Firmament Sword

”There’s someone you can’t see through?”

The middle-aged man seemed slightly surprised, but his tone was very relaxed. ”Speaking of which, the Xu Family’s second young master, Xu Luo, has always been looked down upon by the people of the Imperial Capital. Because he’s been frail since childhood and unable to cultivate, he’s suffered no small amount of ridicule over the years. I didn’t expect his sudden outburst today. It’s certainly shown us a different side of the young master from the General’s Mansion.”

Phoenix nodded lightly and said, ”In any case, I feel the way he looks at me is a little strange, as if he can see right through my disguise.” As she spoke, a bitter smile appeared on her face. ”Come to think of it, besides the Sect Leader, he’s the only one who has ever made me feel this way.”

The middle-aged man was finally a little moved. He frowned slightly, looked up at Phoenix, and said coolly, ”Don’t forget who you are.”

Phoenix immediately shot the middle-aged man a look. ”Where is your mind going? How could I possibly have any ideas about a little kid?”

”You’re not that old yourself,” the middle-aged man retorted bluntly, then changed the subject. ”The Sixth Prince sent those good-for-nothings Leng Ping and Wei Ziting to cause trouble for the Eldest Prince and a few scions of the Military Families. What is he trying to do?”

”It’s nothing more than a probe. The Sixth Prince’s thoughts may be well-hidden, but it’s impossible for him to hide them from us,” Phoenix said with a cold smile.

”In any case, the disputes of the Royal Family have nothing to do with us. Just remember not to get involved,” the middle-aged man said. ”The Royal Family’s foundation is not so simple.”

Phoenix said coolly, ”I know. I don’t need you to teach me.”

...

”Your Highness, something very interesting just happened over at the Fengyue Building...” a gray-robed elder said with a smile on his face to a handsome young man seated in the main chair.

”Oh? Phoenix?”

”Indeed. No one expected Xu Luo to actually make a move. And from the looks of it, he doesn’t seem like someone so frail he faints all the time. This matter has become quite interesting.”

”Mm,” the young man in the main chair responded. His face betrayed no emotion as he said, ”This is indeed a surprise.”

”I believe that this time, those ministers at court won’t be casting their suspicious gazes toward Your Highness anymore. In their eyes, Your Highness is perhaps just a misbehaving child, hehe,” the elder said with a laugh.

”Elder Wang is right.” The young man sighed softly, stood up, and paced around the room with his hands behind his back. He said in a low voice, ”This prince has always been viewed with suspicion by the Crown Prince. I was forced to do this. By the way, how are things on Yuan Jing’s end?”

The elder said softly, ”Everything is going relatively smoothly. It’s just that, as Your Highness knows, those ruffians in the army are not so easily won over. I believe if we give Yuan Jing a little more time, he will do even better.”

”That’s good.” The young man let out a long breath and suddenly asked, ”What about Xu Luo?”

The elder, as if accustomed to the young man’s sporadic way of thinking, did not seem surprised. He thought for a moment and said, ”I can’t see through him.”

”Then let’s observe him a while longer,” the young man said coolly. ”Xu Ji is still very fond of this second son of his.”

”Understood.” The elder nodded in reply and then withdrew.

Only the young man remained in the room. A faint smile suddenly appeared on his handsome face as he muttered to himself, ”Xu Luo... This prince can’t quite see through you. Hehe, interesting.”

...

Wei Ziting had thought that his actions today would surely earn him a harsh scolding from his master. Unexpectedly, his master didn’t even see them. While this allowed him to breathe a secret sigh of relief, he still felt a bit disgruntled. However, looking at the equally sullen-faced Leng Ping beside him, he felt a little more balanced.

”Young Master Leng, are we just going to let today’s matter slide? That piece of trash, Civil Servant’s Rice Bowl, clearly disrespected you, which means he disrespected our master...” Wei Ziting said, his face full of indignation. ”Especially with Zhao Chong being beaten up like this. If we still do nothing, won’t people think we’re actually afraid of him?”

”What do you know!” Leng Ping glanced at Wei Ziting and said coldly, ”Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. If you want revenge, go by yourself. Don’t drag me into it.”

The smile on Wei Ziting’s face froze. He watched Leng Ping turn away, a flash of shame and anger in his eyes, and thought, ’You’re only acting so arrogant because you’re a bit more favored by our master. If we were really comparing status, what do you amount to?’

Leng Ping’s voice came again. ”Go and placate Zhao Chong. No matter what, we can’t let our own people feel disheartened. Ziting, I know you’re indignant and probably have some opinions about me, but I can tell you one thing: this matter was our master’s intention. Don’t ruin our master’s important plans because of your own petty schemes. When that time comes, no one will be able to protect you!”

A chill ran down Wei Ziting’s back. He said respectfully, ”Young Master Leng, I’m sorry. I was being inconsiderate. Thank you for the reminder. I’ll go see Zhao Chong right now.”

Leng Ping nodded. ”Go. For the time being, it’s best not to cross paths with Xu Luo’s group again.”

”Understood.” Wei Ziting bowed and departed.

