Young Noble Be Monster Slaying

Beyond the verdant valley, a broad and deep pond that was as clear as jade lay undisturbed. Its surface was smooth, unbroken by even the slightest ripple.

With a flash of sword light, Chu Liang's figure materialized.

At present, his cultivation level had reached a bottleneck at the peak of the fourth realm, and breaking through would require more time. While resources were crucial during the Earthly Gate's cultivation stages, a profound understanding of cultivation was necessary to continue advancing.

Chu Liang was in no rush.

He could force a breakthrough by nurturing his cultivation with an abundance of resources. However, even if he succeeded, his cultivation would be unstable—like a building without a foundation, preventing any further advancement in his cultivation.

Therefore, he chose to temporarily slow the pace of his cultivation.

In less than a year, he had progressed from the third realm to the threshold of the fifth, surpassing two major realms. For disciples of other immortal sects, such progress might take three, five, or even ten years. Some might never cross this hurdle in their entire lives.

Chu Liang's aptitude for cultivation was only slightly above average; he couldn't be considered a prodigy. In fact, throughout his cultivation journey, he had often not been the one doing the cultivating.

Cultivation power gained too easily inevitably carried underlying risks.

Having spent only a short time in the fourth realm, he had not yet mastered the fundamental aspects of the Divine Nine’s Profound Mental Cultivation Technique: The Book of Golden Core.

The way to comprehend The Book of Golden Core was very straightforward. All he had to do was perform the Qi-Circulation Technique repeatedly to understand the Great Dao of the Heavens and Earth embedded within the Qi-Circulation Technique.

As the Large-Headed Doll performed the Qi-Circulation Technique, the energy generated was used to expand his Sea of Qi, temper his meridians, and increase his foundational qi. However, no matter how flawlessly the Large-Headed Doll executed the technique, it was impossible for him to absorb the insights gained during its practice.

Therefore, it was wiser for him to remain at the fourth realm to consolidate his current cultivation power.

However, just because his progress slowed, it did not mean that he would not be able to increase his strength.

If it were his own body, he had to be cautious. But with the Large-Headed Doll, he could afford to be more daring in his actions.The Green Jade Bodhi Branch he had acquired earlier would soon be fully absorbed. When that time came, he would need to obtain a water-attribute spirit plant for the Colorful Doll to help unlock the third level of the Secret Reservoir of Five Elements.

At that point, he would possess three types of fifth-realm foundational qi: Geng Metal, Jia Wood, and Ren Water. In contrast, Xu Ziyang, who had just broken through to the second level of the Realm of the Five Elements, had only two.

The endless flow of Ren Water foundational qi was the type that could most easily replenish itself and sustain long-term use. For Chu Liang, with his astonishing capacity to store a vast Sea of Qi, gaining the Ren-Water foundational qi would be like adding fuel to the fire.Since then, his endurance had reached an astonishingly terrifying level.

If someone else had obtained the Large-Headed Doll, they might not have been able to unlock the levels of the Secret Reservoir of the Five Elements so quickly, as the pressure of obtaining the treasures of nature was immense.

Despite not being extremely wealthy, Chu Liang was now rich enough to buy as much spirit plants as he wanted.

Getting one for both himself and the Colorful Doll was of no issue to him.Back then, when he was being an undercover agent in the Dark King Sect, the Fiend he met went through painstaking effort to get a Nethersea Golden Lotus. Still, he never achieved that breakthrough throughout his lifetime..It was hard not to feel sad for the Fiend. And now, Chu Liang from the Mount Shu Sect had the right to say that he had no interest in money[1].

… When he landed on the ground, he first scanned the surrounding area with his divine sense. But for some reason, he sensed that everything was normal in the waters. If there was anything weird, it was that there was not a trace of fish or shrimp in such a large lake.

Clearly, the golden draconic python was hiding its presence.

Chu Liang didn't give it a second thought. He quickly located the area where the people from Flying-Dragon Fortress had indicated the Trifloral Goldgrass could be found. With a swift leap, he transformed into a stream of light and plunged deep into the water.

The Green-Fish Pond was deep. It took him a while to get to the bottom of the pond. As he scanned the surroundings with his divine sense, he discovered a cluster of dazzling golden light in the darkest region of the water.

A spirit plant stood there, radiating a soft brilliance. Its slender, elongated golden leaf was adorned with delicate, curved patterns that faintly resembled scales. Surrounding it were three shimmering flowers, their light flickering in harmony with the gentle ripples of the water.

