74: Evolution value +4650!

A series of prompts flooded Li Qing's vision.

Twenty-one Spirit Stones, totaling 2100 points of evolution value!

Next were the spiritual objects.

Li Qing had previously monitored them.

The three items he took were the spiritual objects with the most Spiritual Qi.

[Devoured Mystic Water Sunflower (First-Rank Spiritual Plant), evolution value +350]

[Devoured Earth Mother Stone Crystal (Second-Rank Spiritual Object), evolution value +800]

[Devoured Thousand-Year Stone Milk (Third-Rank Spiritual Object), evolution value +1400]

The three spiritual objects provided 2550 points of evolution value.

That was more than what the twenty-one Spirit Stones provided.

Adding the twenty-one Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

This time, the total increase was 4650 points of evolution value!

[evolution value: 5834.9/50000]

In just a short moment, the evolution value had surged by a huge margin!

Previously, when Li Qing's Clone consumed a First-Rank Spiritual Plant, it only added 300 points of evolution value.

Now, a first-rank item gave 50 more points, reaching 350 points.

It seems there are differences even within the same rank.

And judging by the ranks above, the evolution value provided by spiritual objects differs greatly between each rank.

Feeling the surging power within his Clone's body, Li Qing was so excited he could hardly contain himself.

He had directly completed one-tenth of the progress toward the next evolution.

At this rate, as long as he had enough Spirit Stones, he could quickly complete his next evolution!

"Spirit Stones! I need more Spirit Stones!"

Li Qing learned from City Lord Bai.

In a small city like Jinling City, Spirit Stones are rare.

But there are countless large cities.

Spiritual objects and treasures are also more abundant there.

An unprecedented light flashed in Li Qing's eyes.

The Great Xia Martial Selection, he was definitely going!

The night was as dark as ink. Li Qing sat cross-legged on his bed, but his heart was burning with passion.

The evolution value had broken through the five-thousand mark. This number gave him hope of evolving again in the short term.

Every time the Earth Spirit Turtle Clone evolved, its strength would undergo a world-shaking change.

If he could complete another evolution before the Great Xia Martial Selection, what kind of terrifying trump card would he possess?

At that time, not to mention in Jinling City, even among the younger generation of the entire Great Xia Dynasty, he would dare to compete.

But a problem followed—resources.

Twenty-two Spirit Stones and three Heaven And Earth Treasures were a lot, but they were only just gathered from Duan Tianba's entire fortune plus the City Lord Manor's welcome gift.

This huge fortune only moved the evolution progress bar a small notch.

Where could he fill the remaining gap of nearly forty-five thousand points?

Relying on that unlucky bastard Duan Tianba, who had already been squeezed dry, was hopeless.

Hunt Vicious Beasts in the river?

This was certain.

But the efficiency was too low. After the last sweep, the waters of the lower reaches of the Qiu River had become very barren, and high-rank Vicious Beasts had gone into hiding.

Li Qing had been earning around 300 points per day these past few days.

But fortunately, there were still three months before the Great Xia Martial Competition began.

Ninety days in three months would yield less than thirty thousand evolution value.

He needed to think of other methods.

Before the Martial Competition, he needed to evolve again.

As he thought about it.

The dazzling scene of the City Lord Manor's treasure vault involuntarily surfaced in Li Qing's mind.

Century-old medicinal herbs, spiritual ores and strange stones, Cultivation Techniques and Secret Manuals... that was a true treasure mountain!

An idea, like a bamboo shoot after the rain, sprouted wildly from the depths of his heart.

"If I could empty the City Lord Manor's treasure vault..."

This thought, once it appeared, startled even Li Qing himself.

Too crazy!

That was the City Lord Manor's treasure vault, heavily guarded, filled with traps, and overseen by a Spirit Transformation Realm expert like City Lord Bai.

With his current level of strength, trying to pull a tooth from a tiger's mouth was pure fantasy. If exposed, he would surely die without a burial place.

But this idea was like a magical seed. Once planted, it began to take root and sprout wildly, impossible to shake off.

"The risk is great, but the reward is higher..."

Li Qing forced himself to calm down and analyze.

Charging in head-on was definitely not an option; that was seeking death.

Then he could only rely on wit.

He now held the City Lord Manor's Guest Elder token, granting him the qualification to freely enter and leave the City Lord Manor.

City Lord Bai had also said that he could seek him out anytime for cultivation problems.

This was a perfect excuse.

As long as he operated properly, frequently entering and leaving the City Lord Manor, familiarizing himself with the environment, and looking for opportunities... it might not be impossible.

He already knew the treasure vault's location. The biggest challenge was how to open that Refined Iron Gate without anyone knowing.

