As a mortal, Lucian could kill someone at the mid-stage of Body Strengthening Realm. It just showed how extraordinary his physique was.
And now that he finally entered and became a Qi Gathering Realm cultivator, each time Spritual Energy completed a Grand Circulation, his physique became more robust. Not only that, but his Spiritual Energy was being transformed into Crimson Flame Spiritual Energy as a result of his cultivation technique, further refining his body.
But of course, there was still a limit to how much strong his current cultivation could make his body.
However, that was still not enough to kill someone like Xander, a peak mid-stage Qi Gathering Realm cultivator.
Though Lucian was unaware of Xander’s current cultivation, the fact that he came to kill him despite knowing that he was capable of killing cultivators as a mortal demonstrated Xander’s confidence.
That is why Lucian didn’t hesitate to use the only Movement Talisman, which he discovered when he killed those mid-stage Body Strengthening Realm cultivators back in the Celestian Empire’s territory.
That was why Xander’s Qi Sense, which had been monitoring him the entire time, was unable to track Lucian’s abrupt movement due to the sudden increase in speed caused by the Movement Talisman.
Additionally, Lucian still had the Attack Pendant that Alisa had given him, which he was already wearing and could activate with a thought, in case he was still unable to kill Xander.
…
The alley fell silent, interrupted only by the faint gurgle of blood from Xander’s wound.
As he watched Xander’s eyes dim completely, Lucian approached him and began to search his lifeless body.
He found a storage bag and the sword Xander had intended to use to kill him.
He kept the storage bag in his pocket and the sword in his storage ring.
Lucian also placed Xander’s corpse inside his own space ring.
As for the consequences, Lucian didn’t care with Alisa now backing him up.
…
The requirement process took place near the foot of the Azure Sword Mountain. So Lucian had to cross the inner city to get there.
Unlike the outer part of the city, the inner part had more shops that sold items exclusive to cultivators.
Almost every shop had an Azure Sword Sect cultivator browsing its wares, their azure robes a common sight among the crowds.
Lucian was now standing in front of a three-story building named “Azure Treasures Pavilion.”
As Lucian stepped through the door, he was greeted by a beautiful young woman dressed in revealing clothing.
“Welcome, honored customer. How may I assist you today?” She asked, blushing slightly at Lucian’s handsome face.
Lucian’s crimson eyes swept over the woman, as he asked, “Do you have pills suitable for a Qi Gathering realm cultivator?”
The woman responded with a charming smile, “Yes, of course we have. Please follow me.”
The woman spoke as she led Lucian deeper into the shop.
The interior was filled with shelves and display cases, each containing an array of glittering pills, mysterious talismans, and numerous jade boxes labeled with the object inside.
As they walked, the woman turned to Lucian and said, “May I ask which grade of pills sir is interested in? Our shop sells low, mid, and high-grade pills for Qi Gathering realm cultivators.”
“Ohh! What’s the difference between these grades?”
“The grade of the pill corresponds to the cultivator stage for which it is most appropriate,” She gave a patient explanation because she suspected that this attractive young man might be a new member of the sect.
After hearing what the woman said, Lucian immediately chose mid-grade pills. His Dragon-Demon Physique, which had been strengthened by the Celestial Flame Lotus technique, was strong enough to sustain the vast medicinal power contained within.
“Excellent choice, sir,” the woman said, “Our mid-grade pills are renowned throughout the Azure Sword City for their potency and purity. Each mid-grade pill only costs about 2 low-grade spirit stones.”
As she spoke, she guided Lucian to the counter where an elderly man with a long, white beard that reached his chest was reading a book.
The woman stopped before the old man and said bowing, “Sir manager, this sir here wants to buy mid-grade First Order pills.”
The old man put down the book and asked, “How many?”
Lucian replied, “50 pills.”
The old man’s long white brows raised in surprise, “Fifty? That’s quite a large order for a young cultivator. Are you certain you can afford this purchase?”
