Liang Cheng sat cross-legged in the secret chamber, meticulously sensing the surging True Essence within his body. Nine True Essence Light Groups circulated in perfect harmony, while his Mixed Element Gang Body, now at Minor Success, shielded him.
If he were to face Elder Ye, who was at the True Essence Late Stage Realm, again, he was now absolutely certain of victory. He even had the strength to contend with a cultivator at True Essence Realm Perfection.
’My current foundation is on par with anyone at True Essence Realm Perfection.’
He then looked at the remaining Gang Condensing Pill. Without a Yin Marrow Pearl to balance its effects, the risk of forcibly consuming the pill would be greatly increased.
His Mayfly Life Chart meant he had no bottlenecks, but it stressed natural, perfect breakthroughs. Forcibly consuming the pill to break through now would only damage his foundation.
’Forget it.’
Liang Cheng suppressed his impatience and carefully stored the Gang Condensing Pill.
However, he did not choose to exit his secluded training. With ample Contribution Points on hand, he figured he might as well continue training to consolidate his realm. It wouldn’t be too late to leave once his elixirs were depleted.
...
「West Yunhai City, on the third floor of the Treasure Pavilion.」
Qian Wanjing stood by the window, his expression grim.
Yun Yizhou’s earlier decision at the Main Courtyard to dock his salary for three years had actually been an act to protect him. Since then, Qian Wanjing had kept a much lower profile, rarely showing his face in public.
Now, Yun Yizhou was away handling affairs on other islands and had specifically warned him not to stir up any more trouble. But that didn’t mean Qian Wanjing would pretend nothing had ever happened.
Especially after the Four Islands Alliance raised its tariffs, he had become even more discreet, not wanting to let the situation deteriorate further and choosing to quietly absorb the losses.
"Liang Cheng... is he still in secluded training?"
A figure appeared behind him and replied respectfully, "Yes. Liang Cheng has remained in seclusion for over three months."
"Over three months..."
Qian Wanjing’s fingers tapped on the window frame, his expression turning sour. ’Those Contribution Points were all from my salary!’
"Given the talent he’s displayed, I’m afraid his cultivation will have advanced significantly by the time he emerges."
He turned to face the shadows, a cold glint in his eyes.
"This kid always repays every grievance. The Xu Family of Lin Wu City, Wu Zhenshan... which one of them did he not utterly annihilate? Once he’s strong enough, I fear I’ll be next."
"Then, what are your intentions, Chief Steward?"
"We must get rid of him, and soon."
Qian Wanjing lowered his voice. "But we can’t make a move within the Main Courtyard. Have men watch him closely. The moment he emerges, we’ll set things up in advance. We wait for him to accept a mission and leave, and then we strike. It must be foolproof."
"Yes, I understand."
The figure in the shadows silently withdrew.
Qian Wanjing gazed in the direction of the Main Courtyard and muttered,
"A Martial Dao prodigy? A dead prodigy is nothing at all."
...
「The Li Family Ancestral Hall.」
Li Kuangtao knelt before the ancestral tablets, his eyes bloodshot.
Behind him, the gaunt Old Ancestor of the Li Family sat with his eyes closed, his voice hoarse.
"Still can’t let it go?"
"Feng... he..."
Li Kuangtao gritted his teeth, but the Li Family’s Old Ancestor cut him off.
"His skills were inferior. If he died, he died."
"But the Li Family’s honor cannot be thrown away for nothing."
Hearing this, Li Kuangtao’s head snapped up. "Old Ancestor, you mean...?"
"The Main Courtyard has its rules, and the Li Family has its methods."
The Li Family’s Old Ancestor opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within their murky depths. "Have someone watch him. He’ll be alone eventually."
"But if the Main Courtyard finds out..."
"That’s why you can’t let them find out."
The Old Ancestor sneered. "Besides, that old dog from the Treasure Pavilion is likely more anxious than we are. When the time is right, we can use him to give things a little push."
Li Kuangtao nodded heavily, his eyes filled with a savage light.
’My son is dead. By what right do you get to live?’
...
「One month later.」
The door to the secret chamber opened.
Liang Cheng strode out, the aura around him several times more substantial than before he had entered seclusion.
His Mixed Element Gang Body had reached Minor Success, his Broken Wave Technique had advanced, and the True Essence within his body circulated with perfect fluidity. Every gesture now held a certain air of mastery.
He hadn’t left seclusion voluntarily; rather, Chen Xuanfeng had just sent someone to summon him.
A Steward from the Instructor Hall was waiting outside. He deducted another nine thousand Contribution Points from Liang Cheng’s account before departing.
Liang Cheng looked at his remaining Contribution Points and couldn’t help but smile. ’If no one had disturbed me, I could have stayed in here for another year.’
Of course, if he used them to purchase elixirs and other resources, they wouldn’t have been enough to cover the fees for another year in the chamber.
Just then, outside the secret chamber, Ye Zhiqiu stood with his hands clasped behind his back, dressed in green robes.
When he saw Liang Cheng, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. "Junior Brother, it looks like your cultivation has advanced again."
"Senior Brother."
Liang Cheng quickly cupped his hands in greeting. "Master summoned me urgently. Is something the matter?"
Ye Zhiqiu smiled, looking slightly abashed. "It’s nothing serious. I’m just about to attempt a breakthrough to the True Gang Realm."
Liang Cheng’s eyes lit up. "Really? Congratulations, Senior Brother!"
"What’s there to congratulate?"
Ye Zhiqiu shook his head. "If it weren’t for you, you little rascal, I could’ve procrastinated for a few more years. But no, now Master uses you to whip me into shape every day. You think my life has been easy while you were cooped up in there?"
Despite his words, his eyes were filled with fighting spirit.
Liang Cheng laughed heartily and took the bottle of Gang Condensing Pills from his robes. "Perfect. It’s too soon for me to use this elixir anyway, so I’ll give it to you, Senior Brother, to aid your breakthrough."
Ye Zhiqiu’s expression changed at the sight, and he quickly waved his hands in refusal. "No, I can’t possibly..."
Before he could finish, Liang Cheng interrupted him.
"If you hadn’t stepped in to protect me back then, Senior Brother, I never would have made it back alive. That was a life-saving debt, and I will never forget it."
Liang Cheng’s expression was serious. "Besides, I’m still far from the True Gang Realm. The Gang Condensing Pills would just sit unused in my hands. It’s better to help a friend in need and help you make a successful breakthrough, Senior Brother."
As the two of them were going back and forth, Chen Xuanfeng’s voice cut in.
"That’s enough. Zhiqiu, just accept it."
Chen Xuanfeng strolled out, his eyes filled with gratification. "This is how it should be among fellow disciples. Liang Cheng’s gesture is sincere, so you should accept his kindness. In the future, if he ever needs anything, you just have to look out for him."
Ye Zhiqiu took a deep breath, accepted the Jade Bottle with both hands, and gave Liang Cheng a solemn bow.
"Junior Brother, I will remember this debt."
Liang Cheng returned the bow. "I wish you a swift and successful breakthrough, Senior Brother."
...
「Deep within the Instructor Hall, in a special-grade secret chamber.」
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