Chapter 250: Chapter 218: Lightning Tribulation Strikes Once More_2
When Noble Consort Li first entered the harem, she had already outshined all the other beauties.
Following her, Princess Liang Lu surpassed even Noble Consort Li by half in terms of beauty.
But the woman Liang Hong saw today did not pale in comparison to Liang Lu; she even seemed somewhat superior.
At least temperamentally, Liu Qing was a total triumph. She had an air of aloofness and purity, unlike that of a woman who had grown up in the mortal realm.
“This is Liu Qing, an employee of our studio,”
Jiang Cheng introduced.
“Hello, hello.”
Liang Hong reached out his hand, but Liu Qing had no intention of shaking hands with him, leaving Liang Hong somewhat at a loss for how to react.
It’s okay, though.
He often found himself in awkward situations and had plenty of experience dealing with them.
Only, his niece, the sister of the Princess Consort, in front of Liu Qing, would probably reveal her true uncouth nature completely.
“Please come in, please come in.”
Liang Hong led Jiang Cheng into his long-neglected study.
Aside from books, it contained a bit of everything.
Jiang Cheng got straight to the point and handed over his Talisman design project to Liang Hong.
Liang Hong opened it with composure.
Then he was dumbfounded.
[Name: Electro-Purification Talisman
Rank: Second-order
Type: Healing
Effect: By summoning special lightning, it can drive away demons, ward off evils, and purify oneself.
Precautions: Not recommended for frequent use, please take protective measures before using.]
Because the “Heaven Thunder Exorcism Talisman” was too obviously aggressive, Jiang Cheng reconsidered and felt the name did not fit the healing category.
Thus, he changed “Heaven Thunder Exorcism Talisman” into the therapeutically sounding “Electro-Purification Talisman.”
Liang Hong didn’t understand Talismans.
He didn’t understand spells.
He didn’t even understand cultivation.
Jiang Cheng’s Talisman project made him feel it was impressively profound.
“This is excellent, your thought process for creating Talismans is incredibly ingenious—let’s go ahead as per your plan,”
Liang Hong expressed his approval.
Jiang Cheng was surprised; he thought Liang Hong would surely have a lot of questions, but he hadn’t expected Liang Hong to have such discerning taste.
He actually saw through the ingenious design of the “Electro-Purification Talisman” at a glance.
“Here is the contract, please take a look.”
“Oh, I’ll sign it.”
“I suggest you read the contract thoroughly, it can prevent many conflicts,” Jiang Cheng reminded.
Liang Hong couldn’t be bothered to read it, how could he go wrong with someone recommended by the Void Venerable?
After quickly signing the contract, Liang Hong invited Jiang Cheng to stay for dinner.
Jiang Cheng intended to decline, but couldn’t withstand Liang Hong’s heartfelt pleas accompanied by tears.
“Jiang, if you don’t stay for a meal, I’ll never get to drink ‘Spring White Dew’ in my life!”
Jiang Cheng: …
“Don’t force me to kneel down and beg you!”
Jiang Cheng: …
Princess Consort Hai was supervising the kitchen when an excited Liang Hong ran in to ask when they would eat.
Hai gave him a disdainful glance and asked, “Have you asked about Hai Lan’s matter?”
“What matter?”
“Does Jiang Cheng have a Dao Companion?”
“He probably does.”
Seeing through Liang Hong’s hesitation, Hai pressed, “What do you mean ‘he probably does’? Did you or did you not ask?”
Liang Hong thought about Liu Qing.
In his mind, such a beautiful girl, if Jiang Cheng weren’t a follower of Yangwei or Nantong, it would be unreasonable not to pursue her.
“He definitely has one.”
“You haven’t asked, have you?”
“I did ask,” Liang Hong attempted to prevaricate.
“You definitely didn’t ask! Liang Hong, don’t I know you? I’ll ask him myself,”
“No, no, no, there’s no need, Jiang Cheng probably won’t be interested in Hai Lan.”
Upon hearing this, Hai flared up, “What do you mean? You despise my sister, right? Without the Hai family’s full support, could you have become Prince Chu?”
Liang Hong found himself at a loss for words, “No, I’m not looking down on her, just stating the truth truthfully.”
Hai snapped, “You’re talking nonsense! My sister might not have the best personality, but she’s still a noble young lady from a prominent family! She has the looks and the demeanor. What right does Jiang Cheng have to not be interested in her!”
“Where’s Jiang Cheng? You’re not asking—I, the Princess Consort, will go ask myself!”
Jiang Cheng and Liu Qing were taking a walk, and they turned around to see the Prince Chu couple approaching.
Hai caught sight of Liu Qing and was utterly stunned.
She had never heard of this female cultivator, but in terms of appearance, figure, or temperament, there was nothing to fault, she was simply perfect.
Liang Hong, with a headache, said, “I already told you, I’m not disparaging Hai Lan, I’m just stating the truth. You tell me, how can Hai Lan compare to her?”
Yet Hai, being a more observant woman than Liang Hong, noticed the subtle distance between Liu Qing and Jiang Cheng, evidently not that of a couple in love.
“Jiang, do you have a Dao companion?”
Hai’s words came with a sink-or-swim urgency.
“Ah? No, I don’t.”
Jiang Cheng was puzzled.
