Chapter 34

Gu Yang sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and let the true qi flow within his body.

At his level, he could already use meditation to replace sleep, entering a state similar to deep meditation, which was more effective than sleep.

Moreover, in such a state, he was extremely sensitive to the outside world, able to detect any slight movement in advance.

However, as a modern person, his mind was more restless, and even after so many years, he could not truly calm down. Each time he practiced, it always took a long time to enter the meditative state.

This was also one of the main reasons for the slow progress of his true qi.

Even now, he could not quickly enter the meditative state. Each time, it took one or two hours, and the quality was not great.

Today, however, he felt something different. He seemed to catch a faint, unusual fragrance, and soon his mind calmed down, entering that mysterious state.

...

When Zhang Xiaohai got up from the bed in the next room, Gu Yang naturally woke up, feeling better than ever before. Even the true qi within his body had increased slightly.

The effects of this night's meditation were equivalent to a month's worth of progress.

"Is this what high-quality meditation feels like?"

He was shocked. Looking out, he saw Ling Ling wake up, a smile still on her lips.

Gu Yang returned a smile and got up.

Clearly, such a change would not happen without reason; it must have been her doing.

The incense that could help someone quickly enter a meditative state was a high-end item, something that money couldn't buy.

She actually used it.

Gu Yang became even more curious about this woman.

...

The addition of one person to the group did not significantly affect their speed.

Gu Yang followed the previous route, traveling by land to Ping County, encountering no significant incidents along the way.

Half a month later, Ping County was finally in sight.

On this day, Ling Ling found an excuse to go out alone, buying some things on the street. Unconsciously, she arrived at a secluded alley and met a disheveled old man.

The old man squatted on the ground, holding a wine bottle, and said, "Girl, you look pretty smooth."

"Of course, with a little trick, I managed to get close to him," Ling Ling said, somewhat proudly.

"How is it? Second Grandpa didn't deceive you, right? This person's pure yang true qi is extremely pure. Once he reaches the fourth rank, he can help you cultivate the 'Yangji Zhen Gang.'"

Ling Ling frowned, "I'm afraid it's not that simple."

"What's the problem?"

"Based on my observations over these days, his progress is extremely slow. Even with my help and dual cultivation with the ice-skinned, jade-boned woman, it will take at least ten years to break through to the fourth rank. It's strange, with such mediocre talent, how did he reach the fifth rank?"

This was the most puzzling question for Ling Ling. Given Gu Yang's progress, it should have been impossible for him to have such cultivation at his age.

The old man pondered, "It seems this person has had some extraordinary experiences."

"Being able to save a beautiful ice-skinned, jade-boned woman from a bandit, his luck is indeed great."

Ling Ling had already learned from Zhang Xiaohai about how Gu Yang and Su Qingzhi met.

She said with a touch of schadenfreude, "I heard that Zhao Han cultivates the 'Fentian Shenjue.' The Liu family originally intended to offer Su Qingzhi to him, but it ended up benefiting this guy."

Zhao Han was the fifth prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The old man's tone became more serious, "I've heard that Zhao Han has excellent talent, reaching the third rank at just twenty years old. If the ice-skinned, jade-boned woman had fallen into his hands, the Zhao family would likely have another Divine Realm cultivator in twenty years."

"Now, with Su Qingzhi's body already fused with Gu Yang's Chiyang True Qi, if Zhao Han knew, he would probably be furious."

Pure yang true qi is all about purity. Since Su Qingzhi has already dual-cultivated with someone else, even if Zhao Han took her, he couldn't cultivate pure yang.

Even the slightest flaw would prevent him from achieving the Divine Realm.

The old man warned, "The Zhao family is known for their narrow-mindedness. If they find out, they won't let it go easily."

"I'm not afraid of the difficulties. The days when I had no hope were truly the hardest. Now, I've finally found it. Even if it means facing a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, I will go through it."

The old man sighed, "You've been through a lot."

...

Ping County is located on the western edge of Jiangzhou, beyond which lies Yuzhou's Tong County.

It is a large city, a key point for entering and exiting Jiangzhou, bustling with commerce and travelers.

When Gu Yang's carriage entered Ping County, it was noon.

He suddenly said, "We're here."

Su Qingzhi was somewhat excited, lifting the corner of the curtain to look outside. Seeing the bustling street, her eyes became moist.

Few people knew that the Qingxuan Sect's sect master in Ping County was her mother's master.

Before she left, her mother told her that she could seek refuge with the Qingxuan Sect, and the sect master would protect her.

Now, after enduring many hardships, she had finally arrived in Ping County.

Hearing Gu Yang's words, she understood his meaning and said, "I will keep my promise. Let's go to the Si Hai Bank and exchange the 30,000 taels of silver."

Gu Yang instructed the driver, "Ask for directions to the nearest Si Hai Bank."

"Wait."

Suddenly, Ling Ling interjected, "The silver ticket you brought, did you bring it from home?"

Su Qingzhi countered, "Is there a problem?"

Ling Ling, sensing her hostility, smiled and said, "Do you know who owns the Si Hai Bank?"

"Who doesn't know? The owner of the Si Hai Bank is the richest family in the world, the Qian family."

The Si Hai Bank has branches throughout the Great Zhou, and even in every county, allowing for easy exchange. It is the most powerful bank.

"Hmm."

Ling Ling shook her head, "The Qian family only manages the bank. The true owner is the current royal family, the Zhao family. Exchanging a large sum of money here is like telling the fifth prince that we are here."

Su Qingzhi's face changed.

Gu Yang was also alarmed. No wonder the Liu family found Su Qingzhi so quickly; this was the reason.

In reality, although the Great Zhou is a unified empire, the grassroots are controlled by noble families and sects. The further down, the weaker the control.

Ping County is the territory of the Lin family, and the Liu family's influence doesn't reach here. Logically, the Liu family shouldn't have found Su Qingzhi so easily.

If this is the case, it makes sense.

Gu Yang quickly made a decision and said, "Let's find a place to stay first."

The silver ticket was with him, and as long as he knew the password, he could withdraw money from other states. At most, he would have to travel a bit further, but it wasn't a big issue.