Su Jiu said nothing more.
She simply cast a layer of illusion silently behind the two of them.
The illusion wasn’t sophisticated—it merely bent the light, making the small corner behind the stone pillar even dimmer and more inconspicuous.
After finishing, she took a deep breath.
"Lie down."
"Close your eyes."
Su Ji complied without question.
He could sense the faint movements nearby.
"Junior Sister, just go ahead and do what you must."
"Shut up!"
Su Jiu’s voice was a mix of embarrassment and irritation.
Then, Su Ji felt a gentle yet unyielding force supporting him.
Unable to see Su Jiu’s actions, he could only imagine them based on sensation.
"I’m just reviewing my movement techniques to prepare for the possible battle ahead. Don’t overthink it."
"My clan’s secret movement technique is called [Heavenly Fox Mirage Step]. It emphasizes harmony between mind and body, movement guided by intent."
Su Jiu’s voice was soft, as if explaining to him—or perhaps convincing herself.
"The first stance is called ‘Treading Snow.’"
Her touch was light, carrying an odd rhythm, like a snowflake drifting down.
"The second stance, ‘Tracking Shadows.’"
This time, the sensation became elusive and unpredictable.
At times, it was like a dragonfly skimming water—barely touching before retreating.
Other times, it coiled like a serpent, lingering and winding.
"Junior Sister… this footwork… is quite profound…"
"Quiet!"
Su Jiu snapped, though her voice wavered slightly.
Only by breaking through would they have a chance to survive.
...
"The ninth stance."
"Hiss!"
...
"The tenth stance."
...
"The final stance—[Magpie Alights on Branch]!"
Su Ji felt a breeze brush past his face.
His vision dimmed slightly as a graceful shadow enveloped him.
Cracking his eyes open just a slit, he saw Su Jiu poised like a magpie landing on a branch.
She stood with her back to him, posture straight and proud.
Yet, Su Ji felt no weight at all—as if the one standing above him wasn’t a person, but a feather.
Effortless grace, light as a swallow.
This was the essence of [Magpie Alights on Branch].
Su Jiu’s heart tightened as she sensed something amiss.
With a light tap of her toes against Su Ji, she floated down like a startled swan, putting distance between them.
She quickly regained her usual aloof demeanor.
Expression unchanging, she flicked two fingers, wrapping the medicinal liquid Su Ji offered in a cocoon of spiritual energy.
Then, with a hook of her finger, she guided it into her mouth and swallowed.
...
Two and a half minutes passed...
Su Jiu glared at Su Ji with displeasure. "Why don’t I feel any signs of a breakthrough this time?"
Su Ji explained, "It’s a matter of probability. Didn’t you have a secret technique to enhance your fortune?"
Not feeling it was normal.
Because Su Ji hadn’t used any enhancements at all.
According to [Gazing Upon Fate], Su Jiu had failed in her previous attempt.
This was a question of probability.
Perhaps her condition had been too poor then.
Or maybe her luck had simply been terrible.
"Try again! This time, boost your fortune—it has to work!"
"Fine."
...
The magpie descended from the branch once more.
Su Jiu swallowed another dose of the medicinal liquid.
Meanwhile, Su Ji’s face turned as pale as paper, his lips dry.
"Junior Sister..."
Su Ji lifted his head weakly.
Su Jiu turned her face away, not daring to look at him.
"This matter… must never be mentioned to anyone!"
Her voice remained icy, but the faint blush at the tips of her ears betrayed her inner turmoil.
This time, she felt it.
The indomitable barrier of her cultivation realm shattered before this overwhelming force.
No wonder high-grade elixirs were priceless—there was a reason for it.
Eighth Layer of Foundation Establishment—broken!
A torrent of spiritual energy swirled around her, visible to the naked eye.
But it didn’t stop there.
The power continued surging relentlessly, pushing her cultivation higher and higher.
Ninth Layer of Foundation Establishment!
Peak of the Ninth Layer!
Only the thinnest veil remained between her and the legendary Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment.
Su Jiu gritted her teeth, channeling the raging energy with all her might.
Success or failure—it all came down to this!
"Break!"
She roared inwardly.
Crack!
An unprecedented sense of exhilaration flooded her entire being.
Her aura soared to its zenith in that moment.
Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment!
Achieved!
The instant she broke through, the ethereal voice from the arena rang out again, carrying a trace of barely perceptible surprise.
"Hm?"
"An illusion?"
...
lanned to earn money steadily and take life at a slower pace. But he never expected... his father's remarriage, and the stepmother bringing along a dependent, would completely disrupt his life's plans...
Cheng's father told him he was getting remarried—to a wealthy woman. Cao Cheng realized his time had finally come: he was about to become a second-generation rich kid. Sure, it might be a watered-down version, but hey, at least he'd have status now, right? The wealthy woman also had four daughters!! Which meant, starting today, Cao Cheng gained four stunning older sisters?? But that wasn't even the whole story... "My name is Cao Cheng—'Cheng' as in 'honest, smooth-talking gentleman'!"
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
iaobai: "Councilor Dad, front me some funds. I want to hire ten thousand professional miners for a project!" [Five-Star Mission Issued: Capture the leader of the Blood Heaven Pirate Gang, who is on the run in the Radiant Star Sector. It is said the gang has over a hundred members. Proceed with caution.] Lu Xiaobai: "Councilor Dad, lend me the family's hundred-thousand-strong Lu Army!" [Seven-Star Mission Issued: Subdue a juvenile Void Dragon Beast.] Lu Xiaobai: "Councilor Dad, I'm taking your tamed Void Dragon Beast King out for a family reunion!" I said, System, don't you have any slightly more challenging missions? You're just not up to par! [Nine-Star Mission Issued: Become the Human Councilor.] Lu Xiaobai: "Dad, there's a small matter I'd like to discuss with you..."
