Soaring Strength

The two of them drank one cup after another, and before long, the rest of the wine was gone. Li Lianhua seemed to be completely drunk and was helped to bed by Cao Hansheng to rest.

Looking at the sleeping Li Lianhua, Cao Hansheng was filled with thoughts. What exactly did this guy mean? Was he testing whether he would run away, or was he giving him a chance to escape?

Both possibilities are quite possible, but it's impossible that he was really drunk. Even if Li Lianhua was in a weakened state, he was still a top-notch martial arts master. How could he get drunk so easily, especially not when drinking with me?

I will definitely leave on my own, but not now. With the Boundary-Breaking Talisman in hand, I can move freely, but the thirty-year cooldown period is a bit of a pain.

Because Cao Hansheng didn't know what the flow of time would be like in the Lotus Tower world after he left this world—whether it would be proportional, a fractional flow, or simply frozen. That one-eyed bastard didn't elaborate either.

If time were frozen, my departure would at most be considered a short lapse, which would just last for thirty years. However, if time were flowing, I might miss the main plot of Lotus Pavilion after I left.

After much deliberation, Cao Hansheng decided to stay. Firstly, he wanted to see if there was a chance to get something better, and secondly, he really couldn't bear to give up the convenience of the Boundary Breaking Talisman not needing a cooldown time when it was activated for the first time.

He bent down to help Li Lianhua put on a blanket, then turned around to clean up the mess left by the drinking. Cao Hansheng then walked to the small platform where he often practiced martial arts, sat down cross-legged, and began to work on the Liver Cleansing and Marrow Strengthening Technique.

Host: Cao Hansheng

Age: 18 years old / 95 years old

Attribute points: 0

Talent: Born a bad seed [Skilled at disguising one's true nature, subtly developing a habit of prioritizing self-interest in all actions, and resorting to any means to achieve one's goals; possesses an enhanced learning ability.]

Strength: 12 [Each point increases the body's load capacity and exertion by approximately 10 kgf (kilogram-force)]

Agility: 10 [Each point increases movement speed and reaction speed.]

Energy: 11 [Each point increases mental strength and mental recovery speed.]

Resistance: 13 [Each point increases resistance by reducing the effects of physical injury, poisoning, charm, etc.]

Items: Boundary Breaking Talisman (bound); 6 taels and 3 mace of silver; 2 Golden Wound Medicines; 9 cefprozil;

Skills: Yangzhou Slow (Beginner/Mortal Rank 4, Lower); Marrow Cleansing Technique (Beginner/Mortal Rank 3, Middle); Basic Sword Technique: Tattooing Technique (Beginner/Mortal Rank 1, Lower)

Space: 1m³ [Cannot hold living beings. Except for reward items, all other items cannot be carried across worlds, otherwise they will be torn apart by cross-world energy.]

[Friendly Reminder: Rewards will be calculated based on the host's participation in the storyline. The more you participate, the more rewards you will receive. No rewards will be given for not participating or not completing the storyline.]

Cao Hansheng's initial attribute values ​​totaled 28. With the addition of the newbie bonus and rewards (4+1), the total was 5, making it 33. Now it has become 46, which is roughly an increase of 50%.

If he were to compare himself to himself, Cao Hansheng felt that he was frighteningly strong. In addition, his lifespan limit had also increased by ten years. These were all thanks to learning skills and improving skill levels.

However, as his skills improved, Cao Hansheng clearly felt that the increase in his attribute values ​​was getting smaller and smaller, which also showed that his attributes could not increase infinitely, but had a limit. This was quite scientific.

No form of energy intensity can increase infinitely unless there is a qualitative change, or Cao Hansheng reaches a higher-dimensional world, in which case it is possible to go further, including breaking through the level limit of skills, which should also be the case.

Cao Hansheng glanced at the Boundary-Breaking Talisman. It could send him to the Journey to the West, where the energy intensity was definitely stronger than that of the Lotus Tower. However, his mortality rate was probably infinite. Right now, accumulating strength was the only way forward.

It's not shameful to be cowardly, but it's shameful to be blindly arrogant, and you might even lose your life. After all, you only have one life. If you could get your hands on the life-saving hair of Sun Wukong from Journey to the West, that would be awesome, but for now, you can only dream about it.

Just as Cao Hansheng was meditating, Li Lianhua, who was lying on the bed, opened her eyes, tilted her head slightly, and saw Cao Hansheng working hard on his progress. She sighed inwardly, but also felt a little gratified.

Then he put his head on the pillow and actually fell asleep. When he woke up, it was around 3 PM. Cao Hansheng was practicing his sword. When he saw him walk out of the cave, Cao Hansheng also stopped practicing.

"Brother Li, did you sleep well?"

Li Lianhua did not answer him. Instead, she stretched and walked slowly to him. After standing still with a smile, she looked at Cao Hansheng seriously.

"Brother Cao, why didn't you take this opportunity to leave?"

"Haha, hahaha, I knew Brother Li shouldn't be so weak at drinking. It turns out Brother Li wanted to let me go. It's I who have failed Brother Li's good intentions."

Although I, Cao, am not a chivalrous person, I cannot find peace of mind until the Great Joyful Bodhisattva is brought to justice. Therefore, I cannot leave; I must see the Great Joyful Bodhisattva beheaded first.

"Alas, Brother Cao's bloodthirstiness is something I've rarely seen. It seems that this 'Great Joyful Bodhisattva' has become Brother Cao's inner demon. If it cannot be eliminated soon, it will eventually become a weakness in Brother Cao's soul. So when shall we set off for Liu Family Town in Shanli?"

"There's no time like the present, how about tonight?"

Hearing Cao Hansheng speak so decisively, Li Lianhua was somewhat surprised. He had never expected Cao Hansheng to be so impatient. However, he was not one to drag things out, especially when facing the remnants of the Golden Mandarin Duck Alliance.

"It seems Brother Cao is very familiar with the Liu family's situation?"

"To be honest, Brother Li, I have been tossing and turning every night for this day. I just didn't expect Brother Li to appear out of nowhere. Although I don't know everything about the Liu family, I know it pretty well."

Because the Liu family's residence was heavily guarded, and it seemed to have hidden mechanisms and passageways, rushing in would inevitably alert them. Therefore, Cao had even devised a strategy for how to enter.

"Brother Cao, you are truly a thoughtful person. I wonder what brilliant plan you have in mind?"

"It's not exactly a brilliant plan, just a matter of playing along. That 'Great Joyful Bodhisattva' forced me to marry into the Liu family. Before, I was weak and alone and could only hide in the mountains. Now that I have Brother Li, I can walk on flat ground."

Upon hearing this, Li Lianhua rubbed her right thumb against her index and middle fingers. After thinking for a while, she realized that her trip to Yueshan Village was originally intended to be kept secret by Cao Hansheng. As for the news about the Great Joy Bodhisattva, it was completely unexpected, so she figured there shouldn't be any problems.

"What I seek is the remains of my senior brother, Shan Gu Dao. I shouldn't be taking Brother Cao with me on this dangerous mission, but if I don't, he will surely be angry with me. So I will do as Brother Cao says."

"Alright, thank you for your help, Brother Li. However, this method might require you to make some sacrifices."