Chapter 1254: No Debts, Light as Can Be, Further Ascension!

In the past, carriages and horses were far away, and letters were slow.

So doing anything was tedious and troublesome, truly wearing on one's temperament.

Liang Qu clearly remembered his first promotion, when he went from eighth-rank river commissioner to seventh-rank Du Shui Lang, because for seventh rank and below, one did not need to go to the imperial capital; the minor six ministries of the southern direct-controlled region could confer the appointment. Within the same province, with sufficient proximity, from reporting to the secondary capital to receiving the reply, it still took two months to obtain the seal.

The waiting in between was agonizing, stretching necks daily, widening eyes, only awaiting couriers from the relay station.

His ability to so quickly adapt to the rhythm and manner of life absolutely owed something to this device.

Later, aside from heavenly treasures, he still traveled to the secondary capital; for seventh rank and above, one had to go to the imperial capital, but fortunately there were dragon-blood horses, so overall time remained unchanged; as the dragon-blood horses gradually advanced, speed increased, and round trips gradually compressed to one month,

half a month, and even as little as ten days for a round trip.

Now there is the 【Vortex Transit Path】.

Five days.

Just five days!

The previously ordered Great Creation Elixir, exchanged for, had already arrived straight from the imperial capital to He Yuan Prefecture.

The journey's consumption was no longer the primary time cost.

Although for safety, the waterways to He Yuan Prefecture were only three, requiring layered approval, yet matters have weight and urgency; the Huai King's request was second only to border fortress military affairs, so naturally it would be fulfilled first.

On the day of receiving merit, when asking He Ningyuan for the warrant, wishing to let his master and Lady Xu come to the border fortress for New Year, General He said nothing more, directly issued the certificate, cleared the waterway's exclusive time slot, and awaited the arrival of the two elders.

Incidentally, he also had to ask whether to list a military welcome, to let General Yang see the Western Army's demeanor decades later, and whether Lady Xu could adapt to He Yuan Prefecture's harsh winter climate, needing to build fire pits along the way.

Lady Xu's reply had arrived in hand.

Saying that if it were not near the year's end, the martial hall students would all have no rest leave, the fourth senior brother again organized the year-end grand comparison, final exams, she would already have come to He Yuan Prefecture to see the snow scenery.

What truly held up time in the process was, instead, the approval and release of top-tier spirit objects.

Accompanying swift messages and materials was a great improvement in administrative efficiency, a great reduction in resource consumption, more comprehensive and profound control over information — 【20】 This subtlety need not be spoken of to outsiders.

The subtlety here cannot be spoken of to outsiders.

"Divine abilities change life."

Chishan soars into the sky.

Liang Qu flew down from Shuofang Terrace to He Yuan Prefecture, inner city river 【Vortex Transit Path】 exit.

Armored guard Lin Li, long spear thrusting heavenward, unafraid of wind and snow.

On the wide inner river, vortices spin.

The spirit objects retrieved were personally escorted by Long Binglin and Long Yanrui, no treasure chest in tow, just a single Qiankun bag at the waist, simple and unassuming.

Wealth moves hearts.

Resources worth more than ten peerless achievements.

Not to mention grandmasters, even individual martial saints would likely have thoughts of seizing and fleeing.

At this moment Liang Qu's thinking was entirely consistent with the old tusi's, only unfortunately the old tusi would not command, nor would he enlighten, and traitors appeared among the southern frontier troops.

Hard work and cultivation, finally reaping the fruits.

Suppressing excited emotions, he opened the Qiankun bag.

Spirit mechanisms floated, ethereal and misty.

The treasure's unique vibrant life force almost triggered the flow of heavenly and earthly vital energy, producing rosy light.

Even with different Great Creation Elixirs separated in containers, if openly released, one dare not imagine the scene; individual spirit object containers alone might suffice as a clan's treasure!

"Truly beautiful."

Liang Qu drew a deep breath, the fragrant treasure plant passing through his lungs, expanding.

