Chapter 243: Swordswoman
After a moment of shock, Hu Shishi looked at Cheng Yuan nervously. "Xiaoyuan, you’re not just putting on a brave face, are you? You took twelve Qi Enhancement Pills at once. Are you really okay?"
Cheng Yuan casually extended his wrist and said calmly, "Sister Shishi, just check for yourself and you’ll know."
Hu Shishi raised a hand and placed it on Cheng Yuan’s wrist, probing the condition of the True Essence within his body.
And then, Hu Shishi was stunned!
’How could his True Essence be this immense?’
’Even her father, an expert at the Innate Grandmaster Peak, didn’t possess True Essence this abundant!’
’And Cheng Yuan’s True Essence was so condensed! It was already starting to crystallize!’
Hu Shishi had no doubt whatsoever that Cheng Yuan could now easily defeat her father!
Cheng Yuan was now the number one publicly acknowledged expert in Dongshan Province!
Of course, Dongshan Province was part of Jiangnan, a region that valued literary arts over martial prowess, so being the top expert in Dongshan didn’t mean much on a national scale.
But one mustn’t forget how young Cheng Yuan was—he was only in his early twenties!
By the time Cheng Yuan reached middle age, he could absolutely reign supreme!
At this moment, Hu Shishi felt incredibly fortunate that her father had placed Cheng Yuan in the Hu and Zhu Families’ line of succession!
Originally, Hu Shishi had thought this was a case of the Hu and Zhu Families nurturing Cheng Yuan.
But now, Hu Shishi understood. The Hu and Zhu Families had gotten the deal of a lifetime! They had latched onto a backer of monumental, unprecedented proportions!
A blazing fire ignited in Hu Shishi’s beautiful eyes. ’This is my man,’ she thought. ’No matter the cost, I must hold on to him!’
Hu Shishi suddenly turned to Elder Qi and Niu Fu, her voice grave. "You two. I need you to swear a Celestial Dao Blood Oath! Nothing you have seen or heard today can ever be revealed! Otherwise, may your body and soul be annihilated, and may you never be reincarnated!"
Cheng Yuan was taken aback for a moment, but he quickly realized why Hu Shishi was doing this.
Elder Qi and Niu Fu also realized the gravity of the situation.
The Dragon Country was vast and populous, never lacking for geniuses. However, many of these talents never reached their full potential, falling before their time.
This was definitely not a coincidence!
Without hesitation, Elder Qi and Niu Fu bit their fingers and swore the Celestial Dao Blood Oath!
"I, Qi Haoran / Niu Fu, swear a Celestial Dao Blood Oath! I will never speak of what I have seen and heard today! If I break this vow, may the heavens strike me down, and may I never be reincarnated!"
HUMMM!
A vast and majestic aura appeared, enveloping Qi Haoran and Niu Fu.
The two men’s expressions changed. They knew they had been marked by the Celestial Dao; if they went back on their word, they would suffer its backlash!
Cheng Yuan and Hu Shishi also felt the ripple of the Celestial Dao and were finally able to relax.
Hu Shishi promptly dismissed them. "There’s still some time before the medicinal herb exchange conference. We need to rest. Please see yourselves out."
The two men hurriedly took their leave.
After the two men left, Cheng Yuan started to get a little nervous. ’Now we’re all alone... what if Sister Shishi decides to make a move on me? Should I give in, or should I just give in?’
’Ah!’
’It’s so hard being a man, especially an outstanding one. It’s truly difficult to protect yourself when faced with a beautiful woman.’
Fortunately, his worries were for naught. Hu Shishi was in no mood to tease him.
"Xiaoyuan, my Dantian and Meridians feel like they’re about to burst. I’m going to cultivate for a while and try to refine as much of this Medicinal Power as I can."
With that, Hu Shishi found an empty room and began to meditate.
