Compared to the miserable Yan Lin, who still needed to use his Money Power, Xiao Bai was having a much more relaxed time.
Beside a picturesque cliff, Xiao Bai sat on a bright silver metal lounge chair that was full of technological flair.
A huge umbrella on the lounge chair shielded him from the sun, and a freshly mixed cocktail rested on a small metal table that popped out from the right side of the chair.
Xiao Bai released a large number of Nanobots to search for the Cloud and Mist Monsters, meaning he didn't need to do anything personally.
Once the Nanobots located the Cloud and Mist Monsters, his Mechanical Soldiers would go and hunt them.
Therefore, except for the time when he first entered and the Cloud and Mist Monsters were numerous, Xiao Bai seized the time to hunt a batch.
After the number of Cloud and Mist Monsters became sparse, he began to enjoy his leisurely time.
As for the Cloud and Mist Monsters, he could just leave them to the Mechanical Soldiers.
During this time, his Nanobots also discovered that Yan Lin was recruiting people to help him search for the Cloud and Mist Monsters, so Xiao Bai sent a message asking Yan Lin if he needed assistance.
That fellow stubbornly refused him.
But what Yan Lin didn't know was that his every move was under Xiao Bai's observation.
The footage transmitted back in real-time by the Nanobots was projected not far in front of Xiao Bai.
Xiao Bai even took many close-ups of Yan Lin, saving them for future use as memes.
Besides Yan Lin, there were five other virtual projections in front of Xiao Bai, showing Jing Yuan and the others.
This way, if anyone encountered trouble, he would know immediately.
Although there were almost no factors that could threaten them in these Ruins, what if?
No one knows whether tomorrow or an accident will arrive first; it's never wrong to be prepared.
Judging by everyone's progress, Gu Xiao was the fastest, and Yan Lin was the slowest.
Oh, Little Linzi, who strives to be strong all his life, keep up the good work.
After accurately screenshotting Yan Lin's "unlucky" expression once again, Xiao Bai picked up the cocktail beside him and drank the rest in one gulp.
Placing the glass back, the chest plate of the Mechanical Servant waiting behind Xiao Bai split open, and it took out a freshly mixed cocktail from inside to refill Xiao Bai's glass.
Forest of Life
After a period of intense tempering, the somewhat restless Spiritual Power inside Gu Xiao's body was finally completely suppressed by her.
However, to prevent her foundation from becoming unstable, it was best not to continue breaking through for the next half month.
If she rushed the breakthrough and caused her foundation to become unstable, the gains would not outweigh the losses.
For Professionals like them, who lack neither talent nor resources, a stable foundation is far more important than rapid advancement.
Why does challenging opponents above one's rank exist in this world? Because their foundation is deeper than yours.
This is like forging weapons: a weapon crafted from Hundred-Refined Steel can easily cut through a weapon made from ordinary Carbon Steel.
However, these matters concern geniuses. Not to mention that before reaching the General Rank, breakthroughs become increasingly difficult with age.
Moreover, without enough talent and resources, the deeper the foundation, the greater the difficulty of breaking through.
There are cases where an overly deep foundation ultimately leads to Cultivation being completely stuck.
Ah, in this world, some things are visible but untouchable, seemingly close to you, but actually very, very far away.
Forcing oneself to chase forward will only lead to being trapped.
Choice is more important than effort.
Ending her cultivation, Gu Xiao could sense that the Spiritual Energy within the Ancient Tree Source enveloping Lu Li was beginning to weaken.
It seemed the Transformation was about to end. Checking the time, it was almost time to leave.
Gu Xiao stood up and looked up at the water sphere suspended in mid-air.
At this moment, the emerald green water sphere wrapping Lu Li was shrinking little by little until it finally merged entirely into Lu Li's body.
With the complete disappearance of the Ancient Tree Source, the aura emanating from Lu Li had undergone an earth-shattering change.
A clear breeze, coming from who knows where, ruffled her hair; her exposed skin shone with a crystalline luster, and Lu Li's entire demeanor was ethereal and transcendent.
Combined with her exquisite battle armor and the Crown of Thorns on her head, Lu Li truly looked like an Elven Queen at this moment.
"Xiao Xiao."
Falling from mid-air, Lu Li opened her eyes and saw Gu Xiao not far away, a brilliant smile spreading across her face.
"Xiao Xiao, I'm Captain Rank now too."
After receiving the gift of the ancient tree of life, Lu Li's Cultivation reached the Cadet Rank Initial Stage, and she opened her first Meridian.
"Which Meridian did you open first?"
"The Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming."
Most Professionals, when advancing to Captain Rank, usually choose the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming as the first Meridian to open.
As everyone knows, whether it's Spiritual Plants or Elixirs, some Medicinal Properties are always lost between consumption and absorption.
By opening the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming, one can increase their digestive capacity, thereby improving the efficiency of Medicinal Property absorption.
For Second Generation Heirs like Jing Yuan, who don't need to worry about how much Medicinal Property is lost, the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming does not have such a high priority.
In the early stages, they all choose to open Meridians that can enhance Combat Power; these auxiliary Meridians are left for later breakthroughs.
"Actually, you didn't need to rush to open the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming first."
In fact, Gu Xiao had told Lu Li before that with her support, Lu Li could postpone opening the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming.
"No way. I don't want to place my burden onto Xiao Xiao."
Gu Xiao helped her because of their lifelong friendship, but Lu Li would not take that help for granted.
"Alright."
Gu Xiao knew Lu Li's temperament, and since the breakthrough was already complete, Gu Xiao didn't continue to persuade her.
Sniff, sniff... "Xiao Xiao, what's wrong?"
Lu Li saw Gu Xiao suddenly sniffing around her, thinking she might have some strange odor.
She raised her hand and smelled it—no, there wasn't.
"Lu Li, you smell so fragrant."
Gu Xiao had wanted to say it since just now. When Lu Li came down, she smelled a very pleasant fragrance.
This fragrance wasn't strong, but it was impossible to ignore.
"Huh? I do?"
Lu Li was stunned for a moment, then raised her hand to smell again, but still didn't detect anything.
"I remember now. The source of ancient trees that have lived for who knows how long, besides helping with breakthroughs and improving physique, also seems to have the side effects of enhancing beauty and causing bodily fluids to become fragrant."
As one of the purest energies in the world, the Source of Life itself has a certain effect of Cleansing the Meridians and Marrow.
"Seriously?"
Lu Li looked suspicious; she genuinely couldn't smell anything herself.
"You can't smell it yourself. If you don't believe me, go back and ask Sister Hanshuang; she'll definitely pounce on you immediately."
Gu Xiao squinted and smiled. With such a strong buff, Older Sister would probably cry tears of envy.
I wonder if she will try to find a way to get some, but a Source is not something you can acquire just because you want it.
Even if others can't defeat you, they can burn it before death. It's something that is rare and hard to come by on the market.