Thirty-seventy odds.

This was the conclusion Chen Che reached based on the information he had available.

Over the next two months, at his current Cultivation rate, it was highly likely he would reach the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.

Of course,

Jiang Jingyuan wouldn’t remain stagnant either, so Chen Che’s Realm would likely still be lower than his opponent’s during the provincial tournament.

But the key was that he had been continuously expanding his meridians.

’During my match with Qi Tianhai, my True Essence reserves were already 39% greater than those of other Cultivators at the Same Tier. By the time of the provincial tournament, that number will have increased significantly. In terms of True Essence quantity, I’ll actually have the upper hand!’

Chen Che calculated the gap between them.

’His Qi and Blood Level is unknown, but even if he’s been using supplements since childhood, I have the Leopard Embryo Elixir. The difference won’t be too great.’

’As for Divine Sense, I have a massive advantage!’

Nourished by the Concentration Incense, his Divine Sense had already reached the level of a Foundation Establishment Third Layer Cultivator.

Therefore, the thirty-seventy odds were a conservative estimate.

An aggressive estimate would put them at twenty-eighty, which wasn’t out of the question.

’Now that my Divine Sense has stabilized, I can start learning some Divine Sense attack techniques to widen the gap even further!’

Using Divine Sense for perception and reconnaissance was merely its most basic application.

After all, there would be more than one student like Jiang Jingyuan at the provincial tournament. The greater his advantage, the higher his chances of qualifying.

As the New Year approached, Earth Element Star was bustling with excitement.

The streets and alleys were adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations.

The usual "Flying Sword restrictions" had been completely lifted for the occasion.

Overhead, people zipped past on Flying Shuttles and Flying Swords from time to time. These were Major Cultivators who worked elsewhere, returning home for the New Year. As for ordinary people, they could only sit in traffic jams, looking up with envy as the Cultivators flew about.

Occasionally, a Major Cultivator riding an avian or terrestrial Demon Beast would draw a crowd of people taking pictures.

The Major Cultivators on their Flying Swords would give them a wide berth, afraid of a fender-bender.

Accidentally knocking off a single feather could cost you several years’ salary.

Since he was already out, Chen Che didn’t head back immediately.

After leaving Bifeng Tang, he made a special trip to the Ou Yazhi Service Center to get his Pure Jun Sword maintained.

He had been fighting frequently in Yunzhou recently, and the blade was covered in scratches, which was quite an eyesore. The advantages of the three-year warranty immediately became apparent. A maintenance technician inspected it and took it to the back for servicing.

"It should take about half an hour. Please wait a moment."

The young lady at the service center brought him a cup of Spirit Tea and began pitching the store’s products.

"I noticed you use your Pure Jun Sword quite frequently. I’d recommend purchasing a bottle of our company’s newly launched ’Dingzi Oil.’ This product is distilled from the buds of the Clove Flower."

"It’s all-natural, contains no chemical additives, and is clear and colorless. It’s our best-selling product, and many people love using it. After applying it, not only does it maintain the blade, but it also leaves your sword with the scent of Clove Flowers."

Chen Che glanced at her. "If it can cover up the stench of blood after a kill, I’ll buy it."

"...Uh."

The young lady was speechless. "You have a dark sense of humor."

Then, she turned to continue her sales pitch for Dingzi Oil to other customers.

After a short wait, the maintenance technician brought back his Pure Jun Sword. Chen Che took one look and was very satisfied; it looked as good as new.

However, compared to the bustling shopping center, the backstreet was quite desolate.

The businesses on the backstreet were mostly small, independent shops. Their owners were largely from the surrounding counties with homes in the countryside, so they all had to rush back for the holidays, closing up shop early.

Wu Neng was one of them.

His family lived in the mountains, his parents were ordinary people, and he was the only Cultivator in his entire extended family.

’Busy all year, and now even that old lady’s on vacation!’

Passing by the archway, he didn’t see the old lady who always called him over for tea. Just as Chen Che thought she had also gone home for the New Year, he heard a request from deep within the alley—"Please, treasure, turn again"—followed by the sound of splashing water.

’How tough. The New Year is almost here, and they still have to work overtime.’

He quickened his pace and returned home.

After glancing at the rowdy class group chat, Chen Che muted it and buried his head in his homework.

「The next day.」

He went to his Cave Mansion and took the second Leopard Embryo Elixir. This time, he successfully opened all the meridians in his right leg, increasing his True Essence reserves to 46% more than a Same Tier Cultivator.

The days passed one by one.

The New Year’s spirit grew stronger, and class activities were held one after another. Qi Tianhai even privately challenged him a few times, clearly not over his previous loss and wanting a rematch.

However, Chen Che ignored him.

Aside from his daily Cultivation in the Cave Mansion, he focused on his homework. The only times he surfaced were when he ran into a problem he couldn’t solve and had to ask Old Li for help.

That, or when Lin Yi would privately message him for the answers.

"Finally done!"

Answering the last question, Chen Che closed his notebook and stretched comfortably.

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

Just then, fireworks exploded across the night sky, one after another.

The neighborhood kids were running around, laughing and playing with firecrackers. Chen Che stood by the window watching for a moment. Just as he was about to head to Yunzhou, his phone rang. He picked it up and saw a message from Ye Youwei:

"Happy New Year!"

Chen Che held his phone and pondered for a moment before replying, "Happy New Year to you too."

Ye Youwei: "Thanks!"

...

When it came to the New Year, there was no difference between Yunzhou and Earth Element Star.

「On the eve of the New Year.」

Whether they were mortals or Cultivators, everyone would buy household items or treats they usually couldn’t afford. At this particular time, mortal goods sold much better, so the Pill Shop had closed for the holidays.

The disciples stationed at the Pill Shop had all left before the New Year as well.

These disciples came from all over Yunzhou, and most of them still had ties to the mortal world.

Ding Fei had nowhere to return to; he had been all alone in the world for a long time.

Hu Yao also had nowhere to go. He was originally from Chi State. When he was young, a Flood Dragon had ravaged his hometown, and his parents’ whereabouts became unknown. It was Lu Yi who, passing through, saw the orphaned boy and brought him back to the valley. Now, Jinyun Valley was his home.

As it happened, with Zhao Deyou and his family present, everyone decided to have New Year’s Eve dinner together at the Pill Shop.

"Since this is a reunion dinner, everyone should be at the table!"

Chen Che called out, seeing Zhao Deyou’s wife and child hiding in the kitchen.

"Thank you, Proprietor!"

Once at the table, they clinked their glasses. Before long, they were a few rounds into their drinks.

"Oh, right!"

Hu Yao put down his cup, remembering something.

"Something strange has been happening In the Valley recently! The medicine fields of Jinyun Valley have been ransacked, and several valuable Spiritual Objects are missing."

"*Hic*—"

Ding Fei let out a drunken hiccup and sneered.

"Who would dare ransack Jinyun Valley? It’s most likely an inside job."

Hu Yao shook his head and lowered his voice.

"Everyone suspects the same. The Valley Master even confronted Li Hong about it, since he’s been guarding the Spirit Medicine Garden recently. But Li Hong denies it, claiming he personally saw a strange chicken fly out of the medicine fields!"

"Does anyone believe that load of crap?"

Ding Fei was clearly skeptical. "What kind of strange chicken?"

"I didn’t believe it either, but today, many people In the Valley saw it! I saw it too!"

Hu Yao gestured with his hand. "The strange chicken was about waist-high. It had no feathers, just chick-like fuzz, and its body looked like a large eagle."

"Huh?!"

Chen Che’s hand, holding his wine cup, froze mid-air. The hazy effects of the alcohol vanished in an instant.