Chapter Eighty-Six: Dawn

If the eighteen shadow clones described in the secret manual are truly meant to merge into one, then the result should be the strongest Nascent Palace realm in existence. Yet I still possess only seventeen clones; the formation is not complete.

Perhaps that is why I have been unable to condense the Palace of the Dao.

At any rate, Tu Lu clenched his fist, and a power unlike anything he had ever felt before surged through him from head to toe.

He did not know just how formidable the Nascent Palace realm could be, but at the very least he knew that his own strength had already far surpassed its threshold.

It was even quite possible that an ordinary Nascent Palace cultivator would not be his match.

Only one’s own strength was true strength. Regrettably, for the present, even the Nascent Palace realm was still too weak.

Thinking of what he was about to do, he felt the weight of pressure settle upon him.

That pressure was not something mere Nascent Palace power could relieve.

When he thought of Lord Tai Ri, he understood that before a colossus like the Arcane Void Manor, even a lord was nothing to speak of.

However, now that his spiritual power had soared, the Ninefold Sacred Embryo Mark was only a matter of time. He ought to consider his next move.

Tu Lu fell silent for a moment, then began to attempt inscription.

...

"News of the plant spirit that can ward off the curse has come in?"

Seven days later, inside the Ruyue Inn, Tu Lu was overjoyed.

Over these seven days, though the road had been fraught with setbacks, he had finally managed to barely inscribe a Ninefold Sacred Embryo Mark. All that remained was to transfer it from the talisman paper onto the secret manual.

But there had still been no news of the plant spirit that could avert the curse, which was why he had yet to act.

"Though it is not yet confirmed, it is all but certain."

"What do you mean?" Tu Lu froze.

Zhang Chengdao said, "There is no need for me to tell you this; before long you will know anyway. Fifteen days from now is the manor lord's birthday."

Tu Lu opened his mouth.

Zhang Chengdao continued, "As is customary, whenever it is the manor lord's birthday, the Arcane Void Province holds a grand three-day celebration.

During that celebration, the Celestial Dragon Pavilion will stage one auction. The goods up for auction are secret, but Wu Hao, through his family connections, managed to learn a little.

There seem to be three plant spirits among them, and one of them is related to the curse."

Tu Lu was stunned, and it took him a long while to recover.

"Why must it be the Celestial Dragon Pavilion of all places?"

He muttered under his breath, frowning.

"What is it?" Zhang Chengdao asked curiously.

Tu Lu shook his head.

"If there is anything unsuitable about it, we could bid for it on your behalf..." Zhang Chengdao said after a moment’s hesitation.

Tu Lu was delighted. "My sincere thanks, Brother Zhang. You have truly done me a great service..."

"No need for thanks." Zhang Chengdao smiled.

Tu Lu breathed a sigh of relief, but then something occurred to him, and his expression changed.

"No. Better that I go myself."

"Why?"

Zhang Chengdao was taken aback, then said, "Very well. If there is anything you need from us, Brother Tu, just say the word. I would not dare claim we can help with great matters, but these little things are no trouble at all."

"Rest assured. When the time comes to make use of the three of you, I shall not be polite."

"Haha, that is more like it!"

Zhang Chengdao laughed heartily.

Tu Lu nodded, but in his heart, a bold idea had already begun to take shape.

...

In the provincial estate, before a secret chamber, Zhao Yuyang was muttering to himself as he walked this way and that.

"Master Zhao!"

Tu Lu suddenly stepped out and called to him.

Startled by the sudden greeting, Zhao Yuyang came back to himself at once and hastily said, "So it is Master Tu. Please forgive my ungainly state, Master. By the way, I heard some time ago that you had gone into seclusion to study the Ninefold Sacred Embryo Mark. Now that you have emerged, could it be that you have succeeded?"

"Not so easily."

Tu Lu shook his head with a wry smile. "To be honest, I came out of seclusion some time ago. I came here today especially to await you, Master."

Zhao Yuyang was startled.

Tu Lu explained his idea.

Zhao Yuyang frowned. "An advanced talisman pattern of ice attribute?"

"Exactly. It will not be long before the manor lord's birthday. I want to do my part for Young Master Zi. I have heard that the manor lord possesses the innate Ice Soul Physique. If a gift of ice-attributed treasure inscribed with advanced markings were presented, I imagine the manor lord would be pleased."

Zhao Yuyang was momentarily stunned, then gradually knitted his brows.

"Master Tu, we inscription masters should be focusing on studying the Ninefold Sacred Embryo Mark. It is better to think less about other matters."

Tu Lu paused, then smiled. "In the Master's view, what is most important to an inscription master?"

"Naturally, inheritance, resources, and talent."

Tu Lu nodded. "Exactly. Master Zhao understands it perfectly, does he not? Talent need not be discussed, but inheritance and resources are, in the final analysis, one and the same thing.

The truth is, both of us have now attached ourselves to Young Master Zi. Do you not wish to go a step further? For example, by getting on the manor lord's good side..."

Zhao Yuyang was stunned.