Chapter 2493: Qiang Liang Breaks Through!

After another bout of inner turmoil, Qiang Liang felt as if his entire body had been remade, suddenly sensing strength filling every part of him, and the Qi surging from his dantian spreading throughout his limbs.

Qiang Liang rubbed his body, soaked in sweat; all his clothes had completely dissolved away.

Suppressing his excitement, Qiang Liang knelt and bowed to Luo Fu, saying: "Saint Luo Fu, this grace I shall never forget; should you ever need anything in the future, command me without hesitation—I shall brave fire and water, without reservation."

"No need, no need."

Luo Fu did not seek repayment for this favor; he merely feared that if Qiang Liang failed to realize the urgency of his breakthrough, he might be trapped and perish within.

It was but a trivial act, unworthy of mention.

Watching Qiang Liang's demeanor, Luo Fu waved his hand, dismissing him, and sat alone upon the Pangu Hall.

"The Wu clan are hardly so naive, but Qiang Liang is far too easily deceived."

Luo Fu wished to use the Wu clan to establish ties with the Emperor of Longevity; after all that had transpired, he felt the Wu clan had grown familiar with him, even intimate allies.

The Emperor of Longevity possessed something Luo Fu needed: material to forge a sword.

Only the Emperor of Longevity held this one material; the other two ingredients still had to be sought elsewhere.

Luo Fu sighed deeply; after so much frantic effort, he had yet to obtain even a single desired material—how could he not be anxious?

…

Within the Purple Cloud Palace.

Hao Tian and Yao Chi paid no heed to the affairs of the Honghuang; they attended only to their duties beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, safeguarding only that realm.

Until Ancestor Hongjun emerged from seclusion, neither was permitted to leave on their own.

Taishang Laojun, seeing Hao Tian and Yao Chi's state, shook his head; Ancestor Hongjun truly knew how to torment people.

"Take these lotus seeds to them—let Hao Tian and Yao Chi eat some."

"Yes, Master."

The immortal attendant quickly brought the lotus seeds from Taishang Laojun to the Purple Cloud Palace; upon seeing them, Hao Tian and Yao Chi were overjoyed—they had indeed been craving lotus seeds lately.

Alas, they were too occupied to take time to harvest them themselves.

Yao Chi exclaimed excitedly: "I've been craving these for ages—today's feast is thanks to Master's kindness! I must thank him properly!"

"If you want to see Master, just do your duty," Hao Tian said, eating as he spoke.

"Eat! Your mouth won't stop even with food in it!"

Yao Chi thought Hao Tian beyond redemption—if he thanked Taishang Laojun every time he sent gifts, then whenever he craved something, he'd just take whatever the Master had.

Alas, Hao Tian never thought of this, and Yao Chi didn't expect him to.

"Enough—I won't argue with you. How goes the repair of the Taiji Diagram and the Creation Jade Disc?"

"Still underway, but the Creation Jade Disc is exceedingly difficult to mend. If we can't finish it before Master emerges, he'll surely scold us."

"Do your best."

Yao Chi felt this task was terribly time-consuming; though safe within the Purple Cloud Palace, it was also dreadfully dull.

Moreover, after learning of Luo Fu's deeds, Yao Chi deeply admired and revered him, longing to meet Luo Fu face to face—but even Taishang Laojun had said it was nearly impossible to see him.