Chapter 525: Chapter 201: Where in life do we not meet!

Not planning to continue cultivating, Luo Cheng put away the remaining Soul Crystals.

Of the more than six hundred Four-star Soul Crystals he originally had, less than four hundred remained now!

In other words, in just one month, he had consumed over two hundred Four-star Soul Crystals!

He had also used up nine Meridian Opening Pills!

Altogether, that amounted to nearly one billion taels worth of wealth.

This rate of consumption—forget about a Middle Stage Awakening Vein Realm expert—even an average mid-sized family couldn’t afford it!

A hint of exclamation appeared on Luo Cheng’s face.

With over two billion worth of assets saved up, he had thought it would be enough for cultivation over a long time.

Unexpectedly, as his cultivation improved, his body became like a bottomless pit, demanding more and more Soul Crystals.

It was no wonder, as he possessed the Nine Dao Yuan Qi Mansion, ninefold Xuan Veins!

His Essence Energy alone far surpassed that of others in the same realm, so it naturally required the consumption of more Soul Crystals and Elixir Pills.

“It looks like I’ll have to earn more wealth in the future!”

Only now did Luo Cheng realize why predecessors ranked “wealth” first among the resources required for cultivation: wealth, companions, methods, and places.

Without sufficient wealth and resources, no genius talent could shine to its full potential.

Sighing inwardly, Luo Cheng tidied up briefly and left Shangyun Hall. He made a trip to the palace at the peak of Mengli Peak where Yun Mengli resided.

Yun Mengli was still not back.

This made Luo Cheng a bit worried.

Although at Yun Mengli’s level, it was common to go into seclusion for months or train for over a year.

Yet Luo Cheng knew that this time, Yun Mengli had gone to Guyuan City to kill someone!

“Let’s hope nothing happens!”

Luo Cheng prayed inwardly, as this was all he could do right now.

Leaving Mengli Peak, Luo Cheng passed through the Inner Sect Square.

“Senior Brother Luo Cheng!”

This time, the looks from those Inner Sect disciples were noticeably different; many greeted him warmly.

Even the disciples from the Crown Prince Hall, though their gazes were unfriendly, dared not say much and stepped aside to make way.

Luo Cheng’s promotion to Core Disciple was one reason.

The other was the battle in the Hall of Assessment: Luo Cheng had become famous throughout the Inner Sect in a single battle!

At the Middle Stage of the Sixth Level of Awakening Vein Realm, he had crushed an assault by over a dozen Seventh Level Awakening Vein Realm experts. Such an achievement was truly astounding!

Many veteran Core Disciples with Advanced Martial Souls couldn’t have managed such a feat!

Some believed that Luo Cheng’s ascension to the Xuanhe List was only a matter of time.

Passing by the Xuanhe List stone pillar, Luo Cheng turned his head for a glance.

The top three names remained unchanged: Pang Yueyang, Qi Yu, and Jin Min!

Luo Cheng noticed another name.

Lu Shaojing!

From ranking 490 last month, he had risen to 463.

“In a month’s time, he climbed twenty-seven spots. He does have some skill! Too bad he isn’t around, or I would’ve taught him a proper lesson.”

A cold light flashed in Luo Cheng’s eyes.

If it hadn’t been for this guy stirring things up last time, he wouldn’t have caused such a ruckus in the Hall of Assessment.

Though there hadn’t been any real consequences, that didn’t mean Luo Cheng took it lightly.

As for challenging others to get on the Xuanhe List, Luo Cheng currently had no such plans.

If he couldn’t defeat Jin Min and claim the top spot, ranking on the Xuanhe List held little meaning for him.

At this moment, many Inner Sect disciples stood around the Xuanhe List, gazing up at the names while murmuring among themselves.

“Senior Brother Pang Yueyang is still on the list. Looks like he failed to break into the Four Extremes Secret Realm again.”

“The Four Extremes Secret Realm, the Xuan Vein entering the Four Extremes Xuan Gate—every movement connects heaven and earth! Breaking through is no easy task. Senior Brother Pang Yueyang had planned to use the Washing Body Pond’s power to attempt the breakthrough but was caught off guard when Elder Li suddenly sealed the pond!”

“The Washing Body Pond is our Xuanyuan Sect’s cultivation sanctuary. It has never encountered any issues before. I wonder why Elder Li sealed it…”

Luo Cheng hadn’t expected to hear gossip related to him.

If the crowd discovered it was his fault the Washing Body Pond had been sealed…

Taking a deep breath, Luo Cheng thought to himself, “Elder Li hasn’t sought me out; there shouldn’t be any problems…”

Calming his mind, Luo Cheng turned to leave.

Just then, commotion arose at the front of the square.

The crowd looked over and saw several blood-stained Inner Sect disciples carrying a headless corpse.

“That… that’s Senior Brother Qu! What happened?!”

Someone recognized the corpse and exclaimed in shock.

One female Inner Sect disciple, her eyes red, said, “We were in the Black Cloud Mountain Range, killing two disciples from the Blood Nether Sect. Just as we were about to take their Identity Tokens, several disciples from the Fierce Cloud Sect appeared, trying to seize the tokens. We had already given up the tokens, but because Senior Brother Qu said one more sentence, they suddenly attacked and killed him. We almost couldn’t bring his body back!”

