Chapter 263 - Leaving

Nanlan Qianxue sucked in deep breath as she was washed over by the massive energy undulations that had been released from Lu Tianzi's breakthrough.

Throughout the war against the Dragon Cauldron Kingdom, everyone had been praising the peerless talent of Fourth Prince Mosha for his feat of breaking into the Origin Core realm before hitting thirty years of age.

But how old is Lu Tianzi?

When she first met Lu Tianzi, he was only sixteen years old.

About a year had passed since then, so he should have just hit seventeen years old?

This meant that as compared to Fouth Prince Mosha, Lu Tianzi had effectively taken ten less years to break through to the Origin Core realm!

Even if she went out to tell others about this right now, probably not a single person would believe her before seeing it for themselves!

"How is it? Feels good, doesn't it?" Xihuang Yuanfeng smiled.

"Not too bad indeed," Lu Tianzi could not help but to agree.

The power coursing through his body right now was something he had never felt before. It was truly an awesome sensation.

"Hahaha! Not too bad is far too much of an understatement. There is still far more to the Origin Core realm for you to understand!" Xihuang Yuanfeng laughed. "Wait till you fully consolidate your cultivation, then you will see that the Origin Core realm is completely different from the Essence Condensation realm!"

"I am sure it is," Lu Tianzi nodded.

Disregarding the strength difference, Origin Core realm martial artists' abilities to fly and condense Origin Force were already major factors that clearly differentiated them from anyone below the Origin Core realm.

Once Lu Tianzi mastered these two abilities, he would certainly be able to do a lot more as compared to the past.

At this moment, Nanlan Qianxue suddenly sat down cross legged and closed her eyes in meditation.

Over the past few months, she had been diligently cultivating the new ice element based cultivation technique that Xihuang Yuanfeng had passed to her. This had orientated her inner world in a slightly different direction, allowing her previous acc.u.mulations to bring about a greater impact than before.

With Lu Tianzi's breakthrough, the resulting energy undulations that swept over her seemed to have activated the Slaughter Essence within her inner world as well, exciting them to the very limits.

This was the final spark she required, bridging her near to the point of a breakthrough!

Xihuang Yuanfeng smiled in satisfaction, while Lu Tianzi looked on in astonishment.

It had only been around three months since Nanlan Qianxue broke through to the Advanced Essence Condensation realm, yet she was already nearing the Peak Essence Condensation realm?

Even if it was a one off thing, did the switch to a better cultivation technique really have such a huge impact on a martial artist?

Getting the right cultivation technique was truly too important to a martial artist, and that included understanding which cultivation technique was best suited for oneself.

Come to think of it, there was still something he did not fully understand about the Heaven Devouring Divine Art…

"Master, there is actually something that I have been meaning to ask," Lu Tianzi suddenly remembered. "It is regarding the Heaven Devouring Divine Art."

"What is it?" Xihuang Yuanfeng raised an eyebrow in response.

In his opinion, there shouldn't be anything that Lu Tianzi was confused about while cultivating the Heaven Devouring Divine Art anymore. If there was something like that, Lu Tianzi would surely have clarified it with him before attempting to break through to the Origin Core realm.

As for what came next, Lu Tianzi would have to first get used to his Origin Core realm strength before he could understand the steps clearer, and Xihuang Yuanfeng was certain that Lu Tianzi knew this as well.

So what else was there to know?

"Is the Heaven Devouring Divine Art able to absorb the Slaughter Essence that had already been refined by others?" Lu Tianzi asked.

Previously when he faced the members of the Flying Dragon Hall, he had been able to absorb a surprisingly huge amount of primordial Slaughter Essence from killing them. Lu Tianzi had believed that this was because he understood the workings of the Flying Dragon Ascension Art, but that was after all just his conjecture.

There was no mention whatsoever about such a matter in the jade slip for the Heaven Devouring Divine Art either, so this was something that had bugged Lu Tianzi for a while.

Now, he finally had the chance to clarify his doubts.

"Absorb others' refined Slaughter Essence? What are you talking about?" Xihuang Yuanfeng answered with a question of his own. "The Heaven Devouring Divine Art might be a heaven defying cultivation technique, but there is still a limit to it. How can such a thing be possible?"

