The hunchbacked old man hovered in the air and sensed the fluctuations from the jade disk. As expected, the jade disk’s movements were stronger than before.
“I’ll make you spit out all of the vitality energy you’ve absorbed.”
With that, the hunchbacked old man flew in the direction of the capital. His speed was like that of a shooting star as he streaked across the sky.
…
In the royal palace’s Preservation Hall.
Lu Zhou continued to absorb the vitality energy in the Green Cicada Jade.
The Green Cicada Jade glowed with a faint yellow and green light.
Wisps of green energy entered Lu Zhou’s nostrils, surging into his Eight Extraordinary Meridians and his Dantian’s sea of Qi and filling his body.
“Just how many years of vitality energy is in the Green Cicada Jade?” Lu Zhou wondered out loud. After absorbing it for such a long time, the vitality energy in the Green Cicada Jade showed no sign of depletion.
From his system interface, he saw he had gained more than 2,000 years.
“This Green Cicada Jade is worthy of being a sacred object. It has the same ability as the life heart, which can increase one’s lifespan…”
Lu Zhou began to absorb the vitality energy faster than before. At the same time, he activated the Purple Glazed Ceramic as well.
With the help from the Purple Glazed Ceramic, the circulation speed in his Eight Extraordinary Meridians was also much faster than usual; the vitality energy coursed through his meridians at top speed.
The green energy that entered his nostrils grew richer as well.
+300
+500
+600
This was beyond Lu Zhou’s expectations.
“With this, won’t the Reversal Cards be useless?”
If he could search for vitality energy and store them in the Green Cicada Jade like Qin Moshang did, after the vitality energy was boosted by the jade, he would be able to absorb it. This was perfect!
Lu Zhou continued absorbing the vitality energy for another two hours.
He stopped when he felt his Dantian’s sea of Qi was about to expand again. He looked at his system interface.
Remaining lifespan: 1861,500 days (5,100 years in which 600 years are from Reversal Cards)
“5,000 years…” He really did not expect this little Green Cicada Jade to have so much vitality energy. “There’s no doubt Qin Moshang has an extraordinary background.”
He sighed regretfully. At that time, he should have decisively tossed the item card out to prevent Qin Moshang from returning. That kid was extraordinarily talented and had a powerful background. If that kid was allowed to grow, he would become future trouble. Killing Qin Moshang in the cradle was the best and correct choice.
Thud!
All of a sudden, the Green Cicada Jade that hovered in front of Lu Zhou fell to the ground. It stopped glowing as well.
“Hmm?” Lu Zhou noticed there was a chip on the Green Cicada Jade; the chipped piece had blackened as well.
“Is it a one-time-use item?” Lu Zhou picked up the Green Cicada Jade and carefully gauged the remaining vitality energy. There was only half of its original vitality energy left. As expected, it could not be used infinitely. Otherwise, it would be too heaven-defying. Even so, this little Green Cicada Jade could provide almost 10,000 years’ worth of vitality energy. Coupled with his Reversal Cards, he was close to being an immortal.
At this moment, Yu Shangrong’s voice rang from outside of the hall.
“Disciple greets master.”
Lu Zhou put away the Green Cicada Jade and said tonelessly, “Come in.”
Yu Shangrong slowly walked into the Preservation Hall, looking calm and confident as always. However, his calm was shattered when he saw the person in front of him. He looked to the left and the right before he asked with a frown, “Who are you?”
Lu Zhou. “???”
When Yu Shangrong was outside, he was sure he heard his master’s voice. How did it become another person?
In the Evil Sky Pavilion, only Zuo Yushu had seen Ji Tiandao’s appearance from 500 years ago. Even Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong had seen Ji Tiandao’s appearance from 300 years ago. At that time, Ji Tiandao was already a middle-aged man; he did not look anything like the dignified young man in front of Yu Shangrong at all.
“Impudent,” Lu Zhou said as he raised his voice slightly.
Yu Shangrong immediately recognized that tone and voice. He fell on one knee and called out tentatively, “Master?”
Lu Zhou shook his head helplessly. He was too engrossed in thinking about the Green Cicada Jade that he forgot about the change in his appearance and allowed Yu Shangrong to see him. He wondered how he should explain this to his disciple. He wondered if he should say it was a cultivation method.
After a moment, his eyes landed on the blackened chipped part of the Green Cicada Jade. Then, he said, “I obtained a sacred object called the Green Cicada Jade. It provides a large amount of vitality energy.”
