Chapter Nineteen: The Lie Family's Citywide Manhunt

Sunlight broke through the dawn, and the breath of morning filled the world. Su Yi pushed open the door, and the fresh air invigorated him; he could not help but greedily inhale several deep breaths, stretching his body.

Feeling the strength coursing through his muscles and bones, Su Yi paused for a moment before understanding. The events of yesterday flashed through his mind, and he clenched his fist, murmuring, "I've truly broken through to the seventh stage of Qi."

The seventh stage was the final barrier on the path of Qi cultivation, and breaking through was no easy feat. Many lingered at this threshold for years, and the differences in cultivation became apparent here.

For once this barrier was crossed, the eighth and ninth stages of Qi were comparatively easier to cultivate. Barring unforeseen circumstances, most could reach the ninth stage and then attempt to condense a Qi Cyclone—the gateway from Qi to Battle Qi.

Even with Su Yi's extraordinary cultivation speed, he had always felt this hurdle was not easily overcome. Reflecting on this, he felt a surge of gratitude.

Had it not been for the energy from yesterday's poisonous gas, he doubted he would have broken through so easily, especially after having failed three times before.

"I should consolidate my progress," Su Yi mused. Though his physical strength already matched a third-rank Battle Practitioner, he still held a particular fondness for cultivating Battle Qi.

Having decided, Su Yi found an open space surrounded by trees, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and adjusted his breathing, slowly entering a meditative state. He felt the vibrant energy around him, attempting to guide it into his body.

Now, at the seventh stage of Qi—and already in its advanced phase—he absorbed this energy at twice the speed he had before breaking through. The suction generated by his internal Qi gradually drew external energy into his bones, meridians, and flesh.

Su Yi had undergone this kind of cultivation countless times and was long accustomed to it, often spending half a day in such practice.

But today, he did not linger in cultivation. He soon hurried to the Treasure Appraisal Room. Usually, there was little business there, and the atmosphere was leisurely, but yesterday, Elder Yang, who managed the room, was absent. Su Yi was unsure if he would come today, but as a member of the staff, he had to check in.

There was also the matter of the medicinal herbs acquired from the Lie family. Though he had hidden them, Su Yi still wanted to investigate any news related to them, so he could prepare accordingly.

As Su Yi entered the Appraisal Room, an elderly man looked up and nodded slightly, saying, "You're here."

Su Yi, somewhat surprised, nodded and walked over, quietly saying, "I thought you wouldn't come today, Elder Yang."

"It's just some trivial matters, won't take long," Elder Yang replied, then paused, his voice slightly unnatural as he continued, "But I heard that yesterday, someone auctioned off a high-grade Xuan level Battle Technique. You were lucky—usually, hardly anyone comes here..."

Su Yi shook his head, unsure how to respond. Since his cultivation had suffered a sharp decline, Elder Yang's attitude had changed. Though he was not hostile like Di Yuan and the others, his manner was cold and indifferent.

He spoke to Su Yi as little as possible, as if Su Yi did not exist. Though they'd worked together for some time, their conversations were scarce, each silently attending to their own affairs.

Su Yi felt helpless but understood. In this world, only the strong drew attention; the weak received no pity.

He could not fault Elder Yang for this and adapted over time. Yet today, Elder Yang had unexpectedly greeted him and spoke at length, leaving Su Yi wondering at his intentions.

From his words, it seemed he was dissatisfied that Su Yi had received the fortune of dealing with the auction of a high-grade Battle Technique yesterday. Indeed, such luck would upset anyone. When the capable achieve little, and the incapable receive windfalls, it is hard not to feel unsettled.

Seeing Su Yi silent, Elder Yang gave a light "hmph," saying no more. The atmosphere between them grew strangely tense, each occupied with their own tasks, until the mood was broken by a hurried, somewhat flustered set of footsteps.

Su Yi glanced at the newcomer and smiled gently. "Miss Lan'er."

It was the maid named Lan'er. She entered with her head slightly lowered, but upon hearing a greeting, she looked up, her expression somewhat startled.

Recognizing Su Yi, she paused briefly before nodding lightly. Then, bowing her head, she nervously said to Elder Yang, "I'm sorry, I—I'm late..."

Elder Yang did not look up, merely responding with a muted "mm." Seeing this, Lan'er secretly stuck out her tongue and went about her work, which was simply to clean the Appraisal Room as scheduled—it happened to be her turn today.

Judging by the fine sweat on her upturned nose, she must have rushed here—had something happened?

Curious, Su Yi approached her, looking at the maid whose features were rather pretty, and asked quietly, "Miss Lan'er, you seem hurried. Did something happen?"

"Ah?" Lan'er had not expected Su Yi to speak to her so directly and was momentarily at a loss. After a pause, she glanced at him, hesitated, and finally replied softly, "It's nothing, really... I was just chatting with the girls and lost track of time..."

"Oh? What did you talk about?" As soon as he spoke, Su Yi regretted it. When women gather, they naturally discuss matters of their own, and asking such a question seemed presumptuous. He worried it might offend Lan'er.

Yet to his surprise, Lan'er stared at him in disbelief and asked, "You—you don't know?"

"Know what?" Seeing her expression, Su Yi sensed something was amiss.

Lan'er, noting Su Yi's confusion, lowered her voice, "The news is everywhere. Yesterday, after the auction ended, someone robbed the Lie family and stole that high-grade Xuan level Battle Technique. The Lie family is conducting a citywide search..."

The Lie family robbed again? Su Yi was stunned. The stolen goods from last time still lay quietly in his small room—could it happen again? His surprise was mixed with amusement and disbelief.

It seemed as if fate was playing tricks on the Lie family: twice struck by inexplicable calamity, their losses mounting. Could the city's most powerful clan, having held the top seat in Changling City for years, truly be brought low by such absurd misfortune?

Altogether, the Lie family had lost nearly one hundred and twenty thousand gold coins—conservatively estimated. Such a loss could empty their coffers, and no matter how strong they were, they could not bear it. Yet the greater the loss, the fiercer their rage.

This so-called citywide search was something Su Yi had never seen in his three years here, nor had Changling City witnessed anything like it in three decades. Clearly, the Lie family was determined to kill.

Those medicinal herbs must remain hidden, or his own life would be forfeit, Su Yi thought with a bitter smile.

Meanwhile, Lan'er's mind was also in turmoil. She wondered, did he truly not know, or was he only making excuses to approach her? In the past, she would have welcomed it, but now, with his Qi Cyclone destroyed and his cultivation ruined—a cripple for life—should she bother with him?

Had Su Yi known her thoughts, he would have been speechless. In truth, he had no idea; preoccupied with his own concerns and unwilling to face the guards' attitudes, he had avoided them and heard nothing as he came.

As both were lost in thought, Elder Yang suddenly coughed and said, "Enough. You two, go out and help me with a task."