"It's not possible?" Lu Tianzi exclaimed in astonishment. Then what was it that he had experienced?

"You really need to stop thinking about taking shortcuts and just concentrate on getting stronger by your own merits, what a greedy brat!" Xihuang Yuanfeng snorted. "How long are you intending to stay here anyway? Isn't it about time you go out and train somemore?"

With Xihuang Yuanfeng around, staying in the rock chamber was certainly the safest option for Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue.

However, this was not a long term solution.

Staying here to make a single breakthrough was still possible. But if they wanted to continue growing, remaining here would only be stifling their potential.

They would surely be able to continue growing in strength, but their rate of progress would slow down with each passing day, eventually to the point of irrelevance.

This was just like how it was impossible for an Essence Building realm martial artist to go into closed seclusion and suddenly re-emerge as an Origin Core realm martial artist, and was also the reason why Lu Tianzi had left Crimson Mountain for Scarlet Moon Kingdom a year ago.

"There are still enemies hiding in the shadows back in Scarlet Moon Kingdom. So even after returning, I would have to lie low for a while," Lu Tianzi answered in all seriousness. "Because of that, I am thinking of staying in the wilds to hunt beasts and hone my skills further. As for Qianxue, it would be best for her to return to Bluenight City. After all, their main target is me, and the city lord is unlikely to harm her as long as she doesn't go against him directly."

Over these two months, Xihuang Yuanfeng had more or less understood what had happened to the duo during the past year. So there was no longer a need for Lu Tianzi to explain everything all over again.

Now that Lu Tianzi had broken through to the Origin Core realm, he was no longer as afraid of City Lord Nanlan as before.

However, the Flying Dragon Hall was a completely different matter altogether.

It was an influence on the same level as the Beimu Clan, with powerful elders at the the Seventh or Eighth Origin Cycle. If these characters were to come after him, even Lu Tianzi would be hard pressed to deal with them.

Since that was the case, why would he risk his life unnecessarily by returning to Scarlet Moon Kingdom right now?

He could approach the Beimu Clan for help, but it did not fit Lu Tianzi's personality to blindly trust in the protection of others.

To him, what mattered the most was still his own ability to protect himself.

It would not be too late to return only after he grew stronger, to the point where he alone was enough to take care of the entire Flying Dragon Hall!

"Not going back is fine as well, but staying in the forests around here will do little to help you," Xihuang Yuanfeng commented. "Why don't you go east to the central regions of the continent?"

"Go east? Central regions?" Lu Tianzi was confused by the suggestion.

"Ah, I forgot that you are just a frog in the well," Xihuang Yuanfeng shook his head out of exasperation. "Do you think that the Scarlet Moon Kingdom and Dragon Cauldron Kingdom are all there is to this world? How pathetic!"

"Says the one who is trapped in a small cave," Lu Tianzi retorted. "What do you even know about the outside world when you have been spending your days trapped in this place?"

"You damn brat…" Xihuang Yuanfeng felt the corner of his lips twitch. "Go train in the wilderness as you wanted then!"

"Please forgive your disciple and enlighten me with your knowledge!" Lu Tianzi hurriedly clasped his fists in respect.

"…" Xihuang Yuanfeng was rendered momentarily speechless by the sudden change in attitude, but decided to continue nevertheless. "This is but a small western corner of the world. If you travel to the east from here, you will find yourself heading towards the true central regions of this world. There, you will certainly be able to find greater fortune for yourself."

"Considering what you said, surely there will be more powerful characters there as well. What if they see through the fact that I am actually a human?" Lu Tianzi asked out of concern.

The jade pendant that Xihuang Yuanfeng gave him only guarded against the perception of martial artists up to the Origin Core realm. The Scarlet Moon Overlord did not act even after seeing past the jade pendant, but who could be sure that others would do the same?

"Hahaha!" Xihuang Yuanfeng laughed heartily. "Who are you saying is human? Even I can't see your Spiritual Essence cultivation anymore for some reason, so you don't have to worry about that!"

