"So much growth…"
After calculating, Wang Yu found that the supreme Ice Spirit Pill, enhanced by cold flame, hadn't reached the ideal 50% boost. Instead, it hovered around 30–40%.
The actual effect was an increase of roughly 130–140 drops of true essence—still impressive, though it reflected some shortcomings in his technique.
"It's not a big deal. Just one pill.
"In two years, I'll reach the peak of Foundation Establishment third layer and begin my first Essence Condensation. Plus, the Corpse Demon technique is nearly complete."
Eyes closed in thought, Wang Yu realized how busy he'd been over the past year or two.
Among his many plans was expanding Spiritridge City's market.
"Continue refining."
Beside him, the three-tailed snow fox let out a soft whimper, prompting Wang Yu to smile. "Don't rush. The next batch is for you. You'll get your fill."
Taking supreme-grade pills rarely caused pill resistance, and the upper limit was much higher than during Qi Refining. This was due to the cultivator's elevated life level and increased resistance to the world's laws.
Wang Yu estimated his limit at around twenty pills. But it didn't matter—there were plenty of pill types that boosted cultivation. Once one reached its limit, he could switch to another.
While secluded in the underground spirit vein refining pills, Wang Yu wasn't completely detached from the world. His disciples occasionally visited to report on recent events in Spiritridge.
Many updates involved the Eastern Polaris ancient ruins.
Unlike secret realms, which had fixed opening cycles, ruins were always accessible.
The recent surge in interest was due to a celestial anomaly.
This exploration craze was expected to last several years. Once someone obtained a treasure linked to the anomaly, a brutal scramble would erupt.
Spiritridge, being nearby, saw its population surge severalfold. Business across the city boomed—an excellent opportunity for development.
But public order and stability declined. Chaos reigned. Murders and treasure thefts became common.
Wang Yu couldn't do much—he didn't dare leave the City Lord's Manor.
He had to grant Inkveil Gate expanded enforcement authority as compensation for leaking their intelligence. It was a messy compromise, but Spiritridge was truly in chaos.
Enforcement power wasn't always a blessing.
Still, once the turmoil passed, Inkveil Gate's influence in the North District would grow. Wang Yu wouldn't retract their authority—he knew how to weigh gains and losses.
Meanwhile, resource sites outside the city were being attacked by unknown cultivator groups. Wang Yu adopted a turtle strategy—retreating wherever possible.
He was waiting for a major event at Eastern Polaris to draw everyone's attention. Then he'd quietly reclaim those sites.
He had no choice. His recent notoriety had made him infamous across Yunling Prefecture. Even in the demonic path, he was considered one of the "mad ones."
His reputation had grown—whether he liked it or not.
Spiritridge was becoming a storm's eye. But further east, the Eastern Polaris ruins were the true epicenter.
Many cultivators stopped by Spiritridge before heading to the ruins, drawn by the publicly available intelligence.
Maps from past City Lords, safe routes from Inkveil Gate, treasure and inheritance speculations from Goldfull Pavilion…
These were the roots of the chaos.
Wang Yu's published intel was mostly accurate—but he had hidden a few things. Especially regarding rare and powerful monsters. That omission… was deadly.
Sigh…
Old Lord Wang was kind-hearted. He used them repeatedly, then sent the strongest among them to die.
He had no choice. Since they were already offended, he might as well use geography and timing to trap them—reducing future threats.
He hadn't hidden information about ordinary monsters—like corpse spirits, corpse demons, or formations and restrictions. That intel was reliable.
As time passed, capable cultivators reaped greater rewards. The influx of treasures and inheritances far exceeded previous eras, attracting even more people.
Some of these cultivators felt indebted to City Lord Wang and helped stabilize Spiritridge.
But at Eastern Polaris, the daily death toll kept rising.
And so—
A year passed.
Despite his obsession with alchemy, Wang Yu hadn't neglected cultivation. With pill support, his efficiency skyrocketed.
His true essence surged past 400 drops. By next year, he'd reach the peak of Foundation Establishment third layer. Then it would be time to seek treasures to help break through.
Like the Profound Essence Flower, which had helped him cross the late Qi Refining threshold and aided his semi-true essence transformation. His breakthrough had been built on the foundation laid at Bone Essence Mountain.
Speaking of which, he planned to revisit Bone Essence Mountain's underground palace after reaching Core Formation. It still held deeper secrets and opportunities.
But that would have to wait.
He also needed to speak with the Blood Reversal Sect's Third Young Masters about the contract they'd signed—specifically, the Mystic Heaven Secret Realm.
