17: Full of energy, with undercurrents surging.

Yun Feng and Nie Li, laden with their gains, quietly returned to the City of Radiance.

Nie Li, carrying the Wind and Snow Spirit Record, the ice soul spirit pearl, and some resources Yun Feng had “allocated” to him, eagerly returned to the Tianhen Aristocratic Family for secluded cultivation to digest his gains.

The harvest from this trip to the Imperial Tomb far exceeded what he had obtained during the same period in his previous life, and he was confident that his strength would surge dramatically in a short time.

Yun Feng, on the other hand, went directly back to the Yun Family’s core secret chamber.

[Current Rule Energy: 1050 / 1000 (Energy is full, System can be upgraded or used for other purposes at any time).]

Looking at the abundant energy on the System interface, Yun Feng’s thoughts stirred.

“System, upgrade!”

[Command received. myriad manifestations sublimation system is upgrading...]

[Upgrade complete! Current Rank: 2.]

[Rule Energy limit increased to: 5000.]

[Natural absorption speed increased by 100%.]

[“Life Sublimation” function optimized: allows for more refined Aptitude and talent targeted enhancement, consumption reduced by 10%.]

[New function unlocked: “Rule Analysis”.]

[Function description: Can perform deep analysis on Cultivation Techniques, Martial Skills, Formations, Medicinal Pill Formulas, etc., that are encountered, deduce their Origin Rules, complete deficiencies, optimize flaws, and even deduce higher-grade derivative versions. Analysis speed and depth depend on the complexity of the target and the energy invested by the host.]

Rule Analysis!

A sharp glint flashed in Yun Feng’s eyes; this new function was practically tailor-made for him!

This meant that he could not only enhance external objects and life but also directly master and even create knowledge and technology!

The Yun Family’s Cultivation Technique foundation, Alchemy, and Formation Legacy would all undergo a qualitative leap!

He did not hesitate and immediately began to experiment.

First, he took out the Yun Family’s core Cultivation Technique, the “Cloud Sea Art” (the original version was Low Grade Gold, previously optimized).

“System, analyze the Cloud Sea Art!”

[Analyzing target: “Cloud Sea Art” (optimized version, Peak Grade Gold). Starting deep analysis... Consuming 50 points of Rule Energy.]

[Analysis complete! Its core Rule Veins has been discerned, three optimizable nodes found, and the Low Grade Legendary Cultivation Technique “Cloud Sea True Scripture” has been deduced. Transmit?]

“Transmit!”

A vast amount of Profound Truths regarding the Cloud Sea True Scripture flooded his mind; its subtlety far surpassed the original, pointing directly to the Legendary Dao!

This was enough to serve as the Yun Family’s foundational Legacy for the next few decades!

Next, he successively analyzed, optimized, and completed several Black Iron and Silver Rank Martial Skills and Pill Formulas from the Family’s collection, consuming approximately 200 points of energy, but gaining several times the value in perfect knowledge.

After completing these tasks, Yun Feng quietly imparted the optimized Cloud Sea True Scripture and some optimized Martial Skills and Pill Formulas to his Grandfather, Yun Fengs Grandfather, and several absolutely loyal core Elders through Divine Sense transmission, strictly ordering them not to spread it externally, to be kept as the Family’s highest secret Legacy.

Yun Fengs Grandfather and the others, upon receiving this perfect Cultivation Technique that seemed like a heavenly book, were so moved that old tears nearly streamed down their faces; their awe and gratitude towards Yun Feng were beyond words.

The Yun Family’s soft power was undergoing earth-shattering changes.

Having dealt with the internal Family enhancements, Yun Feng began to turn his attention outwards, especially towards the Ye Family and the Dark Guild.

“System, can you analyze the common weaknesses of the Sacred Aristocratic Family’s Cultivation Techniques? And several common poisons and Restrictions used by the Dark Guild?”

[Big data model deduction can be performed. Energy is needed to establish an analysis model, and continuous energy infusion is required for computation. Initial model establishment requires 300 points of energy.]

“Establish!”

[Command received... Deduction model is being established...]

[Model establishment complete. Starting weakness analysis based on existing intelligence (battle footage of Ye Family disciples, captured Dark Guild items, etc.)...]

A massive data stream ran at the System’s core.

Although it couldn’t directly reveal the secrets of the Sacred Aristocratic Family’s core Cultivation Techniques, by analyzing the habitual energy flow and weaknesses during their disciples’ battles, as well as the common characteristics of the Dark Guild’s standardized poisons and Restrictions, the System quickly deduced a series of targeted countermeasures and defensive measures.

Yun Feng compiled this information into a book and secretly handed it to his Grandfather, instructing him to arrange for absolutely trustworthy confidants to secretly practice and prepare corresponding antidote pills and Restriction-breaking tools.

This was not to immediately wage war with the Sacred Aristocratic Family, but to prepare for a rainy day, to seize the initiative in future conflicts.

After completing all this, Yun Feng felt a sense of calm, sensing the abundant energy still within him (800 / 5000 remaining after the upgrade) and the quietly strengthening foundation of his Family, both internally and externally.

Just then, his Divine Sense stirred, capturing two subtle transmission fluctuations, originating from the direction of the Sacred Aristocratic Family and the Dark Guild’s stronghold outside the city.

From the Ye Family’s direction: “...Shadow Kill Pavilion has failed again, target strength assessment was severely incorrect... Suggest suspending operations and re-evaluating...”

From the Dark Guild’s direction: “...Although the reward from the Ye Family is high, the target is too troublesome... Poison Scorpion Lord has instructed to suspend cooperation with the Ye Family on this matter, awaiting further news...”

“Heh, they’ve learned their lesson?”

Yun Feng sneered.

The Ye Family and the Dark Guild, having suffered repeated setbacks, finally began to take his threat seriously and temporarily retreated.

But this was exactly what he wanted.

He needed time, he needed energy, and Nie Li needed to grow faster.

Their temporary silence gave him valuable time to plan.

“Nie Li, with the Wind and Snow Spirit Record and the ice soul spirit pearl, should experience a period of rapid growth in strength.

Once he emerges from seclusion, perhaps I can ‘guide’ him to discover clues about the ‘Heavenly Illusion Sacred Realm’...” Yun Feng silently planned, “That place is where he can truly gather his Early Stage core team and have direct conflict with the Sacred Aristocratic Family...

Changing the plot there, the energy points will surely be even more substantial.”

He was like a brilliant chess player, consolidating his base (the Yun Family) while nurturing his most important piece (Nie Li), and at the same time waiting for his opponents (the Ye Family, Dark Guild) to reveal greater flaws, or... actively creating flaws for them.

The undercurrents in the City of Radiance, due to Yun Feng’s existence, became even more turbulent and unpredictable.

And Yun Feng, within these undercurrents, steadily increased his own and his Family’s strength, accumulating power sufficient to overturn everything.