He picked some out, placing them into his own Qiankun bag, emptied earlier.

Three portions of Great Creation Elixir, one superior, two medium, worth four and a half peerless achievements, plus some ordinary great elixirs, bulk-packed superior heavenly treasures, total value one hundred twenty-six great achievements, three hundred thousand taels of silver, with green labels affixed.

"Binglin, you make two trips, bring the green-labeled batch to the West Water Turtle King, see if the turtle king is satisfied, if there are other needs. If satisfied, the promised treasure from the former Long Gong treasury is considered settled. However, though external things are settled, internal affection grows; remember to convey this."

"Understood." Long Binglin solemnly, "Though external things are settled, internal affection grows!"

Liang Qu nodded, then took out two portions of inferior Great Creation Elixir, worth one peerless achievement, affixed red labels, placed into the Qiankun bag.

"Two red-labeled items for the Frog King."

"Elder, for the Frog King?" Long Binglin intended to confirm.

Long Yanrui spoke quickly: "Brother-in-law, we helped the Frog Prince advance years ago; the Frog King said it was settled, didn't he?"

"So no extra given, Binglin."

"Understood."

Long Binglin took the Qiankun bag.

Liang Qu continued inspecting, then took out several portions of Great Creation Elixir, worth four peerless achievements, equally substantial: "This batch, take to the White Long Wang, Ah Fei! Eh, where is Ah Fei the frog?"

The dragon people exchanged glances.

"Not seen."

"Don't know."

Liang Qu wondered.

Thinking back carefully, it seemed that after waking up those few days, he had not seen Ah Fei at all.

"What is he busy with?"

His spirit sank, mental link tracing tracks; the fat fish was over two thousand li away, wandering in the Golden Current Sea, unknown what he was busy with.

Golden Current Sea, fish masses fleeing in panic, water churning mud and sand, scraping three feet deep.

"Ahead there is a treasure fish, legless frog, launching charge!" The old toad pulled his long whiskers, rose on fish, whipped the fat fish, drew a white air current, rushed past the target, the old toad suddenly shouted, "Wait, there is a great treasure behind!

Hurry hurry hurry, turn around, charge!"

Great treasure?

Swallowing the Great Treasure Fish in one gulp, the fat fish trembled all over, immediately flicked its tail and twisted its head, gathered all its strength, and chased straight toward the direction the old toad's claw pointed.

"Cannot move" — with honeyed words and a pleasing expression, breaking through the second realm, it made it loyal and brave, loyal to the king, crisis sense full, nightmares continuous.

Cannot continue to be idle.

Merit, merit!

Earn Treasure Fish ruthlessly.

Become Demon King soon!

Within the mental link, the fat fish's light spot raced all the way.

Originally Liang Qu wanted to call A-Fei back, but unexpectedly it seemed to have a telepathic connection, and in a puff of smoke ran toward Heyuan Prefecture, so he let it be for now, and conveniently took out another portion of top-grade Creation Great Medicine, two portions of Great Medicine, worth two Unparalleled Merits, sixty Major Merits, pasted with blue labels, placed into Eying's emptied Qiankun Bag.

"Yanrui, you also make two trips, give this to Hai Fangzhu."

"Got it!"

Long Yanrui didn't ask further, guessing it was some social tactic of his brother-in-law.

Last of all, was a medium-grade Creation Longevity Treasure, two Great Medicine Longevity Treasures Purple-Striped Core Peaches, worth one and a half Unparalleled Merits, thirty-five Major Merits, pasted with yellow labels.

Medium-grade Creation is usually worth one Unparalleled Merit, but Longevity Treasures have a premium, adding the amount of one low-grade Creation.

"Second trip go to Peng Ze, yellow label for Old Yuan."

"Understood!" Long Yanrui raised his hand in salute, took the Qiankun Bag, "Brother-in-law, want to provoke that old turtle a few lines, O

Liang Qu thought for a moment: "Also works."

