And so Zhao Qibing was fortunate enough to take four Minor Qi-Gathering Pills in succession. But then, luck was on his side—at this auction, Wei Zhao had happened to release just that many Minor Qi-Gathering Pills, whereas previous auctions had offered none at all.

Though the Minor Qi-Gathering Pill was only a second-grade pill, the materials for refining it were rather costly. It might seem that the cost per pill would not exceed that of other pills by much, but one had to remember that pill refinement came with a failure rate. The more batches ruined, the more the cost was spread across each surviving pill. Thus the Minor Qi-Gathering Pill was among the rarest at any auction—usually one or two, and even those appeared only once every three years.

The Hidden You Family were no fools. Even the Xuan Pill Sect's success rate in refining them was not especially high; they too suffered failures. To be sure, if the Xuan Pill Sect's Patriarch personally took up the furnace, he could guarantee that every pill refined would succeed—but where would the Patriarch find the time and energy to refine such ordinary second-grade pills?

These pills were all refined by the Xuan Pill Sect's other elders and disciples, whose success rates were naturally low and whose costs ran high. They too were unwilling to refine them in any great number.

In this way, the Hidden You Family could control the quantity of Minor Qi-Gathering Pills, releasing a few at each auction but never many, creating a market where demand far outstripped supply. Who would have thought Wei Zhao would shatter that rule in a single stroke?

Wei Zhao and Han Jingyi's refining costs were naturally low. Never mind that Han Jingyi succeeded with every pill she refined; when the two of them worked together on multiple pills at once, they could even produce a few extra. Thus cost was naturally no problem at all.

"Wahahaha! I never thought I, Zhao Qibing, could become an Earth-rank expert!" Having taken four Minor Qi-Gathering Pills and gone into seclusion for a day and a night, Zhao Qibing had finally become an early-stage Earth-rank expert!

True, he had not yet reached Wei Zhao's level, but he was already thrilled. By a stroke of luck, he had become one of the fastest-cultivating practitioners around! Of course, besides good timing, there was also the fact that the Hidden Zhao Family now had no one else to carry on. Zhao Qitan's participation in the Xuan Pill Sect trials was a foregone conclusion—one could say he was as good as gone. That naturally left only Zhao Qibing, and they had no choice but to cultivate him.

Now that he was an Earth-rank expert, he was naturally qualified to learn martial techniques. But Uncle Zhu's Tyrant Fist did not quite suit him, and Uncle Zhu was still bedridden with his injuries, unable to instruct Zhao Qibing.

It seemed he would have to seek out some martial techniques. After thinking it over, Zhao Qibing went to his grandfather's room.

The leg Zhong Yongliang had broken had naturally healed. This time Old Mian had brought back a great many second-grade pills, among them Minor Restoration Pills and Meridian-Unblocking Pills. Zhao Qibing took one Minor Restoration Pill and his leg was cured.

The Old Master was cultivating when he heard Old Mian report that Zhao Qibing had come. He immediately had him shown in. Since he had already resolved to cultivate Zhao Qibing as his successor, he held nothing back. Zhao Qibing might be a bit arrogant and spoiled, but he had more drive than the cautious Zhao Guangyin.

Zhao Guangyin was meticulous and prudent, but that sort of temperament was enough for self-preservation and not enough for expansion. The Hidden Families were not what they once were. The Hidden Families Arbitration Association existed in name only, and the great Hidden Families were all stirring, plotting greater expansion. Anyone who failed to strive forward at such a time would be eliminated and reduced to an ordinary family.

"Oh? Qibing, you've broken through? You're already an early-stage Earth-rank expert?" The Old Master was somewhat surprised to see Zhao Qibing walk in.

"Thank you for the pills, Grandfather. Your grandson has not failed you—I've broken through to the early Earth rank!" Zhao Qibing had not concealed the early Earth-rank true qi radiating from him, so the Old Master spotted it at a glance.

"Mm. You are the successor I have chosen as the next Young Family Head, and I intend to cultivate you with all my strength now!" The Old Master said, "Qibing, have you come here about something?"

"Yes, Grandfather. I'm an Earth-rank expert now—am I ready to learn martial techniques?" Zhao Qibing asked.

"I had overlooked that!" The Old Master nodded. "But the martial techniques the Hidden Zhao Family currently practices are not quite suited to you. You have a metal-attribute physique, and Old Bi's Tyrant Fist is indeed a metal-attribute technique—but that fist art has its flaws. Old Bi says it does not quite suit you; he believes you should develop your footwork and hand skills instead, since your legs are long, which gives you an advantage!"

"I see. Then what should I cultivate?" Zhao Qibing asked.

"Wait a while. I'll look into it for you. If nothing turns up, I'll telephone the Hidden Yu Family and see whether they have any good martial techniques. I'll obtain a manual for you," the Old Master said.

"Then thank you, Grandfather!" Zhao Qibing said delightedly.

"Mm, you may go for now. I'll send for you once the matter is settled." The Old Master waved a hand, dismissing Zhao Qibing.

Leaving the Old Master's residence, Zhao Qibing was in high spirits. He felt that having leveled up, it would be a shame not to go out and take a turn about. He was an early-stage Earth-rank expert now—in the secular world he ought to be an invincible presence...

Of course, he still did not dare seek revenge on Wei Zhao. His confidence was overflowing, but it had not yet blown up. What he wanted was to settle scores with Zhong Yongliang. Though Zhong Yongliang had a patron behind him and could not be killed, giving him a beating was no problem at all.

If, while training down the mountain, his skills proved inadequate and he got beaten up, that was his own lack of cultivation and no one else's fault—not even Zhong Yongliang's sect could complain. Of course, the premise was that he did not do away with Zhong Yongliang.

Zhao Qibing drove his Porsche Cayenne to East Sea City Engineering University. When the car reached the school gate, it happened to come face to face with Zhong Yongliang and Gao Xiaofu's car!

Having lost the arena match, Zhong Yongliang had returned to the dormitory, packed up, and prepared to go up the mountain with Gao Xiaofu back to the Tomorrow Upon Tomorrow Sect. He had never expected to run into Zhao Qibing's Porsche Cayenne on the driveway at the school gate!

"Motherfucker!" Zhong Yongliang was furious. He did not dare retaliate when Wei Zhao bullied him, but that did not mean he would not retaliate when others bullied him! Having had Right Panhu, Purple Hair, and Yellow Hair test it, Zhong Yongliang knew his mid-grade Golden Cicada undershirt had not malfunctioned, so he had nothing to fear from Zhao Qibing. "Zhao Qibing, back up right now! You dare block my car? I see you didn't get enough of a beating last time!"

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