C19 Ten Layered Heavens

"Pulse Opening, Tenth Heaven!"

At dawn, with the first light of the sun, Yu Yuan's eyes snapped open as he let out a joyous, light whistle.

Utilizing the replicated black pearl and the potency of the Channel Opening Pill, he had swiftly opened his tenth meridian, ascending to the tenth level of the Pulse Opening Stage.

With the tri-realm battle just three days away, his prospects for another breakthrough had significantly improved.

"Congratulations."

Yuan Lianyao's languid voice emerged out of nowhere, startling Yu Yuan.

He glanced over at the window, which was still firmly closed, then turned to the City Lord, resplendent in a vibrant red dress, and asked with a wry smile, "How long have you been here?"

"For a little while," Yuan Lianyao replied, showing no sign of being a considerate guest. She slinked forward with a serpentine grace and materialized before Yu Yuan. "The Black Dragon Scissors are a prized possession of the Spirit Treasure Building. How did you manage to acquire them? I'm quite intrigued."

"And the Lim family father and daughter?" Yu Yuan countered.

"As per your instructions, once their severe poisoning had subsided, I personally escorted them out of Darkmoon City," Yuan Lianyao said, stepping back to sit on a stool, her long legs crossed like the Black Dragon Scissors. Resting her chin in her hand, she gazed at Yu Yuan with a playful smile.

Yu Yuan shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny.

"Your cultivation technique is rather extraordinary. If I'm not mistaken, it's a High Rank Spiritual Spell, isn't it?" Her eyes flicked to the area below Yu Yuan's navel. "Had the Yu family possessed a complete, side-effect-free High Rank Spiritual Spell, they wouldn't have fallen on such hard times."

Spiritual Spells are categorized into Low, Middle, and High Ranks, further divided into nine grades.

On the Profound Sky Continent, the empires and noble families primarily practice Low and Middle Rank Spiritual Spells.

Even a First Grade High Rank Spiritual Spell is exceedingly rare.

Possessing a High Rank Spiritual Spell means faster cultivation, smoother realm breakthroughs, fewer complications, and a better chance of reaching the exalted realms of the Yang God, Freedom, and Primordial Spirit.

If a cultivator persists in practicing only Low Rank Spiritual Spells from start to finish, they stand virtually no chance of ascending to the three great realms.

Middle Rank Spiritual Spells offer a slim hope of reaching the realms of the Yang God and Freedom.

The Primordial Spirit Stage, however, is beyond the reach of Middle Rank Spiritual Spells—it's simply not something one can aspire to.

Most cultivators on the Profound Sky Continent start with Low Rank Spiritual Spells.

As they gradually advance, the lucky ones might acquire a suitable Middle Rank Spiritual Spell to further their cultivation.

Only with the opportunity to travel to the Quietus and Heavenly Source Continents, and be favored by a powerful sect as a guest or revered elder, might they access High Rank Spiritual Spells.

Yuan Lianyao herself practices a Middle Rank Spiritual Spell of the Seventh Grade.

She secured it only after surviving life-threatening dangers in a hidden, forbidden place.

Yu Yuan, on the other hand, began his cultivation with a High Rank Spiritual Spell!

What does this imply?

It means that throughout his lengthy cultivation journey, Yu Yuan won't have to exhaust himself searching for new Spiritual Spells to replace his current practice.

"Ever since waking up, my temperament has greatly changed; I've become steadier and more ruthless, capable of pill refinement, and I possess a High Rank Spiritual Spell..."

Yuan Lianyao observed Yu Yuan, sensing an ever-increasing aura of mystery about him.

Her curiosity piqued, she longed to unravel these layers of enigma and uncover the multitude of secrets harbored by this resurrected scion of the Yu family.

"City Lord Sister, you're mistaken. The Spiritual Spell I practice is quite common," Yu Yuan calmly stated, his left palm resting over his lower abdomen, before playfully adding, "Sister, your intense scrutiny of this particular area is making your brother here feel rather flustered!"

"Flustered about what?" Yuan Lianyao retorted sharply, then burst into laughter. "Fine, if you're not willing to share, I won't push you."

With a clatter and a crash, she laid out an array of spiritual herbs and various containers on the table. "Here, these are the items you requested. I've made a special trip just to deliver them to you. That elder you met recently, afflicted by fire toxin, is of great importance to me!"

Her demeanor turned serious as the conversation reached this point.

"I expect you to take this seriously! If you can truly eliminate his fire toxin completely, then we'll have no problems. But if you dare deceive me or play any tricks, don't blame me for being merciless," she warned.

"Don't worry, I've got this! But you know the battle of the three realms is about to start. I hope you, as the City Lord and my elder sister, can afford me a little more time," Yu Yuan responded gravely.

"The battle of the three realms," Yuan Lianyao mused, her brow furrowed in thought. After a brief pause, she offered, "Since you've addressed me as big sister, I'll give you a piece of advice. You should consider withdrawing from the Pulse Opening Stage battle sooner rather than later."

"Why?" Yu Yuan inquired, puzzled.

"I'm looking out for you. I don't want you to get hurt," Yuan Lianyao explained. After a moment, she added, "If you're set on fighting, all I can promise is that I'll make sure you survive, albeit with severe injuries."

With those words, the previously sealed window opened without a sound. Yuan Lianyao's enchanting, fiery silhouette shrank suddenly, transforming into a dazzling red lotus.

The red lotus drifted through the window, rapidly becoming translucent and ethereal before vanishing without a trace.

"Huh?"

Just before it faded away completely, a surprised exclamation from Yuan Lianyao echoed from within the red lotus.

