Chapter 6: Sister-in-law, Look at My Leg!

[Notification: 3,000 resentment points deducted. Host’s cultivation level has risen to the third stage of Qi Refinement.]

Feeling the changes within his body, Shen Lang suppressed his joy and feigned indifference. "A mere third stage of Qi Refinement—why would it take three whole months?" he said lightly. "I can break through it with ease!"

Boom!

A powerful aura erupted from within him, bursting outward.

Zi Yuan, who had been poised to mock Shen Lang, suddenly widened her eyes in surprise.

Shen Canghai stood up in disbelief, his voice trembling: "Lang’er, you can cultivate?"

Shen Lang ignored him and instead smiled warmly at Zi Yuan. "Sister-in-law, take a look at these legs."

[Notification: Resentment points from Zi Yuan +20]

"You... how dare you!" Zi Yuan clenched her delicate fists, flustered and at a loss for where to direct her anger.

Shen Lang felt a flutter in his chest—perhaps, he was falling in love.

"Sister-in-law, one must keep one’s word!"

"You..." Zi Yuan blushed deeply, her fists now awkwardly fidgeting.

Seeing this, Shen Canghai quickly intervened, calming the situation. "Lang’er, stop this foolishness! Tell us, what exactly is your cultivation level? How much have you been hiding?"

Noticing Shen Canghai’s serious expression, Shen Lang realized he suspected him of concealment.

He shook his head firmly. "Grandfather, I am truly at the third stage of Qi Refinement!"

"No!" Zi Yuan interrupted hastily. "You were a worthless wretch just moments ago. You can’t fool me. Did you secretly take some life-draining pill for some dirty trick?"

Zi Yuan’s words made Shen Canghai’s face grow grave. "Lang’er, is what your sister-in-law says true?"

Shen Lang looked at Shen Canghai in astonishment. "You actually believe her?"

"Of course," Shen Canghai replied earnestly. "Your sister-in-law is the pride of a martial family! Her insight surpasses even mine."

Realizing he couldn’t dodge the matter any longer, Shen Lang pondered for a moment before deciding to reveal a little, to ease Shen Canghai’s worries.

"Actually, I wasn’t unable to cultivate before. I simply refrained from it for safety’s sake."

"In fact, to me, cultivation is easier than eating or drinking. If I wanted, I could reach the Foundation Establishment stage within a day."

Shen Canghai frowned. "Lang’er, you’re exaggerating!"

Zi Yuan sneered. "A day to reach Foundation Establishment? I think you’re just hiding your true strength to show off. If you were truly at the fourth stage of Qi Refinement, you’d be exposed."

"If I advance one more level to the fourth stage of Qi Refinement, how would you react?" Shen Lang smiled slyly at Zi Yuan.

"I..." Zi Yuan was momentarily speechless.

But reflecting on the arduous path of cultivation, as if carving a mountain trail, she gritted her teeth and said, "Fine, I’ll show you my legs!"

"Are you really going to keep your word this time?" Shen Lang raised an eyebrow.

"I swear to the heavens: if you break through to the fourth stage of Qi Refinement, I will show you my legs," Zi Yuan said solemnly.

"Alright, I’ll trust you once more."

"Break!"

Boom!

As Shen Lang’s cultivation surged to the fourth stage of Qi Refinement, Zi Yuan was utterly stunned.

Her lifelong martial values seemed to collapse within moments.

She couldn’t fathom how a useless wretch could ascend to the fourth stage of Qi Refinement in the blink of an eye.

Shen Canghai was equally baffled—but more straightforward.

Before Shen Lang could even see her legs, Shen Canghai stepped forward and placed his hand on Shen Lang’s body.

The next instant, Shen Lang felt a pure, refined energy flooding his limbs and bones.

Then Shen Canghai, as if seeing a ghost, gasped, "What the hell? Your spiritual root has changed!"

"This… this… is it the Heavenly Spiritual Root?!!"

Those words brought the entire martial arena to a dead silence.

Everyone stared at Shen Lang as if he were a monster.

Especially Zi Yuan, whose mouth seemed large enough to swallow a sausage whole.

Shen Lang, however, remained indifferent. "Calm down. It’s just the Heavenly Spiritual Root. What’s the big deal?"

"Sister-in-law, should I keep advancing?"

Zi Yuan blushed even more. Had she known Shen Lang possessed the Heavenly Spiritual Root, she never would have made such an embarrassing bet.

Yet sensing a flaw in her own words, she smiled wryly. "No need. Advancing too quickly means an unstable foundation, which won’t be good for your future."

"For now, focus on cultivating with me and refining your martial skills."

"As for those legs, I promise I’ll show them to you in a hundred years."

Hearing this, Shen Lang was dumbfounded.

Before he could say anything more, one of Zi Yuan’s beautiful legs kicked him squarely in the chest.

"Black Tiger Heart Strike!"

"…"

---

Meanwhile, at the Huang residence—

Huang Yiyi gazed at the bright moon outside, her brow slightly furrowed.

She had already learned of Shen Lang’s performance today.

While shocked that he had survived against all odds and even shone so brilliantly, a seed of worry took root in her heart.

Especially after the moon had risen high and the streets grew quiet, she couldn’t help but ask her maid, Xiao Cui, "The Grand Assembly ended over two hours ago. Why hasn’t Shen Lang come to see me yet?"

"Didn’t I tell him he could continue pursuing you as long as he survived?" Xiao Cui thought for a moment, then whispered, "He shone at the assembly today. The Shen family must be celebrating him. Miss, just wait a little longer. He should come soon."

"Do you think he really wants to break off the engagement with me?" Huang Yiyi asked softly.

"Impossible!" Xiao Cui said confidently. "Everyone in the Great Qin knows Shen Lang treasures you like a jewel. He’d do anything for you. How could he bear to break the engagement?"

"You’re right. Tonight, I’ll give him face and wait a bit longer."

---

The next morning, Huang Yiyi rubbed her tired eyes and glanced at Xiao Cui.

"He hasn’t come all night?"

"Maybe he drank too much," Xiao Cui said awkwardly.

"Fine, I’ll go find him and give him a chance to treat me to a meal."

She stood and stepped out of the house.

But after only a few steps, the streets of Chang’an suddenly grew noisy.

From not far away came roaring voices: "Clear the way! Level One Incident!"

The crowd parted.

Upon hearing "Level One Incident," Huang Yiyi’s face changed drastically.

In the Great Qin, emergencies were ranked by number.

Level One was the highest.

It meant a major crisis had occurred, requiring the emperor’s immediate attention.

Even Huang Yiyi made way as a martial cultivator riding a pale wolf sped through the street.

---

Not long after, within the Great Qin Imperial Palace, in the Hall of Nurturing the Heart—

Nalan Yanran approached Shen Xiao with a grave expression. "Master, Guiyun City and Wanxiang City have been ambushed by demons. Civilians suffered heavy casualties!"

"Even the five million spirit stones designated for taxes were seized!"

At these words, Shen Xiao’s eyes snapped open.

His gaze was dark and brooding. "They robbed us again? Do they think I’m a fool?"

"Summon my decree: all officials of the third rank and above are to convene in the Hall of Supreme Ultimate for a council!"

"Yes, Master," Nalan Yanran replied, then turned to leave.

But just as she reached the door, Shen Xiao called out, "Wait. Bring Shen Lang too!"