Silver Premium.

"Master, Master! Look! I'm at Silver Rank now!"

Shan Yifeng's excited voice broke the silence, disturbing Ace in the middle of his cultivation.

Opening both eyes, Ace glanced at the boy before letting out a soft chuckle.

He's stronger than me now, huh?

A month had passed since they settled on the mountain. The first task Ace had given his two disciples was to clean up the area, while Zhao Yun arranged for assistance from the Hua family to construct their new living space.

And every week, a servant from the Hua family arrived to collect spirit goods—mostly Spirit Apples and Spirit Cabbages and sometimes spirit eggs.

Once, Ace had thrown in a few kilograms of Spirit Pork, and to his surprise, the Hua family head himself had personally come to greet him and express his gratitude.

That alone showed how valuable Spirit Pigs were.

Zhao Yun, meanwhile, visited every week with a group of fellow disciples, each time taking home ten Spirit Pigs.

Yes, ten.

In return, Ace had received a Heaven-grade cultivation technique—a deal he was more than satisfied with.

Now, looking at the eager boy in front of him, Ace handed him a Spirit Stone.

Without hesitation, Shan Yifeng took it, channeling his soul power into the small stone.

A moment later, stars flickered within it—106 in total.

He had actually done it.

Just as Ace processed the boy's breakthrough, a familiar notification rang in his mind.

[Disciple has leveled up!]

Rank: Warrior Grade → Silver Grade.

Reward: 200,000 EXP.

Your Spirit Bot has leveled up. (Now Level 2 Spirit Bot)

[You have leveled up by 2 levels!]

Rewards:

Unlocked Spirit Mango Tree Seed

Unlocked Spirit Rice

50,000 Gold Credits

+10 Plots of Land Added

+4 Tree Growth Plots Added

Ace let out a slow breath.

Things are moving faster than I expected.

"Good job. Where's your senior sister?"

"Master, she's currently in seclusion. Can I go to the city? Please! You promised!"

Ace felt conflicted.

Indeed, he had promised Yifeng he could visit the city once he reached Silver Rank—but who would have thought the boy would achieve it within a month?

"No way it was just talent," Ace thought, his eyes narrowing at the eager child in front of him.

Spirit Apples, Spirit eggs, Spirit Milk, Spirit Chicken, Spirit Pork—they all had high energy content, but they weren't supposed to boost someone this fast…

Oh wait. They did.

Ace sighed. The boy was undeniably strong enough, but sending him to the city alone?

Absolutely not.

He was still a child.

Even Ace himself could probably scam him with a few sweets—what more the swindlers in a bustling city?

"This won't do. I'll have to use my trump card."

"Zhao Yun," he finally called out, activating the talisman on him.

A voice immediately responded from the other end. "Yes, Master Xiao?"

"Come here as soon as possible," he said, his tone laced with authority.

He then turned to the boy as he speaks,

"Yifeng, you're allowed to go to the city. But—"

Yifeng, who had been practically bouncing in place, suddenly froze mid-hop, his wide grin faltering. "But?"

Ace sighed, rubbing his temples. He had a bad feeling about this.

"But… Zhao Yun will go with you."

The boy blinked. "Sister Zhao Yun is coming?"

"Yes."

For a moment, Yifeng's excitement wavered. His shoulders stiffened, and his eager grin twitched slightly. Zhao Yun was strict—there would be no sneaking off, no reckless fun, no getting lost in the wonders of the city without her sharp eyes watching his every move.

Ace watched him closely, inwardly hoping the boy might change his mind. He was strong, yes, but still a child. And the city was… well, the city wasn't just a place of wonders. It had its fair share of dangers—pickpockets, rogue cultivators, and worse. Would Yifeng be ready for that?

Yifeng, however, barely hesitated. The thought of finally stepping into the bustling streets, seeing new things, tasting new food—it was too tempting.

He suddenly threw his fists into the air.

"Alright! I don't mind!" he declared, his enthusiasm returning tenfold.

Ace exhaled, already regretting his decision. "I hope I don't regret this."

______

"Master Xiao, what's your order?"

Zhao Yun arrived swiftly, her posture straight, her tone respectful despite the urgency of the sudden summon.

Ace felt a twinge of guilt. He always did whenever he called her over like this—so much so that he made sure to give her a Spirit Omelet every time she visited.

She never complained. But he did.

Clearing his throat, he quickly got to the point. "Ahem. It's like this—"

He explained the situation, detailing how Shan Yifeng had advanced faster than expected and now wanted to explore so , he needed someone to guide him in the city.

Expecting at least a hint of annoyance, irritation, Ace glanced up—only to find Zhao Yun completely frozen.

Her eyes widened to the size of spirit coins, her mouth slightly open as if forming words but failing. A moment later, she pressed both hands against her lips, as if trying to physically contain her shock.

"Shan Yifeng… that boy… he's already Silver?"

"Yes."

Zhao Yun sucked in a breath, her hands now gripping her temples. "ALREADY?"

She paced back and forth, muttering under her breath before stopping abruptly, staring at Ace like he had just told her the sky had turned purple.

Her reaction was so over-the-top that Ace couldn't help but raise a brow.

Was it really that shocking?

"Master Xiao, can I meet the boy?"

Ace blinked at her enthusiasm. "Uh… yeah? You're going to be the one showing him around the city, after all."

"Oh—right, you did say that."

Zhao Yun nodded, but it was clear she wasn't really paying attention. Her excitement was bubbling over, completely overriding the composed demeanor she usually carried.

Before Ace could say another word, she bolted—gone in an instant, abandoning all semblance of the respect she usually showed him.

Ace stared at the empty space where she had stood just moments ago, then exhaled, shaking his head.

She didn't mean to be disrespectful, he reasoned. She was just too shocked.

It reminded him of how kids reacted when told a helicopter was passing by. No real reason to be that excited, but still, they would rush out, eyes wide with wonder, just to catch a glimpse.

At least, Ace thought with a sigh, that's how I'll justify it.