Sen Zhuo chuckled and spoke with an easy smile.
"Alright then, we're here to offer you a place in the Pill Tower. Would you like to join us?"
Tong Men added with a reassuring tone.
"And don't worry—we'll guarantee your safety and privacy there."
Gao Tian glanced at Shu Yu, his thoughts swirling.
Phew, she didn't get angry when Tong Men hinted we're a couple. But this is my chance to join the Pill Tower…
He smiled and turned to her.
"Hey, what about you? Are you going to join the Pill Tower?"
Shu Yu looked at Gao Tian for a moment, then shifted her gaze to Sen Zhuo and Tong Men.
"Sorry," she said in a calm, even voice, "I have important matters to attend to. I can't join."
Sen Zhuo and Tong Men didn't press her further. Instead, their attention returned to Gao Tian.
Gao Tian, still watching Shu Yu, smiled faintly before bowing respectfully, hands clasped in a polite salute.
"I'm afraid I have to decline as well. I made a promise to protect a kitten for one year. It's a deal between us. But if you ever need my help, you can come find me."
Sen Zhuo burst out laughing and clapped Tong Men on the shoulder.
"You just lost two geniuses, haha!"
Tong Men replied with a calm smile.
"True. But I've seen a genius today—and that's what really matters."
Hearing Gao Tian's words, Shu Yu turned her cold, expressionless gaze toward him, though her eyes burned with silent fury.
That bastard… always calling me kitten or cat…
The killing intent seeping from her made Gao Tian's smile stiffen. Both Sen Zhuo and Tong Men felt it too, but they only laughed heartily at her reaction.
Gao Tian, however, felt a drop of sweat slide down his temple.
Well… I'm done for.
Before anyone could say more, a sudden, thunderous impact shook the arena. Someone had landed from the sky with such force that the ground cracked open like a spiderweb. Dust billowed everywhere, cloaking the figure in a thick haze.
Sen Zhuo and Tong Men turned their heads sharply toward the source.
Shu Yu sensed the overwhelming aura and instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes from the swirling dust. Her thoughts raced.
I-is that him? This aura… it's the same as his…
On her head, Ruler Dog squeezed his eyes shut, his small body trembling as he fought against the crushing pressure.
Gao Tian also shielded his face, struggling to see through the dust.
Who is this guy?
As the dust finally settled, a large silhouette came into view. It was a fat man, his upper body bare, his only clothing being the loose trousers tied at his waist. Despite his rotund form, expensive ornaments gleamed across his arms and neck, hinting at wealth and power.
The man stepped forward with a grin, his voice booming like rolling thunder.
"Well… it's been a while, Sen Zhuo, Tong Men."
Meanwhile, at Wai City — Gao Residence
Inside the guest room, Gao Tian's second body, Gu Ye, lay unconscious on the soft bed, his chest rising and falling faintly. A delicate figure sat on a wooden chair nearby—Gao Shui, his cousin. Her hands rested on her knees, her brows knitted with worry.
Senior Gu Ye, please wake up… If you don't, I can't start my journey, she thought, biting her lip.
Suddenly, the second body's eyes snapped open, sharp light flashing within them. He sat up abruptly, clutching his head as a wave of dizziness swept over him.
So, I've finally woken up… How many days have I been unconscious?
His gaze shifted and landed on the young girl. Gao Shui froze for a heartbeat, then her expression bloomed into joy.
Senior woke up!
She jumped to her feet, smiling brightly.
"Senior, are you okay?"
Gu Ye studied her quietly for a moment, recognizing her face.
She's Gao Tian's cousin sister.
With a faint smile, he reached out and gently patted her head.
"Oh yeah, I'm fine. Go tell your uncle that I've woken up—I need to talk to him."
"Alright!" Gao Shui turned and bolted out of the room like a rabbit, her voice ringing through the hallway.
"Senior has woken up! Hurry, come quickly!"
Within minutes, the room filled with people. Gao Shui returned, followed by Gao Hai, Gao Chi, Gao Fen, and the Seven Guardians. The small guest room now seemed crowded, the air buzzing with relief.
Gu Ye blinked in surprise.
