Chapter 121: Ugly, Fifth Level of Internal Force

Basement of the villa.

The entire basement had been cleared out, leaving only Chou behind. The clamor from outside could not penetrate this sanctuary of tranquility. Here, Chou could cultivate in peace, undisturbed.

With the aid of the Dragon Soul Pill, he was challenging the fifth level of internal energy. Dragon Soul Pill—Hetian had only heard of it, never used it. But according to Longtou, the pill could increase one's success rate in breaking through by at least sixty percent. Combined with the individual's own confidence, the chances of success were well over ninety percent, perhaps even a hundred.

However, this effect was limited to breakthroughs before the fifth level. From the fifth to the sixth, the pill would not be so miraculous.

This information, too, was provided by Longtou. Hetian trusted him implicitly; there was no reason for deceit. Thus, these truths were accepted without question.

What surprised Hetian was that four days had already passed since Chou began his seclusion. Throughout those days, Hetian's attention had been focused on negotiations between Ruth, Shenfeng, and Meng Yang; he hadn't spared much thought for Chou.

It was only today, realizing Chou had yet to emerge, that Hetian decided to check in. Although plenty of food had been prepared for Chou’s retreat, his continued absence made Hetian uneasy. What if something went wrong? No, impossible. Nothing could happen. The fifth level of internal energy was simply difficult to break through; it was normal for it to take more time.

Hetian merely glanced around the basement, careful not to make any sound for fear of disturbing Chou.

In the martial world, most people revered the fifth level of internal energy, both proving its formidable power and highlighting the difficulty of reaching it.

Whether this was fact or Hetian comforting himself, all he could do now was wait quietly.

He quietly withdrew from the basement, gazing at the moonlight shimmering over the sea and the workers, rotating in shifts, hurrying to transform the villa’s surroundings as planned.

“Tomorrow… tomorrow is the day you get your money, He Jiansheng!” Hetian smiled, murmuring to himself.

Suddenly, the smile froze on his face.

His ears twitched—was there a movement in the basement?

Hetian hurried back, opening the heavy door; the sound became unmistakable.

Laughter.

“Chou!” Hetian broke into a smile; it was Chou’s laughter, filled with joy. Clearly, success or failure, Chou’s mood delivered the answer.

“Hahaha, Hetian!” A blurred figure flashed, and Chou stood before him.

“So… this is the speed of the fifth level?” Hetian stared, astonished. With that speed, Chou could easily ambush him; Hetian doubted he could evade.

“Hahaha, yes, this is the speed of the fifth level! Sorry… I broke through two days ago! But I couldn’t resist familiarizing myself with everything first. Just sensed you coming in and realized you were worried!” Chou laughed apologetically, his unusual face tinged with regret.

“You really had me worried for a moment!” Hetian said, understanding.

“Hetian, thank you! The fifth level… without your pills, it would have been hard for me to break through. Maybe another ten years? That was my shortest estimation!” Chou said sincerely.

“Oh, come now! There’s no need for such words between us. You’re too formal.” Hetian smiled, “Didn’t I tell you before? Your progress is our collective progress. I believe your strength will benefit all of us.”

“Hahaha, all right, I won’t say anything more!” Chou laughed heartily.

Soon, word of Chou’s breakthrough spread.

Even though it was night…

Well, for people like Lazy Cat, night or day hardly made a difference.

Lazy Cat, Ruth, Shenfeng, Qingwu, Yaorou, Lan Ji, and even Wang Xinrou and Wang Xinmeng came to see.

Chou bowed repeatedly, thanking everyone.

In the end, at Wang Xinrou’s insistence, he demonstrated the power of the fifth level of internal energy.

The result—

Everyone was stunned.

Including Hetian… He had hardly interacted with any fifth-level masters. Longtou? He had never shown his skills before Hetian. Hetian’s understanding of the fifth level was vague.

Now, he finally had a clearer picture.

Wang Xinrou quietly pulled Hetian aside.

“What’s going on?” Hetian asked, puzzled.

“Hetian, do you think I could cultivate internal energy too?” Wang Xinrou looked at him with eager anticipation.

