After finding the treasure most suited for him, Zhong Ming immediately informed Yi Yunya.

"The Clear Sound Spring Stone? Please wait a moment, sir. I will retrieve it right away... It will be yours within two hours at the most."

While Yi Yunya was off to the Golden Jade Tower to retrieve the treasure, Zhong Ming completely abandoned his plan to use Mind Reading at dawn, on the blazing sun, at dusk, and during the night.

Disregarding the mental toll, Zhong Ming quickly activated Mind Reading for a second time.

This time, Zhong Ming focused on the Sun again, watching its power pour across the heavens and the earth, observing its influence on all things.

[You have observed the sun rise and the worldly temperature increase. You have gained a new understanding of the Flowing of all things. Your Spirit Stream Finger - Jie Technique progress +62]

[You have observed trees absorbing the power of sunlight and gained a new understanding of the Flowing of all things. Your Spirit Stream Finger - Jie Technique progress +35]

[You...]

The first time he had activated it, Zhong Ming had been fully prepared. He had also observed the Sun at the moment of its rising, a special point in time when all things revived and shifted with its ascent.

By observing at that moment, Zhong Ming naturally gained far more Enlightenment.

But the current time of day was not ideal. As a result, even though his mind was clear and inspiration flowed continuously, his second activation of Mind Reading only yielded just over 360 experience points for his Spirit Stream Finger - Jie Technique.

Previously, Zhong Ming would have been pained by such a small gain, but now, he couldn’t care less.

Soon, he would be able to use the Clear Sound Spring Stone to refresh his state.

After a brief rest, Zhong Ming activated Mind Reading for a third time.

This time, his gains were even smaller; his experience points for the Spirit Stream Finger - Jie Technique increased by only 213.

A fourth time... Zhong Ming failed to activate it.

Although he could activate Mind Reading four times a day, that was only if he spaced them out.

When used consecutively, three times was his limit.

In fact, because he had overdrawn his Power of Heart Spirit, Zhong Ming felt his head was splitting apart, and he could no longer even engage in simple Enlightenment.

Just as the headache became unbearable, Yi Yunya returned.

As expected, she returned bearing the treasure most suited to Zhong Ming: the Clear Sound Spring Stone.

It was a stone that appeared ordinary but possessed an inexplicable rhythm.

VMM!

The moment he had it, Zhong Ming unhesitatingly began its Refinement, absorbing it into his Sea of Consciousness.

Then, he waited for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

DING DONG!

The crisp sound of a water droplet suddenly echoed within Zhong Ming’s Sea of Consciousness.

HUMMM...

The crisp sound was like a clear spring, like flowing water.

It first resounded from the depths of Zhong Ming’s Divine Soul. Then, ripples from the sound spread outward, layer by layer.

As the ripples propagated, the fatigue of Zhong Ming’s Heart Spirit and his headache were swept up like impurities, carried along by the clear sound and expelled.

Soon, the sound had passed completely through him, and with it, the fatigue of his Heart Spirit and all other negative emotions were carried away, vanishing entirely.

With all the negative effects swept away, Zhong Ming’s Heart Spirit was naturally cleansed.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

DING DONG!

The clear sound echoing in Zhong Ming’s Heart Spirit was also like a fresh spring, causing the power of his Heart Soul to well up endlessly from within him.

This spring of Heart Power replenished what Zhong Ming had exhausted.

With that, Zhong Ming’s depleted Heart Spirit was completely restored. He could activate Mind Reading again.

This caused a brilliant light to flash through Zhong Ming’s eyes.

’A divine artifact! This is the perfect divine artifact for me.’

’With this, I can definitely comprehend the Water Dao Rhyme! And with enough uses of Mind Reading, I can raise all of my Cultivation Techniques to the Proficiency level of the Fourth Realm by the end of the month.’

’It might even be possible to raise one technique to the Fifth Realm...’

The thought that the Fifth Realm was equivalent to the Master level sparked a wild ambition in Zhong Ming’s heart.

’The month-end assessment... Aim for the top three? No! This time, I’m taking first place!’

From competing for the top three to aiming for number one—the Clear Sound Spring Stone had boosted Zhong Ming’s confidence that much.

At this moment, Zhong Ming finally understood why Yan Chen of Molten Fire Peak, Su Lingya of Cuixiang Mountain, and Han Yu of Dharma Seal Peak had all improved their strength so rapidly.

With their excellent Spiritual Root Talent and personal treasures, it would have been strange if they *hadn’t* improved quickly.

However, the thought of these people sobered him.

’Haa... I can’t get arrogant. The Clear Sound Spring Stone is a godsend, but they have treasures too—perhaps more than one.’

’In these early stages, when comprehension isn’t as important as one’s Spiritual Root, a duel with them isn’t a guaranteed win.’

