The next day, Yu Chen entered Treasure Pavilion.
Every city in the Skyfire Empire had one.
It was the largest officially recognized trading organization—neutral, efficient, and ruthless about pricing.
Yu Chen placed three demon cores on the counter.
The attendant examined them calmly.
"Stonehide Boar, Body Tempering Three Stars—three spirit stones.""Bloodclaw Lynx, Body Tempering Four Stars—five spirit stones.""Black-Horned Earth Bear…"
The attendant paused slightly.
"Body Tempering Six Stars. High quality."
"Twenty spirit stones."
He slid a pouch across the counter.
"Total: 28 Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
Yu Chen accepted it without comment.
No bargaining. Treasure Pavilion prices were fixed.
That afternoon, the school rewards were distributed.
Yu Chen received:
10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones
1 Body Tempering Pill
At the same time, a ripple spread through the crowd.
"Zhao Ming broke through!"
"Qi Gathering—One Star!"
Yu Chen turned.
Zhao Ming stood proudly at the front, spiritual energy faintly radiating from his body. The pressure he emitted was clearly different from before.
More than that—
His demon spirit aura had changed.
"Spirit Refinement… Three Stars."
The top student had advanced on both fronts.
The gap was widening.
Yu Chen returned to his room and closed the door.
He emptied everything onto the bed.
Current Resources
Spirit Stones from hunting: 28
Spirit Stones from school: 10
Total: 38 Low-Grade Spirit Stones
Enough.
Yu Chen focused .
Demon Spirit: Nether Shadow WolfRealm: Spirit Awakening (6 Stars)
Upgrade Requirement:– Advance to 7 Stars → 25 Low-Grade Spirit Stones
Yu Chen confirmed.
The stones dissolved into pure spiritual light, flowing directly into the demon spirit.
A low growl echoed in his mind.
Shadow energy surged.
Upgrade SuccessfulNether Shadow Wolf → Spirit Awakening (7 Stars)
Yu Chen exhaled slowly.
His movements already felt sharper.
But he didn't stop.
Next Upgrade Requirement:– Advance to 8 Stars → 50 Low-Grade Spirit Stones
Yu Chen looked at the number.
Too expensive.
For now.
He opened his pouch again.
Remaining: 13 Low-Grade Spirit Stones
Not even close to fifty.
He memorized the number.
That was his next mountain.
Yu Chen picked up the Body Tempering Pill.
Unlike demon spirit upgrades, this was a traditional cultivation aid.
He swallowed it and sat cross-legged.
Warmth spread through his limbs, strengthening muscle, bone, and meridians.
His cultivation stirred violently.
Crack—
The invisible barrier shattered.
Cultivation BreakthroughBody Tempering → Seven Stars
Yu Chen opened his eyes, clenched his fist, and felt the difference immediately.
Stronger.More stable.
He stood by the window, looking toward the distance.
Zhao Ming had stepped into Qi Gathering.
Sect recruitment was three months away.
Yu Chen glanced inward at the quietly resting Nether Shadow Wolf.
Seven stars.
Still not enough.
He closed his hand slowly.
"Fifty spirit stones," he murmured.