The Detaching Emotions Arhat formed his fingers into a sword and pointed them at the two Demon-Sealing Nails in Xu Qi An’s back.

Golden lightning shot from his fingertips, connecting with one of the nails in the Governing Vessel.

Xu Qi An’s back erupted in pain as if stabbed by a sword.

And this pain was only beginning.

The Arhat’s withered right arm suddenly bulged with muscle, veins protruding on the back of his hand. As he exerted force to pull, the Demon-Sealing Nail gradually emerged.

This caused Xu Qi An’s wounds to split open, and the remaining seven nails resonated with each other, jointly resisting removal.

“Mmph…”

Xu Qi An groaned, his vision repeatedly darkening, sweat glands working overtime, his face contorted in agony…

His reaction was much better than last time—not because the pain had lessened, but because his restored divine consciousness had strengthened his pain tolerance.

But the Arhat’s expenditure of power was no less than what Shenshu’s severed arm had required.

His withered frame had swollen to match a Vajra warrior’s build, streams of golden light coursing over his skin. The golden lightning at his fingertips blazed blindingly, like an electrical arc at maximum power.

Moreover, the halo behind his head was no longer gentle but burst forth with dazzling radiance.

Blazingly bright!

At this moment, anyone looking toward the Star-Watching Tower would see a sun-like orb of light at its peak.

This process continued for five minutes until finally, with two clear “dings,” two Demon-Sealing Nails fell to the ground.

As the nails fell, the Arhat’s aura rapidly weakened, his body shrinking back to its withered state. He closed his exhausted eyes and silently pressed his palms together.

After the nails sealing the Governing Vessel were removed, the qi in Xu Qi An’s dantian was like violently shaken soda in a bottle.

With overwhelming force, it instantly coursed through the Governing Vessel and erupted outward.

“ROAR…”

Xu Qi An soared into the air, head thrown back, unleashing the Buddhist Lion’s Roar from his throat.

Qi burst forth from his throat, eyes, and Baihui acupoint, shooting skyward. The layers of white clouds above the Star-Watching Tower instantly scattered.

The entire Celestial Observatory building trembled slightly, like an earthquake.

Such was the terrifying might of a Third-Grade warrior.

Across the capital, countless gazes turned toward them—government warriors, jianghu fighters, noble retainers, Human Path experts, and others. All cultivators noticed the disturbance at the Star-Watching Tower.

At the Palace of Mental Peace, the Yongxing Emperor, who had just finished his evening meal, heard a thunderous lion’s roar from afar, though the sound was somewhat distorted by the time it reached the palace.

“What was that disturbance?”

Surrounded by palace eunuchs, the Yongxing Emperor hurried out to look.

From under the eaves, he gazed toward the Celestial Observatory. The sunset was blood-red, and there wasn’t a single white cloud above the Star-Watching Tower, though ripple-like cloud formations gathered around it.

It was as if some force had violently scattered them from the center, causing them to pile up in layers around the edges.

“Perhaps the Observatory Master had an enlightenment during cultivation,” a young eunuch suggested with a smile.

Such phenomena occurring elsewhere would require vigilance and investigation, but at the Celestial Observatory, one need only watch with interest.

After all, no one could cause trouble there.

The Yongxing Emperor’s expression relaxed slightly and he nodded, about to return inside to rest when he suddenly frowned and ordered a nearby eunuch:

“Go summon the commander of the palace guard on duty.”

Among Emperor Yuanjing’s children, he was one of the few “resilient” princes who had survived the Body Tempering realm, and now he had reached the Qi Condensation realm.

Though limited by talent and busy with state affairs, which had caused his cultivation to stagnate…

As a warrior, he could still distinguish the qi of his system.

Qi was energy unique to warriors, though practitioners of other systems could forcibly cultivate qi after reaching high grades, mostly as a supplementary measure.

Shortly after, the palace guard commander hurried over with his soldiers.

