NOVPUB
Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Farewell, the Rite of the Strong!
Outside Wushi City, when Luo Cheng encountered Ling Chulan, he had already harbored suspicions that Ling Chulan might be connected to the Great Chu Empress.
However, it was nothing more than a fleeting thought.
Their identities were worlds apart.
One was a lofty legend, commanding respect across the Eight Desolations and Four Seas, revered by billions—the Great Chu Empress!
Ling Chulan, on the other hand, was merely a minor Outer Disciple.
It was truly unfathomable to link the two together.
Yet at this moment, Luo Cheng inexplicably felt a growing certainty in his heart.
Despite only having a Transcendence Realm cultivation, she casually produced wealth worth billions—a level of extravagance that even the heirs of noble families could hardly compare to.
Moreover, her exceptional demeanor in speech and behavior, particularly the transcendent and ethereal quality reflected in her gaze, bore striking resemblance to the bloodline portrait of the Great Chu Empress.
When faced with Luo Cheng’s inquiry, Ling Chulan froze, dazed, and was just about to speak.
At that moment, a gentle breeze swept through.
The space above the nearby lake split open spontaneously, like a transparent crystal being torn apart.
From inside stepped an elderly figure with snow-white eyebrows almost brushing the ground, holding a dragon-headed crutch. He possessed a kindly countenance despite his apparent age.
Upon seeing the old man, Luo Cheng’s heart jolted with alarm.
With his level of perception, he hadn’t noticed the old man’s presence at all!
More importantly, even though he could see the elder with his own eyes, he still couldn’t detect any trace of energy or aura from him—as if everything before him was an illusion.
What’s more, this was the inner territory of the Xuanyuan Sect.
The elder seemingly tore through space and entered without alerting the sect’s higher-ups.
This led to two possible conclusions.
First, the elder possessed extraordinary concealment techniques, so refined that even the sect’s higher-ups couldn’t perceive him.
Second, the sect’s higher-ups had indeed noticed him but didn’t dare to interfere.
Either possibility pointed to the elder’s immense power—power that could shake heaven and earth, overturn the cosmos!
"Miss, the time has come to leave."
The elder arrived behind Ling Chulan, slightly bending his posture in submission, resembling a loyal servant awaiting instructions.
Ling Chulan nodded softly, stood up, and looked at Luo Cheng. Her previously dry voice turned clear and crisp:
"Luo Cheng, this is where we part ways."
With that, Ling Chulan turned and stepped toward the spatial fissure.
Luo Cheng took a deep breath and asked, "Where can I find you in the future?"
Ling Chulan paused briefly and shook her head slightly.
"There’s no need."
"The light boat has already passed through ten thousand mountains. The road ahead is long yet radiant..."
Her voice lingered in the air as she took her final step, her figure vanishing into the shattered crystal.
Luo Cheng fell silent.
Perhaps it was an illusion, but every word Ling Chulan uttered during this encounter seemed imbued with a resolute finality.
It felt less like a farewell and more like a definitive departure.
In the pavilion, only Luo Cheng and the white-browed elder remained.
Luo Cheng glanced at the elder. "Senior..."
"Do not ask, do not think. There are some matters where ignorance is better than understanding."
The white-browed elder shook his head, scrutinized Luo Cheng, and nodded faintly. "Your blood force is vibrant like a rainbow, your bones and flesh emit a radiance—indeed, you are a once-in-a-millennium Golden Body Realm cultivator. Though you haven’t advanced to the Tongxuan Realm, your physique rivals that of a Tongxuan Realm Second Layer martial artist. Rare! Remarkable..."
After exclaiming "rare" twice, the white-browed elder’s eyes glimmered.
Boom!
Luo Cheng suddenly felt an invisible pressure descending upon him, compelling him to involuntarily release his Martial Soul. 𝘯𝑜𝑣𝑝𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
The Nine-colored Mysterious Egg emerged, its dazzling brilliance rendering the surrounding scenery dreamlike.
"Oh? An unformed Martial Soul!"
Surprise flashed across the elder’s clouded eyes, followed by a deep sigh.
"I had hoped that the Great Yue Dynasty would produce a singular anomaly, but alas, it remains unformed. What a pity. Truly unfortunate..."
Sighing twice, the elder looked at Luo Cheng again and said, "You saved the Miss’s life once; allow this old man to repay you with a gift."
As he spoke, the elder raised a hand and pointed lightly at Luo Cheng’s brow.
Luo Cheng’s body froze, unable to move, as he felt a mysterious energy surging into his body.
Retracting his finger, the elder glanced skyward and said:
"With this matter resolved, I shall take my leave as well."
