If viewed strictly through the theoretical framework of internal energy cultivation, the answer to this question is definitive: there must be a higher level of existence! However, this is ultimately another world. While internal energy and Profound Qi cultivation may seem to follow the same path, the results might not be identical. Therefore, a conclusion cannot be reached prematurely; it is entirely possible that this world is peculiar, and the Supreme Divine Profound truly marks the apex!

Naturally, based on Jun Xie’s current level of understanding regarding Profound Qi, no definitive judgment can yet be made on these matters.

Furthermore, following the previous Marrow Cleansing and Meridian Opening, Jun Xie's entire network of meridians has been cleared, achieving the state of ‘All Meridians Clear’—a realm reserved for true Innate Masters. In terms of meridian structure alone, even a genuine Supreme Divine Profound might fall short! Yet, his actual combat strength is far from reaching that level. After all, he has only been in this world for a mere month. To progress from the body of a cripple to his current physical resilience in such a short span is already a speed defying all comprehension!

This is precisely the profound mystery of the Heaven-Opening Creation Technique. With any ordinary cultivation method, reaching even the introductory stages in just one month would be a challenge. But the combination of the Exquisite Hongjun Pagoda and the Heaven-Opening Creation Technique has managed to instantaneously unlock all his meridians. This is equivalent to instantly granting Jun Xie access to countless bottomless treasuries, waiting only for him to fill them one by one.

Given Jun Xie’s current strength, in a true life-or-death battle, it is believed that an ordinary Silver-Rank Profound Practitioner would struggle to overcome him. As for assassination, the disparity would be even more pronounced. After all, this is Jun Xie’s original domain.

However, the comprehensive clearing of his meridians has gifted Jun Xie a rather peculiar ability: merely by deliberately mimicking it, provided he has the corresponding Profound Qi cultivation formula, he can conjure the extreme manifestation of that technique at any time. Of course, this is merely the form—it possesses none of the corresponding actual power.

Musing on this, Jun Xie couldn't help but let out a slight smile: It seems I’ve stumbled upon another avenue for showing off…

The next day, Jun Xie reappeared on the training grounds radiating vigor, once again astonishing everyone! Yesterday’s training had taxed even the robust bodies of the guards to their limit; many areas on their bodies were still agonizingly sore. Yet, this young master arrived at the field even earlier than they did!

Following yesterday’s ordeal, almost every guard had developed an entirely new perception of their Third Young Master, even tinged with respect. But nearly all of them were certain that he wouldn't make it today—never mind the willingness, his frail body absolutely could not bear the strain!

Yet, seeing Jun Xie’s straight posture and sword-like gaze today, everyone experienced a fleeting illusion: Is this truly the dissolute, pleasure-seeking young master known for wasting away his days?! How did he manage to stand up?!

Jun Wu Yi had arrived at the grounds early, seated in his wheelchair, observing the scene with scrutinizing eyes. Jun Xie’s appearance was both within his expectations and, paradoxically, outside of them. He was acutely aware of Jun Xie’s condition after yesterday’s training—it was indeed severe. Given Jun Xie’s original physical constitution, he truly might not have withstood it. Thus, even if Jun Xie hadn't shown up today, it would have been understandable. He had anticipated that even if Jun Xie appeared, he would be exhausted, perhaps utterly wretched. Yesterday’s training, even for himself when his body was sound, would not have been easy to complete casually. But he had never imagined that Jun Xie now appeared far more robust than these hulking men before him!

Could it be that yesterday’s training regimen wasn't as grueling as he had imagined?!

After another day of high-intensity drills, the guards were even more astonished to find that Jun Xie's pace today had increased considerably compared to yesterday. And while his footing was still somewhat unsteady, he no longer staggered; at least he looked far more composed than the day before.

The astonishment did not end there. In the following few days of training, Jun Xie had completely caught up to the guards' pace, and even began to surpass them slightly! This reality brought a fiery glint to the eyes of the guards: such rapid advancement in strength was something they had never witnessed—never mind seeing, they had never even heard of such a thing! Yet, their Young Master’s example was right before their eyes, transforming myth into vibrant reality! If the Young Master, with his delicate physique, could achieve this, why couldn't they, who were rougher and tougher?

This question reignited a feverish intensity in their drilling! Everyone’s craving for power pushed the training into white-hot intensity! Almost everyone trained desperately, baring their teeth, resembling beasts in their sheer effort…

They remained unaware that layered upon their own training, Jun Xie carried eight reasonably heavy sandbags; and every morning, he subjected himself to an additional special training session before joining them all for the communal practice! Moreover, Jun Xie had recently added several new elements to his personal regimen: Climbing High, Gripping Stone, Pushing Level, Spreading Arm, Hiding Trace…

Jun Xie meticulously divided the twelve hours of the day, ensuring practically every minute was utilized.

Old Master Jun learned of this on the third day and secretly observed once during a training session. The Old Master was pleased by his grandson’s dedication but also worried that the ceaseless drilling would lead to overexertion—that haste would spoil the endeavor. However, after that single observation, he left as quietly as he came, without showing his face again. Yet, the steward, Old Pang, distinctly perceived that the Old Master was deeply happy, utterly content!

When alone, Old Master Jun even hummed a few bars of a light tune in his study and, quite uncharacteristically, became utterly drunk once—blissfully so, his face alight with joy. Then, swaying unsteadily, he approached the memorial tablet of his deceased wife and mumbled indistinctly for an entire night. Only the next day did he emerge, a smile gracing his features, though a few old tears clung to the corners of his eyes…

The day before the Golden Autumn Festival, Tianxiang City was already beginning to bustle. Everyone was dressed in their finest, and lanterns and decorations adorned every corner. Travelers from distant lands flocked home; how could the annual festival of reunion not be lively?

At noon, on the top floor of the Drunken Immortal Tower.

The guards were gathered at two tables. Separating them was another single table, occupied by only two individuals: Jun Xie and Tang Yuan.

Tang Yuan sat opposite Jun Xie, sighing deeply, his brow knotted with worry. These past few days, Fatty Tang had suffered immeasurably. Old Master Tang Wanli had almost squeezed out half the fat from his grandson’s massive body. First, he was confined, forbidden to take a single step outside the manor. Then, whenever the matter of the stolen Profound Pill resurfaced in the Old Master’s mind, he would immediately summon Tang Yuan, stand over the fatty, scream at him until he was blue in the face, deliver a few sharp slaps for release, and then dismiss him. This "hospitality" was more frequent than his three daily meals—appearing whenever the Old Master felt the urge.

Fatty Tang had already lost immense face, having nearly forfeited his future wife. His future father-in-law had berated him mercilessly, and his fiancée wept day and night, threatening to call off the engagement, insisting on breaking it off. It was hardly surprising; today he had narrowly escaped losing her, but who knew what would happen if he had actually lost her that day?

When his father saw him, the greeting was invariably a slap followed immediately by a search for a sturdy stick. His mother dared not intervene between father and son, her brow perpetually furrowed. His younger brothers, upon every meeting, first asked, “Big Brother, when are you going to the Thousand Gold Hall again? Let us little brothers come along and admire your grandeur!” followed by peals of unrestrained laughter…

The worst part was the Old Master’s reprimands, which occurred multiple times a day, and each time, he was forced to kneel on an abacus. For this, a dedicated iron abacus had been forged. Why? Obvious! Given Fatty Tang’s girth, any other material would collapse under his weight the moment he knelt. Were abacuses free? Even the iron one was showing signs of bending after this period of incessant kneeling…