Chapter 249 - 160: Glory
’It looks like I’ll have to hide the fact that I’ve awakened the Dragon Elephant Power in eight of my main meridians for now. If this gets out, Samba might prepare an extra trump card just for me.’
For this battle, the Turkic Mission was making a huge spectacle, eager for everyone to know about it.
While the Great Yuan was closely monitoring any changes in Samba’s strength, the Turkic side was surely gathering intelligence on Chu Lingguang as well. Although Chu Lingguang trusted Guo Wei and the others, he worried that the walls had ears.
After all, the duel with Samba was set to take place at the Guo Wei Martial Arts Hall.
With only a few days left, it was entirely possible that Baiyang County was already teeming with spies from the Turkic Mission.
The insights gained in the Blood-colored World had not only allowed Chu Lingguang to unlock the second and third levels of his Dharma Aspect, but had also sharpened his mind. He was beginning to understand how to feign weakness to deceive his enemies.
Therefore, Chu Lingguang decided to keep it all a secret—the unlocking of his Flesh and Tendon Aspects, his grasp of two-layered Potential Energy Superposition, and even the awakening of Dragon Elephant Power in his Yinqiao and Yangqiao Meridians.
He’d show his true strength once the fight with Samba began.
As for victory or defeat, Chu Lingguang could only do his best.
And so, Chu Lingguang focused on absorbing the energy from the medicinal bath, shutting out all external sounds to avoid any disruption to his cultivation.
Normally, the recovery from the Heart-Devouring Powder required three days of medicinal baths.
But Feng Zhiwen, to make amends, had Chu Lingguang soak for two extra days.
With his strength greatly enhanced, his body could now absorb and devour much more energy. The extra two days of soaking didn’t even come close to sating him.
However, one couldn’t rely too heavily on medicinal aids. Doing so could make it harder to break through future bottlenecks.
So, after finishing the final tub of the medicinal bath, Chu Lingguang finally stepped out.
The first thing he did was check his status panel.
Favor Points: 275
Chang Chun Pile Skill (780/2000)
Great River Operation Technique (0/4000)
Mixed Element Skill (0/10000)
Flying Leaf Lotus Spear (180/6000)
(Remaining Lifespan: 120 years)
"Hm?"
Chu Lingguang was startled.
’The Flying Leaf Lotus Spear actually made it onto my panel! And it already has 180 points.’
Chu Lingguang hadn’t forgotten how, in the Blood-colored World, the training manual for the Flying Leaf Lotus Spear had appeared before him. He had successfully found the method to practice it and had even begun his training there.
He just hadn’t expected to gain so much from only two days of insight.
’Then what should I do with these Favor Points...?’
Chu Lingguang had originally planned to spend the Favor Points he got from Lian Junmiao on his Chang Chun Pile Skill. But now, seeing the Flying Leaf Lotus Spear on his panel with 180 points already invested, he hesitated.
’I’ll use them on the Lotus Spear.’
’I’ll make it my trump card.’
’It might bring an unexpected advantage during the fight with Samba.’
After weighing the pros and cons, Chu Lingguang finally decided to spend the points on the Flying Leaf Lotus Spear. On one hand, his Chang Chun Pile Skill was already well-established. It protected his meridians, assisted his Day and Night Breathing Technique, and helped him unearth the Dragon Elephant Power within his bloodline. He absolutely couldn’t neglect this Skill.
But the fight against Samba was just a few days away.
There were only a few days left.
Spending over two hundred Favor Points on the Chang Chun Pile Skill might not yield a significant advantage on the day of the duel. If he could effectively boost the power of the Flying Leaf Lotus Spear, however, he might be able to win by surprise.
As for the Mixed Element Skill and the Great River Operation Technique, Chu Lingguang didn’t even know the basics of how to practice them yet, so spending points there would be a complete waste. This was especially true for the Mixed Element Skill, which could bring about a fatal disaster; Chu Lingguang wished he could just wipe it from his panel entirely.
The panel’s information changed.
Favor Points: None
Flying Leaf Lotus Spear (455/6000)
(Remaining Lifespan: 120 years.)
Chu Lingguang took a deep breath, walked out of the room, and entered the rear courtyard.
While he had been soaking in the medicinal baths for the past few days, Lian Junmiao and the others had been keeping an eye on his condition, but they had also been training with fiery intensity. No one had slacked off.
"Chu!"
Everyone was relieved to see him emerge.
Especially looking so full of life, they all breathed a sigh of relief and crowded around him.
Just then, a carrier pigeon flew into the Martial Arts Hall and landed on Wang Chao’s hand. He removed a small note from its leg and announced to the group, "A message from our senior brother! The Turkic Mission has reached South City. They will arrive at the Martial Arts Hall in two days. He says we should all be ready."
Chu Lingguang’s gaze shifted toward South City.
Time flew by.
He couldn’t believe a month had passed so quickly.
Only two days remained until his battle with Samba.
"Master, for these last two days, I’d like to return to Liu Family Gully," Chu Lingguang said to Guo Wei.
Training in these last two days wouldn’t help him much. He thought it would be better to return to Liu Family Gully and see if he could earn another batch of Favor Points from the villagers to upgrade his Flying Leaf Lotus Spear and Chang Chun Pile Skill.
He had already grasped the knack for both of these Skills.
Increasing their point values would be an effective way to boost his power.
"Alright. It’s good to go home and see your family. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Go and relax."
Guo Wei nodded.
He knew that with the great battle approaching, Chu Lingguang was under a kind of pressure that most people could never comprehend. Continuing to train day and night at this point might even be counterproductive.
"Everyone, I’ll see you in two days."
Chu Lingguang clasped his fist in a salute to Lian Junmiao and the others.
"We’ll be here waiting for you to return, Chu."
"See you then!"
The group was sensible. They all understood that what Chu Lingguang needed most right now was solitude and a clear head, so no one tried to stop him.
And so, dressed in black brocade, Chu Lingguang mounted his Little Red Horse, took up his Lightning Spear, and galloped back toward Liu Family Gully.
He was a Martial Scholar now, the top-ranked fighter of South City and one of the most brilliant young talents in all of Baiyang County. He no longer traveled on foot as he once did; now, he would generally ride his Little Red Horse whenever he went out.
Yet when he spoke with people, he was as warm and approachable as ever.