Today's double update sums up to six thousand six hundred characters, posted all at once. Ye, I struggled on the taxi, and then buried my head for three solid hours in the hotel room before I finally got it done! Now I need to go out for dinner. A gathering. I'm posting this early, not sure when I'll be back.” In the end, I still have to thank everyone. For this month of September, thank you!

Leaving Guan Qinghan's place, Jun Moxie detoured to his own small courtyard to check on Ye Guhan's current condition. After all, Ye Guhan's profound arts were completely crippled, his Dantian shattered. Coupled with the severe internal and external injuries he sustained before, his current constitution was even weaker than that of an ordinary person. He couldn't tell if it was Ye Guhan's sudden, intensely strong will to survive, but his ruined body was inexplicably brimming with vibrant life force. This fact greatly surprised Jun Moxie.

A person's state hinges primarily on their perseverance, temperament, and inherent will to live. Ye Guhan’s current condition was indeed quite unexpected for the Young Master. However, Ye Guhan was already asleep, so the Young Master chose not to disturb him. Saving him back then was mostly out of respect for Third Uncle Jun Wuyi’s sake; if it weren't for that one sentence from his Third Uncle that day, even if Ling Meng pleaded endlessly, it wouldn't have mattered. It was the depth of Ye Guhan's selfless devotion to his beloved that was the true reason the Young Master granted him aid.

The next destination was back to the main hall. The Young Master calculated for a moment and decided it was time to prepare to advance the seniority level of Old Master Jun.

This wasn't because Jun Moxie was too hasty; it was because Jun Moxie firmly believed in one maxim: a good thing, especially a delicious one, isn't truly yours just because it’s in your hand. It can be snatched away at any moment. Only after it’s completely consumed and digested does it truly belong to you.

The Nine-Peak Profound Pill—that item once stirred up such a massive storm, drawing the attention of experts from every nation. Naturally, it was the sort of valuable treasure that could be seized by others at any time.

Furthermore, while the Jun Family currently appeared to possess countless advantages, a massive head start that put them above the entire Tianxiang region, perhaps even the entire world, the Young Master clearly recognized that the Jun Family’s foundation was still too fragile, far from comparable to the truly super-class families. It was merely an impressive, empty shell projecting strength.

The Jun Family’s greatest reliance was his phantom Master, but that supremely powerful, mysterious expert was utterly fictitious. Not a single true Divine Profound expert existed within the entire Jun Clan. And although he himself claimed to have defeated the Four Divine Profounds, the truth was significantly watered down.

It would take a considerable period of accumulation for the Jun Family to grow into a genuine super-class family. Therefore, the immediate priority was to cultivate a bona fide Divine Profound expert within the clan, making the matter of upgrading the Old Master’s rank something that needed to be placed on the agenda as soon as possible!

Jun Moxie led a bewildered Jun Zhantian and the Prairie Eagle God, Ying Bokong, into the ground floor of the newly constructed high tower within the manor. This was something Jun Moxie had specifically requested during the construction: exceptionally solid, sturdy, and built entirely of massive granite blocks, sealed so tightly that even if someone were intentionally shouting inside, there was no fear of being overheard outside!

The purpose was precisely for this very moment!

Because the energy fluctuation from the Nine-Tier Profound Pill was simply too immense!

After the three entered the tower base, Jun Wuyi, having received instructions from the Young Master, immediately mobilized the most elite team to completely secure the tower from every angle. There were no fewer than dozens of visible and hidden layers of security! Jun Wuyi, Song Shang, and Hai Chenfeng, the three Heavenly Profound masters, positioned themselves in a triangular formation, fully alert, excluding every possible and impossible interference!

Meanwhile, Jun Moxie’s exclusive Remnant Heaven Soul Devouring team was responsible for the security of the innermost layer. Each member hid in the shadows, blades in hand, their Profound Beast tendon crossbows flashing a faint, cold gleam. The surroundings were riddled with traps—not just tripwires that triggered poison gas or stupefying smoke, but also seven or eight spots rigged with specialized hidden weapons dipped in the poisonous fluid Jun Moxie had concocted previously! A single misplaced step in that dim twilight would lead even a peak Heavenly Profound or Divine Profound expert to utter ruin, blood splashing five steps away!

