Chapter 51

When Darryl nodded, Giselle turned to Granny Lyndon and said softly, "Well, that will be all."  

The old lady felt relieved once Giselle agreed to her request. Things would go smoothly as long as Giselle let the issue pass.  

However, in the next moment, Giselle added, "But I have one condition!"  

"What's the condition, Miss Lindt?" the old lady asked quickly.  

Giselle walked over to Lily and stood by her side. Looking around the room, she said, "From today onward, Lily will be in charge of managing my public image and related matters. I trust her. No one from the Lyndon family is to interfere with her work. Is that clear?"  

"What?!"  

Everyone was stunned by her words. Giselle had given Lily full authority, and no one, not even Granny Lyndon, could challenge it.  

"Of course, Miss Lindt. We will give her our full support," Granny Lyndon replied, though unsatisfied. She forced a smile, swallowing the bitterness in her heart.  

After the old lady agreed, the younger members of the Lyndon family couldn’t hide their envy when they glanced at Lily.  

Despite the temporary decline of Giselle's public image, Platinum Corporation was working hard for her comeback. With the endorsement of a rising star, Lily's future looked bright.  

William Lyndon was full of regret for everything that had happened.  

A slight smile appeared at the corners of Giselle's lips as she turned to leave.  

Giselle had a perfect figure, and the men couldn’t help but ogle her as she walked away. Suddenly, she paused beside Darryl.  

"Brother Darryl, I will take my leave now unless you need anything else," Giselle said respectfully, bowing to Darryl.  

"What?! Brother Darryl?!"  

Everyone was astonished, their mouths hanging open. Even Granny Lyndon almost fell off her chair!  

Darryl ignored the stunned looks from the Lyndon family and nodded at Giselle. "Yes, go ahead."  

Giselle complied and walked away on her high heels, as if she had received an imperial command.  

After she left, Darryl stood up, stretched, and said sarcastically, "How ridiculous that we needed an outsider’s help to uncover the truth about something that happened within our family."  

The old lady’s face fell, embarrassed by the remark. The others remained silent, their expressions unreadable.  

Eventually, Darryl also walked out of the meeting room.  

Once outside, Lily’s soft voice called after him, "Wait, Darryl."  

Darryl stopped and turned around with a smile. "What’s up, honey?"  

Lily bit her lip shyly upon hearing Darryl's affectionate words. In the past, she would have been angry, but now she only asked, "Did you know the truth before coming here? And... what’s your relationship with Giselle?"  

Hmm...  

Lily's tone seemed odd, especially at the end. Darryl chuckled and teased her, "Are you jealous?"  

Lily’s face turned bright red.  

'Why do I care so much about his relationship with Giselle?' she wondered.  

"Giselle and I are classmates. I only found out what happened after I called her," Darryl explained, noticing Lily’s discomfort.  

Lily understood, but one question still lingered. "If she’s just your classmate, why is she so polite to you?"  

"Err..."  

Darryl struggled to answer, but luckily, his phone rang just in time.  

"Oh, my boss must have found out I snuck out. I can't talk much longer; I need to get back to work."  

He quickly waved goodbye to Lily and hurried outside.  

As he answered his phone, he saw Yvonne Young’s name on the caller ID.  

"Darryl, do you have time? I need your help with something," Yvonne said urgently.  

"Sure, I’ll be there right away," Darryl replied.  

From her tone, Darryl sensed it was something important, and he was eager to help, even though he wasn’t sure what had happened. He had always had a good impression of Yvonne.

Chapter 52

After getting off the phone, Darryl headed to Pearl Pavilion. As soon as he arrived, he noticed a large crowd gathered outside, drawn by some excitement. Inside, the antique store owners were engaged in a heated debate.

"That's got to be a fake!"  

"Yeah, it really looks like one!"  

