Having killed two more Lin Family disciples, Luo Cheng finally heaved a deep sigh of relief.
Perhaps due to his recent battles with Demon Beasts, he felt no emotional waves after slaying Lin Hong and the others.
After scouring the three corpses for their belongings, Luo Cheng was just about to leave when he suddenly froze in place.
"If my Martial Soul can devour Beast Souls... I wonder if it can devour someone else's Martial Soul as well…"
At that thought, Luo Cheng extended his left hand toward Lin Hong's corpse.
In an instant, the nine-colored tattoo released an invisible suction force, and a tiger-shaped Martial Soul emerged.
It was none other than Lin Hong's Martial Soul: the Four-Star Martial Soul Banded Rock Tiger!
As the Martial Soul was devoured, Luo Cheng felt the four stars within his own Martial Soul glow sequentially.
The Martial Souls of the other two individuals, a Two-Star Martial Soul and a Three-Star Martial Soul respectively, were also effortlessly absorbed by Luo Cheng.
"I was right. Whether it's Beast Souls or Martial Souls, I can devour them all."
Feeling his Martial Soul growing stronger, Luo Cheng was flooded with excitement.
At that moment, a wave of fatigue overwhelmed him.
Knowing that devouring Martial Souls had consumed a great deal of his spirit, Luo Cheng immediately left the hill, found a hidden cave, and began to recuperate.
The next day.
In the cave, Luo Cheng stood up straight, a faint and unparalleled aura radiating from his body.
"Hah!"
Assuming his stance, Luo Cheng punched forcefully at the rock wall in front of him.
With a loud bang, massive cracks instantly spread across the rock wall!
"Body Tempering Eighth Layer!"
A gleam of brilliance shone in Luo Cheng's eyes.
After devouring the Martial Souls of Lin Hong and the others, he had finally achieved the breakthrough. Now, a casual punch carried the strength of four stones!
"The cultivation effect of devouring Martial Souls seems to be even better than devouring Beast Souls..."
A thought flashed across Luo Cheng's mind.
But then, he shook his head.
He could never recklessly kill others just to devour their Martial Souls.
Besides, using a method like devouring Martial Souls was far too unconventional! If others were to find out, it would surely bring about a calamity of unimaginable proportions. It was better to use this method sparingly.
After tidying up, Luo Cheng left the cave and began heading toward Qishan City.
By afternoon, Luo Cheng returned to Qishan City and walked straight to a lavishly decorated three-story pavilion.
Lingyun Pavilion, the largest shop in Qishan City, sold everything related to cultivation—whether it was weapons, elixirs, or other items, one could find them all here.
It was said that Lingyun Pavilion had a formidable backing, supported by a super sect! Even the three great families dared not provoke them lightly.
"Hey, isn't that Luo Cheng from the Luo Family!"
"It really is him. Ever since he awakened a Wasted Martial Soul, he hasn't shown himself again. Now, coming to Lingyun Pavilion—could it be that he intends to buy spiritual medicine for cultivation and participate in the Hunting Festival?"
"With a Wasted Martial Soul, I doubt he's even broken through to the Body Tempering Fifth Layer. How could he possibly qualify for the Hunting Festival?"
"The Luo Family Head is gravely injured and unconscious, their younger generation is facing a talent crisis, and they've lost the support of the Ji Family. After this Hunting Festival, the Luo Family might face complete decline."
Most of those visiting Lingyun Pavilion were prominent figures of Qishan City; recognizing Luo Cheng, many sighed wistfully.
Luo Cheng paid no attention to their discussions and headed straight to the counter.
"How may I assist you?"
Behind the counter stood a young maid in a green dress, who asked with a smile.
"I'd like to sell some Demon Beast materials."
"Demon Beast materials?"
The green-dressed maid glanced at the bundle Luo Cheng carried, smiling, "The materials need to be appraised by the manager. Please follow me to the second floor."
"Alright!"
Luo Cheng followed the maid to a private room on the second floor.
Inside the room sat a stunningly beautiful woman.
The woman wore a fox fur coat, her skin as fair as jade, her long legs gracefully crossed. Sitting there, her captivating figure created a striking silhouette, brimming with allure. She was the newly appointed Pavilion Master of Lingyun Pavilion, Luo Yao.
Opening the bundle, Luo Yao glanced briefly at Luo Cheng before meticulously inspecting the materials.
