Chapter 11: Strive! Fight! The Four Heroes of Floating Cloud
Chapter 11: Strive! Fight! The Four Heroes of Floating Cloud
The gains this time were exceptionally bountiful, but Li Si’s heart felt only a ripple upon still water.
He first collected the remnants, potato-chip-sized exuviae, tucking them safely into his beast-skin pouch. This treasure must never be discovered by others.
Exposing his strangeness meant more than just being questioned – it invited sheer cruelty.
Next, Li Si activated the Fate Forge, smelting the four hundred portions of Gray Firewood into Fate. He used it all to advance the cultivation progress for the second layer of the Heaven-Turning Scripture.
He had considered trying to cultivate like practicing the Dao Technique Heart Cleansing Curse, even spending some Magic Power. But it proved impossible. The Alienation Contamination Degree inside him was poison, cancerous cells.
Until he completely cleared the Alienation Contamination Degree or raised his Bloodline and Bone Evolution Progress to a sufficient level, trying to cultivate the Heaven-Turning Scripture would be asking for suffering.
Better to just use Fate to push it forward.
Four portions of Gray Fortune raised the cultivation progress of the Heaven-Turning Scripture’s second layer to 1.4%, increasing his Magic Power cap to 240.
No time for pride, time was precious. The next second, Li Si started practicing the Great Joy, Great Sorrow, Great Sun Tathagata Palm.
Rest? Didn’t exist.
Holding back? Didn’t exist.
Seizing the chance to ruthlessly pluck the sheep was the only right way.
Peng!
Sizzle!
Countless tiny electric sparks filled the three-foot space around Li Si. The power was shocking. Something like the mutated Evil Entity Seven Emotions Mushroom didn’t even leave last words; it was instantly vaporized.
Though, gaining 1.2% Alienation Contamination Degree for the entire exchange was harsh.
Another four portions of Gray Fortune gained. Li Si decisively spent three on his Bloodline and Bone Evolution Progress, pushing it to 13%, suppressing the Alienation Contamination Degree down to 36%.
But then, good news! Or rather, because his Bloodline and Bone Evolution Progress broke through a small bottleneck, Li Si himself underwent a sudden, strange transformation. Even his weak body felt powerfully invigorated.
Visibly, his previously suppressed Alienation Contamination Degree, stuck at 36%, immediately dropped by one percentage point.
This was the advantage brought by increasing his Bloodline and Bone Evolution Progress.
His resistance against the corroding force of the Bizarre strengthened considerably.
Nothing needed saying. Li Si exchanged one portion of Gray Fortune for 1000 points of Magic Power. Then, the Great Joy, Great Sorrow, Great Sun Tathagata Palm came again.
This time, because his Bloodline and Bone Evolution Progress was now 13%, even the Alienation Contamination increase was lower.
Alienation Contamination Degree +0.3%!
Alienation Contamination Degree +0.7%!
Erased the incomplete mutated Evil Entity Seven Emotions Mushroom! Gained 400 portions of Gray Firewood! Gained Remnant Exuviae +2!
The profit margin soared dramatically. Comfortable!
He quickly used these four new portions of Gray Fortune to further the second layer of the Heaven-Turning Scripture. The cultivation progress reached 1.8%, bumping his Magic Power cap up to 280 points. The Alienation Contamination Degree crept back up to 36%.
Continue! Great Compassion, Great Sun Tathagata, Great Joy, Great Sorrow… Four more times. When the Alienation Contamination Degree once more hit the 40% threshold, Li Si decisively strengthened his Bloodline and Bone Evolution Progress, pushing it to 13.4%, pulling the Alienation Contamination Degree back down to the 36% safety line.
He still held 12 portions of Gray Fortune and 500 points of Magic Power as profit.
This time, Li Si first checked the cost to fully master the Dao Technique Heart Cleansing Curse. Good—it required only five portions. He could practice further to lower the cost, but time was tight. The Old Madam required protection today, and the Heart Cleansing Curse might prove useful.
Master it! Immediately!
Instantly, as five portions of Gray Fortune vanished, profound understanding flooded Li Si’s mind. He was already mostly familiar with the Heart Cleansing Curse; now it all clicked into place—perfect mastery.
He dared not cast it immediately, though. This technique created a beneficial aura shielding him from demonic Qi invasions for nearly half an hour. It was practically the natural enemy of his Great Joy Great Sorrow Palm.
Next, Li Si dumped the remaining seven portions of Gray Fortune into advancing the second layer of the Heaven-Turning Scripture. The cultivation progress rose to 2.5%, increasing his Magic Power cap to 350 points.