As Darryl moved through the crowd, he spotted a bald man holding a colorful porcelain vase, clearly trying to sell it. However, the crowd doubted its authenticity. Yvonne Young, Peter Williams, and a middle-aged man in traditional Chinese attire—Yvonne's father, Kingston Young—were gathered around, scrutinizing the vase. Kingston was a renowned antique dealer in Donghai City and the head of the Young family.

Among the crowd, Darryl noticed Elsa Lyndon, dressed in a stunning wine-colored spaghetti strap dress. Surprised to see her there, Darryl assumed she might be hanging out with Yvonne, given the closeness between the Lyndon and Young families.

Kingston carefully examined the porcelain vase. Everyone was quiet, eagerly awaiting his expert opinion. Even the antique shop owners watched with bated breath, as Kingston's knowledge in the field was unparalleled. After a long pause, he gave his assessment.

"The vase is exquisite in appearance, but its shape and design don't match any known ancient artifacts," Kingston remarked, shaking his head. He elaborated on the evolution of porcelain craftsmanship, pointing out that the vase appeared to be a modern creation. Though finely made, it lacked the authenticity of a true antique.

The crowd admired Kingston's expertise. "Manager Young really knows his stuff," some murmured. Yvonne, unsure of the vase's authenticity herself, had called Darryl and her father for confirmation.

The bald man, however, smiled slyly. "If this vase is modern, can you tell me who made it?"

Kingston frowned, unable to answer definitively. At that moment, Darryl stepped forward and offered, "Maybe I can take a look at it?"

The crowd was taken aback by Darryl's boldness. "Didn't you get lucky last time? Why are you trying to show off again?" someone scoffed, while others laughed, questioning his challenge to Kingston's expertise.

Chapter 53

Elsa Lyndon furrowed her brows as she watched Darryl closely. Even though she didn't interact with him much, they were both part of the Lyndon family, and if Darryl embarrassed himself, it would reflect poorly on her as well.

Kingston Young, upon recognizing Darryl, was momentarily stunned before asking, "Aren't you the Lyndon family's son-in-law?" Before he could continue, Yvonne quickly interjected, saying, "Dad, he's the honorary antique appraiser I hired."

This shocked everyone. Many struggled to contain their laughter. The idea of Darryl, who had been ridiculed and looked down upon, being given the title of "honorary antique appraiser" seemed absurd to them.

Despite the crowd’s reaction, Kingston didn’t say much more. He trusted his daughter's judgment. Though Darryl had a poor reputation in Donghai City, Kingston believed Yvonne wouldn’t hire someone without potential.

With Kingston's approval, Darryl moved closer to examine the vase. The atmosphere shifted—when Kingston appraised the vase earlier, everyone watched with respect. Now, they watched Darryl like he was a clown, waiting for him to make a fool of himself.

Yvonne, on the other hand, felt uneasy. She worried that if Darryl messed up, her father would hold her accountable.

Darryl studied the vase for a few moments before unexpectedly stroking the surface of the porcelain. The bald man selling the vase scowled, worried that Darryl might damage it. Other antique dealers in the room shook their heads in disapproval, convinced that Darryl didn’t know what he was doing. His method seemed unorthodox compared to traditional techniques for appraising porcelain.

However, Kingston watched Darryl with narrowed eyes. He noticed something about Darryl’s approach that seemed familiar, as if Darryl's method was not entirely random but rather, highly detailed.

Darryl then held the vase to his ear, listening intently, and after a few moments, he turned to Yvonne and asked, “How much is he asking for?”

The bald man replied, “Five hundred thousand bucks, and not a penny less.”

Darryl smiled and confidently said to Yvonne, “Buy it!”

The crowd was shocked by Darryl’s quick decision, and laughter erupted. They couldn’t believe he would advise spending that much money on something they deemed worthless. Despite the ridicule, Darryl remained unfazed, convinced of the vase’s value based on his assessment. 

