Central District.

  The grand Sultan Palace smack dab in the center of the Sun Furnace Sect.

  This palace was a masterpiece of architecture, with towers piercing the skies, high arches painted with runic patterns, and marble walls decked out in golden patterns, crystal, precious gems.

  The disparity in wealth exemplified here was a far cry from the conditions in the districts outside.

  But even the bravest daredevils don’t dare to lay a finger on a stone here for this was the forbidden palace for almost all disciples.

  This was a forbidden ground Bubai thought he would never step foot it. Unexpectedly, today was the day...

  As soon as Bubai crossed the threshold into the enormous palace, he immediately felt the air grow thick, almost syrupy, clinging to his skin like a second layer.

  It was a rare and rather unfamiliar sensation, yet Bubai knew this was his physique’s instinctive reaction once it encountered a change in the concentration of Qi.

  To be more precise, it was a change from a low to a higher concentration!

  As expected, the flow of Qi here in the palace was rich and dense, many folds higher than the meager amount trickling out into the districts beyond!

  This was where the truly powerful elites of the sect dwell.

  Aside from the pinnacle of the sect’s hierarchy, perhaps only core disciples were granted access to bask in this well of benefits from time to time.

  But there was another special group that had the leisure to enjoy all the cultivation benefits here, almost permanently…

  “Hehehe~ Sisters, watch out for my super splash~”

  “How dare you make this concubine wet! Take this! Ei~”

  Passing through an outdoor corridor leading deeper into the palace, Bubai captured every detail of the palace beauties frolicking within the adjacent courtyard garden.

  These woman certainly didn’t adhere to the traditional imperial palace virtues.

  Most were dressed like belly dancers, boasting exotic, alluring garments that left their skin glowing under the sunlight.

  Some were boldly playing inside the large ornate fountain while others lounged on the steps.

  There were those leisurely admiring the garden like butterflies while a few leaned provocatively against the decorative pillars of the corridor, eyeing the passing guests.

  When Bubai matched eyes with one, the other let her fingers trail suggestively along the edges of her curves while sending him an invitation.

  “Care to join us for a dip? We’re always open to entertain… guests.”

  Leading a few steps ahead, Xiao Hong gave Bubai a sharp look. “Don't even think about it. The palace has rules, and breaking them would be unwise.”

  Bubai raised an eyebrow. “What? I was just appreciating the architecture.”

  “Sure you were. All you men are the same.” Xiao Hong scoffed.

  “Listen up. Most of these flowers are open to entertain guests. But don’t get any ideas. They have the favor of core disciples and even elders.”

  “An inferior trash like you is not equipped to handle the consequences of crossing them. Tsk, of course, if you want to become like the errand boys here, be my guest.”

  Ducking Merlin’s sake! Does he really look that thirsty? Bubai rolled his eyes but said nothing, letting the warning sink in. He ain’t ready to be a eunuch.

  Following Xiao Hong deeper into the palace, they soon ascended a grand staircase into the hall leading to a tower.

  Mosaics spread like vines on the walls and luminous pearls dotted the hall like stars guiding their path.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Stopping outside the grand double doors at the end of the hall, Xiao Hong solemnly reported their arrival. “Master, the Mo Bubai requesting an audience has arrived.”

  “Let him in.”

  Accompanying echoes of the elderly man’s command, the grand double doors rumbled open on its own, welcoming the duo into a chamber both grand and unnerving.

  At a glance, what stood out was the thick, bloody mist flowing out from the gaping mouths of golden carp statues.

  Like small waterfalls, the fishy breath cascaded into a crimson pool that encircled the room’s central platform like a ring, leaving only a strip of flat land for crossing.

  Crossing the narrow stretch of smooth white stone, Bubai was led to the center of the cultivation chamber decked out to be a living space.

  At the very heart was a black jade block – a familiar sight.

  Near that was a cushioned chair carved from dark wood, where the elder sat, leisurely feeding a small yet strange pet tortoise with red veins faintly pulsing on its shell.

  Though the elder’s attention didn’t seem to be on him just yet, Bubai still saluted formally. “Junior Mo Bubai pays his respect to Elder Ma.”

  Ma Pei glanced over, dismissively waving his hand. “How many times must this old man tell you to dispense with these trivial formalities?”

  Bubai lowered himself even more. “Junior doesn’t dare.”

  Stroking the tortoise’s shell, Ma Pei gave Bubai a once over. “Hoh? So well-behaved. I trust your journey here was… the same?”

  Xiao Hong gave Bubai a look of disdain. “He behaved, for the most part. Though Hong’er had to remind him that some things are best left untouched.”