This cap was crucial.
Because the stronger he enhanced his Dao Techniques, the hungrier they became for Magic Power.
Finally, with 500 points of Magic Power still stored, Li Si unleashed four more rounds of the Great Joy Great Sorrow Palm. Four rounds, not five, because the Joyous Mushrooms and Sorrowful Mushrooms were freaking sold out again! Whether he focused on joy, sorrow, joy-then-sorrow, or sorrow-then-joy… nothing worked.
See that? The supply just couldn’t keep up.
Rubbish!
Li Si inwardly spat with utter contempt.
Then, standard procedure: Activate the Fate Forge. Smelt immediately. He used six portions of Gray Fortune to forcefully jack his Bloodline Evolution Progress to 14%. He instantly felt invigorated, a surge of power! The Alienation Contamination Degree plummeted yet another percentage point, resting now at 33%. It felt like returning to the prime vigor of his thirties—body brimming with strength!
He used the remaining twelve portions of Gray Fortune not recklessly, but entirely on boosting the cultivation progress of the Heaven-Turning Scripture’s second layer, pushing it to 3.7%. His Magic Power cap broke through to 520 points.
This instilled solid confidence. Resource security was paramount. Throughout history, across this or any world, whoever controlled the resources ruled the roost.
Humming a little tune in his heart, Li Si returned to the Deserted Village. Out for mere minutes, but truly—three seconds away, and you’d hardly recognize him.
He pretended to wait by the village entrance for over ten minutes. Then he drew the Demon-Quelling Garrison Standard Flag and strode back to the Stone House. The others hadn’t emerged yet. The Four Heroes of Floating Cloud should advance and retreat together. They didn’t seek to die the same year, month, and day—just live them!
Inside the Stone House, the Little Girl and the two small children were just waking. Having eaten their fill the previous night, they looked surprisingly energetic now. But no time for them to gloat. Soon, they’d begin cultivating the Floating Cloud Sect’s foundational method, the Heaven-Turning Scripture, destined to become the sect’s next batch of foolish labor.
Senior Sister Jiang was busy simmering the Great Soul-Returning Broth. Li Si enthusiastically went to assist.
Senior Sister Jiang smiled, making room for him while instructing him on the broth. Loving the sect, loving labor—these were virtues!
Well, obviously he wasn’t doing it for the potential two bowls he might get.
Ji Chang and Xu Shen, however, were increasingly mirroring the Old Madam. Sitting there? Whoa! Eyes closed, mind peacefully adrift, emanating an immortal aura… as if they’d stood for millennia.
This skill at winning by loafing? Truly the Floating Cloud Sect’s genuine tradition!
Only when the Great Soul-Returning Broth was fully brewed did the Old Madam, Ji Chang, and Xu Shen all snap their eyes open simultaneously.
“Master, please.”
Since Li Si had brewed it, he served. He offered the Old Madam three bowls. Then each for Ji Chang, Xu Shen, and Senior Sister Jiang. He kept two for himself. The leftover broth and scraps went to the two middle-aged? children? ones and the three little ones.
Once everyone had eaten, the Old Madam suddenly frowned, looking deeply perplexed.
“Strange and wondrous… for reasons unknown, this master’s tribulation has been postponed for a day. You may all hold off beginning the protection ceremony until tomorrow,” she said.
And without acknowledging anyone’s odd looks, she returned to her meditative state.
Ji Chang and Xu Shen, who had been dragging their heels preparing their formation flags, exchanged a single glance. They saw the brilliance of understanding in each other’s eyes.
Ji Chang inwardly: Ha! You old fossil! Trying to test our loyalty this way? Think we can’t see your true face? Demon! Reveal yourself! -1 Humanity.
Xu Shen inwardly: Master, why do this? We may harbor some small thoughts lately, but we’d never truly defy you! To test us like this… Hmph. You old bag, are you actually teetering? About to collapse? Death nearing? Seems prudent to prepare an exit… -1 Humanity.
Jiang Ying inwardly: What now? The Master’s catastrophe changes again, growing fiercer… Very well. The Master’s kindness to me was immense. My lifespan was short anyway. I must fulfill my duty, even if it costs my life. +0 Humanity.
Li Si inwardly: Huh? What’s happening? Old Madam’s disaster can just… be delayed? Is it a disaster or her woman’s period? But a day’s delay is good, yes, excellent! So considerate, Master. I’ve got your back! +1 Humanity.