With this level of combat readiness and these ambushes, even if an Ultimate Being showed up looking for trouble, breaking through these layers of defense would be as difficult as ascending to heaven!

Inside the tower.

When Jun Moxie took out the Profound Pill, the incredibly pure energy fluctuation caused Ying Bokong’s eyes to widen instantly. After a long pause, he smacked his lips and muttered, “Damn it all, back then the entire world was fighting tooth and nail over this thing! I even rushed over from the distant grasslands, only to find this artifact sitting peacefully in your hands the whole time, never showing its face… Then what the hell was that thing we were fighting over?”

“Uh… that one was a fake,” Jun Moxie said, rubbing his nose and chuckling, showing no trace of embarrassment. “Actually, seeing how fiercely you were all scrambling that night, I felt a little bad.”

Ying Bokong snorted, rolling his eyes. “Seeing you grin so wickedly, you look about as apologetic as a fox caught in a henhouse. Getting angry at you is purely a waste of emotion. I can’t be bothered to care. I never really intended to claim that Profound Pill anyway. Sharpening my unique techniques and boosting my own strength is what matters.”

“It’s best if you don’t mind, Great Exalted Eagle. A magnanimous supreme being like yourself must be willing to guide my grandfather through the advancement,” Jun Moxie laughed, finishing his teasing remark before his expression suddenly turned grave. He said with unusual weight to Ying Bokong, “Old Eagle, I’m counting on you!”

When Jun Moxie spoke this plea, he meant every sincere word. After all, Old Master Jun was the first relative Jun Moxie had truly recognized in this world! While increasing his grandfather's strength was important, his grandfather's life was far more critical! The extent of the strength increase didn't matter; not increasing it wouldn't matter either, but his life was paramount.

Although the Young Master felt completely certain of success, Jun Moxie still uttered this plea! It wasn't for any other reason than to let Ying Bokong know: I cannot afford to fail at this!

I cannot afford the loss!

Success is the only option!

Ying Bokong’s expression immediately sobered. With a rare seriousness, he nodded heavily, “Don't worry!” Then, he frowned. “But this thing, I can’t manage it with just myself. It requires the aid of several specific medicinal herbs. Any one of those herbs alone is…”

Jun Moxie flipped his palm, and his now empty hand suddenly conjured three items as if by magic!

Three heavenly wonders!

Heavenly Star Grass! Tri-Color Lingzhi! Nine Profound Root!

The three special herbs needed to fuse with the Profound Pill were all present and accounted for! Moreover, the quality of each was more than sufficient, far exceeding ordinary standards!

Ying Bokong gasped in astonishment and carefully inspected them. “You brat are too incredibly capable! You managed to gather all this stuff! If that’s the case, then there’s absolutely no problem!”

It was only then that Jun Zhantian realized Jun Moxie intended to use the peak Nine-Tier Profound Pill to forcibly advance him. He immediately showed displeasure: “Moxie, I’m old now. What use is that excellent item to me? It’s just wasting such a rare treasure and a massive opportunity. Not to mention it will heavily tax Venerable Eagle’s own profound energy. If it must be used, it would be better for you or your Third Uncle to consume it for advancement, wouldn’t that be a great blessing for our Jun Family? A greater strengthening! Putting it on me is just wasteful!”

Jun Moxie smiled slightly, his eyes radiating deep emotion, and slowly said, “Grandfather, you are mistaken. Precisely because you are old, this item is more urgently needed. You must understand that people’s lifespans vary. Without accidents, the lifespan of an ordinary person is between sixty and eighty, while Profound Cultivators often live past a hundred. A peak Heavenly Profound might last between one hundred and fifty to two hundred years. And this assumes a life lived peacefully, without any mishaps.”

Jun Moxie sighed. “But Grandfather served as a general in his youth, fighting his whole life. You must have countless minor and major injuries; your body is already severely damaged, and your vital essence greatly depleted. Currently, the pure Profound Qi is holding things in check, and there probably won’t be any major issues. But if you were to engage in fierce combat with an expert of the same rank, or suffer a sudden illness, it’s highly likely all your accumulated injuries would flare up simultaneously. By then, it would be beyond saving. However, if Grandfather consumes this Profound Pill, first, it can add a hundred years to your lifespan, and second, it can thoroughly repair your body, returning it to its optimal physical state.”

