Wu Zhe was still deep in sleep, until a sudden knock awoke him.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Mmmh…"
Wu Zhe eyes opened, his drool all over the table. He glanced toward the door, his stomach growling loudly.
He pushed himself up from the chair and headed toward the door to open it.
A female server stood smiling in the hall.
"Good morning, Sir Huang. Breakfast has been prepared downstairs, if you'd like to eat."
"Huang?"
"Aren't you Sir Huang Yan?"
"Ah… right." Wu Zhe paused briefly before nodding. "Mm. I understand."
Without another word, he headed downstairs and took a seat at an empty table.
A few minutes later, the server returned, balancing a stacked tray of food: a bowl of rice porridge with green onions, filled with vegetables and meat.
After she set everything down, in front of Wu Zhe were six steamed buns with soy sauce, a bowl of rice porridge, a plate of scrambled eggs, and finally, a cup of hot tea.
Wu Zhe stared at the trays laid out in front of him, his expression showing clear disdain.
"Is something the matter, sir?" the server asked, noticing Wu Zhe expression.
Without a word, Wu Zhe stood up, grabbed the trays, and stacked them neatly.
"Take these back," he said, handing them to her.
"Wha…" The server looked shocked, both surprised and afraid she had done something wrong.
"Hmm?" The regular customers in the tavern turned to look at Wu Zhe's table.
"Just give me bread and water," Wu Zhe said flatly. He despised food… It was, to him, one of existence's many ploys.
The server hesitated, still worried. "Is something wrong with the food, sir?"
"No," he replied. "Just bring me what's necessary to keep my body functioning."
"Everything else is meaningless."
The server looked confused by his words but nodded and took the trays away, her expression dimming as she left.
Moments later, she returned with a plate of bread and a jar of water.
"Here you are, sir! Oh, here's some honey in case the brea—"
Suddenly, as she reached out to hand him the jar of honey, Wu Zhe placed his hand on it, pushed it back to her, and waved her off.
"You've already brought me my food. What else do you need by standing here?" he said coldly.
"Oh.. Right.. Sorry sir." she said looking sad, but she still bowed.
He quickly ate the meal. The customers in the inn glaring at him.
"Oi, who the hell do you think you are?!"
"Little Xue's been up since the crack of dawn cooking breakfast for everyone staying in this tavern, and you can't even show a little appreciation?" he snapped, clearly angered by Wu Zhe's refusal.
"That's right! Little Xue is the kindest girl I've ever seen. Her food's the best in the city and you dare to decline it?!"
"And not just that," another man chimed in, slamming his cup onto the table. "Half the people here wouldn't even have a proper meal if it weren't for her."
A woman nearby crossed her arms, glaring. "She barely rests, yet still makes sure everyone eats. Who do you think you are, turning your nose up like that?"
"Yeah, if you don't want it, someone else will gladly take it," someone muttered. "Don't waste her cooking."
The tavern grew louder as more voices joined in, their gazes fixed on Wu Zhe, some annoyed, others openly hostile.
Little Xue stood off to the side, her hands fidgeting together, her expression uneasy as she seemed unsure of what to do while the commotion against Wu Zhe grew.
"Everyone… please calm down," she said softly. "It's alright, I don't mind. It's Sir Huang's choice what he wishes to eat… please, calm down."
Everyone eventually settled down, though some still gossiped, annoyed at his rudeness. Wu Zhe, however, paid them no mind. He continued eating, finishing every last piece of bread on his table until not a speck remained.
Wu Zhe finished eating and called Little Xue back over. Reaching into his pouch, he pulled out a single gold coin.
"Yes, sir?"
"Here. Take this." He placed the coin in her hand.
"Oh my!?" Her eyes widened in shock.
"Sir, this… This is too much!" Little Xue stammered, hesitant to accept it.
"How can gold ever be too much? It's all the same, meaningless trinkets that fools worship as if it ever mattered," Wu Zhe said in a flat voice. He stood and walked upwards towards his room as he spoke.
Her face showed confusion. "Sir!" she called out, watching him leave. "Thank you, sir!"
As Wu Zhe entered his room, he began meditating, preparing to stabilize his realm so he could finally break through.
A few days later…
In the following days, Wu Zhe stabilized his cultivation before finally allowing his body to break through. Qi surged violently throughout his room, swirling in chaotic currents, though not a single trace of it harmed anything nearby.
His body shimmered, then it dissipated and reappeared again for four times in succession over the next few days.
Wu Zhe finally stopped meditating and stood up, staring at his hands.
He had achieved four breakthroughs… an unprecedented feat that would astonish anyone who heard of it.
"So… I should be at the 7th Stage of Qi Refinement," he murmured.
He exerted his Qi, feeling it abundant. His Dantian had expanded, and his body brimmed with strength, he felt as if it could crush anything in its path.
It had taken him three days to achieve all four breakthrough. Along the way, Little Xue had occasionally knocked, but receiving no response, she eventually stopped.
Wu Zhe headed downstairs. Upon seeing Little Xue, he called her over.
"Ah, Sir Huang! Good afternoon! What would you like to eat today?" she asked, smiling brightly.
"Just get me bread and water."
"Understood, Sir!" she said, happily fetching his food.
A few minutes later, she laid out the meal, and Wu Zhe began munching.
"Little Xue, was it?"
"Yes, sir, that's me!"
"Would you happen to know where any of the monster guilds are located?"
Little Xue stared at the ceiling thoughtfully, trying to remember if there were any nearby.
"I think there should be one just three blocks from here…"
"I think it's called the Silver… uhh… oh Claw! Yeah the Silver Claw."
"Why do you ask, Sir Huang? Are you planning to post a mission or commission in the guild?" she asked, tilting her head."
"No. I wish to join a guild."
Little Xue raised an eyebrow.
Suddenly, she stepped closer, putting her palm to her mouth and whispering in his ear.
"Sir… that's dangerous."
"I know."
Little Xue stared at Wu Zhe, worry evident in her eyes.
"Child, you shouldn't worry about me. Instead, worry about yourself, for no one should ever be worried for me," Wu Zhe said, standing up and tossing her a gold coin.
Little Xue looked at departing Wu Zhe, puzzled as to why he was calling her a child, when he didn't appear that much older than she was.
As he was about to leave, he noticed broken pieces of tables and chairs scattered on the floor.
"Huh? What happened there?" he asked, pointing at the mess.
"It's nothing, just an accident. Nothing to worry about sir," she replied.
"I see…" he muttered, before stepping out the door and mounting his horse.