Although Meng Zhen and Shen Yu were of similar age, Meng Zhen was a Martial Artist in the Refining Organ Realm, while Shen Yu was just an ordinary person, so Shen Yu looked like an old man, while Meng Zhen appeared middle-aged.

"Old Shen, where did you get this cultivation technique?"

Meng Zhen looked at Shen Yu and continued flipping through the cultivation technique, finding it increasingly unusual.

Could it really enable Shen Yu to cultivate Qi and Blood Power?

...

Chu Ming returned to his room and read until late at night, nurturing new Primordial Qi within his Sea of Consciousness.

He picked up a sweet orange again, channeling this part of the Primordial Qi into it.

"At the current rate, I can create about two to three Primordial Qi Sweet Oranges a day, or Primordial Qi Objects, you could say..."

Chu Ming held two sweet oranges in his hand, deep in thought.

He couldn’t convert all the white mist from the Book Collection Lake into Primordial Qi because the mist was also related to the expansion of his Sea of Consciousness, thus enhancing his Primordial Consciousness.

The anomaly with the Sword Gourd Spirit, combined with practicing the Primordial Qi Technique, made him increasingly aware of the importance of Primordial Consciousness.

"Furthermore, I don’t have time to make a third Primordial Qi Object..."

He lifted his eyes, the candlelight flickering within them.

The Sword Gourd Spirit dispersed; Little Shan was asleep, and Shen Yu and Meng Zhen were also resting.

"It’s time."

Chu Ming no longer hesitated, touched his face with his right hand, and within a few breaths, his appearance changed.

A faint sound of bones crackling came from his body, and his figure also transformed. Originally youthful, now he appeared somewhat robust.

Previously, this level of disguise would have been sufficient, but after meeting Xiang Yue, Chu Ming knew that merely changing appearance wasn’t enough.

He took out the Glazed Jade Token given by Xiang Yue, using it to conceal his aura.

But this wasn’t enough; he also took out the Silver Spirit Needle and the Red Qilin Gloves, the former to be used as a hidden weapon, the latter to enhance the power of his Palm Technique.

Not knowing the temperament of the Primordial Qi Warriors at the Divine Mystery Bureau, he had to prepare for the worst.

Activating the Sword Gourd Spirit, Chu Ming merged into the shadows, moving swiftly under the moonlight.

He did not head directly to the Divine Mystery Bureau but first reached a mansion in the eastern city.

This was the residence of his mentor, Xiang Yue.

At this time, Xiang Yue was inside, studying military strategies.

Suddenly, the oil lamp flickered slightly, his eyes focused instantly, seemingly piercing through the walls to view outside.

"Which friend visits at this late hour?" Xiang Yue felt astonished. The visitor was undoubtedly extraordinary, for even he couldn’t accurately sense their concealed position.

"Mentor, it’s me." A faint voice came from outside, and Chu Ming emerged from the shadows.

"Chu Ming?!" Xiang Yue raised an eyebrow, "You clever kid, your Concealing Technique almost fooled even me."

"Is there something you need from your mentor?"

"Yes, I need you to act on my behalf."

Chu Ming intended to visit the Divine Mystery Bureau, but going directly wasn’t suitable.

Nor could he sneak in, as such actions would only provoke hostility from the Bureau.

Furthermore, if the sweet oranges he created were Primordial Qi Objects, with his limited skills, it might turn into a ’free delivery service.’

After much consideration, Chu Ming felt it was more prudent to request his mentor’s presence.

"You want me to take you to see the Primordial Qi Warriors at the Divine Mystery Bureau?" Xiang Yue immediately saw through his disciple’s thoughts.

Chu Ming nodded.

Xiang Yue’s expression turned somewhat stern, sighing lightly: "It’s not that I won’t take you, but even if I go, there’s no guarantee of meeting the Primordial Qi Warriors."

In fact, before meeting Chu Ming the previous night, he had visited the Divine Mystery Bureau, with the situation being similar to what happened with Xiao He and Shen Yu, but he hadn’t mentioned it to Chu Ming.

"Mentor, I want to try." Chu Ming spoke earnestly, taking out the Primordial Qi Sweet Orange.