"Guarantee mission completion!"

Long Binglin is older and steady, suitable for dealing with the Turtle King and Frog King, appearing solemn.

Long Yanrui is enthusiastic, youngest, still carries a touch of sincerity, suitable for dealing with Hai Fangzhu, appearing amiable, and also dares to provoke the old turtle.

Each has their own strengths.

"Huuu——"

Tilting his head to the sky, he let out a long breath, the thick white mist dispersing in the wind.

Eating next year's grain this year, consuming in advance, borrowing to become king.

Up to this point.

Took two years, loan repaid!

This batch of treasures, consumed a total of thirteen Unparalleled Merits, two hundred twenty-one Major Merits, but this is not the entirety of his debt repayment journey.

The first time going to the Southern Frontier to earn merit, the ten Unparalleled Merits from the Pan Dong grand manifestation were also pasted in early, as well as the remaining king-conferring rewards, several thousand Major Merits, the Long Gong's leftover ordinary treasures, added up already a not small sum.

"Debt-free, body light ah."

From the Perished Dragon Empress, campaigning south and north, establishing so many merits, the good things exchanged not a single one landed on his own head, all given to the five Demon Kings.

Only the remaining fifteen Unparalleled Merits now are truly his own harvest!

Of course, the Perished Dragon taking charge of the Long Gong early, certainly no loss.

Just Liang Qu dislikes owing debts, recalling at every moment, always carrying mental pressure, now pressure suddenly vanished like smoke and clouds, state of mind broadened, for a moment actually had inspiration boiling, faint impulse of sudden enlightenment!

Hiss!

Sky high, geese far.

Must seize time to cultivate!

Liang Qu returned to his senses: "Binglin, this remaining Qiankun Bag————"

Long Binglin answered first: "Elder, no need to return, the imperial court said, this Qiankun Bag was bestowed by His Majesty together to us."

"Oh? Free gift, there's such a good thing?" Liang Qu surprised.

Earlier when taking out treasures, he saw this Qiankun Bag capacity not small, roughly estimated, at least three thousand dan upwards one Liang Qu's Qiankun Bag capacity how much?

One dan!

Approximately 0.1 cubic, volume of two adults, fortunately elastic space, any shape can fit, belongs to perfectly utilizable volume.

Long Eying's even smaller, is half dan.

This already requires fifteen Major Merits and ten Major Merits to exchange.

Three thousand dan that is a full three hundred cubic of elastic space ah, can stuff six thousand people's capacity, wouldn't that be forty-five thousand Major Merits?

"The imperial court said, is Elder's due, last time you brought back a Qiankun Master, Qintian Monitor there made ten large-capacity ones, twenty thousand plus small-capacity ones."

"So it is, talent recruitment."

Southern Frontier Qiankun Master Yin Chongzhi, responsible for transporting Sweet Dew Condensing Qi, came together with Bone Fiend E Qirui, let Liang Qu use Ze Nation to block a move, couldn't enter his own inner Qiankun, otherwise the other party could really stay inside the Qiankun until Southern Frontier Martial Saint reinforcement.

"A hundredfold profit business ah."

Liang Qu pondered.

One Qiankun Master, actually able to produce that many Qiankun Bags?

Come to think of it, a Qiankun Master's inner Qiankun, square hundred zhang, three hundred meters, how many cubic, making one-dan Qiankun Bags like scrap material.

He originally thought loss large, now looking at quantity, loss exists, but not as large as imagined, the imperial court holds the Divine Ability Decree technical means, writing off Major Merits on personal accounts, equals retaining equivalent Major Merit treasure plants, then second reward, middle profit absolutely rich. Only for Martial Masters personally, portable small spaces, can also greatly increase activity efficiency.

"Huala!"

Water bubble burst, fat fish carrying an old toad, old toad carrying rotten water weeds, carrying a yellow skin bag, one looking east, one looking west.

"Treasure? My treasure!"