What the—? I only wanted to talk to Father…
Gao Hai stepped forward, his face serious yet softened with concern.
"You're fine?"
Gu Ye nodded calmly.
"Yeah, I'm totally fine."
Gao Chi exhaled deeply, tension leaving her shoulders. She shot Gao Hai a glance.
"He's our son's friend. You should help him in battles."
Gao Hai scratched his chin, looking a bit embarrassed.
"I wanted to, but Xuan always stops me. He says if something happens to us, Gao Tian will beat the Guardians."
"That kid… he's too overprotective," Gao Chi muttered, then turned to Gu Ye with a warm smile.
"Well, are you feeling good now? Do you need anything?"
Gu Ye raised a hand.
"No, no, I'm fine. But I do need to ask Senior Hai something."
Gao Hai stepped closer.
"Yes? What is it?"
Gu Ye swung his legs off the bed, standing with a solemn look in his eyes.
"How many Spiritual Stones do we have?"
Inside, his thoughts churned like a storm.
I used my Demonic Authority: Demon Summoning. I'm too weak right now, but I must become powerful… and make the clan powerful as well.
Gao Hai paused, stroking his chin as he calculated.
"I think we have… about twenty thousand low-grade Spiritual Stones, ten thousand mid-grade, and maybe a thousand high-grade."
Gu Ye's gaze darkened as numbers ran through his mind.
Twenty thousand low-grade—that's equivalent to two hundred mid-grade. Adding that to ten thousand, we have ten thousand two hundred mid-grade stones… which equals one hundred two high-grade. With the thousand we already have, that's one thousand one hundred and two high-grade stones.
He clenched his fists slightly.
But that's still not enough.
Gao Fen, Gao Tian's uncle, glanced at Gu Ye and spoke calmly.
"Gu Ye, is there something you need to do with the Spiritual Stones?"
Gu Ye scratched the back of his head with a faint smile.
"Yeah…"
In his mind, he sighed.
I need at least another thousand High-Grade Spiritual Stones… but…
Gao Fen leaned toward Gao Hai and whispered something in his ear. Gao Hai's expression shifted slightly before he closed his eyes for a brief moment. Then, he looked straight at Gu Ye.
"Do you want more Spiritual Stones?"
Gu Ye nodded slightly. "Yeah, but don—"
Before he could finish, Gao Hai interrupted him with a firm voice.
"Then don't worry. Tell me how much you need."
Gu Ye blinked in surprise. "But… where can you even get that many Spiritual Stones?"
Gao Hai didn't answer with words at first. Instead, he reached into his spiritual ring and slowly pulled out a magnificent sword. The blade glimmered with a faint blue glow, and at its hilt was embedded a shining blue stone.
"This is our ancestral sword," Gao Hai said, his tone calm yet heavy. "I'll sell it."
Gu Ye froze on the spot. His gaze locked on the weapon, and his thoughts churned like a raging storm.
Th-that's a half Earth-Grade weapon! This clan is only a mid-grade clan—how did they even get such a thing?
Then a horrifying realization struck him.
If Gao Hai sells that sword… Gao Tian will kill me on the spot!
Without hesitation, Gu Ye raised his hands and shook his head violently.
"No! No, we can't do that!"
Everyone in the room looked at him in confusion.
Gao Hai frowned slightly. "Is it not enough?"
Gu Ye took a deep breath and replied, his tone serious.
"No. We can't do that because it's your clan's most important treasure. I just need some item bring me that… then I'll make sure we earn enough Spiritual Stones."
The room fell silent as everyone stared at him, waiting for his next words.
The second body casually listed a few items.
"This, this… and this one."
Gao Hai raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm. But do you even know how to use these?"
The second body grinned.
"Of course I do."
Gao Hai nodded, then turned to the guards.
"Guardian Xuan, fetch some spiritual stones from my room and bring the items he mentioned. Guardian Zui, go with him—and make sure he doesn't pick a fight with anyone."
The second body chuckled.
"Well, that's fair. He does love fighting."
Guardian Zui smirked.
"Yeah, don't worry. I'll keep him in check."
Both Guardians bowed and left the room swiftly.