The Trifloral Goldgrass was a unique treasure of nature. Unlike ordinary plants, where flowers were considered the most valued part, its leaf contained the true essence, while the flowers played a secondary role. Regardless of how big it grew, the plant would only ever produce a single leaf. The quality of the Trifloral Goldgrass was determined by the number of flowers surrounding it.

The so-called Trifloral Goldgrass with only one flower would be classified as a low-grade spirit plant. If it had two flowers, it would be considered medium-grade. However, if it bore three flowers, it would be recognized as a high-grade spirit plant.Chu Liang glanced around before he dived deeper to the left of the Trifloral Goldgrass. When he was just about to pluck the leaf, he heard a deep, muffled hiss of a python.

"Hisss…." The water surged, and a massive golden python emerged from the murkiest depths. Its waist was so thick that it would take three men to encircle it with their arms. The scales, a deep golden hue, gleamed with an aura of invincibility. Its vertical pupils, filled with fury, burned with fire-type spiritual energy, adding to its fearsome presence. Seeing the ferocity with which the python approached, Chu Liang acted without hesitation. He swiftly swam upward and began executing the Secret Dragon Blood Technique. Even underwater, the flames generated by his qi blazed fiercely, creating an impressive display of power and intensity.

But just as he unleashed his full aura and prepared for battle, the golden python suddenly froze in the water. As Chu Liang's image reflected in its eyes, a look of fear emerged within them.After a moment, a look of pain flashed in its eyes and it turned back and left, giving the Trifloral Goldgrass to Chu Liang. The python did not dare to fight with Chu Liang for the treasure of nature. "Hmm?" Chu Liang blinked but wasn't too surprised.

He now emanated the powerful auras of the White Dragon, the Blue Dragon, and the Inferno Dragon. These auras, possessing a high degree of purity, greatly intimidated the draconic demonic beasts.

Based on the demonic aura of the golden python, it seemed to be at the beginning stage of the fifth realm. While Chu Liang was not afraid of fighting it, it was good that it left on its own accord.

He then drew his sword and carefully sliced the Trifloral Goldgrass at its base, ensuring not to damage the precious plant. With delicate precision, he placed it into a jade box.

…

When he emerged from the waters, he didn't rush back to the Flying-Dragon Fortress to give them the remaining amount. He decided that he would first return to Wu'an City to check on the situation. If he handed over the money immediately, his claim of only having four thousand would be exposed. He had no intention of deceiving the people from the Flying-Dragon Fortress or evading the final payment; after all, if he did, he would be ruining Lin Bei's reputation.

But when he arrived in Wu'an City, he was startled.

He saw sword lights gathering like clouds over Wu'an City, with countless flying swords hovering in the sky, each one belonging to a formidable cultivator. Opposing them, a vast legion of imperial martial artists and demonic beasts stood poised for battle, their murderous auras hanging thick in the air.

By the tense standoff between both sides, it was clear that they had been locked in this silent confrontation for some time.

He didn't dare to fly in the sky and instead entered the city on foot. As he approached the City Supervisory Division, he found a large crowd of onlookers gathered at the gate. When he pushed his way through, he was met with the sound of agonized screams from within.

"Brother, what's happening in there?" he asked someone nearby.

The man replied, "Word is that City Lord Su Shengyan was corrupt and defied the law, so the chancellor sent men to execute him. Even the City Supervisory Officer is being tried alongside him."

"Imperial officials?" Chu Liang was momentarily puzzled.

"What are you even saying?" another person interjected, "Last night, someone broke into the City Supervisory Division's prison, and many prisoners escaped. Esteemed cultivators from Mount Shu Sect have come to help round them up across the city. They've captured most of them already, and now they're interrogating the remaining prisoners to uncover the others' hiding places. They won't rest until they have caught everyone."

"People from Mount Shu?"

At that moment, someone ahead in the crowd spoke up, "Yes, there's only one wanted criminal left. He's the only one they are searching for right now. I think the name was... Chu Liang? The Elder from Mount Shu said that if the City Supervisory Division doesn't find him, they'll execute all the remaining prisoners."

1. Author is referencing this billionaire in China who says he's not interested in money. Check this article to see what he said. ☜

GLTD Alternate Universe's Thoughts

Translator: GT