirit stones! That was enough to buy a small shop in the capital! This “Qian Junyou” was really extravagant! Going all out just to chase a girl?

‘Hmph, Bai Shuxi, you dared to treat this young master like a simp! Since these treasures are now in my hands…’

Thinking back to this morning, Qian Junyou felt a belly full of anger. This technique had long been lost, and this sword was the only one of its kind in the world. With these two items, why would he worry about not being able to regain face?

Qian Junyou didn’t dare truly fall out with Bai Shuxi—after all, she was the female lead—but obtaining these two items at least gave him the initiative.

“Fine, I’ll take them. Deliver them to the residence for me!”

“Got it!”

After the small shopkeeper left, the attendant led Qian Junyou to the entrance of the main hall. Just as he pushed open the door to enter, a familiar feeling washed over him. Behind the door… was a familiar soul.

The filthy and evil whispers sounded in his ears once again. His blood began to swell and accelerate uncontrollably. A strong wave of dizziness enveloped his brain nerves as it fought him for control of his body.

The door was opened from the inside. The person who pulled it open was none other than the one he feared seeing the most—

Bai Shuxi!

In an instant, his entire body froze. Every muscle felt like a wild horse about to break free. The slightest relaxation and he might immediately pounce…

Lost in the excitement of being able to cultivate, Qian Junyou had almost forgotten about this. In the previous few loops, he had also tried coming here to find the “Jade Clear Sword,” but every time he encountered Miss Bai on the way and got chopped down.

‘No good, the distance is too close!’

Because his resistance had increased quite a bit, he hadn’t been too worried about going out. But this time they met the moment the door opened—the distance was far too short. Only two steps separated them.

“Heh, it’s Prince Rui. You really are… everywhere, aren’t you.”

Bai Shuxi smiled bitterly, her shoulders slumping as she let out a deep sigh and helplessly turned her face away.

‘That’s what I wanted to say… You damn ghost that won’t leave me alone!’

At this moment, Qian Junyou was not only struggling for control of his body, he could barely speak normally. He stood stiffly in place…

While suppressing his desires, he still couldn’t stop complaining inwardly. He desperately tried to retreat and create distance, but his body refused to obey.

Just holding himself back from pouncing had already used up all his strength. In the end, he could only softly utter two sounds from his mouth:

“Heh… heh…”

His vision began to blur, as if his soul was slowly being pulled out of his body. Using every ounce of strength, he could only barely resist.

‘I can’t hold on much longer…’

His legs started to go weak. The connection between soul and body grew increasingly faint. The restless desire in his heart was like a ferocious lion about to break free from its chains.

“Young Master, why are you unwilling to do something meaningful? Wandering around idly every day—your family must be worried too, right?

And what’s the point of us meeting like this? This should be a place where immortal cultivators buy pills and artifacts, right?”

Bai Shuxi continued speaking helplessly. This “Qian Junyou” had sent people to follow and investigate her for a whole month, using all kinds of methods to strike up conversations.

As a girl, anyone would find it disgusting, let alone the proud and aloof Bai Shuxi.

Although Qian Junyou was older than her, in Bai Shuxi’s eyes he was as boring as a child.

And how could she possibly like a good-for-nothing noble young master who spent his days indulging in debauchery, greedy and lustful?

The more Qian Junyou listened, the angrier he became. This dead girl definitely thought he had come here for another “chance encounter” with her again! Being a simp was annoying enough, but being treated like one was even worse!

Yet Bai Shuxi continued relentlessly:

“Moreover, there’s really nothing for Shuxi and Young Master to talk about here.

I heard earlier that due to certain reasons, Young Master is unable to continue cultivating and has been stuck at the Qi Refining stage for seven or eight years. Shuxi deeply regrets this.

If you can work harder and reach Foundation Establishment, perhaps we can discuss our insights.”

Bai Shuxi looked at Qian Junyou with those pitiful eyes.

As long as one didn’t have five-element waste spiritual roots, most people started Foundation Establishment in their early twenties.

She just had to mention the one sore spot, didn’t she? However, hearing Bai Shuxi’s mockery, the anger in Qian Junyou’s heart gradually began to suppress the evil qi.

Even control over his body was slowly being reclaimed. He staggered back a few steps, as if he had just come out of anesthesia. After taking several deep breaths to regain his clarity, he replied:

“Miss Bai has misunderstood. This young master came here for collecting. It’s none of your business, is it?

Besides, there really isn’t anything for the two of us to talk about. However, with the fire at the disaster victims’ camp this time, Vice Minister of Works Lord Bai will likely find it hard to escape blame.

You should pray for your own good fortune and worry more about your family’s affairs!”

Straightening his posture, he finally spat out what he wanted to say and instantly felt refreshed and clear-headed!

Hearing Qian Junyou say this so suddenly, Bai Shuxi was stunned. Had she spoken too harshly?

Sometimes she had said even harsher things, and he hadn’t reacted much. Why was he acting so differently today…?

Bai Shuxi’s face turned slightly serious. She gave a small curtsy and said calmly:

“I was rude regarding the matter of cultivation. However, the Bai family’s affairs do not require Prince Rui to concern himself.”

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not concerned—I’m simply deeply saddened that the court is about to lose a talented individual!”

“What do you mean?”

Bai Shuxi’s expression changed drastically. She looked alarmed, furrowed her brows, and pressed urgently, clearly anxious.

“It means nothing. I’ve been pestering Miss Bai all this time and caused you quite a lot of trouble. That was this young prince’s fault!

But rest assured, Miss Bai. This young prince has lost interest in you! From now on, I will no longer pester you. Take care. Farewell!”

At this point, Bai Shuxi’s father had not yet been arrested, so Qian Junyou felt it would be unwise to say more. He prepared to step aside and leave.

But just as he was about to go, he saw the small shopkeeper from earlier come running back in a hurry.

“Prince Heir, how should we settle the payment later? If Prince Rui finds out… wouldn’t that be a bit inappropriate?”

As a merchant, he was quite thoughtful. But when he arrived, he suddenly noticed that the person standing inside the doorway was none other than Miss Bai herself!

This was the client’s target! Of course he had to help the young master put on a good show right now! So he immediately turned around, put on a big smile toward Bai Shuxi, and said:

“Oh my, so Miss Bai is here too! What a coincidence! Look, this is the Jade珀 Sword and the Soul-Sealing Blazing Ice Art! These two treasures were carefully prepared by the young master just for you! Hehe…”