NABC Chapter 168 The Cost of Handling
Chapter 168 The Cost of Handling
Chapter 168 The Cost of Handling
The Gu clan quickly issued a statement regarding the strange phenomenon, explaining that a powerful member of their clan was testing a new ability, which caused unusual changes in the celestial phenomena, resembling a mirage. This reassured the people.
The incident happened very quickly, and no one was injured. The public accepted it quickly, and the Gu family immediately compensated those affected.
As for the princess's residence, apart from a few Frost Moon Realm experts and a few exceptional individuals who noticed something amiss, the rest of the people were unaware that Ning Zhen had been severely injured in a secluded corner. Most simply considered it a strange celestial phenomenon and didn't take it to heart.
Just then, under Shen Wangshu's magical healing, Ning Zhenshou's injuries had almost fully recovered, and he returned to the martial arts arena. Lu Ren expressed his sincere gratitude to him.
Ning Zhenshou scoffed, "How did you manage to provoke such a terrifying creature? What was that thing just now?"
He could only mimic Long You by touching his nose, shrugging, and smiling wryly, saying, "I really don't know. Maybe it's someone my master offended."
He could only give such vague answers, and Ning Zhenshou did not ask any further questions. He helped Lu Ren in essence to repay his master's kindness to the people of Yanzhou.
Shen Yaoxing watched him from the side without saying a word. Wasn't his master the mysterious elder in her clan who was suspected to be at the Burning Sun Realm?
Since the attack on the Shen family by the Divine Mother Cult ten years ago, she has not understood many of the arrangements made by her clan. For example, her grandfather, who had long since recovered from his injuries, suddenly announced that he was recuperating and had withdrawn from Xingye Mansion, and had been staying at home in the clan's territory ever since. For example, her master Lu Ren, whose existence and origin she did not know, but who had the strength of the Burning Sun, was also hiding. For example, Shen Wangshu, who had clearly broken through to the Burning Sun level long ago, was also hiding.
And the legendary "Great Celestial Venerable" who had a close relationship with the ancestor, the Fairy of the World-Transmitting Lamp, was actually summoned by Shen Wangshu using a family secret technique that day. Does this prove that the Great Celestial Venerable was not just a close relationship with their ancestor, but was actually their ancestor?
And that sudden appearance just now, which was explained as a powerful member of the ancient clan testing a new and powerful illusion technique, is something only commoners would believe. What kind of illusion technique could severely injure a Frost Moon Realm warrior?
Moreover, there's a high probability that thing was aimed at Lu Ren.
Shen Yaoxing wasn't stupid; she could sense that many things were wrong, and these strange things all seemed to be related to Lu Ren.
Meanwhile, Lu Ren kept silently reciting his master's name in his heart. Just now, his master had used the power of the remnant body of Tai Sui to freeze that strange Dharma image for a few seconds, but then he hadn't been responding to him much.
"Stop yelling, Master isn't dead yet."
Lu Ren breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing his master's reply, but he also noticed that his master seemed less energetic than usual.
"You've exhausted yourself, take a break."
Her voice was very soft and gentle. Lu Ren knew that his master was a very gentle person, but whenever she had a little energy, her voice was almost like a little devil teasing him. This gentle voice was actually a way of masking her weakness at this moment.
"What can I do?"
"You go and prepare some things—"
"What is it?"
Her voice was weak and barely concealed as she explained to him in detail: "Xuyangzi, once you start using it, strengthens muscles and bones; dragon whip ginseng, male yang fruit, epimedium, gather all these medicinal materials, each about one or two ounces, boil three bowls of water down to one bowl."
"Will these help you recover a little, Master?"
"It wasn't me, it was you who drank it."
"I'll drink it—?"
Lu Ren then realized that everything she had said was for male enhancement.
His master's cheerful laughter echoed in his mind. He was truly speechless. What time was it? This vixen was still teasing him.
"Where did Master tease you? If you take more supplements, Master can take more supplements too."
He said irritably and fiercely, "I'm afraid you're too weak to handle the nourishment."
"Waaaaah, this is terrifying! Could it be that this perverted disciple is going to treat his master like—"
"Alright, stop interrupting. Did that herbal tea help with your recovery?"
"What do you mean, 'Don't interrupt'? Is that how you talk to your master? — It's somewhat useful, isn't it? That thing is related to the remnant of Tai Sui. If you hadn't drunk a cup of Tai Sui tea, I probably wouldn't have lasted this long. After all, that woman's Dharma form has an unusual origin, and the consumption of imprisoning her for a few seconds is terrifying."
