Secluded Cultivation for a Year, Peak of the True Immortal Realm

The sudden change in the Heavenly Pride Rankings naturally drew everyone's attention, but no one expected the one who made it onto the list would be Yun Qingluan!

It wasn’t that they looked down on Yun Qingluan—in fact, most of them didn’t even have the right to look down on her.

But everyone knew Yun Qingluan’s test results. With her cultivation level and combat power, it should have been impossible for her to make it onto the Heavenly Pride Rankings.

Yun Qingluan had barely met the minimum requirements, still far from the level needed to rank.

And yet…

"Rank 47: Yun Qingluan, Cleared: Sixth Floor, Time Taken: Thirty-two Days."

Not only had Yun Qingluan made it onto the rankings, but she had also secured the 47th spot, not just the 50th.

"Did the difficulty of the Heavenly Pride Tower decrease?"

"How is that possible? If that were the case, why didn’t others who attempted it make the rankings?"

"But Yun Qingluan’s combat power was barely over twenty thousand. How could she clear the sixth floor in just thirty-two days?"

"Could it be that… during those thirty-two days, Yun Qingluan’s strength improved?"

"Seriously? Isn’t that too fast?"

"Well, she’s a Golden Immortal at just a hundred and thirty-five years old. Fast progress isn’t that unusual, right?"

"That’s true. But since the rankings have updated, this must be her limit for now."

"Right, she probably plans to leave the Heavenly Pride Tower and won’t attempt the seventh floor."

As the crowd buzzed with discussion, Yun Qingluan emerged from the tower.

Only a month had passed, but when everyone saw her again, they could sense a drastic change in her demeanor.

Before entering the tower, Yun Qingluan had carried an aloof, untouchable aura—her cold elegance kept others at a distance, yet her presence wasn’t aggressive, merely serene.

But now, though her elegance remained, her aura had sharpened.

The battles within the tower had tempered her, making her more formidable, her presence now carrying an edge that made her seem even more unapproachable.

The moment she stepped out, Yun Qingluan searched for Chen Chang'an. When she didn’t find him, a flicker of disappointment crossed her face before she quietly returned to the Heavenly Pride Inn.

"You’re back."

"Your month in the Heavenly Pride Tower seems to have been fruitful?"

Chen Chang'an had already noticed the changes in her the moment she returned.

As an Extreme Yin Saint Body, Yun Qingluan’s talent was undeniable. Moreover, she had always been highly perceptive—though her previous physical condition had kept her from cultivation until now.

"Master, I made it onto the rankings."

Onto the rankings?

Chen Chang'an was slightly surprised. His original intention had only been to let her gain experience and temper herself in the tower. He hadn’t expected her to bring him such an unexpected achievement.

"What rank?"

"Forty-seventh. But if I had more time, I could have climbed higher." Yun Qingluan spoke nervously, unsure if her performance would satisfy her master.

"You did well."

"Better than I expected."

His words eased her tension, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

"Master, my time in the tower gave me many insights. I’d like to go into seclusion to cultivate."

"Good. Take these resources—use them as you see fit."

Chen Chang'an had amassed quite a stockpile of resources lately and handed a portion to her without hesitation.

Yun Qingluan didn’t refuse. After accepting the spatial ring from him, she asked, "Master, are Da Huang and Xiao Yao cultivating?"

"Yes, both of them are in seclusion."

"And… what about you?"

"Me?"

"You focus on your cultivation. I’ll enter seclusion soon as well."

"Yes."

Chen Chang'an hadn’t fully immersed himself in cultivation these past days—after all, people kept coming to deliver resources every few days.

But now, nearly everyone on his list had sent their promised resources, including those from the City Lord’s estate.

Still, one thing puzzled him, so he summoned Chu Xiao.

"Young Master Chen, what can I do for you?" Chu Xiao asked with a smile.

"It’s been a month. During this time, you’ve frequently brought food and wine."

"But not once have you asked for payment."

"You haven’t charged for the meals, nor for the lodging."

"Why is that?"

Chen Chang'an wasn’t blind to the Heavenly Pride Inn’s preferential treatment. The inn had always operated on a strict pay-as-you-go basis—no debts, no favors.

"Ah, so that’s what this is about."

"Young Master Chen, you’ve already received an investment from the City Lord’s estate, and the Heavenly Pride Inn is part of that arrangement."

"In other words, you don’t need to pay for anything here."

"All expenses are covered by the City Lord’s investment."

An investment from the City Lord’s estate? Was the Heavenly Pride Inn footing the bill, or had the City Lord separately compensated them?

"What’s the relationship between the City Lord’s estate and the Heavenly Pride Inn?" Chen Chang'an pressed.

"Young Master Chen, I’m just a servant here. Some matters… aren’t for me to discuss."

"Was there anything else you needed?"

"No, that’s all. You may go."

"Very well. If you need anything, just call for me."

After Chu Xiao left, Chen Chang'an frowned. If the man refused to speak, then the connection between the two factions was likely more complicated than it seemed.

"Never mind. Time to cultivate."

With resources in hand, Chen Chang'an saw no reason to delay and threw himself into cultivation.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye. With Chen Chang'an and his companions fully immersed in cultivation, the Heavenly Pride City gradually quieted down, the chatter about them fading.

Meanwhile, Shen Yunfei had successfully climbed the Heavenly Pride Rankings, securing an impressive 20th place.

But what baffled him was—why had no one approached him?

Why hadn’t a single investor sought him out?

People merely greeted him politely, nodding with perfunctory smiles.

Shen Yunfei had no idea that while he was inside the Heavenly Pride Tower, Chen Chang'an had sold him off—again—for an exorbitant price.

After Shen Yunfei’s ranking, the Heavenly Pride Rankings fell silent once more, and the city returned to its usual calm.

"Whew!"

"Never thought this round of cultivation would take me a full year."

Spending an entire year solely on cultivation was a first for Chen Chang'an, but the results were satisfying.

"Peak True Immortal Realm. Just one step away from breaking through to the Golden Immortal Realm."

"These resources… don’t last long."

Chen Chang'an sighed helplessly. The amount of energy he needed for breakthroughs was absurd. Even with all the resources he had swindled, more than half were already gone.

"Chen Chang'an, care to explain what this means?"

"Where are the things?"

"Where are the resources?"

"Lost them?"

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