“Damn it, they killed even after getting what they wanted! Those bastards from the Fierce Cloud Sect deserve to be exterminated. Someone needs to wipe them out completely one day!”

“We must avenge Senior Brother Qu when the opportunity comes!”

“That makes thirteen Core Disciples dead this month! Not to mention the dozens of Inner Sect disciples! Most were killed by Blood Nether Sect disciples, but we still haven’t found the location of their stronghold…”

“Apparently, once the stronghold is found, the Three Sects will join forces for a full-out raid! When that time comes, all Inner Sect disciples will be mobilized for battle…”

Hearing the indignant voices of the crowd, Luo Cheng frowned, a sense of crisis welling up within him, deeply aware that his strength was still insufficient.

Within the sect, things were managed, but stepping outside the sect, strength ruled all—status meant nothing. Carelessness could lead to death or worse!

“I should make haste to Luoxia Sect!”

Shaking his head, Luo Cheng quickened his pace toward the mountain gate.

“I wonder if Jin Yuxi is still in the Imperial City…”

Exiting the mountain gate, Luo Cheng hesitated a moment before heading toward Golden Cauldron City in the Imperial City.

The Ninth Princess Jin Yuxi had once asked Luo Cheng to visit her in the Imperial City if he passed through on his way to Luoxia Sect.

Having given his word, Luo Cheng wasn’t one to break a promise.

Moreover, as an all-female sect, Luoxia Sect’s environment could be awkward. Having Jin Yuxi accompany him would make him feel much more at ease.

Golden Cauldron City and Luoxia Sect lay to the south and southeast of Xuanyuan Sect respectively. The detour wouldn’t cost much time.

With his plan set, Luo Cheng sped southward, his figure tracing a bright stream of air across the sky.

Several days later, a majestic city appeared in Luo Cheng’s vision. Its city walls, built from unknown ores, sparkled under the sunlight—radiant gold and stunningly magnificent!

This was none other than the Imperial City, Golden Cauldron City, of the Great Yue Dynasty!

Familiar with the city, Luo Cheng entered with ease and made his way to Yunding Tower, where the Eldest Prince had hosted a banquet last time.

Yunding Tower was one of the most luxurious inns in the Imperial City and a property of the Great Yue Dynasty’s Imperial Family.

The Ninth Princess had mentioned that he could contact her by going there.

The interior of Yunding Tower was extravagantly decorated, with pillars crafted of jade that shimmered with soft radiance. Carvings of dragons and phoenixes adorned the pillars, encrusted with Luminous Pearls—a sheer display of opulence.

From behind the counter, a stunning young woman, no older than twenty-five or twenty-six, smiled as she noticed Luo Cheng enter.

“Young Master, how may I assist you?”

Accustomed to discerning guests, the proprietress immediately noted that despite Luo Cheng’s scholarly demeanor, his eyes carried a stern spirit, making him impossible to belittle. She decided to personally attend to him.

Luo Cheng said, “I wish to see the Ninth Princess, Jin Yuxi. She mentioned I could contact her here.”

“The Ninth Princess?”

The proprietress appeared momentarily surprised before smiling again. “May I have your name, so I can relay it properly?”

Luo Cheng replied, “Xuanyuan Sect disciple, Luo Cheng.”

“Xuanyuan Sect disciple, Luo Cheng!”

Her gaze flickered, and she carefully observed Luo Cheng.

She hadn’t been present at the banquet hosted by the Eldest Prince, so she hadn’t seen Luo Cheng in person but had heard of his deeds.

Moreover, both the Eldest Prince and the Ninth Princess had given special instructions regarding him, which piqued her curiosity. To her surprise, Luo Cheng was so young.

“The Ninth Princess has indeed mentioned you! I’ll send someone to inform her at once. Young Master Luo, please wait in one of the private rooms.”

The proprietress softly clapped her hands. “Someone, escort Young Master Luo to the Ink Wash Pavilion.”

“This way, Young Master!”

A beautiful maid stepped forward.

“There’s no need. I’ll wait right here.”

Luo Cheng shook his head and found a random spot in the hall to sit.

The proprietress hesitated, a look of unease appearing in her eyes. After a moment of thought, she politely said, “Young Master Luo, let me be frank. The Eighth Prince, Jin Min, and a few of his acquaintances are having a small gathering here today. I fear…”

The proprietress naturally understood the grudge between Luo Cheng and the Eighth Prince and wished to avoid any potential trouble between them.

“Jin Min?”

Luo Cheng frowned slightly. It seemed fortune enjoyed leading him down paths where he would encounter old rivals.

“Very well then.”

Not wanting to make things difficult for the proprietress, Luo Cheng nodded, as he had no intention of causing unnecessary complications. After all, he was only here to meet the Ninth Princess.

Relieved, the proprietress personally led the way. “This way, Young Master…”

At that moment, a tall, broad-shouldered youth dressed in luxurious attire entered the hall.

Spotting Luo Cheng, the young man’s face first showed surprise, followed by a sinister smile as he strode over one step at a time:

“Heh heh heh… Well, well, what a small world, kid!”

Luo Cheng glanced over to the side, his eyebrows raised. “Lu Shaojing!”

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