Handing over the two vials of elixirs to Luo Xiaozhao, Lu Li directly imparted the basic cultivation method to her. In his heart, Luo Xiaozhao had become the person closest to him. In this world, Lu Li cared deeply about only two individuals: his mother and Luo Xiaozhao.
Although she was a maid, to Lu Li, she was closer than kin.
With the availability of the basic cultivation method, Lu Li had no intention of teaching Luo Xiaozhao the exclusive ancestral cultivation technique of the Lu family. The disparity between the two was crystal clear to Lu Li and not fit for comparison.
Surprisingly, the young girl learned quickly. As soon as the night fell, Luo Xiaozhao could already guide spiritual energy through her meridians, officially embarking on the path of cultivation.
This rapid progress might be related to her unique constitution, the "Pure and Flawless Body."
During the days without much happening, Lu Li spent some silver coins in the apothecary to purchase Qi-Enhancing Pills and Condensation Pills.
Now that Luo Xiaozhao could also cultivate, Lu Li's expenditures were on the rise.
However, what pleased Lu Li was the astonishing speed at which Luo Xiaozhao cultivated. In just a few days, she unexpectedly broke through to the Second Meridian Connection Realm.
If this speed were to be revealed, it would likely startle many.
In a matter of days, Lu Li also reached the Fifth Realm. His breakthrough to this level was a result of accumulated strength, reaching a natural conclusion.
However, when he heard Luo Xiaozhao mention that she was close to reaching the Third Realm, Lu Li almost jumped up.
Could it be that this girl was a reincarnation of some powerful being, or perhaps she was possessed by a monstrous demon from the Yao clan?
Lu Li could be sure that she was still the same Luo Xiaozhao. Nevertheless, her cultivation speed was so rapid that it surpassed even monstrous beings. This speed, if disclosed, would be hard for anyone to believe. In just a few days, she was close to reaching the Third Meridian Connection Realm.
"System, what is my constitution if Xiaozhao has the 'Pure and Flawless Body'?"
Lu Li, bewildered by Luo Xiaozhao's rapid progress, couldn't help but ask the system.
"Host has the most ordinary constitution."
"As expected. How formidable is the 'Pure and Flawless Body'?"
"At the current stage, the most significant advantage of the 'Pure and Flawless Body' is that it leaves no residual poison after consuming any elixir. The possessor of the 'Pure and Flawless Body' is immune to any poison."
"How remarkable!"
Just as medicine has its share of toxicity, so do elixirs. Many martial artists struggle to progress due to the accumulation of elixir toxicity. However, Luo Xiaozhao, with her 'Pure and Flawless Body,' could consume elixirs without leaving any poison behind. It was like having a constitution that treats arsenic and candy equally. Extraordinary, isn't it? Drinking a potent poison or drinking water, it made no difference to her. How incredible!
"Sigh! It would be great if I had a special constitution too!"
Lu Li couldn't help but sigh.
"Don't be disheartened, Host. Although you have an ordinary constitution, the system has an unactivated function for obtaining a special constitution!"
"Oh, there's such a function!"
"Yes, but exchanging for a special constitution requires a substantial amount of Fierce Valor Points! Host has been quite lazy lately, accumulating very few Fierce Valor Points!"
Being scorned by the system again, Lu Li decided not to communicate further. Always being belittled by the system was irritating.
Luo Xiaozhao's rapid cultivation speed also meant faster consumption of elixirs. With both of them consuming resources, Lu Li could no longer sit idly by. The silver coins he obtained from raiding the Feihu Gang and Blackwater Gang were dwindling.
Cultivation without resources is simply impossible; the path of martial arts is paved with resources. One contends against the heavens and competes with others, fighting both destiny and individuals for resources.
Lu Li pondered how to obtain Fierce Valor Points and acquire silver.
One day, someone unexpectedly visited—the guard from the Lord's Mansion whom Lu Li had encountered before.
"Respects to Young Master Lu!"
"No need for such formalities from a public official. Please come in!"
"I have official matters to attend to and won't go inside! The Lord of the City requests Young Master Lu's presence at the Lord's Mansion for a discussion!"
"Very well, I'll go now!"
Lu Li harbored gratitude toward the Lord of the Dragon City. During the grand competition, if not for the Lord of the Dragon City, Zhang Yao might have already made a move against him.
Upon reaching the Lord's Mansion, the guard did not direct Lu Li to the reception room but instead led him to a garden in the rear. It seemed that the Lord had given prior instructions.
Arriving in the backyard, Lu Li saw a handsome young man sitting in a pavilion, surrounded by no one else. The guard left after leading Lu Li there. Considering that the Lord might have already instructed him, Lu Li approached the pavilion to inquire about the Lord's whereabouts.
As he neared, the young man pointed to the seat opposite the stone table.
"May I ask, where is Lord Long?"
"Far away on the horizon, close at hand!"
"Huh! Are you Lord Long?"
Lu Li looked at the handsome young man, who nodded and then placed a piece of iron on the stone table.
"Don't doubt it. I am Lord Long, a simple disguise technique. Is this something you used?"
Lu Li saw that it was a fragment of a broken steel knife with the character "Lu" engraved on it—the remains of the waist knife he had shattered in the Blackwater Gang.
"It is indeed the tool I used."
"Luli, do you know about the Tianmang Twelve Strongholds? I believe you do!"
"I wonder what Lord Long means by this?"
Lu Li did not deny it. It was impossible to conceal the fact that he had annihilated the Feihu Gang and Blackwater Gang when this person could find the fragments of his weapon.
"Sit! I appreciate your unique character. If I want to take control of the Tianmang Twelve Strongholds, would you be willing to help me?"
"Lu Li knows his limited strength, and I'm afraid I'm willing but powerless!"
"Haha!"
Lord Long stood up and burst into hearty laughter, patting Lu Li on the shoulder.
"Do you know who I am?"
"Lu Li still does not know, and it's enough to know that you are Lord Long!"
"You are an interesting person, unlike most young people who hold on to this object."
Lord Long pointed to the token, and Lu Li tried to return it. However, Lord Long refused.
"Why do you value me so much, Lord Long? Lu Li is just a minor cultivator at the Second Meridian Connection Realm. In Lord Long's eyes, I must be nothing!"