A night passed, but the skies above Shu State remained thick with dark clouds.

The continuous drizzle paused for a moment before starting up again, this time a little heavier, as if the heavens couldn’t bear to see too many people walking about outside.

Unfortunately, in weather like this, few people appreciated the sentiment.

More often than not, people would mutter a few curses at the "damned heavens," clearly displeased with the days of endless rain.

But there were also many people unaffected by the weather, their faces wreathed in smiles, looking overjoyed.

For example, some idlers could use it as an excuse to sleep in.

Or the shop owners selling Oil Paper Umbrellas and Raincoats.

All of them wore smiles on their faces.

Chen Yi was one of them.

However, he wasn’t happy because of the rainy weather, but because of a breakthrough in his Cultivation Realm.

In the morning, past the midpoint of the Yin hour, he finished his practice and felt the True Essence surging within his body.

Since then, the smile had not left his face.

If last night Chen Yi had only a vague inkling that his various Techniques would grow stronger after being enhanced by the Four Symbols Skill’s Divine Position Spiritual Essence...

...then at this moment, the direct sensation of holding a river of stars in his grasp now filled his body and mind.

Whether it was his Pile Skill, Fist Technique, Step Technique, or the Dragon-Falling Spear Technique, under the enhancement of True Essence, their power had increased by ten to twenty percent.

And that was without even factoring in the boost from his Martial Arts Realm.

If he used his full strength, forget about others; even Cui Qingwu, who had heavily injured him that night, would have a hard time if she ran into him now.

Chen Yi indulged in this fantasy for a moment before calming his mind and glancing at the light screen:

[Opportunity: 128]

[Daily Intelligence - Yellow Rank Top Grade: At a quarter past the Wu hour, in the East Market’s Jishi Medicine Hall, Ma Liangcai will receive a ’Divine Doctor’ plaque. A small amount of Opportunity can be obtained.]

After reading it, Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Jishi Medicine Hall?"

’Old Ma’s finally made something of himself.’

’He’s even getting a ’Divine Doctor’ plaque from someone.’

But upon further thought, the smile on Chen Yi’s face faded a little.

He knew very well what level Ma Liangcai’s Medical Dao was at.

Even with his guidance, he was only slightly better than Old Li and the others.

How could a Physician of that caliber possibly cure people with complicated or terminal illnesses?

After some thought, Chen Yi decided to go and check it out.

He just couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

After making his decision, Chen Yi glanced again at the Opportunity and Dao Intent on the light screen.

After a moment’s hesitation, he raised his Spear Dao to the Great Success Realm.

With this, of the eight paths he practiced—including Calligraphy Dao, Medical Dao, Chess Dao, Martial Arts Body, Punch, Step, and Spear—only his Chess Dao remained at the Minor Success Realm. All the others had reached the Great Success Realm.

As for his various Techniques, only the Dragon-Falling Spear Technique and the Thousand Hands Chess Manual were at the Skilled Level. The others could not be upgraded further, having reached the peak of the Mastery Level.

In addition, he still had the Brocade Spring Saber Technique and the "Carefree Travel" Zither Score left to practice when it was convenient.

’You can never have too many skills.’

’Perhaps by practicing more of them and letting them cross-reference each other, I might get another chance for an epiphany.’

That being said, epiphanies were indeed an Opportunity that relied heavily on luck.

So far, only his Calligraphy Dao had advanced to the Great Success Realm through an epiphany, which he’d had after writing a poem for Xiao Wan’er.

Despite practicing the others for so long, none had resulted in an epiphany.

With these thoughts, Chen Yi waited for the Profound Mysteries of the Great Success Realm Spear Dao to settle in his mind before calling for Xiaodie to help him wash up and get dressed.

"Young Master, are you going out today?"

"Mhm, I’m heading to the Medicine Hall today. I haven’t been in a while, and I’m afraid the Eldest Miss will give me a talking-to."

Seeing him make up stories about the Eldest Miss with a straight face, Xiaodie couldn’t help but giggle.

"You’re joking again, Young Master. The Eldest Miss would never blame you for that."

"Not only will the Eldest Miss not blame you, but neither will the other masters in the mansion. Not now, not ever."

Chen Yi straightened his clothes, headed downstairs first, and casually replied, "Is that so?"

Xiaodie followed behind him, smiling. "Yes," she said. "You haven’t been out these past few days, Young Master, so you haven’t seen how everyone in the mansion has been praising you."

"Praising me how?"

"They’re all saying that the masters of the various courtyards these past few days..."

