Chapter 189: One Hundred Thousand Points

When Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge's group returned to the House Luolan Mansion headquarters, before they could rest, Niu Niu Biaobiao appeared before them, beaming, holding a steaming pot of tonic soup.

"Young Master, it's been a month—your spirit's improved a bit, but you still can't skip the tonic. Drink it up right away." Niu Niu Biaobiao chuckled.

Li Luo smiled upon seeing Niu Niu Biaobiao, quickly took the tonic, and said, "It's been a month since I last saw Uncle Biao—I've missed this tonic terribly!"

He sipped slowly, then grinned and asked, "Uncle Biao, about the 'Spirit-Boosting Ointment'—how much Emperor Flow Juice do we need?"

Niu Niu Biaobiao glanced at Li Luo in surprise. "So the Young Master actually got some Emperor Flow Juice?"

Emperor Flow Juice was among the top-tier cultivation resources at the Sacred Mystery Star Academy; for Li Luo to obtain even a little after only a month inside was astonishingly efficient.

Li Luo modestly waved his hand and pulled out two tiny vials, each no larger than a fingernail, handing them to Niu Niu Biaobiao.

Niu Niu Biaobiao took them, examined them closely, and laughed, "Indeed, it's Emperor Flow Juice—Young Master, you're truly impressive."

But before Li Luo could bask in the praise, Niu Niu Biaobiao continued: "With this amount, you'll need another twenty vials before you can begin refining the Spirit-Boosting Ointment."

Puff.

The tonic still in Li Luo's mouth shot out in a spray; he stared at Niu Niu Biaobiao with eyes wide as copper bells. What? Twenty more vials?

Jiang Jiang Qinge beside him sighed helplessly; though she'd expected this small amount to be insufficient, she hadn't imagined the gap would be this enormous.

Twenty vials of Emperor Flow Juice—that's one hundred thousand points!

Even she felt immense pressure at that number.

Li Luo could only laugh bitterly: "Uncle Biao, you're really putting me through hell."

Niu Niu Biaobiao said, "Young Master, Old Niu isn't fooling you. You've damaged your own foundation and potential. For anyone else, this would mean a ruined future. A technique to replenish foundational essence is exceedingly rare—even in the Great Xia Nation. I happen to know one. That's already your luck."

Li Luo fell silent. Though refining his second Phase had granted him immense power—even allowing him to sense the dual-phase strength of a Marquis-level cultivator while still in the Phase Master realm—he had clearly paid a heavy price.

On the surface, Li Luo's dual Phases shone brilliantly, but outsiders didn't know the dazzling facade concealed a massive flaw.

If word got out that his depleted foundation made it impossible for him to break into the General's Realm, the scorn, mockery, and gloating he'd face would be no less than what he endured when he was Phaseless.

"Uncle Biao, don't worry," Jiang Jiang Qinge said softly. "Though the cost of Emperor Flow Juice is high, we still have time. Li Luo is far from ready to challenge the General's Realm. If we work hard to earn points during this period, we might still catch up."

Li Luo looked at Jiang Jiang Qinge with a complex expression. Her words clearly meant she intended to shoulder the hundred thousand points for him… but Emperor Flow Juice was also extremely hard for her to obtain. Rumor had it she'd challenge the Seven Star Pillars by year's end—if she spent all her points on him, it would inevitably delay her cultivation progress.

Li Luo's heart grew heavy; he opened his mouth to speak, but Jiang Jiang Qinge's gaze shifted to him, and she gently shook her head.

He swallowed his words and let out a quiet sigh.

He realized he'd have to find every possible way to earn points in the future—otherwise, the burden on Jiang Jiang Qinge would be too great, and it would hinder her cultivation. That was something Li Luo absolutely could not accept.

Niu Niu Biaobiao looked at the two, his expression unusually serious: "I know the pressure from Emperor Flow Juice is immense, but you're not children anymore. Without pressure, how do you grow?"

At this rare display of elder authority from Niu Niu Biaobiao, Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge were momentarily stunned, but both nodded in agreement—they'd never treated Niu Niu Biaobiao as a servant.

"And do you think the pressure you'll face is only this much?" At Niu Niu Biaobiao's words, Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge's gazes sharpened.

Jiang Jiang Qinge asked softly, "What do you mean, Uncle Biao?"

Niu Niu Biaobiao rubbed his bald head and sighed. "I'd planned to tell you this only after you reached the Heavenly Gang General Realm, but the current situation is worse than I expected. So I'll tell you now."

Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge's expressions turned extremely serious. They'd long suspected Niu Niu Biaobiao was mysterious—he'd stayed at House Luolan Mansion headquarters for reasons they didn't understand.

But since he'd never spoken of it, they'd never dared ask.

Niu Niu Biaobiao sat down, gazing at the two youths, choosing his words carefully before saying: "Last night, a mysterious Marquis-level cultivator broke into House Luolan Mansion headquarters."

Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge's expressions changed instantly.

A Marquis-level cultivator?! Broke into House Luolan Mansion headquarters?!

Which faction? What was his goal? Was he trying to assassinate them directly?

Jiang Jiang Qinge frowned. "A Marquis-level cultivator broke into House Luolan Mansion headquarters? How didn't this trigger any alarm? I received no reports at all."

Niu Niu Biaobiao smiled. "Just a cowardly Marquis who dared not show his face. He didn't even come in person—only sent an energy clone. I cut it down right away."

Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge fell silent again, staring at the bald middle-aged man who'd spoken those earth-shattering words with such casual ease.

They'd long sensed Niu Niu Biaobiao's mystery—he knew too much, even the rare method to repair foundational essence. Could he really be just a cook?

But all their guesses remained guesses. Now that Niu Niu Biaobiao had plainly stated he'd cut down a Marquis-level energy clone last night, even the usually composed Jiang Jiang Qinge was momentarily stunned—let alone Li Luo.

"Uncle Biao..."

Li Luo stared at Niu Niu Biaobiao, his expression sincere: "I always knew you were the legendary hermit master. Tell me—do you have any interest in my knees? I'd gladly offer them to you."

Jiang Jiang Qinge glanced at Li Luo, knowing he was masking his shock with his usual antics.

Niu Niu Biaobiao chuckled: "Hermit master? I'm just a useless fool who can't leave House Luolan Mansion headquarters."

Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge looked puzzled.

But Niu Niu Biaobiao didn't elaborate further. Instead, he said directly: "For years, a hidden powerful force has been watching House Luolan Mansion headquarters—you just never noticed."

"Before, they only watched. But last night, they stepped inside."

Niu Niu Biaobiao stared at the two, still dazed.

"Do you know... what they're looking for in House Luolan Mansion headquarters?"

(No extra chapter today. I'll post two at once next time.)