Upon returning to the Zhao family villa, Zhao Ziyu hurried to her room, claiming she was tired and needed rest. But Jian Dan knew she was likely reporting to Zhao Mufeng. She didn't stop her and simply retreated to her own room.
Inside the bathroom, Jian Dan took out the phone Sun Kailin had given her, unlocked it, and swiftly dialed a memorized number. A deep male voice answered:
"Hello, who is this?"
"Uncle Li, it's Jian Dan! I'm at the Zhao residence in the capital. I've run into some minor trouble—I need you to arrange an assistant for me."
"Understood. Be careful on your own out there."
"Thanks, Uncle Li. Payment will be transferred directly."
"No need for formalities. Consider it repayment for the favor I owe your mother."
Before Jian Dan could even say goodbye, the call ended. She stared at the screen—less than thirty seconds. "How efficient." With a shrug, she tossed the phone back into the magnolia space.
Dinner that night was tense. Qian Yi kept sighing, but Jian Dan ignored the bait, finishing her meal before returning to her room to continue cultivation. Tonight, she planned to break through to the 9th level of Qi Refining—officially entering the late stage.
This time, she entered the magnolia space to meditate by the spirit spring, clearing her mind and circulating the "Primordial Chaos Technique" (for Qi Refining chapter). Slowly, she unblocked the last of her major meridians.
But she didn't rush the breakthrough. Instead, she absorbed spiritual energy to widen the newly cleared meridian—a meticulous process. Too much force, and even gentle energy could tear the pathways apart.
After an entire night of refinement, she had doubled her meridian width before stopping at the first twinge of pain. Only then did she guide the energy through a full cycle, compressing it into her dantian again and again until it reached saturation.
Then came the final push.
Boom.
The barrier to the 9th level shattered. Jian Dan had officially stepped into the late stage of Qi Refining. She didn't pause, immediately stabilizing the influx of energy through large and small cycles until it settled peacefully in her dantian. By dawn, her foundation was solid—just a step away from the 10th level. But she held back, choosing to consolidate her gains first.
At breakfast, she finally saw Zhao Zihan again.
But something was wrong.
His face was sallow, swollen—clearly more than a minor ailment. Jian Dan noted it dispassionately. "Not my problem."
After the meal, she returned to her room to freshen up. Once Zhao Ziyu left, she slipped out alone. The Zhao family's butler coincidentally appeared, arranging a car for her. She didn't refuse—"they'd have someone tail me anyway."
From his bedroom window, Zhao Zihan watched her car depart before collapsing back onto his bed, exhausted. A knock came. Zhao Mufeng entered without waiting, motioning for his son to stay lying down.
"Rest. You're unwell." He sat on the edge of the bed. "I came to discuss Jian Dan."
"Father… you still haven't told her about my condition? Is it because she asked for her mother's belongings last time, and you refused—"
Zhao Mufeng's face tightened. His son—once so capable—now looked frail. "When had he ever been this vulnerable?"
"No. But the news isn't good. Sun Qingguo sent his daughter to approach her—likely about the shares. I'll speak with Jian Dan tonight. No heirloom is worth more than your life."
"I understand. I've troubled you."
"Foolish boy. You're my son—"
The door burst open. Qian Yi rushed in, eyes wild.
"Mufeng, stop delaying! Every day wasted is another day Zihan suffers! That little brat—if she just disappeared, everything would be solved! Zihan would be saved, the shares recovered—"
"Mother!" Zhao Zihan cut in sharply before his father could react. "She's Father's daughter too—my sister! I'm the one begging for her help. Don't interfere!"
Zhao Mufeng's thunderous expression eased slightly at his son's words.
Qian Yi, catching her son's warning glance, instantly switched to tears.
"Mufeng, I—I misspoke! I'm just so desperate, watching Zihan weaken day by day—"
Her sobs came in torrents, softening Zhao Mufeng's glare.