Yu Shangrong was not the overly-curious kind. Moreover, the person who had spoken was his master. Hence, he did not doubt his master’s words at all. Apart from that, the matter of appearance was not important at all. He said, “I see. Back then, master traveled all over the world in search of a way to extend one’s lifespan. In the end, master finally found it.”
Yu Shangrong was still speaking when he curiously picked up the chipped piece of the Green Cicada Jade and studied it. Indeed, he could feel a faint vitality energy from it.
Lu Zhou said, “As a Nobleman, your lifespan is originally short…”
Yu Shangrong hurriedly interjected, “I daren’t covet master’s possession. I’ve made a breakthrough in my cultivation, and my lifespan has increased greatly. Moreover, with Ji Liang’s help, I’m safe…”
Lu Zhou nodded. He rose to his feet and walked down from the steps as he said, “Very good. Show me your avatar.”
Yu Shangrong did not dare to hide anything and immediately manifested a miniature version of his avatar.
Buzz!
It still looked like a Hundred Tribulation Insight avatar. Apart from the eleventh leaf and its body that was completely golden now, the biggest difference was the golden halo at the back of the avatar, which the eleven leaves that gleamed sharply were neatly surrounding.
Lu Zhou nodded and said, “Keep up the good work.”
Yu Shangrong was a little puzzled and said, “Master, you’re not surprised?”
Lu Zhou almost exposed himself again. However, there was no change in his expression as he said, “If nothing unexpected happens, you’ll be able to sprout the twelfth leaf. Your improvement will be slower if you continue to absorb low-level life hearts. High-level life hearts will help you sprout the next leaf faster…”
Yu Shangrong bowed. “Thank you for your guidance, master.”
Previously, Yu Shangrong was uncertain if it was possible to sprout the twelfth leaf. However, after listening to his master’s words, his confidence was greatly boosted. As expected of his master who was experienced and knowledgeable. It was no wonder his master was not surprised.
Subsequently, Lu Zhou brought out Pu Yi’s life heart and tossed it over to Yu Shangrong. “This is Pu Yi’s life heart. It has the ability to control water. Take it and use it.”
“I dare not.”
“I’ve already used the life heart. There’s no need for you to feel burdened about accepting it,” Lu Zhou said.
Upon hearing this, Yu Shangrong could only accept it. “I understand.”
Lu Zhou planned to give Yu Zhenghai a good life heart as well, but currently, Yu Zhenghai had not even activated his second Birth Chart yet, hence, Yu Zhenghai did not need such a good life heart for now.
“Alright. You may take your leave. Don’t let anyone come into the hall after this.” Lu Zhou wanted time alone to stabilize the effects of the Green Cicada Jade.
“I’ll take my leave then.” Yu Shangrong put away his avatar and turned to leave. When he was outside of the Preservation Hall, he ran into Conch.
“Second Senior Brother!?”
“Hello, Little Junior Sister,” Yu Shangrong said gently.
“Ninth Senior Sister just spoke about Second Senior Brother yesterday. She was worried about you. I didn’t expect to see you today,” Conch said happily.
“Thank you for both of your concerns. It’s just a small matter; it’s not worth worrying over,” Yu Shangrong replied.
“Where’s master?”
“Little Junior Sister, master is in closed-door cultivation,” Yu Shangrong said.
“Oh…” Conch said, slightly disappointed.
When he saw Conch peering behind him to look at the Preservation Hall, Yu Shangrong suddenly handed the chipped piece of the Green Cicada Jade to her. “Take this.”
“Thank you for the gift, Second Senior Brother!”
“It’s not a gift. Please throw this away,” Yu Shangrong said.
“…”
Conch pouted before she stomped her foot and left in a huff.
Yu Shangrong shook his head slightly as a faint smile appeared on his face. ‘Did she get influenced by Little Yuan’er’s temper?’
…
At the same time, the hunchbacked old man hovered in the air above the capital. As he looked at the gradually dimming jade disk, a smile appeared on his face.
Earlier, the jade disk had shone brightly before it dimmed again. Now it was shining with a faint light.
The hunchbacked old man raised his head and glanced in the direction of the royal palace.
“Found you.”
Following that, he flew toward the royal palace, leaving afterimages in his wake.
The people on the streets only felt a gust of cold wind blowing past them, unable to see anything at all.
In less than 15 minutes, the hunchbacked old man arrived on the palace wall, overlooking the entire palace.
“A pitiful person must feel resentful, and a resentful person must feel miserable. No matter what it is, being weak is the greatest pity.”
He jumped down from the palace wall and rushed into the royal palace.