His confidence stemmed from his expertise in porcelain, which he had learned from a master of Chinese studies. He discovered soil stuck at the bottom of the vase that gave off a musty odor, indicating that the vase had been recently unearthed. This confirmed Darryl's belief that the vase was a genuine ancient artifact.

While the crowd continued to laugh and ridicule him, Yvonne's expression turned sour, and Kingston shook his head, visibly disappointed in what he thought was a premature conclusion by Darryl.

Chapter 54

Kingston took a deep breath, his face twisting in displeasure. Turning to Yvonne, he whispered, "Is this the honorary antique appraiser you hired? And for 50,000 bucks a month?" His frustration was clear—despite their wealth, he couldn't fathom why she would waste money on someone he believed to be incompetent.

Yvonne remained silent, feeling a deep sense of embarrassment. 

The bald man, sensing an ally in Darryl, laughed and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "This brother certainly knows his stuff!" Darryl responded only with a calm smile.

Kingston, still skeptical, asked coldly, "Explain to me how this vase is worth 500,000 bucks."

Darryl, confident but calm, replied, "Uncle Young, don't rush to judgment. Let me explain. Do you know about Princess Wencheng?"

Kingston, though impatient, was visibly jolted by the name. His body stiffened as recognition dawned on him. “Are you suggesting...?" Kingston trailed off, shaking his head in disbelief. "No, that's impossible!"

Darryl had referred to the legendary Xueyan Promenade Vase, a highly fabled artifact associated with Princess Wencheng. According to history and legend, the princess, famous for her marriage to a Tibetan prince, was said to have owned a unique porcelain vase. This vase was rumored to have mystical properties, including the ability to produce the sound of flowing water when listened to carefully. Over time, it had become an object of immense value and mystery, rumored to have disappeared after the fall of the Qing Dynasty.

Kingston, caught in his thoughts, struggled to believe that such a legendary artifact could be in their presence.

Darryl continued, explaining that while the vase’s design appeared odd, it reflected the mix of Tang Dynasty and Tibetan influences. He elaborated on the colored glaze, which he said was influenced by Western aesthetics and used a technique that helped preserve the porcelain's pristine condition over thousands of years. 

Kingston, visibly intrigued, placed the vase to his ear. After a tense moment of listening, his expression transformed from doubt to shock. "Could this really be the Xueyan Promenade Vase?" he asked hoarsely, his voice quivering with excitement.

The crowd, especially the other antique shop owners, was stunned. While they had doubted Darryl’s claims, hearing Kingston utter the name of the legendary vase left them speechless. Everyone in the antique world had heard tales of the Xueyan Promenade Vase, and its sudden appearance in Pearl Pavilion seemed unbelievable.

Kingston's respect for Darryl grew as the realization settled in.

Chapter 55

Yvonne and Lily felt a sudden weakness in their knees, utterly shocked. 'Could Darryl really identify whether the vase was an antique?' Kingston's ecstatic expression left no doubt in their minds anymore.

“Hey, after such a long discussion, are you buying it or not?” The bald man started to grow impatient. Darryl only smiled slyly, realizing that the bald man must be a layman. He had a priceless artifact but was only asking for half a million bucks. Considering the mud on the base of the vase, Darryl was confident that it had only recently been unearthed. ‘This bald man seems shady. Where did he get this vase from?’ Darryl mused, frowning slightly.

“Yes! I’ll buy it!” Kingston eagerly nodded, as if afraid the bald man would change his mind. Turning to Peter Williams, he urged, “Quick, pay the gentleman.” He then carefully picked up the porcelain vase, instructing Yvonne to bring a box to store it safely. Meanwhile, the other antique store owners looked on enviously.

Peter handed over the payment, and the bald man checked his phone to confirm the deposit before leaving the store, visibly pleased. 

Kingston, still elated, turned to Darryl and said, “Darryl, I never expected you to have such profound knowledge of antiques. Yvonne truly found the right person. You may be young, but you’ve accomplished a great deal!” 

