CHAPTER 61: GOOD BOY.

After reaching back to his modest outer sect cottage, John let out a slow, tired breath and closed the door behind him.

The soft click of the wooden latch echoed in the silence of the room.

He removed his outer robes and tossed them to the side, then sat heavily on the edge of his bed.

His heart still beat with traces of the earlier tension.

That conversation with Elder Tenfires... the gamble he took, it was all riding on this one moment.

John closed his eyes and muttered, "Open panel."

A crisp light flashed in front of his vision as the familiar system interface appeared.

---

[System Panel]

Name: John Coral

Age: 25

Cultivation: Spirit Seed Realm (1466 / 3200)

Upgrade Slot: Empty

Skills:

• Meditation (Level 6 – Max)

• Breathing (Level 5 – Max)

• Spatial Awareness (Level 5)

• Slow Toad Breathing Skill (Level 10 – Max)

• Double Face Lizard Technique (Level 7 – Max)

• Basic Flame Control (Level 3)

• Alchemy (Level 5)

• Twelve Circle Slashes (Level 4)

• Soul Piercing Gaze (Level 5)

• Lightening Bull Kicks (Level 3)

---

With a flick of his hand, he took out a Blood Rush Pill from his spatial bag and calmly placed it into the glowing upgrade slot.

[Upgrade Slot - Blood Rush Pill (Level 1) (1/100)]

He exhaled.

"Let’s see if I can really pull this off..."

Over the next seven days...

John balanced cultivation with relaxation and planning.

His first task was simple: complete his remaining Easy Sect Mission.

He selected one involving the delivery of spiritual herbs to a nearby village under the sect’s influence.

It was straightforward and gave him some peace of mind, now, both his mandatory missions were complete, and he had three months of freedom.

With the pressure slightly lifted, he decided to indulge a bit.

He toured the Outer Sect’s Market District, sampling delicacies from every corner, honey-roasted spirit boar, blue rice dumplings infused with spiritual energy, even a rare Golden Leaf Tea known to cleanse spiritual meridians.

He returned to the Fragrant Cloud Pavilion twice more, enjoying their signature spirit chicken and warm rice wine.

On other days, he wandered into new massage houses and even sat in a hot spirit spring that claimed to help with internal qi circulation.

But no matter what he did, one part of his mind always circled back to that Upgrade Slot, quietly ticking away.

Finally, on the seventh day, after a long bath and a meal of grilled silverfin from the Spiritwater River, John returned to his cottage and opened his system again.

---

[System Panel]

Name: John Coral

Age: 25

Cultivation: Spirit Seed Realm (1500 / 3200)

Upgrade Slot: Blood Rush Pill (Level 4) (610 / 800)

Skills:

• Meditation (Level 6 – Max)

• Breathing (Level 5 – Max)

• Spatial Awareness (Level 5)

• Slow Toad Breathing Skill (Level 10 – Max)

• Double Face Lizard Technique (Level 7 – Max)

• Basic Flame Control (Level 3)

• Alchemy (Level 5)

• Twelve Circle Slashes (Level 4)

• Soul Piercing Gaze (Level 5)

• Lightening Bull Kicks (Level 3)

---

He frowned slightly. "Still needs a bit more... only half a day left."

So he didn’t rush. Instead, he chose to stall.

He deliberately dressed in a clean but plain robe, tied his hair back neatly, and left his cottage at a leisurely pace.

On his way through the sect grounds, he strolled, nodding to fellow disciples, pausing to admire blooming spirit flowers and watching the young alchemists burn their cauldrons to ash.

He even bought a candied fruit stick from a vendor, chewing slowly as the sun arced overhead.

Finally, when the skies started turning orange and gold, a soft chime rang in his ears.

---

[Upgrade Complete – Blood Rush Pill has upgraded to Level 5]

---

John’s lips curled into a pleased grin. He ducked into an alleyway and pulled out the upgraded pill.

The blood-red pill sat in his palm like a glowing ember.

Four glimmering golden rings circled its surface, rotating faintly in the light.

It pulsed with power and purity.

"Beautiful..." he whispered.

Without wasting another second, he slid it into a crystal-clear glass vial, then tucked it securely into his spatial bag.

He rolled his shoulders, fixed his robe, and set off, his footsteps now brimming with confidence.

As he entered the Cauldron Peak Palace, all heads turned to him.

