Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Treasures: Mountain-Pacifying Platinum

With the Merit evaluations settled, the solemn atmosphere that had hung over everyone for days finally lifted.

Winter dusk fell, and a thin layer of snow covered the streets of Anping County.

Chu Bai found a restaurant in town, reserved a private table by the window, and invited Lü Qing to catch up.

The fire burned brightly. Warmed spirit wine sent a rich aroma wafting from a copper pot, while several delicate dishes still steamed.

Lü Qing raised his cup and studied Chu Bai across the table. After a long moment, he shook his head, unable to hide the astonishment in his eyes. "Junior Brother Chu, when we graduated from the Dao Academy, we were both at Qi Refining Third Layer. Given my family's Foundation Depth, I even thought I had a slight edge over you.

"But barely more than half a year has passed, and you've already reached Qi Refining Fifth Layer. At this rate, you'll leave your old classmates so far behind we won't even see your shadow."

Lü Qing was only at Qi Refining Fourth Layer, still lingering near its beginning. By his reckoning, reaching the threshold of the fifth would take at least another few months of hard cultivation.

Chu Bai smiled modestly and refilled Lü Qing's cup. "Life out here is lean and dangerous, but slaying demons tempers the will. Between life and death, insights do come more easily. I suppose I've had some luck."

"You have to live long enough to enjoy that luck."

Lü Qing gave a rueful smile and drained his cup, envy threading through his voice. "My post may carry the Merit Office's name and look impressive, but in truth, I run myself ragged between counties. If I work my way up step by step, I'll probably need another two or