Jun Moxie smiled. “As for Uncle and me, we have other plans, ones that are even more effective than this. Please put your mind at ease.”

Jun Zhantian stroked his long beard, contemplating silently. In the end, he was still somewhat reluctant. Elders possess this mindset: they can never bring themselves to use good things, wishing instead to stuff every treasure in the world into the stomachs of their children and grandchildren, content and happy even if they themselves receive not a single fraction of it.

Jun Zhantian currently embodied this exact elder mentality.

Seeing the Old Master still hesitating, Jun Moxie grew anxious. “Grandfather, let me tell you, if you absolutely refuse to use it, I will destroy this thing right now. Although it is a good item, it is also a root of trouble. My uncle and I definitely won't use it! Grandfather… you must realize, you are the backbone of the Jun Family right now. Everything must be considered for the greater good!”

With this mixture of reasoning, emotional appeal, and firm insistence, Old Master Jun finally agreed with reluctance. But only after repeatedly confirming that Jun Moxie and Jun Wuyi truly had other methods did he finally relax.

Because Ying Bokong was present, Jun Moxie couldn't say too much, and some things simply couldn't be revealed. Yet, he had to strain his mind considerably to satisfy the Old Master’s persistent questioning, even breaking out in a cold sweat…

This was almost unbelievable for the Evil Lord, who wouldn't even blink an eye if he had to slaughter the world.

Fearing any delay might lead to unforeseen consequences, the moment Old Master Jun agreed, the Evil Lord, Young Master Jun, hurriedly crushed the Heavenly Star Grass. With a surge of Profound Art, a crimson glow flashed as the pure medicinal properties of the Heavenly Star Grass adhered to the outer skin of the Nine-Tier Profound Pill. Instantly, the surging, turbulent power of the Profound Pill stalled. In a blink of an eye, it completely retracted inward, the pure yet restless energy fluctuation suddenly behaving like the most obedient little darling…

Before Jun Moxie could even marvel, he signaled Ying Bokong, who understood immediately. He strode to Jun Zhantian’s back and placed his bare palms on his Baihui acupoint on the crown of his head and his Xīnmén acupoint on his back. Simultaneously, Jun Zhantian sat cross-legged, eyes slightly closed, maintaining a solemn, dignified posture.

The moment the Tri-Color Lingzhi’s unique, bitter, fresh aroma permeated the air, Jun Moxie’s Heaven-Opening Creation Art had already driven all of its medicinal properties into the Profound Pill, wasting not a bit. Suddenly, the Profound Pill shone brilliantly, like a small sun rising in the dark night, illuminating the tower so clearly that the three felt an unbearable, sharp pain in their eyes!

A halo suddenly ignited, offering a gentle, placating sensation amidst the blinding glare.

Jun Moxie did not delay. With a loud shout, his Heaven-Opening Creation Art operated at full power. The light of the Profound Pill violently flickered once more, and a stream of clear, fragrant, bright yellow liquid suddenly shot out from within the Profound Pill, flowing directly into Jun Zhantian’s mouth.

At the same time, the last medicinal ingredient remaining in Jun Moxie’s hand, the Nine Profound Root, transformed into a stream of the same thickness. A pale green flash cut through the air, also entering Jun Zhantian’s mouth! Not a moment too soon, not a moment too late!

Concurrently, Ying Bokong’s supreme power was fully unleashed, continuously merging into Jun Zhantian’s meridians…

Jun Moxie finally breathed a sigh of relief! Judging by the current progress, everything was proceeding smoothly. It could be said that half the battle was won! Whether it was the Heavenly Star Grass or the Tri-Color Lingzhi, Jun Moxie had selected the absolute best. As for the Nine Profound Root, he had used only the most refined essence!

The harmonization of the three spiritual medicines, coupled with Ying Bokong’s supreme power, meant the Old Master’s advancement was now virtually guaranteed!