’Still, I can’t be careless, but I shouldn’t sell myself short either. They might have more and better treasures, but they don’t have a Fourth-Realm Mind Reading ability. They can’t comprehend a Dao Rhyme in such a short time. I have a real chance at first place.’

...

He took a moment to compose himself. Then, instead of cultivating immediately, he turned his gaze to Yi Yunya.

He thought of how she had bet everything on him and assumed she must have been racked with anxiety and worry over the outcome of her own assessment.

Fresh off his massive boost in cultivation efficiency, Zhong Ming decided to give her some good news.

"I remember you have a manager’s assessment at the Golden Jade Tower at the end of the month, correct?"

Yi Yunya: "Yes. Is there a problem?"

"No." Zhong Ming pointed to himself, his face radiating confidence. "I just wanted to tell you that with the Clear Sound Spring Stone, I will absolutely seize victory in the month-end assessment for you!"

Zhong Ming spoke with absolute conviction.

After making his declaration, he expected to see Yi Yunya look surprised, excited, or at least relieved.

But then, something puzzling happened.

Upon hearing his words, Yi Yunya’s expression did indeed show a flash of astonishment.

But that astonishment quickly faded, replaced by... a dark, complicated look.

"Hm?!"

’Why that expression...’

"You don’t believe I can win?"

He had never considered that Yi Yunya’s goal might be for him to lose, thereby making him feel indebted to her.

Therefore, he interpreted her strange expression to mean she didn’t believe he could win.

But he quickly realized he had misunderstood.

Giving him a pouting glance, Yi Yunya said aggrievedly, "Sir, what are you thinking? If I didn’t believe in you, why would I have bet everything on you?"

"I just didn’t expect your strength to improve so quickly."

As she spoke, her expression grew wistful. "At the rate you’re improving, I imagine you won’t need me for much longer."

Her sorrowful look revealed to Zhong Ming the reason for her gloomy expression.

This made Zhong Ming laugh. "Have a little faith in me. I understand the principle of repaying a drop of kindness with a gushing spring."

Then, his expression grew serious as he gave his assurance. "The Clear Sound Spring Stone is an immense help to me. No matter what I achieve in the future, I will never forget you."

After reassuring Yi Yunya, Zhong Ming had intended to start cultivating.

However, before he could get started, another person arrived.

The visitor was Granny Lan. Seeing that she was alone, and that Xie Yuzhu had not come with her, Zhong Ming instantly understood the Xie Family’s choice.

He had no particular feelings about it.

In this dangerous world, it was indeed difficult for a Sword Cultivator to mature.

Out of thousands of Sword Cultivators, only one could become a true Swordsman. The vast majority were just corpses paving the road to the summit for that peerless few.

Under these circumstances, the fact that Xie Yuzhu’s parents didn’t want her to learn the sword actually showed how much they cared for her.

"Apologies. Miss Xie was occupied with some matters and is unable to come for now. These are ten trial passes for the Fierce Battle Platform. They are an apology from our Xie Family..."

"You don’t need to apologize, and I can’t accept these. Miss Xie forged a flying sword for me; I’m the one who owes you a favor..."

Zhong Ming didn’t want the gift from the Xie Family, but Granny Lan was insistent.

As the two were debating, Yi Yunya stepped forward with a playful smile.

"Zhong Ming, you can focus on your cultivation. Just leave these trivial matters to me. I’ll take care of it for you."

"...Then I’ll leave it to you."

Yi Yunya’s actions held a certain air of a hostess asserting her domain.

Considering the treasure she had brought him—one that could multiply his cultivation efficiency—and the fact that she had bet everything on him, Zhong Ming allowed her this small act of proprietorship.

’Besides, having someone to handle these trivial matters for me really does make my life a lot easier.’

Free from distractions, Zhong Ming immediately moved to the side, closed his eyes, and began to cultivate.

This time, he began his cultivation with Mind Reading as before. But unlike the previous times, his focus was not the Sun, but the Clear Sound Spring Stone within his Sea of Consciousness.

He began to read the Clear Sound Spring Stone in his Sea of Consciousness as if it were a book.

VMM...

This ’reading’... was incredibly difficult.

Focusing his entire attention, Zhong Ming spent a great deal of time before he could perceive even a sliver of the Clear Sound Spring Stone’s essence.

In terms of reading a book, this was equivalent to having just opened the cover to glance at the title page.

...

While Zhong Ming was focused on comprehending the Clear Sound Spring Stone, Yi Yunya received Granny Lan, acting very much the part of the lady of the house.

This posture made Granny Lan’s expression sink, her heart filling with worry and silent sighs.

’Alas, my Lady, you wanted to wait and observe further, but someone has already made their move.’

’We... are too late.’