"Treasure? What treasure?" Liang Qu stunned, didn't recall what he recently promised the old toad, seeing the fat fish below, "A-Fei, you came just in time, this for you, take to White Long Wang————"

"Thief! This is the treasure!"

The old toad stared fixedly at the treasure box, gave a loud shout, leapt through the air.

Fat fish quick-eyed and fast-finned, hugged it in its arms protecting it.

"Audacious legless frog! Rebelling! Let go let go!"

The old toad shoved aside the fat fish's head, tugging with all its might; its frog legs kicked at the fish's skull to no avail. Seeing it could not wrest the prize away, the old toad flipped over and fell, rolling left and right atop the fat fish's big head.

"What a calamity! Our Bai Huahua's treasures have been scattered to the Outer Dragons! Outer Dragons! How many Jiang Great Fish still hover at the subsistence line, unable to afford food or clothing? If this goes on, our Jianghuai Great Marsh will cease to be a nation, cease to be a nation—"

I understand!

Liang Qu suddenly understood why A Fei would return. He pondered briefly, then let out a long sigh: "Frog Duke, don't make things difficult for the Footless Frog. This is actually a necessary investment!"

"Ah? Also a necessary investment?" The old toad flipped up into a sitting position, webbed forelimbs crossed over its chest. "What necessity? What benefit?

"

"Exactly." Liang Qu leaned close to its ear and whispered, "The benefit is that we use a small profit to curry favor with the White Long Wang. In the future we can coordinate with Great Shun from inside and out, counterattack the Northern Court, and seize control of the Ehe River.

When that time comes, the entire Ehe River — a million li — will be yours to plant full of lotuses. Would that not be splendid? The Dragon Lord of old only ruled the territory of the Huaijiang River alone. If we succeed, we will rule both the Huaijiang and the Ehe. What a magnificent achievement! The expanse of territory would far surpass the Dragon Lord!

Then you will be the Long Gong's National Preceptor: first enthrone a new ruler, then expand the borders. You will surely leave your name in history, sung by frogs for generations!"

The old toad's heart pounded wildly, yet suspicion lingered: "The Ehe is an ice river, bitterly cold — not even summer brings warmth. Can lotuses grow there?"

"Why not?" Liang Qu glanced at the bulging yellow hide sack behind the old toad, alive with jumping movement, then looked away. "I have already commissioned the imperial court to research and cultivate ice lotuses! Once successful, the lotuses will never wither through the four seasons, blooming on ice, crystalline and pure!"

"Really?"

"Truer than real gold. Of course, research requires upfront investment, and failure is not impossible." Liang Qu added a caveat.

"Failure?" The old toad grew wary, clutching the yellow hide bag. "I don't invest in risky projects!"

"Frog Duke, don't worry. The imperial court has many capable people. Ice lotuses are a simple matter; the success rate is still very high. With sufficient investment, the probability of production is at least ninety-nine percent! Unfortunately—"

"Unfortunately what?"

"The Long Gong has too many places that need money, and the territory also requires construction. The investment for the ice lotuses is truly stretched thin. The first wave of research funds has already been used up. The second wave—" Liang Qu turned his palm upward, patted the back of his hand, and glanced again at the bulging yellow hide sack.

"Then how much does the second wave need?"

"About—" Liang Qu pointed at the yellow hide sack. "That much."

The old toad's brows knitted tight.

Liang Qu struck while the iron was hot: "If you ask me, it's just that the old Dragon Lord had bad luck. If the National Preceptor had been born three hundred years earlier and assisted the Dragon Lord, the Ehe would have been taken long ago. Why wait until today?"

"Indeed."

The old toad nodded with forelimbs behind its back; the fat fish also nodded with fins behind its back.

"I know the Frog Duke is reluctant. How about this: a fine horse deserves a fine saddle. I've just obtained a supreme treasure that seizes the creation of heaven and earth, absorbs the essence of sun and moon, worth forty-five thousand Great Merits. Reluctantly parting with it, I'll lend it to the Frog Duke first — using my small yellow hide bag to replace your large yellow hide bag."

