Chapter 290 291: Lingering Pique
Li Huiran and the others arrived safely at the six-star hotel called "Tianya."
As soon as they got to the hotel, Li Huiran grabbed the Floating Cloud Umbrella, ducked into her room, locked the door, and couldn't wait to ask the Qian Ruo in her mind, "What exactly does this Floating Cloud Umbrella do for my condition?"
Qian Ruo replied, "This is called the Immortal Cloud Soul Refining Umbrella, not some Floating Cloud Umbrella. It's an extremely famous Immortal Artifact from ancient times. It provides both offense and defense and specializes in attacking the soul. Its eighteen Soul Refining Bells were modeled after the Eighteen Layers of Hell, making it one of the most powerful types of Immortal Artifacts."
Li Huiran opened the red umbrella. She only thought it was pretty; there was nothing special about it. It was far too heavy to be used for rain, feeling like it weighed sixty or seventy pounds. If she hadn't been tempering her muscles and bones for the past three months, she wouldn't even be able to lift it now.
Qian Ruo continued, "Right now, it's in a dormant, self-concealing state, so of course you can't see anything strange about it. Your condition is due to a damaged soul that cannot recover, leaving you with only three years to live. The Profound Pill Realm allows one to perceive and thereby temper the soul, which is why you needed to cultivate to that realm. But with the Immortal Cloud Soul Refining Umbrella, you don't need to reach the Profound Pill Realm. You can start cultivating your soul right now."
Li Huiran smiled with relief. 'Finally, I don't have to be a tragic beauty.' She said to Qian Ruo, "So how do I use it? Let's give it a try!"
Qian Ruo chuckled. "Not so fast. The Saint you ran into today... that's the Chen Dong you're always cursing, isn't it?"
Li Huiran closed the red umbrella. "Why bring him up?"
"The umbrella needs to be activated now. I could probably do it myself, but it would cause me to fall into a slumber for some time. I wouldn't be able to protect you, let alone guide you in using the umbrella. But if a Saint activates it, there are no such concerns!"
Li Huiran's expression instantly soured. She kicked off her shoes, sat on the bed, and declared resolutely, "I, Li Huiran, would sooner jump out this window and die outside than ask that Chen Dong for a single thing!"
Qian Ruo was speechless in her mind. She said scornfully, "Then what about at the auction house? You seemed to have no problem ordering him to threaten others."
Li Huiran was speechless for a moment, then offered a weak excuse. "I just glanced at him! He did that on his own. What does it have to do with me?"
Qian Ruo mused for a moment, then said lightly, "Fine then. I'll activate the umbrella. But we'll have to make a lot of preparations beforehand. Otherwise, with your mortal body, you'll surely suffer a backlash from the Immortal Artifact!"
Li Huiran hesitated. It seemed like asking Chen Dong for help was the best option, but her pride was too great. She just couldn't bring herself to ask.
Just then, a knock came at the door. Her secretary, Xiaoyu, spoke from outside, "President Li, Team Leader Chen and the others are here."
At the mention of Chen Dong, Li Huiran's anger flared. Her brows furrowed as she snapped coldly, "Team Leader Chen? I've already fired him! He doesn't work for this company!"
Xiaoyu, standing outside the door, was stunned. "Ah? Then what should I call him?"
BANG! The door flew open. Li Huiran roared, "What should you call him? Call him Chen Mutt-head!"
Chen Dong, who had just walked over, rubbed his nose. 'Another strange nickname to add to the list!'
The three women each had their own room, but Chen Dong had something to say, so he entered with Li Wang and Murong Qing.
Upon entering the room, Chen Dong fixed his gaze on Xiaoyu.
Xiaoyu took the hint and said, "Oh, I just remembered, I need to go take a shower!" Then she quickly ran off, even locking the door on her way out.
Chen Dong turned and examined the Celestial Measuring Ruler wrapped in black brocade in Li Huiran's hands. A holy light flashed in his eyes as he said gravely, "I invite the senior Artifact Spirit to show themself!"
An ancient voice echoed in their minds: "Huiran's Realm is too low. She cannot support my manifestation."
With a wave of his hand, Chen Dong summoned the Celestial Measuring Ruler, which flew from Li Huiran's grasp into his own.
Li Huiran cried out anxiously, "Chen Dong, what are you doing?"
Chen Dong ripped off the brocade cloth, his eyes brimming with a holy light as he carefully observed the Celestial Measuring Ruler.
Just then, Qian Ruo's voice spoke again. "Junior, rest assured. I am Li Qianruo, the founding ancestor of the Li Family. I would never harm Huiran!"
Chen Dong nodded silently. The feedback from his Saint Dao confirmed it: the Spiritual Treasure had already accepted Li Huiran as its master, so it would naturally harbor no ill intentions. His inspection was merely a precaution. After all, Li Huiran had never been exposed to the Martial Dao, let alone a top-tier item like a Spiritual Treasure.
Chen Dong asked, "Senior, if you are the Li Family's founding ancestor, how did you become the Artifact Spirit for this Spiritual Treasure?"
Qian Ruo's method of speaking changed; she now transmitted her voice only to Chen Dong, so that even Li Huiran couldn't hear.
A moment later, Chen Dong's expression darkened. He remained silent on the surface, but he was actually communicating with Qian Ruo using a Transmission Technique.
After a long while, a shimmering holy light emanated from Chen Dong. He casually levitated the Immortal Cloud Soul Refining Umbrella from the table, infusing it with the power of his Saint Dao. A pillar of light shot up through the hotel, piercing the clouds, and the Spiritual Qi from ten miles around was instantly sucked toward the umbrella.
Chen Dong unfurled the Immortal Cloud Soul Refining Umbrella, and the entire room was suddenly filled with a shower of countless red petals. Li Huiran and Murong Qing reached out to catch them, but they were only illusions; the petals passed right through their palms.
The petals multiplied, forming a vortex that swept through everyone's bodies, passed through the door, walls, and windows, and finally dissipated in mid-air.
The red umbrella was now spinning slowly, the clouds on its surface swirling in tandem. Chen Dong shouted sharply at Li Huiran, "Focus your spirit and clear your mind!"
Li Huiran looked slightly stunned. Just as she was about to do as he said, Chen Dong tapped a finger between her eyebrows. The enormous Immortal Cloud Soul Refining Umbrella flashed with red light, transformed into a crimson streak, and shot along his fingers into Li Huiran's mind!
After completing this step, Chen Dong collapsed onto the floor, the Saint's Emblem between his eyebrows having dimmed slightly.