Darryl accepted the praise with a polite smile. “You’ve helped me acquire a rare treasure. Let me treat you to dinner this evening—just the two of us for a few drinks?” Kingston extended an invitation eagerly.

The Xueyan Promenade Vase. Kingston still couldn’t believe that such a rare artifact had fallen into his possession. Apart from his excitement, he had also developed a keen interest in Darryl. Initially, he had only known Darryl as the Lyndon family’s live-in son-in-law, but now he realized how truly skilled he was in the world of antiques. He wanted to get to know the young man better.

However, Darryl didn’t seem keen on the offer. His mind was on the bald man. “Drinks? Perhaps another time. I’ve got something urgent to attend to,” Darryl said hurriedly before rushing out of Pearl Pavilion. 

Kingston and Yvonne exchanged puzzled glances, confused by Darryl’s sudden departure. 

Outside, Darryl spotted the bald man still walking down the street and began following him at a distance. The bald man, thrilled after selling the vase for a good price, remained cautious and kept looking around as he walked, as if worried someone might be following him. 

Darryl stayed a safe distance behind, aware of how on-edge the bald man seemed. After passing an intersection, the bald man got into a van, which started heading north, toward Beishan. Darryl hurried back to his Audi R8 and pursued them.

The sports car’s performance allowed Darryl to catch up quickly while keeping a safe distance. After about half an hour of driving, they arrived at Beishan, a desolate and undeveloped hill on the outskirts of Donghai City. The area was known as a mass graveyard where the poor were buried, as their families could not afford proper plots. 

By the time they arrived, dusk had fallen, and the sky was growing dark. The van stopped near a gentle slope, and both the driver and the bald man got out, walking up the hill’s path. Darryl followed, maintaining a cautious distance.

The eerie silence of the graveyard, punctuated by the occasional gust of wind, sent a chill down Darryl’s spine. Tombstones peeked out from the overgrown grass on either side of the path. ‘Are these guys digging up treasures from graves?’ he wondered. ‘Is that where they found the Xueyan Promenade Vase?’

Several thoughts raced through Darryl’s mind before he suddenly heard voices ahead. Picking up the pace, he found a hiding spot behind a tree and observed the scene.

What he saw left him stunned. A dozen men, holding shovels and hammers, were hard at work digging into a grave. Their leader, a bearded man, barked orders at them as they toiled under the dimming light.

The bearded man noticed the bald man approaching and called out, “Johnny, you’re back! How did it go?”

‘So, the bald man’s name is Johnny,’ Darryl thought with amusement. ‘Did he get that from Dwayne Johnson?’

Johnny waved his phone excitedly. “I made it! Sold it for half a million bucks!”

“What? The vase was worth that much?” The bearded man looked shocked at first, then thrilled. The other workers also cheered.

“Yeah, Brother. We’re in the right place for sure!” one of the men chimed in.

“We’re going to be rich!” another shouted.

However, the bearded man quickly reined in their enthusiasm. “Why are you all standing around? The vase fetched a good price, so there must be more treasures here! Get back to work!”

The crew resumed digging with renewed vigor. 

Watching from his hiding spot, Darryl was filled with unease at the sight of the grave robbers.

Chapter 56

‘So, they must have dug up the Xueyan Promenade Vase from here. This graveyard is hiding secrets,’ Darryl thought. He then worried, 'But these men aren't being careful. They might destroy valuable cultural relics left by our ancestors! What should I do?'

As Darryl considered his next move, he heard the bearded man shout angrily, “Who’s there? Who’s sneaking around? Come out now!”

Darryl's heart raced. ‘Damn it! I've been spotted!’ He was about to step out from behind the tree when he noticed the bearded man was actually heading toward another tree about ten meters away, with an angry look on his face.

“Grave robbers! What you’re doing is a crime, and you should stop!” A soft voice emerged from behind the tree before the bearded man reached it. Darryl breathed a sigh of relief, realizing he hadn’t been discovered.