Cheng Yuan also found a room and began to meditate. He had taken twelve Qi Enhancement Pills at once; in terms of the sheer quantity of his True Essence, he had already reached the Divine Realm Grandmaster Peak!
However, Cheng Yuan knew he wasn’t a true Divine Realm Peak expert yet.
After all, this True Essence was all gained from consuming Elixirs; for the time being, he couldn’t unleash its full power.
Right now, he could probably wield about forty percent of its power.
Even so, this was already absurdly powerful. He could defeat an expert at the Martial King Early Stage, giving him the combat prowess of someone at the Martial King Middle Stage.
Once Cheng Yuan could unleash the full power of the True Essence in his body, he should be unbeatable below the Martial Emperor realm!
"Xiaoyuan, it’s about time. Shall we get going?"
Hu Shishi’s voice roused Cheng Yuan from his Cultivation.
Cheng Yuan checked the time. There were still fifteen minutes before the medicinal herb exchange conference began.
Cheng Yuan slowly concluded his cultivation and turned to look at Hu Shishi. His eyes immediately lit up.
’I just saw her a little while ago, when did Sister Shishi change her clothes?’
She was now dressed like a swordswoman straight out of a wuxia movie, clad in a form-fitting, ancient-style long tunic, a wide-brimmed conical hat on her head, and a Treasure Sword hanging at an angle from her waist.
He had to admit, the outfit suited Hu Shishi perfectly. It highlighted her dashing, heroic bearing to the fullest, as if it were custom-made just for her.
"Sister Shishi, are you cosplaying?"
Hu Shishi smiled, handing him a silver-white tunic. "Of course not. You’ll understand once we get to the medicinal herb exchange conference. I prepared this for you."
Cheng Yuan quickly waved his hands in refusal. "No, no, that’s way too over-the-top. What I’m wearing now is fine."
"How is it fine? It doesn’t match what I’m wearing! What, you don’t want to wear a matching outfit with me?"
Hu Shishi’s gaze was so earnest that Cheng Yuan couldn’t bring himself to refuse. "This... Fine."
With a wry smile, Cheng Yuan changed into the tunic.
Hu Shishi’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t expected Cheng Yuan to look so surprisingly good in the tunic!
"Wow! Xiaoyuan, you look so handsome! You’re the Prince Charming every girl dreams of!"
Hu Shishi looked Cheng Yuan up, down, and all around, unable to get her fill of the sight.
Cheng Yuan felt a little awkward under her intense scrutiny. "Sister Shishi, should we get going?"
Hu Shishi gave a graceful curtsy. "Yes, Young Master."
’Young Master??’
For some reason, Cheng Yuan suddenly felt incredibly good!
The kind of good that thrilled him to his core!
It was as if every pore in his body had opened up, a feeling of satisfaction that seeped into his very bones!
Full of spirit, Cheng Yuan gave a grand wave of his hand. "Let’s go!"
Hu Shishi fell into place like a personal Sword Attendant, keeping an unhurried pace half a meter behind him, poised to protect him at a moment’s notice.
He had to admit, Hu Shishi’s performance really boosted his ego.
Along the way, countless people stared, casting looks of envy, jealousy, and hatred in Cheng Yuan’s direction.
’Why does a kid like that get to have such a beautiful and dashing attendant?’
’How satisfying would it be to conquer a woman like that?’
As a scion of the Wen Family, Wen Zihua had managed to get an invitation for a seat near the back and had brought along a young starlet he had recently hooked up with to broaden her horizons.
At the entrance to the venue, Wen Zihua saw Cheng Yuan and Hu Shishi approaching.
The moment he saw Hu Shishi, Wen Zihua’s face filled with astonishment. He had known her for years, but this was the first time he’d ever thought she was this beautiful! The starlet on his arm suddenly lost all her appeal.
’Wait a minute!’
’Isn’t that the kid who crippled Duan Lang?’
’How is he still alive and kicking?’
’Isn’t Prince Duan supposed to be fiercely protective of his own?’