NOVPUB
Chapter 197: Chapter 197: Farewell, Five Hundred Million Wealth!
Time flew by, and within the Practice Field, only the faint sounds of air currents stirred by the flow of Essence Energy could be heard.
Two hours later, Luo Cheng slowly opened his eyes, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Too slow..."
As the Essence Energy poured in, Luo Cheng could clearly feel the transformation taking place in the first Essence Energy Mansion.
However, without the aid of Spiritual Medicine or Spirit Pills, relying solely on the Heaven and Earth Essence Energy made the transformation progress incredibly sluggish.
Luo Cheng estimated that at the current cultivation speed, it would take at least ten days to half a month for the first Essence Energy Mansion to fully transform!
And within him, there were nine Essence Energy Mansions!
Still, there was no point in being anxious.
The Practice Field was now left with a few shattered wooden boxes.
Sixteen thousand Essence Energy Pills—all consumed cleanly in a single instant when breaking through the Earthly Dantian!
"No wonder the martial world fights rivers of blood over every scrap of Spiritual Medicine and Spirit Pills, even turning on their own brothers."
"Wealth, companions, techniques, and land—the four essentials of martial cultivation. Wealth is as critical as talent."
Luo Cheng inwardly sighed.
Having adequate cultivation resources was incredibly important.
Taking one step forward leads to boundless possibilities, while taking one step back means an eternal chasm.
Just like now—if he had sufficient Essence Energy Pills, he could refine all nine Essence Energy Mansions into Essence Energy Vortexes and step into the Tongxuan Realm! His combat abilities would be immeasurable!
Without cultivation resources, however, all he could do was rely on time, slowly accumulating progress.
But for Luo Cheng, time was equivalent to life.
He had started late, far behind others. Simply following the normal pace of cultivation—how could he possibly catch up with the geniuses of the Ji Family, who consumed Spiritual Medicine Treasure Pills like candy?
"Oh well, let’s see where my strength stands for now."
Luo Cheng stood upright.
In just one day, it would be time for his duel with Yan Qi.
At this moment, only by resolving it could he focus on matters to come.
Stepping to the second Training Post, Luo Cheng took a deep breath and unleashed a full-force punch.
Immediately, a terrifying aura erupted. Under the pressure of the punch, the air visibly trembled with ripples.
Bang!
The Training Post quivered lightly, its surface marked with a distinct fist imprint.
Luo Cheng’s eyes lit up as he drew the Meteor Sword and swung it diagonally.
Clang!
The long sword struck the Training Post, scattering sparks, and leaving a clear sword scar!
Seeing this, Luo Cheng couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy.
Though the Essence Energy Vortex had dissipated and he could no longer circulate Essence Energy, the power of his physical body alone was slightly stronger than before!
"If I could refine an Essence Energy Vortex and fully step into the Tongxuan Realm—even just one Essence Energy Vortex..."
Looking at the sword scar on the Training Post, Luo Cheng’s eyes burned with anticipation, eager to discover what level of power he would attain upon entering the Tongxuan Realm.
Unfortunately, reality was harsh.
All he had left were a few Awakening God Pills gifted by Yun Mengli and a handful of Low-Level Healing Elixirs.
Even the most resourceful person cannot cook without ingredients—being eager wouldn’t change anything.
"It’s true: one pill can bring a hero to their knees..."
Before this, Luo Cheng had understood the significance of cultivation resources.
But he had never felt it as deeply and personally as he did now.
He even entertained the fleeting thought of seeking out Yun Mengli to borrow some Essence Energy Pills.
This idea crossed his mind only briefly.
He already owed Yun Mengli too many favors; it was truly inappropriate to ask for more.
Besides, she was still in seclusion...
Shaking his head, Luo Cheng steadied his restless thoughts and resumed his cultivation.
While the progress was slower, it was better than nothing.
Bzz!
Just then, a faint ripple stirred the Essence Energy within the Practice Field.
The array marking the field signaled the arrival of a visitor.
Luo Cheng felt a moment of surprise.
Who would come looking for him at this time?
After slightly tidying himself, Luo Cheng left the Practice Field and opened the gate to his courtyard.
Before his eyes stood a petite dark figure.
Shrouded entirely in a wide black cloak, only their bright, star-like eyes were visible.
