"I heard... that boy also had his martial soul awakening?"
Xuanming City.
Deep within a magnificent and luxurious estate.
Xu Jiangliu gently rubbed the large diamond ring on his finger, a contemplative look flashing in his eyes.
"Yes, I didn't really pay attention to what his martial soul was, but his Innate Soul Power is only two levels... Heh, the main family surely understands. Most likely, it's a useless martial soul like Blue Silver Grass. He won't amount to much. You needn't concern yourself with him." The steward reported with an obsequious look, bowing his hands respectfully, a hint of eagerness in his tone.
"Hmm, that girl, however, is growing more and more beautiful, dignified, and graceful. Her talent is also sufficient. Madam took a liking to her at first sight back then, wanting her to be Sanshi's chamber maid. But her ambition was too high; she refused outright and left without even looking back. Madam was so angry she railed about her not knowing her place right in front of me."
A smile appeared in Xu Jiangliu's eyes.
With a sweep of his steady and ample robe, he slowly stood up, walked to the window, and gazed out at the rockeries and lake within the courtyard.
His target had always been only one: Jiang Nannan.
As for Lu Cheng, he was merely asking in passing. After all, in his eyes, Jiang Nannan was already the exclusive property of his son. How could she be tainted by another man?
"Rest assured, Master," Steward Chen understood instantly, bowing. "If that boy knows what's good for him, we can give him a chance in the future to serve the young master within the Xu Family estate. If he doesn't know his place... we can send him off with a few gold coins to take care of Mother Jiang, which would also allow the Second Young Madam to focus better on her studies at Shrek Academy."
"Heh, some matters... also need to be put on the schedule..." Xu Jiangliu narrowed his eyes slightly.
His broad and imposing frame draped in an expensive mink robe, he looked down impassively at Chen Ling. "But remember, it must be done flawlessly, without leaving a trace. Don't let Sanshi find out. That child has always been sentimental. If it's exposed, it will only breed resistance in him."
"Yes..."
"By the way, that Jiang woman came today to inquire about the mysterious water pill. It's probably for the Second Young Madam." The steward suddenly spoke up, his head lowered.
"The mysterious water pill? Heh, our Xu family has plenty. Sell her one cheaply, but not too cheap; don't let her see through the act." A smile tugged at the corner of Xu Jiangliu's mouth.
"Master is wise."
...
Just past noon.
Lu Cheng was groggily awakened by a fair hand.
Jiang Nannan sat by the bed, her slender fingers pinching Lu Cheng's cheeks, molding them into various shapes. A playful glint shone in her pink eyes as she curled her lips: "You slept so late last night. What were you doing?"
"Cultivating!"
Lu Cheng yawned and sat up.
"Cultivating?"
Jiang Nannan's beautiful eyes showed surprise, but then she recalled that her silly little brother had just had his martial soul awakening yesterday, with an innate soul power of barely two levels. She hadn't even had time to ask what his martial role was. Her eyes instantly dimmed slightly. She hesitated, afraid of hurting Lu Cheng's pride.
"Time to eat..."
Mother Jiang pushed the door open, interrupting the siblings' chat, and gave Jiang Nannan a meaningful look.
The latter then slowly stood up, helped straighten Lu Cheng's collar, and gave his head a firm rub.
"Don't worry, big sister will definitely find a way..."
"…?"
He was a bit confused but was soon pushed out of the room by Jiang Nannan. "Go wash up. It's time for lunch."
The young girl placed her hands on her hips, deliberately emphasizing the word 'lunch.'
"Oh..."
Lu Cheng nodded and washed up as usual.
and sat back down at the dining table.
"Sis, when is Shrek Academy's next enrollment?" Lu Cheng asked thoughtfully.
Last night, he had also tried cultivating using the cultivation technique Jiang Nannan gave him. The speed was at least dozens of times faster than before, like he'd gotten a top student's experience card. No wonder some geniuses were obsessed with cultivation. This genuinely improved one's cultivation; every drop of sweat spent cultivating concretely translated into changes in strength. It was truly addictive.
And his soul power had already broken through one level last night, reaching level three.
As for reaching level fifteen, he estimated it would take less than two years at most.
With the Blood Pupils, his original plan was actually the Body Sect. Even in the simulator, he had a favorable impression of those fiercely protective fellows. But the difficulty was... he couldn't find them.
At least, there was no hope in the short term.
The Body Sect was a secluded, reclusive sect located in a remote area, extremely difficult to find. Unless he revealed his identity and had them come to him. But before the Body Sect could arrive, he would probably be killed or forcibly enslaved by the Xuanming Sect.
In the eyes of these great nobles and sects entrenched in the Empire, all civilian forces naturally had to be recruited as slaves. And if they couldn't be used... then they had to die.
A genius who hasn't grown up yet doesn't deserve to be called a powerhouse.
There was no way around it; this era was just this dark.
The ruling aristocratic families would first rush to occupy the mountaintop, then kick down anyone trying to climb up after them.
Unless there were forces like the Spirit Hall or the Sun Moon Federation...
The civilian only had two paths. One, failing to awaken a martial soul, lives out their life honestly doing hard labor. Two, under the great grace of the noble lords, awaken a martial soul, then sign a deed of indenture and become a thug under a noble's command.
Therefore, first join Shrek Academy, then find an opportunity to display his combat prowess and expose his Blood Pupils' martial soul during the Continental Soul Master Tournament to attract the Body Sect's attention... this was his plan.
Using Shrek Academy as a stepping stone.
"Shrek Academy?"
Both Mother Jiang and Jiang Nannan were taken aback.
The latter's expression turned slightly awkward. She didn't want to discourage Lu Cheng but was also afraid her words would sound like boasting... after all, she had already joined Shrek Academy. Her talent was streets ahead of Lu Cheng's from yesterday.
"It should be... half a year later," Jiang Nannan said hesitantly. Her return this time was for summer vacation, which allowed her to come back for a visit.
"I see, sis."
Lu Cheng nodded and continued eating his meal as usual.
He should focus on cultivating hard first, trying to raise his soul power to level fifteen as quickly as possible. As for why he was keeping it a secret... one could only say that 'treasure invites disaster.' Mother Jiang and Jiang Nannan probably wouldn't even believe they were being set up by the Xuanming Sect. Success lies in secrecy. He'd confess to Jiang Nannan after he cultivated to level fifteen.
After a day spent chopping wood and carrying water,
Lu Cheng wiped his sweat.
Washed up clean and retreated back into his small room, sitting cross-legged to begin cultivating again.
Jiang Nannan left in the afternoon. She had stayed for a month, and now her vacation was over, so she returned to Shrek Academy.
Before she left, he had taken the chance to ask her some questions about Cultivation.
"Hoo..."
Lu Cheng gently exhaled a turbid breath, feeling the circulation within his meridians grow increasingly warm. The almost exaggerated cultivation speed from last night manifested once more.
The Golden Core Skill, as one of the introductory cultivation techniques, was something Jiang Nannan had specially borrowed from the library with a loan period of up to half a year. The young girl would take it back when she returned for her next vacation.
Following the book's instructions, Lu Cheng began circulating the Qi within his meridians as described.
This cultivation technique shared remarkable similarities with the Tang Sect's Mysterious Heaven Skill.
Notes:
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