"Third Uncle, regarding your illness, especially those who give you full-body massages, you must use people you trust, and it's best not to let others know for now. If, by any chance, it doesn't work out, it will reflect poorly on both of us, uncle and nephew." After a moment of thought, Jun Xie still offered a cautious reminder.

"Haha, even if I’m truly cured, your Third Uncle won't breathe a word of it! Your Third Uncle is no fool! You're worried this might bring trouble upon you, aren't you? Besides, if you can heal my waist and legs, for our Jun family, it would make both of us an unparalleled hidden asset! How could I not understand that? You little rascal, daring to bring up my reputation like that."

Jun Wuyi burst into laughter and pinched his cheek, then suddenly froze. He mused on how this boy was once his most beloved nephew, and just how long it had been since they shared such intimacy? Perhaps it was precisely because they hadn't been close for so long... seeing him again today gave him that feeling of unfamiliarity.

Beneath years of a decadent facade, was another face truly hidden? Jun Wuyi watched Jun Xie turn and walk away, a faint sense of anticipation stirring in his heart.

Anticipation for his injuries to heal, and even more so, anticipation to see if his nephew truly possessed—another side?!

"Third Uncle, you are already at the Earth Profound realm now, aren't you?" Jun Xie asked with a knowing, teasing smile.

"Sly eyes!" Jun Wuyi chuckled heartily, feeling an unprecedented sense of lightness in his heart. "I only just broke through this year, and it's not stable yet."

"Humble," Jun Xie pouted. "And above Earth Profound?"

Jun Wuyi’s expression sobered. "Profound Energy is initially divided into nine ranks. Above the ninth rank come Silver, Gold, and Jade ranks; the ranking stops there. Beyond that are Earth Profound, Heaven Profound, and Supreme Divine Profound!"

"Ranks one to three manifest the Profound Energy outwardly as pale red, pink, and deep red; ranks four to six are purple, also in three stages; ranks seven to nine are black! Mo Xie, if you are out in the world, you must watch very carefully; if you misjudge even once, you risk a major loss!"

"Yes, Third Uncle, I understand." Jun Xie smiled, his expression calm.

Jun Wuyi was in excellent spirits and recited melodiously: "Silver Profound begins, Gold Profound rises, Jade Profound blooms like a wish, below the nine ranks are all ants; Earth Profound splits, Heaven Profound empties, Supreme Divine Profound has no visible form; once entering the Ninth Heaven, one transforms into a dragon!"

"This is the Profound Energy Rank Chant! Only by reaching Silver Profound is one considered to have truly begun! And you..." Jun Wuyi looked at Jun Xie, his gaze notably gentle, "You have your own path. A man doesn't necessarily have to kill with his own hands."

Jun Xie smiled, "I know. I usually don't kill people." He added silently, As long as there is no price to pay, I won't kill casually. But there is one prerequisite: Don't provoke me!

Jun Xie was currently completely uninterested in Profound Energy, so he didn't inquire further. After escorting Jun Wuyi back to his room, Jun Xie slowly walked back. Midway, however, he suddenly turned and slipped into the Library Pavilion.

The reason for entering this place was that the knowledge held within the mind of the former Young Master Jun the Third was too meager. Aside from gambling, drinking, whoring, and general debauchery, there was virtually nothing else—his head was just mush. Even if Jun Xie wanted to sift through it for useful information, it was impossible. Thus, he needed to spend time organizing everything in his mind, at least to gain a clear understanding of the Jun family structure, even if the original Young Master Jun the Third’s thoughts held little of value.

Once Jun Xie entered the Library Pavilion, he didn't emerge for an entire day.

"Master, after the Young Master left you, he only spoke with Third Master in the courtyard for a while. It appears Third Master was quite delighted; it’s rare to see Third Master so happy these past few years."

In Jun Zhantian’s study, an old man bowed before him, reporting on Jun Xie’s movements.

"?" A look of astonishment crossed Jun Zhantian’s usually placid face. These two—uncle and nephew—had been like fire and water for years, exchanging only cold sarcasm whenever they met, one always finding the other deeply displeasing. How could they be chatting together today? And chatting so happily? For the Third to actually be happy was truly beyond expectation, almost bizarre!

"What did they talk about?" Jun Zhantian asked, taking a sip of tea, appearing very casual.

"In recent years, Third Master has recovered from near-crippling injury and his Profound Energy cultivation has advanced greatly, reaching the initial stage of the Earth Tier. Your subordinate dared not approach too closely, so I couldn't hear the content of their conversation, but I did see that both Third Master and Young Master were genuinely smiling happily, appearing to converse very congenially," the old man replied respectfully.

"Congenially?" Jun Zhantian puffed out his beard. "How is that possible?! It would be a miracle if those two didn't end up killing each other if they spent too much time together, let alone being congenial?"

"This matter is absolutely true! Master. Furthermore, after the Young Master and Third Master parted ways, the Young Master went straight to the Library Pavilion and hasn't come out yet. The Library Pavilion rarely contains external matters, so I presume nothing is amiss there. Rather, the Young Master and Third Master conversing so pleasantly is truly an anomaly, so I swiftly reported it to you, Master!"

"You did well. But that brat went to the Lib—Library Pavilion?" Jun Zhantian's beard twitched, his eyes wide. "Are you certain you didn't misstate that? That little bastard Jun Mo Xie actually went to the Library Pavilion?? Not to the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Flowers, the Fragrant Scent Pavilion, or those other... establishments?"

The old man nodded vigorously. "It was the Library Pavilion! That is correct, Master."

Standing up abruptly, Jun Zhantian paced back and forth in the room. His usual composed elegance vanished instantly. He pulled at his beard, frowning in deep thought. "Old Pang, why do you think the fellow went to the Library Pavilion?" He suddenly paused. "Could he be going there to set a fire?"

"The Young Master has been inside reading, very quietly. I feared he wouldn't leave soon, so I returned only after ensuring he was settled," Old Pang’s mouth twitched, fighting a smile.

"Reading!" Old Master Jun cried out, yanking a lock of his own beard without realizing it, his mouth agape. "Is he really reading?!"

"Yes, Master."

After pondering for a long time, Jun Zhantian waved his hand. "Reading is a good thing. Then, let's not disturb him for now. After he leaves, bring me every book he looked at. I want to see what he’s up to! Is he looking for erotic albums? Hmm... even if he is looking for erotic albums, it’s fine. The boy is grown; seeing such things is no big deal. Back in my day... Ahem, Old Pang, forbid anyone from disturbing that boy!"

"Yes, Master."

Jun Zhantian paced twice more, then looked up toward the sky, stroking his beard in contemplation. He thought secretly, If not for erotic... could this little devil have suddenly awakened and decided to turn over a new leaf, like a prodigal son returning? He shook his head, letting out a long sigh. "If that were truly the case, this old man would light incense and worship the ancestors for sending a clear sign..."

It wasn't until evening, when the lamps were lit, that the butler, Old Pang, went to collect the books Jun Xie had read. He returned carrying several dozen volumes.

Jun Zhantian laid them out one by one on the table, frowning. "Records of the Winds and Clouds of the Profound Profound Continent, Continental Records of Sights and Sounds, Continental Records of Mountains and Rivers, Ranking of Influential Figures, Illustrated Guide to Rare Flowers and Strange Herbs, On Continental Warfare, Profound Profound Military Strategy Manual... Hiss—" Old Master Jun spent the entire night flipping through these books his grandson had read. His expression shifted between confusion and delight, often sighing, often exhaling sharply, nodding sometimes and shaking his head at others. It was estimated that half a lifetime's worth of expressions were used up that one night...