Chapter 31: Free of Debt, Light of Heart

At the Hero Tower in Kaifeng, even after the full rankings were published, the crowd remained, unwilling to disperse. They gathered in small groups, engaged in heated discussion.

In the largest private room on the top floor, Li Xingyun, acting as the host, raised his glass and toasted: "The two fairy maidens are truly extraordinary. To be ranked so highly is now known to the world! Let us drink to this, in honor of you both!"

After everyone had finished their drinks, Li Xingyun spoke slowly: "After this, I will set off to find the descendants of Ou Yezi to reforge the Longquan Sword. I wonder what plans you all have?"

Although Li Xingyun addressed the group, his eyes drifted toward Gao Wu. The Yuan Tianshi had previously urged him to find a way to recruit Gao Wu. He hadn't been in a rush then, but now, in the blink of an eye, he realized he had no idea what kind of price he could offer to win him over.

"The Xuanming Cult hides a secret I wish to uncover. I plan to head to their main altar and challenge Zhu Yougui! Ahem, not me personally, of course—it will be our top-ranked expert on the Human List, the Fairy Zhou Zhiruo!"

Investigating the Xuanming Cult headquarters was something the three of them had already discussed. Only there could they find clues about the destruction of the Netherworld Cult. However, as three people from the modern era, they understood the importance of keeping their cards close to their chests. They had unanimously decided to wait until Gao Wu advanced to the Qi-Inhalation Realm and summoned another heroine, at which point they would surely give the Xuanming Cult a massive surprise.

Gao Wu was already at the pinnacle of the Martial Movement Realm, and the Qi within his body had already taken form; breaking through to the Qi-Inhalation Realm was merely a matter of time.

Zhang Zifan, seeing them look his way, shrugged. "I need to return to the Tongwen Hall. I’ve experienced much on this journey and need to report back to my foster father."

Gao Wu patted him on the shoulder. "A man must grow up eventually! Take care of yourself."

Zhang Zifan looked confused. "Pfft." He thought to himself, *I hope you can stay this optimistic after you meet your real father.*

"The Mistress of the Huanyin Pavilion ordered me to gather intelligence on you three, and she has instructed me to continue following you."

*Damn,* Gao Wu thought, *are spies this brazen nowadays?* "Hey, Miss Ji, aren't you going to follow Li Xingyun instead?"

No matter how cold and aloof Ji Ruxue was, she was still an ancient person; how could she handle such teasing from Gao Wu? "Bah! You lecherous man!"

"Heh heh, so you don't fancy Brother Xingyun after all! Haha... Xingyun, you had better give up your unrequited love!" The others joined in the teasing, while only Li Xingyun’s junior sister, Lu Linxuan, glared at Ji Ruxue with annoyance.

Several days passed. Gao Wu’s cultivation base completely stabilized, and he stepped into the Qi-Inhalation Realm. Upon entering this realm, one could begin to absorb the spiritual energy in the surrounding air that matched one's martial root, significantly increasing cultivation speed. Of course, this required a compatible technique. Many rogue cultivators or low-tier sects in the martial arts world were stuck at the Martial Movement Realm, or, if they were lucky enough to reach the Qi-Inhalation Realm, they could make no further progress because they lacked suitable techniques.

Gao Wu, however, lacked nothing in terms of methods, especially with his innate "Dragon Chant Nine Heavens Technique," which helped pave the way for his future advancement to the Mysterious Gate Realm. Although Liu Yifei and Zhou Zhiruo were both at the peak of the Innate Realm, they suffered from a lack of Mysterious Gate techniques and could not open their "Heavenly Gates" to break through the Innate barrier.

During these few days, Li Xingyun and Ji Ruxue had set off together to track down the descendants of Ou Yezi, while Zhang Zifan had returned to the Tongwen Hall with Qingguo and Qingcheng.

Gao Wu slowly withdrew his energy. The breakthrough left him feeling refreshed and invigorated.

"Gao Wu, the Wanbao Pavilion sent someone to deliver a letter for you!"

