Chapter 711: People Are Not What They Once Were (Part 2)

Chapter 711: Chapter 435: People Are Not What They Once Were (Part 2)

However, no matter what, he must first break through to the Qi Vortex Realm.

Secondly, he must also consider the consequences, even if he successfully rescues Xiao Yu. How to handle the aftermath is also a big problem.

Duan Rong felt that he couldn’t solve this problem and that it depended on Zhu He. But for Zhu He to be willing to help him with the aftermath, there must be a premise: he must have made a great contribution to Zhu He, and combined with his talent, only then might Zhu He protect him.

Only if he makes contributions will Zhu He cover for him when he causes trouble.

There will definitely be punishments, but they shouldn’t cost him his life!

Besides, as long as he can save Xiao Yu, a little punishment is worth it!

Once Duan Rong made up his mind, he immediately threw himself into arduous cultivation. The sooner his realm breaks through, the sooner he can rescue Xiao Yu, and the couple can reunite.

Ten days later, Duan Rong suddenly opened his eyes in the chamber, calculating slightly, by the date, Liu Shushan should have already paid homage at the Taiyi Pavilion.

Moreover, during the test in the Deep Valley, this kid was among the few who crossed the red line. There should be elders and veterans accepting him into the sect.

By this date, he had already paid respects for seven or eight days. He said he would come to visit after paying respects, but it’s been several days, and he’s nowhere to be seen. Hopefully, nothing happened.

Thinking this way, Duan Rong left the cultivation chamber.

The Taiyi Pavilion’s homage ceremony and the apprenticeship in the Dragon Fish Hall were all organized by the Internal History Department. If Liu Shushan had already paid respects, there must be records on that side.

Duan Rong, as Zhu He’s direct disciple, went directly to the historian on Yunfu Peak to review the records of that day.

Sure enough, Liu Shushan had successfully completed his apprenticeship and even became a direct disciple of an Elder Hall elder.

However, when he saw the name of the elder who admitted Liu Shushan, Duan Rong’s brow furrowed slightly.

Liu Shushan actually apprenticed under Ge Rusong!

Duan Rong suddenly remembered the favorable conditions Ge Rusong offered during his own apprenticeship in the Dragon Fish Hall.

No wonder it’s been seven or eight days, and Liu Shushan hasn’t come to see him. Perhaps it’s not because he’s busy, but rather harboring some misgivings.

After all, in the Elder Hall, Ge Rusong has always opposed Zhu He.

Now, one has apprenticed under Zhu He and the other Ge Rusong. Can they still be friends as they originally were?

Duan Rong thought about it and decided to visit Liu Shushan. Perhaps Liu Shushan was just delayed by something. After all, they were friends who had shared life and death. Even if they are now in different camps, they can still meet for a drink.

Moreover, when he just apprenticed, he was busy selecting cultivation techniques and weapons, maybe Liu Shushan was the same.

It’s better to meet and clarify things.

Duan Rong left Yunfu Peak and headed towards Qingling Peak where the Ministry of Communication was located.

Arriving in front of a pavilion, he showed his sect cloud scroll and token to the attendant there and said, “Please report that I am here to visit Liu Shushan.”

The attendant respectfully bowed and went into the pavilion to pass the message.

Duan Rong casually watched the scenery of Qingling Peak while waiting.

Though not as towering and misty as Yunfu Peak, Qingling Peak is lush and full of spiritual energy, possessing a unique charm.

Before long, the attendant came down from the pavilion and approached Duan Rong.

After bowing, he handed Duan Rong a neatly folded piece of paper, respectfully saying, “Sir, this is what Liu Sir instructed to give you. He said you would understand upon seeing it.”

Duan Rong’s expression slightly changed as he took the note and opened it.

He saw it read: Each sworn to their master, inconvenient to meet.

It was signed with four words: Shushan’s Regards.

Looking at the familiar handwriting, which was indeed Liu Shushan’s, Duan Rong chuckled and then turned to leave.

Duan Rong walked to a mountain hollow, and with a shock of primordial qi from his palm, the paper in his hand turned to powder and scattered in the wind.