To his surprise, a beautiful, dusty-faced woman with a fearless and dignified demeanor stepped out from behind the tree. Darryl was stunned—it was none other than Megan Castello. 'What is she doing here?' he wondered.

Megan had followed the group after noticing them heading to Beishan after her shift at the police station. With her criminal investigation experience, she suspected they were up to no good. Though off-duty and without her weapon, Megan had planned to call for backup once she confirmed their intentions. But before she could send out a message, the bearded man had spotted her.

The bearded man, shocked by Megan's beauty, recovered quickly. His group of men ogled at her too.

“Well, well, who would have thought we’d meet such a beautiful woman up here?” the bearded man teased. The bald man and others joined in with lewd remarks.

“Look at her! Such a domineering aura,” one said.  

"I wouldn't mind losing ten years of my life if I could have her!" another added.

The bearded man, smiling wickedly, walked closer to Megan. “Hey, gorgeous, we’ve been bored after digging all day. How about keeping us company for a bit?”

Megan’s chest heaved with anger. “Watch your mouth! I’m Megan Castello, leader of Donghai City's Criminal Investigation Team!” she shouted, introducing herself with authority.

The group hesitated, surprised and slightly fearful. ‘So, this is the famous beautiful policewoman from Donghai,’ the bearded man thought with a grin.

As the bearded man waved his hand discreetly, the bald man and the others began to encircle Megan.

“What do you think you're doing?” Megan shouted.

The bearded man sneered. “What do you think?” It was clear they weren’t going to back down easily.

Without waiting for them to attack, Megan moved first. As a trained investigator, she was skilled in hand-to-hand combat, and in a matter of seconds, she had knocked several of them to the ground. But despite her abilities, she was still outnumbered. Soon, the bearded man took advantage of a momentary distraction to subdue her, tying her up with a rope.

“So, what if you’re the team leader?” the bearded man sneered. “I’ve got you now, haven’t I? Don’t look at me like that. Once we finish digging, we’ll have some fun with you!” His eyes leered at her as he taunted.

Megan glared at him, her body trembling with fury. “Don’t get too arrogant. You won’t get away with this!” she shouted, her face flushed with anger, but her captors only laughed in response.

The bearded man, amused by her defiance, grinned. “Still playing tough? I’ll show you what a real woman feels like, and after we’re done, we’ll bury you up here. Let’s see how you catch us then!” He laughed as Megan bit her lip in anger, furious at the humiliation.

At that moment, a voice called out calmly from nearby. “You think you’re brave, huh? Not only are you robbing graves, but you’re also a bunch of filthy perverts.”

Everyone turned to see Darryl, standing there with a smile on his face. Megan’s eyes widened in surprise and relief. “You?” she exclaimed, both delighted and worried at the same time.

Megan urged, “Quick! Get out of here and call the police!” She knew these men were dangerous, and Darryl could be in serious trouble if he stayed.

But Darryl didn’t move. The bearded man frowned, glaring at Darryl. “Who are you?” he asked coldly.

The bald man, dumbstruck, pointed at Darryl. “F*ck! Isn’t that the guy from Pearl Pavilion, the antique appraiser?”

“Antique appraiser?” Megan and the others were confused. Megan knew Darryl as the live-in son-in-law of the Lyndon family, not as an antique expert.

Megan, flustered, shouted again, “Hurry! Get out of here!” But the bearded man sneered and pulled a pill from his pocket, shoving it into Megan's mouth. “Shut up, b*tch,” he snarled. “I'll deal with this punk first, then it's your turn.”

Megan was forced to swallow the pill. Soon, she felt her legs weaken. “What the hell did you give me?” she demanded, her voice filled with fear.

Chapter 57

"Don't freak out, beautiful. Relax, it’s not poison. It’s Weak Bones Elixir; it’ll only make you weak,” the bearded man said with a menacing smile.

Megan was in shock, unable to process what she just heard. 'Weak Bones Elixir? What a mess!'