Seeing Lucian nodding, the old man stroked his beard thoughtfully, then nodded, “Very well. That will be 100 low-grade spirit stones.”
Without hesitation, Lucian reached into his storage ring and placed 100 glowing stones on the counter.
The old man’s eyes widened slightly at the sight. It was rare for such a young cultivator to possess so many spirit stones. After all, this many spirit stones could support a typical family for a year in the cultivation world.
He did not ask any further questions, instead taking the spirit stones, counting them, and walking to a wooden cabinet behind the counter. With a wave of his hand, a shimmering barrier disappeared, allowing him to open the cabinet.
Inside, there were rows and rows of jade bottles, each meticulously labeled and arranged. The old man selected ten bottles, each containing five pills.
He returned to the counter and carefully placed the bottles before Lucian.
“Here you go, young man. Fifty mid-grade First Order pills, as requested.”
Putting the bottles in his storage ring, Lucian was about to turn around and leave when a peculiar item caught his eye.
On a nearby shelf was a small bag labeled “Corpse Dissolving Powder” in black calligraphy.
His crimson eyes gleamed with interest.
“Excuse me,” he said, gesturing towards the bag, “Can you tell me about that powder?”
The old man’s bushy eyebrows rose once more, “Ah, that? It’s a mixture of plants with eroding properties. Do you want to buy? Only 2 sprit stones for 100g.”
…
As Lucian stepped out of the Azure Treasures Pavilion, the sun was high in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over the city.
Lucian made his way through the bustling crowds towards the outer city, where the buildings became less grandiose and the streets crowded with mortals.
Soon, he reached the inn where his mother and sister were waiting.
However instead of entering, he used his Qi Sense to scan the area before walking down a narrow alleyway behind the building.
The passage was dim and dark, with walls on either side blocking views of the bustling main street.
As he entered the shadowy corridor, Lucian’s waved his hand, retrieving Xander’s corpse.
The body landed on the grimy cobblestones with a dull thud, lifeless eyes staring blankly at the sky visible between the looming buildings.
Without hesitation, Lucian produced the bag of Corpse Dissolving Powder and sprinkled it over Xander’s lifeless body.
The grey powder poured over the corpse like a veil of ash.
But then, a faint sizzling sound filled the air, accompanied by wisps of acrid smoke.
The powder began to emit an eerie green light, seeping into Xander’s flesh and clothing alike.
Lucian watched in fascination as the corpse began to dissolve in front of his eyes. Find your next read on empire
The skin bubbled and melted, revealing muscle and bone beneath, only for those also to be melted. Xander’s azure robes blackened and disintegrated, leaving nothing but tattered shreds that soon vanished entirely.
Lucian sucked in a cold breath as he watched the process unfold. The speed and thoroughness of the dissolution were truly remarkable.
In mere moments, what was once a powerful cultivator had been reduced to nothing more than a puddle of foul-smelling liquid seeping between the cobblestones.
“Fortunately, it can not be used if there is even a trace of Spiritual Energy in the body!” Lucian exhaled softly and turned away from the dissolving remains, his crimson eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
He made his way back to the bustling street, blending into the crowd of mortals and cultivators alike.
A moment later, he entered the inn, his footsteps light on the worn wooden floor.
The common room was filled with cultivators and locals, some hunched over steaming bowls of fragrant stew, others engaged in hushed conversations over cups of rice wine.
A few glanced up as Lucian passed, but most paid him no mind.
Ignoring them, he walked up the stairs and approached the door of their room.
He raised his hand to gently knock on the weathered door, and Celine’s voice echoed out from behind it.
“Who’s there?” she asked softly.
“Mom, it me.” Lucian smiled as he responded, and the door clicked open.
As Lucian walked into the room and shut the door behind him, his red eyes were drawn to Isabella’s body on the bed. Her normally cheerful face was contorted in pain, her brow furrowed and beaded with sweat.
“Brother,” Isabella’s said weakly, “You’re back.”
“What happened!?!” Lucian’s crimson eyes narrowed with concern as he approached the bed.
