Lu Tianzi spent an entire week in Xihuang Yuanfeng's cave chamber.

During this time, Xihuang Yuanfeng patiently guided him on the Eternal Wraith Sword Art, as well as clarifying some parts of the Heaven Devouring Divine Art for him.

After gaining a level of understanding into the Law of Origin, Lu Tianzi's comprehension ability had skyrocketed, allowing him to absorb everything and improve at a terrifying rate.

Unfortunately for him, even until the end, Xihuang Yuanfeng had refused to impart any spear techniques to him, insistent on the fact that he should concentrate on mastering the Eternal Wraith Sword Art and raising his cultivation level.

Despite that, the fact that Xihuang Yuanfeng had passed Lu Tianzi the jade token meant that he was at least giving his implicit consent to Lu Tianzi practising the Limitless Mirror Eye.

Having waited for the entire week, Elder Diansheng had long gotten bored of what Shadowfront Fortress had to offer.

Fortunately, he could still take this opportunity to build a closer relationship with General Nanbai Zhaoyu.

In fact, the other Origin Core realm martial artists wanted to remain in Shadowfront Fortress in order to network and establish a stronger friendship with the others as well.

Unfortunately, all of them had brought their Essence Condensation realm juniors along. Many of them were top talents in their respective influences, and it would not be good to hinder their cultivation progress.

Thus, the rest of them had taken their leave after a few days. Even Inscription Master Nanbai had to return due to some matters that needed his attention back at the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower.

If not because of Lu Tianzi's current status, even Elder Diansheng would have tapped out and returned by now.

When he realised that Lu Tianzi had returned, Elder Diansheng was filled with excitement, and could not help but rush to the youngster's side. General Nanbai Zhaoyu naturally followed along as well.

"You are finally back!" Elder Diansheng laughed heartily.

"Elder Diansheng," Lu Tianzi greeted. "My apologies for having kept you waiting."

"Don't worry about it!" Elder Diansheng patted him on the shoulders amiably. "It has been some time since you returned, so it is inevitable that you will spend quite some time there. I understand this much at least."

"Nanlu Tianzi," General Nanbai Zhaoyu stepped forward at this moment.

"General Nanbai Zhaoyu," Lu Tianzi clasped his fist towards the general. "You have my gratitude for opening up Shadowfront Fortress to us."

"This is nothing," General Nanbai Zhaoyu shook his head. "If anything, I would like to apologise for failing to keep the humans in their place, indirectly causing you to go through such an ordeal in the past. If there is anything I can do to make up for it, please do say so. I will definitely do my best to fulfil your wish!"

"Please don't feel burdened in any way," Lu Tianzi smiled. "This matter does not concern you. After all, it is not as though you are the one who instigated them, is it? Let this matter come to a close with their deaths."

That's right.

Even though what happened to him was an indirect result of General Nanbai Zhaoyu's instructions, the ones who betrayed him were still the humans of Ivory Rock City.

Otherwise if he wanted to pursue this matter to the end, wouldn't he also need to hunt down the Scarlet Moon Overlord who had decided to send General Nanbai Zhaoyu to take over Shadowfront Fortress?

Lu Tianzi was certainly not intending to go to such extremes.

"I do not doubt your magnanimity, but I will not feel at ease unless I do something for you," General Nanbai Zhaoyu insisted.

"Why don't you just name something so that General Nanbai Zhaoyu will be able to feel better?" Elder Diansheng remarked from the side. He had been chatting with the general for the past week, and knew exactly how he was feeling at the moment.

"Yes, just name anything," General Nanbai Zhaoyu agreed without hesitation.

"Well, if you insist.." Lu Tianzi let out a dry laugh.

Lu Tianzi could not help but wonder how General Nanbai Zhaoyu would react upon realising that he had already obtained his compensation in the form of the high ranked beast core.

Come to think of it, General Nanbai Zhaoyu seemed to be dealing quite well with the loss of the beast core?

But nevertheless, since General Nanbai Zhaoyu was insisting, it would be foolish of him to continue turning him down.

"If it is possible, can I have some Essence Stones?" Lu Tianzi asked.

"Essence Stones?" General Nanbai Zhaoyu looked at him in surprise.

Why Essence Stones of all things?

"That's right," Lu Tianzi nodded. "Even though Essence Stones are generally useless to our cultivation system, I am intending to explore their possible uses within a formation. But if it is too much to ask for, then you can just pass me some beast cores in replacement. I am not in a hurry to get them anyway."

While formation masters generally use formation flags when setting up formations, it was not mandatory to do so.

All the formation flags did was to amplify the effectiveness and make it easier on the formation master.

However, almost anything could be used as a replacement for the formation flags as long as the formation master knew what he or she was doing.

There had been many instances when formations were set up using rocks or other natural elements, so it was not too much of a stretch to think of using Essence Stones as part of a formation.

"No, it is definitely doable!" General Nanbai Zhaoyu hurriedly agreed. "I will go retrieve it for you right away!"

Since Essence Stones were of no particular value to him, General Nanbai Zhaoyu did not keep them in his spatial ring. Afraid that the other party would doubt his sincerity, he dared not hesitate, leaving immediately to retrieve them from the stores of the fortress.

In his heart, General Nanbai Zhaoyu was filled with gratitude towards the youngster.

Nanlu Tianzi probably did not want to make things hard for him, and thus made up some excuse to ask for something as inconsequential as Essence Stones.

