Chapter 150: The Final Battle

Because of the sudden accident, Cluru and I had to cut our Eggshell trip short.

Cluru was taken to the infirmary.

I waited anxiously outside the infirmary. Time seemed to crawl by.

At last, the door to the infirmary opened.

“Doctor…”

“It’s nothing serious,” the Doctor said with a smile.

“Something just triggered the Fairy Spirit Power inside her, causing a fluctuation between her pure and impure energies, which led to a bit of discomfort.”

“Whew—” As long as she’s alright.

“But she’s got way too much Fairy Spirit Power! So much that it’s almost overflowing. If this goes on, she’ll burst! We have to find a way to release it.”

“……”

Doctor, did Cluru pay you off or something?

Reluctantly, I walked into the ward.

Cluru’s face looked a little pale, just like that time she evolved in the hotel.

It wasn’t quite as bad as then yet.

But it was getting close.

“Are you okay?”

I helped Cluru up.

Cluru’s gaze was empty, and she murmured, “Master-dad… Am I… going to die…?”

That weak and pitiful appearance—anyone, no matter how tough, would soften at the sight.

I couldn’t help but sigh, “The Doctor said you’re fine.”

“Master-dad… I’m dying… can we…”

“No!”

Cluru’s face immediately fell.

“If I don’t do it with Master-dad, I’ll definitely die!”

You’re finally showing your true colors, aren’t you?

“We agreed to look for another way first. Only if there’s no choice will we do that.”

“Trust me, you won’t find another way.” Cluru put her hands on my shoulders, earnestly gazing into my eyes.

“I trust you as far as I can throw you! You little tentacle monster, you’re way too sly!”

Cluru pouted.

But seeing how truly weak she looked, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything else.

I just supported her and walked her back to the dorm.

“How much longer can you hold out?”

“I don’t know… Maybe… a few hours, or a day or two at most.”

“I’ll find a way.”

“But you’ve been looking for so long…”

It was true. For months, I’d been searching for a solution to Cluru’s physical problem.

But, unfortunately, I’d failed.

Because the problem Cluru faced was so simple that it became nearly impossible to solve.

The problem was—her Fairy Spirit Power was growing way too fast.

Cluru’s Fairy Spirit Power increased at more than ten times the rate of an ordinary person.

Yet her body simply couldn’t contain such overwhelming power.

That’s why it kept leaking out.

To solve this, I’d need to slow down her Fairy Spirit Power growth.

Or increase her body’s capacity.

But… Cluru’s Fairy Spirit Power grew so quickly precisely because her talent was extraordinary.

Her affinity with Fairy Spirit Power was far too high.

I couldn’t just suppress her gift, could I? If I did, it would be almost impossible to get it back.

And as for increasing her capacity, that would require the Small Octopus to evolve.

But the Small Octopus was unique in the world, with no predecessors to use as reference, so its evolution requirements were a complete mystery.

Total metaphysics.

Completely uncontrollable.

So…

Cluru wasn’t wrong.

In just a day or two, there was almost no way I’d find a solution.

This time, I really needed to make up my mind.

“Just hold on a bit longer. Wait until you can’t take it anymore.” I couldn’t quite meet Cluru’s eyes.

“Master-dad, you’re running away. But Cultivators shouldn’t run away from their problems, right?” Cluru tilted her head. “Otherwise, you’ll develop a Demonic Heart.”

“I know. Wait a bit longer, okay? This is really important.” I lowered my head, cheeks flushing.

“I’m not that kind of person. I’ve never done this before… I’m a little scared…”

“How long do we have to wait?”

“Let’s take down the Mu Family first. That’ll just take a couple of days. After that, we can… you know… do it without worries.”

“Mhm~” Little hearts floated around Cluru’s head.

The Mu Family appeared to have hands everywhere—spreading across the Mou Family Business Empire and Political Realm, their branches and leaves thick like mycelium clinging to every corner of Earth.

But in reality, this giant was supported by just two legs.

One was Potion, and the other, Forging.

In this age of Immortal Spirit Awakening, the Mu Family stood at the forefront of both industries, devouring money nonstop.

They then used that money as fuel to carve their way into the Political Realm, which is how they secured their unshakable position today.

So, if you want to take down the Mu Family—

You only have to cut off these two legs, and chop away any branches trying to shift industries. That way, you can starve them out for good.

We’d already triumphed in the Potion industry. Now, only the final battle remained.

“Master Lu, how’s our Crafting Shop doing right now?”

[Not well, Boss. Every local Forging Association is shutting us out, refusing to issue our business Certificates.]

“As expected.”

[Without a Certificate, we can’t open shop… Boss, what should we do?]

“So what’s the real power of the Forging Association? Master Lu, you used to be a Branch President in the Forging Association. Tell me.”

[The Forging Association? To put it simply, it’s just a group chat formed by the earliest people to study forging.

Since they were the first to study forging, they reaped the earliest rewards from Immortal Spirit Awakening, gaining wealth and power.

Then they expanded, giving the Forging Association official status under the Spirit Association.

They monopolized local forging business, forcing all newcomers to obey their rules.

Anyone who doesn’t comply, they refuse to certify.

No Certificate means illegal operation, and they can call the local Sian Office to shut you down.]

“How’s their overall skill?”

[Since every Craftsman has to join, the association’s skill level is basically the collective skill of all Craftsmen worldwide. Naturally, it’s not weak…]

“How does that compare to the level of our sect’s own people?”

[Garbage.]

Master Lu didn’t mince words.

I understood.

So, in this final battle, our biggest obstacle was still the official Spirit Association.

If we didn’t take down the entire Forging Association, we’d never open shop.

And the Forging Association was full of Mu Family members and Old World Nobility.

No way would they ever grant a license to Xianlu Forging Shop.

“Looks like I have to have a talk with that person after all.”

Last time we met, I was still at Foundation Establishment Stage, not strong enough.

Talking about chives with him was just lip service—I didn’t dare make a move.

But now…

I was already late Jindan Stage.

If that bastard dared mention chives to me again—

I’d make him taste what it’s like to be harvested.

“Master Lu, have everyone on standby. If nothing goes wrong, the Certificates will be ready soon.”

[Why?] Master Lu was puzzled. [That doesn’t make sense…]

“I’m related by blood to a major figure. He’ll have to listen to me.”

As long as I have a sickle pressed to his throat.

[It can’t just be any big shot…]

“It’s one of the top brass at Spirit Association Headquarters. Just wait.”

I hung up.

Looking back, I saw Cluru restlessly tossing and turning on the bed.

“Wait for me. I’ll go settle this.”

“You’re not taking me?”

“No need this time. I’ll do it myself.”

It’s time to end this.

My last blood relative in this world.

Father.

You deserve to die.