Some were staff members, others were fellow disciples, and a few were onlookers who had heard some rumors, That daring fool who promised Elder Tenfires something impossible would return today.

And now, he had.

Excited whispers broke out in the crowd.

"He actually came back?"

"Doesn’t he know Elder Tenfires will roast him if he fails?"

"Maybe he’s just stupid."

"Nah, maybe... maybe he really has something?"

John ignored the stares.

His eyes gleamed with quiet pride, and his gait was steady like a man carrying the weight of something far greater than a mere pill.

He reached the reception desk and held out his identity token.

"I have business with Elder Tenfires. He’s expecting me."

The blue-robed guard hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. "This way."

As John was led back into the chambers, murmurs swelled again.

"We’re about to see history or humiliation."

"I’ll bet two spirit stones he’s gonna get slapped."

"Tenfires doesn’t tolerate bluffers. If it’s not real, he’s finished."

As John stepped through the arched entrance into Elder Tenfires’ private chambers, the familiar scent of aged herbs and spiritual incense greeted him.

But instead of the cranky, sharp-tongued elder he was expecting, his eyes landed on an entirely different presence.

A woman stood by the long table at the side of the room, her back to him.

She was dressed in flowing blue sect robes, embroidered with silver threads that glimmered faintly under the lamp light.

As she turned toward him, John’s breath hitched slightly.

She was in her late thirties or early forties, her mature beauty as refined as a well-aged wine.

Her features were sculpted and sensual, a delicate blend of dignity and allure.

She was full in the right places, with curves that pressed ever so slightly against her tightly fitted robe.

Her chest strained the silk fabric, and through the deliberate slit along the thigh of her robes, smooth, fair skin flashed like temptation wrapped in discipline.

John halted mid-step, his brows slightly furrowed as confusion flickered across his face.

Where was Elder Tenfires? His gaze flicked, unwillingly, down toward her plunging neckline. Just for a moment.

Then he blinked hard and forced himself to meet her eyes.

She was already smiling. Amused.

"Are you John?" Her voice was smoky and low, with a lilting charm that carried a mischievous edge.

John swallowed thickly. "Yes. I’m here to see Elder Tenfires. He’s expecting me."

"Is that so?" she murmured, her lips curving further as she stepped closer. "How very amusing."

She walked with a graceful sway that was far too natural not to be intentional.

As she approached, the high slit in her robes parted even more, revealing the entirety of one long, toned leg.

John took a half-step back on instinct.

"Unfortunately for you," she continued, her tone laced with amusement, "Elder Tenfires thought you wouldn’t show. He received a pill refining commission from one of the Inner Peaks and left before dusk. He likely won’t return until midnight or later."

John frowned. His eyes dropped for a moment in disappointment, and then he gave a polite nod. "I understand. I’ll return tomorrow then..."

But just as he turned toward the exit, a gentle but firm hand landed on his shoulder, stopping him mid-step.

"Wait."

Her touch was warm. Disarming.

But it was her words that made his heart skip a beat.

"If I remember correctly..." she said, leaning slightly down toward him, close enough for her warm breath to touch his ear, her chest just inches from brushing against his arm, "you told Elder Tenfires you’d deliver the pill today... or be expelled."

John froze.

His ears flushed red, and he could practically feel the heat rising up his neck.

A faint scent wafted from her, sweet, floral, and maddeningly alluring.

He turned to look at her, and she straightened back up, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

"You wouldn’t want to leave without fulfilling that promise, would you?" she added with an arched brow.

Her voice was like silk brushing against his mind.

John inhaled slowly through his nose, trying to suppress the flush in his cheeks. "Of course not," he replied, composing himself. "But if Elder Tenfires is not here..."

"Oh, he’ll be back eventually," she said with a shrug, gliding back toward the wide table and pouring herself a cup of clear spirit tea.

She lifted the cup to her lips and sipped. "You should wait here. He’ll be back tonight. Probably before the third hour of the boar."

She turned halfway and looked at him over her shoulder.

"I’m Naima Vol by the way. Though most people in the sect just call me Vol."

She winked. "It’s easier to remember, isn’t it?"

John stood frozen at the threshold, his thoughts battling between propriety and the strange but powerful charisma this woman exuded.

Even her name had a strange rhythm to it, elegant, but bold.

He gave her a small bow. "Thank you... Senior Vol. I’ll wait, then."

Her smile widened. "Good boy."