Chapter 172 - 171: Almost Time to ’Hit the Road

Chapter 172: Chapter 171: Almost Time to ’Hit the Road

Upon stepping into the Celestial Human Realm, Xia Wuyang’s comprehensive strength had at least tripled.

His attainments in Body Refining alone were enough to dominate the Body Refining Stage.

If he added his Extraordinary Level Spiritual Power to the mix, he might even be able to contend with an ordinary True Monarch.

An ordinary True Monarch’s greatest reliance was merely their Extraordinary True Qi, but Xia Wuyang possessed Extraordinary Spiritual Power, and his physical strength was in no way inferior to that of a True Monarch.

If they were to truly fight, even if Xia Wuyang couldn’t win, it wouldn’t be too difficult for him to escape.

’If I can obtain some spiritual Combat Techniques and Secret Techniques in the future, I should basically be able to stand on equal footing with a common True Monarch.’

Feeling the surging Qi and Blood Power within him, Xia Wuyang nodded in satisfaction. He did not rush for quick success, but instead settled his mind and began to consolidate his Cultivation Foundation and adapt to his explosively increased Cultivation Realm.

He waited until dawn, then resumed his "decrepit" appearance, "greedily" walking out of the Practice Room and throwing himself at the bevy of charming beauties.

Su Ling’Er, Hanik’s Heart, and the others could only helplessly endure it. They were also terrified he would have some sort of accident, so they were exceedingly careful with every move, fearing the elder Crown Prince might overdo it.

Fortunately, although this elder Crown Prince was a bit avaricious, he never did anything too outrageous. He wasn’t like many other Princes who would resort to violence at the drop of a hat, causing many young women to die by their hands.

Sure, the elder Crown Prince was a bit old, a bit ugly, a bit too wrinkled, and had a few too many ailments... but the monthly stipend he provided was excellent. Moreover, he wouldn’t intentionally harm them; at worst, he would just "visit" them a few more times.

Besides, they didn’t have to worry about getting pregnant. If they did, their fates would likely be tragic once the elder Crown Prince passed away.

After a brief "visit," the elder Crown Prince would become breathless and gasping for air. Everyone would then hurry him back to the Practice Room to prevent him from indulging any further.

Although being "visited" was a bit uncomfortable, it didn’t last long. Most of the time, they were resting or free to do other things. All in all, it was a relatively easy life.

The atmosphere in the Eastern Palace was much better than in other palaces. As long as everyone did their own thing, the elder Crown Prince wouldn’t go out of his way to find fault.

What they didn’t know was that as soon as he returned to the Practice Room, Xia Wuyang would throw himself into his Cultivation. Dragon Tiger Fist, Enchanting Heart Technique, Enchanting Heart Step, Enchanting Heart Needle... He constantly consolidated his Cultivation Foundation and adapted to his soaring strength, not wasting a single second.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; a great ocean is formed from countless streams.

Although he had a Golden Finger, it couldn’t grant him invincible strength directly. There were many things he still had to work hard for himself.

Facing such a situation, how could Xia Wuyang dare to waste any time?

His daily Cultivation followed a detailed plan: Cultivation Technique, Combat Techniques, Secret Techniques, Vice Position... Nothing was neglected, and everything was improving rapidly.

That feeling of his Power increasing, drop by drop, was truly intoxicating to his Heart Spirit.

At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before he finished consolidating and adapting. Then, he could consume another Miracle Treasure to rapidly advance his Cultivation Realm.

Since stepping into the Celestial Human Realm, Middle Level Mortal Treasures were no longer of any use to him. He could only use High Level Mortal Treasures.

He currently had only one nine-hundred-year-old blood ginseng left. It should be able to raise his Cultivation by nearly a minor realm, or perhaps not even that.

After all, his Foundation was too profound—a full three times that of a Martial Artist at the same level. Naturally, his consumption was also three times greater.

He needed to acquire more Miracle Treasures to raise his Cultivation Realm as quickly as possible. The sooner he reached Celestial Human Perfection, the sooner he could advance to the True Monarch Realm.

Unwittingly, he had been secretly developing his strength for nearly three hundred days. According to the state of health he had faked with his Disguise, he shouldn’t have much longer to live.

If he was still alive in a few more months, many people would likely grow suspicious, and they might make a move to probe him or even investigate the matter.

The time left for him was dwindling. Before then, he had to obtain even greater Power.

Only then would he have the confidence to face all his enemies when the truth was revealed.

Xia Wuyang was giving it his all, but the others had not stopped either.

His Consort, Yan Jiuge, for example, was currently preparing for a breakthrough.

「At dusk one day.」 After applying a careful Disguise, she quietly left the Eastern Palace and headed for a Black Market in the west of White Jade City.

She wore a simple, gray martial artist’s uniform, her jet-black hair tucked into a hat. Her face was coated with a special potion that made her skin appear dark and rough, doing her best to not stand out.

Carrying most of the wealth and treasures she had accumulated over the years, she slipped into the Black Market.

She had already made an agreement with a certain proprietor in the Black Market to trade for a seven-hundred-year-old blood ginseng.

To obtain this seven-hundred-year-old blood ginseng, she had not only paid almost her entire fortune but had also spent years of time and effort to finally find this one suitable opportunity.

’Unfortunately, I had a falling out with the Fire Spirit Race many years ago. If not for that, I wouldn’t have had to struggle so hard. I would have broken through to the First Grade Realm long ago instead of languishing until now, when I finally have a chance to get a seven-hundred-year-old blood ginseng to help me break through.’

She had gone all out for this seven-hundred-year-old blood ginseng. If she could break through to the First Grade Realm, not only would her own safety be better secured, but she could also better protect some of the people in the Eastern Palace. Or, at the very least, allow the elder Crown Prince to pass away peacefully, free from turmoil in his final moments.

With a sigh, Yan Jiuge headed straight for the depths of the Black Market.

In the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, a pharmacy located in the heart of the Black Market, she finally saw the seven-hundred-year-old blood ginseng.

It was sealed in a specially made Cold Jade Box. The body of the ginseng was as red as blood, and its rootlets trembled slightly as if alive, emitting a captivating fragrance.

She silently handed a stack of silver notes and several treasures to the Pavilion Master of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion. After carefully counting everything, he nodded in satisfaction and gave the Cold Jade Box to Yan Jiuge.

After a thorough inspection, Yan Jiuge took the Cold Jade Box and quickly left the Black Market.

Along the way, she faintly sensed someone following her. However, with her strength at Second Grade Perfection, she swiftly shook off these ill-intentioned individuals and returned to the Eastern Palace.

With this seven-hundred-year-old blood ginseng, she was now more than seventy percent confident that she could break through successfully, step into the First Grade Realm, and become a Grandmaster.

’In the coming days, I just need to polish my Essence, Qi, and Spirit. Once they are polished to flawless Perfection, I can begin my attempt to break through to the First Grade Realm and become a Grandmaster.’

Thinking of this, a smile crossed Yan Jiuge’s exquisite Yuyan. She carefully hid the seven-hundred-year-old blood ginseng and began to polish her Essence, Qi, and Spirit.