97: Chapter 97: Star Palace Assists in Nascent Soul Formation and Proposes Marriage

Zhao Changsheng did not pay much attention to the trivial matters of the Wonderful Sound Sect in Heavenly Star City—with the Star Palace's protection, there was no need for him to worry. He only needed to focus on hunting Yao Beasts in the Outer Star Sea.

However, precisely because the number of Yao Beasts he hunted was so vast, he eventually drew the attention of the Star Palace.

This year, when he handed over the monster beast materials and some demonic cores obtained from his hunts to the Wonderful Sound Sect's Sect Leader, Zhou Yuan, the other party suddenly said, "Elder, the Star Palace Grand Elder sent someone with a message a while ago. If you return, you are to go to the Star Palace to see him as soon as possible; he has important matters to discuss."

Upon hearing this, the expression on Zhao Changsheng's face changed instantly. The smile he originally wore faded, replaced by a touch of gravity. "The Star Palace Grand Elder is looking for me? What could he want? Could it be news of Revered Master?" he pondered inwardly. Even with a heart full of doubt, he knew he had to make this trip to the Star Palace.

Thus, he said to Zhou Yuan with a solemn expression, "I understand. I will head to the Star Palace first thing tomorrow morning." After speaking, Zhao Changsheng stood up and left, returning to his room.

Two people were already waiting in the room: Zhuo Ruting and Fan Jingmei. Over these years, with Zhao Changsheng's full support, the two sisters' cultivation had progressed by leaps and bounds, and they had successfully advanced to the Late Stage Foundation Establishment. They now had hope of Forming the Golden Core in the future. They were immensely grateful to Zhao Changsheng; without him, given their Aptitude, Forming the Golden Core would have been nothing short of a pipe dream. With his help, in just over ten years, they had already reached the Late Stage Foundation Establishment. This cultivation speed not only far exceeded that of the vast majority of Cultivators but was also not inferior even when compared to a Heavenly Spiritual Root Cultivator.

All of this was because they had received many Medicinal Pills: first were the pills Zhao Changsheng had kept from before, second were those refined from the demonic cores obtained from hunting Yao Beasts over the years, and finally, there were the pills refined from the heaven and earth spiritual medicine exchanged from Han Li. During these years, the demonic cores and Materials Zhao Changsheng obtained from hunting Yao Beasts were partly given to Zhou Yuan of the Wonderful Sound Sect and partly to Han Li, who was responsible for selling them externally. Han Li would also use these demonic cores to refine pills, and the recipes naturally came from Zhao Changsheng's hands. The two sisters' Aptitude was already better than Han Li's, and with Zhao Changsheng's unstinting support, their cultivation speed was naturally astonishing.

Consequently, the two sisters had always served Zhao Changsheng with all their heart and soul, being meticulous in every way, almost employing every trick they had learned.

Early the next morning, Zhao Changsheng rose feeling refreshed and went straight to the Star Palace... The Star Palace Grand Elder had clearly made arrangements for Zhao Changsheng's arrival. Along the way, he encountered no difficulties and met this powerful figure very smoothly.

"To have already reached the False Nascent Stage so quickly, it seems your harvest over these years has been quite substantial." The Star Palace Grand Elder only glanced at Zhao Changsheng before seeing through his cultivation—now, Zhao Changsheng was only half a step away from the Nascent Soul Stage. However, this half-step gap would be as difficult as ascending to heaven to cross without sufficient Opportunity or fortune.

"The Grand Elder overpraises me; this Junior just had a bit of good luck," Zhao Changsheng replied modestly.

"Very well, no need for excessive modesty. My main reason for seeking you out this time is that I need ten seventh-grade demonic cores. Do you have them?"

The Grand Elder's words caused Zhao Changsheng's expression to shift slightly. He shook his head and asked tentatively, "The Grand Elder must be joking. How could this Junior possess so many seventh-grade demonic cores? Besides, with the Star Palace's strength, gathering ten seventh-grade demonic cores shouldn't be difficult. At most, it would require some price, and that price should be insignificant to the Star Palace, right?" He was inwardly wary, unsure if this was a test from the Star Palace.

"This is a private transaction between me and you, unrelated to the Star Palace. Therefore, I do not intend to use the Star Palace's power; I only wish to make this deal with you."

The Grand Elder's response made Zhao Changsheng's expression look even worse, but he still braced himself to refuse: "This Junior currently only has three seventh-grade demonic cores. If the Grand Elder needs them, I am willing to offer them directly as a token of gratitude for the Grand Elder's protection of the Wonderful Sound Sect over the years. Without your protection, the Wonderful Sound Sect would likely have ceased to exist long ago."

"Since you don't have them, then so be it. Besides this matter, I have one more question—do you wish to condense a Nascent Soul?"

Hearing this, Zhao Changsheng was completely stunned. A look of heat and excitement instinctively appeared in his eyes, and he almost blurted out, "Of course I do!"

"Since you are interested, I can tell you that the Star Palace has a Secret Technique that can increase the chance of condensing a Nascent Soul by about twenty percent. Do you want it?" The Grand Elder was quite satisfied with Zhao Changsheng's reaction, which was not unexpected—hardly anyone could resist the temptation of condensing a Nascent Soul, especially a Cultivator like Zhao Changsheng who was already half a step into the Realm.

"Naturally! May I ask the Grand Elder, what price must this Junior pay to learn this Secret Technique?" Zhao Changsheng asked impatiently, his voice unable to hide his excitement, appearing somewhat undignified.

"You needn't be so excited. You are already a Star Palace Elder, so you are inherently qualified to obtain this Secret Technique. However, this technique has a requirement: it requires a woman to perform Dual Cultivation with you, and this woman must have reached the Core Formation Stage."

The Star Palace Grand Elder's words caused Zhao Changsheng to gradually calm down. He asked with a puzzled look, "Is it really that simple?"

"Naturally, it's more than that. First, this woman must have practiced a special Cultivation Technique of the Star Palace after Foundation Establishment and must have maintained her Primordial Yin. Secondly, after Dual Cultivation, her Realm will directly drop. If she is at the Middle or Late Core Formation Stage, the impact is relatively small, but if she is at the Early Core Formation Stage, she will fall directly to the Foundation Establishment Stage. Although her Lifespan will not decrease significantly, it will take twenty to thirty, or even forty to fifty years to recover, and it will be difficult for her to condense a Nascent Soul in the future. Over these years, there are only two suitable women in the Star Palace who have successfully practiced it, and both have reached the Middle Core Formation Stage."

As soon as the Grand Elder finished speaking, Zhao Changsheng followed up with a question: "Then may I ask the Grand Elder, what price must I pay?" He did not believe the Star Palace Grand Elder would be so kind as to offer such an Opportunity for nothing.

"You do not need to know the price for now. It will be told to you after you successfully condense your Nascent Soul. If you fail to do so, knowing it will be useless."

The Grand Elder's answer left Zhao Changsheng stunned again, and he did not speak immediately.

"Then, can this Junior refuse?"

After pondering for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zhao Changsheng suddenly spoke a sentence that surprised the Grand Elder.

"You mean to say you want to refuse? You should know what that implies."

"This Junior naturally understands what it implies. But I do not wish to be bound. Although I am already an Elder of the Star Palace, I already have someone I love in my heart and do not wish to become Dao Companions with another."

Zhao Changsheng's answer made the Grand Elder laugh.

"So you already know what is being asked of you. You are indeed clever."

"If you refuse, it is no matter. However, there might be trouble."