The Journey of the God Emperor

Chapter 6: True Friend

After Lloyd went inside his room, he directly went on top of his bed, sat cross-legged, then started his cultivation routine. Just like what he has been doing for the last few weeks, he focused his mind on condensing and compacting the mana inside his dantian. This process was the first requirement in order to breakthrough to the second realm, which was the Mana Creating Realm. After fully condensing all of the mana inside the dantian, the cultivator will then convert those mana into what is called chaos mana that was many times more powerful. That is why even though the mana gathering realm and the mana creating realm was just one realm apart from each other, cultivators in the mana gathering realm can never win against the cultivators of the mana creating realm.

“Ow man! Why can’t I make a breakthrough!? This is just the second realm! I'm not even near the peak of my cultivation journey! Even most cultivators with orange-colored or normal body constitutions can make a breakthrough after just giving a little effort! While I have one of the best body constitutions, so this just doesn’t make any sense!” Lloyd grumbled.

While Lloyd was being overwhelmed with anger and frustrations, his pendant suddenly shined with white color and enveloped Lloyd's whole body. Little by little, Lloyd returned back to his usual calm self and realized what horror he had just experienced.

With wide eyes and cold sweat on his back, Lloyd stuttered while saying, "What the-what just happened!? Did I just experienced a cultivation deviation!?"

Cultivation Deviation is a phenomenon wherein a cultivators' mana inside their dantian might lost control and explode due to the cultivators' mind being too unstable. When this happen and the cultivator fails to control it, there are only two possible outcomes, the first one is completely losing their cultivation, the second one, and the worst possible outcome, is for the cultivator's body exploding right then and there.

"I am really thankful that I have this pendant with me. That was too frightening...I swear that it will be the first and last time I'll experience such horror," Lloyd said while looking at his pendant.

After resting for a minute or two, Lloyd once again tried to analyze his current predicament. 'Maybe the true reason why I couldn't make a breakthrough is really because of my special body constitution? My breakthrough cannot be compared with the normal ones because like spiderman's uncle always say, with great power comes great responsibility. Maybe I will gain new abilities after my breakthrough?Hmmm...,' Lloyd thought.

'Maybe I should try using external help rather than just doing this on my own? In my memories, there are potions which helps a person that is undergoing a breakthrough. Then, I should buy some mana stones, the mana in my surroundings aren't potent enough to use in my cultivation, it'll be faster to cultivate using mana stones,' Lloyd further thought.

However, after having those thoughts, Lloyd clutched his head, looked in the distance and said, "I am poor. Arrgghh!"

The currency that was circulating in the Origin Attribute world was called Spirit Stones. They were essentially mana stones which came from beneath the earth. Yes, Mana stones are also being used as money other than a cultivation resource. The money that was being circulated in the Viridiscent Empire are called copper stones, which were basically just mana stones of the lowest grade. Copper stones cannot be used as a cultivation resource because the mana inside aren't pure enough to be absorbed by cultivators.

Even though Lloyd was the first son of the current clan chief of Blanc Clan, which is the ruler of Stone Edge City, his monthly allowance was just enough for his daily consumptions. Remember, he was abandoned by most of his clan members, even his father's attitude toward him became cold.

'Should I just borrow from Francis? But I am too ashamed to borrow from him. He has already done so much for me,' Lloyd thought.

In the end, after thinking for so long, he came up with an idea.

"I'll just borrow from Francis!" Lloyd said while standing up at the same time.

"After all, they're an aristocratic Family. It's just a small change for them. Also, for sure, after I demonstrated my prowess during the tournament, my clan member's thought about me will definitely change for the better. I can definitely pay off what I owe by then," Lloyd concluded.

After sorting out his thoughts, Lloyd got up and went outside of his room. It was already morning, so he saw Trisha by the kitchen cooking their breakfast.

"Trisha, what's for breakfast?" Lloyd asked.

"Ah!" Trisha suddenly shouted after she heard Lloyd. She looked from her behind and saw Lloyd standing at the entrance of his room.

"Young Master, you scared me for a second," Trisha said.

"Oh, I am sorry. I never thought that you will be shaken like that," Lloyd said apologetically.

While smiling, Trisha said, "It's okay, young master. By the way, our breakfast for today is your latest favorite."

"Oh? Is it LongSiLog?" Lloyd excitedly asked.

"Yes, young master!" Trisha said.

"Then, let's eat right away!" Lloyd said. He sat down at their dining table, invited Trisha to also sit down, and started eating.

Lloyd likes the food in this new world. But from time to time, Lloyd craves some of the food from his previous world. One of that was Longsilog, which was basically just Sausage, fried egg and fried rice. The first two food were also available in this world although it have different components inside. Rice, however, was non-existent in this world. So, instead of rice, Lloyd used an alternative.

