017 Qi Refining Early Stage

In the blink of an eye, 20 days had passed, leaving only five days until the apocalypse. During these 20 days, Fang Yuxin rarely went out, only doing so when deliveries arrived at the warehouse. She personally inspected the goods and secretly stored everything in the warehouse, while also paying the final amounts to the suppliers.

The rest of the time, she stayed at home. However, ever since the Fang Family learned she needed time and space for cultivation, they rearranged Bai Qianqian's room and stopped letting him stay with Fang Yuxin. Bai Qianqian was unhappy about this, but what he feared most was Fang Yuxin ignoring him or even kicking him out. So when he found out that he could still stay with Mama during the day, although not at night, Bai Qianqian quieted down.

Fang's Villa had a gym, which was quite spacious and fully equipped with fitness machines, and it even had a swimming pool next to it. The Fang Family used to occasionally work out there. Since finding out about the impending apocalypse, they converted this gym into a practice room to exercise every day.

After Fang Jintang and Fang Yuyang left each day, Qu Qianhe and Fang Yuxin would work out there as well, with Bai Qianqian following along to stay close to Fang Yuxin. Although he was fair and delicate, his muscles were firm, and he was very familiar with the fitness equipment, showing he often exercised.

However, his workouts were not intensely vigorous, and he didn't have overly exaggerated muscles, but he was clearly healthier and stronger than other kids his age.

The bodyguards hired by the Fang Family were ex-special soldiers with excellent skills. Qu Qianhe picked three of them to be their coaches, responsible for teaching them combat skills. Qu Qianhe herself was quite skilled, and Fang Yuxin and Fang Yuyang had been learning Taekwondo from experts since they were young. Though they weren't exceptionally formidable, they were more than capable of handling ordinary thugs.

Now, with intensified training, the skills of both Qu Qianhe and Fang Yuxin had improved significantly, especially Fang Yuxin, whose dream had a profound impact on her, particularly her combat awareness. Her combat awareness was excellent, her strikes were quick and accurate, but her physical strength was lacking, and some moves were so fierce they even caused muscle strains.

Whenever she felt exhausted from training, Fang Yuxin would sit down and meditate. At first glance, it seemed like she was just sitting quietly, but she was actually absorbing spiritual energy. The "Green Wood Technique" was a powerful cultivation technique, and Fang Yuxin's body had been converted to a "Pure Wood Spirit Body." She had succeeded in "Energy Introduction" the night Fang Yuyang returned, officially entering the early stage of Qi Refinement.

Fang Yuxin felt the urgency of time. She used the night for cultivation and the day to practice her martial skills. Each time after pushing her body to the limit and then stopping to absorb spiritual energy, the effect was exceptionally good. The energy channels in her body were almost fully opened, and she absorbed much more spiritual energy than usual.

However, the others, having no contact with cultivation, couldn't sense the spiritual energy and consequently did not know Fang Yuxin was cultivating. Interestingly enough, perhaps due to some blood-related reason or otherwise, every time Fang Yuxin meditated, Bai Qianqian would intentionally stop, run over to Fang Yuxin's side, and mimic her, sitting cross-legged in meditation.

During these instances, green spiritual energy, invisible and undetectable to ordinary people, would be partially absorbed by Bai Qianqian. Although the amount was small, it was slowly transforming his body, healing the internal injuries from his exercises.

The mysterious tall man hadn't appeared again, and Fang Yuxin naturally pushed him to the back of her mind, even planning to keep Bai Qianqian by her side permanently.

The task of collecting supplies was managed by Fang Yuyang and Fang Jintang. With the two of them involved, they weren't just dealing with minor affairs like Fang Yuxin did, they purchased not only a substantial amount of daily necessities but also gathered many generators and gasoline, even hiring trustworthy people to modify vehicles.

Although they were cautious, their actions still drew the attention of some interested parties. So today, just as Fang Yuxin finished her cultivation and was resting, her phone rang. Picking it up, she saw the call was from Qiu Yiming. Remembering the warning from the mysterious man, she instinctively became more alert.

She stepped out of the practice room before answering the call. Qiu Yiming's voice was as enthusiastic as ever, saying it had been a long time since they last met and inviting her out for a meal. Fang Yuxin initially wanted to decline but hesitated and eventually agreed. It was the same old place, a private restaurant renowned for its delicious dishes and well-known throughout the Market. Securing a reservation there was nearly impossible without connections.

Qiu Yiming's appointment was tonight, and Fang Yuxin, seeing that it was about time, hung up the phone and went back to her room to change clothes. Just as she came out, she saw Bai Qianqian standing at the door. Fang Yuxin was quite surprised, "Qianqian, what are you doing here?"

Bai Qianqian, smart and sensitive, noticed Fang Yuxin in a beautiful outfit and asked, "Mama, are you going out? Can you take Qianqian with you?"

Fang Yuxin instantly thought of what Bai Qianqian's father had told her, to protect Bai Qianqian well and be wary of the Qiu Family. Given that, she naturally couldn't take Bai Qianqian with her. She shook her head, "Mommy has some business to attend to outside, you need to stay at home and be good!"

Bai Qianqian was unhappy but dared not show his anger in front of Fang Yuxin. He feared Fang Yuxin might dislike him. Once Fang Yuxin left, he went back to his room, took out his mobile phone, and sent a message to Bai Ye: Mama's going to meet the annoying uncle, she's going to be deceived by someone, where are you? If you don't come back, Mama's gonna marry someone else!

Bai Ye, currently hiding in an ordinary apartment building in the Market, saw the message and his face turned black immediately, that foolish son!

Hou San, seeing this, couldn't help but ask, "Boss, what's wrong? Is it Qianqian? Is he alright?"

"Nothing's wrong," Bai Ye said with a dark face, swiftly deleted the message, and then asked Hou San, "Have you found Shen Xi?"

Hou San quickly buried his head to work on the computer, "I'll find him right away!" He sneaked a glance at Bai Ye, scratching his head and guessing what Bai Qianqian could have sent to make Bai Ye so angry.

...

By the time Fang Yuxin arrived at the venue, Qiu Yiming had already arrived and chosen a great spot by the window, which offered a view of the busiest street scene in the Market. Although it was only evening, the street lights were already shining, creating a stunning, twinkling effect.

Fang Yuxin hadn't dressed up particularly, not even wearing makeup, but her natural beauty, enhanced by Cultivation, made her skin flawless, her eyes clear, and her lips red. Even without makeup, she looked as refined as one would after makeup with added photo enhancements. It had been a while since Qiu Yiming had seen her, and upon seeing her, his eyes lit up and his smile carried a few more degrees of warmth and intoxication.

As Fang Yuxin approached, he stood up personally, pulled out a chair for her, and invited her to sit down, his attitude warmer than usual. Smiling politely, Fang Yuxin said, "Sorry to have kept you waiting."

Qiu Yiming smiled affectionately, his voice low, "It's alright, as long as it's you, any wait is worth it."

The tenderness and affection in his eyes seemed genuinely sincere, yet Fang Yuxin, seeing this, felt no stirrings as she once might have.