Cultivation Starting from Choosing Augments-Chapter 95 - 92: Inner Core Expansion, Luoyun Wanderer’s Shock
Xiao Chen was overjoyed. Probing with his Divine Sense, he saw that his Inner Core had grown a fraction stronger than before.
His Inner Core, like his Dantian, could originally store thirty-six streams of Magical Power.
But as the Nine-Brewed Spring Wine took effect, it could now hold thirty-seven streams of Magical Power.
Furthermore, it was still absorbing the wine’s essence and continuing to expand.
This was precisely why it needed to draw on the Magical Power in his Dantian to aid in the refinement.
Liu Zhiyuan had been wondering how he could persuade Xiao Chen to have a few more cups.
But instead, he saw that Xiao Chen accepted every toast, downing cup after cup.
No matter who proposed a toast, he drained his cup in one go, appearing exceptionally forthright.
Three cups were followed by three more, yet his complexion remained unchanged.
As the Patriarch of the Liu Family, Liu Zhiyuan knew better than anyone just how potent the Nine Brewed Spring Wine was.
This was a Spirit Wine; if a Cultivator tried to use Magical Power to neutralize the alcohol’s effects, it would only speed up the absorption of its essence, causing them to get drunk even faster.
Yet Liu Zhiyuan watched as Xiao Chen finished an entire jug without showing the slightest sign of intoxication, as if he were drinking water.
Liu Zhiyuan hastily sent someone to fetch more wine, while also arranging for his clansmen to come in and propose toasts.
Xiao Chen continued to drain every cup he was offered.
An hour later, aside from Liu Shi Qing, who didn’t care for drinking, all the Liu Family Cultivators present were slumped over the table.
This included the clan elders and younger kinswomen who had arrived later to offer toasts in relays; they were all utterly defeated.
Only Xiao Chen remained, holding the wine jug. He poured the last drop of Nine-Brewed Spring Wine into his cup and downed it in one go.
He even smacked his lips afterward, as if he still hadn’t had his fill.
Although the effects of the same Spirit Wine diminished with consumption, his Inner Core’s capacity had still increased by another two streams of Magical Power.
It could now hold thirty-nine streams of Magical Power.
Xiao Chen was suddenly faced with what one might call a good problem to have.
He was happy, of course, that his total Magical Power had increased again, and that he now had another avenue for growth.
However, this also meant that on top of his regular training, he would now need to invest cultivation resources into his Inner Core.
The pressure to acquire resources had grown significantly.
’Though, speaking of resources, I still have the Hundred Poison Demon’s Storage Bag to open.’
So, Xiao Chen helped Liu Shi Qing carry all the Liu Family Cultivators to their rooms. Afterward, he borrowed a guest room for himself to examine the Storage Bag.
Compared to those of Qi Refining Cultivators, the Storage Bags of Foundation Establishment Cultivators had an additional Divine Sense Restriction, offering better security.
However, this also meant they were significantly more difficult to break into.
While Xiao Chen was busy trying to break into the Storage Bag, news of his slaying of the Hundred Poison Demon swiftly reached the ears of the distant Luoyun Wanderer.
Luoyun Wanderer was one of the few well-known Cultivators of the Luotian Sect.
He often appeared in public under his true identity, participating in various Secret Realm explorations and even openly attending auctions.
Of course, this was in addition to his usual highway robbery, blood sacrifices, and forcible plundering.
While one couldn’t say he had enemies everywhere, he was certainly a figure that everyone wanted to see taken down.
However, relying on his late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation and a remarkably fast Treasure Cloud, Luoyun Wanderer managed to live quite well.
He even began to entertain the notion of reviving the Luotian Sect.
The Hundred Poison Demon’s attack on the Liu Family was a key part of his grand revival plan.
’Xiao Chen? Where the hell did this Foundation Establishment Cultivator pop out from?’
Luoyun Wanderer frowned deeply. He wracked his brain, certain he had never heard that name before.
