Sitting on the bed, Lu Yun took out the top-grade Thunder Spirit Root rewarded by the system.
Since it was produced by the system, this Thunder Spirit Root was unaffected by anything. As long as Lu Yun took it out, he could directly replace his own with it, without any side effects.
Before this, Lu Yun's spirit root was an ordinary-grade Fire Spirit Root—that low-level spirit root had been holding him back so much.
His spell usage was impure, and his cultivation progress was slow.
The spirit root was the foundation of one's cultivation; it not only determined how far you could go, but also how fast you could get there.
Without a superior spirit root, even if you cultivated advanced techniques, it wouldn't feel right, and your progress would be far slower than those with better spirit roots.
The system's reward of this top-grade Thunder Spirit Root hit the nail on the head.
After replacing his ordinary-grade Fire Spirit Root, Lu Yun felt a refreshing sensation throughout his body. He sensed that his cultivation speed now was tens of thousands of times faster than before!
Afterward.
Lu Yun took out the "Ten Thousand Talismans Treasure Record."
This was a talisman cultivation technique, of Earth-tier superior grade, far superior to the Yellow-tier technique Lu Yun was currently using—by who knows how many times.
Without further ado, Lu Yun immediately began cultivating it.
Under the enhancement of the top-grade Thunder Spirit Root, the various techniques in the "Ten Thousand Talismans Treasure Record" were quickly mastered by Lu Yun.
A moment later.
Lu Yun exited his cultivation state. He could cultivate the technique anytime; he still needed to hurry and digest the remaining rewards.
The final reward was 5 Boundary-Breaking Pills.
This kind of pill was extremely special, an 8th-grade pill that was priceless and hard to find.
Generally, only royal nobles or sect prodigies had the qualification to use them.
Its effect was to break through a major or minor realm without any side effects, and with a solid foundation.
However, it was only effective for cultivators below the Golden Core stage; once one reached the Golden Core stage, it could no longer be consumed.
Taking out all the pills, Lu Yun directly swallowed 3 of them in one go.
His current realm was Foundation Building 8th layer; 3 Boundary-Breaking Pills were just enough to break through to the Golden Core stage!
In an instant.
Lu Yun felt his entire body's meridians being cleansed, with countless warm currents flowing through him.
Those originally depleted spirit veins were rapidly regaining vitality, and his originally narrow and small foundation platform was widening at a visible speed.
After expanding to a certain extent, a golden, radiant Golden Core grew on the thick and stable foundation platform.
Golden Core stage!
Achieved!
Lu Yun suddenly opened his eyes, lightning flashing in his pupils.
Looking at the thunderous spiritual energy swirling around his palm, Lu Yun felt immensely satisfied.
He had never imagined that one day, he could actually break through to the Golden Core stage!
Just as Lu Yun was savoring the moment, a knock sounded at his door.
"Elder Lu, it's time for you to teach class."
"Today's evening class is yours. Did you forget because you were busy?"
A disciple from the Martial Lecture Hall was outside Lu Yun's door, wondering why Elder Lu, who never missed a class before, was suddenly late today.
At that moment.
Lu Yun slowly pushed open the door.
Damn it!
Breaking through to Golden Core almost made him forget about class.
Today, besides the morning class, he also had an evening class.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
"Thank you, student. I almost forgot."
"Here, take this as a token for your trouble in coming here."
With that.
Lu Yun tossed a Golden Light Talisman to the knocking disciple.
This was a defensive talisman that Lu Yun had drawn a long time ago. Now that he had the top-grade Thunder Spirit Root, the talismans he would draw in the future would mostly be thunder-based. It was better to use up these previously drawn inferior talismans sooner.
Then.
Lu Yun threw out a Flight Talisman and flew away.
After reaching the Golden Core stage, Lu Yun could actually fly without talismans, but to avoid drawing attention, he decided to use the Flight Talisman—it also saved spiritual energy.
Soon.
Lu Yun arrived at the Martial Lecture Hall.
At this time, the disciples had already filled the classroom, just waiting for him, the instructor.
"Hahaha, sorry everyone, something came up today and delayed me. My apologies, my apologies."
Lu Yun said as he walked to the podium.
"Everyone, turn your talisman books to page 181. Today, we're going to cover..."
...
While lecturing, Lu Yun observed the students present.
Although today's investment opportunities were already used up, he could still invest tomorrow. Finding a target today, he could arrange for them to come find him tomorrow—who knows, they might show up.
That night.
After finishing a day of teaching, Lu Yun returned to his residence.
Breaking through to the Golden Core stage, plus the investment rebate system, put him in a great mood.
Moreover, tomorrow he only had one class, and it wasn't a morning one—he could cultivate vigorously tonight!
The next day.
The sun rose in the east, purple qi coming from the east.
Lu Yun slowly opened his eyes, greeting the first ray of morning light.
After entering the Golden Core stage, he could go without food for long periods.