The Yongxing Emperor stood under the eaves, looking down at the commander on the steps:

“Was that disturbance from the Observatory just now a qi fluctuation?”

The commander clasped his hands: “Indeed it was a qi fluctuation.”

The Emperor nodded, asking thoughtfully: “Such a significant disturbance—the grade must not be low?”

The commander frowned slightly, not answering.

The Emperor stared at him, stepped forward, and demanded sternly: “Your Emperor is asking you a question.”

“Your Majesty, this servant cannot estimate. The qi fluctuation just now was vast and mighty, beyond what a Fourth-Grade warrior could produce.”

As a Fourth-Grade warrior himself, the commander had the authority and confidence to make such a judgment.

Beyond a Fourth-Grade warrior… A sharp light seemed to flash in the Emperor’s eyes, though he concealed it well, and ordered:

“Go to the Observatory immediately and inquire about the situation.”

“Yes!”

After dismissing the commander, the Emperor quickly turned, not hiding his urgency and excitement, and urged:

“Go to Shaoyin Palace at once and request Princess Lin’an’s presence.”

The eunuch hesitated, reminding him: “Should Your Majesty move to the Imperial Study?”

It was past dinner time, and according to palace rules, princesses shouldn’t visit the Emperor’s private chambers.

The Emperor nodded: “Tell her to come to the Imperial Study immediately.”

…

At Dexin Court.

Huaiqing stood on the upturned corner of the black roof in her pure white dress, gazing toward the Star-Watching Tower.

“He’s returned?”

She murmured, an almost imperceptible joy flashing in her clear eyes.

She immediately floated down from the roof and summoned the captain of Dexin Court’s guards, ordering:

“Go inform the Department of Ceremonies that I am leaving the palace.”

…

It seems that Silver Badge Xu hasn’t been in the capital lately… Li Lingsu had overheard but didn’t pay particular attention, just listening as his junior sister chatted with this noble white-robed mystic.

“Haven’t done much, just wandering around, seeing the sights. Rather boring really,” Li Meizhen said.

“Indeed!” Chu Yuanzhen agreed.

Why torture yourself?

If you knew he’d caused chaos at the Buddhist temple in Leizhou, snatching the Pagoda of Relics right in front of the Vajra warriors; if you knew he’d overwhelmed numerous Fourth-Grade experts in Yong Province, plotting with the National Preceptor to capture an Arhat… how could you live with yourself?

Li Meizhen and Chu Yuanzhen felt it best to keep quiet for Yang Qianxuan’s mental well-being.

“By the way, why do all the Observatory brothers carry paper and brushes?” Li Meizhen changed the subject.

She was also curious about this phenomenon—it hadn’t been like this before.

Yang Qianxuan snorted: “Because that mute Sun Xuanji is back.”

Sun Xuanji?

Li Meizhen, Chu Yuanzhen, and Hengyuan had only heard of Sun Xuanji’s reputation as the Observatory Master’s second disciple.

But they couldn’t understand what carrying writing materials had to do with this second disciple.

Li Lingsu, however, immediately understood Yang Qianxuan’s meaning and said:

“I see, then they need writing materials. Hmm, I should prepare some too.”

The other three looked questioningly at the Holy Son. They hadn’t met Sun Xuanji, but it seemed Li Lingsu was quite familiar with the Observatory Master’s second disciple.

Li Lingsu hesitated: “Speaking ill of others behind their backs isn’t gentlemanly. Well… Senior Brother Sun isn’t very talkative, he has a slight speech impediment.”

Li Meizhen suddenly realized: “Senior Brother Sun has a severe speech impediment, he might even be mute.”

Chu Yuanzhen added: “Conversing with Senior Brother Sun must be quite painful.”

Hengyuan: “Amitabha!”

Li Lingsu’s composure cracked as he stared at the three in shock and confusion: “How did you know?!”