"What’s this...?" Xiang Yue inquired curiously.

"I suspect that this might be the Primordial Qi Object that the Primordial Qi Warriors at the bureau need."

"Are these two oranges Primordial Qi Objects?"

Xiang Yue, not being a Primordial Qi Warrior, couldn’t sense the dense Primordial Qi within them; the two sweet oranges appeared just ordinary to him, hence he was somewhat skeptical. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Mentor... I’m not entirely sure, but I want to give it a try."

Xiang Yue gazed at Chu Ming, pausing in thought for a moment before nodding lightly: "I’ll accompany you."

"Thank you, mentor." Chu Ming cupped his hands.

Xiang Yue waved his hand, his expression suddenly becoming serious and amazed: "That fragmentary Primordial Qi Technique I gave you... did you manage to practice something?"

"To report truthfully, mentor, I have indeed sensed the Primordial Qi."

Chu Ming answered honestly; he hadn’t intended to hide it, otherwise, he wouldn’t have produced the two Primordial Qi Sweet Oranges.

Although Xiang Yue wasn’t a Primordial Qi Warrior, Chu Ming’s presentation of two sweet oranges, claiming them to be Primordial Qi Objects, led him to believe that perhaps his disciple had already reached the entry-level of a Primordial Qi Warrior.

"Your talent is truly monstrous."

Even though he had suspected, and even intended for Chu Ming to gain something by passing on the fragmentary Primordial Qi Technique,

he never imagined that within just one day, his disciple would become...

"Let’s go."

"Alright."

...

Half an hour later, in the Divine Mystery Bureau area.

The jade disk hung high, and two figures flashed by.

"We’ve arrived."

Chu Ming halted his steps, looking up at the pitch-black tower, which resembled a sky-piercing spike, puncturing a hole in the silvery moon.

He didn’t use the Sword Gourd Spirit, conscious that the Primordial Qi Warriors possessed Primordial Consciousness; his probing might be detected by the bureau’s experts.

Such an act would be offensive and likely to provoke hostility.

Xiang Yue gazed at the Black Tower, his voice low: "Wait here; the Primordial Qi Warriors of the Divine Mystery Bureau will soon sense our presence."

Just as he finished speaking, a voice rang out beside them.

"Come in."

Simultaneously, the huge door of the Black Tower opened slowly, deep and dark, akin to a bottomless abyss.

Xiang Yue’s eyes glinted, "They actually allowed us entry..."

He had been denied entry the previous day.

"Chu Ming, stay close to me."

Xiang Yue’s expression was serious. For a moment, he surmised the reason behind the open door of the Divine Mystery Bureau lay with Chu Ming or the two Primordial Qi Sweet Oranges he mentioned.

Chu Ming nodded, following Xiang Yue toward the Black Tower.

The two paused only briefly at the entrance before stepping inside.

Instantly, the scene before them changed.

Unlike the external appearance of a black abyss, the interior of the Black Tower was brightly lit.

Perhaps not lit by candlelight, as Chu Ming saw no candles; he couldn’t discern the source of the illumination.

The interior space was enormous, much larger than it appeared from outside.

Looking up, while not lavishly decorated, it exuded a grand and magnificent aura.

"Commander Xiang, this way."

While both were inwardly marveling, the voice they heard before echoed again.

But this time, Xiang Yue and Chu Ming located the source of the voice—it came from the small house in the center.

Indeed, at the center of the Black Tower stood a small house.

As the voice resonated, several hidden glances from above the tower also scrutinized them.

Xiang Yue signaled to Chu Ming with his eyes before stepping forward.

As they approached the house, the scenery changed once again.

A bamboo grove, a stone table, two stone stools, with a person in white robes seated on one of them.

Even Xiang Yue, who commanded the 300,000-strong Tiger Armor Army, couldn’t help but be slightly stunned at this sight.

"Please, Commander Xiang, have a seat." The person in white spoke with a calm voice, appearing gentle and refined.

Xiang Yue glanced at Chu Ming, then sat opposite the person in white, clasping his hands in greeting: "May I ask..."