It all came down to the fact that he had taught several great masters of Calligraphy at Guiyun Academy.

There had been a constant stream of visitors to the mansion.

Under these circumstances, the masters of the mansion naturally wouldn’t speak ill of him in front of their guests.

Even Xiao Xuanshuo and Xiao Wang, who had never liked him, had to say a few good words.

"Qingzhou? I saw long ago that his scholarship was profound. Otherwise, on the day of the Marquis’s birthday, the Holy Emperor wouldn’t have given him a personal verbal edict."

"Qingzhou’s knowledge is impressive, and his handwriting is excellent, but it’s no use coming to me."

When words like these were overheard, they inevitably spread throughout the mansion.

Xiaodie, with her simple heart, loved hearing such praise for him, as if she shared in the glory.

Chen Yi, however, felt nothing.

’When people want something from you, words like that aren’t really praise, nor are they sincere. ’Flattery’ is a more fitting description.’

’It felt less genuine than Xiaodie saying, ’Young Master is a really good person,’ or Pei Guanli saying, ’Brother-in-law is a nice guy.’’

And as it happened, Pei Guanli and Xiaodie had said just that after breakfast.

Chen Yi quite enjoyed it and tactfully avoided mentioning his promise to bring them back some things when he returned.

Xiao Wuge wanted something too.

But before he could open his mouth, Xiao Wan’er arrived in the hall with Shen Huatang.

Compared to before, her complexion had improved a great deal. It was no longer a sickly pale, but had a healthy touch of color.

Her originally thin face had filled out a little, making her even more radiant.

Chen Yi habitually used his Qi Observation Skill to take a look and, confirming that her health was being well-maintained, beckoned for her to sit.

"On a rainy day like this, you should stay indoors more, Wan’er. You don’t want to catch a chill."

It would have been fine if he hadn’t mentioned it, but the moment he brought up catching a chill, Xiao Wan’er was reminded of that one experience as if it had happened just a moment ago.

Her lovely face couldn’t help but flush red as she shot him a playful glare.

"I’m dressed warmly, and I drink medicinal soup every day. My health has improved a lot."

Chen Yi smiled and nodded, then followed up with a few compliments.

These words could also be categorized as flattery, but they brought a wide smile to Xiao Wan’er’s face.

He praised her so much that she even started to feel a little embarrassed.

She quickly changed the subject. "Last night, I put together a list of gifts for Chen Yu. I’d like to go out shopping today. Are you coming?"

"Me?"

Chen Yi hesitated slightly. He wanted to refuse, but seeing Xiao Wan’er’s earnest expression, he nodded.

"As it happens, I need to make a trip to the Medicine Hall. Let’s go together."

The words had barely left his mouth when, before Xiao Wan’er’s smile could fully blossom, Xiao Wuge raised his hand.

"I’m going too, I’m going too!"

"Eldest Sister, Brother-in-law, I haven’t been out in ages! Take me with you."

Seeing his pitiful look, Xiao Wan’er hesitated before nodding. "Alright then, I’ll have someone inform your etiquette tutor to take the day off."

Xiao Wuge immediately broke into a grin, grabbing Xiaodie and running upstairs, saying he needed to change his clothes.

Seeing this, Chen Yi looked at the Tiger Girl. "What about you? Staying home or coming out for a stroll?"

But Pei Guanli’s expression changed, and she shook her head repeatedly.

With a jingle of ornaments, she said, "Nope, not going! We went out shopping for days on end before. I’ve had more than enough."

As she spoke, Pei Guanli looked at Shen Huatang and asked, "Sister Huatang must feel the same way, right?"

"Not at all."

In front of Xiao Wan’er, Shen Huatang naturally couldn’t say what she was really thinking.

Truth be told, the three of them had spent several days in a row shopping before, and they had truly explored every corner of Shu State Prefecture City.

After a short rest, Shen Huatang and Xie Tingyun went to get the carriage.

Chen Yi, Xiao Wan’er, Xiao Wuge, and Xiaodie sat in the carriage. It wasn’t too crowded.

Before long, the carriage left the Marquis’s Mansion and headed straight for Kangning Street in the North City.

By now, it was past the Mao hour.

Even with the light rain, there were quite a few pedestrians on the road.

This was especially true for a place like Kangning Street, which was popular among scholars and young ladies from prominent families.

From a distance, all one could see was a sea of people holding Oil Paper Umbrellas.

Xiao Wan’er looked out the window, took a piece of paper from her sleeve, and handed it to Chen Yi.

