Chapter 512: One Goal

"I heard that a young lady has recently joined the Red Moon Pavilion. She performs every evening on stage and is someone with beauty and skills."

"Oh? Then I must go and see for myself."

"..."

On Red Cotton Peak, the newly opened Red Moon Pavilion had already undergone an expansion. The first-floor hall was now several times larger than before, yet it remained bustling with guests, creating a lively atmosphere. All this was due to the Red Moon Pavilion's exceptional service and innovative approach.

In addition to its standard dishes, it offered a selection of special hotpot ingredients daily. The spicy, flavorful hotpot was already one of the Three Problems of Mount Shu. Nowadays, anyone passing by Red Cotton Peak would feel incomplete if they didn't stop for a meal here.

The popularity of Red Moon Pavilion also inspired others as it showed that opening a hotpot restaurant in the realm of immortality cultivation could be successful. Xu Hongqiu had already begun exploring franchise opportunities in Taotie City, but the first franchise had yet to be established.

Perhaps it was because the Red Moon Pavilion had yet to become famous enough. If it lacked enough recognition, why would people pay to use its name when they could simply open their own?

…

As of today, some new and exciting activities started at the Red Moon Pavilion.

In the center of the hall stood a stage, where performances were held in the evening. This wasn't unusual, as many restaurants across the four seas and the land of the nine provinces offered similar entertainment.

But the young lady performing today was quite peculiar. She carried a faint aura of death, complemented by a beautiful face and a graceful figure. Her graceful movements during the dance were enchanting and ethereal.

Her appearance was of the caliber found at the South Melody Conservatory, yet here she was performing in this small establishment, which felt like a waste of her talent.

Her graceful dance, accompanied by melodious string music, was a serene contrast to the bustling surroundings, leaving the crowd in awe. Sadly, this young lady performed only once each day at this time, giving the diners just a brief moment to admire her performance.

"Hun Mengji's performance at this time has indeed boosted business," Xu Hongqiu remarked from the second floor, gazing outside. "The hall is always full, and there are even more people lining up outside. Since it's working so well, why not have her perform more often?"

"We're still a hotpot restaurant, after all. Our focus should be on the ingredients. Other embellishments are fine, but too many might overshadow the main attraction, which wouldn't be ideal," Chu Liang replied with a smile. "It's just right as it is now."

"Why haven't I seen Jiangjiang these past couple of days?" Xu Hongqiu suddenly asked.

"The Assembly of Immortal Sects is approaching. She's probably focusing on her cultivation," Chu Liang replied. "As the head disciple, she bears more pressure than we do."

"Speaking of which, I'm going back for closed-door cultivation tomorrow," Xu Hongqiu said, slapping her forehead. "During these two months, every sect should be gathering their disciples for training at least once. Isn't the Mount Shu Sect doing the same?"

"It should be, but we haven't been notified yet," Chu Liang replied.

This type of closed-door group cultivation, aimed at rapidly boosting strength and teamwork, was standard practice before the Assembly of Immortal Sects.

The Assembly of Immortal Sects was different from the Mount Shu Summit. It was a more intense battlefield that involved a larger number of participants. Adapting to the competition there would not be easy, especially for the younger generation who had not experienced it before.

"Heh, we'll be rivals then," Xu Hongqiu laughed. "I certainly won't go easy on you."

"I'm looking forward to it," Chu Liang replied with a smile.

"But I wonder if we can truly not worry about the Red Moon Pavilion while we're all away," Xu Hongqiu said suddenly.

Although the Whale Gang had many businesses, only a few truly belonged to her, and this was where she invested the most effort.

"Don't worry," Chu Liang reassured her, turning his gaze to Lackey B in the back, who was evaluating food for the food category of Lackey B's Strict Selection. "As long as he's here, the Red Moon Pavilion will stay in business."

…

After returning to Silver Sword Peak, Chu Liang once again immersed his divine sense into the White Pagoda.

To achieve the second stage of the fifth realm, he would still have to cultivate for some time. After all, cultivation was a gradual process. However, the Colorful Doll had already absorbed the last treasure of nature and was ready to achieve the Completion of Five Elements.

As long as it could consume, Chu Liang naturally had an abundance of spirit plants.

He had purchased an Earthy Lingzhi at a high price, which was an excellent material for activating the last element and achieving the Completion of Five Elements.