Two years ago, to learn from the Divine Fire Sect’s methods, he had gone in disguise to participate in the siege against the Yingyue Immortal Sect, taking the opportunity to fish in troubled waters and snatch some Spiritual Objects.
’Who would have thought... in such a short amount of time.’
The Li Huo Sect had suddenly produced a Foundation Establishment Cultivator out of thin air.
A subordinate immediately presented him with a file on Xiao Chen.
However, after a quick read-through, Luoyun Wanderer was left utterly astonished.
To go from a first-layer Qi Refining Servant Disciple to a mighty Foundation Establishment Cultivator in less than two years... it was simply unheard of.
The intelligence report clearly stated that just two months ago, Xiao Chen was still at the ninth layer of Qi Refining, leading a team to raid the Xuan Family in Heyang County.
Yet a mere two months had passed.
Not only had Xiao Chen achieved Foundation Establishment, but with the Cultivation of a first-layer Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he had withstood the attack of the Three Talents Life-Taking Bell and slain the Hundred Poison Demon on the spot.
’He’s absurdly strong.’
And just like that, his already scarce subordinates were in even shorter supply.
The subordinate added another piece of information. "Before the Hundred Poison Demon died, he mentioned your name."
"But Xiao Chen proclaimed to the Hundred Poison Demon that he would send you down to meet him."
Hearing this, Luoyun Wanderer flew into a rage. "This damned Xiao Chen... I’ll... I’ll kill him sooner or later, damn it."
But as furious as he was, he had no intention of rushing to the Liu Family to kill Xiao Chen himself.
According to information he had purchased from the Celestial Secret Pavilion, Master Ming Yan had made an appearance at the Li Huo Sect a year ago.
Therefore, it was highly likely he still hadn’t left the vicinity of the Li Huo Sect.
One of the secrets to Luoyun Wanderer’s long life was that he cherished it dearly and never took unnecessary risks.
A fortuitous opportunity for a Foundation Establishment breakthrough was one thing, but there was no guarantee it would be useful for Core Formation. It wasn’t worth him taking action personally.
’A Foundation Establishment Cultivator in under two years... Hmph. Why should I have to deal with him? Someone else is bound to be interested.’
With a glint in his eye, Luoyun Wanderer sold all the information he had on Xiao Chen, including the news of him killing the Hundred Poison Demon, to the Celestial Secret Pavilion for next to nothing.
As long as enough of the right people saw the information, some daring individual would inevitably covet the secret to a rapid breakthrough and eliminate Xiao Chen for him.
"We have a problem!"
A Demon Cultivator suddenly ran into the pavilion. "Sect Leader, Ye Fei is gone!"
"What did you say?"
The aura erupting from Luoyun Wanderer’s body surged, crushing the middle-stage Qi Refining Demon Cultivator until he could barely breathe.
Seeing the man’s face turn purple, he retracted his aura slightly and demanded, "Didn’t Miao drug him? Get her in here."
The subordinate reported in a hushed voice, "Sect Leader, Miao Protector... is missing."
???
SPLASH!
Luoyun Wanderer grabbed the stone table at his side and hurled it into the lotus pond outside the pavilion.
"Disappeared? She’s a damn Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and you’re telling me she just suddenly disappeared?"
After pacing back and forth a few times, Luoyun Wanderer asked, "Who was the last person to see Miao Protector?"
The subordinate replied, "The dungeon guards. Miao Protector said she was going in to interrogate Ye Fei and drove them all out, citing it as a confidential matter that couldn’t be revealed."
"After that, they both disappeared."
"Heh!" Luoyun Wanderer suddenly burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Disappeared together."
CRASH! SMASH!
After smashing everything within his reach to smithereens...
Luoyun Wanderer took a deep breath. "Send word. Strip Miao Yingxue of her position as Right Protector. Immediately abandon all strongholds under her command."
Though seething with rage, he remained clear-headed. ’We can’t stay in this place any longer.’
"Go inform Yan Protector. The plan against the Nanhu Su Family is temporarily suspended."
