Lan Jue sat cross-legged on his bed, quietly circulating his Discipline. He examined every inch of his body.
This was the third time. He'd searched every nook and cranny of his body, but hadn't found any hidden dangers. Instead, he was pleasantly surprised.
He'd been reborn!
Even though he hadn't deliberately cultivated, after a few hours of rest his Discipline had returned to peak condition.
It was even stronger than before.
A breakthrough?
For a ninth-level Talent, every increase in rank was a qualitative leap in strength.
He could feel the lightning coursing through his veins, gentler than before. It was clear to him that he'd broken through.
The lightning coursed through his meridians. Under his control, it turned to liquid and stabilized.
In the past, this had always been the goal he pursued.
There was a threshold between ninth-level sixth rank and ninth-level seventh rank.
Only by crossing this threshold would he be able to reach the pinnacle.
Who knew how many Adepts this threshold had stopped in their tracks?
Lan Jue was overjoyed, but also puzzled.
The phylactery stone was an s-ranked gem, but it wasn't used to improve one's Discipline. If the Doctor had been able to save him from the brink of death, and even improve his strength, then it was a miracle, not a miracle.
Could it really be a result of his body's mutation?
No, it couldn't be that simple.
But the Wine Master and Doctor wouldn't be able to get any answers.
He couldn't ask too many questions. Who knew how many power gems the Wine Master had expended in order to save Lan Jue? Who knew how many power gems the Wine Master had used?
This sort of teleportation had only existed in legends!
Whatever, he'd improved.
He'd have to stabilize his Discipline as soon as possible.
More importantly, his body was in much better shape than before. His meridians had changed from pale gold to pure gold. Lan Jue had assumed he'd need to reach ninth-level ninth rank to achieve this, but now he was at seventh-level.
His bones, his organs.
He'd undergone a complete transformation. All of this made him feel like he'd been hit with a jackpot.
Three days later.
Knock, knock, knock! A soft knock sounded on the door.
The golden light on Lan Jue's body quietly disappeared. She got up and opened the door.
Outside the door was Xiu Xiu. Seeing Lan Jue in pajamas, he asked with concern, "Boss, what's wrong?
Are you alright? "
Lan Jue smiled. "Don't worry, I'm fine. I couldn't be better."
The smile on Xiu Xiu's face instantly became sweet. "That's good.
The Wine Master has asked me to invite you. "
Lan Jue nodded and said, "I'm going to find him."
Xiu Xiu handed over a communicator. "Your communicator has been repaired."
Lan Jue took it and put it on. She smiled and said, "Xiu Xiu is so considerate."
He glanced at the communicator. There were messages from Chu Cheng, Huali, Wu Chun-yi, and Jin Yan.
Chu Cheng's message told him that he'd been busy with the concert with Huali.
God only knew what he could do to help.
Wu Chun-yi asked about his condition, and said he could rest for a few more days before coming back to class.
Hua Li told him the exact time of the concert, and compared it to today's date.
The concert would begin in three days.
"I'm going to get changed." Lan Jue said.
"Mm.
Boss, take a shower … "Xiu Xiu said with a low chuckle.
"Ugh … Do I smell?" Of course. He'd come back from Taihua because he was mentally exhausted.
He went to bed.
Half an hour later.
Lan Jue walked out of the Zeus Jewelry Shop, looking refreshed.
Blue shirt, black trousers, neat and tidy.
He breathed in the fresh air.
He felt as if his body and mind had been cleansed.
He couldn't help but take a deep breath, letting the feeling spread to every corner of his body.
Then he walked over to the Gothic Winery.
He pushed the door open and entered.
The beautiful Eva greeted him with a smile. "Jewelry Master, you're here."
"Eva, hello." Lan Jue nodded at her.
"The Wine Master is waiting for you in the living room," Eva said.
"Mm." Lan Jue nodded and walked inside.
The Wine Master was dressed in a brown suit. He sat calmly at the head of the dining table, a glass of red wine in front of him.
Lan Jue walked to his side, pulled out a chair, and sat down. "Why is there only one glass?"
The Wine Master glanced at her. "When are you going to pay me back for the Conti you owe me?"
Lan Jue was surprised. "I owe you?
Do you really want me to pay you back? "
"What do you think?" The Wine Master asked.
Lan Jue cracked a smile, revealing a row of pearly white teeth. "All I know is that when you're in enough debt, you don't need to worry."