Only then did Jun Moxie finally remember to use his spiritual sense to check the surrounding activity. This was the most critical juncture; even the slightest disturbance could ruin an Ultimate Being and a Divine Profound expert on the verge of advancement. No carelessness was permissible.

To be frank, Ying Bokong agreeing so readily was somewhat beyond Jun Moxie’s expectation. Given Ying Bokong’s experience, how could he not grasp the extreme danger of this endeavor?

This wasn't merely an advancement; it was an intervention!

At the most crucial moment, even the loud cry of a three-year-old child could directly cause both individuals to suffer invasion by inner demons and enter qi deviation!

Jun Moxie had initially expected to spend considerable time negotiating, or perhaps offering some sort of compensation, but now it seemed he had judged a gentleman with the heart of a villain. Spending time together inevitably breeds sentiment—even for supreme experts, it was no exception.

It was dead quiet outside, not a single sound.

Jun Moxie let out a breath of relief. Finally, there was no alarm...

It was then that Jun Moxie felt he seemed to have forgotten something. But upon careful reflection, he truly couldn't recall what it was, so he concentrated his mind, quietly guarding his spiritual platform, hoping to figure out what he had forgotten or overlooked.

Over there, a thick white mist began to rise from Jun Zhantian’s body, slowly enveloping Ying Bokong within it…

Watching the dense white vapor, Jun Moxie involuntarily recalled the pure spiritual energy within the Hongjun Pagoda, and then the eerie, almost tangible white fog in the Heavenly Punishment Forest. He sighed inwardly, noting the vastness of the world and its inexhaustible wonders.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck, and the Young Master jolted as he remembered what he had forgotten.

Mei Xueyan, Mei Qianqian!

These two women who had followed him all the way from Tiannan—he distinctly remembered seeing them sitting in the carriage with Guan Qinghan when he entered the city today, but where were they now?

When did they leave the carriage? And when did they disappear? Jun Moxie suddenly took a deep breath and frowned.

Although the situation had been chaotic, he was accustomed to handling disorder. His ability to see everything around him was inherent; the carriage was right behind him. When they got off should have been impossible to escape his notice. Yet, he hadn't seen them vanish at all!

Moreover, when a girl as divinely beautiful as a celestial being appears, it inevitably causes a stir. But Jun Moxie reviewed the situation at the time; among all the people present, not a single eye had betrayed a look of astonishment!

This meant that no one had seen them disembark!

But how could they have vanished? On the journey, he had tested these two women using at least a dozen different methods, yet he found nothing unusual. Could it be that these two women were so formidable that even he couldn't see through them? To vanish silently right under his nose—what kind of ability would that require?

How terrifying that must be!

Judging by their appearance, even if they were older than him, they couldn’t be that much older. Could they both be super experts who surpassed the Ultimate Being level? That was utterly absurd!

If not, how else could the current inexplicable situation be explained?

Jun Moxie frowned, but a huge alarm bell was ringing in his heart. He meticulously replayed every contact, from their first encounter all the way to Tianxiang, in his mind!

Analyzing every minute action, every subtle expression of the two women, Jun Moxie finally discovered two points of suspicion. The first was that the green-clothed maiden's appearance seemed to have changed slightly over the past month. Although it was only an uneven change in the thickness of her eyebrows, he noticed it now that he was calm.

The green-clothed maiden had used disguise—this was confirmed without a doubt. But why disguise herself? Their group was an army; they had little interaction with such young ladies. Did they fear being recognized? This implied he must have met her before!

So, who exactly was she?

The white-clothed maiden, Mei Xueyan, seemed not to have used a disguise; this was obvious. And it was equally obvious that she held a strong prejudice against him, frequently giving him trouble throughout the journey. This point was also worth considering. Had he offended her previously?

But if she hadn't used a disguise, it meant he hadn’t met her. As for offense… where would that begin?

Besides, a peerless beauty like that—if he had truly met her, he would never forget her!

The other point was their confrontation with the Silver City of Wind and Snow immediately after they met!

Jun Moxie let out a long sigh. These two women were certainly not ordinary figures! After considering everything so meticulously, Jun Moxie still couldn't figure out who these two women truly were!

