Translator: CinderTL
Xu Sanyan circled around the Ferocious Demon, carefully examining this patchwork body. He noticed that there were still seams at the limbs and neck, indicating that the fusion was not yet complete, though it didn't seem to hinder its movements.
Frowning in thought, Xu Sanyan pondered deeply before murmuring to himself, "I'll call you… Xiao Hulu."
TL/N: Xiao Hulu means Little Gourd.
Since it was made up of seven individuals, calling it Xiao Hulu made perfect sense.
With a thought, a translucent screen appeared before his eyes.
[Xu Sanyan]
[Age — 19/315]
[Realm — Foundation Establishment Stage (Initial Stage)]
[Cultivation Method — Supreme Truth and Absolute Stillness Sutra (Mid Stage)]
[Mystical Arts — Blood Demon Corpse Refining Method (Beginner). Life Coffin Technique (Beginner)]
[Techniques — Perfect Circle Stance (Peak Stage). Three Tigers Subduing Dragon Saber (Peak Stage). Horse Appraisal Technique (Peak Stage). Excavator Maintenance & Repair (Initial Stage)…]
[Vitality — 106]
With over a hundred points of Vitality, Xu Sanyan contemplated how to use them. First, he could elevate his cultivation to the Mid Stage of Foundation Establishment, and the remaining points could be used to improve the Blood Demon Corpse Refining Method.
Having made his decision, Xu Sanyan didn't hesitate. As the Vitality points on the panel dissipated, his pores opened wide, and countless streams of spiritual energy surged toward him like bees returning to their hive.
Xu Sanyan had never felt the spiritual energy of heaven and earth so abundant before. He accelerated the refining process, his meridians swelling, and his dantian was instantly filled with spiritual energy. It expanded, filled again, and the cycle repeated…
After an unknown amount of time, the influx of spiritual energy ceased, and Xu Sanyan let out a long breath. The most significant change from the Initial Stage to the Mid Stage of Foundation Establishment was the vast expansion of his dantian, and his internal Spiritual Power became even more abundant.
He glanced at the panel and saw that his 106 points of Vitality had dwindled to just 21. This breakthrough had cost him a whopping 85 points!
"The gap between the Celestial Being Realm and the Foundation Establishment Realm is indeed substantial," Xu Sanyan murmured to himself, as this alone was a clear indication.
The remaining 21 points of Vitality were only enough to improve the Life Coffin Technique. While it wasn't sufficient to enhance the Blood Demon Corpse Refining Method, it wasn't far off.
Xu Sanyan decided to save up to improve the latter, as the power of the Blood Demon far surpassed that of the Ferocious Demon.
Now that everything was in place, it was time to prepare for his journey to the upper sect.
Before leaving, Xu Sanyan, adhering to his philosophy of "even the smallest scraps are worth taking," scoured Taian City for any remaining Precious medicine.
However, due to his exhaustive methods, the Ginseng Gang had collapsed, and the Ginseng Gatherers had scattered, leaving him with fewer than twenty Precious medicines.
After consuming them, his Vitality reached 36 points, enough to improve the Blood Demon Corpse Refining Method.
After some thought, he decided not to rush the breakthrough.
The next morning, Big Yellow Tooth, Madam Wu, Bai Qingyu, and others came out of the city to see him off as Xu Sanyan prepared to return to Xiang City.
"Take care, Fourth Master," Big Yellow Tooth said, his ugly face scrunched up, clearly reluctant to see him go.
Xu Sanyan pushed him aside and then hugged Madam Wu and Bai Qingyu. "If you find suitable partners, don't hesitate to marry. Don't worry about me."
Xu Sanyan estimated that it would be difficult for him to return here in this lifetime. Their fates had run their course, and there was no need to cling to what was no longer there.
"Fourth Master…" Madam Wu's lips quivered as if she wanted to say something but held back.
Seeing this, Xu Sanyan waved to a young man in the distance. "Come here. Consider it a favor to your mother."
