Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit

Chapter 307: Late Core Forging Realm

Lu Ping gave Chu Ting a strange look, and said, "Given Maiden Pavilion’s current situation, aren’t you afraid of becoming a target if you run a major operation right now?"

Chu Ting replied confidently, "Don’t worry, the human-monster confrontation is worsening day by day, and it won’t take long before a war breaks out. At that point, all the attention will be on the monster race, and Crystal Palace wouldn’t dare go against the public and continue its own agenda. As the only colossal sect, it bore the responsibility of defending humanity against a monster invasion. Then, Maiden Pavilion could take advantage of the turmoil and rise as the sixth strongest sect in the East Ocean. Don’t underestimate us, what you know about the Maiden Pavilion is nothing but the tip of the iceberg."

Lu Ping was in awe; he could tell that Chu Ting wasn’t bragging at all about Maiden Pavilion’s prowess. If Maiden Pavilion was able to contribute greatly to the human-monster war, it could establish its fame and prestige across the East Ocean. At that time, not even Crystal Palace would dare destroy Maiden Pavilion. But the prerequisite was that Maiden Pavilion needed to be on par in strength with the other sects.

"What about the Northern League?" Lu Ping asked, "After all, the Wang Clan is still one of the 36 medium-sized forces belonging to the Northern League in name."

"The Northern League and Maiden Pavilion had been in contact for a long time. The Wang Clan’s defection to Crystal Palace was no secret, it only faced no repercussions because the Northern League and Crystal Palace were scheming against each other. The Northern League will only welcome us to replace the Wang Clan, and you would be the one who replaces the Wang Clan, not our Maiden Pavilion."

"I will be replacing the Wang Clan and be in command?"

The Wang Clan had four Enlightened Masters, but Lu Ping was the only Enlightened Master amongst his forces. Even if Chilian Ying decided to join him, there would only be two Enlightened Masters. Hence, Maiden Pavilion would definitely have to help him defeat the Wang Clan.

However, Lu Ping had some concerns. Would the members of Maiden Pavilion leave after helping him replace the Wang Clan, or would they stay? If they stayed, would they listen to his commands or not?

"Brother Lu isn’t from the East Ocean and will eventually leave. I believe Brother Lu will gain more than enough from the Wang Clan’s wealth."

Chu Ting’s words were very clear, Lu Ping didn’t belong to the East Ocean, so there was no need for him to establish his forces here. Hence, he would only act as a representative, and the territory would belong to Maiden Pavilion instead.

"How much do you know about your teacher?" Lu Ping suddenly asked.

"I know what Brother Lu is trying to say," Chu Ting took a sip of the tea, and continued, "My teacher may be connected to your sect, but she has left the North Ocean and is now a head elder of Maiden Pavilion, while I am one of the 24 pavilion masters. I naturally act for Maiden Pavilion’s best interest, and I believe that my teacher does the same!"

"Young Lady Chu, you seem certain that I need your Maiden Pavilion’s help?"

Lu Ping said, "Maiden Pavilion can provide assistance, the benefits can be shared, but the commanding rights must be mine alone. After we push out the Wang Clan, Maiden Pavilion’s experts must immediately withdraw from the island."

Chu Ting looked into Lu Ping’s eyes, and asked, "Is Brother Lu confident that you can hold onto the territory after Maiden Pavilion’s withdrawal? Junior Uncle Liang won’t be on the island all the time."

Lu Ping looked at Chu Ting, and laughed, "Perhaps I can, it’ll just take a little longer."

Lu Ping was saying that if he could expel and replace Wang Clan on his own, then he could definitely protect the territory as well.

…

Liang Xuan-Feng had been in seclusion for more than a month and should’ve already recovered from his injuries by now. Just as Lu Ping was wondering if anything had gone wrong, he suddenly felt the surrounding spiritual energy become agitated, slowly flowing towards Liang Xuan-Feng’s room.

Lu Ping was overjoyed and quickly walked to the room, stopping outside the door. Zhu Xuan-Meng and Chu Ting arrived soon after.

Clearly, Liang Xuan-Feng had not only recovered his injuries, but he was also attempting his breakthrough. Although minor breakthroughs between cultivation layers wouldn’t trigger a heavenly phenomenon, it still stirred up a huge amount of spiritual energy.

However, Lu Ping and the ladies quickly realized an issue.

Although Silver Sword Island was one of the three large islands under Sky Cleaving Sword Sect, it wasn’t the sect’s main headquarters. Hence, the island only had a medium-sized spirit vein, but it was confined to a certain region. Hence, the spiritual energy elsewhere on the island was only equivalent to a mini spirit vein.

However, Liang Xuan-Feng’s breakthrough required a large amount of spiritual energy, far greater than what the current environment could supply to him. In this situation, a breakthrough was almost certain to fail, which would be catastrophic to any cultivator. Even if Liang Xuan-Feng was lucky enough to not be injured after a failed breakthrough, it would take a long time before he could attempt another breakthrough again.

