"Su Yao," Ren Wei's voice echoed from within the cultivation chamber.
The maid appeared moments later, her steps graceful as ever. But when she entered and saw him standing, fully composed and dressed in fresh robes, her eyes widened ever so slightly.
"It's only the fifth day…" she murmured.
Ren Wei smirked faintly. "Is it strange for me to be efficient?"
"No," she said, quickly bowing with a gentle laugh. "Just unexpected."
"I'm hungry," he said simply, walking past her. "I've missed your meals."
Su Yao lowered her head in acknowledgment. "At once, Master Ren Wei."
She turned and disappeared down the corridor, her footsteps light.
Ren Wei stretched his arms slightly and stepped out into the sun-drenched courtyard.
---
The table was already set. A breeze moved through the bamboo stalks as Ren Wei sat quietly, waiting.
He raised his voice. "Mei Rou."
A moment later, the first maid assigned by Han Suiren entered the courtyard. Dressed in simple violet robes, she bowed respectfully, her eyes steady but curious.
Ren Wei's tone was calm but final.
"After breakfast, I'll return to cultivation. It will take another week. Deliver this message to Han Suiren: After one week, he should visit me. There's something we need to discuss before the battle."
Mei Rou didn't question it. "As you command." She bowed and left.
Just then, Su Yao returned with a tray balanced in her hands — steam rising from freshly prepared dishes.
She placed the meal before him: grilled spirit fish glazed with plum sauce, three lotus-seed dumplings, a bowl of wild rice porridge tinged with ginseng, and a side of pickled root vegetables arranged like flower petals.
Ren Wei ate in silence, savoring every bite. The warm flavors grounded him — a rare comfort in his otherwise storm-like path.
When he finished, he placed his chopsticks down and looked up.
"As you've seen, I can complete my cultivation faster than expected. Be ready next time."
Su Yao nodded, voice calm. "Understood, Master. Shall I remind you after one week has passed?"
"Exactly. Don't let me forget." He rose to his feet once more.
Su Yao bowed deeply. "May your path be clear."
Ren Wei said nothing else.
With Echo Fang resting in his inventory and Heaven's Core Pill in his mind, he stepped back into the cultivation room, the door sealing behind him like the beginning of a new trial.
---
Inside the cultivation chamber, Ren Wei sat cross-legged, his breathing slow, deliberate.
"To reach Golden Core…" he whispered to himself, "I must convert my ordinary Qi into Golden Qi… draw it into the Core formed during Foundation Establishment… and finally, temper that Core into something worthy of the name 'Golden.'"
His fingers rested lightly on his knees. His pulse slowed.
"Simple," he muttered. "But not easy."
He closed his eyes and began to draw in the Qi around him.
Moments passed.
Then—
> **Ding!**
> *Qi converted to Golden Qi: 17%*
Ren Wei's eyes blinked open, startled.
"I… didn't even start refining yet."
He frowned slightly. Then smirked.
"So it's already begun without me?"
A short laugh escaped his lips.
"Well, if it's like this… maybe it won't even take a full week."
He shut his eyes again.
And the real work began.
---
The sun burned low over the Han Crest, casting long shadows across the polished jade floors of the inner hall.
Han Suiren sat quietly, arms resting on the carved phoenix throne, gaze vacant.
A servant entered and bowed. "Master Suiren. Mei Rou is here. She requests audience."
He didn't move at first. Then, calmly:
"Let her in."
Moments later, Mei Rou stepped into the hall and bowed deeply.
"I bring news from Master Ren Wei."
Han Suiren's eyes sharpened.
"I was considering punishment," he said flatly. "You left your post."
Mei Rou's voice trembled slightly. "I understand, Master… but I thought this would take priority."
"Continue."
She straightened, eyes lowered. "Master Ren Wei has entered another week of cultivation. He asked that I deliver a message: When that week is over… he would like to meet you. He said it concerns something important before the upcoming battle."
Han Suiren went silent. He didn't blink. He simply stared ahead as if calculating something far beyond her words.
Ten… maybe fifteen seconds passed.
Then:
"You may leave."
Mei Rou bowed again, carefully, and left the chamber without another word.
Alone once more, Han Suiren leaned back in his seat. A faint breeze stirred the curtains.
"…What are you trying to do, Ren Wei?"