Chapter 254

Chapter 254: Three Pieces of Thunder Marrow

“It really is the Lunar Star,” the City Lord stood right in front of her, but her voice sounded as if it came from very far away as she asked: “How did you do it?”

[Li Shuang’s heart tightened.]

The way to choose the Lunar Star as the Origin Star had been deduced by the Heaven and Earth Furnace from her cultivation method. The Furnace’s power was too mysterious for her to see its limits. Just because the Furnace could deduce it did not mean anyone else could. That alone was a very valuable piece of information.

Li Shuang spoke in a calm voice: “I was able to choose the Lunar Star as my Origin Star partly by chance, but I also had some of my own insights.” She stopped there and did not say more.

The City Lord looked at her without anger, then smiled as she asked: “What do you want?”

Li Shuang answered without hesitation: “You must have heard what happened today. I do not dare to be greedy. I only ask that you shelter me so those outside back off.”

The City Lord neither agreed nor denied it as she said: “Joining a Super Sect is also a shortcut. If you worry they will steal your Supreme Spiritual Root, I can help you delay them for one year. After another year, your new Supreme Spiritual Root will pass the three year mark, and then no one can take it.”

[Li Shuang’s heart gave a jump.]

The City Lord knew about her Supreme Spiritual Root, and even the timing.

The City Lord smiled: “The ones in the Soul Prison try to break out all the time. I have to pay closer attention. Don’t worry, I also have a Supreme Spiritual Root. I’m not interested in yours.”

[Her thoughts raced.] That meant the City Lord had known about her Supreme Ice Spiritual Root two years ago. In these two years, the City Lord had made no move against her. Her claim of no interest could be trusted.

Li Shuang bowed and said: “With your status, how could a mere spiritual root matter to you. But I truly have no wish to join any other sect.”

The City Lord raised a brow as she asked: “Is it because you live in the Nanlan Continent and cannot travel easily?”

[Li Shuang’s chest tightened again.] The City Lord knew she was from the Nanlan Continent.

The City Lord smiled: “Rest easy, only I know this. You are not the only person from another continent in Myriad Arts City. That is nothing rare. If that is your worry, I can give you a Cross-Continent Teleport Talisman so you can reach the Central Continent in an instant.”

Li Shuang drew a sharp breath. She had heard of Thousand-League Teleport Talismans and Ten-Thousand-League Teleport Talismans, but a Cross-Continent Teleport Talisman was on a different level. This world was vast, and the Endless Sea in the middle had no real edge. A talisman that could send someone straight to the Central Continent was priceless.

Her surprise lasted only a moment before she steadied herself and said: “I don’t need it for now. I like my sect and have no plans to leave.”

The City Lord studied Li Shuang for a while, then smiled. A trace of approval flashed in her eyes. A person who valued feelings was more trustworthy than someone who only cared about gain.

“In that case, I won’t press you. I’ll open some extra resources to you. A Cross-Continent Teleport Talisman will be among them. If you change your mind, you can buy it with Merit Points,” her voice was even as she added: “As for your request, I accept. In Myriad Arts City, no one can force you.”

Joy flashed in Li Shuang’s eyes: “Thank you, City Lord. As for how I locked onto the Lunar Star, I found the way by chance.”

The City Lord listened closely.

“First, you need a Seventh Tier treasure, the Stellar Fruit,” Li Shuang said, “the Stellar Fruit lets a cultivator briefly gain the power of the stars and reduces conflict with the Lunar Star. Second, you need a Soul-Settling Pill to steady the soul.”

The City Lord frowned: “I tried both. They help a little, but they don’t let you lock onto the Lunar Star.”

“The last item is the Ninth-Grade Azure Lotus,” Li Shuang said. “You must use the Power of the Azure Lotus to purify the Lunar Starlight. With these three together, plus a bit of luck, there is a small chance to lock onto the Lunar Star.”

“Ninth-Grade Azure Lotus…” the City Lord was stunned for a beat, then murmured: “So it really is the Ninth-Grade Azure Lotus.”

The Stellar Fruit and the Soul-Settling Pill were within her expectations. She had even tried them herself, but each attempt ended in failure. So she had been missing the key piece: the Ninth-Grade Azure Lotus.

The City Lord looked sharply at Li Shuang. The only Ninth-Grade Azure Lotus in the world lay in the Langya Secret Realm, and it had already fallen into Li’s hands. Even with the method now known, it would be hard to repeat. In this world, only the one before her could draw down the Lunar Starlight.

She could not help thinking of that night two years ago, when the Lunar Star suddenly shook. That must have been when Li stirred the Lunar Starlight.

“These three are all required. In this world, only you can do it,” the City Lord said as she looked at Li Shuang. “Your progress is fast. You have already reached the second layer. Beyond the Lunar Star’s help, you also have real talent in the Rebirth Art.”

Li Shuang was modest as she said: “You praise me too highly.”

The City Lord’s gaze rippled. Then she took out three violet crystals and waved her hand so they floated to a stop before Li Shuang: “These three violet crystals are thunder marrow I refined myself. Crush one, and I will do one thing within my power for you. Three pieces of thunder marrow, three promises.”

Li Shuang’s pupils tightened. She stared at the City Lord in disbelief. She had shared her method, and the City Lord had agreed to protect her in Myriad Arts City. She thought their deal was done. Who would have guessed the City Lord would add three more promises on top. The value of three promises from such a peerless expert was beyond measure.

Li Shuang stood still and did not dare accept them. She sensed no ill will from the City Lord. Li Li was also at ease, showing nothing strange. That was part of why she trusted the City Lord. But that did not mean she dared to accept such a heavy gift.

“Of course, I also have a request,” the City Lord said softly. “I do not want your present. I want your future. If you can one day cultivate the Rebirth Art to Great Completion, I want you to do one thing for me.”

It was a very lenient request. Who knew how long it would take to reach Great Completion. If she never reached it, she would have taken the benefit for free.

Even so, Li Shuang still did not move. She lifted her head and asked: “Will it go against the Righteous Path?”