However, at this moment, Lu Ren stood up and looked at the arena that was still going on on the lake.
"Okay, then I'll go make a few more cups."
"No, that stuff only works the first time you drink it. After that, the effect is minimal."
"Does 'minor effect' mean it was useful?"
On the stage, the referee declared the winner and looked to the audience to see who wanted to challenge him.
On the arena now stands a Fire Realm mage who has just defeated a Fire Realm warrior. The entire arena is cheering for both of their performances. If that warrior wins one more match, he will have a perfect record of three wins.
Many people below were eager to try their luck against this Fire Realm professional who had won two consecutive matches but was already showing signs of decline. However, they saw Lu Ren suddenly leap into the air and land on the lake's arena.
Everyone saw the boy who had just gone through three battles and finally left the arena with the Third Princess suddenly leap up and return to the arena.
"Wait, isn't this person—"
"Is it allowed for one person to hit twice?"
"Why is he up here again?!"
"He recovered so quickly?"
Lu Ren looked towards Prince Gong on the high platform and asked, "Your Highness, the rules of the competition state that winning three consecutive matches constitutes a victory, but it doesn't say that one cannot go back on stage, or that after winning three consecutive matches, one cannot continue to challenge, right?"
Prince Gong laughed heartily upon hearing this. He could tell that the young man had come for the New Year's tea. He didn't dislike the boy. Whether it was the talent the boy had just displayed or the concern Shen Wangshu showed for him, he was willing to do the boy a favor.
"Kid, the annual tea is only effective the first time you drink it; drinking it again afterward is not very meaningful."
Lu Ren feigned shyness, "Your Highness, the tea tastes quite good. I'd like to have a few more cups."
"The rules didn't say you couldn't challenge again—but you recovered so quickly?"
After the battle, Jiang Yan Yan's spiritual energy was completely depleted, leaving her with virtually no ability to fight again, while this kid seemed to be still enjoying himself.
"I've recovered. This is a rare opportunity. I'd like to learn more from the experts in Yanzhou."
In terms of attack, support, defense, and fast break, Lu Ren believed that there were many people on the sidelines who were stronger than him. But when it came to recovery ability, Lu Ren was quite confident. As long as he had enough spirit bones, even if Ali reached the Fire Realm, he might not be his match.
Prince Gong looked at the silver-haired loli who had taken the main seat and suddenly started making a phone call, and said, "President Shen, your Shen Clan Guild is truly full of talented people. This young man will probably grow to the same level as you and me in a few years, right?"
"What, Koji Ren? Oh, right!"
Shen Wangshu was somewhat absent-minded, making a phone call. Prince Gong did not deliberately eavesdrop, but Shen Wangshu did not try to hide it.
She seemed to be instructing someone to buy something, something called "Xuyangzi," which supposedly strengthens muscles and bones upon first use. Prince Gong's brows furrowed deeper as he listened, and he gave the silver-haired loli a strange look.
These are all medicinal herbs related to sexual intercourse. Why would Shen Wangshu ask someone to buy these kinds of things?
After receiving permission on the ring, Lu Ren looked at his opponent.
The opponent is a warrior with a physique of around 2000, definitely not an easy opponent.
Those who can break through to the Flame Realm, aren't they all geniuses? Everyone present, including Brother Zhuang, the King of Yan State, would be a formidable opponent if they got serious.
"Young man, are you here to give me easy points? Your fight with the Third Princess was spectacular, but how much strength do you have left?"
Please advise.
Two minutes later, the methane explosion hit its mark, blasting the opponent out of the ring, and Lu Ren breathed a sigh of relief.
At that moment, a magician in his forties stepped onto the stage before anyone else.
"You've probably reached your limit after facing three or four opponents in a row. Don't worry, I'll give you a spectacular finale."
Please advise.
Five minutes later, taking advantage of the fog obscuring his vision, Lu Ren successfully closed in and grabbed his opponent by the throat with both hands. The referee then announced the winner.
The next person to step up was a young man in his early twenties. His expression was quite solemn as he looked at him and said, "I can see that your physique and elemental affinity are not particularly strong. The main problem is your two mental cultivation skills, which are difficult for both physical and magical cultivators to deal with. But what if you are facing a divine cultivator like me?"
This time, Lu Ren kicked the opponent down in less than a minute. Divine cultivators should just stick to playing the support role. Why are they trying to fight the Mo Family's Mechanical Path? It's just nonsense.
