Chapter 126: Great Consummation of the Qi-gathering

Chu royal city, Chuxiu Inn.

In the largest master bedroom of the second courtyard, a young man in white sat cross-legged on the mattress, practicing in silence. Waves of spirit energy seemed to be absorbed into his body from the surrounding air at a rapid speed and seemed to go in cycles within his body ceaselessly.

"This 'Lord of the Four Supremes' really allows you to practice at rapid speeds when you are focused and undistracted... otherwise, there is nothing too special about it. But even the premier techniques within the universe like the 'Thousand-Star Sword Technique' or 'Fiery Thunder Training Regimen' or the 'Manual of Unruffled Sage' are all similar... even the best techniques are all roughly the same. 'Lord of the Four Supremes' is special in that it allows you to increase your rate of practice... at least this makes it superior to the other techniques."

Now, Zhou Donghuang was already at the last frontier of Petty Consummation of the Qi-Gathering, as long as he managed to break through this last frontier, he would be able to achieve Great Consummation, becoming an adept with the strength of nine bulls and two tigers.

To him, it was hardly difficult to break this frontier, only a matter of time. He could easily achieve it within the shortest time possible. His millennia of experience allowed him to be extremely proficient in his practice. Furthermore, with his knowledge of the huge variety of drugs, his rate of practice was absurdly fast, almost achieving the same speeds as the sons from the star clans or supreme sects. Nonetheless, those sons were faster because they had professional potion masters to concoct medications and potions to aid their practice. These potions were far more effective than the pills used by Zhou Donghuang. Although he could concoct those potions as well, he still had not achieved the Primal Core stage and lacked the power to create them. He also could not find any of the necessary rare ingredients.

"Although I can't compare to their rate of practice... they still won at the starting line. Once I leave Ziyun planet and reach the prosperous galaxies, with my millennia of experience and knowledge of the secret treasures of the universe, I will easily be able to surpass them!" In his previous life, he had always heard of who had discovered what secret treasures. Although he had not laid his hands on any of these treasures in his previous life, this time, he would be able to go in advance to steal the treasures since he had time-traveled. To him, his memory was his greatest resource, allowing him to always be a step ahead of the rest!

"Within two hours, I will achieve Great Consummation of the Qi-Gathering before nightfall!" Zhou Donghuang settled himself down and continued breaking the final frontier of Petty Consummation. The spirit in the air entered his body and was converted into qi, aiding his attempt.

Two hours later, he finally broke through.

"Done." As he achieved Great Consummation of the Qi-Gathering, Zhou Donghuang opened his eyes as he punched the air in front of him, seemingly gentle but full of power.

In that instant, a loud boom was heard. This was the sound wave from a ton of power going through the air.

"Before today, I needed to use all my extreme strength and my inner qi to break the sound barrier... but now, with Great Consummation, with just my qi, I can do the same!"

Great Consummation of the Qi-Gathering meant that his power had gained substantially as well. "Now, I can come up with my own potions and drugs."

Zhou Donghuang did not continue his practice as he stepped off the mattress. He walked towards the pile of herbs that lay in the corner of the room. Beside the herbs was the equipment that was needed to produce the potions and drugs.

Ten days ago, the Chu royal household had already prepared all the items he required and sent them to him half a month before the deadline that he had requested. He had then asked Fu to buy the other herbs that could be found in the city. Hence these herbs had all been prepared ten days ago, awaiting his Great Consummation before he could utilize them.

"First, the qi-stabilizing elixir!" This pill could allow him to stabilize his inner qi, to prepare to achieve the Connate stage.

"Then, the qi-concentration potion!" This potion would allow him to concentrate his inner qi, purifying it to increase his efficiency in reaching the Connate stage.

"With the qi-stabilizing elixir and the qi-concentration potion, I can reach the Connate stage within a year!"

After concocting the elixir and the potion, Zhou Donghuang's eyes seemed to shine like stars in the night sky. He was in no hurry to continue practicing, as he cracked the room door open and stepped outside for some fresh air.

Practicing was not meant to be done through the night. Work with rest was the ideal way. That was his experience from over a thousand years.

"The imperial court... still nothing from them?" Sitting at the stone table and sipping the tea that the servant had just brewed, Zhou Donghuang was surprised. Then again, this also made him put the emperor of the country in higher regard. From what it seemed, the emperor was not a rash person. Otherwise, the imperial court would have sent someone to cause trouble for him by now.

"Brother!" Not long after he had emerged, Yun Lu came running from outside the courtyard. Clearly, she knew that Zhou Donghuang had left his room. Yun Lu rushed into his arms and said, "Brother, you were so busy practicing that I have not seen you in so long... today, you must chat with me."

Ever since Zhou Donghuang had helped Yun Lu to seek revenge, she had reverted to her old childish self. But this innocence was exactly what Zhou Donghuang loved to see. The troubled and mature Yun Lu was too heartbreaking to bear.

"Xiao Lu." Seeing her, he was reminded that unless she managed to achieve the Primordial Soul and rob someone's body, she would only remain in her body of a child for the rest of her life. His heart broke. "Brother will definitely help you find a way to let your body grow up."

Yun Lu looked exactly the same as when they had first met, as if the little girl was frozen in time. This was the result of her being given the Nerve-Easing, Marrow-Cleansing Needle.

"Hehe... Stupid brother, this is fine," said Yun Lu with a laugh. "This way, I can always run into your arms anytime and get a hug... otherwise, once I grow up, your wife will get jealous if you hug me."

"Naughty girl," said Zhou Donghuang as he looked at the little girl in his arms.

"Brother, have you really fallen in love?" Yun Lu asked curiously.

"Why do you ask?" Zhou Donghuang was speechless.

"I just wanted to confirm... otherwise, if you said you had someone in mind just to lie to Mother, I really think Sister Zixi is not bad. Of course, Sister Jiapei is great too, but I think she does not want to compete with Sister Zixi." Yun Lu shook her head. "I really don't understand what she is thinking... if I were her, I would confess straight away without thinking so much."

"Xiao Lu, looks like your mother and I don't have to worry about marrying you off... after all, you are so bold, there should be no issue." Zhou Donghuang laughed as he shook his head.

"Hehe... for me to confess, the man has to be at least half the man you are. But I feel, in this world, there is definitely no man like that. So I think I'll be clinging on to you and Mother." joked Yun Lu.

Just then, Zhou Donghuang's smile disappeared as his eyes landed on an old man in a grey robe standing outside the courtyard.

The old man had a strong build, his long white hair tied behind his back. His brows were defined, framing deep-set eyes that seemed like a deep abyss. He had a goatee that made him look kind, but there was an unmistakable presence about him.

"Connate." With just a look, Zhou Donghuang was almost certain that this man was a Connate adept. Otherwise, with his current level, he would have detected the man's presence earlier.

"From the imperial court?" After confirming that the man was indeed a Connate adept, Zhou Donghuang guessed that he was likely the Connate adept that was said to be in the imperial court.