Chapter 844: Final Preparations

"No empty rooms?"

Yes, my lord, please see—the cultivation rooms from floors seventeen to twenty-five are all occupied.

The Registrar flipped through the ledger, displaying entry-exit records and expiration dates for each room: "Starting each July's Binghuo Day, the quality of solar and lunar radiance within Wangyue Tower surges sharply. Below the twentieth floor, rooms that normally require only minor merit to open now demand major merit for exchange during this period."

One major merit equals sixty to over a hundred days; to avoid missing out after leaving, those who secure a room typically book two or even three segments at once."

"I have a vague memory…"

"What did you say, my lord?"

"Nothing."

Liang Qu flipped through the ledger entries, his brow slightly furrowed.

He vaguely recalled what Meng Meng Qiang had told him during his first visit—that the annual Binghuo Day always made securing a cultivation room in Wangyue Tower extremely difficult. He'd assumed November would have vacancies, never expecting the shortage to last for months—he'd missed the window.

Wangyue Tower was his ideal place for advancement.

First, it was safe enough.

Even with his master and three Entering Zhen Xiang cultivators at home, safety was relative—they couldn't eliminate all risks. What if an enemy spy sacrificed themselves to detonate? No need to enter the room—just trigger an explosion from afar, shake the building, and risk triggering qi deviation during my seclusion?

Wangyue Tower was different.

Dozens of Entering Zhen Xiang cultivators dwelled within, including a Entering Zhen Xiang Perfect Tianren Master.

Especially above the tenth floor, each level had checkpoints—only a token granted entry, maximizing security.

Second, resources and spiritual energy were abundant—eighty percent of any need could be met within the tower.

"Two segments, four and a half months—not early enough."

Liang Qu flipped through several more pages—everyone had booked their cultivation rooms two days to half a month before Binghuo Day. The earliest reservations would only become available by mid-November, leaving barely any time to spare.

On the twenty-fifth floor, reserve me a cultivation room the moment anyone's term ends.

My lord, this… violates protocol," the Registrar hesitated. "Within the imperial palace, under His Majesty's watch, no one has ever reserved a Wangyue Tower cultivation room. Private transactions among nobles are beyond our control, but by regulation, it's first come, first served—we can only notify you the moment it becomes available.

"I'm different."

Two eyes, one nose—what's different?

The Registrar suppressed his inner scorn, wondering which noble's son didn't know the rules. He'd taken this post at Wangyue Tower—he wasn't afraid. If this fool dared cause trouble…

Bam!

Liang Qu closed the ledger and placed it gently on the desk.

"I am Liang Qu. Have you heard of me? I've just arrived in the capital to ascend to Entering Zhen Xiang."

Liang Qu?

Familiar.

The Registrar strained his memory—suddenly, a towering pillar of blood flashed in his mind, along with boiling pools of water, and he shuddered.

"The Baron of Baron Xingyi?"

"Yes."

"You… you're ascending to Entering Zhen Xiang?"

Liang Qu nodded.

The Registrar turned pale. The blood pillar in his memory was barely years old—he ventured cautiously: "Might I ask your age? Pardon me, your… esteemed years, uh…"

"Nearly twenty-two."

"Please wait—I'll go consult the Tower Master!"

Truly different!

The Registrar's head spun, yet his body moved fast—he leapt from behind the desk like a hungry tiger, sprinting away, startling nearby colleagues.

"What's going on?"

"Did Old Lou's wife give birth?"

"He has a wife?"

Wait half an hour.

Registrar Lou returned, panting, handing Liang Qu a special waist token, gesturing "eight," and whispered: "The Tower Master grants you permission—Room Jia-3 on the twenty-fifth floor, expiring November sixteenth. We'll hold it for three days. Lord Liang, don't miss it—and don't spread the word."

"Fine!"

Goal achieved.

Liang Qu turned to leave.