He only felt a new wave of suspicion forming in his heart: The green-clothed maiden must have some connection to Snake King Qian Xun! Otherwise, why would he be constantly harassed by venomous snakes throughout the journey? It couldn't be a coincidence! Even if she wasn't the Snake King, they were certainly related—that much was certain!

But who was the white-clothed maiden? Mei Xueyan… he had never heard that name before. Could she be connected to that Miss Yue'er from the Colorful Attire Pavilion in the Spiritual Mist Lake?

At this moment, Jun Moxie suddenly had an inexplicable thought: in the remaining course of his life, he was likely to have endless entanglements with these two women!

Or perhaps, endless trouble…

As for romantic fortune? Although Jun Moxie considered himself quite handsome, he wasn't narcissistic enough to believe that any woman he met would instantly fall in love with him.

Threads tangled, yet he couldn't find a single lead. It was truly… troublesome, Jun Moxie sighed deeply.

“Why are you sighing, brat?” a voice rang out.

Jun Moxie opened his eyes and saw Jun Zhantian standing before him, his spirit bright and his gaze full of concern.

Jun Moxie rejoiced. “Grandfather, how do you feel? Have you succeeded in breaking through?”

“Breakthrough? Whether I succeeded?” Old Master Jun stroked his beard and burst into hearty laughter. “It was a massive breakthrough! I never dreamed in this lifetime I could reach such a height!”

“Indeed! Elder Jun’s progress this time is simply unbelievable!” Ying Bokong said in an extremely weary tone, speaking strangely, with a hint of envy, and perhaps a bit of… jealousy.

“In the final stage, your grandfather nearly drained me dry,” the Great Exalted Eagle chuckled bitterly. “Combined with the power of the Profound Pill and the spiritual medicine, this huge advancement is unprecedented in history! In just a few hours…” Ying Bokong smiled bitterly. “This result makes me feel that spending my whole life training so desperately was utterly foolish!”

“Was the progress huge?” Jun Moxie asked in ecstatic joy.

“It was more than huge!” Old Master Jun laughed happily and contentedly. “Before the breakthrough, I was at peak Heavenly Profound, already on the verge of advancing. The moment the spiritual medicine entered my body, the Profound Pill entered my body, and Venerable Eagle’s energy activated, I successfully broke through to the first rank of Divine Profound.”

"Following that, your grandfather absorbed the power of the Profound Elixir. He actually forced his way through the barrier, reaching the realm of a Second-Grade Divine Profound!" Ying Boku sighed with a sense of loss, "And this still wasn't the end. The potency of that Profound Elixir had only just begun to subside, but the medicinal strength of those three kinds of Spirit Herbs surged forth violently at that moment. They directly propelled the Profound Elixir forward, surging ahead relentlessly. It rushed and slammed through his meridians, constantly rampaging... I was nearly exhausted to death! After finally managing to protect Elder Jun's meridians completely, this old man suddenly realized—your grandfather, that impossibly lucky old immortal, had actually managed to break through the boundary of the Third-Grade Divine Profound as well, only then stopping."

"So that means my grandfather is now at the Third-Grade Divine Profound, only one level lower than that Xiao Buyu?" Jun Moxie grew excited, clapping his hands. He chuckled, "It's about what I expected. I thought he'd only reach Second-Grade Divine Profound; to actually skip a level!"

"Skip a level? Second-Grade Divine Profound progresses through Initial Stage, Middle Stage, High Stage, and only then does it reach the higher Third-Grade Initial Stage! Your grandfather is currently at the absolute peak of the Initial Stage of Third-Grade Divine Profound! Damn it, what sheer, unbelievable luck!" Ying Bokong flapped his sleeves in exasperation, deeply unbalanced. "I'm going to sleep! You two—grandfather and grandson—can celebrate your foolish joy here. I'm not staying to keep you company!"

Jun Zhantian laughed heartily and bowed deeply, hands pressed together, "Many thanks to Venerable Ying for his tremendous assistance! Jun is profoundly grateful! The entire Jun Family is eternally grateful."

Ying Bokong smiled faintly and drifted out the door.