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The transaction complete, the Prefect personally saw Liao Ya and her companion out of the Government Office, "Master Liao, there's no need for courtesy in the future. Just ask for whatever you need."
This man was arrogant before and respectful after. For some reason, Liao Ya suddenly felt that spending money lavishly was quite exhilarating.
After leaving, Lu Yao curiously picked up the piece of ambergris to examine it. This was considered one of the top cultivation resources in the Otherworld.
Yet his powerful bodily control allowed him to instantly realize something was wrong with the weight. Puzzled, he said, "Sister, each of these fragrances should weigh one 'liang', so why do I only feel 9 'qian'? A tenth is missing."
Liao Ya was not at all surprised, "That's just how the Imperial Court's stuff is, the missing tenth has simply floated away."
"Ah~?"
"Younger brother, you'll get used to dealing with the Imperial Court after a while. They have always been like this. At least it's safer than buying from the market."
"Well, that's alright, since we're not short on silver anyway."
Such observations couldn't help but make Lu Yao feel a sense of contempt towards the Imperial Court.
Just then, while he was in the Focused Spirit state, he sensed a dangerous gaze upon him.
Turning his head, he saw a military soldier in a tight uniform scanning the area from a high point on a building rooftop.
The soldier was carrying an old-fashioned sniper rifle, with a large and strange-looking scope attached; beside him was a heavy machine gun with its stand, the exposed cartridges glistening coldly, very much like a "Maxim".
Lu Yao's expression became stern—there were heavy machine guns!
Liao Ya also saw and remarked nonchalantly, "Those are the Prefectural Governor's elite troops."
Lu Yao asked, "Sister, if it were you, could you block firearms like these?"
Liao Ya thought for a moment, "Within 10 steps I'm not afraid, the gunman wouldn't have the chance to shoot; beyond that, I would survive three shots."
Lu Yao nodded. The Otherworld was not a place of peace, so he planned to buy a gun for self-defense, using Liao Ya as a reference.
Liao Ya glanced at him and said indifferently, "Younger brother, military weaponry is strictly regulated, and it's all imported. At best, you could only buy a handgun. Its power is very limited, and certain martial artists with formidable external skills can even ignore them."
"Ha, sister, you saw right through me, I did indeed want to get a gun for self-defense."
"You have exceptional talent, just don't become too reliant on external tools, it might affect your future,"
Lu Yao felt a sense of fullness in his lower abdomen and then streams of warmth circulating around his body, instantly making his mouth dry and his tongue thirsty. This was the effect of the ambergris in promoting qi and blood circulation.
At the same time, the subtle, soft fragrance became more soothing and comfortable, bringing with it the refined scent of sandalwood.
Lu Yao entered a wondrous state, as if he was in a vivid dream after falling into deep sleep.
He was clearly unconscious, yet his perception of everything around him was incredibly detailed, to the point where he could even see the faint fuzz on the back of Liao Qe's neck.
This feeling was like switching from first-person to third-person perspective, where one could freely zoom in and out of the scene.
Unfortunately, this fantastic state lasted for less than a minute before it ended.
When Lu Yao opened his eyes, he found the incense had burned out, and unexpectedly, half an hour had passed! He had thought it was only a matter of seconds!
"This incense is powerful! With a few more times, sooner or later, I'll be able to chase this feeling and enter the realm of Sitting and Forgetting!"
"To leave behind form and knowledge, indeed it is wondrous!" Liao Ya also opened her eyes in admiration, "These twenty pieces of silver were well spent! It's a pity we can't use it too often, as ambergris has a strong addictive quality. We can only use it once a week."
On hearing this, Liao Qe was shocked, "What! Ten pieces? This stick of incense is so expensive! Ten pieces of silver just burned away in half an hour!?"
Her focus was on the silver, she had never imagined that one stick would cost ten pieces of silver! That's the equivalent of two to three years of pure profit for their family's martial arts gym!
Liao Ya looked at her, "It's definitely worth it. Both your junior brother and I have gained a lot. How about you? Are you confident in entering meditation now?"
Liao Qe's pretty face soured as she hesitated to say, "No... I just feel... like I had a nap..."
Upon hearing this, Liao Ya nearly fainted with irritation, suppressing the urge to smack her sister, her eyes quickly calculating as she came up with a motivational tactic:
"If you can't reach a state of meditation, don't even think about seeing Lu Yao again. I am going to lock you in the room for the next few days, in total isolation!"
"No, please~~" Liao Qe wailed. Being confined was like being imprisoned, and it would mean not seeing Lu Yao for several days.
The young girl now rushed to Lu Yao's room every morning, wishing they could stick together every day.
Sometimes a glance, a smile, was enough to make her happy for a long time.
Liao Qe did not want to go days without seeing her beloved. Yet when she looked up and saw her sister's stern gaze, she resigned herself to obediently following instructions.
Lu Yao also took her hand and quietly said, "I hope even more than Sister that you quickly reach a state of meditation. You've got to work hard~ Don't make me wait anxiously~"
Liao Qe, of course, knew what Lu Yao was anxious for and blushed as she nodded.