He had cultivated all night yesterday, not only without any discomfort, but feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Speaking of the "Ten Thousand Talismans Treasure Record," it was truly heaven-sent for talisman cultivators. The talismans within had endless wondrous uses. With his Thunder Spirit Root, Lu Yun naturally focused first on thunder-based talismans—these matched his attributes, and their power would be even stronger when used.
"Alright."
"Another happy and joyful teaching day begins."
Yesterday.
Lu Yun had been half-dead facing his teaching career; today, he felt everything was full of hope.
Walking into the Martial Lecture Hall.
Lu Yun casually found a seat.
Today wasn't his morning class; he came so early to observe if there were any suitable disciples for investment. If there were, he would invest heavily!
But...
Reality slapped him hard in the face.
For several days in a row, Lu Yun didn't encounter any good prospects.
There were plenty with white and black talents, and some with yellow talents too, but Lu Yun didn't want to waste opportunities on them.
In the end.
Every day when the Martial Lecture Hall was about to close, Lu Yun would find a disciple with slightly better luck to invest in.
After all, one investment per day—if he invested, the returns might be small; if not, there were no returns at all.
Such days.
Continued for about ten days.
During this time, Lu Yun had accumulated a decent amount of wealth through investments, but he still wanted to invest in people with good luck!
Last time, investing in Su Muwen gave him so many good things at once. How he wished he could invest in more like Su Muwen!
But reality is always cruel.
Where are there so many children of destiny for you to invest in?
That day.
Lu Yun was teaching the evening class; he was the last to leave and responsible for locking up.
At that moment.
A voice as clear as a silver bell called out to him.
"Mr. Lu, hello."
When Lu Yun turned around, a tall but young woman stood not far from him.
"Student Gu Qiong, long time no see."
"It's so late; what are you doing at the Martial Lecture Hall?"
As Lu Yun spoke, he suddenly noticed the luck displayed above Gu Qiong's head.
...
[Name: Gu Qiong.]
[Age: 14.]
[Cultivation: Foundation Building 2nd layer.]
[Luck: Golden (golden tinged with purple).]
[Future Evaluation: Possesses the Purple-Gold Primordial Sacred Body, which will awaken at age 20. Her future is immeasurable; she will surely forge her own world and become an empress who dominates through the ages.]
[Recent Investable Encounter: Accepted as a disciple by inner sect elder [Fang Xuanying], but [Fang Xuanying]'s motives are impure—she plans to marry Gu Qiong off to the [Wang Family] in the Central Province as a servant and concubine, which will negatively impact Gu Qiong in the future.]
[Investment Method: The communication stone linking Fang Xuanying and the Wang Family is still there, currently hidden in Fang Xuanying's boudoir. Steal the communication stone and give it to Gu Qiong.]
...
After reading Gu Qiong's encounter and the investment method, Lu Yun realized that investment wasn't just about giving items—it could also be about helping them.
But stealing the communication stone seemed quite difficult.
All inner sect elders were at the Golden Core stage, and he had heard of Fang Xuanying—she was even a late-stage Golden Core expert!
Just as Lu Yun was pondering how to steal it, Gu Qiong called out to him.
"Mr. Lu, I'm here to say goodbye to you."
"I've been selected by Elder Fang from the inner sect; I'm going to the inner sect for advanced training."
"I might rarely come back to the outer sect in the future. During my time in the outer sect, thank you for your care."
After speaking, Gu Qiong bowed deeply to Lu Yun.
She was reluctant. During her long time in the outer sect, she could sense Lu Yun's kindness toward her.
It was the care of a senior for a junior.
Gu Qiong had inquired; Lu Yun rarely gave private guidance to disciples in the Martial Lecture Hall. She, Gu Qiong, was an exception.
And once she entered the inner sect, her chances of returning would truly be slim.
Inner sect disciples had much higher status than outer sect ones; few inner sect disciples interacted with the outer sect. Plus, inner sect disciples' masters required them to cultivate diligently, leaving even less opportunity to contact the outer sect.
Gu Qiong coming to bid farewell to Lu Yun this time was almost like a permanent goodbye.
Seeing this scene, Lu Yun couldn't help but grit his teeth.
Damn it!
You dare to scheme against the junior I've set my eyes on!
It's just Fang Xuanying, right?
Let's do it!
She's at Golden Core, and so am I—why should I avoid her edge?
Immediately.
Lu Yun spoke solemnly.
"Student Gu Qiong, do you trust me?"
"Of course I trust Mr. Lu."
"Good. Tonight at midnight, meet me at Moon-Gazing Cliff. I have something to give you!"
"If I don't arrive at Moon-Gazing Cliff by dawn, you must escape the sect!"
Hearing Lu Yun's words.
Gu Qiong was clearly in disbelief. Why would Mr. Lu say such serious things when she just came to say goodbye?
Just as Gu Qiong wanted to ask more, Lu Yun waved his hand to interrupt.
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes!"
Gu Qiong thought for a long time, then answered firmly with determination in her eyes.
"Then no need to ask. At midnight tonight, I'll explain everything to you."
"Okay!"
Gu Qiong nodded heavily, and the two parted ways.