As the elder moved to leave, Luo Cheng couldn’t help but ask, "Will Ling Chulan be safe?"
"Unmentionable... Unmentionable..."
The elder shook his head and stepped back, the fissured crystal instantly mending itself.
The lake surface calmed, serene as if nothing had transpired.
Only five chests of Essence Energy Pills and a stack of Gold Notes affirmed the reality of what had just occurred.
"I wonder what that power was..."
Luo Cheng touched his brow but felt no discernible change.
Shaking his head, Luo Cheng chose not to dwell on it further.
A cultivator of such immense strength had no reason to deceive him; whatever had been left within his body was assuredly extraordinary.
Unable to sense it now, it was likely due to insufficient cultivation or the wrong timing.
Turning his gaze to the five chests of Essence Energy Pills, Luo Cheng waved a hand and retrieved a scroll of artwork.
Printed on the scroll was an image of a breathtakingly elegant woman standing before a grand Golden Palace.
Her dress fluttered, her black hair swayed gracefully, and she had a celestial air about her beauty. Most striking were her eyes—shimmering with brilliance and fluid, like a starry sky entwined with mist, ethereal yet dignified, singular and unmatched!
"She does resemble her greatly!"
The eyes of the woman in the artwork were astonishingly similar to Ling Chulan’s—practically identical!
However, Luo Cheng was certain that Ling Chulan wasn’t the woman depicted in the painting.
The lady in the painting was in her prime with a tall and graceful figure, distinctly different from Ling Chulan’s petite stature.
Even their ages didn’t align.
"I truly wonder what Ling Chulan’s true identity is."
Thinking about the elder’s deferential attitude toward Ling Chulan, Luo Cheng’s curiosity grew more intense.
"Forget it."
Luo Cheng chose not to dwell on the mystery further.
If fate allowed, he would eventually learn the truth should their paths cross again in the future.
If their paths never crossed again, knowing the truth wouldn’t matter.
Today’s events greatly shook Luo Cheng, especially the elder’s display of strength—a power so profound it defied comprehension.
It made him realize how vast the world truly was; his observations and experiences were mere fragments!
The road forward required relentless cultivation and the pursuit of greater power.
Luo Cheng summoned the five chests of Essence Energy Pills and began counting the Gold Notes on the table.
The Gold Notes amounted to fifteen million taels!
"Ling Chulan, thank you! I hope to repay this favor someday."
Luo Cheng murmured to himself, picking up the Gold Notes and leaving the Xuanyi Residence.
Just breaking through the Earthly Dantian had already cost over sixteen thousand Essence Energy Pills.
Opening the Nine Dao Essence Energy Mansion would require an unimaginable amount of pills—the more, the better.
Luo Cheng planned to convert the Gold Notes into Essence Energy Pills and resume his cultivation.
Outer Sect Hall’s Dan Medicine Pavilion.
The hall was still bustling with activity, packed with disciples purchasing spiritual medicines and elixirs.
With the year-end approaching and the Outer Sect Grand Competition drawing near, many Outer Disciples were pushing themselves hard in the final month, aiming to secure a decent rank during the tournament.
Luo Cheng’s arrival drew curious glances and surprise from many.
Only one day remained until Luo Cheng’s duel with Yan Qi, yet no one expected him to still be visiting the Dan Medicine Pavilion.
Returning to the same counter, Luo Cheng asked the female elder to convert all his Gold Notes into Essence Energy Pills.
The large stack of Gold Notes startled the female elder, but she said nothing and began counting the pills.
Just then, three figures entered the pavilion.
"Senior Brother Ren Xiaoguang!"
As soon as the trio arrived, the crowd automatically parted, granting them passage without hesitation.
All three exuded an extraordinary aura, especially the tall youth in the middle—none other than Ren Qian’s older brother, Ren Xiaoguang!
Ren Xiaoguang’s prowess ranked within the top fifteen of the Outer Sect. This year, he planned to compete for a position among the top ten Outer Disciples—his reputation was illustrious. Even disciples who didn’t know him personally had heard of his renown!
"Ren Xiaoguang?"
Luo Cheng turned to look.
"Luo Cheng!"
One of the youths accompanying Ren Xiaoguang immediately recognized Luo Cheng and gasped aloud.
Hearing this, Ren Xiaoguang’s eyes flashed with coldness as he strode directly over.
"Heh, it seems Senior Brother Qi Guyun and the others overestimated you. You still haven’t broken through to the Tongxuan Realm! And there’s only one day left until your duel with Yan Qi!"
Spotting Luo Cheng’s unadvanced realm, Ren Xiaoguang sneered, convinced that Qi Guyun and the others had placed too much faith in Luo Cheng.
