Tian Guotao looked on in a trance. Even if a gentle crack suddenly rang out at his ear, he wouldn’t hear it. 

His thoughts turned to the Clearcloud Realm’s qi industry. Not only did this industry bring longevity, but it moreover staved off Spirit Addiction. So vile was Spirit Addiction that one’s complexion turned color upon hearing of it.

The absorption of qi led to addiction… and qi would create dependency, furthermore causing a kind of undispellable resistance to spiritual force on the Clearcloud Realm’s people. As this resistance to spiritual force reached a boundary, high-level qi products had to be taken. In the same moment a household was finally no longer able to afford qi products, a decades-old Spirit Addiction would dramatically erupt, truly turning one into a qi-crazy addict.

It was never thought… that this cycle would one day collapse.

Crack… As a second noise echoed, Tian Guotao was abruptly startled. With a trace of ecstasy, he then mustered supreme reverence. His legs went soft and he kneeled.

“Respectful greetings in leaving seclusion, Master Xu!!!” He excitedly lowered his head and paid respects. In front of him, the slight creaking just now was from the iron chains on the door that...