This realm was famous throughout the sect. It consistently produced Core Formation treasures, including top-grade ones.
All types and attributes were available. It opened every fifty years, but those with a realm key could bypass the cycle and sneak someone in.
His deal with Zuo Qiuming and Zhuo Shouqing allowed him entry at peak Foundation Establishment—but he could only take one Core Formation treasure.
After all, the realm belonged to the sect. He couldn't monopolize it.
But given the unexpected gains from Goldfull Pavilion…
He wasn't as desperate for Core Formation treasures anymore. This matter required careful thought.
"Time to leave seclusion. Snow Jade, let's go."
In one year, Wang Yu had earned a million spirit stones and nearly 800 top-grade spirit stones—an immense fortune.
These were high-end resources, exceeding his current needs. He stored them all—they were prime currency for future treasure exchanges.
Well-fed and round-bellied, the three-tailed snow fox lazily waddled over.
Since becoming Wang Yu's companion, it had lived its most comfortable life—no battles, just endless feasting.
Too cozy. Recently, it had awakened a new bloodline technique: [Ice Cloud Escape], a movement art that allowed it to fly.
This was a sign of Snow Jade's bloodline evolution and growth.
Ordinary beasts like Earthrock Oxen or Ironback Boars couldn't fly even after reaching tier-two. For beasts, bloodline was everything.
As for the Crocodile Dragon—it had decent dragon blood. In theory, it could fly after reaching tier-two. But it was more powerful in swamps.
"Can fly but won't"—that was the Crocodile Dragon.
Still, having the ability made a big difference. Wang Yu didn't need to fly himself. Riding Snow Jade, he soared out of the cavern on a trail of icy mist.
The miners had already withdrawn. Only Guan Yingdong remained, waiting for him.
"Let's go. Tell me what's happened lately."
"Yes, Master."
…
Main Hall, City Lord's Manor
The composed disciple Guan Yingdong began reporting recent events in order of importance.
"Master, first—Senior Jin Miaoshan sent word. She needs to delay the agreed delivery. Her rivals in the Pavilion are using the previous incident to attack her.
"She needs more time to gather resources from secret realm branches in other provinces."
Wang Yu twitched.
Hmm… reasonable excuse. Fine. Let her take her time. She wouldn't be slower than his own cultivation.
"Continue."
"Second…" Guan Yingdong hesitated—not out of reluctance, but unsure how to phrase it.
"The Guan Clan obtained a treasure from Eastern Polaris."
"Oh?"
Wang Yu was intrigued. Based on past experience, the ruins held far more inheritances than treasures—due to the passage of time.
Even well-preserved treasures struggled to survive millennia. Inheritances, however, could be maintained with minimal effort.
In theory, modern methods should be superior.
But disasters and wars had caused many historical gaps. For example, the ancient Blood Demon catastrophe wiped out 90% of cultivator factions, leaving a 200-year void.
Thus, ruins, ancient caves, and secret realms with deep history could offer meteoric opportunities.
Stories of lucky cultivators were endless.
"Tell me everything."
"Yes! The Guan Clan's treasure is a pair of shackles—used to restrain prisoners. It doesn't follow modern artifact crafting systems. It's an ancient item with faint spatial properties.
"Its grade is equivalent to a Core Formation artifact. We acquired it discreetly, but some cultivators noticed—two of them are Core Formation.
"One is a Yunling Prefecture rogue cultivator, early Core Formation, known as Master Yellow Sand. The other is the third lord of Demon Valley, mid Core Formation, called True Man Earth Puppet."
Two Core Formation cultivators—that was heavy pressure for the Guan Clan. Guan Yingdong mentioned it hoping Wang Yu might help.
Could Wang Yu help?
Yes.
By hiding in the City Lord's Manor like a turtle. No way he'd go out and fight those two.
It was chaos out there. People died easily.
"Sigh—"
Wang Yu sighed. Technically, they were allies. He should help. But he had his own problems.
"Just throw the treasure away. If the Guan patriarch refuses, then hide in the City Lord's Manor. Beyond that, I can't help."
Guan Yingdong understood. That was already a generous offer.
She was caught between factions—just a pawn. No need to take sides.
"I understand, Master. Third matter—there's news about the corpse-refining technique you requested. They asked whether you want a Grade-A corpse or a Fiend corpse. Delivery expected within three months."
"Fiend corpse," Wang Yu replied without hesitation. "Go handle it quickly."
"Yes, Master."
(End of Chapter)