Chapter Nine: Sixth Level of the Astral Body Realm

Qi Wei’s face was full of excitement. “Chu Jie! You’re amazing! Do you know how many spirit chests we seized?”
Chu Jie nodded. “Six in total, not counting the one I smashed.”
Qi Wei nodded as well. “Six spirit chests, thirty stalks of Spirit Gathering Grass! We’ve struck it rich!” Her large eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled at Chu Jie.

Turning his head, Chu Jie happened to see Huang Nian, whose arm had been severed by someone. Covered in blood, Huang Nian glared at him with hatred, but dared not approach for revenge, deterred by the presence of Chu Jie’s followers.

The crowd slowly parted, leaving behind a field of corpses. The battle for the spirits had lasted barely half an hour, yet hundreds of followers had fallen dead.

Many cast resentful looks at Chu Jie, wishing they could flay him alive. Chu Jie simply shrugged, unconcerned.

Qi Tianba and his entourage slowly departed.

“Chu Jie, well done! Keep it up! I’ll see to your promotion!” Qi Tianba approached, patting Chu Jie’s shoulder encouragingly.

Qi Wei handed Qi Tianba three spirit chests. “Uncle, isn’t Chu Jie incredible?”

Qi Tianba nodded, taking only two spirit chests. He said to Chu Jie, “You are indeed remarkable, but you must be cautious. Remember—the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled.” Chu Jie nodded solemnly.

The site of the spirit battle was not far from the camp; they arrived after a short walk.

They came upon Lord Lin standing at the gate. Qi Tianba’s expression instantly soured; he clasped his hands in salute. “Lord Lin.”

Lord Lin turned, ignoring Qi Tianba, and looked at Chu Jie. “A fine young man.”

With that, he strode into Qi Tianba’s quarters.

Qi Wei was about to leave with Chu Jie when she heard Qi Tianba’s voice, gloomy and evasive, “Wei’er, come with me.”

Surprised, Qi Wei asked, “What’s the matter, Uncle?”

Qi Tianba clenched his fists. “I need to talk to you about something.”

Qi Wei nodded and followed Qi Tianba into the house.

From behind, Chu Jie caught a fleeting look of guilt in Qi Tianba’s eyes. Considering Lord Lin’s sudden appearance, Chu Jie’s fists tightened as he followed after Qi Wei.

Qi Tianba paused. “Chu Jie, I’d like to speak with Qi Wei alone.” His eyes flashed coldly, sweeping over Chu Jie’s figure.

Qi Tianba assumed Chu Jie might be feeling arrogant after acquiring six spirit chests.

Qi Wei waved her hand. “Go on, I’ll find you when I come out.”

Several of Qi Tianba’s bodyguards subtly encircled Chu Jie. Unperturbed, Chu Jie smiled calmly. “Be careful,” he said, turning to leave.

Unfortunately, Qi Wei failed to grasp the meaning behind his words and followed her uncle into the room, still puzzled.

Upon returning to his tent, Chu Jie immediately sensed Qi Tianba’s guards watching him, confirming his suspicion that Qi Tianba had agreed to some terms with Lord Lin.

Those terms... were likely to involve Qi Wei.

The thought of a kind-hearted girl like Qi Wei being subjected to Lord Lin’s cruelty made Chu Jie clench his fists in anger.

Yet he was only at the fifth level of the Body Steel Realm; he might not even reach Qi Tianba’s tent before being torn apart.

He glanced at the Spirit Gathering Grass in his palm, then sat cross-legged, frantically circulating his internal techniques.

Chu Jie was acutely aware of the danger closing in: the Yang family’s assassins, Lord Luo’s humiliation, and now Lord Lin’s coercion. The threat was ever-present.

The sixth level of the “Cycle Scroll” promised an offensive technique. Perhaps… this would offer a way out!

Staring at the dozen stalks of Spirit Gathering Grass in his hand, Chu Jie resolved himself and swallowed them all. The instant he closed his eyes, the spiritual power released nearly burst his mouth, overwhelming him.

The “Cycle Scroll” churned at full speed. Countless streams of spiritual energy poured into his dantian, erupting explosively. The surge swept through his body like a tidal wave; his body shuddered and he spat a mouthful of blood. His frame trembled violently as waves of spiritual energy coursed through his limbs and bones.

His body shook—this spiritual power assaulted his acupuncture points with unstoppable force.

Gradually, countless currents of energy condensed into streams of vapor, swirling within his dantian.

Persist! Chu Jie fought with all his might to endure.

His body could not stop trembling; the vapors in his dantian grew larger, more numerous.

These vapors, once refined, would transform into spirit liquid.

Chu Jie’s face was pale, fists clenched, eyes bloodshot. The spiritual power inside him ceaselessly washed through his acupuncture points.

“Open!” Only by breaking through the sixth level could he hope to rescue Qi Wei.

