Hearing Lin Yan's harsh words, Luo Cheng finally understood.
The root of everything was merely because he awakened a Wasted Martial Soul and failed to join the Ji Family.
Perhaps, Luo Qi following him around all the time in the past was also instructed by her.
Lin Yan raised her eyebrows and continued to scold:
"Furthermore, not only did you awaken a Wasted Martial Soul, but you also dared to provoke a genius of the Ji Family. Are the people of the Ji Family someone you can compare to? They're Heavenly Divine figures, and what are you? Calling you an ant would be flattering! And yet, you dare to swear you'll challenge the Ji Family's Divine Son!"
"Hah, is the Ji Family a place you can enter just because you want to?"
"You're just like your father, clueless about your own abilities! Back then, if your father had recognized his limits and let go of your mother earlier, would he have ended up the way he did now?"
"How pitiful. After going through so much to pursue your mother, he still gave birth to a useless waste..."
Luo Cheng roared in fury and coldly glared at the other, "Lin Yan! If you dare utter another word insulting my father, I will not forgive you!"
Startled by Luo Cheng's gaze, Lin Yan snorted and said:
"Did I say anything wrong? A Martial Soul with not even a single Star, unmanifested, has never been recorded in the history of Qishan City. Isn't that a waste!"
"Exactly! Mother is absolutely right! You're just a waste, disgracing the Luo Family and bringing us shame!"
Beside her, Luo Qi also chimed in support.
A glint of frost flickered in Luo Cheng's eyes. He shifted his gaze toward Luo Qi, "Oh? If I'm a waste, then those inferior to me, what are they?"
"Are you saying I'm inferior to you?"
Luo Qi acted as though he had just heard the joke of the century, sneering, "A Five-star Martial Soul—how many people can rival that in all of Qishan City? And your Wasted Martial Soul dares to compare with me?"
Luo Cheng stepped forward one step at a time, "If so, why don't we have a match to find out?"
A Wasted Martial Soul actually dared to challenge him!
Luo Qi was furious inside and was just about to agree.
Lin Yan, standing by, reacted quickly and hurriedly interjected:
"A match is fine, but it must be half a month later!"
Luo Qi had just advanced to the Body Tempering Fourth Layer, while Luo Cheng had long since broken through. If they fought now, Luo Qi would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage.
However, after awakening a Martial Soul, there would be a burst period for cultivation!
Luo Qi had awakened a Five-star Martial Soul. With ample resources over the next half a month, he would have a great chance to break through to the Body Tempering Fifth Layer. By then, the victory would be certain!
Luo Qi immediately caught on and sneered at Luo Cheng, "Indeed, let's have a showdown in half a month. We'll see who's truly the waste then. Do you dare?"
"Very well," Luo Cheng replied curtly, unwilling to waste words, and turned to leave.
"Like father, like son! Awakening a Wasted Martial Soul, what is there to boast about? Qi'er, I'll buy you Body Tempering Pills. Within half a month, you'll undoubtedly break through to the Body Tempering Fifth Layer," Lin Yan said.
She had initially thought of using Luo Cheng's connection to the Ji Family to rise to prominence. However, it had all turned to nothing.
Now, everything about Luo Cheng irritated her!
"Thank you, Mother! Luo Cheng, in half a month, I'll beat you into a pulp!"
Luo Qi clenched his fists tightly.
Back at his courtyard, Luo Cheng retrieved a Jade Bottle from his room.
It was the Jade Body Tempering Pill the gray-robed elder had left him yesterday.
Gazing at the bottle, Luo Cheng recalled the elder's parting words.
"Accept your fate and forget your mother?"
But how could that be possible?
With a cold smile, Luo Cheng opened the Jade Bottle.
Instantly, an invigorating fragrance wafted into the air.
Within the Jade Bottle were three translucent emerald-green elixirs.
"So this is a Body Tempering Pill!"
Looking into the bottle, a burning desire appeared in Luo Cheng's eyes.
The Body Tempering Pill was the perfect Spirit Pill for the Body Tempering Realm. When consumed during cultivation, it worked both internally and externally, multiplying the effects of Body Refining!
