Chapter 72: Out of Reach

After reading the introduction, Xiao Yang drew in a sharp breath. The power of the soul was something only those at the Martial Marquis realm could even begin to touch. To cultivate soul secret arts required a level above Martial Marquis. In other words, he had already shattered the conventions of cultivation.

“This matter must remain known only to myself.”

Almost simultaneously, Xiao Yang resolved in his heart never to speak of this to anyone, not even Zhou Yan. It wasn’t that he distrusted her, but he feared that if this secret were to leak out, it might implicate the young girl. That would be disastrous.

For now, he couldn’t discern any practical use for the soul power. So his gaze returned to the earliest acquired Saintly Power: the Mountain Saint.

A thought stirred.

He recalled that regardless of the type, every Saintly Power, upon reaching the third tier, granted a unique ability. Calculating now, his Mountain Saint power had just reached the third tier, which meant he should have gained a special ability.

Name: Mountain Saint Power [Third Tier]
Trait: Increases host’s strength twelvefold [Passive]
Special Power: Tremor!
Description: Mountain Saint Power is divided into nine tiers. Every three tiers bestow a unique ability.

“Tremor?”

Xiao Yang grew even more confused after reading this, unsure what sort of power it was. Fortunately, a small plus sign appeared beside “Tremor.” He tapped it lightly.

Special Power: Tremor
Description: Each attack is imbued with tremor force.

After reading this, Xiao Yang wanted to test it immediately. But the Wealth Gathering Pavilion was clearly not suitable as a testing ground. He suppressed his urge, deciding to find a better opportunity later.

From the literal meaning, he could hazard a guess: this “Tremor” likely related to vibrations. The real effect remained uncertain.

“I wonder how much currency is needed for the next level now.”

A thought, and he tapped the “Upgrade” option.

“Ding: Would you like to spend two million currency to break through this realm?”

???

“Damn it, you—”

The room was immediately filled with a torrent of colorful curses.

Advancing his cultivation was simply unattainable. Just one attempt required two million; to reach Martial Marquis would need twenty million silver taels. Even if he resorted to robbery, it would take a very long time to amass such a fortune.

He had expected a swift breakthrough to Martial Marquis, but reality had doused him with a bucket of cold water—from head to toe, chilling him thoroughly.

Twenty million!

Just thinking of that number made Xiao Yang feel the urge to curse.

“Ah! Such is fate!”

After a moment of calm,

He realized that complaining was pointless; better to face reality.

“One step at a time.”

Two million for each realm. Xiao Yang’s future was destined to be frugal.

He gently pushed open the door, intent on clearing his mind, only to find Hao Wenlong’s face flushed red, clearly not normal.

“Wenlong, are you alright?”

“Young master, you’ve finished your breakthrough—thank goodness.” Hao Wenlong breathed an enormous sigh of relief.

During Xiao Yang’s breakthrough, the spiritual energy storm had been no less intense than a typical Martial King’s breakthrough, making the spiritual energy here hundreds of times richer than elsewhere. Every breath brought growth in cultivation.

But Hao Wenlong, not wanting to disturb Xiao Yang’s breakthrough, had forcibly restrained himself, refusing to absorb the surrounding energy. He had held out for hours, nearly passing out.

“Now that you’ve finished, what’s wrong?” Xiao Yang asked, puzzled.

“No, nothing!” Just then, the five chickens slowly opened their eyes. At this moment, they all wanted to say only one thing:

It was absolutely delightful.

Spiritual energy surged into their bodies, unstoppable. As a result, the four fighting cocks had all reached the sixth tier of minor demonhood, while Chicken Overlord had already ascended to the peak of Demon Master. He was just one step away from breaking through.

Just then, some commotion sounded from downstairs.

Jin Buhuan, seeing the strange phenomenon dissipate, waited a while before finally stepping in.

“Senior, I’ve come to express my gratitude,” he said respectfully.

Having just parted, Xiao Yang instantly recognized the voice and hurried downstairs.

He saw Jin Buhuan standing nervously, like a child awaiting punishment.

“Lord Jin, your visit brings honor to my humble abode,” Xiao Yang said politely.

Upon seeing Xiao Yang, Jin Buhuan visibly relaxed. He had already concluded that the mysterious Martial King was most likely this young man’s master.

“Please don’t tease me, Young Xiao,” Jin Buhuan replied with a wry smile. With a Martial King present, he dared not say anything rash.

“Not at all,” Xiao Yang replied, exchanging a few more polite words. But he could hardly contain his curiosity—why had the city lord returned? Twice in one day, too frequent for propriety.

“My lord, you’re so busy—what brings you here to visit me?”

Jin Buhuan instantly understood. Smiling, he said,

“Young friend, I’ve actually come to deliver funds!”

Money!

Delivering money?

At this moment, Xiao Yang’s eyes gleamed green at the mention of money.

“Ahem! Please, my lord, no need for formalities. Let’s sit and talk.”

His attitude shifted dramatically, as if he wished to embrace Jin Buhuan and shower him with kisses.

The sudden enthusiasm caught Jin Buhuan off guard; he hesitated, unsure whether to sit, staring intently at Xiao Yang.

“Should I really sit?”

“Lord Jin, don’t be shy—please, take a seat,” Xiao Yang said with a smile, pressing Jin Buhuan into a chair. “Treat this as your own home.”

Seeing that smiling face, Jin Buhuan felt a chill in his heart, even a sudden urge to flee.

“Ahem! Young Xiao, here are one million seven hundred thirty thousand—a token of our gratitude to your esteemed master,” he said, producing a stack of gold notes.

Instantly, Xiao Yang’s eyes were transfixed.

Upon hearing the amount, he couldn’t help but draw in another sharp breath, baffled as to why Jin Buhuan had suddenly brought so much money. Nearly two million—no small sum even for a city.

Regardless, Xiao Yang was determined to shamelessly accept it all.

Money delivered to his door—why refuse?

Take it!

Take it all!

Not a single note left behind!

“It’s nothing, really. I won’t decline these funds,” Xiao Yang said with a smile.

To Jin Buhuan, this scene made perfect sense—clearly, Xiao Yang was acting on the Martial King’s instructions, accepting the money without a second thought.

He was now certain: Xiao Yang was the Martial King’s disciple. Otherwise, who would dare take the money of a Martial King?

Thus, Xiao Yang unwittingly gained a formidable master.

“I’ve delivered the funds, so I’ll take my leave now,” Jin Buhuan said, thinking of the Martial King’s presence and feeling deeply uneasy, eager to depart.

“Do visit often, Lord Jin!” Xiao Yang replied with a smile.

In just a few words, he’d acquired one million seven hundred thousand taels. Suddenly, the Martial Marquis realm didn’t seem so unattainable. If Jin Buhuan visited a dozen more times, he could break through.

If Jin Buhuan heard this, he might be happy, but Poison Python Marquis surely would not.

“Today is a wonderful day, truly wonderful.”

Getting one million seven hundred thousand for free, Xiao Yang was elated.

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