16: Resource absorption, master-level axe and fist techniques!

The Marshal Residence and the manor, despite years of trials since the unfortunate demise of the last Defense Envoy, still maintained their rightful dignity and cleanliness.

Cleaning personnel regularly came each week for meticulous upkeep, ensuring that even in the years of being uninhabited, this residence never showed the slightest sign of neglect.

Xu Yi, accompanied by Butler Zhao, slowly entered this seemingly solemn manor and toured its various internal areas.

After understanding the entire layout, Butler Zhao softly inquired of Xu Yi, "My Lord, everything here is prepared. Do you have any other instructions?"

Xu Yi smiled slightly and shook his head, saying, "No, Old Zhao."

"For the foreseeable future, unless there's something exceptionally important, do not disturb me."

Butler Zhao's eyes flashed with understanding upon hearing this.

He assumed Xu Yi wished to use this opportunity to consolidate his newly advanced Martial Emperor realm.

Thus, he respectfully nodded and assented, "Understood, My Lord..."

Immediately after, Xu Yi used his communication ring to inform the three Generals of the defense line and the directors of each city's department that he would be entering secluded cultivation for a period.

After instructing them to fulfill their duties and ensure orderly provincial affairs, he eagerly stepped into the fully equipped advanced cultivation room deep within the manor.

He sat cross-legged in the center of the cultivation room, beginning to retrieve the precious cultivation resources gifted by numerous martial artist families from his infinite storage space, one by one.

For a time, lightning-elemental energy surged within the cultivation room.

The rich aura emanating from various rare spiritual fruits and energy crystals converged, filling the entire cultivation room with a refreshing energy presence!

"Hmm..." Xu Yi took a deep breath, a look of intoxication on his face.

Just as he was about to begin absorbing them all, the mysterious voice of the System suddenly echoed in his mind.

["Congratulations, Host, you have triggered a choice."]

["Choice One: Refuse cultivation, actively and personally handle the affairs within Mobei Province, firmly grasping all power in your hands. Reward: One SSS-level Thunderous Spirit Fruit, comprehension of 'Advanced Axe Techniques' elevated to Grandmaster level, comprehension of 'Advanced Fist Techniques' elevated to Grandmaster level."]

["Choice Two: Delegate most matters to your subordinates for independent handling, enter secluded cultivation to break through to greater strength. Reward: One SSS-level Luminous Thunder Crystal, comprehension of 'Advanced Axe Techniques' elevated to Grandmaster level, comprehension of 'Advanced Fist Techniques' elevated to Grandmaster level."]

"There are options again?"

Xu Yi paused his movements upon hearing the sound, gazing at the two System options that suddenly popped up before him.

After quickly browsing them, he found that the rewards in both options were almost identical.

The only difference lay in the two SSS-level resources, which were both used to enhance cultivation, differing only in type.

Comparatively, the second option was more aligned with what he intended to do next.

Without much thought, Xu Yi closed his eyes, concentrated, and silently recited in his mind, "Since that's the case... System, I choose two!"

["Congratulations, Host, you have received one SSS-level Luminous Thunder Crystal, comprehension of 'Advanced Axe Techniques' elevated to Grandmaster level, and comprehension of 'Advanced Fist Techniques' elevated to Grandmaster level."]

As the System's voice faded, two profound memories, like trickling streams, slowly poured into the depths of Xu Yi's mind, allowing him to firmly grasp them!

And as expected, Xu Yi mastered their essence in mere moments!

He even gained the ability to materialize them after reaching the Grandmaster level, effectively enhancing his combat power beyond its original foundation!

Moreover, when performing similar martial skills, it could provide an additional boost to destructive power...

Simultaneously, a dark blue energy crystal, only the size of a thumb yet radiating intense lightning-elemental energy, quietly appeared in Xu Yi's infinite storage space as the System's voice faded.

After quickly digesting the two profound memories in his mind, Xu Yi slowly opened his eyes.

Arcing electricity flickered within his eyes, and a satisfied smile played on his lips.

With a thought, the precious SSS-level Luminous Thunder Crystal appeared in his palm.

"What a treasure..." Xu Yi gently caressed the smooth, arcing surface of the Luminous Thunder Crystal, uttering a heartfelt exclamation of praise.

Though small, the density of lightning-elemental energy contained within this crystal left him with an unprecedented sense of shock.

Compared to it, the equally high-grade but massive energy crystals around him seemed to lose much of their luster!

The internal energy of the SSS-level Luminous Thunder Crystal was extremely pure, without any impurities, condensed from the purest lightning attribute energy of nature...

With this SSS-level Luminous Thunder Crystal obtained from the System, coupled with the abundant cultivation resources ranging from A-grade to SSS-grade piled around him, and the Lei Yuan Divine Body he had recently acquired, Xu Yi had already conceived a bold idea.

He intended to leverage these resources to elevate his cultivation level to the Martial Emperor Mid-term (Mid-stage) realm in one go!

He estimated that by absorbing all these resources, he had over a fifty percent chance of directly breaking through his current bottleneck!

However, Xu Yi was not satisfied with a fifty percent success rate.

He wanted absolute certainty!

Thus, he decided to add more fuel to the fire!

"Someone..." His voice echoed through the cultivation room and throughout the manor, instructing Butler Zhao to go to the Marshal Residence's resource library in his name.

He was to select more S-grade and above resources suitable for his current cultivation.

As the new Defense Envoy of Mobei Province, he had absolute authority to mobilize the resources stored in the Marshal Residence's treasury...

"My Lord, these are the items you requested. They are all here."

"If you need anything else, please feel free to command..."

Butler Zhao was highly efficient; he soon returned to the front of the cultivation room with a full load of resources.

Feeling the dense energy fluctuations emanating from within the cultivation room, a hint of awe flashed in his eyes.

Xu Yi nodded slightly, expressing satisfaction with Butler Zhao's efficiency.

He took the resources, waved his hand gently to signal Butler Zhao to withdraw, and then re-entered the core area of the cultivation room, sitting cross-legged.

At this moment, he was surrounded by various high-grade cultivation resources, radiating an alluring glow.

"Let's begin..." Xu Yi's gaze swept over the dazzling array of high-grade resources around him, his heart filled with confidence.

Now, as long as he absorbed all these resources, he had a hundred percent certainty of breaking through to the Martial Emperor Mid-term (Mid-stage) realm in one go!

As for the time required for the breakthrough, Xu Yi already had a rough estimate in his mind: at most, it would be no more than a month!

A month later, he would appear before everyone in a completely new state!