After all, their strength was the most difficult to estimate among Tianhai's top-tier factions. Who knew when the hand reaching in from Long Capital would make its move...

Therefore, Xu Ke felt that even if Dapeng Commercial Corporation couldn't become an ally in the same camp, it was enough for them to simply not be an enemy.

At that moment, Duan Chongfeng suddenly spoke, as if offering an explanation. "I didn't know about the loan sharking before I came to Tianhai. After I arrived, I already ordered it to stop."

Hearing this, Xu Ke smiled. "Thank you, Boss Duan."

He knew Duan Chongfeng was deliberately explaining this for his benefit, letting him know that he had no connection to the loan sharks. This was Duan Chongfeng's way of showing goodwill!

"Mister Xu, I want to ask you a question," Duan Chongfeng said, looking at Xu Ke.

Xu Ke nodded. "Please, go ahead."

A playful glint appeared in Duan Chongfeng's eyes. "I want to know, how long did it take for you to cultivate to this level?"

In truth, Duan Chongfeng wasn't asking to really find out how long Xu Ke had been cultivating. He was simply trying to confirm whether the earlier kidnapping had been Xu Ke's own doing. Now, it seemed it was indeed a trap Xu Ke had set himself. Otherwise, it would be unbelievable for a martial artist at the Innate Middle Stage to be captured.

Xu Ke smiled. "I can't remember clearly. I started practicing martial arts when I was a child."

His words were complete nonsense. But if he were to say he had only recently recovered his cultivation, he figured Duan Chongfeng wouldn't believe him.

"Truly a genius," Duan Chongfeng nodded, marveling. "To reach the Innate Middle Stage at such a young age is indeed impressive. Given another ten years, you might really catch up to Wong Ting, that once-in-a-century genius."

Duan Chongfeng was speaking the truth.

A breakthrough in True Qi is like building a skyscraper. The first twenty years of a person's life are all about laying the foundation—in other words, training the body. Only after the age of twenty does one begin to focus all their efforts on challenging the limits of True Qi. The more solid the foundation, the faster one's breakthroughs become.

For someone like Xu Ke, who had already reached the Innate Middle Stage at the age of twenty-five, the pace of his breakthroughs would only accelerate. At that rate, catching up to that monster Wong Ting was not an impossible feat.

When Xu Ke heard the name Wong Ting, his gaze sharpened for a moment, but he didn't dwell on it for long.

"Isn't Boss Duan also a rare talent?" Xu Ke countered.

Duan Chongfeng was in his forties at most, around the same age as Song Zhong. Yet Song Zhong was only at Innate Great Perfection, still some distance from the Innate Realm. Duan Chongfeng, on the other hand, was already an expert who had entered the Innate Realm long ago.

"How can I be considered a rare talent?" Duan Chongfeng shook his head. "I just got lucky. I've consumed heavenly treasures; you could say I'm a cheat who took a shortcut. Otherwise, how could I possibly have challenged this realm at my age?"

However, though Duan Chongfeng said this, a proud expression still flickered across his face. To break through to the Innate Realm at his age made him undoubtedly one of the best. Even if he had used heavenly treasures, that was a testament to his capabilities. Those without ability would never even have the chance to use such treasures. Thus, Duan Chongfeng's words were merely a symbolic gesture of humility, much like Xu Ke's had been.

But Xu Ke's response took him by surprise. Xu Ke nodded and said, "Indeed. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been left with such a flaw."

Duan Chongfeng's expression changed. "What did you say?"

"If I'm not mistaken, your Innate Realm is incomplete," Xu Ke said with a faint smile. "When it comes to Vitality Essence Release, I'm afraid Boss Duan sometimes finds that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

As his words fell, Duan Chongfeng's expression changed drastically. How could Xu Ke know so much?

Beside them, Qiu Mingli was utterly astounded. Although he didn't know what the Innate Realm was, that didn't stop him from understanding that Xu Ke was implying Duan Chongfeng was deficient! Is Boss Duan turning red from shame and anger?!

As for Duan Chongfeng's two confidants, they were now on guard, their bodies tense and poised to strike. What does Xu Ke mean by that? Is he belittling our boss?

"You..." Duan Chongfeng stared at Xu Ke in astonishment, his heart in turmoil. "How do you know?"

Seeing his reaction, Qiu Mingli and the two confidants froze. What does this mean? Was Xu Ke completely right?

"The heavenly treasure you consumed, Boss Duan, if I'm not mistaken, was likely one of the more ferocious types of potent medicines," Xu Ke continued, not answering the question directly. A smile that Duan Chongfeng found incredibly mysterious played on his lips. "Medicines that an Innate Great Perfection expert can use to break through to the Innate Realm... there are probably only Kirin Ginseng, Jade Mountain Lotus, and the Blood Jade Monarch."

"But since you've been left with this hidden issue, you must have consumed the Blood Jade Monarch. You were likely injured while fighting an enemy during your breakthrough, which is why your Vitality Essence Release became so sluggish. The Blood Jade Monarch is a top-tier treasure, but it's a pity you used it at the wrong time."

As Xu Ke finished, Duan Chongfeng was completely dumbfounded.

He's... completely right!

This was the first time in many years he had been so utterly shocked. He had only mentioned that he had relied on a heavenly treasure to enter the Innate Realm, revealing no other details. Yet Xu Ke had not only diagnosed his sluggish Vitality Essence Release and identified the Blood Jade Monarch but had also deduced he was injured while fighting an enemy...

Who on earth is this Xu Ke? How can he be so formidable?!

"You... how did you know?" Duan Chongfeng finally managed to force out the words after a long, stunned silence. He was completely shaken by Xu Ke's abilities.

His two confidants were already frightened by their boss's expression. Hasn't the boss always looked like he has everything under control? What's with this dumbfounded look today?

"Actually, analyzing it isn't difficult," Xu Ke said with a faint smile. "The hard part is curing it."

When he had first seen Duan Chongfeng, he had observed that the man's aura was powerful, but his Protective True Qi was not as smooth and flawless as that of Ouyang Shuang or Wang Wu. He had sensed then that there was a problem with the man's Vitality Essence Release. Then, Duan Chongfeng himself mentioned he had "taken medicine." Combining these two points, Xu Ke could basically guess the whole picture.

Hearing this, Duan Chongfeng was stunned for a moment before a surge of ecstasy welled up inside him. Didn't Xu Ke's words imply his condition could be cured?

For years, he had sought out countless Divine Doctors. Aside from the Medical Saint of the martial world, who was as elusive as a dragon showing its head but never its tail, he had sought out every other Divine Doctor he could find. But when it came to a cultivation issue involving the Innate Realm, every single one of them had taken their leave, unable to help. It was incurable.

He had thought he would be plagued by this problem for life, never able to become a true Innate Maestro. But now, Xu Ke's appearance was like a ray of dawn, instantly illuminating his world.

"Doc-Doctor Xu..." Duan Chongfeng's face was flushed with incredible excitement as he abruptly stood up. "I beg you, please save me."

With that, Duan Chongfeng bowed deeply.

Witnessing this, his two confidants and Qiu Mingli were left completely agape. What in the world is happening?!

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