"This is the list I put together. Take a look and tell me if it’s suitable."

Chen Yi took it and glanced over it. It was mostly calligraphy supplies, paintings, and antiques.

"What do you think?"

"It should be fine, but it’s a bit much."

"One can never be too courteous. After all, considering how much silver was involved, it makes sense to buy him a few more gifts."

Since she put it that way, Chen Yi nodded. "You’re the one making the decisions."

Xiao Wan’er chided him playfully, "See if there’s anything you want to add."

Chen Yi thought for a moment. Other than a fishing rod, there didn’t seem to be anything he particularly wanted for himself.

After a moment’s thought, he came up with something. "How about we get him an Ancient Zither or a long blade?"

Xiao Wan’er was taken aback. "Is... is that appropriate?"

In this day and age, many scholars were proficient with melodies, and many also knew Saber Techniques.

However, unless one knew the recipient’s hobbies beforehand, very few people would specifically give such uncommon gifts.

"I only mention it because I heard from Wang Ji that their boss has excellent Saber Technique and is also skilled at playing the Zither. If the price isn’t too high, it might be good to buy one just in case."

Xiao Wan’er didn’t suspect a thing and nodded. "Then let’s buy an Ancient Zither. The mansion has plenty of long blades, all masterpieces by famous craftsmen. When we get back, I’ll have Huatang pick one out from the armory."

Chen Yi, of course, did not refuse.

However, a different thought was forming in his mind.

He was imagining the awkward scene that would unfold in the future when Xiao Wan’er discovered the truth.

He reckoned Xiao Wan’er would either fly into a rage out of shame or become angry from embarrassment. In any case, she wouldn’t let him off easy.

The thought of such a scene brought an irrepressible smile to Chen Yi’s face.

Noticing his expression, Xiao Wan’er’s heart stirred.

"Speaking of which, that Boss Chen’s hobbies are quite similar to yours."

Chen Yi’s smile froze. "Er, I don’t think so?"

Xiao Wan’er watched him with a faint, unreadable smile, her beautiful eyes reflecting the slight unease on his face as she said:

"You are a master of Music, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting, and you also love to fish. That Boss Chen happens to like fishing and is also skilled in the Zither Dao, isn’t that right?"

Chen Yi grunted in agreement, his expression returning to normal. "He’s probably a scholar. It’s normal for them to enjoy such things."

"That’s true."

After a bit more small talk, the topic was finally dropped, and Chen Yi relaxed inwardly.

’They say a woman’s intuition is sharp. I have to admit, it’s true.’

Of course, Xiao Wan’er didn’t actually think Boss Chen was Chen Yi; she had merely connected their similar hobbies.

She then began to talk about Madam Tang’s visit the previous evening.

"I heard that Guiyun Academy’s gates have been nearly trampled down these past few days. People have been coming from the Prefecture City and even from neighboring states and counties."

"Mr. Yue Ming, Mr. Zhuo Ying, and that student named Ma Guan have to write several calligraphy pieces every day."

"Along with the calligraphy pieces you left at the academy, they’re all put on display for visitors to see."

Chen Yi chuckled and said, "I imagine the Headmaster must be very happy."

Xiao Wan’er smiled and nodded. "Madam Tang said that it’s a good thing her son, Tang Ye, got into that study hall early. Otherwise, those who came later would probably have to resort to all sorts of tricks to snatch a spot."

"Snatch?"

"Yes. After your three-point agreement with Mr. Yue Ming spread, the number of students was fixed at one hundred and couldn’t be changed. Naturally, the latecomers have to find a way in."

"I heard someone already offered a thousand silver coins to trade for a spot, but no one would take it."

"Later, someone even offered five hundred Gold, but Mr. Yue Ming sternly refused."

Chen Yi said, "Five hundred... Gold?"

’If they sold all one hundred spots, wouldn’t that be an easy fifty thousand Gold?’

’I hope the Headmaster can resist such a temptation.’

It took them the better part of the morning to finish shopping on Kangning Street.

They not only bought plenty of gifts for Chen Yu but also picked up a few useful things for Xiao Wuge.

Mostly books and the like.

When Chen Yi saw that the carriage was nearly full, he suggested they head to Jishi Medicine Hall first.

Xiao Wan’er naturally had no objections. "Perfect. There’s a restaurant in the East Market that’s very good. I remember my father taking me and my second sister there when we were little."

Chen Yi smiled and nodded. "In that case, I’ll have to go and try it..."