His body trembled so violently it verged on spasms; the pain rivaled the tribulations of his Nine Calamities Physique. The “Cycle Scroll” spun rapidly, draining the surrounding vital energy of heaven and earth.

The spiritual power within him swept toward the acupuncture points, opening one after another.

Yet Chu Jie always felt he was blocked by a final barrier—as if a thin sheet separated him from the sixth level.

Now, however, he finally realized the terrifying efficiency of the “Cycle Scroll.” In such a short time, he had robbed the area of all its vital energy.

The sound of acupoints being blasted open echoed unceasingly; each time, his blood surged wildly.

At last, Chu Jie sensed the final opportunity.

All the spiritual power roared as one, charging toward the last acupuncture point.

“Open! Open! Open! Open for me!” Chu Jie screamed inwardly.

Boom!

Like a river bursting its banks, the energy within Chu Jie’s body flowed freely; the vital energy in his dantian spread to every corner of his being.

Chu Jie’s cultivation instantly broke through to the sixth level of the Body Steel Realm.

Vital energy coursed throughout his body—he could now employ offensive techniques.

As his spiritual energy settled and stabilized, Chu Jie underwent a complete transformation.

His clothes were filthy, caked in mud, wrapping him entirely. Yet, upon closer inspection, his skin shone with crystalline clarity, faint starlight shimmering across its surface, extraordinary in every way.

Even his features had changed—he was taller, his physique lean yet strong.

His face was more handsome, his bearing vibrant and spirited, radiating an aura of otherworldly grace.

Within him, the “Cycle Scroll” began turning, and a torrent of offensive techniques flooded his mind.

Chu Jie knew he could not afford impatience. He dressed himself and concentrated fiercely on comprehending the new techniques in his mind.

Inside Qi Tianba’s cabin, Lord Lin stood by the window with hands clasped behind his back, while Qi Tianba earnestly implored Qi Wei. “Wei’er, Lord Lin is a master at the Spirit Gathering Realm. If you follow him, you might reach that realm yourself, maybe even gain entry to the outer city!”

Qi Wei’s eyes were bloodshot, and she looked at Qi Tianba in utter despair. “Uncle! How could you… force me like this!”

Qi Tianba’s face flushed crimson. “I only want what’s best for you. You’re a girl—who could be more suitable than Lord Lin?”

Qi Wei shook her head vigorously. “No! I won’t agree!”

Qi Tianba shook his head and glanced at Lord Lin, who was growing impatient. “Wei’er, just think of it as your uncle begging you. Otherwise, when will I ever get into the outer city?”

Qi Wei’s tears flowed instantly. “Are you even my uncle? If my father hadn’t saved you back then, how would you be alive today?”

“To get into the outer city, you would hand your own niece over to another! You’re not worthy to be my uncle!” Qi Wei shouted, rising to leave.

Qi Tianba’s face burned with shame. Watching Qi Wei walk out, he steeled himself and grabbed her hand, pulling her back.

“Wei’er! Don’t blame your uncle for being ruthless—it’s for your own good!”

Qi Wei struggled, her hand glowing with energy as she struck out.

Qi Tianba exploded with rage. “You dare raise your hand against me?” He pressed his palm to her wrist, lightly tapping her body, sealing her spiritual power.

Qi Wei felt her whole body go numb and limp, unable to move. Tears filled her eyes as she glared at Qi Tianba with hatred and resolve.

Qi Tianba avoided her gaze, turned to Lord Lin, and bowed. “My lord, I…”

Lord Lin waved him off impatiently. “You’re so easily flustered by a mere girl? Pathetic! Get out!”

Qi Tianba’s face reddened further, and he left the cabin. Not wishing to hear his niece’s cries, he forced himself to leave the camp.

“Go away! I won’t agree to anything!” Qi Wei twisted and struggled.

Lord Lin leered. “My beauty, follow me and I promise you endless riches and glory!”

“No! Don’t come near me! You beast! Scoundrel!” Qi Wei fought desperately, but her numbed body was powerless—even biting her tongue to end her own life was beyond her strength.

Lord Lin relished the sight of women struggling; it gave him an intense sense of conquest.

He swallowed a pill; his lustful gaze swept over Qi Wei’s alluring form. “My beauty, I guarantee you’ll soar to ecstasy and beyond.”

The pill he took was essentially an aphrodisiac, channeling all his spiritual power below his waist, making him invincible in that regard.

After consuming the pill, his cultivation fell to the ninth level of the Body Steel Realm, but in other ways, he was terrifyingly strong.

Last time, he exhausted three virgins without faltering, proof of the pill’s ferocity.

Seeing Lord Lin’s lecherous gaze approach, Qi Wei was utterly hopeless; helpless tears streamed down her cheeks.

Lord Lin was exhilarated by her soul-crushed despair. The thought of this little beauty soon surrendering beneath him made him laugh obscenely.