  “Hoh? Good advice. But young man must have the vigor to do big things. Hohoho...”

  Ma Pei chuckled, setting the tortoise down on a small silk cushion.

  “Alright, now, let’s not waste this old man’s time and discuss why you’re here. Don’t tell this old man you came begging because you can’t pay your rent.”

  “Master, the rent has already been received.” Xiao Hong stepped up, offering up a pouch with both hands.

  “Hoh. Five spirit stones, all accounted for.” A wave of the old man’s ringed hand vanished the pouch.

  Bubai’s gaze landed on the old geezer’s ring. There was no need to guess any longer.

  That ring must be a genuine space ring – a legendary spatial storage device rumored be large enough to fit multiple mansions.

  The space within was also stable enough to store myriad wonders, including those that other low-level spatial storage devices can’t hold!

  If his own secret space can absorb that ring… just imagining it made Bubai excited!

  Of course, some things he didn’t have the strength to covet. So, Bubai quickly restrained his greed.

  Thankfully, the owner of the ring didn’t seem to care about Bubai’s brief lapse of propriety.

  After receiving his dues, Ma Pei simply eyed the duo with a blend of amusement and indifference.

  “Since you’re not short on rent, what is it? Could it be… afraid you can’t cling to your status? Just so you know, this old man is not in the habit of bending the sect’s rules out of kindness.”

  Bubai quickly shook his head and took out a Sunfire Jade box. Bowing, he presented it to the old man.

  “Junior specially came to honor elder’s well-being. Please accept this little humble sincerity from junior.”

  “Hohoh? This is…” A glimmer of intrigue lighted Ma Pei’s gaze. “The Silver Lotus of the Alchemy Sect? How did such a precious treasure end up in your brat’s hand?”

  Bubai courageously met the elderly man’s scrutinizing gaze. “It’s just a small token junior picked up by accident.”

  “Picked up… on accident? Hoho…” The old man gave him a meaningful look, but a finger still beckoned at the box.

  The box lifted into the air and floated into the elder’s hand.

  The ringed hand vanished the box, and Ma Pei’s smile became much more friendly.

  “Enough with the pleasantries. Don’t think you can win this old man over with a little cleverness. Don’t be so wishy-washy and speak plainly. What do you want? This old man isn’t into trading favors for empty gestures.”

  Taking a deep breath, Bubai bowed. “Junior humbly requests the elder’s assistance in covering something.”

  “Hoh?” Ma Pei arched an eyebrow, picking up the tea cup filled by Xiao Hong and blowing on it. "What sort of mess has a green sprout like you get tangled up with?"

  Bubai plastered on a helpless face. “Junior did not seek out trouble, but trouble has found me nonetheless.”

  “Hoh? Go on, this old man is listening.”

  Seeing the elderly man sipping on his tea while the redhead brewed more, Bubai began his story. “Junior must start speaking from my physique.”

  “Your physique?” Ma Pei’s brows lifted in recognition. “If this old man’s memory serves me right, it is the Unsullied Body, an acquired physique, no?”

  "That’s what junior thought as well," Bubai admitted, his expression darkening slightly. "But over the months here, I’ve discovered... something strange."

  "At first, junior wasn’t sure what was happening, but later junior confirmed there were indeed inexplicable changes to my physique." He hesitated, then added, "Things junior can’t quite align with just the Unsullied Body."

  Ma Pei still didn’t seemed to be fazed. He leisurely petted the redhead, urging for the story to continue, “What kind of changes?”

  "Over the months, I’ve felt myself growing stronger…" Bubai searched for the right words to convey the strangeness of it all. "Especially when I’m under the sun, as if the light itself is feeding me."

  "Hoh?" Ma Pei finally perked up, his sharpened gaze fixing on Bubai. "Could it be… the legendary pure yang constitution? Come here, boy, let this old man take a closer look."

  Without warning, Bubai felt a force yank him forward like a rag doll, bringing him to the side of the elderly man.

  Bubai then felt every inch of his being invaded by an intangible force. It was the familiar yet very uncomfortable feeling of having everything seen through.

  While his divine sense read Bubai from the inside out, Ma Pei’s eyes narrowed in concentration and mumbled to himself.

  "Interesting... The mid-grade spiritual root is now high-grade? How rare- Hoh? What’s this unusual vitality coursing through your veins? How strange..."

  "And the Qi within your body… this viscosity, it’s as if you’ve been baptized by the tribulation! But how? This old man hasn’t sensed any foundation seed condensed in your dantian."

  "It’s almost as if you have the innate dao body, but not quite so simple. Strange, very strange indeed..."