Understanding the answer is enough.

This kid is quite straightforward.

After all, times have changed.

Duan Rong couldn’t help but think of his past life.

Two people who were perhaps good friends in high school might not have seen each other in years, and then meet as rivals at a bidding meeting. At such a time, no one would hold back, and every vile trick would be utilized.

These things have nothing to do with Blue Star or this world.

Because that is human nature!

Duan Rong didn’t really blame Liu Shushan; he simply made what he thought was the best choice for himself.

However, with this visit, their past friendship is probably as scattered as that shredded paper.

Duan Rong returned to the cultivation chamber on Yunfu Peak, putting the matter behind him, and once again wholeheartedly engaged in the tedious cultivation.

Two months later.

In the cultivation chamber, Duan Rong sat cross-legged on a mat, the aura in his dantian rolling chaotically, tangled like a ball of thread.

Duan Rong frowned, seemingly enduring tremendous pain, as layers of cold sweat seeped from his forehead.

This process lasted nearly half an hour, with several moments where the collision of aura in his dantian caused ripping pain from which he couldn’t suppress his groans.

Half an hour later, the chaotic rolling aura gradually calmed down.

The original primordial qi in Duan Rong’s dantian recondensed and settled, and was now more solid and plentiful.

Duan Rong raised his head and exhaled heavily, a faint whistle escaping his throat.

The Fourth Level of the Primordial Qi Realm was finally achieved.

The Fourth Level of the Primordial Qi Realm is an important threshold in this realm and a difficult one to achieve due to its many subtle challenges.

Even though Duan Rong was already very familiar with the intricate thresholds, he still faced some dangers just now.

If he were an inexperienced cultivator, he wouldn’t know how long he’d need to prepare before daring to attempt a breakthrough.

Even so, those who manage to succeed on their first attempt are rare indeed.

Duan Rong wiped the sweat from his forehead, giving a slight wry smile, and softly said to himself, “A bit too impatient! Fortunately, I devoured many martial arts, so I was familiar with many situations. Otherwise, that might have been dangerous.”

He silently warned himself that cultivation should proceed naturally, as impatience often leads to deviations.

To rescue Xiao Yu as soon as possible, he should remain calm rather than reckless. This time it was thrilling but safe, but next time he might not be so lucky.

Over the past two months, Duan Rong barely rested, and now covered in sweat, he left the cultivation chamber to take a thorough bath in a room in the pavilion, then ordered some food and had a satisfying meal.

After eating, Duan Rong sipped tea while picking meat stuck between his teeth with a toothpick.

Suddenly, his brow furrowed as he remembered something.

He immediately moved the teacup aside, took out the old geomancy map from the cabinet.

On this map, he had transcribed much of the important information from Wu Shidao’s beast hide map. Among this information, the details about the Black Fire Lotus were most comprehensive.

Unfolding the map, he intended to review the Black Fire Lotus details.

As he examined it, he found it matched his memory.

According to the notes from Wu Shidao’s beast hide map, the lotus seeds of the Black Fire Lotus should be ripe now.

Sitting there, looking at the position of the Black Fire Lotus on the map, Duan Rong’s eyes flickered.

If he doesn’t gather the lotus seeds now, and misses the ripening season, he’d have to wait until the same time next year.

Perhaps he can wait, but Xiao Yu might not be able to.

After all, once the lotus seeds are harvested, he can quickly achieve the Twelfth Layer of the Fetal Concealment Scripture, not only elevating his spiritual power but enabling him to devour martial arts from the Second Level of the Qi Vortex Realm.

Furthermore, the Second Level of the Qi Vortex Realm contains more powerful mental realms.

Enhancing his mental realm would allow his strength to improve significantly in a short time.

Moreover, now having reached the Fourth Level of the Primordial Qi Realm, he has some self-preservation capacity in the Dark Forest. Combined with Divine Sense detection and Divine Soul Illusion Technique Ying Huo, despite the troublesome Fire Toad and Fire Weasel guarding the Black Fire Lotus, he still has a great chance of harvesting the lotus seeds and retreating safely.