Suddenly the sound of spirit stones exploding inside the room could be heard. Liang Xuan-Feng was taking action to remedy the situation, making up for the lack in spiritual energy with the spirit stones. Although this would result in a huge waste, it would be worth it if the breakthrough were to be successful.

Lu Ping thought of something, and quickly sent his divine revelation into the room. Zhu Xuan-Meng and Chu ting frowned as the biggest taboo during a breakthrough was to be disturbed by others. However, they knew that Lu Ping wasn’t a reckless person, so they didn’t say anything, waiting to see what he was trying to do.

Obviously, Liang Xuan-Feng had also noticed Lu Ping’s divine revelation entering the room. But he had the same thoughts as the two ladies, so he didn’t stop Lu Ping.

As Liang Xuan-Feng was about to crush dozens of mid-grade spirit stones in his hands, Lu Ping’s divine revelation suddenly wrapped around those spirit stones, and he cast the [Spirit Explosion Technique].

Immediately, the spirit stones exploded, releasing their spiritual energy. However this time, the spiritual energy was much greater, purer, and easier to absorb than when the spirit stones were simply crushed by brute force.

Liang Xuan-Feng immediately noticed the difference, and as his divine revelation swept across the room, a layer of spirit stones paved the floor. Lu Ping took a brief look and counted 20 high-grade spirit stones, 4,000 mid-grade spirit stones, and countless low-grade spirit stones.

Lu Ping’s divine revelation wrapped around a hundred mid-grade spirit stones and a few hundred low-grade spirit stones, casting the [Spirit Explosion Technique]. A small vortex of spiritual energy was released, which Liang Xuan-Feng quickly absorbed.

Lu Ping didn’t dare to slow down and continually cast the [Spirit Explosion Technique] more than forty times until all of the low-grade and mid-grade spirit stones were used up, turning the floor into a sea of white powder.

Although there would inevitably be some wasted spiritual energy in the process, this method was much more efficient. Right now, Liang Xuan-Feng’s situation was much better, his aura had grown incredibly powerful, and he felt closer to nature, as if he was about to turn into the embodiment of wind.

Lu Ping looked at the high-grade spirit stones with pity, but that didn’t make him slow down his use of the [Spirit Explosion Technique]. Three high-grade spirit stones formed a wave of spiritual energy far stronger than before, that was quickly absorbed by Liang Xuan-Feng.

Lu Ping used the technique another seven times, and when only four high-grade spirit stones remained, Liang Xuan-Feng’s aura suddenly returned to that of a dominating Enlightened Master. However, the aura of a Late Core Forging Realm Enlightened Master only appeared for a split second before it was kept away.

Clearly, Liang Xuan-Feng’s breakthrough was a success. His combat prowess had improved tremendously, and he was also able to gain control over his newfound strength immediately, demonstrating the solidity of his cultivation foundation.

Liang Xuan-Feng opened his eyes and saw that Lu Ping’s divine revelation was wrapping around the final few spirit stones, so he quickly said, "Enough, enough, stop, stop! These are all I have left!"

Lu Ping laughed, and said, "Junior martial uncle, you have just achieved your breakthrough, don’t you need to consolidate your cultivation base?"

Liang Xuan-Feng quickly put away the four high-grade spirit stones, and said, "The breakthrough is already a success, I can take a few days to consolidate the cultivation base on my own. I should save these few spirit stones for another occasion."

…

Half a month later, Liang Xuan-Feng walked out of the room and saw a smiling Lu Ping waiting outside. Lu Ping cheerfully said, "Congratulations to junior martial uncle’s breakthrough, and to being one step closer to becoming the sect’s Great Ancestor!"

Liang Xuan-Feng felt that Lu Ping’s smile was rather strange, but he didn’t think much of it, and replied happily, "This is all thanks to your Health Prosper Pellet. I have attempted the breakthrough several times before, but I only succeeded this time because of that pellet."

Lu Ping immediately sighed, "It took a lot of effort and resources to concoct that Health Prosper Pellet, almost a hundred pieces of 1,000-year spirit stones, seven pieces of 3,000-year spirit stones, and even 20 high-grade spirit stones!"

Lu Ping deliberately mentioned the amount of high-grade spirit stones he had used and even shamelessly doubled the amount!

Liang Xuan-Feng’s expression became peculiar as he suddenly realized what was strange about Lu Ping’s smile. Liang Xuan-Feng said, "Kid, don’t even think about it. You saw what I have left, I’m also broke now! I only have four high-grade spirit stones left with me!"

Lu Ping smiled while rubbing his hands, and said, "Junior martial uncle, you still have some spirit stones, right? I don’t believe a Late Core Forging Realm Enlightened Master like yourself has so little spirit stones. I won’t take advantage of you, we can go with the normal conversion rate, I just want to exchange some high-grade spirit stones from you."

Editor: Immortal BloodRogue