Chapter 156 - Let Bygones Be Bygone
Inside the Worldspace, the concentration of energy from heaven and energy reached the minimum density level for it to be seen with the naked eye. Multicoloured particles of energy could be seen floating about in the Worldspace.
The energy particles mainly consist of the five elements, but if one looked carefully, they would be able to see a few particles of spirit energy. However, this spirit energy was automatically swallowed up by the Worldspace itself and transformed life energy.
Unfortunately, the amount of life energy added to the Worldspace was like trying to revitalise dry land with a drop of water. There were no visible changes to the life soil.
However, Leon did not care about this. He knew the meagre amount of spirit energy would not change anything and simply focused on refining the energy of heaven and earth in the Worldspace. His cultivation swiftly rose all the way to the peak 9th Layer of Body Tempering Realm.
"Haih... If I have discovered such a quick way of cultivating, I would not have to struggle so much." Opening his eyes and expelling a wave of impure air, Leon sighed. But then he shook his head right after. "No, those hardships were valuable tempering experience."
As much as he hates to admit, he had been living in vain in his previous life. His 30-year old self of his previous life could not even compare to his 17-year old self of the present life in terms of maturity. Truly, hardship forces one to mature quickly.
"I have reached the peak 9th Layer of Body Tempering Realm. It's time to push for a breakthrough to the next realm."
The process of breaking through to Energy Condensation Realm was to compress and condense all his strands of energy floating in his energy centre into liquid form. For Leon, who struggled to expand his energy centre due to his strong physique, he had a much easier time in condensing his energy.
The process only took him a few hours to condense all his strands of energy into a few drops of concentrated energy and his energy centre became spacious again. Leon circulated the liquid energy throughout his body, causing his body to undergo another impurity cleansing.
Compared to the first time, there wasn't as much impurity. What surprised Leon was his body could still be tempered with the energy!
It seems he had to re-evaluate the [Hegemon of Primal Chaos]! The energy of the Energy Condensation Realm could still be used to temper his body!
Leon continued to circulate the energy and allowed it to strengthen his body, swiftly increasing his raw physical strength.
Some time later, when the benefits of circulating his energy became negligible, he ended his cultivation and tests his strength with a few normal punches and kicks, whipping gusts of wind.
"Roughly 1800-jin force. My physical strength is now on par with one-star Awakeners." Leon concluded, before smiling wryly. "This method of cultivating is really great. Unfortunately, it attracts too much attention."
"I should check if there are still people on that hill." Leon amusingly thought. He had run very fast and was in a secluded location a few miles away from the hill.
Leon exited the Worldspace and glanced in the direction of the hill. Sure enough, there was still people on the hill. With his excellent eyesight, he could see many people digging up holes on the hill.
…
"Master, I don't think there is a treasure here. I think it was a Transcendent Senior, that left quickly after he broke through because he didn't want to be disturbed." Cal said with a helpless expression.
For this so-called treasure, it had cost them one fellow apprentice brother. They been digging holes all over the hill without any gains.
"How can this be? Why is there no treasure!? No, perhaps we haven't dug deep enough. Keep digging." Old Poison commanded.
Listening to his master, he was baffled beyond belief. His master seemed to be very certain that a treasure existed. He would have still thought the same way, but after digging for hours, he no longer had such hopes.
"How can you be sure there is a treasure here, Master?"
"I'm not sure at all, but on the off chance that there is a treasure, we definitely can't miss this sort of treasure." Old Poison eye's shined as he recalled the phenomenon that drew in all the energy within a 100-mile radius.
"What sort of treasure are we looking for?" Celia came over and asked grumpily, while wiping dirt off her face. Why did she had to work so hard, while her senior apprentice brother was slacking off?
"An energy gathering formation treasure." Old Poison said with shining eyes, as if he could picture the grand rise of their sect.
"Ah? Like the one we have in our sect?" Taken aback, Celia asked to confirm.
Old Poison nodded. "Precisely, but much more powerful."
With that said, the disciples of Illusory Butterfly Sect began digging with renewed vigor. Leon watched their wasted efforts in amusement.
"These people have too much time on their hands." Leon chuckled, before returning inside the Worldspace.
After tending to his herbal garden, Leon spent the rest of the night studying the soul-related knowledge.
The following day, Leon visited the nearby Rainwallow City early in the morning and bought all the available pill bottles from both Lucretius and Primrose Merchant Association, shocking both branches and attracted their attention.
However, after purchasing the 2000 pill bottles from both merchant stores and have them delivered to a room he booked, he stored them into his Worldspace, before quietly slipping away from the city unnoticed and headed back to Extreme Misty Forest.
…
The Capital, Royal Palace, the Queen's private courtyard.
"You called for us, your Majesty?" Robert entered with his wife and asked in disbelief. They weren't sure for what reason they were summoned. The number of people, who could enter the Inner District in the last 17 years could be counted with one's fingers. They weren't sure whether they should be worried or feel honoured either. They were filled with complex emotions.
"Mmm, sit. No need to be formal." Sitting leisurely at the tea table, Elizabeth gestured for them to be seated opposite of her before they continue to talk.
"Yes, your Majesty." They answered anyway. Seated opposite of the Queen, the Greene couple began to grow nervous, while they waited for the Queen to speak. However, Elizabeth did not immediately speak, but poured them both a cup of tea.
The couple found it hard to believe the Queen would personally pour them a cup of tea each. They couldn't guess the Queen's intentions. "Y-Your Majesty, there's no need to personally pour for us. We can do it ourselves."
"It's fine. I said you don't need to be formal."
"Y-Yes!"
They began to lapse into silence as Elizabeth proceeded to sip from her own cup. After a while, which seemed like eternity to the Greene couple, Elizabeth finally spoke.
"Do you hate me for what I did in the past?"
"W-We wouldn't dare, your Majesty!" Robert and his wife were shocked by the question. They naturally knew what the Queen meant. They were tormented by it for the past 17 years.
The [Water of Absolute Nothingness]. They, along with many other noble families were forced to drink this abhorrent poison after being implicated in the rebellion. Some were innocent, some were not.
Regardless of who was right and wrong, the Greene family should have never been among the list. They had been one of the Crawford royal family's staunchest supporter and loyal subject. Anyone can betray the royal family, but not them.
"I wish to apologize for actions back then. Sorry." Elizabeth took the initiative to stand up and bow to the couple as she said this.
The couple was completely caught off-guard by the Queen's actions. They never blamed the Queen for what happened back then. They understood how much pain and anguish the Queen must have felt after having her family torn apart. But while they understood, the grievance in their heart still exist in the deepest recess of their heart. After all, they had been innocent.
However, at this point, they suddenly felt the suffering they endured was worth it. How much determination did it take for the Queen to put away her dignity and bow to her subjects? Furthermore, the Queen's son had already cured them, and they had regained their cultivation.
Their eyes grew moist as the grievances hidden in the heart finally had an outlet. "We don't blame you, your Majesty. It's all in the past now… Let bygones be bygone." The couple sighed emotionally. They didn't expect the knot in their heart would be undone so easily with a simple sorry and bow.
Elizabeth hadn't expected the couple to be so understanding. She was filled with guilt and deeply regretted her past actions.
Matters of 17 years ago had been too strange. The Duke's rebellion and her rampage. Both seemed to have been under the influenced of some unknown force that clouded their minds and forced them make irrational choices. But that was no excuse for what she did. The apology was what she owed them.
Receiving the couple's forgiveness so easily, Elizabeth mood was heavy.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said with difficulty.. She made up her mine to treat the Greene family well in the future. After a moment of silence, Elizabeth asked, "I heard you both have a daughter?"