"Oh?" Lu Tianzi rubbed his chin in contemplation.

So he was right to think that others can only see his Slaughter Essence cultivation right now.

But why?

Could it be that others can only see the cultivation system that is at the higher level?

"In any case, if you intend to leave for the central regions, you should bring the lass along with you. It would be beneficial for her as well," Xihuang Yuanfeng suggested. "And you never know what will happen while you are away. You might regret it if something happened, causing you to never be able to see her again in the future."

"…I understand, but ultimately, it still rests on her decision." Lu Tianzi looked at Xihuang Yuanfeng. Once again, Lu Tianzi could not help but feel a sense of longing from his eyes.

Was his master referring to himself?

A solemn silence fell over the two.

Thankfully, it did not last for too long before Nanlan Qianxue finally managed to break through her bottleneck, reaching the Peak Essence Condensation realm.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master!" Nanlan Qianxue immediately expressed her gratitude in excitement.

"Your talent is what helped you. Otherwise, whatever I say would not have helped your understanding of the Hail Queen Body Refinement Technique," Xihuang Yuanfeng waved off her comment. "Now, just concentrate on consolidating your cultivation."

Even though he said that, Xihuang Yuanfeng could not help but feel good in his heart. This Nanlan Qianxue was so much more appreciative than that Lu Tianzi!

"I would like to go to the central regions as well," Nanlan Qianxue continued. "But rather than going with Tianzi, I would prefer going my own way instead."

Xihuang Yuanfeng and Lu Tianzi had not hidden their earlier conversation in any way. Even though Nanlan Qianxue had to concentrate while to break through, she had still heard everything that they said.

Returning to Bluenight City sounded like the worst idea to her. Even if she might not be targeted as Lu Tianzi mentioned, she had had enough of the unscrupulous antiques of her father. Thus, she was not keen at all to return to a city governed by such a despicable coward.

Going to the central regions would provide more opportunities for growth not only for Lu Tianzi, but for Nanlan Qianxue as well. As a martial artist, she was naturally interested in this.

At the same time though, Nanlan Qianxue was sick of being a burden to Lu Tianzi.

Be it back then during the war against Chiren, or during the recent assault, Nanlan Qianxue had been rendered helpless, unable to do much to help Lu Tianzi.

Both times, she had even required Lu Tianzi to carry her around so that she would not be left behind. She might not have shown it, but for someone as prideful as her, these were memories that filled her with shame and guilt.

If possible, she no longer wanted to experience that feeling again.

Xihuang Yuanfeng shook his head in disapproval. "No, that will not do. With your strength, it is impossible for you to protect yourself. With the brat around, he can at least help you out until you get strong enough. It is not too late to go venture out alone after you reach the Origin Core realm."

"This…" Nanlan Qianxue frowned.

"If you don't want to be a burden to the brat, just focus on growing stronger as fast as you can. That way, you will be able to not only help him, but you will eventually be able to help me as well." Xihuang Yuanfeng saw right through her thoughts.

"You are not a burden at all, Qianxue," Lu Tianzi interjected from the side. "Without you, I might have already died after the fight with Chiren. If his reinforcements arrived before I regained my ability to move, there would have been no way for me to defend myself."

"What? You almost died after the fight with that Third Cycle Origin Core realm loser?" Xihuang Yuanfeng was startled by that. "How useless!"

"I was at the Advanced Essence Condensation realm!" Lu Tianzi retorted in indignance. "It is already a miracle that I managed to win!"

"Miracle my ass! No wonder Qianxue doesn't want to go with you, so you are the burden!" Xihuang Yuanfeng sneered.

"Who is the real burden who needs others' help just to get out of a small rock chamber?" Lu Tianzi argued.

"What are you trying to say here?" Xihuang Yuanfeng narrowed his eyes.

"Haha, I understand," Nanlan Qianxue could not help but laugh. "I will go along with Tianzi if he doesn't mind me tagging along."

"I definitely won't," Lu Tianzi smiled in response.

"Of course you won't. It is your honour!" Xihuang Yuanfeng snapped unhappily at Lu Tianzi.