97: The city lord was shocked!

The Guard outside the door was instantly stunned upon hearing this.

What?

He broke through?

It's only been a few days!

Had he misheard?

When this Young Master Li entered, he was only at the Peak of the Body Refining Realm, right?

He had heard about the dangers of charging into the Condensing Essence Realm; many geniuses had fallen at this hurdle.

Even ordinary geniuses would need at least a month.

After all, it required converting all the Internal Energy in the body into Yuan Power.

Even with the Precious Medicinal Pill and Spiritual Vein assistance granted by the City Lord, it couldn't be this fast, could it?

The Guard shook his head vigorously, suspecting he was hearing things.

"Y-Young Master Li, what did you say? You... you broke through?"

His voice even stuttered a little.

"Mm."

Li Qing responded indifferently, offering no further explanation.

Upon receiving confirmation, the Guard gasped, his heart pounding wildly.

My heavens!

This... what a monstrous talent this is!

Not daring to show the slightest neglect, he hurriedly replied.

"Yes! Yes! Young Master Li, please wait a moment! I will go inform the City Lord immediately!"

After speaking, he ran out at the fastest possible speed, in a frantic rush... Inside the City Lord's mansion, in the study.

Zhuang Bai was handling official business, his brow slightly furrowed.

Recently, due to the matters concerning the Great Xia Martial Selection quotas, undercurrents were surging in the city, causing him considerable trouble.

Just then, the door to the study was knocked on urgently.

"Enter."

Zhuang Bai said somewhat displeased.

A Guard stumbled in, his face full of excitement and disbelief.

"City Lord! Great news! Tremendously great news!"

Zhuang Bai's frown deepened.

"What's with this panic? Calm down and speak slowly. What is it?"

"Yes, yes!"

The Guard forcibly steadied his breathing, but his voice still trembled with excitement.

"City Lord, it's... it's Young Master Li Qing! He... he successfully broke through to the Condensing Essence Realm!"

"What?!"

Zhuang Bai shot up from his chair. The brush in his hand fell onto the table with a 'thwack', ink splattering everywhere, but he remained completely unaware.

His face was filled with shock.

"Are you telling the truth? Li Qing... he broke through?"

"Absolutely true! Your subordinate just received word from the secret chamber side. Young Master Li said it himself, it cannot be false!"

"Quick! Quickly take me to see!"

The City Lord could no longer maintain his composure. An expression of wild joy surged onto his face as he strode with large steps towards the direction of the secret chamber.

As he walked, he was shouting wildly in his heart.

A Prodigy!

A true, monstrous Prodigy!

How many days has it been?

Counting fully, it's only been five days!

Five days!

From the Peak of the Body Refining Realm to breaking through into the Condensing Essence Realm!

What kind of concept is this?

Even the most elite scions of The Capital's noble families, with endless resources piled on them, would absolutely not take less than five days!

And that's with endless resources piled on.

He originally estimated that if Li Qing could successfully break through within half a month, it would already be considered exceptionally talented.

But now... Zhuang Bai felt his own heart pounding violently.

He had bet correctly!

He had truly bet on the right treasure!

This Li Qing was the Qilin Child who could change the fate of Jinling City, and even his own, Zhuang Bai's, destiny!

Soon, Zhuang Bai arrived outside the secret chamber.

He dismissed his attendants, stepped forward personally, activated the mechanism, and opened the heavy stone door.

"Creak—"

The stone door slowly opened, revealing the figure of a youth standing inside.

Li Qing was still wearing simple blue clothes, his expression calm, but his entire aura had undergone a world-shaking change.

If before, he was an Unpolished Jade, reserved and unassuming.

Then now, he was a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, its edge fully exposed, making one dare not look directly at him!

Zhuang Bai could clearly sense the unique Yuan Power fluctuations emanating from Li Qing's body, belonging to a Condensing Essence Realm Martial Artist!

Although still very faint, it was exceptionally pure!

"Hahaha! Good! Good! Excellent!"

Zhuang Bai couldn't help but burst into loud laughter, his voice filled with uncontrollable joy.

He quickly stepped forward, grabbed Li Qing's shoulders, and examined him carefully.

"Li Qing, you truly have not disappointed me! No! What you've given me is a heaven-sent surprise!"

"It was merely a stroke of luck, entirely thanks to the Precious Medicinal Pill and this Spiritual Vein Blessed Land granted by the City Lord."

Li Qing said neither humbly nor arrogantly, shifting the credit to the other party.

He knew that the more monstrous he appeared, the more Zhuang Bai would value him, and the lower his Guard against him would be.

"No, no, no. The Medicinal Pill and Spiritual Vein are merely external aids. What truly worked was your own talent!"

The City Lord waved his hands repeatedly. Looking at Li Qing now, he was more and more satisfied.

"Come, let me see your Yuan Power."

"Yes."

Li Qing extended his right hand. With a thought, a faint golden stream of Qi appeared in his palm, slowly rotating.

He deliberately controlled the form of the Yuan Power, not revealing its liquid essence.

He merely condensed it into a gaseous state slightly purer than that of an ordinary Martial Artist.

Even so, the moment Zhuang Bai sensed those Yuan Power fluctuations, his pupils contracted.

"Such pure Yuan Power! The solidity of your Foundation far surpasses your peers!"

Zhuang Bai couldn't help but praise.

Ordinary Martial Artists, upon first entering the Condensing Essence Realm, condense Yuan Power that is impure and chaotic, requiring long periods of tempering to refine.

But Li Qing's Yuan Power was incredibly pure from the very start. This indicated that his Qi and blood Foundation was robust to a terrifying degree!

Such talent was simply unheard of!

"Li Qing, from today onward, you need not return to that Iron Bone Martial Arts School."

Zhuang Bai immediately made the decision on the spot.

"I will arrange a fine courtyard for you within the mansion. You will reside here."

"If you have any questions regarding your Cultivation, you can come to me at any time. All resources within the mansion are open to you!"

He wanted to firmly bind Li Qing to his side.

Such a Qilin Prodigy must not suffer any mishap!

"Many thanks for the City Lord's great favor."

Li Qing felt a surge of joy in his heart, but his face remained expressionless as he respectfully bowed.

This was exactly what he wanted!

Living in the City Lord's mansion brought him closer to the treasury, making his actions more convenient!

Seeing Li Qing's steady, calm demeanor, neither arrogant nor impatient, Zhuang Bai admired him even more.

Top-tier talent, and such a steady Heart-Nature.

In the Great Xia Martial Selection, Jinling City might truly make a stunning impression this time!

He could almost already see the scene: Li Qing shining brilliantly on the Martial Selection arena, and himself rising in status because of it, obtaining a promotion.

"Come! Follow me! I will personally host a welcoming banquet for you!"

In high spirits, Zhuang Bai took Li Qing's hand and walked out warmly.

Li Qing followed behind, his expression calm, but inwardly sneering.

A welcoming banquet?

I'm afraid in a couple of days, you'll be vomiting blood.

Deep underground, his Clone beast was getting closer and closer to its target.