Li Meizhen, Chu Yuanzhen, and Master Hengyuan exchanged glances, all feeling “as expected” and “worthy of the Celestial Observatory.”

Then Chu Yuanzhen and Master Hengyuan exchanged private looks:

Li Meizhen was like the pot calling the kettle black!

This was a clear and direct chain of contempt.

Suddenly, everyone felt the ground tremble slightly, dust falling from the ceiling.

A terrifying and powerful aura penetrated the building, descending upon them like an ancient demon god awakening from slumber.

Transcendent realm?!

Everyone present except Miao Youfang had strong sect backgrounds and rich experience, and was very familiar with the aura of the Transcendent realm.

Regardless of the system, after crossing into the Third Grade, one’s life essence transformed, no longer belonging to the mortal realm, and would generate a corresponding pressure.

Mortals facing Transcendent realm experts would feel pressure from a higher form of life.

One flex of such might would bring mortals to their knees.

More of Xu Qi An’s seals have been removed… The three showed joy on their faces.

Is it Senior Xu? Has Senior Xu recovered his cultivation?

Li Lingsu’s heart trembled as he too showed joy when suddenly he heard the white-robed mystic in the stone chamber roar angrily:

“Xu Qi An has recovered his cultivation? Damn it, why so fast? I haven’t had time to replace him yet, and he’s already recovered his cultivation?!”

“No, you can’t do this to me, no!”

The white-robed mystic spread his arms and howled at the sky.

He said Xu Qi An had recovered his cultivation.

The one causing such a disturbance wasn’t Senior Xu, but Xu Qi An.

These words had an enlightening effect, instantly allowing Li Lingsu to piece together various fragments of detail.

Xu Qian was from the capital, and so was Xu Qi An.

Xu Qian was a Transcendent realm expert, and so was Xu Qi An.

Xu Qian was collecting dragon qi, which had only dispersed after the Great Zhou Emperor’s death.

Li Meizhen showed no respect to Xu Qian, and the other two Earth Book fragment holders didn’t treat him as their senior.

And just now, this white-robed mystic said the one who recovered his cultivation was Xu Qi An!

… A thunderbolt struck Li Lingsu’s mind with a “boom,” causing his expression to gradually freeze and his pupils to dilate.

After a while, he slowly turned his head to look at the three Earth Book fragment holders.

“Is… is Xu Qian Xu Qi An?”

The Holy Son stared at them intently.

Li Meizhen couldn’t hide her amusement: “Looks like you’ve figured it out.”

Li Lingsu’s face twitched violently: “W-why didn’t you tell me?”

Chu Yuanzhen said earnestly: “He concealed his identity to avoid enemies while collecting dragon qi. You’ve traveled with him long enough to see that many covet what he has.”

“Like the Buddhist sect!” the Holy Son nodded.

He let out a mental sigh of relief. It didn’t matter whether Xu Qian was Xu Qi An or Xu Qi An was Xu Qian—either way, he was a Transcendent realm expert.

Acting as a junior before a Transcendent realm expert wasn’t shameful, even if that expert was his peer.

Xu Qian—no, Xu Qi An—had played the role of a senior expert mainly because the mission required it, forced by circumstances.

He and Xu Qi An had never met before, so there was no shame in not knowing each other.

If they had been old friends and one had fooled the other this way, that would have been truly embarrassing.

The Holy Son considered this and felt it wasn’t so bad, his embarrassment easing slightly.

“So Xu Qian is Xu Qi An. Guess I won’t need to look for him to share that drink after all.”

Li Lingsu smiled, deliberately speaking this way and even self-deprecating to show he wasn’t embarrassed at all.

He even thought of a better approach. The Holy Son snorted and said with a laugh:

“You don’t know how good he was at playing the role of an expert. He even recited a poem… something about ‘achieving the Dao eight hundred autumns ago, never using flying swords to take lives…'”

He recited the entire poem and said: “Thinking about it now, I feel embarrassed for him.”

