Qin Fen handed the nutrient solution he received to Xing Wuyi, and the Comet-level master's eyes dripped with contemptuous disdain for his ignorance.

Xing Wuyi pushed the nutrient solution back in front of Qin Fen, his tone laced with exhaustion: "This is good stuff, high-grade nutrient solution; it can restore physical fatigue."

Qin Fen no longer refused, nor did he wish to argue with a Comet-level master about who was more knowledgeable; he stuffed the nutrient into his military uniform pocket.

This action once again drew mocking looks from several people, as if to say: Truly an unsophisticated country bumpkin.

Qin Fen had no mood to contend with these lofty masters over knowledge; his true energy was almost completely depleted, which no single bottle of nutrient solution could replenish. Only those who had taken Yin Zhaluota's Super Frenzy Pills and Super Iron Armor Pills knew how domineering their side effects were.

The car traveled smoothly, finally slowing to a stop after about an hour.

The door opened, and Qin Fen stepped out holding Du Zhanpeng, startled by where he found himself.

Such a large house? It looked like a civilian residence, yet there was a gatehouse at the entrance, faintly exuding the aura of a military camp sentry post. Even more remarkably, two soldiers in standard Army uniforms stood guard at the door.

Qin Fen studied the two guards closely; though dressed in the most ordinary Army uniforms, they faintly radiated the presence of powerhouses, likely at the Comet level.

Gatekeepers? Wearing standard Army uniforms with no rank insignia? Comet-level martial artists? A string of questions flashed through Qin Fen's mind. Could this be Du Hen's residence?

Passing through the courtyard toward the entrance of the two-story villa, Du Hen sat in the carved wooden chair inside, gripping a cane made of wisteria wood.

He saw Qin Fen. He gently raised his cane and pointed it toward Du Zhanpeng in Qin Fen’s arms: "Take Peng'er away."

An old soldier, possessing the strength of a Comet-level martial artist, stood before Qin Fen with open arms.

Qin Fen looked at Du Zhanpeng in his embrace—that pale face was as usual, and his ice-cold body showed no sign of recovery.

"Give him to me. You did your best..." The old soldier spoke, this time without his usual condescending air, his words tinged with a faint sadness.

Qin Fen sighed softly. Du Zhanpeng was, after all, a descendant of the Du family; they indeed had the right to reclaim their kin.

"If possible..." Qin Fen said softly to the old soldier carrying Du Zhanpeng away, "please call a doctor. Perhaps a miracle can still happen."

The old soldier's body trembled slightly, and his steps paused briefly before he quickly left the hall.

"Sit."

Du Hen's expression retained its initial severity, yet the haggardness brought by the grief of losing a grandson remained subtly etched in his brow.

The wisteria cane tapped lightly on the ground with casual ease; the commanding tone made it difficult to resist.

Qin Fen was utterly exhausted. His relentless efforts during the journey had pushed his spirit, true energy, and body to their absolute limits—a level of exhaustion that hadn't even occurred during the two weeks of intensive training. He instantly collapsed into the sofa.

"Before Peng'er passed, did he have any last wishes?"

"He hoped that Du Peng..."

"Don't mention him," Du Hen interrupted, gently waving the wisteria cane. "Say something else."

Qin Fen looked at Du Hen, unable to comprehend. Wasn't this old man the King of Vipers, renowned for his calculations? Even if he harbored no affection for Du Peng's line, he should know that Du Zhanpeng might truly be gone. Du Peng, as a Du family descendant, could ensure the family's continuation; why such stubbornness? Why did the mere mention of Du Peng cause such intense aversion in his eyes?

A brief silence followed, and Qin Fen slowly shook his head with weary resignation: "Nothing."

Du Hen was momentarily stunned, then a faint smile curved his lips, and a tearful glimmer appeared in his eyes.

He set down the wisteria cane and gently clapped his hands together.

In the silent hall, only the sound of Du Hen’s applause could be heard.

Clap... clap...

"Good... good... truly good..." Du Hen’s voice, filled with sorrow, carried a faint note of pride. "Worthy of being my Du Hen's favored grandson; you even managed to fool me."

Instantly, a chilling killing intent permeated the hall, emanating entirely from Du Hen’s body.

The King of Vipers’ eyes were blazing with rage. He was merely sitting there, without even lifting a foot, yet Qin Fen felt the sofa beneath him trembling.

It wasn't just his sofa shaking; the very ground within a five-meter radius of Du Hen shuddered.

In that split second, countless hairline cracks appeared on the exquisitely polished marble floor.

"A pity... a pity..." Du Hen shook his head repeatedly. "A pity, my grandson. So clever, yet you chose the most foolish path. Du Peng's aptitude was limited; at best, his future development would only lead him to becoming a master, never a commander, let alone a top-tier expert. Had I known... had I known... I truly should have killed Du Peng sooner."

Qin Fen watched Du Hen with apprehension. Before this King of Vipers, not only was his strength temporarily below peak, but even at his peak, he would have no power to resist if the old man truly intended to kill Du Peng.

The killing intent gradually subsided, and Du Hen returned to the composed state of the King of Vipers. He slowly raised his cane: "I know what you are thinking. Rest assured, for Zhanpeng's sake, I will not kill him."