"A total of thirty-four types of Demon Beast materials, with a combined value of nine thousand eight hundred and forty taels. Mr. Luo, is that acceptable to you?"
After tallying up the materials, Luo Yao stood slowly. As her fox fur slid from her shoulders, a vast expanse of creamy white skin was revealed, faintly teasing the eye. Even through her clothes, her curves seemed tantalizingly full and smooth.
Luo Cheng, who had never encountered such a seductive sight, found himself momentarily breathless. The youthful heat within him caused him to instinctively avert his gaze as he quickly said:
"I wish to purchase Body Tempering Pills."
"Body Tempering Pills? They are One-Star Elixirs, each priced at fifteen thousand taels." Luo Yao smiled faintly, her soft voice carrying an almost hypnotic quality.
"I see."
Luo Cheng furrowed his brows slightly.
He hadn't expected something as simple as a Body Tempering Pill to be so expensive.
Currently, he only had a few hundred taels of gold—most of which had been taken from Lin Hong and the others.
Observing Luo Cheng, Luo Yao's eyes glimmered with a hint of amusement, her breath fragrant as orchids:
"Given that Mr. Luo trusts Lingyun Pavilion so much, I can offer you a twenty percent discount on this transaction."
Luo Cheng was taken aback; he had not expected her to be so generous.
"Thank you."
Without pretense, Luo Cheng accepted the offer. He truly needed Body Tempering Pills right now.
Once the transaction was complete, Luo Cheng gave his thanks before leaving without delay.
"Miss, with a twenty percent discount, there's barely any profit for us. Besides, Luo Cheng only awakened an unformed Wasted Martial Soul…"
The green-dressed maid was bewildered. The previous Pavilion Master had never been so lenient.
"Oh? Aren't you the least bit curious?"
Playing with the Demon Beast materials on the tabletop, Luo Yao's eyes narrowed as she spoke: "These materials were all hunted recently, and several belong to Advanced One-Star Demon Beasts."
"Miss, are you suggesting that Luo Cheng hunted Advanced One-Star Demon Beasts? Could he have advanced to Body Tempering Late Stage? That's impossible!!"
The green-dressed maid gasped, covering her lips in shock.
Luo Cheng's awakening of a Wasted Martial Soul and his subsequent reputation as Qishan City's laughingstock were well-known! Awakening a Wasted Martial Soul and reaching the Body Tempering Late Stage in such a short time was utterly inconceivable!
Supporting her delicate face with her right hand, Luo Yao smiled alluringly:
"Who knows? Still, this year's Hunting Festival should be rather interesting…"
Leaving Lingyun Pavilion, Luo Cheng didn't immediately return to the Luo Family compound.
After days of training in the Black Cloud Mountain Range, his palate yearned for something flavorful, and he decided to grab a meal before heading back.
As Luo Cheng approached a tavern called Drunken Cloud Pavilion, he was about to enter when—
Bam!
A figure was viciously thrown out, landing hard on the ground.
"Luo Yun!"
Luo Cheng recognized him instantly. It was a distant cousin from the family, who had awakened his Martial Soul alongside him half a month ago.
Luo Yun's lips were swollen, and a vivid red handprint stood out on his cheek, evidently from a brutal slap.
Helping him up, Luo Cheng frowned and asked, "What happened?"
Seeing that it was Luo Cheng, a trace of disappointment flickered across Luo Yun's eyes, but he quickly explained:
"I ran into people from the Lin Family and the Qi Family. They were speaking disrespectfully about the Family Head, and I couldn't hold back, so I said a few words in return. Then… Luo Cheng, let's leave quickly! They have the numbers…"
As he spoke, Luo Yun tugged at Luo Cheng, urging him to leave.
"Lin Family and Qi Family again!"
Luo Cheng remained rooted, sneering coldly. "Come inside with me."
"Inside?"
Luo Yun gasped in surprise. Seeing Luo Cheng already heading toward the tavern, he quickly rushed forward to stop him.
"Luo Cheng, they have at least four or five people! Even the Qi Family's brat, Qi Dong, is there! We can't take them on—let's go back for reinforcements!"
Luo Cheng, however, ignored him entirely and entered the tavern without hesitation.
"Ah! You… Fine, die if you wish!"
Clenching his teeth, Luo Yun had no choice but to steel himself and follow Luo Cheng inside.