After eating, Lloyd said, "Come Trisha, let's go out and meet Francis at their residence."

"Yes, Young master," Trisha responded.

For the third time, Lloyd and Trisha went to Francis' residence then went for a walk around the city. Actually, walking was just one of the ways on how to explore the city, Lloyd and the two just want to properly explore the city and relax at the same time. If one wanted to quickly arrive at their destination, they can rent an animal to ride along the rocky road. If a person wants something flashier and faster, they can rent a beast to ride. The difference between an animal and a beast was that an animal cannot understand human language and cannot cultivate while beasts are animals, which evolved and became aware of the surrounding mana in the environment and cultivate a little but still cannot understand human language and just follows their basic instincts.

While walking, Lloyd have tried asking Francis about his financial situation numerous times but he failed every time. 'I can't believe it's this hard to ask for a favor, and a huge one at that,' Lloyd thought.

"Bro, is there something going on inside your mind?" Francis concernedly asked. Turned out, when it comes to Lloyd, Francis wasn't that oblivious. He always know what was going on with Lloyd based on facial expressions.

"Huh? Oh. Well, I was just wondering if you could lend me some copper stones? I promise to pay you back twice the amount as soon as possible," Lloyd promised to Francis.

Francis just smiled and said, "Lloyd, you don't have to pay me back at all. Money can be earned, but friends cannot be replaced. What’s more a brother? We are brothers, what's mine is yours and vice versa, right?"

Lloyd was deeply touched when he heard it. Even though he just met Francis for more than a month, Lloyd already considers Francis as one of the few people whom he cares about.

"Thank you, Francis. I shall never forget this. Whenever you need me, I will always be there," Lloyd proudly proclaimed.

"Come on, bro! It is just money. Here, take this magic pouch. There are 10,000 copper stones inside. If you need more, just let me know." Francis said while giving Lloyd a small pouch bag about 6 inches wide. These is called magic pouch, they are magical pouches created by master craftsmen who have grasped the laws of space. These pouches have large spaces inside which can contain large quantities of objects. These magic pouches were very expensive and can only be purchased by very wealthy persons or clans. It has different kinds depending on how much these can hold inside. Some have spaces inside of about 20 meters wide while some can contain about 200 meters wide inside. Truly a wonderful magical tool.

Lloyd was once again amazed by how wealthy Francis’ clan is. Lloyd’s allowance is only 400 copper stones IN A MONTH and Lloyd felt that it was enough, if not too much, for their daily expenses. However, Francis can easily bring out such a huge sum. And it was in a magic pouch which is worth about 10,000 copper stones or even more. This really highlights how bad Lloyd's clan treats him.

"Again, thank you, Francis," Lloyd said after accepting the magic pouch.

“Can you two accompany me for a while? I am not familiar with the various stores in the city so I need people to act as my guides,” Lloyd asked the two.

“Of course, bro. I shall guide you hehe,” Francis proudly said.

“Yes, Young master,” Trisha responded. Even though they were bewildered why Lloyd was not familiar with the city when he basically grew up in the city, they did not think too much about it and just assured Lloyd.

“Thank you,” Lloyd gratefully said. They went for a stroll along the rough roads of the city while Lloyd told them about what he needed.

“Oh, a potion to help you in making a breakthrough to mana creating realm? There is such a thing,” Francis said.

“Really? What is it called?” Lloyd immediately asked.

“Hmmm. I forgot about the name. However, it has “breakthrough” in its name. I will take you to a shop that sells it,” Francis said.

“Okay, let us go,” Lloyd said.

After walking for about 30 minutes, Lloyd’s group arrived at an enormous brick building. While standing at the front, Lloyd and Trisha were amazed by the designs. There are lion statues carved in stones on both sides of the front building. It has three floors and was being guarded by two muscular cultivators. Lloyd activated his White Dragon’s eye technique and looked at the two men.

‘One at the second level of Mana Gathering realm? Not bad… and the other’s at first level of Mana Gathering realm,’ Lloyd analyzed. He was impressed because it was quite rare to see a cultivator at this part of the city. Even though most people in this world were cultivators, it was in general. Most people in the crowded streets of many cities were ordinary mortals. Most cultivators rarely socialize because they want to focus on getting stronger and leveling up. If cultivators were present, they’re mostly weak and for hire and just wanted to earn money for their cultivation. Let’s take for example, Lloyd’s younger brother and his clan. Jon was currently in the first level of mana creating realm at such a young age primarily because of his clan’s status and also because of his talent. Most cultivators do not have such high backgrounds so they can either choose to cultivate in the wilderness and depend on luck or work for somebody else.

On top of the building, there is a signage, which also looks, grand and luxurious. Lloyd looked at the words and read: Gray Stone Grand Store.