Chapter 792: Hu Yaoyao's Invitation

“One bottle of Primordial Heavy Water costs ten high-grade spirit stones. I need ten bottles, which means I’ll need 100 high-grade spirit stones!”

His soul cultivation consumed four stones just to go from the peak of Bridge Heaven Realm to late Unity Realm. To reach the peak of Unity Realm, two more might not even be enough. Subsequent realms like Void-Treading Realm, Cocoon Seal Realm, and Semi-Saint will require even more. Without 100 stones, it will be hard to achieve...

The more he thought about it, the more his head ached.

It seemed his wish to break through to the Saint realm in ten days was impossible.

Setting aside other factors, just the spirit stones alone were insufficient.

“I need to find a way to make money soon…” He rubbed his temples.

Simply relying on his existing resources was clearly not an option.

However, a few hundred high-grade spirit stones were no small sum, and even he couldn't think of a way to acquire them quickly.

“First, let’s check the progress of my cultivation!”

Knowing this wasn't the time to dwell on it, he looked down, assessing the strength gained from his recent breakthrough.

His soul had reached late Unity Realm, and his strength soared again, directly leaping two major ranks from 3.2 million ding to 10 million ding!

Combined with his physical body and true qi, each at 8 million ding, he could now unleash a tremendous force of 26 million ding, comparable to an early-stage Cocoon Seal Realm expert!

(Cocoon Seal Realm: Early stage 25 million ding, mid-stage 28 million ding, late stage 31 million ding, peak 34 million ding!)

It had to be said, his progress was terrifying.

He turned to look at his clone nearby. Like him, the clone had also reached late Unity Realm and then stopped.

“Want to have a spar?”

Seeing him look over, the clone's eyes gleamed with eagerness.

“Uh… never mind!”

He shook his head awkwardly.

Although the clone's primary cultivation came from the Wugong soul, its physical body was simply too powerful. It seemed to have a tendency where the stronger its soul power, the stronger its overall capabilities became.

He had made significant progress and, combined with his physical body, could easily fight opponents above his rank. However, compared to the clone, he was still far behind.

In other words, if he really sparred with the clone, he would definitely be utterly defeated.

It was already humiliating enough for the main body to be unable to defeat its clone; he certainly didn't have a masochistic habit of repeatedly seeking a beating.

He put the clone back into his storage ring, then pushed the door open and left the room.

Luo Qiqi came forward to meet him.

Zhang Xuan had changed into clean clothes. With his soul power upgraded, his eyes appeared smoother, and his aura became more restrained, giving him an unfathomable impression.

“Teacher, Senior Hu Yaoyao just sent someone with a letter, inviting you to a dinner party…”

Luo Qiqi looked at him with slight confusion, finding it a bit strange.

Last night, Teacher said he was going to find Hu Yaoyao to inquire about Senior Wu Yangzi's whereabouts, but then he returned injured in the afternoon… She had thought there was a conflict with Senior Hu, but upon seeing the invitation, she realized that probably wasn't the case.

Teacher had no interaction with Hu Yaoyao yesterday at all.

So… what did he do all night?

And who injured him?

“Dinner party? What kind of dinner party?”

Zhang Xuan was momentarily stunned.

Could it be that Hu Yaoyao was already preparing to make her move against him?

“Here!”

Luo Qiqi raised her hand and handed him a letter.

Zhang Xuan opened it.

Inside was an invitation. After a few polite greetings, the message was simple: she had met them yesterday, felt an immediate connection, and was now specifically inviting them to a dinner party today, hoping they wouldn't decline.

The address was Cloud Lark Residence, within Jinghong Academy.

“Cloud Lark Residence?” Zhang Xuan looked up.

“That’s Senior Hu Yaoyao’s private residence, right inside Jinghong Academy!”

Luo Qiqi explained, fearing her teacher might not understand. She continued, “The Elite Zone is divided into A, B, C, and D sections, corresponding to the first, second, third, and fourth years respectively. Exceptional fifth-year students don't reside here. Instead, they live in the academy corresponding to their primary auxiliary profession. To show respect, the academy constructs special private residences for them, which are even better than those in the Elite Zone!”

Zhang Xuan nodded.

When he first arrived at the Elite Zone, Huang Xing and others had already told him about it.

There were only four sections here, and he lived in section D.

“Teacher, she didn’t agree yesterday, but now she’s suddenly inviting us. I’m afraid she has ulterior motives…”

Also sensing something amiss, Luo Qiqi frowned slightly.

“She certainly has ulterior motives! However, if we don't go, do you have any other way to find out the location of Senior Wu Yangzi’s former residence?” Zhang Xuan looked at her.

Luo Qiqi shook her head with a bitter smile.

If there were other ways, they would have acted already and wouldn't be in such a passive position.

“Exactly, it’s useless to worry so much! Since she invited us to dinner, let’s go and see!”

Zhang Xuan said.

Yesterday, he wanted to go and get information from her, but was forced to give up because she was undressing and it was inconvenient to observe. Since she was inviting him today, he naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity.

She invited him and Luo Qiqi to the dinner party; she couldn't possibly undress in front of both of them!

As long as she didn't do that, he would find a way to make her obediently reveal the information she knew.

He was currently broke. Finding Wu Yangzi's treasure might just turn the tide and save him from this miserable situation.

“Then… should we leave now?” Seeing that her teacher had agreed to go, Luo Qiqi no longer hesitated and asked.

“Now?”