Yu Yuan hurried to the window and caught sight of his maidservant, Ann Ziqing, approaching with a washbowl in her hands.

The young girl, clad in purple, seemed to glow under the morning sun, radiating an extraordinary allure.

"Young Master!"

Ann Ziqing's eyes sparkled upon seeing Yu Yuan at the window, her smile so sweet it nearly took his breath away.

Yu Yuan blinked, and when he looked again, Ann Ziqing was already near. The odd sense of radiance she seemed to emit had vanished, leading Yu Yuan to conclude it must have been a trick of the light reflecting off the washbowl.

"Little Qing, how did you know I was awake today?" Yu Yuan asked cheerfully.

He had instructed Ann Ziqing not to bother with his daily needs for a while after his return from the Spirit Treasure Building.

For the past two days, he had been so engrossed in cultivating with the Illusory Pearl that he hadn't even noticed Ann Ziqing's presence.

Today, having just achieved the tenth level of the Pulse Opening Realm, Yu Yuan woke up to encounter City Lord Yuan Lianyao and then saw Ann Ziqing approaching with a bronze basin.

"Young Master, I've actually been coming here every morning," Ann Ziqing said with a playful roll of her eyes before explaining, "But since I didn't see you open the door on those previous visits, I just turned back. Today was quite the coincidence—I arrived just as you were looking out the window at me."

"Did you happen to see a red lotus just now, or hear anything unusual?" Yu Yuan inquired.

"No, why do you ask?"

"Never mind, just give me a moment."

Yu Yuan quickly closed the window and returned to the table, stashing away the spiritual materials and bottles Yuan Lianyao had brought under the bed to keep them out of Ann Ziqing's sight and avoid her endless questions.

A brief inspection confirmed that he had received all the materials he had requested from the elder practicing the Devil Refining Spell.

To cleanse the fire toxin, he only needed some of the materials. The rest were for crafting a pill that would enable the paralyzed elder to stand once more.

"All set."

With the spiritual materials secured, Yu Yuan called out and opened the door for Ann Ziqing to enter.

Ann Ziqing set the basin and towel on the table, ready to assist Yu Yuan with his cleaning.

"No need, I can manage on my own."

Yu Yuan offered a smile and gestured for Ann Ziqing to step aside as he began to wipe his neck and cheeks.

"Young Master, are you familiar with Huang Bin of the Huang family?" Ann Ziqing asked out of the blue.

"Mhm," Yu Yuan responded noncommittally, his focus remaining on his task.

"Huang Bin has successfully opened all twelve meridians and stands at the pinnacle of the Pulse Opening Stage," Ann Ziqing continued with a hint of concern. "Rumor has it that he was ready to advance to the Spirit Accumulating Stage three months ago. He's been holding back, not stepping into the Spirit Accumulating Stage on purpose. He's aiming to be the strongest contender in the Pulse Opening Stage during the tri-family competition!"

"After all, that competition is crucial—it will determine the future fortunes of the four major families."

Ann Ziqing spoke with earnest conviction.

Yu Yuan, wringing out a damp towel, finally looked up. "I'm well aware of the stakes in the tri-level competition. That's why I've been training so relentlessly these past few days."

He didn't share with Ann Ziqing that he had advanced to the tenth level of the Pulse Opening Stage, knowing she didn't grasp the nuances of cultivation realms.

"Young Master, I've heard troubling news. Huang Bin has been boasting that he'll kill you if you dare to enter the fray," Ann Ziqing said, her worry palpable. "Huang Bin is known for his cruelty. And you've only recently recovered. Perhaps you should discuss this with the patriarch and consider withdrawing from the contest?"

"Huang Bin?" Yu Yuan stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"Little Yuan!"

Yu Wei, his uncle, arrived in haste. Spotting Yu Yuan, he called out urgently, "You should sit out the tri-level battle in three days! Wait for the next one in three years, and compete in the Spirit Accumulating Stage then."

"Why? Have you heard something?" Yu Yuan sensed that extraordinary circumstances must have arisen for Yuan Lianyao, Ann Ziqing, and his uncle to all urge him to stand down.

"The Huang family has apparently given Huang Bin carte blanche to take you out during the Pulse Opening Stage battle!" Yu Wei said, his anger flaring. "They broke our patriarch's legs and have tormented our family for years. But now, just as you've awakened and embarked on your cultivation journey, they're plotting your demise!"

Yu Yuan's brow furrowed. "Can the tri-level battle among the four major families really be a matter of life and death?"

"If both parties consent, it can be," confirmed Yu Wei, his expression grave. "My fear is that the Huang family will provoke you, causing you to act rashly out of pride and accept a lethal challenge. To be frank, despite Huang Bin's arrogance, his combat abilities at the Pulse Opening Stage are formidable. And you..."

Yu Wei let out a heavy sigh, "Without any battle experience, even at the pinnacle of the Pulse Opening Stage, you stand no chance of victory."

"Exactly, combat experience is crucial," Ann Ziqing chimed in, nodding vigorously. "All the power in the world means nothing if you don't know how to wield it in battle!"

"What does Grandfather mean by that?" Yu Yuan inquired.

"Grandfather believes you're short on combat experience," Yu Wei replied candidly. "He thinks you should compete, but steer clear of Huang Bin and the rest of the Huang clan. If luck isn't on your side and you encounter Huang Bin, it's best to concede."

"Lacking battle experience, huh?" Yu Yuan murmured to himself before declaring, "Uncle, I'm determined to join the fray at the Pulse Opening Stage. As for the Huang family and Huang Bin, I'm quite eager to see just what they're capable of, to think they could take my life in front of an audience!"

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