The Wine Master laughed. "There's no rush. You'll have a chance to pay me back eventually.
Tell me about your business. "
"What business?" Lan Jue blinked.
"It's your punishment, of course," the Wine Master said.
"Punishment?" Lan Jue asked, confused.
"Why me?"
The Wine Master smiled. "Because you nearly caused a great loss to Skyfire Avenue. Don't tell me you don't deserve punishment?
You owe me for the cost of interplanetary teleportation.
But in this incident, you almost caused the death of a member of the committee. You must be punished. "
Lan Jue smiled wryly. "Why do I feel like I sold it to you?"
The Wine Master's voice was indifferent. "Do you remember what I said to you?
You're a member of an organization now.
The organization doesn't just need you to contribute. At the same time, it needs you to be strong.
Otherwise, what's the use of Skyfire Avenue?
Although Skyfire Avenue is a loose organization, it's our duty to protect and assist every member.
Let's take this matter as an example. If you could inform us immediately through the Galactic Communicator and let us know what happened over there, we would be able to teleport over immediately.
You wouldn't have needed the Fantascia Genetica decoction. It would have been a huge problem.
If I had been able to get there earlier, I would have been able to save more lives. "
Lan Jue listened to his words, and her face grew solemn.
The Wine Master's voice was stern. "So, no matter what happens in the future, if you feel you can't handle it, contact us immediately. We'll do everything in our power to help you."
Lan Jue chuckled bitterly. "I never thought anyone would be able to do something like that. At the time I thought even if I told you, you wouldn't be able to get here before the East's reinforcements.
I had to face it alone.
You're right. If something happens, I'll let everyone know.
I'll accept this punishment. "
The Wine Master nodded in satisfaction. "In this regard, your personality is an advantage.
You may be impulsive at times, but your ability to learn and push yourself is unmatched by others.
When you find yourself making a mistake, it's important to be able to correct yourself.
After our discussion, we've decided that your punishment will be to temporarily remove you from the Skyfire Avenue Council.
At the same time, if necessary, you must do one thing for Skyfire Avenue. If it's successful, the punishment will be rescinded. "
"Alright." Lan Jue agreed without hesitation.
"Wine Master, what about the Doctor?
I don't have any s-ranked gems on hand.
I'm afraid it'll be a while before I can return them. "
"You don't need to worry about that," the Wine Master assured.
"Skyfire Avenue will replenish the Doctor's energy.
Using the phylactery stone on you was a coincidence.
Skyfire Avenue will take care of it for you.
If you want to repay me, you can always make it up to me in the future when you have suitable energy gems.
Or, a ten percent tax increase on your Zeus Jewelry Shop. "
Lan Jue thought for a moment. "I'll do it myself.
Mika and the others run the shop. The four of them own sixty percent of the shares, so I can't make a decision on my own.
I can't ask them to pay for me. "
"That's up to you," the Wine Master said.
"There are a few more things that have to do with you.
The Dark Citadel and the Pontiff's Citadel will be here as well.
The Pontiff and Satan will be here in person. "
"Hm?" Lan Jue's eyes narrowed, and a cold light flickered in them.
He still hadn't forgotten the Pontiff's Citadel.
If it weren't for the fact that his battle with Michael had left him severely injured, he wouldn't have been in such dire straits on Taihua.
Now that they were coming to his turf, he'd have to have a good talk with them.
The Wine Master went on. "The Keeper went to the Pontiff's Citadel and blackmailed the Pontiff about you.
The Pontiff's Citadel contacted us not long ago, and wanted to resolve the situation once and for all. Do you think it's possible? "
Lan Jue's brows furrowed, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Before the incident on Taihua, he would've refused without hesitation.
He wasn't a vengeful man, but he'd been ambushed and nearly lost his life. He wouldn't be Zeus if he didn't seek vengeance.
But after what had happened on Taihua, the Wine Master and the Doctor had done everything in their power to save him. It had changed him, and his connection to Skyfire Avenue had deepened.
He had no choice but to consider things from Skyfire Avenue's point of view.
What's more, the Taihua incident was likely linked to an alien invasion. No matter how you looked at it, the Dark Citadel and the Pontiff's Citadel were both human. If they faced an alien invasion, they would be an important force to protect humanity.
"I'm willing to hand this matter over to the Council. I'll abide by their decision." Lan Jue made his stance clear.
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Second, I'll ask for recommendations and monthly votes.
(To be continued)