Darryl frowned. 'This guy must be delusional, talking about some nonsense like he’s a mental patient,' Darryl thought.

Suddenly, the bald man and his crew surrounded Darryl, glaring fiercely at him. “Hey, punk! Why the hell did you follow us? What do you want? I sell vases, and you bought them! Why are you tailing me?”

Darryl, trying to stay calm, replied with a sigh, “I was the only one who thought your vase was worth anything. Don’t you think you should thank me for that?” He slowly stepped toward them, trying to distract them.

Although nervous, Darryl had a bit of experience with Wing Chun Kung Fu, but he wasn’t confident about facing so many men at once. He needed to make them drop their guard.

“Thank you?” The bald man was baffled by Darryl’s words. His group also stopped in confusion.

Seizing the moment, Darryl moved closer, continuing his bluff. “The vase you had? It was a fake. If I hadn’t pointed that out, could you have sold it at all?”

“Fake?” The bald man was stunned and scratched his head instinctively. 

Without warning, Darryl lunged forward, striking the bald man in the face and knocking him to the ground. Wasting no time, Darryl turned on the others. 

“Get him!” the bearded man yelled, shocked and furious. But Darryl was swift and precise with his punches. In under a minute, nearly all of them were on the ground.

The bearded man, now panicked, was the last one standing. “Who… who are you?” he stammered, eyes wide with fear.

Darryl smirked, “I’m the antique appraiser from Pearl Pavilion.” With a quick kick, Darryl sent the bearded man flying, unconscious as he hit the ground.

Megan, weakened by the elixir, could only stare in disbelief. “You…” she tried to speak, but her voice faltered, and her body felt too weak to move.

Darryl knelt beside her, untying the ropes. “Can you walk?”

Megan shook her head, embarrassed. ‘What the hell is that Weak Bones Elixir? Why is it so strong?’ she thought, frustrated.

Noticing her condition, Darryl furrowed his brows. “Let me check if they have an antidote.” He searched their belongings but found nothing useful.

Just as he was about to give up, something caught his eye—a dark object beside the tomb that the bearded man had opened. Curiously, Darryl walked over and picked up an old, weathered box, covered in carved flowers that were faded with age.

Opening the box, Darryl was stunned to find two ancient books inside: *The Geomancy of Yin and Yang* and *Infinite Elixir*.

‘What the hell?’ Darryl thought as he flipped through *The Geomancy of Yin and Yang.* The book was filled with information about Feng Shui, explaining how people in ancient times used it to choose burial sites, believing in the flow of Qi and water for auspicious energy.

The more Darryl read, the more intrigued he became, diving into the knowledge of Yin Feng Shui described in the book.

Chapter 58

The second half of the ancient book Darryl was reading focused on Yang Feng Shui, which detailed the principles for choosing homes for the living. Like the *Yin Feng Shui* sections, the book contained precise descriptions and illustrations of various house layouts.

One illustration in particular caught Darryl off guard. “This looks just like my house!” he thought, shocked by the resemblance. Reading further, he found an explanation that the layout lacked essential water elements, negatively impacting those living within. Suddenly, everything made sense—this was why Lily’s family was struggling, especially her business, which was always short on funds. It wasn’t due to human error, but rather because of the poor Feng Shui of the house.

Just as Darryl was about to continue reading for a possible solution, Megan’s weak voice interrupted him, asking if he had found the antidote. Snapping back to reality, Darryl quickly grabbed the books and headed out of the tomb, admitting to Megan that no antidote was found.

Megan, disappointed but calm, explained that the Weak Bones Elixir's effects would only last for twelve hours, leaving her weak but otherwise fine after that time. Darryl was taken aback by how familiar she seemed to be with this strange elixir but didn’t press her for answers.

