After catching the jade token, Wang Jianqiang turned toward the courtyard.
There was no visible gate — only an open entrance framed by ancient wood. Yet the air shimmered faintly; a formation barrier covered the entire yard. From the outside, all he could see through the entrance was a hazy mist, obscuring everything within.
He studied it briefly, then tossed the jade token forward.
As it neared the threshold, the token seemed to strike an invisible wall and hovered in midair. The barrier rippled like disturbed water.
Wang Jianqiang raised his hand, recalled the token, and stepped forward into the rippling veil.
In an instant, his surroundings changed.
His vision blurred, then cleared — and he found himself standing inside the courtyard.
It was far larger than he had expected.
The first thing his eyes caught was the elegant, three-story pavilion at the far end of the courtyard, its jade-tiled roof gleaming faintly under sunlight. Compared to this, the outer sect quarters were nothing short of hovels.
When he stepped into the building and saw the spacious second-floor bedroom — especially the soft, oversized bed that could easily fit four or five people — satisfaction spread across his face.
After familiarizing himself with his new residence, Wang Jianqiang left the courtyard and returned to his old dwelling in the outer sect.
He packed up all his belongings, then made his way toward the Hall of External Affairs.
Half an hour later, he stepped out of the hall again.
Dong Yue wasn't there — she was probably still in seclusion.
Just as he was about to head back to the inner sect, a familiar figure appeared ahead.
Ye Fan.
His brows were furrowed, his face clouded with irritation — but when he spotted Wang Jianqiang, his expression instantly brightened.
"Brother Wang! Here to visit Rou'er again, eh?"
Wang Jianqiang laughed. "So it's Brother Ye."
"Congratulations on forming your Foundation!" Ye Fan grinned warmly. "Forgive me, brother, I've been occupied with some matters lately and didn't get the chance to come and congratulate you in person."
"Brother Ye, you're too polite — you'll make me feel ashamed! Your kind thought alone means more than enough."
Then, feigning casual curiosity, Wang Jianqiang tilted his head. "But Brother Ye, what brings you here?"
At that, Ye Fan sighed heavily, frustration written all over his face.
"Ah, don't even mention it! Remember last time, when you told me not to bother Rou'er anymore? Well, I took your advice. When I happened to see her outside your room during your breakthrough, I found an excuse to leave immediately."
"After that, I stayed away for over a year — not a single visit."
"These past three months, I thought enough time had passed, so I came to check on her…"
"You'll never believe it!"
"I've come by dozens of times — and haven't seen her once!"
He leaned closer, lowering his voice anxiously. "Brother Wang, do you think she's still upset about me leaving that day? Maybe she's… avoiding me on purpose?"
Wang Jianqiang almost laughed aloud. Ye Fan's words tumbled out like a flood bursting from a dam, pouring all his frustration and confusion straight into Wang Jianqiang's ears.
After listening quietly, Wang Jianqiang's expression turned a little… strange.
"When exactly have you been trying to see her?" he asked carefully.
"Don't worry, brother!" Ye Fan said quickly, patting his chest. "I remembered your advice — I only went when she should've been resting, so I wouldn't disturb her cultivation!"
Wang Jianqiang froze.
He hadn't expected there would be a day when he'd struggle so hard not to burst out laughing.
In his previous life, there was a saying that fit this moment perfectly — his mouth was harder to keep straight than the recoil of an AK rifle.
No one in this world knew Dong Yue's schedule better than he did.
Because for the past three months, every time she was supposed to be resting, she was actually coming to help him "improve his alchemy control."
If Ye Fan had come even a little earlier… he might've walked right into that scene.
Fortunately, Ye Fan was too miserable to notice Wang Jianqiang's twitching lips.
Covering his mouth as if deep in thought, Wang Jianqiang forcibly smoothed down his rising grin and spoke in a serious tone.
"Brother Ye, of course I believe you."
"It's just that… you've misunderstood Elder Dong. She isn't avoiding you."
Ye Fan blinked. "Really? You mean that?"
Wang Jianqiang smiled confidently. "Brother Ye, are you doubting Elder Dong's integrity, or are you doubting the friendship between brothers?"
At those words, Ye Fan's tension melted away completely. Guilt flashed across his face.
How could he ever doubt Brother Wang — someone so close to Elder Dong, someone who had always helped him sincerely?
He was the one at fault here!
"Brother Wang, I've been too impatient."
He sighed, then gritted his teeth and pulled out a jade slip. "Brother, I owe you an apology for doubting you."
"This jade slip contains a second-tier pill formula I found while adventuring outside years ago. Take it as a token of my remorse."
He released the slip; it floated gently before Wang Jianqiang.
"Brother Ye, I can't possibly accept—"
"Please, Brother Wang! It's from the heart. I insist you take it."
"…Well, in that case, I'll graciously accept it," Wang Jianqiang said with a deliberately reluctant look.
Seeing him accept, Ye Fan finally smiled with relief.
Then, curiosity returned. "But Brother Wang, if she wasn't avoiding me, why didn't I see her even once?"
Wang Jianqiang hesitated for a beat before replying solemnly, "Remember how I told you Elder Dong found a way to treat her old injuries?"
"She's been in seclusion ever since — that's why you haven't seen her."
"Ah, I see!"
Ye Fan nodded, enlightenment dawning on his face.
Wang Jianqiang added seriously, "Hardly anyone in the sect knows about this. I'm telling only you — make sure you don't spread it around."
A flicker of emotion softened Ye Fan's eyes. "Brother Wang… you truly are a good man."
After exchanging a few more friendly words, they parted ways.
When Wang Jianqiang returned to his new pavilion, he finally took out the jade slip Ye Fan had given him — and couldn't hold back a laugh.
He had already scanned its contents when Ye Fan handed it over.
Inside was the recipe for a Purple Qi Pill, a mid-tier second-grade elixir.
Until now, he'd been worrying about what to use once the effects of his Heavenly Spirit Pills began to wane.
Now, the answer had quite literally fallen into his lap.
That saves me the trouble of hunting for one myself.
He sent messages to Wang Yuyao, Mu Lingxi, and Dong Yue, letting them know his new address in the inner sect — then sat down to cultivate.
After breaking through to Foundation, his five-element spiritual roots consumed energy at an astonishing rate.
But with a thousand Heavenly Spirit Pills stored up, he didn't have to worry about resources at all.
One perfect pill after another dissolved in his body, his spiritual power surging like a rising tide.
Five days later—
The jade pendant at his waist flashed faintly with light.
Sensing it, Wang Jianqiang opened his eyes and waved a hand.
An image of the courtyard gate shimmered before him.
A graceful, familiar silhouette stood waiting just beyond the barrier.
When he saw her, a smile curved his lips.
"So it's Yuyao."
"Perfect timing."
"I've been cultivating nonstop for days — time for a little break."