Yes, the better approach was to actively embarrass Xu Qi An by exposing his pretentious behavior.

This way, Li Meizhen, and the others would downplay how he had been calling “Senior” like a grandson all this time.

“Shameless!”

A sudden shout made Li Lingsu turn in surprise to see the white-robed mystic in the room, seemingly triggered, repeatedly muttering the poem.

With a mix of excitement, jealousy, and indignation, he said:

“The reason I can’t surpass him is because he can write poetry… how unfair…

“He’s just a young upstart, putting on such airs.”

Li Lingsu’s lips curled in a smile as he agreed: “Right? But let’s keep this between us, no need to spread it around.”

He feared Xu Qi An’s retaliation.

The Holy Son turned back to look casually at Li Meizhen and the others, only to find them wearing strange expressions as if examining an idiot.

“You all…”

The Holy Son’s heart sank.

Li Meizhen said softly: “We forgot to tell you something.”

Chu Yuanzhen sighed: “Xu Qi An is also an Earth Book fragment holder.”

As Li Lingsu’s face instantly turned pale, Master Hengyuan delivered the final blow:

“He also knows you’re an Earth Book fragment holder. We all know Number Seven and Daoist Li are closely connected, possibly even from the same sect.”

Li Lingsu staggered, as if unable to bear such a shock, stumbling backward until he leaned against the wall and slowly slid down.

He knew I was a Heaven and Earth Society member, and he was one too, yet he didn’t say anything, watching me respectfully calling him “Senior” over and over…

Li Lingsu recalled all the moments from their travels together…

Li Meizhen said quite cheerfully: “Ah, we still need to go see Zhong Li. Let’s head over.”

Finally, I’m not the most embarrassed one anymore… Chu Yuanzhen nodded with a smile: “Alright.”

The two walked away down the dim corridor. Seeing the Holy Son’s lifeless expression, Master Hengyuan felt sympathy and said:

“Amitabha, Fellow Daoist Li…”

Li Lingsu interrupted listlessly: “Master, let me be alone.”

Master Hengyuan shook his head helplessly and followed his companions.

After the Holy Son had been despondent for a while, he heard a sigh from the room:

“You seem to have been deeply poisoned by Xu Qi An as well.”

Li Lingsu’s voice was emotionless: “Too bad I’m no match for him.”

Yang Qianxuan said solemnly: “You speak my mind.”

Li Lingsu’s eyes regained some spirit: “What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist?”

“It’s a long story…”

…

Eight Trigrams Platform.

Night fell as the sun finally sank below the horizon.

Xu Qi An calmed his turbulent qi and examined himself, delighted to find that with his Governing Vessel cleared, he could now mobilize eighty percent of his qi.

Before dual cultivating with Luo Yuheng, eighty percent qi would have made him the weakest of Third-Grade warriors.

After dual cultivation, his current eighty percent qi was equivalent to a warrior who had just entered the Third Grade.

In other words, Xu Qi An’s cultivation had now passed the early third-grade stage but hadn’t reached the middle stage.

Of course, his physical strength remained sealed. In close combat with a Third-Grade warrior, he would be at a disadvantage.

“Now if I face Dunanjin Vajra again, even if I can’t win, I won’t be so pathetic. He likewise won’t be able to capture or kill me.

“In my future jianghu travels, I won’t need to hide so much anymore.”

…

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.

Lin’an arrived at the Imperial Study with two personal maids.

The maids naturally remained at the bottom of the steps outside, watching their mistress ascend and enter the room, led by the eunuch guarding the study.

The Imperial Study was brightly lit with candles and luxuriously furnished. The Yongxing Emperor sat behind a large desk draped in yellow silk, reviewing memorials.

“Imperial Brother, why did you summon me?”

Lin’an asked in her sweet voice.

The Yongxing Emperor hurriedly put down the memorial and went to meet her, smiling:

“Dear sister, I have a favor to ask of you.”