"If I defeat you, I'll become famous, hahaha!"
"Next."
"Referee, referee, did you see that? He was just eating something! He must have taken banned substances!"
"Lu Ren said he has pica and likes to eat the remains of spirits."
The referee turned a blind eye, looked at the defeated contestant, and said, "Spiritual remains are not prohibited items. It's not like we're not allowed to eat them. Alright, next one."
"Next."
"Down"
Unbeknownst to many, the audience went from watching the show to becoming restless, and then finally quieted down. Someone swallowed hard and exclaimed in disbelief, "Three, thirty-three consecutive wins—!"
"Is he a monster? Does he really never run out of stamina?"
"Could this guy be from the Ji family?"
No matter how strong or invincible a person is, it is impossible for them to fight tirelessly for 33 consecutive battles.
Moreover, those who are now taking the stage are experts with main attributes approaching 3000. Each one is a true prodigy, but even they cannot escape defeat when facing that tireless monster!
"call"
Lu Ren finished off the last opponent, his steps faltering slightly as he regained his footing. He was constantly recovering from injuries, and his body was burning up. After 33 consecutive matches, he felt he was nearing his limit.
Even if one can continue to replenish spiritual power by using spirit remains, and the injuries can be healed, the physical and mental exhaustion is difficult to soothe.
But he felt he could hold on for a little while longer.
The reason why Master became weak was all because of me, whether it was that somewhat willful request back then, or just now, to protect myself. Maybe an extra cup of tea would help her recover faster.
Let's win a few more games, have a few more drinks, and then I'll leave.
However, the next person to go on stage surprised Lu Ren slightly. He paused for a moment, "Young Miss, what are you doing—"
This time, it was actually Shen Yaoxing who took the stage.
The young lady said with a helpless tone, "Although I don't know why you care so much about the New Year's tea, you've reached your limit and should go and rest."
Lu Ren was somewhat troubled upon hearing this, but he didn't argue. "Hmm, that's true."
I could play two more games, but I'm not mentally ready to go on.
"Let's go."
"Okay."
The two walked down to the center of the arena together, and many people breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Lu Ren leave.
"He actually went off the field. I was all set to go on."
"Hmph, he escaped this time."
"Didn't you just say your stomach wasn't feeling well?"
"Who will be next?"
The crowd erupted in excitement once again, but as they looked at Lu Ren's back, everyone realized that if this young man were to grow up normally, he would likely reach an incredibly formidable level!
After leaving with Lu Ren, Shen Yaoxing suddenly said, "Lu Ren."
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
Shen Yaoxing spoke out suddenly, her voice so soft that only she could hear it.
"When you dealt with Chen Sui just now, you used my clan's 'Soul Binding Spell,' didn't you?"
They're here, they've finally come!
Lu Ren already knew that after revealing that ability, the young lady would definitely press him for an answer: "That, actually, is—"
Shen Yaoxing didn't dwell on that issue, but instead posed another question: "Although you only used the sin of lust for a short time, you should still suffer the consequences. But why do you seem to be unaffected now?"
Because the price was temporarily suppressed by him, this was what Lu Ren told his master before going on stage—that he needed her help. His master's soul was currently residing in his body, and she could temporarily help him suppress his desires. The price was that his master would be affected by those desires, so it's no wonder that she often said strange things.
"That's because I found some ways to delay the onset of this backlash."
2
"Doesn't this kind of thing tend to explode more violently the more it's suppressed?"
"That's right—"
"Then why haven't you lifted it yet?"
Her face was filled with pure curiosity, and her bright eyes were fixed on Lu Ren's face.
Because they were so close, it felt as if the girl's face was pressed against his; Lu Ren could even count how many eyelashes she had.
Shen Yaoxing wore light makeup today. She is usually very pretty even without makeup, but she always gives off a childlike vibe. However, with the light makeup today, she suddenly exudes a sense of pressure as an older sister.
He gave a vague answer, "Well, given the current situation, wouldn't it be bad to lift the ban?"
"In that case, let's not delay any longer—"
She then asked Prince Gong for her leave, saying that her attendants were tired from the battle and needed to rest. Prince Gong naturally did not stop her.
Lu Ren's heart stirred upon hearing this, but since the young lady had asked him to leave first, he would not refuse.
Just as he was about to leave, Shen Yaoxing stayed by his side.
Lu Ren was taken aback, then heard the young lady say, "Shall we go?"
"Forehead,?"
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