In an instant, Du Hen seemed to have aged significantly. He waved his cane again: "You all go and rest now."

The household servant quickly approached Qin Fen and bowed: "Sir, please follow me this way."

"Wuyi, do you have other matters?" Du Hen looked curiously at Xing Wuyi, who remained standing instead of leaving. This child, who usually dared not even breathe heavily in his presence, had suddenly gained immense courage today.

"Grandpa Du," Xing Wuyi took a deep breath. "I want to sleep in Zhanpeng's room..."

Du Hen froze, then his icy eyes moistened again.

This time, he said nothing more, merely nodding slightly and gesturing with his arm.

Xing Wuyi bent over ninety degrees in a deep bow and walked swiftly upstairs without needing guidance.

At this moment, Du Hen slowly leaned back against the wooden chair, staring blankly at the chandelier in the hall, muttering softly to himself: "Peng'er, you possessed incredible unifying power. You could make the Little Yi, who feared me intensely, confront me for your sake. You possessed astonishing martial arts talent, exceptional intellect, and the skill to command subordinates. Why? Why was the perfect you, destined for greatness..."

The hall fell into profound silence. All servants and bodyguards quietly retreated from the room; everyone knew the King of Vipers required quiet now.

Qin Fen entered the guest room. He lacked the strength even to undress and bathe.

As soon as the door closed, his body went limp, and he collapsed onto the soft carpet, immediately falling asleep.

In an endless dark space, the Master of the Theoretical School slowly emerged from the gloom.

"Kid, you're tired, aren't you?"

Even while his body rested, even though he was only in a dream, Qin Fen felt his spirit intensely weary. He nodded slowly, remaining silent.

It wasn't that he lacked the strength to speak, but Qin Fen didn't want to. Everything concerning Du Zhanpeng was deeply imprinted in his mind, an inexpressible emotion building up in his chest.

"You made two mistakes this time."

The Master paid no mind to Qin Fen's mood; as the Master of Martial Arts Theory, his concern was solely Qin Fen's progress in martial arts.

"Two?"

Qin Fen raised his head. The Master’s voice carried a special penetration; even in his depressed state, it instantly galvanized his entire spirit.

"First, you shouldn't have transferred that purest level of advancement true energy into another person just after reaching the Five-Star Meteor level," the Master looked at Qin Fen with disappointment. "Do you know why the designation changes so drastically between Four-Star and Five-Star? Because there is an essential transformation! Theoretically, a Five-Star can never lose to a Four-Star..."

The Master paused here, then shook his head at Qin Fen: "You are an exception, an irrelevant anomaly. Of course, if auxiliary equipment is used, a Four-Star can indeed defeat a Five-Star. But in pure theory, without borrowing any external force, this should be an iron rule. Why? Because of Innate True Energy!"

"Innate True Energy?" Qin Fen was momentarily surprised.

"Exactly! Innate True Energy." The Master's demeanor shifted back to that of a university professor: "Below Four-Star, all cultivation yields only Acquired True Energy. But upon breaking through to Five-Star, one can stimulate the body's Innate True Energy. That Innate True Energy is crucial; it can slowly convert all the Acquired True Energy from the Four-Star level into its innate state. That is true energy of a higher purity. After conversion, the Acquired True Energy experiences a leap in both quantity and quality."

Qin Fen remained silent, waiting for the Master to continue.

"Therefore, post-Five-Star has a general designation: Innate Master." The Master paused to add, "Of course, the Meteor level is the first time Innate True Energy is stimulated, so theoretically, they can be considered Innate Masters as well."

"That has nothing to do with me..." Qin Fen pouted. "I am currently..."

"You currently..." The Master looked troubled. "You had indeed entered the Meteor level. Had you consolidated properly after that battle, you would be a true Meteor level expert."

"So, I fell back?" Qin Fen's voice betrayed no regret; if he knew the outcome, he would still make the same choice.

"Yes, but more than that," the Master sighed. "After falling back to Four-Star, you showed no restraint and kept expending your true energy, even until your Dantian was nearly dry..."

"I dropped to Three-Star?" Qin Fen was somewhat confused; if he had dropped to Three-Star, he should have noticed, yet he still felt like a Four-Star martial artist.

"Not quite..." The Master negated Qin Fen's guess. "It's just that, had you not acted as you did, I could have used the method of 'Great Enlightenment' to pull you back to the Meteor level. Now, everything depends on yourself. But you must be mentally prepared: having advanced and then voluntarily retreated means breaking through again will be much harder for you than for other martial artists."

"It doesn't matter," Qin Fen shrugged. "I don't regret it. If I had to do such a thing again, even knowing this result, I would do it again."

The Master raised his thumb. "Very good, kid. Although falling back to Four-Star might not be a bad thing for you. When you struggle back to the Meteor level through your own efforts, your strength will show all Five-Star experts what true astonishment means. How can one become a prodigy without first enduring annihilation?"

"Annihilation (Jìmìe)?"

"Precisely! Annihilation is not about nothingness. The term 'Jìmìe' is actually Nirvana," the Master’s eyes flickered with excitement.