He had long noticed this person; with Xu Sanyan's cultivation level, even the sound of a needle falling within a hundred feet around him could be heard.
This young man was none other than the son of Madam Wu and Wu Jue, Wu Peng.
He was born with a weak constitution, making movement difficult, similar to Bai Qingyu's condition but even more severe.
Madam Wu's eyes lit up with joy as she suddenly threw herself into Xu Sanyan's arms, sobbing, "Thank you, Fourth Master."
Xu Sanyan patted her bottom, "It's worth it after all the time you've served me."
The young man timidly approached, his steps dragging, each one a struggle. He knew this opportunity came at the cost of his mother's sacrifice.
Xu Sanyan placed his fingers on the young man's wrist, channeling his spiritual power into the youth's body.
"Hmm..." A warm current flowed into his body, and the young man instinctively let out a soft moan.
Xu Sanyan frowned in disgust, "If you make that dead sound again, I'll break your legs."
The young man hurriedly shut his mouth.
After a while, Xu Sanyan managed to alleviate most of his ailment. However, due to the young man's innate deficiency, it was unlikely he would achieve much in the future, but at least there was a chance for him to leave an heir for the Wu family.
"Let's go."
Xu Sanyan waved his hand, and the two of them rode towards Xiang City. The demon, fully cloaked in black, with a pale face hidden behind a mask, added an air of mystery.
Bai Qingyu stood in place, licking her lips with a lingering expression.
...
Seven days later, at dusk, two figures approached Xiang City, covered in the dust of their journey.
"Finally here..."
Xu Sanyan looked up at the towering city walls, secretly relieved.
The reason for returning to Xiang City was twofold: first, to find a way to eliminate the Cui Family and cut off future troubles.
Second, he wanted to inquire about the cultivators behind Prince Rui to better understand the World of Immortal Cultivation in the Central Plains and prepare accordingly.
As their horses passed through the city gate, Xu Sanyan headed home, overhearing the townsfolk discussing how the imperial city had fallen and Prince Rui would soon ascend the throne.
Xu Sanyan stopped and asked a roadside vendor, "Excuse me, brother, has the battle ahead ended?"
The vendor glanced at Xu Sanyan and nodded lightly, "Yes, the current emperor, feeling his virtue lacking and having trusted treacherous ministers, has caused great suffering among the people, so he plans to abdicate in favor of Prince Rui."
Xu Sanyan inwardly shook his head, thinking it was likely a forced abdication with a knife to the throat.
At least Prince Rui had found an excuse, making it seem less disgraceful.
As he pondered, he arrived at his doorstep. Uncle Zhao, hearing the news, hurried over, his old face full of anxiety, "Oh, my lord, where have you been? The Prince has summoned you to the capital, and it's been delayed for days."
"Summoned me?"
Xu Sanyan frowned, wondering why Prince Rui would call for him upon his ascension.
"Yes, the edict arrived ten days ago, but we couldn't find you. Please hurry and prepare to meet the Prince."
Uncle Zhao took the reins and then casually glanced at Xiao Hulu following behind, inwardly surprised that this person wore a mask, perhaps too ugly to show his face.
"Alright, where is the Princess?" Xu Sanyan nodded.
Uncle Zhao followed closely behind, leading the horse, "The Princess left some days ago. With the Prince about to ascend, of course, she had to be there."
Xu Sanyan curled his lips, thinking the Princess was merely a decorative piece, her only notable feature being her ample bosom.
"Tell the kitchen to prepare some food; we leave tomorrow," Xu Sanyan instructed.
"Yes," Uncle Zhao replied and went to make the arrangements.
Xu Sanyan changed his clothes, and soon the meal was served. After eating and drinking his fill, he took a short nap.
It wasn't until the sky had completely darkened that Xu Sanyan finally opened his eyes.
Beside him, Xiao Hulu, cloaked in a black robe, pushed the door open and disappeared into the night.
(End of the Chapter)
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