“Impossible! You’re already too old!” Hetian shook his head.

“No chance at all?” Wang Xinrou’s face was full of disappointment.

Chou’s demonstration, and her time with Lazy Cat and the others, had stirred a longing for internal energy within her.

That ability to scale walls and leap rooftops matched her vision of a heroic woman.

“Almost no way,” Hetian replied, shaking his head. “Internal energy… unlike external skills, which have no age requirement, internal energy is different. Strictly speaking, if you haven’t begun cultivating internal energy before the age of ten, your body isn’t suitable for it anymore.”

“Almost no way?” Wang Xinrou ignored the latter part, her eyes brightening. “Hetian, so there is a way, right?”

“Well, I’ll tell you—there is a way! You need a highly skilled fifth-level master, or higher. With the right pills, you can forcibly open your energy channels… That would allow someone to qualify for internal energy cultivation,” Hetian said, seeing her hopeful expression.

“Chou… Chou is fifth-level now! And we have the pills! Isn’t that everything we need?” Wang Xinrou’s hope grew stronger.

“It’s not that simple… Even if a fifth-level master could help, it must be a very experienced one. Chou has just advanced… he’s still far from that level,” Hetian whispered mysteriously. “And most importantly… when the energy channels are opened, the person must be… well, without any barrier! Think about it…”

Wang Xinrou instinctively glanced at Chou, encircled by the others… her face changed instantly.

“Hetian, hurry up and reach the fifth level yourself!” Wang Xinrou absolutely refused to be exposed before Chou, but with Hetian, she wouldn’t object.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hetian grinned, “Are you impatient to show me…”

“Oh, please… go away!” Wang Xinrou’s cheeks reddened as she tossed out the words and ran off.

Hetian smiled. He was beginning to enjoy teasing Wang Xinrou like this.

———

“What are you doing? How could you be so careless? Four days—four days have passed! Seven days, we only have seven!” He Jiansheng paced back and forth, glaring at Meng Yang, his anger barely contained.

Meng Yang’s face was full of remorse. He forced a smile, “Young Master, whether it’s Tongda or Haisheng, we’re talking billions here! We’re selling in a rush, and we want cash. Anyone would think carefully. Now, both companies sense my urgency and are driving the price down… I’m afraid if I sell at such a low price, you’ll kill me!”

He Jiansheng calmed himself a little. Meng Yang’s point was valid.

A deal worth over a billion… to close it within days was indeed difficult.

But that wasn’t a reason. He Jiansheng wanted results. Unless Meng Yang delivered, he wouldn’t be satisfied.

He Jiansheng almost regretted his approach. If he had chosen collateral loans from the start, it might have been much faster than selling outright.

He didn’t believe the banks would give him any special treatment, but even following standard procedures, four days should have been enough.

Of course, the reason he hadn’t considered this earlier was to keep the affair quiet.

Now, hardly anyone knew what was happening—so he felt justified in not involving the banks.

But the funds still hadn’t come through.

The seven-day forced acquisition deadline was looming.

How could He Jiansheng not be anxious?

He forced himself to calm down, then asked Meng Yang, “What’s the current price?”

“Haisheng, fifteen billion. Tongda, ten billion,” Meng Yang replied quietly.

“Robbery! This is outright robbery!” He Jiansheng’s face twisted in fury.

Haisheng Supermarket was worth at least twenty billion; Tongda Auto Repair, fifteen billion minimum.

Now, each had shaved off five billion.

If this wasn’t robbery, what was? Worse than robbing a bank!

He Jiansheng didn’t manage those companies’ daily affairs, but Haisheng Supermarket’s annual net profit was fifteen million, and Tongda’s was ten million.

They were highly efficient profit engines, yet offered such prices!

How could He Jiansheng not be furious?

But… anger aside!

Unless he was willing to watch Hetian swagger before him again, he had no choice.

“Those prices… Tomorrow, tomorrow morning! Can you get it done?” He Jiansheng asked Meng Yang gravely.

“If you approve the price, I’ll do everything I can to close the deal by tomorrow morning!” Meng Yang promised fervently.