Unfortunately, even the most ordinary Body Tempering Pills were exceedingly valuable. In the past, Luo Cheng had only heard of them.
Taking out one Jade Body Tempering Pill, Luo Cheng swallowed it whole.
Immediately, a wave of burning heat surged from his abdomen, spreading through his entire body like flames.
Knowing this was an opportunity not to be missed, Luo Cheng dashed to the Practice Field.
In the following days, Luo Cheng became entirely immersed in cultivation.
During this time, he visited his grandfather, Luo Mingshan, once more.
However, his grandfather remained unconscious, showing no signs of improvement.
Within the small courtyard, the sounds of fierce movements echoed.
Luo Cheng deftly maneuvered a 250-pound stone lock, causing the air to tremble.
Setting the stone lock down, Luo Cheng's eyes glistened with disbelief.
"Body Tempering Sixth Layer!"
In just four days, he had successfully advanced!
This cultivation pace was simply unimaginable.
To think, it had taken him over half a year to progress from the Body Tempering Fourth Layer to the Fifth Layer!
Even considering the explosive growth triggered by awakening his Martial Soul, this speed was astonishing!
"It must be the Jade Body Tempering Pill..."
Luo Cheng speculated that beyond the quality of his Martial Soul, the Jade Body Tempering Pill played a significant role in his rapid breakthrough.
As a product of the legendary Ji Family, the Jade Body Tempering Pill was undoubtedly extraordinary.
"No wonder Ji Haoyue achieved such cultivation at such a young age. With such Spirit Pills aiding him, it's nearly impossible to progress slowly."
Luo Cheng could sense the Ji Family's overwhelming strength—and the pressure they posed.
At that moment, footsteps approached, and Luo Hong entered.
"Cheng'er, you've broken through?"
Seeing the 250-pound stone lock nearby, Luo Hong's eyes lit up.
Luo Cheng nodded slightly.
"To have advanced to the Body Tempering Fifth Layer so quickly—not bad," Luo Hong said with a faint smile.
Beyond joy for Luo Cheng's breakthrough, Luo Hong was even more gratified that Luo Cheng had not succumbed to despair after his setbacks.
Just as Luo Cheng was about to explain that he had actually reached the Body Tempering Sixth Layer, Luo Hong continued, "Don't burden yourself with your grandfather's situation; it wasn't your fault."
"Ahem! Here, take this Body Refining Ointment. Apply it during your cultivation; it will aid your progression through Body Refining."
With a light cough, Luo Hong handed Luo Cheng a Jade Bottle.
"Father, you should save the money to buy healing pills..." Luo Cheng said, his heart heavy. Despite being less potent than the Body Tempering Pill, Body Refining Ointment was still fairly expensive.
With his injuries still unhealed, Luo Hong was still prioritizing Luo Cheng's cultivation.
Luo Hong shook his head firmly. "I know my own condition well. Ordinary medicines no longer help. I heard you've scheduled a duel with Luo Qi in ten days. Make sure not to lose."
"Don't worry, Father. I won't lose," Luo Cheng replied with firm conviction.
"Haha, that's good. Go back to your training."
After seeing his father off, Luo Cheng left the courtyard, heading toward the Martial Arts Pavilion to select a Martial Art for cultivation.
Once reaching the Body Tempering Third Layer, one could start training in Martial Arts.
Previously, Luo Cheng had felt it unnecessary. But now, at the Body Tempering Sixth Layer with Three Stones Strength, cultivating Martial Arts would not only enhance Body Refining but also amplify his combat prowess.
The Martial Arts Pavilion's custodian was a beautiful female administrator. Recognizing Luo Cheng, she greeted him with a smile:
"Young Master Luo Cheng, here to study Martial Arts?"
The administrator replied, "You may freely browse the Martial Arts Secret Manuals on the first level. To access the second level, your cultivation must reach the Body Tempering Sixth Layer or above."
"Understood. Thank you!"
Luo Cheng nodded and stepped into the Martial Arts Pavilion.
The administrator sighed inwardly, feeling a tinge of pity for him.
Luo Cheng's efforts were evident to everyone. But a Wasted Martial Soul was still a Wasted Martial Soul. No matter how hard he worked, it was all in vain. The chances of achieving great success were slim.