It didn't take long for Zhi Ruo and Ravel to traverse out of the bustling streets. As they walked, the scenery had changed, the shops and stalls that were opened were gone by the time they had turned to a street. Instead, there were huge gates and walls that lined up. Guards and occasional maids were going in and out of these gates.
Ravel was leading Zhi Ruo to a place that was in a relatively quiet environment. The place was well over double the size of the mansions that they passed through.
Ravel opened the large gate rather easily and he closed it with equal smoothness, Letting Zhi Ruo in.
The first thing that Zhi Ruo saw wasn't the walls of her new mansion but a fountain that didn't have water spraying out of it. She barely took a glance at it before following Ravel into the path of the house.
Unlike the usual courtyards, the architecture of the mansion was not like it. Instead it was made out of one building that looked alot more like a hybrid between a castle and a mid century school building.
"I'm still impressed how you manage to obtain this building with such a low price." Amazed Zhi Ruo praised Ravel as she looked around the spacious amount of space that wasn't occupied.
"Nothing like a little misconception couldn't do." Ravel smiled.
Zhi Ruo pretended not to hear anything when she heard how Ravel had managed to do it.
They walked inside, all the furniture was gone and it was just an empty building for the time being.
"How would I fill up this house?" Zhi Ruo decided to ponder. Then she suddenly brightened up.
"Ravel! How would this mansion look like if I decorate it with Jades?" The look on Zhi Ruo's face looked like she was very excited to what she was saying.
Ravel not getting what Zhi Ruo was saying tilted his head silently. "What do you mean master?" He asked.
"Wood that is filled with large amounts of Qi, or in an environment rich in Qi, the wood would become jade. Or better yet, it would be filled with Qi that can be used in cultivation." Zhi Ruo explained. "If we take a wooden furniture with great craftsmanship, and put it in one of my dimensions it could turn into a wooden Qi jade."
Zhi Ruo explained with great pride of having the lotus dimensions. "Not only would this be possible to do, the Jade furniture is also very valuable in terms of cultivation. Just having a piece of it in a house can make the air cleaner, it can even attract more Qi and can have a healing effect to those who's near it! Imagine having many of it around here wouldn't it be great?"
Ravel stopped and pondered over Zhi Ruo's words. "As long as it doesn't burden master's body then it is ok. Would you like me to buy furniture? Of course I would only buy from a master craftsman. Master's house should only be furnished with the best things."
"That would be best," Zhi Ruo smiled upon hearing Ravel. "Now tell me, how many room are their in this house?"
Smiling Ravel answered. "There should be 100 guest rooms, 2 master bed room in the west and east side of the mansion, a ballroom, a dining room, and a large kitchen." Listing all the rooms Ravel added. "theres a large area in the back of the mansion, perfect for a greenhouse, there is also a garden but by now it would be untamed. And the maid's quarters."
"Ah, also choose a room for yourself Ravel. You can demolish two guest rooms and make it into one if you want." Seeing Ravel nod, Zhi Ruo lightly nodded too. "Is there a bathroom a bathroom around here by any chance?" Zhi Ruo asked, suddenly remembering her bathroom in the Liu estate.
"There should be a bathroom, on the master bedroom's and a few of the guest rooms." Nodding, Ravel pointed at a direction.
"Is it convenient to use them?"
"It should be, but if it isn't then I'll do something about it master."
After the little summary of the house, Ravel took Zhi Ruo around the premise. While Zhi Ruo made suggestions here and there, and Ravel taking note of everything what Zhi Ruo was saying.
By the time they were done, it was already 4pm a few hours away till night came.
Zhi Ruo told Ravel to accompany her back to the Liu's estate. Which Ravel directly carried Zhi Ruo back to her courtyard.
"Please make the men eat a balance meal, also please don't be that upset over this temporary thing." Zhi Ruo reminded Ravel, who was visibility upset about his master's rundown courtyard.
"This is simply ridiculous master! Who abuses their child like this? Even a monster doesn't eat their own offspring." Ravel was very upset.
"It's fine, this is only temporary..." Zhi Ruo traced the thin paper walls of the house. "And besides I still have something to do here."
"If you say so... If master needs me please call my name. I will be able to hear you wherever you are."
As if being reminded, Zhi Ruo suddenly smiled.
"You know what...I actually have something that I need you to do." She deviously smirked. "But first, go back and eat your meal. After that come back here, we need to rob a certain someone."
Ravel's Ruby red eyes glinted in understanding, "what about your meal master?"
Zhi Ruo smiled. "If you are worried then you can bring me some. Also do tell me, is the money I gave to you enough? If not I can give more to you. Taking some form the replication dimension is doable enough."
"Master is underestimating the amount of money that is in my hands, worry not master it is even enough to buy you another mansion."
"Good, you can go back first." Satisfied, she watched as Ravel disappeared into thin air.
Not before long, Zhi Ruo coughed aggressively. Leaning on the pillars for support, twitching, she saw blood on her hands. "This body is still weak." She muttered, she wobbled into her bedroom. "I will be able to take my revenge soon enough..."
