After a night of commotion, Zhou Jiuyu and Nan Mengling didn’t get out of bed until close to noon the next day.

Watching Nan Mengling freshen up in the bathroom, Zhou Jiuyu began pondering his next move.

That list of “training programs to get stronger” he’d given the silly maid earlier? Pure bluff. He knew nothing about power-ups.

But if he didn’t know… he could just ask!

In the dream realm, Spirit Energy accumulated far faster than in reality—and consumption was merely one percent. After one night, he felt fully charged for another self-Q&A.

“Give me a proposal guaranteeing Nan Mengling awakens with a Ninth Tier ability.”

A slim booklet materialized in his palm. He glanced at it and chuckled softly. “This ability… seriously useful, huh?”

Oddly, he felt no noticeable drain on his Spirit Energy.

Puzzled, he flipped it open.

Only one page. One line:

“Use a high-purity Awakening Stone to channel all Spirit Energy within Nan Mengling’s body. Awakening completes—Ninth Tier ability user achieved.”

Zhou Jiuyu: “…Six!”

So his little maid was the literal chosen one? Awakening straight to peak-tier? What a “Feng Aotian”!

What was the point of overthinking?

“Silly maid, done washing? Let’s go to the Awakening Spire. Finish your awakening early—we might catch a high-speed train and scatter your master’s ashes by tonight!”

Zhou stepped into the bathroom. She sat on the sink counter, gripping the hilt of the White Moon Longsword.

The faucet dripped steadily.

Silence hung thick.

Until Nan Mengling, flushed with shame, whispered without lifting her head: “Young master… please don’t look. I’m shy.”

Zhou averted his gaze. His stomach growled—he was suddenly craving steamed buns.

…

Hand in hand with the silly maid, Zhou hailed a taxi.

“Driver, to the Awakening Spire,” he said plainly.

The driver checked them in the rearview, glanced at a photo on his phone, and replied evenly: “Got it.”

The taxi drove—but not toward the Spire.

Sensing hostility, Nan Mengling discreetly texted: *“Something’s off, young master. Be careful.”*

*“I know.”*

Zhou barely knew the city, but the Awakening Spire was unmistakable. Yet the driver circled it, veering into a deserted construction zone. Obvious trap.

“Driver,” Zhou raised an eyebrow. “This isn’t the way to the Awakening Spire?”

“So what? Too late to get out now.”

*Buzz!* Doors locked. With a flick of the driver’s fingers, the car warped—steel panels twisted into razor-sharp spikes lunging at Zhou!

This steel cage had been his domain the moment they entered.

“Give up. Even a Sixth Tier ability user would die here,” the driver boasted, then turned to Nan Mengling. “Don’t worry, miss. The bounty notice says nothing about harming you. I’ll deliver you home safe.”

“Bounty? What bounty? You’ll explain.”

Zhou snapped his fingers. Four long swords flashed into existence—*thunk!*—pinning the driver’s limbs to the seat.

“AAAAAH—!”

The spikes froze. Under Zhou’s ability, they vanished instantly.

The trap had become the interrogator’s cage.

“Tsk. Can’t talk like that. Fine—I’ll see myself… Borrowing your fingerprint.”

Zhou unlocked the phone. Two wanted posters. He arched a brow slightly.

“This angle’s actually kinda cool…”

“But Shadow Syndicate mercenaries? Seriously? This world even imported *that* faction?”

He scrolled the group chat—a Shadow Syndicate mission board.

The Shadow Syndicate wasn’t secret: a chaotic guild of ability-user mercenaries. No rules. Might ruled. Money talked. Pay enough, post anything.

“They’re using a Breathing Technique as bounty for me? Oh, we’re playing like *that*? Good. Good. Good…”

Zhou typed into the chat, a faint, mysterious smile curling his lips.

…

Meanwhile, atop the Awakening Spire, a coat-clad middle-aged man surveyed the city below. He glanced at his subordinate. “Any word?”

“Not yet, sir. But they *will* come. The Sword God’s disciple fled before awakening at her ceremony—she must return here.”

“Plus, Shadow Syndicate mercenaries are mobilized. Our Patrol Division scours the city. Rest assured, City Lord—they can’t escape our net.” The subordinate adjusted his glasses, confident.

The City Lord scanned the swelling crowd around the Spire—countless Shadow Syndicate agents, black sedans converging.

“Elite forces deployed… What extra bounty did you add beyond the Breathing Technique?”

The subordinate froze. “I… added nothing, my lord.”

“Then why this frenzy?”

He peered closer.

His pupils tightened.

The crowd wasn’t searching—they were *marching* straight for the Awakening Spire!

Before he could speak, the subordinate’s phone blared:

“Chief! Emergency! Shadow Syndicate mercenaries are attacking *us*! They’ve captured over a dozen Patrol Division members!”

The subordinate stood stunned.

Below, black sedans formed a path. Dozens of Fifth and Sixth Tier ability users lined up in formation.

From the lead vehicle stepped the very girl under bounty—Nan Mengling—and beside her… that mysterious youth.