In a sense, this was Nanlu Tianzi doing him a favour.

Thus if Nanlu Tianzi ever needed help in the future, he would definitely have to show his fullest support!

Lu Tianzi was shocked when he saw the large number of Essence Stones that General Nanbai Zhaoyu handed over to him. It was a number that far exceeded what Hu Yuanbo and Hu Shenwei had combined!

As expected, Shadowfront Fortress was really rich in Essence Stones.

With this, it would be more than enough to satisfy his need for cultivation resources for the time being.

But if he ever had the chance, he would definitely take a look around the area in search of any Essence Stone mines!

After they were done, Elder Diansheng brought Lu Tianzi along as they returned to Bluenight City.

***

"Well then, go and do your thing." Elder Diansheng dismissed Lu Tianzi once they returned to the sect grounds. "I have been away for a while and have to tend to some sect matters as well."

"Understood," Lu Tianzi nodded before clasping his fist towards the Elder. "Sorry for all the trouble, Elder Diansheng!"

"It is fine. Work hard on your cultivation, that will be the best repayment to the Nine Suns Sect," Elder Diansheng gave him a quick nod before leaving.

"Brother Nanlu, you are back just in time!" Nanqing Haowen's excited voice sounded out even before Elder Diansheng's figure disappeared around the corner. "There's something that I want to talk to you about!"

"What's the matter?" Lu Tianzi smiled at the familiar figure that had walked up to him.

"It's like this, have you ever heard of the Wild Melody Circus?" Nanqing Haowen asked.

"The Wild Melody Circus?" Lu Tianzi had no clue.

"As I thought.." Nanqing Haowen let out a helpless sigh. "Let's not chat while standing around here. Follow me back to my place, I will ask Nanlan Qianxue to come over as well."

"Sure," Lu Tianzi nodded.

He happened to have some time to spare at the moment, so there was no harm in hearing out what Nanqing Haowen had to say.

Thankfully, Nanlan Qianxue was in the sect grounds at the moment. It did not take long before the three of them gathered at Nanqing Haowen's place.

"So what is this all about?" Nanlan Qianxue asked. Nanqing Haowen had not mentioned anything in his message to her.

"Ahem!" Nanqing Haowen cleared his throat before starting. "The Nanqing Family has received news that in three days' time, the Wild Melody Circus will be coming over to Bluenight City."

"The Wild Melody Circus?" Nanlan Qianxue revealed a look of surprise. "Isn't that the famous group that travels around the Scarlet Moon Kingdom? I don't remember them ever coming over to Bluenight City in the past though."

"You are not wrong. According to our records, this will indeed be their first visit to Bluenight City," Nanqing Haowen nodded. "And the Nanqing Family believes that the reason for this visit is due to the influence of a particular top ranker in the recent Scarlet Moon Heroes Meet."

"Wow, sounds like you are becoming quite the big shot now eh, Inscription Master Nanlu?" Nanlan Qianxue teased.

"Haha.. is that really the case?" Lu Tianzi let out an embarrassed laugh.

"Well, whatever the reason is, it is a fact that the Wild Melody Circus is coming over to our Bluenight City." Nanqing Haowen continued. "They are a group that specialises in dealing with beasts of all kinds. It is said that if there are any beasts you want to find, just pay a visit to the Wild Melody Circus. Even if they do not have one on hand, they will surely be able to capture one for you!"

"Beasts?" Lu Tianzi immediately understood. "Are you thinking of getting your contract beast from them?"

The Nanqing Family had always believed in nurturing a contract beast from young, and Nanqing Haowen had always been on the lookout for one as well.

It seemed like this was a good chance for him to finally do so!

"Indeed," Nanqing Haowen nodded. "In a bid to find the perfect partner for myself, I have ended up delaying this matter for too long. Now that the Wild Melody Circus will be coming, I don't believe that I won't be able to find a suitable beast partner!"

"And? Why did you ask us here?" Nanlan Qianxue inquired. "You are the one who knows the most about beasts among us. We can't help you out here."

"No matter what, a second opinion will definitely help in decision making. I can't trust those in my family either. All they are concerned about now is that I contract a beast, no matter which one." Nanqing Haowen shrugged. "In any case, you will surely be going to take a look when they come over, won't you? Why don't we just head over together then?"

"But from what you say, they seem to be quite a powerful influence. Even if they are visiting Bluenight City, wouldn't it be a little inappropriate for us to just go and ask them for beasts?" Lu Tianzi asked.

"That's where you are wrong," Nanqing Haowen corrected him. "The Wild Melody Circus is slightly different from other influences. They not only welcome such requests, they will even put up a huge exhibition at every city that they visit, putting on display the numerous beasts that they have with them and allowing others to buy them. Perhaps this is their way of showing off their capabilities, but it is certainly beneficial to others as well! This is the reason why they are always welcomed wherever they choose to visit!"

Lu Tianzi nodded in understanding.

If this Wild Melody Circus was truly capable of providing a one stop solution to everyone's demand for beasts, it was no wonder that they would be warmly welcomed by every city that they visit.

Since this was the case, then he surely would not mind going to take a look along with Nanqing Haowen and Nanlan Qianxue.

After all, not only those of the Nanqing Family were allowed to have contract beasts.

If things turned out well, he might even be able to find a contract beast for himself!