As soon as he took out the Earthy Lingzhi, the drowsy Tuntun immediately perked up. Though her eyes remained closed, her nose was already twitching.

Chu Liang turned around and handed over a fried chicken leg. "This is for you."

He then approached the Colorful Doll, which had already activated the four colors corresponding to the four levels of the Secret Reservoir, shimmering like a giant orb of light.

Without a word, Chu Liang immediately presented the Earthy Lingzhi to it for refinement.

Boom—

The Five-Elements Puppet operated at high speed. Once the fifth level of the Secret Reservoir of the Five Elements was activated, Chu Liang would be able to wield Wu Earth Foundational Qi.

Among the Five Elements, Geng Metal was sharp and incisive, Jia Wood possessed the power of rejuvenation, Ren Water was dense and viscous, Bing Fire was explosive, and Wu Earth was firm and solid. The Wu Earth Foundational Qi would greatly enhance the stability of his foundational qi.

Although the Geng Metal body was hard, it was prone to breakage due to its rigidity. With the addition of Wu Earth, his defense would be significantly enhanced.

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Once he achieved the Completion of Five Elements, a cycle of elements would be established to mutually enhance each other, significantly improving their individual qualities. When the Wu Earth of the Secret Reservoir was activated, his strength would undoubtedly reach a new level.

However, there was no smile on Chu Liang's face.

Instead, there was a serious expression on his face as he knew that his opponents were definitely doing their best to become stronger.

What he had done so far was not enough. In the coming days, he needed to put forth his utmost effort to compete with Yang Shenlong, Zhang Chen, Ren Hongdao, and other true prodigies that stood at the pinnacle of their sects.

Keep working hard, Large-Headed Doll!

…

Boom—

With a loud rumble, golden light erupted from the vast square, filling the air with smoke and dust. From within the haze, a tall and straight figure emerged.

"No, no, no!"

The figure, handsome and youthful in appearance, was none other than Feng Chaoyang of the Celestial King Sect. He was currently shaking his head in displeasure.

"If you can't even defeat me, how do you expect to compete with someone like Yang Shenlong from Penglai or Chu Liang from Mount Shu? If that's the case, our Celestial King Sect should just admit defeat!"

"

Cough, cough...

" As the dust settled, a youth sitting up straight on the other side spoke helplessly, "Boss, I really did my best, but you're just too strong. We shouldn't sell ourselves short. Are those so-called prodigies really stronger than you?"

Next to him lay two others who couldn't even speak.

These were also disciples of the Celestial King Sect preparing to participate in the Assembly of Immortal Sects. Yet, Feng Chaoyang had easily defeated them in a one-against-three match.

But Feng Chaoyang didn't look proud of himself.

He should have been pleased that he won against all his opponents... if it weren't for the fact that these opponents were his fellow disciples and this was a sparring session within the sect itself.

Feng Chaoyang's expression became increasingly grave.

Since achieving a breakthrough and becoming a fifth-realm cultivator, his strength had grown at a remarkable pace. The person he was now was incomparable to who he had been before.

The fifth realm was a significant threshold for the Celestial King Sect's Heavenly Star Unusual Art.

Upon reaching the fifth realm, he would not have to cultivate elemental foundational qi. Instead, he could activate the Celestial King's Supreme Body, which equated to possessing the power of the sixth realm, despite being still at the fifth realm.

This was similar to Yang Hong from Inferno Devil Valley, whom Chu Liang had encountered before—an overpowered existence that was considered extremely unfair to the others of the same cultivation realm.

Crossing this threshold resulted in a terrifying increase in strength.

It was likely that Feng Chaoyang had achieved a breakthrough so quickly because Chu Liang provoked him.

"The other day, our esteemed teacher said he would open the General's Supreme Constellation Disc for us," Feng Chaoyang announced. "Then, we can train in the secret realm of the disc. By the time we leave the hidden realm, all of you must be fifth-realm cultivators and have activated the Supreme Body!"

"Ah?" A wave of lament echoed throughout the Celestial King Sect.

"AH? HOW CAN YOU ALL EVEN CRY?" Feng Chaoyang frowned. "I want everyone to remember that from the moment we set foot on the path to the Assembly of Immortal Sects, we have only one goal!

"To seize the championship!"

GLTD Alternate Universe's Thoughts

Translator: GT