Liang Qu held out his palm and produced a Qiankun Bag of three thousand stone capacity.

Also yellow.

Freshly caught Flowing Gold Sea Treasure Fish were poured into the water vat, splashing water everywhere.

Long Eying crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame, smiling: "Husband, this map of yours is really too short."

—

"Can't help it." Liang Qu folded the yellow hide bag. "With so many people at home, so many mouths to feed, we're so poor we can't even lift the pot lid."

"Oh, so my burden on my husband is that heavy?"

"Hey, marry a man, get clothes and food! Take a wife, endure hunger and starvation. Lady, don't worry — I'm a responsible good husband, I can afford it. All right, all right, no more talk. Today I'm debt-free and light as a feather, light and floating, with a bit of an epiphany feeling. You take the treasure fish, I'm going into seclusion!"

He bit Eying's cheek, then Liang Qu burrowed into the cultivation chamber.

The spiritual object's seal was peeled open.

Apart from the portion used to repay debts, Liang Qu did not exchange all of his Unsurpassed Merit.

Taking medicine requires avoiding clashes between medicinal natures; different realms take different medicines. The higher the realm, the more harmful the medicine becomes — the principle is the same. Refining one portion every half day counts as fast. Carrying them on your person requires careful storage, worrying about the storage environment — better to leave them in the capital's treasury.

Eat two portions, take two portions, always eat them fresh.

He slid open the container lid.

Blood-red rosy light reflected off the walls, wandering and diffusing.

A piece of blood-red agate met his eyes; within, boundless spiritual mechanism was gestating and flowing, almost substantial.

【Earth Vein Blood Marrow (one tael) (Mount Tianshan)】

【The essence of earth veins born at the convergence of yin and yang, transforming like agate, with the quality of warm jade. Consuming it can guide the vast qi of yin-yang earth veins into the Root Sea, greatly expanding the origin capacity, making the Root Sea as thick and enduring as the great earth.】

【Exchange cost: One Unsurpassed Merit】

【Note: During refinement, one must use one's own heart-fire to slowly guide and calcine it, guarding against the yin-yang sha qi of the earth veins invading the body and silently injuring the meridians.】

A mid-tier Great Creation Elixir!

Within Great Shun's borders, there are only three earth veins capable of producing top-grade Blood Marrow. Of these three, one lies beneath Mount Tianshan with its three thousand floating islands; one lies in the northern Anling; the last lies in the Nanshan Range.

The annual output of Blood Marrow is extremely scarce. Mount Tianshan produces two taels six qian; Anling produces one tael eight qian — together four taels four qian per year.

The Nanshan Range is not controlled by the imperial court but by the Myriad Ancient King, producing one tael one qian per year.

Among them, Mount Tianshan's Earth Vein Blood Marrow is of the highest quality, with yin and yang balanced; Nanshan is second, with the yang vein slightly exceeding the yin vein; Anling is last, with the yin vein greatly exceeding the yang vein.

The portion in Liang Qu's hand happens to be the highest-quality Mount Tianshan Blood Marrow!

Three major categories of Great Creation Elixirs.

Entering the Dao, Nurturing Qi, Storing Arts.

To nurture a Root Sea a thousand times larger, there's no rush to Enter the Dao and sit in the temple; Nurturing Qi and Storing Arts can proceed together.

Mount Tianshan Blood Marrow is originally for assaulting the Root Sea, but because it nurtures both yin and yang qi, it also suits the tempering of Liang Qu's first Creation Art: the Dragon-Tiger Golden Body!

He sat cross-legged. The Myriad Victories Wansheng Baoyuan gathered his heart and concentrated his spirit.

Thoughts rose and fell. Liang Qu seized the lightness after repaying his debts.

Sublimation.

Dragon-Tiger Golden Body, third stage.

Seal Heaven, Lock Earth!