Chapter Twenty-Five: Shock

"Are you saying you've broken through to the minor completion stage of the Qi-Refinement Realm?" Nan Rongyao's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.

Tong Jin nodded and stretched his arms. As he focused his intent, rich and thick true energy surged from his dantian toward his palms. Feeling the swelling power in his hands, Tong Jin felt as though he could charge into an army of thousands and prevail. Of course, he knew this was merely a psychological illusion of newfound strength.

Nan Rongyao shook his head, still unable to process the news. He thought to himself, *My Nanrong clan possesses vast wealth and resources, yet with such meticulous cultivation, we only have two experts in the Qi-Refinement Realm. This boy is only fourteen, and he has already achieved the same level of strength.* What he found even harder to accept was that three days ago, this person had been a crippled invalid without the strength to truss a chicken. To leap directly into the Qi-Refinement Realm was not just unheard of; it defied the laws of heaven.

However, Nan Rongyao was not foolish enough to doubt Tong Jin’s word. Looking at the splintered wooden debris all over the floor, he knew Tong Jin's cultivation had indeed recovered. While he himself could easily destroy a wooden bucket to such an extent, he did not for a moment believe Tong Jin would play such a prank on him.

Meanwhile, in an inconspicuous corner of a restaurant within Xiashui City, a group of people sat at a table, quietly enjoying a meal. They were all dressed in black, each with distinct features. One man had a livid, gloomy complexion; sitting opposite him was a slender woman with cold eyes, wearing a black mask that covered half her face. The other three, aside from one with a rat-like, shifty gaze, looked entirely ordinary, the type who would immediately vanish into a crowd.

"Have you heard? A few days ago, a man turned into a pool of blood right out on the street. Tsk tsk, it was truly gruesome," said one of three middle-aged men at a table behind them, who were drinking and gossiping with great enthusiasm.

"I heard about it. A member of my gang was nearby that day, and word spread through the gang as soon as he returned," said a bearded man among them.

"Tsk tsk, killing is one thing, but to not even leave a body behind—that must have been a deep-seated blood feud."

"I don't think so..."

The group did not deliberately lower their voices, and every corner of that floor could hear their discussion. Most people, however, paid little mind, as they had already heard the rumors. But in the corner, the masked woman paused, her hand hovering over a dish, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.

"What is it, Yin Sha?" the man with the livid face asked.

"Heh heh heh, the person who was killed was our scout," the woman replied, her voice harsh and jarring, completely at odds with her appearance.

These people were none other than agents from the Soul-Guarding Pavilion who had been tracking their target.

"How can you be certain?" the gaunt, ordinary-looking man beside her asked in a low voice.

"Hmph, if I, Yin Sha, say it is, then it is," the woman retorted with a cold snort, returning to her meal.

The gaunt man was clearly displeased by her attitude and turned to the livid-faced man. "Pavilion Master..."

The man with the blue-tinted face raised a hand to silence him and asked Yin Sha, "Can you confirm it?"

Yin Sha gave a sinister smile. "He must have been killed by the poisonous insects in that brat's possession. There is no mistake."

"Good!" The corners of the blue-faced man’s mouth curled upward, a smile that looked even more grotesque than a grimace. He then turned to the gaunt man. "You three go and investigate immediately. That brat must still be in this city. Yin Sha and I will wait at the inn across the street."

The gaunt man cast a side-long glance at Yin Sha, thinking to himself why this vixen got to rest at the inn while he had to work. Yet, under the pressure of the Pavilion Master, he suppressed his anger and whispered to the other two, "Let's go."

Yin Sha, clearly sensing the gaunt man's resentment, let out a cold, wheezing laugh. She ignored him and continued to feed herself the delicious food.

At that moment, Tong Jin was gathered with Nan Rongyao in Nan Rongzhan's room. After Tong Jin finished washing up, Nan Rongyao could no longer contain his curiosity and brought Tong Jin to knock on Nan Rongzhan’s door.

Nan Rongzhan was sitting cross-legged on the bed. Though his face remained pale, his mood was clearly excellent. "Little one, little one! You have turned a misfortune into a blessing and broken through directly to the Qi-Refinement Realm! Hahaha, good! Good! Good!" Nan Rongzhan exclaimed three times before slowly rising and patting Tong Jin on the shoulder.

Just as Tong Jin was about to offer a humble reply, a cold, piercing energy like an icicle drilled into his body. He clenched his teeth, his spine twitching in pain.

Tong Jin knew it was Nan Rongzhan’s true energy probing him, so he did not resist. Fortunately, Nan Rongzhan withdrew the energy quickly, looking perplexed. "Strange, truly strange."

Nan Rongyao, standing nearby, was confused. "Uncle Zhan, what is it?"

Nan Rongzhan said thoughtfully, "I was injured by a scorching heat within the boy's body that day, but now, that mysterious energy has vanished without a trace."

Tong Jin blinked in surprise. "It was I who injured Senior Zhan?" He was filled with remorse.

"Heh heh, little one, do not blame yourself. It was not your fault, but rather that your body harbors a terrifying power," Nan Rongzhan said with a hearty laugh. "Tell me honestly, are you of the Profound Yang Physique?"

Nan Rongyao gasped. He was well aware of the Profound Yang Physique. Nan Rongzhan, the old man before them, possessed the Profound Yin Physique—a rare constitution that granted his true energy restorative properties. To hear that Tong Jin possessed the Profound Yang Physique—an incredibly rare constitution—and to realize there were now two such individuals in the same room, left him utterly stunned.

Tong Jin scratched his head and sighed. "Senior Zhan has shown me great kindness, and I would not dare deceive you. I am not of the Profound Yang Physique, but rather the Yin-Yang Dual Physique."

*Crack!* The wooden table in the room shattered under Nan Rongzhan’s palm. He stood with his mouth agape, his lips trembling. "Yin-Yang Dual Physique! The Yin-Yang Dual Physique!"

Nan Rongyao looked between the old man and the boy, utterly bewildered. He wondered what this "Yin-Yang Dual Physique" was that could make his uncle so agitated.

Nan Rongzhan suddenly stepped forward and gripped Tong Jin’s shoulders. "Little one, did you just say the Yin-Yang Dual Physique?"

Tong Jin understood why Nan Rongzhan reacted this way. The Yin-Yang Dual Physique was a once-in-a-century occurrence, and those who possessed it invariably became titans of power. His grandfather had spoken to him of the dangers; such a constitution would inevitably attract the attention of major factions. Those who could not recruit him would certainly try to eliminate him before he could mature, as no one wanted to leave behind an enemy with such limitless potential.

If he did not completely trust the Nanrong uncle and nephew, Tong Jin would never have revealed this life-or-death secret. Seeing Nan Rongzhan’s grave expression, Tong Jin felt nervous, but ultimately gave a solemn nod.

Nan Rongzhan released his shoulders, pondered for a moment, and said with firm, undeniable conviction, "Little one, you must come with me to the Nanrong clan immediately!"