[In the Cultivation Realm, it has been ages since a top-grade Spirit Stone appeared in the world!]

[Such a treasure cannot be mined even from an entire high-grade Spirit Stone vein.] 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

[Plant a single top-grade Spirit Stone deep within the mountains, and in less than ten years, it will give rise to a methodically mineable high-grade Spirit Vein that won’t deplete for a millennium!!!]

After the log displayed the top-grade Spirit Stone, all the cash before Lin Hao vanished instantly, and floating quietly before him was a palm-sized Crystal Stone.

This Crystal Stone was extremely pure, appearing almost transparent to the naked eye.

Yet, upon closer inspection, Lin Hao’s gaze couldn’t move away. Within this Crystal Stone seemed to flow the Great Dao, and the sound of jade and gold resonated in his ears.

Breathing before this Crystal Stone, Lin Hao could clearly feel all his meridians opening up.

Lin Hao felt that as long as he grasped it in his hand, he wouldn’t need to refine it; his body would be filled with abundant spiritual energy, and his current realm would immediately be perfected.

He could break through to the next realm at any time.

Truly, it was a top-grade Spirit Stone, fundamentally different from a high-grade Spirit Stone.

Ten billion, well spent!

With this Spirit Stone by his side, regardless of how chaotic River Debris City might become in the coming days, whether he could stabilize the situation, but for self-preservation, it was ninety-nine point nine nine nine...

No problem at all.

Lin Hao reached out, preparing to grasp the "not hard to borrow" top-grade Spirit Stone in his hand.

Above Lin Hao’s head, a small mass of water vapor formed, quickly coalescing into a tiny cloud.

Before Lin Hao’s hand could touch the top-grade Spirit Stone, an electric arc leapt out of the suddenly appearing cloud and struck Lin Hao before he could react.

Lin Hao’s body was frozen in place.

Damn it, this thunderbolt wasn’t lethal to Lin Hao’s Dao Body, but it held his body firmly in place.

[The Thunder Tribulation Cloud felt someone attempting to offer a tribute to it]

[The Thunder Tribulation Cloud reluctantly descended to have a look]

[Facing the top-grade Spirit Stone offered by Residual Pill Ancestor Lin Hao, the Thunder Tribulation Cloud declined three times, but could not resist Residual Pill Ancestor Lin Hao’s insistence to offer it to survive the heavenly tribulation]

[The Thunder Tribulation Cloud claimed impartiality, yet reluctantly...]

Damn Thunder Tribulation Cloud.

Keeping me trapped in River Debris City is one thing, now after finally borrowing nearly ten billion to obtain a top-grade Spirit Stone, you just want it?!

Give me back my offering!

Have some decency?

Dream on with your spring and autumn dreams!

Lin Hao fully mobilized his magical power—

Move for me!

[Early Morning True Flame]!

A small flame ignited beneath the small Thunder Tribulation Cloud, slightly hindering the cloud’s attempt to envelop the top-grade Spirit Stone.

The entire cloud seemed somewhat lazy.

Lin Hao broke free of the paralysis, lunging forward to seize the top-grade Spirit Stone in his hand.

The Thunder Tribulation Cloud broke free from [Early Morning True Flame]’s control, the tiny cloud erupting violently with thunderbolts as thick as an arm striking directly for Lin Hao’s face.

"Receive!"

No time to appreciate the inflow of spiritual energy from contacting the top-grade Spirit Stone, Lin Hao directly put the top-grade Spirit Stone into his Storage Bag.

The Thunder Tribulation Cloud couldn’t open a Storage Bag that recognizes an owner.

Lin Hao had studied that if a Storage Bag was damaged, its contents wouldn’t fall out but would be directly annihilated.

If the Thunder Tribulation Cloud really wanted to force its way, then at worst, they would fight to the end, leaving neither with any gains.

As for the imminent thunderbolt, Lin Hao gently caressed his milk tea cup with his left hand—

[One Energy Transforms into Two Pristine Ones]!

The incarnation appeared before Lin Hao, using its face to block the Thunder Tribulation Cloud’s rapidly approaching bolt.

The spacious cash vault fell into silence.

The Lin Hao incarnation, using its face to directly absorb this thunderbolt, twitched spasmodically in front of Lin Hao, with thunder seeping from its pores.

After a while, it let out a long "burp~"

"Main body, this thunder is quite something!"

"But next time you have me face thunder, could you give me a heads up?"

Sensing the wild currents within, the incarnation realized its body wouldn’t recover anytime soon, so it directly flew towards the small Thunder Tribulation Cloud.

As the Thunder Tribulation Cloud tried to evade, the incarnation pointed with its sword fingers and lightly shouted:

"[Early Morning True Flame]!"

The evading Thunder Tribulation Cloud was once again frozen momentarily.

The Lin Hao incarnation lunged, self-destructing directly at the Thunder Tribulation Cloud!

Boom!

Lin Hao used his magical power to confine the force of the self-destruction within the Thunder Tribulation Cloud’s range, preventing any direct damage to the surroundings.

If you destroy the vault where people store money, how is that different from robbery?

As the dust from the self-destruction cleared, only a fist-sized cloud remained floating in place.

As for the thunder within, it likely couldn’t exceed 220 volts.

Witnessing this scene, Lin Hao once again caressed his milk tea cup.

[One Energy Transforms into Two Pristine Ones]!

The reappearing incarnation, feeling its body returned to normal post self-destruction, was very satisfied.

The best way to rid of a body’s negative state is to switch bodies, not fearing death as an incarnation.

And the incarnation, observing the remaining cloud, clicked its tongue in admiration:

"As expected of the Thunder Tribulation Cloud, even after my explosion, it couldn’t completely disperse it.

Main body, give me some Spirit Stones, with another strike it should be done!"

Lin Hao thought this was a great idea.

Though the top-grade Spirit Stone couldn’t be given, he still had plenty of lower and mid-grade Spirit Stones prepared.

Just as the incarnation swallowed three mid-grade Spirit Stones and prepared to advance again, a golden light flickered within the fist-sized Thunder Tribulation Cloud.

This aura of golden light was familiar to Lin Hao, he contained plenty within himself.

It was the merit that Black and White Impermanence brought to him each time they ventured out after being summoned by the [Unpredictable Overtime Skill].

Like anglers, they unknowingly wandered off to some fishing pond, with merit representing successful fishing trips.

As for merit’s specific function, Lin Hao was uncertain.

What was clear was that it could temper the Thunder Tribulation Cloud’s inclination to strike him.

Yet now, the merit he "gave" the Thunder Tribulation Cloud reappeared?

Lin Hao’s thoughts flashed in a moment, as the golden light coalesced, a virtuous small head emerged from the small Thunder Tribulation Cloud.

The fist-sized Thunder Tribulation Cloud formed the body beneath the head.

The virtuous head resembled a carved clay idol, displaying no emotion whatsoever.

What was this thing?

As Lin Hao pondered, the virtuous head spoke:

"Cultivator, we need to talk."