Zhang Xuan looked outside and then remembered that it was already afternoon when he returned from Jinghong Academy. After two or three hours of healing and cultivation, it was now pitch dark outside.

“Let’s go!”

The dinner party had a set time, and looking at the clock, it was almost time. There was nothing to hesitate about.

Leaving the private residence, the two walked towards Jinghong Academy.

Jinghong Academy wasn't as vast as the Artifact Forging Academy, but it covered a very wide area. Before long, they arrived at the courtyard where Hu Yaoyao had changed clothes yesterday.

“So this is the Cloud Lark Residence…”

Confirming it, Zhang Xuan nodded.

He had already been here once yesterday while tracking Hu Yaoyao. It was one of the more luxurious buildings in the vicinity, indeed much more spacious than his residence in the Elite Zone.

“This place wasn’t originally called that. Legend has it that when Senior Hu Yaoyao was undergoing her six-star Jinghong Master assessment, she performed the ‘Rainbow Ripple Dance’ in luxurious attire, attracting cloud larks that watched and chirped continuously without stopping… only then was this courtyard renamed Cloud Lark Residence.”

Luo Qiqi knew the story and transmitted the information to him.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

The ‘Rainbow Ripple Dance,’ combined with luxurious attire, indeed possessed astonishing abilities. It could be used for an instantaneous attack, catching opponents off guard, or it could attract birds and beasts to flock around.

Cloud larks are small, non-aggressive spirit beasts that become captivated by beautiful things. To make them chirp and linger after a single performance was undoubtedly the greatest compliment to a dancer.

“Indeed, since that event, Jinghong Academy has established Senior Hu Yaoyao’s irreplaceable status! She was even personally taken in as a direct disciple by the Dean of Jinghong Academy!”

Luo Qiqi said.

To be a dean, one must naturally be among the Ten Elders. For such a figure to personally accept a disciple showed Hu Yaoyao’s significant status.

Precisely because of this, the Prodigy Alliance became one of the most prominent major societies in the entire academy, attracting countless followers.

“Are you both Master Zhang Xuan and Master Luo Qiqi?”

As they were conversing via spiritual transmission, the door to the Cloud Lark Residence in front of them creaked open. A woman named Xin Ru walked out, respectfully cupping her fists.

He hadn’t looked closely at Xin Ru yesterday, but now that they were closer, he realized her strength was actually not weak.

She had already reached Transcendent Mortal 8-dan, definitely making her a renowned expert among the fourth-year students.

For someone of such standing to be working as a servant in Hu Yaoyao’s residence showed that the president of the Prodigy Alliance was indeed extraordinary.

“That’s right!” Luo Qiqi nodded.

“President Yaoyao has already instructed that as soon as you both arrive, I am to invite you in immediately!”

Xin Ru smiled and led the way.

Following her, they entered the courtyard.

Yesterday, he had flown in from above and hadn’t found the courtyard particularly large. But walking into it now, he realized it was seven or eight times the size of his private residence in the Elite Zone.

Numerous koi fish swam in the pond, and the surrounding gardens were in full bloom, emitting a fragrant aroma.

Furthermore, there was clearly a spirit gathering formation here, making the spiritual energy even denser than in the Elite Zone. Living here, even an ordinary person would be full of vigor and free from illness.

“Please come inside!”

They bypassed a long corridor and two small bridges, arriving at a grand hall.

It was brightly lit, as if it were daytime.

“No one here?”

Entering the hall, Zhang Xuan looked around, filled with doubt.

The spacious room had tables for both host and guests laden with wine and dishes, yet it was empty. Hu Yaoyao, who had invited them, was nowhere to be seen.

“President Yaoyao just had some matters to attend to and stepped out,” Xin Ru explained with a smile. “She asked me to tell you both to wait here for a moment; she’ll be back soon…”

“Alright!”

He had known yesterday that Hu Yaoyao would definitely try to scheme against him. Since she hadn't appeared yet, she must have prepared everything. Zhang Xuan didn't ask further questions, merely smiling faintly.

He and Luo Qiqi took their seats in the guest area.

It had to be said, the preparations were quite elaborate. The table was almost entirely filled with precious spirit beast meat, perfectly cooked in terms of color, aroma, and taste, making one’s mouth water at first sniff.

“This entire spread probably costs hundreds of mid-grade spirit stones. As expected of the Prodigy Alliance president, she’s certainly wealthy… If worse comes to worst, I’ll just make her pay for it later…”

He glanced around, realizing the considerable value of the food and wine on the table, and stroked his chin.

He was currently dirt poor and almost green with envy.

This person spent hundreds of mid-grade spirit stones on a single meal. Could she not perhaps help out a poor person like him?

“Please enjoy your meal, both of you. I’ll go check on the president…”

Seeing them seated, Xin Ru filled their wine cups with fine wine, smiled faintly, and withdrew.

“Teacher, what… what trick is she playing?”

Luo Qiqi looked at the dazzling array of delicious food and the brightly lit hall, her face full of puzzlement.

“No matter what trick she’s playing, she’ll definitely tell us the location of Wu Yangzi’s former residence today, don’t worry!”

Zhang Xuan smiled faintly.

If it were yesterday, he wouldn't have this much confidence. But as a six-star Jinghong Master, admired even by Wei Ranxue, he could easily handle whatever tricks Hu Yaoyao might pull, even breaking through them with sheer force!

At worst, he would use his dancing skills to first mesmerize her.

“Oh…”

Though still a little worried, Luo Qiqi nodded.

Although she didn't know where her teacher’s confidence came from, since he dared to say so, he might have already figured out a plan.