Chapter 20

In Qinglian's stammering narration, Hu Gaocai finally understood the whole story, his complexion pale. At the time, Hu Gaocai had been pierced by Bai Xiao's sword, and although he narrowly avoided being directly exploded by the primordial energy, his body was devoid of any vital signs, with only his heart still beating slowly, as if one foot was already in the grave.

Under the patriarch's instructions, numerous martial artists skilled in healing from the medical team spared no expense, using all their best techniques, some even resorting to their most secret methods to treat Hu Gaocai. Unfortunately, after all their efforts, there was no effect, and within a day, the entire medical team, including the internal affairs elder Hu Haisheng, was completely disheartened.

When the High Priest learned of this news, he was furious and personally visited the medical team to inspect Hu Gaocai's condition. Since only the High Priest was present at the time, no one knew what happened, but afterward, Patriarch Hu Zhen Tian took Hu Gaocai directly from the medical team back to his own home.

What was most surprising was that this old fox, upon discovering that Wu Shuang was out on a training journey, simply placed Hu Gaocai in her room. Since it had already been decided that Hu Wushuang would marry Hu Gaocai, the other elders could not say a word against it.

By the time Qinglian heard the news and rushed over, the entire room was silent, with only Hu Yinxue standing like a human statue by the bed, guarding Hu Gaocai, and repeatedly muttering, "How could he have gotten better on his own?"

After that, Qinglian found that Hu Gaocai's body was already fine, but his soul seemed to be in a strange state, so she acted to pull him back from the brink of death.

Hu Gaocai carefully reflected on the entire process, which made him even more convinced that the jade pendant was responsible for his recovery. Moreover, he suspected that the High Priest might have discovered some secret, which was why he suddenly became a hot commodity, attracting the attention of the clan's leaders, who were willing to abandon their principles to curry favor with him.

"Phew, why is everything so chaotic!" Hu Gaocai was truly speechless. He had been there for only a few days and hadn't had a single good day. It was really a headache.

Since Hu Yinxue had clearly indicated that she hoped he wouldn't stay, Hu Gaocai didn't want to linger. As the saying goes, "Even a golden nest or a silver nest is not as good as one's own humble abode." Since his injuries were already completely healed, it was more comfortable to stay at home!

"Qinglian, let's go!"

"Go? What do you mean?"

"It means saying goodbye to this place..."

"Goodbye, what does that mean?"

...

Hu Gaocai and Qinglian laughed and left the patriarch's home. Perhaps because Hu Yinxue had already given notice, no guards appeared, and the patriarch's household seemed sparsely populated. They wound their way through several pavilions and gardens without seeing a single person, making one wonder what such a large residence was for.

If it weren't for Qinglian's previous visits to the patriarch's home, Hu Gaocai would have been afraid of getting lost. By the time they left the main gate, he was almost in a state of collapse. If he were to marry the proud Hu Wushuang in the future, he would have to stay in such a terrifying place, "Qinglian, in the future, we must not live in such a large place. Life is best when two people squeeze into a small house, leaning on a recliner, eating, and chatting about endless topics. That's what makes life interesting!"

"Um, Big Brother..." Qinglian's face instantly turned red, "Qinglian will go back first."

Hu Gaocai nodded. The patriarch's home was quite close to his current residence, but in a different direction from the Qing branch's residence. "I'll report to the War Academy tomorrow. Qinglian, you must come to see me when you have time."

"Okay!" Qinglian nodded vigorously and then turned to walk in the opposite direction. However, just as Hu Gaocai turned to leave, she turned back, watching his gradually receding figure until her eyes became moist, muttering, "Big Brother, goodbye..."

It wasn't until much later, when he saw Qinglian again, that Hu Gaocai realized how much he should have looked back at that moment.

"Still, it's more comfortable to be back at home." Returning to Qinggao's residence, Hu Gaocai stretched his limbs and sighed.

His eyes casually scanned the room. Despite being away for a few days, the house was still spotless. Was this to tell him that someone was always watching him?

No matter, it's time to focus on cultivation! Hu Gaocai felt that since he had awakened, his spirit was particularly good. He sat cross-legged and began to circulate the [Guiyuan Yiqi Flow]. However, as soon as he entered the cultivation state, the天地能量 (heavenly and earthly energy) surged into his body through every pore as if it had gone mad.

This energy was transformed into primordial energy by the secret technique and quickly surged through Hu Gaocai's body like a flood, with a faint rumbling sound. Such a large disturbance would surely burst all his meridians.

"Gurgling!"

Not only was the primordial energy surging, but when he looked inward at his qi sea, Hu Gaocai was startled to see that the five-clawed golden dragon totem, which was less than half a foot long, had opened its mouth, its eyes flashing with golden light, and was emitting a golden glow that penetrated into Hu Gaocai's flesh and bones.

"How strange, it's not the primordial energy that's refining my body, but the golden light emitted by the five-clawed golden dragon. And my body seems to be getting stronger and more powerful."

Hu Gaocai was very puzzled. Hu Feng had explained to him that at the initial stage of the Condensation Shadow Realm, one could not refine the body, but only condense the totem. However, he could now feel a force strengthening his body, which was quite unbelievable.

As the primordial energy continued to surge in, the blood snake totem in the qi sea also began to rapidly condense. The small snake, which had curled up after the injury, started to slowly wriggle.

The condensation of the primordial energy and the totem gradually formed a cycle, and Hu Gaocai's aura began to rise wildly, and his realm started to rapidly ascend.

Condensation Shadow Realm, First Stage!

Condensation Shadow Realm, Second Stage!

Condensation Shadow Realm, Third Stage!

In just a short while, the aura emanating from Hu Gaocai had already reached the Third Stage of the Condensation Shadow Realm.

The transition from the Third Stage to the Fourth Stage of the Condensation Shadow Realm was a significant hurdle. If he could break through, it would mean he had advanced from an early-stage Condensation Shadow Realm martial artist to a mid-stage one. Although it was just a one-character difference, it was still a significant step forward.

"Break through!"

When the first rays of sunlight of the next day penetrated through the window, Hu Gaocai almost shouted in a fit of rage. His qi sea suddenly contracted violently, as if an invisible gate had been breached. Immediately, the primordial energy in his body surged like a flood, causing his aura to rise instantly.

Condensation Shadow Realm, Fourth Stage!

Hu Gaocai opened his eyes, stood up, and his eyes were filled with excitement and confidence. From today on, he was a mid-stage Condensation Shadow Realm martial artist.

Of course, the most important thing was that Hu Gaocai had proven with his god-like cultivation speed that he was definitely a genius!