When Megan asked Darryl to call the police, he complied, retrieving her phone from her pocket and making the call. As they waited, Darryl couldn’t help but notice her perfect figure and the light fragrance from her body, making him swallow nervously. Despite the awkwardness, he tried to stay composed.

After calling the police, Megan looked at Darryl with a curious expression and asked how he ended up there. Darryl nonchalantly explained that he had followed some suspicious people out of curiosity and was surprised to discover they were tomb raiders.

Before long, the sound of police sirens echoed from the foot of the mountain. Darryl dusted himself off and prepared to leave, telling Megan that her subordinates had arrived. However, Megan, anxious and embarrassed about her weakened state, asked if he could take her down the mountain first. Reluctant to face her team in such a vulnerable condition, she even requested that Darryl carry her.

Darryl agreed and carefully carried her down the mountain. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Darryl managed to get Megan home safely. Her home, located in an upscale residential area, was immaculate yet personal, with the scent of perfume lingering in the air and clothes scattered in her bedroom.

As Darryl placed her on the bed, exhausted from the long walk, Megan suddenly asked if he was a Wing Chun disciple. Surprised and confused by her question, Darryl froze, unsure of what to say next.

Chapter 59

"Are you playing dumb?" Megan asked, frowning as she observed Darryl closely. She was puzzled by his response, wondering why he avoided giving a clear answer and instead questioned her back.

"What did you use to defeat those guys earlier?" Megan pressed, clearly not convinced by Darryl’s casual demeanor.

Darryl rubbed his nose nonchalantly. "Oh, it was nothing special. I’ve practiced Wing Chun for a while now."

Megan immediately shook her head in disagreement. "That’s not right! Your movements were too wide for Wing Chun."

Darryl felt slightly embarrassed. She was correct. Even though he had dabbled in Wing Chun, his fighting style had been far from the refined techniques he was supposed to use.

Megan sighed, still suspicious, and explained further. "There are six main sects of Kung Fu: Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, Kunlun, Tianshan, and Xiaoyao. Each one has its own form of cultivation, completely different from regular martial arts or street fighting techniques."

She continued, "Although these sects were once highly revered, most of them have become less prominent with the rise of modern society. Many members have even gone secular, starting businesses or becoming celebrities."

Darryl remained silent, stunned by her knowledge. It sounded like something straight out of a fantasy novel, but Megan was adamant.

Sensing his disbelief, Megan pulled out a jade token and showed it to him. The word Emei was inscribed in ancient script, leaving Darryl speechless. It dawned on him that Megan’s earlier feats of strength, such as singlehandedly taking down multiple opponents, weren’t just due to ordinary martial arts training. She was, in fact, a cultivator.

Megan then proceeded to explain the different ranks within the cultivation world: Master, Master General, Martial Marquis, Martial Saint, and Martial Emperor. Each rank had five levels of progression.

Darryl, now intrigued, asked, "So, which rank are you at?"

Megan blushed, a little embarrassed. "I’m only a Fifth Level Master, close to reaching Master General."

Though Darryl thought it was a modest rank, Megan clarified that it was a significant achievement in the difficult path of cultivation. Many people remained stuck in the Master realm for their entire lives.

Curious, Megan asked again, "Are you sure you’re not a part of any sect?"

Darryl laughed and shrugged. "Why would I hide something like that? I’m not a part of any sect. Maybe I’m just naturally strong."

Megan didn’t seem convinced. "Don’t flatter yourself. You must have taken some kind of physique-enhancing elixir."

Darryl suddenly remembered the pill Samson Facey had given him earlier that day. Could that have been the reason for his enhanced abilities in the fight? He quickly called Samson, who confirmed that the pill was called the Universal Pill.

Later, as Darryl flipped through the alchemy book he had found in the tomb, he stumbled upon a description of the Universal Pill. It explained that the pill could enhance one’s meridians, drastically improving both strength and speed. Darryl was both shocked and enlightened—this explained why he had been able to take down so many opponents with such ease!

