Chapter Eighty-Four: The Request

"Can it be obtained?" Tu Lu asked earnestly.

Zhang Cheng fell silent for a moment and did not answer right away.

This was not a matter of money. Just like the Tricolor Cloud Flower, spirit plants capable of evading curses were exceedingly rare—not unaffordable, but simply unavailable for purchase!

"Brother Tu, it's not that I'm shirking responsibility, but this matter is truly difficult. I'll do my best to inquire for you, but I can't guarantee success. In fact, I think you might be better off asking Wu Hao for help in this case."

Somewhat reluctantly, he added, "Though I hate to admit it, among the three of us, the Wu family holds the greatest influence. If he lends a hand, as long as such a spirit plant appears in Taixu Prefecture, he'll certainly be able to acquire it!"

"I understand," Tu Lu replied with a bitter smile, shaking his head.

"Brother Zhang, you misunderstand me. It's not that I don't want to ask Brother Wu, but I simply can't contact him directly. My true self is currently at the Prefectural Manor. If my avatar were to visit the Wu family in person, and someone with ill intent took notice, exposing my connection to you both, that would be a disaster."

This was precisely why he had turned to Zhang Cheng—among the three of them, he could only reach out to him. Otherwise, even contacting Xu Feng would be better than Zhang Cheng!

Zhang Cheng forced a smile. "I see. Brother Tu, your caution puts my mind at ease. I trust you have a way to break the soul contract."

"As for Wu Hao, don't worry—I'll reach out to him. And Xu as well, though I doubt he'll be of much use, but I'll notify him just in case."

"Thank you, Brother Zhang."

"No need to be so formal—let's drink!"

And so, the two drank until dawn the next day.

Meanwhile, in the Prefectural Manor, a fourth-grade Thunder Stone within the Dragon Order shattered. Tu Lu's brow furrowed, and the ancient beast hide in his hands disintegrated into dust.

"This is the third time already. As expected, it's extremely difficult."

Tu Lu exhaled, opening his eyes with a trace of fatigue. That day, when he told Purple Camel Peak he wasn't confident about the Ninefold Saintly Embryo Inscription, he hadn't been making excuses—he truly wasn't certain.

Especially now, when he had to divert part of his attention to the Water Lotus Avatar, his focus on inscriptions was inevitably diminished. Moreover, the ancient beast hide itself was extremely fragile.

This led to three consecutive failures, each time not even halfway through the process before things went awry.

Letting out a deep breath, he pulled out another Thunder Stone, but after a moment's hesitation, put it away again.

To continue inscribing in his current state would only waste more Thunder Stones.

"Unless I can refine more avatars, thereby enhancing my spiritual power and cultivation!"

This was, indeed, the simplest solution.

Here in Taixu Prefecture, ordinary spirit plants were not uncommon, and their prices were much lower. Back in the Quicksand Marsh World, Ziling had given him over a hundred thousand Thunder Stones; with those, gathering the remaining spirit plants was not impossible.

He now possessed eight avatars—ten more would bring him to perfection, enabling him to break through to the Purple Palace Realm!

To circumvent the Blood Jade Soul Contract, the Millennium Root Avatar must be abandoned.

This meant he would need to prepare eleven more spirit plants—one to evade the curse, and the remaining ten to advance his cultivation.

If possible, he could also attempt to seize the Lesser Saint Embryo from Purple Camel Peak; if successful, it could replace one of the spirit plants.

In other words, he could currently refine nine more avatars.

"I'm not suited to frequent outings right now... Better to leave it to him."

With that thought, Tu Lu closed his eyes.

Outside the Prefectural Manor, the Water Lotus Avatar opened its eyes.

After some hesitation, he sent the request to Zhang Cheng via message token.

Since this time he was asking only for ordinary spirit plants, Zhang Cheng readily agreed.