One Step, One Rank

He sat back down before the chessboard, picked up a black piece, and did not place it for a long while.

"I'm still worried," he finally said. "When has Rongrong ever suffered this kind of grievance in her life?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled. "So Uncle Sword asked me to play chess today because you wanted me to agree to let you go to Suotuo City—both to meet that boy and secretly protect Rongrong?"

Having had his thoughts exposed, Chen Xin nodded calmly. "Yes."

Ning Fengzhi shook his head, his tone still gentle. "Uncle Sword, Rongrong needs real growth, not to be sheltered somewhere else. If you keep watching over her from the shadows, she will never learn independence."

Chen Xin's fingers tightened slightly around the chess piece.

After a long while, he pressed the black piece heavily onto the board.

"You're becoming more and more like a merchant, Sect Master," he said coldly. "You can even scheme against your own daughter."

"It isn't scheming. It's an investment," Ning Fengzhi replied with a smile. "An investment in her future."

If some gold and silver could earn the loyalty of a future powerhouse, Ning Fengzhi would have gladly sent out even more money.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect lacked nothing less than money.

The game continued.

But Chen Xin had clearly lost all interest in chess. After a few more moves, he pushed the board aside and conceded.

"I'm done." He rose and headed for the door.

"Take care, Uncle Sword." Ning Fengzhi watched him leave with a gentle expression.

When he reached the door, Chen Xin suddenly stopped and turned back. "If that boy comes to Heaven Dou City, tell me immediately."

"I certainly will," Ning Fengzhi replied.

Only then did Chen Xin push open the door and leave.

The Study returned to silence. Ning Fengzhi sat alone before the chessboard, gazing at the unfinished game. Then he suddenly chuckled and shook his head.

"Uncle Sword, Uncle Sword. You have devoted your entire life to the sword, yet you do not know that the human heart is more complicated than any blade."

He raised a hand and used Soul Power to gather up the chess pieces one by one.

"That Zhou Qiubai... I truly want to meet him. There aren't many people on this continent who can make my Uncle Sword care so deeply."

The next day, Zhou Qiubai walked out of the medicinal herb shop with several exquisite jade boxes in his arms.

With fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins in hand, he had not held back in the slightest during this shopping trip.

"Money comes quickly, and it goes quickly too." He weighed the now-lighter purse in his hand and shook his head, though he no longer cared.

He loved money, but he would not skimp when it was time to spend it.

"But it was worth it," he muttered to himself.

The better the medicinal ingredients for the bath, the more pronounced the results.

If he could break through to level twenty-seven, or even twenty-eight this time, then with his outstanding swordsmanship, he believed he could hold his own against opponents who had just entered the Soul King realm.

When the shopkeeper saw him return, a smile immediately appeared on his face. "Young Master Zhou, out buying medicinal herbs again?"

"Mm." Zhou Qiubai nodded. Just as he was about to head upstairs, he suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right. I'll be checking out in a few days."

The shopkeeper froze for a moment. "So soon? Young Master, aren't you planning to stay in Suotuo City for a few more days?"

"It's time to go," Zhou Qiubai answered blandly. "Those who roam the world can't stay in one place for too long."

"That's true." The shopkeeper sighed. "I wish you a smooth journey, Young Master. Would you like me to prepare some travel rations for you?"

"I'd appreciate that." Zhou Qiubai smiled faintly.

He returned to his room, laid out the medicinal ingredients one by one, and began preparing the medicinal bath after confirming that nothing was missing.

Bone-piercing cold instantly enveloped his entire body, followed by the warmth of the Blood Ginseng's heat. The sensation of Ice and Fire intertwining made him let out a muffled groan.

He sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes, focusing his mind.

This time, the medicinal power was far more violent than in the previous two baths.

The cold pierced every inch of his meridians like needles, while the heat scorched every bone like flames.

Time slowly passed.

The darkness outside the window quietly turned to dawn, then dawn gave way to dusk.

The color of the medicinal liquid in the wooden tub gradually faded until it was almost transparent.

When Zhou Qiubai opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashed within them before quickly receding.

"Level twenty-seven." Zhou Qiubai sensed the fluctuations of his Soul Power, and the corners of his lips rose slightly.

Three medicinal baths had taken him from level twenty-five to level twenty-seven, breaking through two ranks in succession.

If news of such speed got out, countless Soul Masters would surely envy him. But he knew that it was all thanks to the unique nature of the Blood Essence Soul Ring, as well as this nearly extravagant method of cultivation through medicinal baths.

What ordinary Soul Master would be willing to spend fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins on medicinal herbs just to soak in a bath?

But the one thing that pained him was...

Back to square one after a single night!

No, wait, hadn't several days already passed?

After getting dressed, he packed away the remaining medicinal ingredients and carefully checked his luggage.

The White Clothes Sword hung at his waist. More than ten thousand Gold Soul Coins remained in his purse, and with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Soul Crystal Card and Sword Talisman, he had enough to wander freely and travel for quite some time.

"Time to leave."

Zhou Qiubai slung his luggage over his back and pushed open the door.

By the time he went downstairs, the shopkeeper had already prepared the rations.

Several meat pies, a bag of steamed buns, and a flask of water.

Zhou Qiubai accepted them. After thanking him, he paid an extra ten Gold Soul Coins.

"Young Master, this is too much..." The shopkeeper hurriedly tried to refuse.

Though he had stayed several days longer than expected, the young man had caused no trouble. On the contrary, he had helped bring in quite a bit of business.

"It's not much." Zhou Qiubai placed the money on the counter and smiled. "You've taken care of me these past days."

With that, he turned and left the inn.

Zhou Qiubai did not rush toward the city gates.

Some things needed a fitting conclusion.

At the Great Soul Arena, Zhao Yan was still occupied with his work. The moment he turned around and saw Zhou Qiubai, his eyes lit up.

"Brother Zhou, you're finally here!" He hurried over in a few quick strides. "It's been more than half a month since we last met."

"Half a month?" Zhou Qiubai was slightly taken aback. I thought it had only been a few days. Who would have thought half a month had passed in the blink of an eye?

"Exactly!" Zhao Yan rubbed his hands together. "And today, you are..."

"One last match." Zhou Qiubai smiled faintly.

"The last one?" Zhao Yan froze.

"I'm leaving Suotuo City." Zhou Qiubai looked toward the entrance of the Soul Fighting Arena, a hint of gentleness in his eyes. "Before I leave, I want to put a full stop to these days. Manager Zhao, can you arrange a match for me? The stronger the opponent, the better."

Regret flashed across Zhao Yan's face, but he quickly nodded. "All right! Please wait a moment. I'll arrange it right away!"

Someone like him was destined not to remain in one place.

But wasn't that how the world worked?

People met and parted. Every farewell was meant to lead to the next reunion.

In half a month, he had risen from level twenty-five to level twenty-seven. He had experienced two battles against stronger opponents and gained greatly from them.

"Brother Zhou!" Not long after, Zhao Yan ran back, panting heavily. "It's arranged! But... the opponent is a little unusual."

"How so?"

"He's a Soul Elder who just obtained his third Soul Ring, level thirty-one." Zhao Yan lowered his voice and spoke mysteriously. "But he's a student of Shrek Academy—the same Dai Mubai you fought last time."

"Shrek?"

Dai Mubai's furious face flashed through Zhou Qiubai's mind.

"Name?"

"Tang San."

Who would have thought...