Chapter 60

Darryl realized that his immense strength came from the effect of the Universal Pill. The more he read the alchemy book, the more fascinated he became with its contents! It described many elixirs, including the Divine Power Pill, which could greatly enhance one’s power, and the Light Spirit Pill, known for making the body feel as light as a feather.

However, Darryl had never heard of those pills' names, and their effects were incredibly mysterious. One example was the Soul Piercing Pill, which, if taken by an enemy and combined with the right cultivation method, could grant control over that enemy. "Really? Is it truly that powerful?" Darryl wondered. As he read about the Soul Piercing Pill, he was dumbfounded by the materials needed for its creation. "Heaven Spiritual Water... Rootless Stone? Are such things even real?" 

Darryl felt perplexed as he looked at the other pills and noticed that the ingredients required for refining them were extraordinarily rare; some he had never even heard of. However, he soon found an exception. The Godly Pill had materials that were commonly available. The Godly Pill's effects were extraordinary, helping practitioners break through bottlenecks in their cultivation.

Megan had mentioned that many people got stuck at certain cultivation levels. If they took the Godly Pill, it would make it much easier for them to break through, right? "If that’s the case, I can make this pill and sell it to cultivators. What a profit!" The materials needed for the Godly Pill were easy to find. Salt and white vinegar were readily available in Megan’s kitchen.

Darryl looked at the potted plants on the windowsill, spotting cacti and peony leaves, which delighted him. Once he gathered all the materials, he headed to the kitchen. According to the book, a pill furnace or a pot for brewing Chinese medicine was ideal for refining the pill. He couldn't find a pill furnace, so he settled on a clay pot. After preparing everything, Darryl began to refine the Godly Pill.

It would take three hours to refine it, and not wanting to stare at the pot as it boiled, he returned to the living room to read "The Geomancy of Yin and Yang." The book captivated him, drawing him in. It had been years since he had been so engrossed in a book; he became completely immersed in it. As he read, Darryl tried to apply its theories, taking note of Megan’s room's layout and the surrounding geographical environment.

Megan's house had a reasonable layout; its Feng Shui was quite good. Unconsciously, three hours passed. Darryl hurriedly put the book away and returned to the kitchen. He opened the clay pot and saw a brown pill formed inside. Thrilled, he put everything back in its place and went to the living room with the Godly Pill. It was already dawn, and the sky was getting brighter. Megan, who had been asleep on the sofa, woke up.

"You stayed?" she asked, surprised to see Darryl in her house. 

Darryl replied with a smile, "You were too weak. What happens if a thief breaks into your house in the middle of the night after I left?" 

Megan said nothing, looking a little unhappy. She thought he should know there should be a prudent reserve between a man and a woman. She sat up on the sofa, contemplating. 

Darryl's eyes widened suddenly. "You’re all well now? Didn't you say the Weak Bones Elixir's effect would last for twelve hours?" 

"That is for ordinary people," Megan explained. "I am a cultivator, so it’s different for me. Once I realized I had taken a Weak Bones Elixir, I could dispel the effects by controlling my internal energy." 

Megan looked somewhat depressed. She had been stuck at Fifth Level Master and had never managed to break through to the Master General level. 

Darryl was surprised. "Wow! I thought it would take you a few more hours to recover." 

Megan smiled bitterly. "That's nothing. If I had broken through to Master General, it would have been much faster." 

Darryl chuckled. "What’s so difficult about breaking through the cultivation realm?" 

Megan was taken aback and then smiled. "What’s so difficult? Do you know how long I’ve been stuck at Fifth Level Master? Two years! Cultivation isn’t as easy as you think. Don’t just say anything if you don’t know better!" 

Megan waved her hand irritably. "I don't want to talk to you anymore. It’s dawn now, so you should go." 

Darryl smiled as he showed her the Godly Pill. "I have a pill here. I don’t know if it can help you." 

Megan’s eyes widened in shock as she fixed her gaze on the Godly Pill.

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