C9 A Person Who Did Not Know His Own Limits.

Zhou Ruoxue couldn't hide her displeasure. "Mom, why bring him up? You're just dampening the spirits."

Lu Xiaochuan's expression darkened. Despite having undergone emergency treatment, his chest was still throbbing with pain.

"It's my mistake. Let's not speak of him on such a celebratory occasion," he conceded.

Lee Xia quickly steered the conversation elsewhere. "Why hasn't Xiaoqiang come back yet? Where did he go?"

At the mention of Zhou Xiaoqiang, Lu Xiaochuan's mood lifted, and a broad grin spread across his face. "He's off handling a significant matter!"

"What kind of significant matter?" The Zhou family's curiosity was piqued.

"You'll find out in due time. For now, it's a secret," Lu Xiaochuan said with a knowing smile, almost as if he could visualize Xiao Qiufeng with his limbs broken, lying helpless like a discarded dog.

The Zhou family chuckled at his words, sharing in the intrigue.

Meanwhile, word of the Lau family's banquet had spread like wildfire throughout Jiang City and beyond, into Jiangnan Province. The buzz was everywhere, with speculation rife about the event that would elevate a select few to the ranks of the elite in J City.

Families that managed to forge strong ties with the Lau family from the capital stood to rise swiftly, extending their reach from J City to the national stage.

Rumors swirled that the Lau family might single out a young prodigy from J City for a significant promotion, setting the entire province abuzz with anticipation. It was a tantalizing prospect, especially for those dreaming of climbing the social ladder.

Unaware of the stir he was causing, Xiao Qiufeng had depleted all his Spiritual Energy treating his mother. Weakened, he managed a weary smile. "Mom, your condition has improved, but you'll need to rest in the hospital for a few more days. Let me handle the bill, and you get some sleep."

Post-treatment, Lin Fenglan was equally drained and quickly succumbed to a deep slumber.

After settling the bill, Xiao Qiufeng returned to his villa for a brief respite before heading to the pharmacy. He recognized the need to bolster his strength; his Spiritual Energy reserves were alarmingly low, and he was determined to enhance his power without delay.

At the very least, he was determined to advance to the Qi Refining Stage. He believed that only upon reaching this stage would he be worthy of pursuing Lau Qingmei.

He wasn't foolish. After spending the past couple of days with her, it was clear to him that Lau Qingmei took a liking to him. With this opportunity in hand, he was resolved to seize it with all his might!

Spiritual Energy was scarce in Jiang City, and this villa district was where he sensed the most concentration. Yet, after a night's worth of cultivation, he had nearly depleted the area's energy. To rapidly progress to Qi Refining Layer One, Xiao Qiufeng realized he would need to consume more pills.

Thankfully, he had inherited a wealth of pills from his father, along with a bank card holding over 400,000 yuan.

By the time Xiao Qiufeng emerged from the herbal medicine shop, laden with medicinal herbs, the card's funds were completely drained.

"The cost is astronomical. I've already spent hundreds of thousands of yuan, and I haven't even begun my cultivation. How much more will it take for me to continue?" Xiao Qiufeng was astounded by the seemingly endless expenses.

It was no surprise that his father's legacy mentioned that the journey of cultivation intertwined with wealth, companionship, magic, and land—with wealth being of utmost importance.

"It looks like I'll have to find ways to make money from now on!" Xiao Qiufeng silently vowed.

Once home, he retrieved the purple clay pot and set about refining pills.

His goal was to create the Spirit Gathering Pill, aiming to distill every bit of Spiritual Energy from the precious herbs.

After two unsuccessful attempts, he finally crafted a Spirit Gathering Pill.

He then placed all the herbs into the pot, and by the end of the morning, he had produced three Spirit Gathering Pills.

"Three Spirit Gathering Pills should be enough for me to enter Qi Refining Layer One and become a true cultivator," Xiao Qiufeng whispered to himself.

Without a moment's hesitation, he lifted his head and swallowed the three pills. Settling into a cross-legged position, he began his cultivation.

The pills transformed into three streams of warmth, coursing through his body, refining his bones and meridians, before converging in his Dantian.

Two hours later, Xiao Qiufeng's eyes snapped open, gleaming with an intense light.

He parted his lips and exhaled a stream of white breath that shot out like a bullet, piercing a chair a short distance away with a loud bang!

"Is this what Qi Refining Layer One feels like?"

Xiao Qiufeng savored the vast power coursing through him, his face lighting up with delight.

Just then, the doorbell chimed.

Thinking it was Lau Qingmei, Xiao Qiufeng hurried to answer the door. To his surprise, a professionally dressed woman stood before him.

"You must be Xiao Qiufeng. Our Miss has sent me to fetch you. Please, come with me."

The woman was strikingly beautiful with an impressive figure, yet her demeanor and tone dripped with condescension, as if she placed herself above all others.

Xiao Qiufeng's brow furrowed. "May I know which Miss you're referring to?"

"It's Miss Lau, of course. Drop the act. Without our Miss, how could someone like you afford to live in such a villa?" she retorted with irritation. Casting a scornful glance at Xiao Qiufeng, she turned on her heel and stepped into a Maybach waiting at the curb.

With a shadow crossing his face, Xiao Qiufeng followed her into the car.

As they drove, the woman couldn't resist taunting him further. "Xiao Qiufeng, be mindful of your place. Our Miss is the esteemed eldest daughter of the Lau family from the capital, the cherished granddaughter of the Old Master. She's the moon gracing the heavens, while you're mere dust upon the earth."

The Lau family from the capital? Xiao Qiufeng was taken aback. The Lau family was among the elite in Huaxia. He had assumed Lau Qingmei was simply the daughter of a wealthy family from J City; he hadn't realized her status was so exalted.

"I suggest you gracefully bow out of my Miss's life and preserve what dignity you have left. Someone of your standing has no right to be near my Miss!" The woman's words were laced with scorn and derision.

Even the usually composed Xiao Qiufeng found his patience wearing thin under such insults.

He inquired icily, "Are you also from the Lau family?"

The woman declared with pride, "No, I'm not, but I am the personal secretary to the young lady!"

Xiao Qiufeng's voice dripped with sarcasm as he said, "Ah, so you're merely a speck of dust on the floor. Why carry yourself with such arrogance and self-satisfaction? You act as though you're the Lau family heiress!"

"I believe you're the one who's mistaken about their place. You're nothing more than a secretary to Qingmei. On what grounds do you speak to me with such haughtiness?"