The hanging heart of the Hai family finally settled, “Ah haha, that’s good. The dishes are almost ready, let’s dine.”
“Sure.”
…
At the old Hai family residence, Princess Consort Hai Lan of Prince Chu sought out Hai Lan.
After the interaction at noon, Hai was quite satisfied with Jiang Cheng.
Hai even felt that in the future, male cultivators would be divided into three species.
One type was Liang Hong, who had a vengeance against being “useful.”
Another was the average male cultivator, who typically embodied the role of a male cultivator.
The last type was Jiang Cheng, who was flawless.
Jiang Cheng was just too perfect!
He had knowledge, manners, humor, ambition, and an appearance that was sunny and handsome.
The only downside was that he had no notable ancestors.
But that wasn’t a problem either; as long as Liang Hong ascended the throne, he could grant Jiang Cheng any title he wished.
“Jiang Cheng is really great,” Hai encouraged.
“Does he have a house in the Capital?” Hai Lan asked.
“Seems like he doesn’t. But your brother-in-law said Jiang Cheng isn’t short of money, he could definitely afford to buy one if he wants.”
Hai Lan rolled her eyes, “Anyone can brag. If he doesn’t have a house, he must at least have a car, right?”
“Seems like he doesn’t have that either.”
Hai Lan frowned, “Sis, although I don’t have a job yet, my requirements aren’t high: Foundation Establishment cultivation, a stable job, a house, a car, an annual income of a million Spirit Stones. If he’s handsome and young, he can earn a little less. Is that too much to ask?”
“Not at all, not at all.”
“Which of these does your highly praised Jiang Cheng meet?”
Hai was immediately like, “He’s handsome. Even your brother-in-law praises his looks.”
Hai Lan said, “I’m not that shallow. I really value a person’s inner qualities.”
“He’s got a great personality, polite and witty.”
“That’s uninteresting.”
“Meeting him wouldn’t be a loss for you. You’re almost thirty, and if you don’t see him, Mom and Dad will arrange for you to meet someone else.”
Hai Lan thought about it and reluctantly agreed.
Hai, remembering Liu Qing, took the opportunity to prep Hai Lan in advance, “He has a pretty female employee at his studio. Dress up nicely so you don’t get overshadowed.”
Hai Lan was very confident in her looks; otherwise, she wouldn’t have waited for so long.
“I know, I’m not afraid of anyone,” she said confidently.
Hai teased, “Your classmates already have kids in elementary school. Jiang Cheng is really suitable; you better grab the chance.”
Hai Lan was unconcerned.
If Jiang Cheng were really in demand, he would be too busy to go on blind dates.
If the female employee at his studio hadn’t fallen for him, how outstanding could he be?
…
Jiang Cheng had been spending his recent days immersed in Lotus University’s library.
Although Lotus University had already started winter break, many students chose to stay on campus and didn’t go home.
Some, like Yue Linger, stayed to prepare for various competitions.
Others, who were seniors, spent their days in the library studying cultivation knowledge for a smooth entry into their preferred Immortal Sects after graduation.
`At the moment, Jiang Cheng was only at the seventh level of the Qi Cultivation Stage.
However, with the presence of the Dayan Sect, he could level up to the ninth level of Qi Cultivation at any time and attempt the Foundation Establishment.
Thus, his current perusal of Foundation Establishment knowledge was partly for the “Electro-Purification Talisman” and partly to prepare for his own Foundation Establishment.
The study room was sparsely populated.
In a corner, the studious Jiang Cheng was buried in a book, while the not-so-studious Liu Qing was holding a milk tea bought by Jiang Cheng.
In the Capital, where the winter temperature hovered around zero degrees, the study room was warmed by a formation, neither too hot nor too cold.
Yet, Liu Qing’s hot milk tea remained warm even after a half-hour, and it seemed inexhaustible.
Being an undocumented immigrant from the Tianshan Demon Clan, Liu Qing had so many flaws that Jiang Cheng had grown used to ignoring her abnormalities.
The book stated that ascending from Qi Cultivation to Foundation Establishment wasn’t only a level-up in cultivation but also a transformation of the form of spiritual power.
The form of spiritual power during the Qi Cultivation Stage was a high-concentration gas.
During the Foundation Establishment Stage, this gas would condense into a liquid.
The change in the form of spiritual power and the baptism of the Heavenly Tribulation brought about a stark difference in strength between the two levels.
So, for cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Cultivation who wanted to ascend to Foundation Establishment, it was simple: they just needed to try compressing the spiritual whirlwind at their dantian.
Once compressed to a certain degree, they could invite the Heavenly Tribulation of Foundation Establishment.
“So I just need to use the Electro-Purification Talisman to create an illusion of compressing spiritual power to invite the tribulation?”
But getting external help to compress spiritual power was no easy feat.
Qi Cultivators needed years of diligent practice and accumulation, finally reaching the ninth level of Qi Cultivation before they could begin the attempt of compression.
Jiang Cheng slapped his forehead, chastising himself for his wayward thoughts.
His Level 2 Talisman wasn’t supposed to help Qi Cultivators expel evil.
The Electro-Purification Talisman was specially prepared for Emperor Liang at the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Right now, what Jiang Cheng needed to do was just to let the Heavenly Tribulation of Foundation Establishment strike him once more.
