Chapter 115: Chapter 96: Innate! Innate
"What? You’re going to attempt to break through to the Innate Realm?!"
Inside the county yamen, when Wu Kuang heard Chen Sheng’s words, the teacup in his hand trembled violently. A few drops of scalding tea splashed out, but he didn’t even notice. He just stared at the other man with wide, intense eyes, his expression one of utter astonishment.
Although he had recently heard that Chen Sheng had supposedly obtained Innate Spiritual Qi, he had never considered the possibility that he was about to break through. After all, the idea was simply too shocking.
’How long has it been since Chen Sheng’s Realm-Breaking Marrow Transformation?’
’A month or so at most, right?’
’And now he’s already attempting to reach the Innate Realm?!’
Wu Kuang felt it was all a bit surreal. After all, when he had truly promoted Chen Sheng, the man’s cultivation was only at the early Foundation Establishment Mingxi Realm. That was just a few months ago.
’How could he be this fast?’
He himself, after all, had been cultivating for nearly ten years just to polish his cultivation to the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm. Even so, he still felt his foundation was insufficient and didn’t dare attempt a breakthrough lightly.
Failure would, at best, damage one’s foundation; at worst, it meant instant death.
The violent Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi was not like docile Inner Breath. The slightest mistake could injure one’s meridians and internal organs.
But looking at Chen Sheng’s expression, which didn’t seem feigned, Wu Kuang felt he had no choice but to believe him.
After a moment of contemplation, Wu Kuang frowned, his expression graver than ever as he advised:
"Breaking through to the Innate Realm is no simple matter. Are you confident? You absolutely must not act recklessly. For Realm-Breaking Marrow Transformation, you still have three chances. But if you attempt to break through to the Innate Realm without certainty, it will damage your foundation. Trying to break through again in the future will be exponentially harder."
Wu Kuang’s original plan had been to break through to the Innate Realm first and then help Chen Sheng. That way, with Chen Sheng’s foundation, he would have a better chance of success when his time came. He never imagined that Chen Sheng would be taking this step before him.
"Rest assured, County Captain. Since I’m daring to make the attempt, I naturally have some degree of confidence."
Chen Sheng met Wu Kuang’s gaze, his own eyes firm and resolute, without a hint of hesitation.
"Then your reason for coming here is...?"
Wu Kuang trailed off, having clearly seen that Chen Sheng had come to ask for something.
Chen Sheng paused to think for a moment, then spoke directly without hesitation:
"Sir, as you know, I have already obtained Innate Spiritual Qi and have polished my cultivation to its peak. However, I still lack a few Spiritual Objects to aid my breakthrough. Therefore, I hope the County Captain can write a formal request to the Prefecture City, allowing me to exchange my merits for some breakthrough-assisting treasures. I am even willing to pay for them with Elemental Crystals."
Chen Sheng knew Wu Kuang possessed items like the Vein Protection Pill and Profound Organ Spiritual Liquid, but he couldn’t say so directly. Wu Kuang had never mentioned them to him, so he had to take this roundabout approach.
Upon hearing this, Wu Kuang’s expression grew thoughtful. He began to tap his fingers on the desk, slow and rhythmic.
"The journey from Changshan Mountain to the Prefecture City is long. Between the back-and-forth of official documents and the time it takes for the exchange and allocation from above, even if everything goes smoothly, the whole process will take over a month..."
At this, Wu Kuang paused before continuing, "However, I have prepared some Spiritual Objects to assist in breaking through. I can lend them to you for your attempt. But I must ask one last time.
Are you truly ready? You must understand, once you begin the breakthrough, it will be too late for regrets."
"I have made every preparation!"
Chen Sheng’s tone was firm as steel, without a trace of hesitation.
"Good. In that case, wait here for a moment."
Wu Kuang nodded slightly at his words and offered no more admonitions.
In fact, he rather approved of Chen Sheng’s fearless, forward-charging momentum. He said no more, rose to his feet, and walked to the back hall of the yamen. A moment later, Wu Kuang returned with a wooden box in his hands.
With a solemn expression, Wu Kuang placed the wooden box on the desk and slowly opened it. A clear, elegant fragrance of medicine and Spiritual Qi immediately filled the air, invigorating the senses.
The box was lined with bright yellow silk, upon which several jade vials were neatly arranged. Each one looked exquisite and extraordinary.
Looking at the items in the box, a resigned sigh escaped Wu Kuang’s lips:
"Everything in here, I originally prepared for myself. It’s a pity I don’t have your courageous spirit; I don’t dare make the attempt without absolute certainty. So, you’re the lucky one, kid.
And let me be clear, I’m only lending these Spiritual Objects to you. After you break through to the Innate Realm, you’ll have to find a way to procure another set for me."
Chen Sheng’s gaze swept over the contents.
’Damn.’
’County Captain Wu is as prudent as ever.’
Inside the wooden box were six or seven different kinds of Spiritual Objects for aiding a breakthrough.
The Vein Protection Pill and Profound Organ Spiritual Liquid were both there.
In addition, there were other auxiliary Spiritual Objects like the Qingming Spirit Jade, Spirit Ginseng Treasure Pill, and Qi Replenishing Pills.
All these things together... one could say that unless one’s luck was exceptionally bad, there would be no major mishaps. The chance of a successful breakthrough was almost eighty percent.
"I only need to take two items."
Chen Sheng said, pointing to the Vein Protection Pill and the Profound Organ Spiritual Liquid.
But Wu Kuang waved his hand.
"Take them all. It’ll save you the trouble of looking for them later if you need them. If you don’t use them, you can just return them to me after your breakthrough."
Ever since Chen Sheng had broken through to the Marrow Transformation Realm, Wu Kuang had come to terms with things. Rather than harbor resentment, it was better to fully support him. After all, from his observations, Chen Sheng was not an ungrateful person.
He was also quite happy for Chen Sheng’s cultivation to reach greater heights.
"Since you insist, then I thank you, Sir."
Seeing Wu Kuang’s resolute attitude, Chen Sheng no longer refused. He clasped his hands in a serious salute.
"When do you plan to break through?"
Wu Kuang asked, changing the subject.
"Tonight."
Chen Sheng didn’t want to waste any time. Now that all the necessary preparations were made, there was no need to wait for some auspicious day.
