Volume One, Chapter Seven: The Spirit Power Fruit

The handwriting abruptly stopped.

Only then did Chu Ge realize that an entire page had been filled unwittingly.

He took a deep breath, carefully read through the contents several times, then closed the diary and slipped it into his pocket.

Chu Ge didn’t continue his cultivation; instead, he cooked a large pot of beef stew and enjoyed a hearty meal.

It wasn’t until after seven in the evening that he set out for the Pleasure Street, wearing a mask.

…

As soon as night fell, Pleasure Street came alive with activity.

This place was arguably the favorite haunt of every man in Jiang City, bar none.

Every year, the raids went on endlessly.

The New Moon Massage Parlor was the largest establishment on Pleasure Street.

It appeared very legitimate.

Not at all like the small, shoddy shops lining the other streets.

Chu Ge strode confidently into the New Moon Massage Parlor.

“Welcome!”

A receptionist greeted him with a professional smile.

Chu Ge wore a mask and was bundled up tightly, his features hidden.

But many customers came dressed this way, so the receptionist was unfazed.

“Just one, Room 988,” Chu Ge said in a low voice.

“Ah, so you’re a regular! That’s great. Room 988 is available right now—I’ll arrange it for you.”

The receptionist led Chu Ge upstairs.

Shortly after Chu Ge had gone upstairs, at Jiang City Police Station,

a line of officers stood at attention.

“Brothers, I won’t waste time. This month’s performance depends on this operation.”

“Move out.”

At the command, three police cars sped out from the station.

…

“Boss, do you know anyone here?”

“No.”

“All the therapists working today are listed on the phone. You can choose any you like, boss.”

The receptionist handed Chu Ge her phone.

There were photos of a dozen therapists displayed.

Chu Ge selected one who caught the eye like a sleek sports car: aerodynamic curves, a lifted rear, and an alluring presence.

“Boss, you have great taste! Therapist #19 is new but has top-notch massage skills. We’re currently running a promotion at New Moon Massage Parlor—30% off…”

The receptionist launched into a lengthy sales pitch.

Chu Ge, fully aware of her intentions, interrupted impatiently, “I understand. The full package.”

“You’re so generous, boss. I’ll arrange it immediately.”

…

No sooner had the receptionist left than Chu Ge began searching for the spiritual energy fruit.

No sign by the bedside.

No sign under the bed.

Nothing in the cabinet either.

Minutes later—

Knock, knock!

“Boss, your therapist number 19 has arrived.”

“The door’s unlocked.”

Chu Ge paused, lying back on the bed.

The door swung open.

A heavily made-up woman, exuding a worn, worldly aura, entered.

Seeing Chu Ge fully dressed and lying on the bed, she raised an eyebrow in silent annoyance.

She thought to herself, “She doesn’t even know how to undress; we’re going to waste time. There are other clients waiting.”

But she dared not complain aloud.

After all, the client was the golden benefactor.

“Boss, Yueyue at your service.”

Chu Ge casually scanned the curvaceous therapist and said softly, “Go take a shower first.”

Yueyue giggled, “Boss, I’ve already showered.”

“Take another one.”

“It’s very clean!”

“I need to get in the mood, you know?”

“Alright, alright!”

Hearing this, Yueyue pouted in displeasure but obediently headed to the bathroom.

As the sound of running water began, Chu Ge leapt up and rummaged through the room once more.

Before long, he found it tucked in a corner.

It was a plastic sphere the size of an egg.

Unremarkable in appearance, a cheap trinket worth less than ten yuan.

But once held, it pulsed with a terrifying energy that sent chills down the spine.

Chu Ge’s eyes burned with excitement as he stuffed the spiritual energy fruit into his pocket.

Securing the prize had been effortless.

He walked over to the window and glanced outside.

With sharp perception, he spotted three police cars slowly approaching in the distance.

Chu Ge’s lips twitched involuntarily.

They moved fast.

Running now would only mean being caught red-handed.

So—

Chu Ge briskly headed to the bathroom.

Inside, the woman heard the noise and muttered to herself, “What’s he pretending for? Just the same as all those stinky men.”

She laughed coquettishly, “Boss, the door’s unlocked—come on in and play!”

Chu Ge pushed open the door and roughly pulled the woman out, tossing her onto the bed.

“Boss, please be gentle.”

Yueyue winced in pain and shot him a resentful look.

“Get dressed!”

Chu Ge threw the clothes at her.

“???”

Yueyue froze for a moment, then thought maybe he liked the tease of a uniform and didn’t protest.

She calmly dressed.

Once she was fully clothed, Chu Ge lay back on the bed and said with a steady voice, “Come on, give me a massage.”

“Massage?”

Yueyue’s mouth twitched in disbelief; she now realized the truth.

This customer had come to the disreputable massage parlor for a legitimate massage.

How bizarre.

“Boss, I’m not very good at massage.”

“Enough nonsense, just do it.”

“All right then!”

…

At that moment,

a large group of police officers burst into the massage parlor.

Soon, the place was filled with screams.

The police began escorting pairs of scantily clad men and women into the hallway.

Outside Room 988,

a young officer pressed his ear to the door.

“Boss, is the pressure okay?”

“Use more strength. I can take it.”

“All right!”

“Ow, you hurt me… are you a cat?”

“Sorry, Dad, I’m not very good at this.”

…

Hearing the faint voices inside, the young officer conjured all sorts of indescribable images.

He took two steps back, tensed his muscles, and kicked the door open.

“Don’t move…”

But the scene inside made the officer swallow his prepared words.

A fully dressed female therapist sat properly on the bed, diligently massaging a man who was also fully clothed.

The reality was nothing like he had imagined.

This was truly a massage.

…

Ten minutes later, the young officer looked at Mo Lang with a complicated expression.

“This place isn’t legitimate. If you want a massage, you should go downtown.”

“This is my first time here too. I only came in because this place looked bigger. You’re right—it’s not very legitimate,” Chu Ge smiled faintly.

“There’s another operation coming up. You can leave now.”

“All right, you guys continue.”

Ignoring the resentful look from the female therapist beside him, Chu Ge turned and quickly left the room.

This trip had been worthwhile.

He had obtained the crucial spiritual energy fruit and had enjoyed a free massage.

Another ten minutes later, Chu Ge safely returned to the hotel.

After having a late-night meal with Xiao Heizi, he began to refine the spiritual energy fruit.

He placed it in his mouth.

In the next moment,

Chu Ge felt a vast surge of energy flowing from the fruit into his body.

Like a mighty river flooding through narrow channels, it quickly filled the parched body of Chu Ge.

His body satisfied, the cultivation of the Eight-Nine Profound Skill advanced at an incredible pace, soon reaching its first transformation.