Luo Cheng exclaimed in surprise, "Ling Chulan!"
Ling Chulan gave a small nod, glancing toward the courtyard. "Won’t you invite me in for a seat?"
Luo Cheng chuckled lightly. "Come in."
The two entered the courtyard and took seats at the lakeside pavilion.
Luo Cheng gave Ling Chulan a once-over, then suddenly exclaimed, "You’re already refining your Essence Energy and approaching the Half-Step Tongxuan Realm? Congratulations!"
Not just her cultivation; Luo Cheng could sense a change in Ling Chulan’s demeanor.
Her gaze carried less innocence and more ethereal mystery—a rare and noble aura, one in ten thousand!
In just a month, it was as if she had become an entirely different person.
"What’s there to congratulate? But you—reaching the Golden Body Realm—is truly remarkable. Throughout history, few have ever achieved this level. Those who do often go on to achieve extraordinary feats."
"To attain it without possessing a Martial Soul—you must be the first in all of creation to do so."
Ling Chulan shook her head slightly.
Luo Cheng chuckled. "Surely you didn’t come to find me just to praise me."
At his words, Ling Chulan’s eyes flickered as she looked out toward the mist-shrouded lake.
"I’m here to bid you farewell. Of the people I know, you’re the only one I wanted to see before leaving."
Luo Cheng was taken aback. "Farewell? Where are you going?"
"To where I must go..."
Ling Chulan’s voice was distant, as though her soul had drifted away with the lake’s fog to some unknown horizon. Then she refocused, her tone shifting as she turned to Luo Cheng:
"Forget that. You’ll face Yan Qi tomorrow—would you like me to handle that for you?"
"Don’t worry; I can ensure no suspicion falls on you. As for defeating the Eighth Prince Jin Min, I’ll take care of that too. Consider it repayment for saving me before."
Luo Cheng’s heart trembled.
He had long suspected Ling Chulan’s extraordinary identity.
Still, her words were astonishing.
Yan Qi barely mattered, but Jin Min—the Eighth Prince of the Great Yue Dynasty, an Inner Sect Disciple of Xuanyuan Sect—possessed both incredible strength and a prestigious status!
Yet in her voice, destroying Jin Min seemed as casual as brushing dust off a sleeve.
Just what kind of identity allowed such confidence...?
Exhaling slowly, Luo Cheng shook his head. "No need. I’ll take care of them myself."
He wasn’t concerned about the duel with Yan Qi.
Even without Essence Energy, his physical power alone was plenty to defeat him—a matter of extra effort at most.
As for Jin Min, if the prince acted within bounds, so be it.
But if he refused to relent, Luo Cheng would take his life with his own hands!
If even such troubles couldn’t be dealt with, it would only prove Luo Cheng unworthy of advancing further or heading to the Ji Family.
"I see..."
Ling Chulan’s tone remained calm.
Luo Cheng’s eyes showed a hint of surprise.
The person before him was clearly Ling Chulan—yet her behavior and mannerisms seemed utterly transformed.
She reminded him of the portraits depicting the Great Chu Empress’s imperial lineage.
After a brief moment of thought, Luo Cheng spoke. "There’s one thing I could use your help with."
"What is it?"
Luo Cheng replied, "I’ve hit a bottleneck in my cultivation and need a large quantity of Essence Energy Pills. Could you lend me some? I promise to repay you double in the future."
"Essence Energy Pills? I don’t have many on hand..."
Ling Chulan brushed her finger across her bracelet, and five large wooden crates suddenly appeared on the ground.
"I only have these at the moment. But I also have some Gold Notes—you can exchange them at the Dan Medicine Pavilion for Essence Energy Pills."
As she spoke, Ling Chulan placed a thick stack of Gold Notes onto the table. 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝔬𝔪
Luo Cheng inhaled deeply.
Each of the five crates was filled with Essence Energy Pills!
Judging by volume, each crate held approximately ten thousand Essence Energy Pills!
A total of fifty thousand pills—the equivalent of five billion taels of wealth!
Even with his composed nature, Luo Cheng was momentarily stunned. He couldn’t help but voice the question buried in his heart:
"Ling Chulan, what’s your connection to the Great Chu Dynasty’s Empress?"