Leng Ping frowned and muttered to himself, ”He’s clearly the kind of guy a strong gust of wind could knock over. How did he suddenly get so strong?”

...

Xu Luo had just returned home when he was stopped by a hurrying Lianyi.

”Young Master, why did you drink so much?” Lianyi asked, her heart aching as she smelled the alcohol on Xu Luo.

”Hehe, I was happy celebrating with my big brother and the others today, so I had a little extra to drink,” Xu Luo replied with a smile.

”You still have to take care of your body,” Lianyi said, then added, ”The Madam has returned. She wants you to see her immediately upon your return. You’ve had so much to drink; do you want to sober up a bit before you go?”

”It’s fine, just take me there. The worst that can happen is that Mom will scold me a bit,” Xu Luo said with a smile.

”Well, if you really do get scolded, it has nothing to do with me.” Lianyi shot Xu Luo a look and gracefully walked ahead to lead the way.

Xu Luo smiled as he watched the graceful back of the Maid who had grown up with him. For some reason, the stunning face of Phoenix, whom he had seen at the Fengyue Building, suddenly came to mind.

He shook his head slightly, trying to drive Phoenix’s face from his mind.

”Xiaoluo, why did you drink so much?”

Sure enough, upon seeing Xu Luo, Luo Xinlan couldn’t help but frown, a mix of heartache and annoyance on her face. She had Lianyi leave first, then looked at Xu Luo and said, ”Mom knows you feel wronged, but don’t be angry with your brother. In the future, if you can make something of yourself, a noble title won’t be a problem for our Xu Family.”

Xu Luo looked up at his mother and smiled. ”Mom, what are you thinking? Why would I be angry with Big Brother? This matter has nothing to do with him. And your son doesn’t feel wronged at all. As long as I haven’t brought any trouble to you, Dad, and the family, it’s fine.”

”Oh, you child. If you feel wronged, you feel wronged. There’s no need to bottle it up inside. It would break my heart if you made yourself sick.” Luo Xinlan spoke with heartache, then took a wooden box from the table beside her. With a solemn expression, she said to Xu Luo, ”Inside here is an elixir. It’s something Mom specially requested for you on my trip back to my sect. Wait until you’ve sobered up, then take it and see. Perhaps... it can change your constitution.”

”What kind of elixir is this?” Xu Luo took the wooden box and opened it as he spoke.

The box was lined with high-quality brocade, and nestled in the center was a palm-sized jade bottle. Inside the bottle, a bean-sized, dark red elixir could be faintly seen. Sealed within the jade, it gave off no scent.

However, the Shaking Light Star Soul in his Dantian throbbed gently, seemingly yearning for the elixir in the jade bottle.

”This is a Seven-Turn Foundation Establishment Pill,” Luo Xinlan said softly. ”It’s specially made for those with exceptional talent. It can purify one’s constitution and strengthen their True Essence. Mom went through a great deal of trouble to obtain this single pill. I hope it can help you.”

Although Luo Xinlan spoke of it lightly, the trace of exhaustion in her eyes did not escape Xu Luo’s notice.

Xu Luo fell silent for a moment, then looked up at Luo Xinlan and said, ”Mom, thank you.”

”Oh, you child. You are my son, my most precious treasure. I do everything for you willingly. You never need to say thank you to me, do you understand?” A glint of moisture flashed in Luo Xinlan’s eyes as she spoke with a gratified smile.

”Yes, I’ll remember.” Xu Luo clutched the wooden box to his chest, then bid farewell to his mother and returned to his small courtyard.

Although his mother hadn’t said much, Xu Luo knew in his heart that she must have paid an immense price to obtain this elixir. Over the years, by his count alone, Luo Xinlan had returned to her sect to ask for medicine four times.

And though she brought back some elixirs each time, never before had she been so solemn, nor had she ever seemed as exhausted as she did this time.

’Mom, although my constitution has already changed, I will forever remember your kindness.’ Xu Luo thought, his eyes growing slightly moist. He then swore an oath in his heart: ’I must strive to achieve something great, so as not to waste the profound love and kindness my parents and family have shown me.’

Back in his room, after giving orders not to be disturbed, Xu Luo directly activated the Shadow Shaking Heart Method. The heavy feeling of drunkenness vanished in an instant, the essence of the alcohol completely absorbed by the Shaking Light Star Soul in his Dantian.

Xu Luo’s mind instantly cleared. He then took out the small jade bottle from the wooden box, peeled off the sealing wax, and opened the stopper. Instantly, a powerful wave of Spiritual Qi filled the entire room!

The elixir within the jade bottle trembled lightly, as if it had a spirit of its own and wanted to escape. However, it was constrained by a strange force, shuddering uncontrollably inside the bottle.

Although Xu Luo knew the Seven-Turn Foundation Establishment Pill his mother had obtained would be extraordinary, he hadn’t expected it to be this potent. Seeing the elixir trying to escape the bottle, Xu Luo immediately raised the small jade bottle to his lips and tipped the pill into his mouth.

BOOM!

The elixir melted the moment it entered his mouth. A rich and surging torrent of Spiritual Power erupted in Xu Luo’s abdomen, instantly flooding every corner of his body!