And how to take the things inside without alerting anyone.

"Refined Iron Gate... mechanisms..."

Li Qing's thoughts raced.

He thought of his Earth Spirit Turtle Clone.

The Clone's talents, besides 【Great Strength】, 【Mysterious Armor】, 【Mystic Water Manipulation】, and 【Earth Vein Sensing】!

Forget it, there's still plenty of time. Take it slow.

First, set a preliminary plan.

Step one: Use the Guest Elder identity, under the pretext ofconsult cultivation problems, frequently visit the City Lord Manor to lower everyone's Guard.

Step two: During the gaps between "seeking advice," find opportunities to approach the treasure vault and use 【Earth Vein Sensing】 to silently probe the structure of the mechanisms.

Step three: Have the Earth Spirit Turtle Clone dig an underground tunnel at the river bottom.

Step four: Find the best opportunity, infiltrate the treasure vault, and sweep away all the resources inside!

"Seems feasible!"

A sharp light flashed in Li Qing's eyes as he made up his mind.

Risk and opportunity coexist.

To obtain the most powerful strength in the shortest time, one must do what ordinary people dare not do!

As for whether City Lord Bai would be so angry he'd vomit blood or hunt him down across the world after the City Lord Manor was plucked bare, those were matters for later.

What did the Clone's affairs have to do with him, Li Qing?

As long as the Clone completed its evolution and its strength surged dramatically, he would have enough confidence to face any storm.

At worst, he could flee far away. The world is vast; where couldn't he go?

...Early the next morning, Li Qing did not go to the Iron Bone Martial Arts School but went directly to the City Lord Manor.

He did not go empty-handed. Instead, he bought some ordinary pastries from the market to bring, making a proper visiting gesture.

Social etiquette also needed to be handled appropriately!

The Guards at the City Lord Manor gate saw him and, as before, respectfully saluted and let him pass directly.

Li Qing, familiar with the way, arrived at the courtyard where City Lord Bai's study was located.

"The City Lord is meeting with guests. Please wait a moment, Young Master Li."

The personal Guard at the courtyard entrance stopped him.

Li Qing nodded, not in a hurry, and sat down on a stone stool in the courtyard.

He placed the pastries on the table and closed his eyes to rest.

His mind, however, had already quietly sunk into the river bottom.

At the same time, a trace of imperceptible Mental Energy, like an invisible tentacle, spread out along the ground. 【Earth Vein Sensing】 was quietly activated.

The entire underground structure of the City Lord Manor began to vaguely appear in his mind.

Where was solid ground, where were hidden passages, where were abnormal energy fluctuations... Although not yet clear, he had a general outline.

His current location was over a thousand meters in a straight line from the underground treasure vault.

"Not close enough. The perception isn't accurate."

Li Qing thought to himself.

"Let him in." City Lord Bai's voice came from the study.

Li Qing stood up, picked up the pastries, and entered the study.

"Coming so early, have you encountered someproblem in your cultivation?"

City Lord Bai put down the scroll in his hand and asked with a smile.

"There are some parts of the 'Giant Spirit Body Tempering Art' I don't quite understand. I've come specifically toconsult the City Lord." Li Qing placed the pastries on the table.

"A small gift, not much to show my respect."

City Lord Bai laughed heartily, feeling quite pleased.

Li Qing's attitude was very agreeable to him.

What he valued was Li Qing's talent and this understanding.

"Good, ask whatever questions you have."

For the next hour, Li Qing genuinelyconsulted City Lord Bai on several key points in the 'Giant Spirit Body Tempering Art.'

The questions he raised were very insightful, directly targeting the core of the technique, clearly the result of deep thought.

This made City Lord Bai even more convinced that Li Qing was not only exceptionally talented but also had astonishing Comprehension Ability, a true martial arts prodigy.

He imparted everything he knew, sharing his cultivation insights and experiences with Li Qing without holding back.

Li Qing listened, nodding repeatedly, appearing to have sudden enlightenment, but in his heart, he was constantly perfecting his own plan.

After theconsult session, Li Qing stood up to take his leave.

"If you have moredon't know in cultivation in the future, you can come anytime."

City Lord Bai personally saw him to the door, patted his shoulder, his face full of expectation for the younger generation.

Li Qing respectfully agreed and turned to leave.

Watching his retreating figure, City Lord Bai stroked his beard with satisfaction.

This youngster had a promising future.

As long as he was nurtured with care, he could definitely become an important asset for Jinling City, and even for his own future promotion.

He was completely unaware that thejuvenile in his eyes, whom he saw as exceptionally talented and understanding, was currently plotting how to clean out his family's treasure vault in one go.