"Wanbao Pavilion? A payment reminder?" Gao Wu took the letter, muttering, "Isn't it too early for the due date?"

Opening the letter, he found it wasn't a demand for payment, but an invitation from Manager Tong to visit the Wanbao Pavilion for a chat.

"I wonder what Manager Tong wants, to insist on me coming over in person!"

Liu Yifei snorted coldly, "The creditor calls, and you dare not go?"

"I'm the one who owes the money now; I'm the boss!" Gao Wu laughed triumphantly. "If I'm not in a good mood, I’ll show this Manager Tong what a 'financial deadbeat' really is!"

"Bah, isn't that just refusing to pay your debts? How can you call that being a 'financial deadbeat'?"

Inside the Wanbao Pavilion, business was as brisk as ever. It was like a massive department store, bustling with people coming and going. Every time Gao Wu visited, he couldn't help but wonder about the owner's daughter—if there even was one.

In the VIP room, Manager Tong walked in, slightly tipsy, with a blush on her face that made her look exceptionally enchanting. "Master Gao, you have kept me in the dark for so long!"

"Hey, Manager Tong, let's be clear—what have I kept from you?"

"Well, the top two on the Human List—are they not the young ladies currently by your side?"

Gao Wu was startled. *The Wanbao Pavilion got the information that quickly? Was it leaked by the Bu Liang Ren, or the Tongwen Hall, or the Huanyin Pavilion? It’s all possible. None of these factions are up to any good!*

Liu Yifei and Zhou Zhiruo, who had come with him, were left at the inn to practice. Manager Tong stared at Liu Yifei as if she were looking at a priceless treasure. Liu Yifei was wearing a veil and had not revealed her true face, but it was clear the Wanbao Pavilion had obtained definitive information confirming that the lady in white was indeed the "Little Dragon Maiden"—third on the Beauty List, second on the Human List, and thirty-sixth on the Earth List.

Manager Tong, as the manager of the Wanbao Pavilion, was well-traveled and knowledgeable, but she had never seen anyone like the Little Dragon Maiden and couldn't help but stare a little longer.

"Hey, hey, Manager Tong, 'star-chasing' costs money. You can't just stare for free, can you?"

"'Star-chasing'? Costs money?" A flicker of confusion crossed Manager Tong's eyes, then they gradually brightened.

"Exactly! Think about how many people want to see the Little Dragon Maiden, how many want her autograph, and how many women want to wear the same dresses or carry the same 'Lady's Sword' as her. This is all business!"

Manager Tong was no longer tipsy; she was spirited, her eyes gleaming like gold. However, Gao Wu suddenly felt a chill. Ah, it was Liu Yifei’s cold, icy gaze. Gao Wu understood instantly—Liu Yifei was unhappy that he was "monetizing" her. He immediately shut his mouth and stopped talking about star-chasing.

"Manager Tong, may I ask why you invited me here today?"

"Oh, you might not know, but every major faction is offering high prices to purchase information on the Little Dragon Maiden and Zhou Zhiruo. Dozens of factions have already come to the Wanbao Pavilion to inquire!"

"That many?" Gao Wu was genuinely surprised. He had no idea what these factions were planning.

"Both young ladies have reached the peak of the Innate Realm at such a young age; their futures are limitless. Building a rapport with them now would be infinitely beneficial later."

"I see! And how does Manager Tong intend to build this rapport?"

Manager Tong cast a flirtatious glance at Gao Wu, thinking, *This young man's mind is truly sharp and meticulous; he is not as reckless as he appears on the surface.* Unfortunately, Gao Wu could not read her thoughts, or he would have vehemently denied it!

"I have already petitioned the head office for approval: all of your debts to the Wanbao Pavilion are forgiven!"

"The Wanbao Pavilion is truly generous!"

Although Gao Wu had never taken the loans seriously—believing he had the ability to repay them—having them wiped clean was even better. Nothing beats the lightness of being debt-free!