"Lord Liang, wait!" Registrar Lou blocked him. "Each room allows three authorized users for entry and service. If you have names, list three. If not, the tower will handle your three daily meals."

Surprisingly considerate.

Liang Qu thought.

"Yang Yang Dongxiong, Long Long Eying… Teta Kai."

"Teta Kai?"

The Registrar's brush paused.

Doesn't sound like a person's name.

"Which 'teta'?"

"The otter's 'teta.'"

"Not a person?"

"Mm."

"I've heard Lord Liang keeps rare beasts—your reputation is well-deserved." The Registrar complimented, then handed him three subsidiary tokens alongside the main one. "All three must match the main token for entry."

…

Three days passed in a flash.

November 10th.

After imperial procedures and approval, two strands of Xuanhuang energy were officially granted.

Inside the jar, the Xuanhuang energy drifted slowly. Liang Qu's spirits lifted—he stamped the ledger, deducting twenty major merits. Now, all twenty-two of his major merits were spent…

"Huh? Why are two golden lines still there?"

Liang Qu pointed to the golden lines on the ledger—he had used up his remaining two major merits over months of renting a cultivation room; there should be none left.

Yet here they were?

System glitch?

The palace attendant knew more: "Three days ago, His Majesty, upon hearing of your Wangyue Tower arrangement, decreed that for this Entering Zhen Xiang advancement, no major merits will be deducted from Baron Baron Xingyi, regardless of duration—so they were returned."

Yes!

Saved two major merits!

Gazing at the ledger, Liang Qu recalled an object he'd once seen: "Can I use these two major merits to exchange for something else?"

"Since they are major merits, the choice is yours, Lord Liang."

"Ah, this matter is… unusual."

"Unusual?"

Liang Qu produced an object and explained its purpose.

The attendant was stunned.

"Phoenix Song Silken Robe? What's that? Sounds like something a woman would wear."

"It is. I've researched it thoroughly," the attendant replied, reciting details like a scholar. "One of the final rare pieces from Master Shao Shao Jiyi's lifetime. Years ago, the Pingyang River Office seized two Xuan weapons while purging the Huang branch of the Ghost Mother Cult. At the time, Baron Baron Xingyi likely took notice."

"Using the two major merits His Majesty saved for you, you don't seek treasures or elixirs—just a spirit robe for the Dragon Girl?"

"Um, Your Majesty, this spirit robe actually requires… four major merits."

"?"

"Baron Baron Xingyi says that within a year, he and the Dragon Girl will register their union. This spirit robe serves as her betrothal gift. He merely mentioned it—whether you approve or not is entirely up to Your Majesty…"

The attendant looked embarrassed—he'd never heard of such a thing.

His Majesty fell silent for a long while, then laughed softly and waved his hand.

"Fine, fine. Give it to him. Exchange it for him."

"By Your Majesty's command!"

Phoenix Song Silken Robe.

The high-grade spirit robe Liang Qu had once seen, alongside Xiang Fang Su and Ke Ko Wenbin, when they sneaked onto the island.

Exquisitely beautiful.

Back then, he was a country bumpkin who didn't recognize its value—Ke Ko Wenbin had given a grand introduction, leaving only a faint impression.

A few days ago, while reviewing the exchange ledger, he'd unexpectedly found this robe still listed.

Spirit robes aren't defensive treasures—they're purely ornamental, capable of transformation. For gold or silver, many would buy. But for major merits earned through blood and sweat? For years, no one had shown interest.

Ke Ko Wenbin never secured it after leaving the island—perfectly left for Liang Qu.

Two for four.

Huge profit!

"Huh!"

Liang Zhai's quiet chamber.

Candle flame flickered, stirred by the wind.

Liang Qu sat cross-legged.

Before acquiring the spirit robe and entering Wangyue Tower.

Final preparations.

First, boost the favor of the River Lord!

Swish!

Thirty thousand essences invested.

One red eye, two yellow eyes.

Three spiritual fish swim freely.

(End of chapter)