Zhi Ruo sat down, she took the extra rag from the worn down cabinet and wiped the blood off her lips. The suit's blazer that Zhi Ruo was wearing had drops of blood on it. It wasn't that noticable, but Zhi Ruo could smell it. She discarded the blazer leaving her with the shirt on.
To pass the time, she sat down and meditated.
The familiar smooth inflow of qi surrounded Zhi Ruo. While everyone else is traversing this path of cultivation, Zhi Ruo had already went through this twice. No matter how many books you have read, or how many lectures your teacher would give you.
Knowing the path of your Qi is still very hard, it is your own meridians, you are only taught how to do it. But in the end it all comes down to your talent and your own understanding of your body to be able to succeed. No amount of knowledge will teach you how you understand your body.
If everyone is going through this, they are going through it blind. But it was not the case of Zhi Ruo, not only can she see but she also has a detailed map and instructions for her to use.
Three hours has passed easily, and the sun has already set. Zhi Ruo heard a familiar sound, before her body was filled with pure qi.
[ Congratulations, you have breakthrough to— Gathering; Concentration rank 2 ]
Zhi Ruo already knows that it was the notification of her breakthrough. She stabilized her foundation in a frenzy, taking over the fact that large amounts of Qi was gathering around her due to her breakthrough.
When she opened her eyes, her senses overloaded and she had to close it back and stabilized the feeling in her body.
"Open status window." She muttered.
[Name: Liu Zhi Ruo
Race: Human
Skills:
Sand throw (stun): rank 0
Level: 4
Cultivation level: Gathering; Concentration rank 2
Titles: Owner of the lotus dimensions, transmigrator, Trash Xiaojie of the Liu Fu....
EXP: 150/400
HP: 100/100
MP: 100/100
AGILITY: 41
SPEED: 41
STRENGTH: 41
DEXTERITY: 41
ACCURACY: 41
CHARM: 41
LUCK: 41
INTELLIGENCE: 41
STAMINA: 41
Stats points: 74
Lottery ticket: 1]
It was noticable that her status, MP, and HP had risen. Without delaying, she stood up and got adjusted to her new physic.
Upon hearing footsteps nearing her courtyard, she tested her new reserves and pulled out a traditional outer robe from her dimension.
[MP: 100/100→ 97/100]
Normally large amounts of energy would be consumed but now due to the rise of her rank, it was much more less.
The thick robe fluttered, and the silver lining of the matted black outer robe stood out. As if the designs of the robe came to life when she walked. The combination of the square pants the shirt, and the traditional outer robe, was quite exotic and charming when Zhi Ruo wore it.
Zhi Ruo wore her mask, and walked to the entrance of the house. She already knew who was walking towards her.
The maid that was sent by the second concubine walked, and on her hands was a poisoned meal. The maid's hand was trembling. In front of her master the second concubine, she could not utter a word when she saw the second concubine personally put poison on the food.
In her heart she could not help but scream in terror. Because she knew that it was not the first Xiaojie who would eat the meal, but her.
She could not disobey the orders of her master or she would be punished, she can throw out the food because she was afraid that the first Xiaojie would find out and would kill her.
So like a fool, she fell on her sword.
"This lowly nubi, greets first Xiaojie." She didn't dare raised her head. Even if she was given 100 more lives to relive this moment she would not dare raise her head.
"Raise your head." Zhi Ruo amusedly stated.
The maid raised her head, but due to her fear she almost closed her eyes in fright.
She saw the elegant figure of Zhi Ruo, and she didn't even took notice of the unsual outfit of the miss. But instead was instantly shaking when she met Zhi Ruo's eyes.
"Come in, I can't let a servant of the second concubine wait outside can I?" Zhi Ruo spat out in spite. Not even calling the second concubine, third mother like she should.
The maid looked on the ground and stepped inside the house, Zhi Ruo made her sit down where she sat on that time, and like that time. Zhi Ruo made her eat the food that the second concubine made especially for her.
Without even flinching, the poor maid swallowed the food as Zhi Ruo ordered.
"Tell me, how this Liu Bai Pan, came to be part of the Liu Fu. As her personal maid, you should know about this much from her." Sweetly Zhi Ruo asked the question to the maid who was crying as she ate the food.
Pausing, the maid answered. "Th- the second concubine was but of a lowly status of the brothel she served at." The girl stuttered. " General Liu was back after a successful victory, and his fellow general took him to a brothel. That brothel was where the second concubine served at.
The second concubine faught tooth and nail to be able to serve the room the two esteemed general were at. The two general made a bet, and general Liu lost the bet. In punishment, the second esteemed general made general Liu buy the second concubine and made him take her home. "
"The general was displeased that he had to bring home Wu Bai Pan and confer her with the second concubine status?"
"N-no, according to the second concubine. The general was very pleased that the punishment was just that." The maid denied.
"I see,"
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