Chapter 332: A Great Ascension Cultivator in the City

Both Xia Chao and the little green snake were growing stronger in their own ways, highlighting the inherent differences between humans and demons.
Humans focused on enlightenment and cultivation, requiring time to grow stronger, while demons could rapidly increase their power as long as they had sufficient rare treasures.
With Jiang Li continuously supplying heavenly treasures, it was only natural for the little green snake to progress faster than Xia Chao.
Two months later.
Xia Chao slowly opened his eyes, conducting an internal inspection of his body. His golden core was plump, perfectly rounded, and flawless—a model example of a first-grade golden core.
Xia Chao had officially stepped into the Golden Core stage.
A sudden downpour began without warning, and pedestrians cursed the inaccurate weather forecasts.
However, some perceptive contract beasts sensed something unusual in the rain, filling them with fear as if an extraordinarily noble species had been born.
“Did a contract beast break through to five stars?” an experienced beastmaster speculated based on their beasts’ reactions.
Historical records and news reports had documented that when a contract beast reached five stars, other beasts would become restless and whimper in fear.
“Who could it be?” The beastmasters were puzzled. There had been no rumors—how could a five-star contract beast appear out of nowhere?
Moreover, they couldn’t identify which beast had broken through.
What people didn’t know was that the contract beasts’ panic wasn’t due to a mysterious beast reaching five stars, but because they sensed the awakening of True Dragon Bloodline—an innate suppression.
The little green snake had grown forelimbs resembling eagle talons, its scales now more textured with golden edges, and its pupils shone brilliantly like a divine being destined to purge all evil. It exuded nobility and majesty.
At this point, it could no longer be called a “little green snake”—it had become a “green flood dragon.”
The torrential rain was the flood dragon’s doing, showcasing the first signs of a True Dragon’s ability to command clouds and rain.
“Thank you, White Emperor, for safeguarding my breakthrough.” The green flood dragon’s voice was delicate as it clasped its claws together in gratitude toward Baixue Ling.
“It was nothing.” Baixue Ling felt a sense of accomplishment watching the little green snake transform, as if seeing her own child grow up.
Qiu Shi had reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, while the Bone-Winged White Tiger was at the peak of Golden Core. Though both were slightly behind Xia Chao and the green flood dragon, their cultivation speeds were unprecedented even in the Nine Provinces—enough to shock anyone.
Though if people knew Jiang Li had guided them, their astonishment might lessen.
Jiang Li appeared and announced joyous news worthy of celebration: “You all get a day off.”
Jiang Li wasn’t some demon—he understood the importance of balancing work and rest.
Xia Chao’s eyes lit up even brighter than when he had broken through to Golden Core.
Had he heard correctly? Did he actually get a vacation?
Qiu Shi wasn’t much better off, overjoyed. Over the past three months, his experiences mirrored Xia Chao’s, including enduring Jiang Li’s lectures even in their dreams.
“After one day, we head to the Demon Beast Forest for real combat training.”
Previous battles with demon beasts had been child’s play in Jiang Li’s eyes—true combat training required real-world conditions.
Even with this condition, the two remained ecstatic. It didn’t matter where they were going after this one day—even if it were hell, having a day off was worth celebrating with firecrackers.
Xia Chao took the green flood dragon out into the city for fun. Jiang Li generously provided him with an unlimited black card for unrestricted spending.
Baixue Ling gave Jiang Li a strange look. “Where did you get that black card?”
She knew Jiang Li hadn’t just been training Xia Chao and Qiu Shi these past three months—he’d often left them in the training grounds while disappearing to who-knows-where.
Jiang Li smirked proudly. “I spent three months doing all sorts of things—gambling on stones, saving people, punishing evil, unifying the underworld, becoming a merchant rich enough to rival nations… If I wrote a book, I could call it *A Great Ascension Cultivator in the City*.”
“I’ll draft it for you to review—see if it’d sell in the Nine Provinces.”
“…What a weird title. Sounds uninteresting.” Baixue Ling had no interest in the book.
With no potential readers, Jiang Li shelved the idea.
…
“Three orders of fried chicken, please.” Xia Chao craved junk food—he’d been dreaming of fried chicken for three months.
While waiting, he idly picked at the marble countertop and, without exerting any force, tore off a large chunk.
Xia Chao stared in shock, his fingers unconsciously tightening—the stone crumbled like tofu in his grip.
The onlookers were stunned. What kind of monstrous strength was this?
The employee, in particular, thought he was dealing with a dine-and-dasher.
Who’d ever heard of someone skipping out on a fried chicken bill?
The employee quickly called for the manager.
“Uh…” Xia Chao was just as surprised by his own strength. He hadn’t even used force—how could the counter be this flimsy? Even cutting corners shouldn’t result in something this weak.
Then he realized: as a Golden Core cultivator, his strength far surpassed ordinary humans. Marble might as well be paper to him.
“I’ll pay, I’ll pay.” Xia Chao forced an awkward smile, handing over the black card while inwardly doubting whether Jiang Li’s “unlimited” card would work here.
At the very least, he’d never heard of a truly limitless black card.
The manager paled upon seeing the card—was this the legendary black card?
A swipe through the machine confirmed his suspicions. The deducted amount didn’t even make a dent in the astronomical balance.
Not daring to question it, the manager returned the card with trembling reverence.
As Xia Chao walked down the street, the green flood dragon draped around his neck drew countless stares—flood dragons had never been seen in Lingxi World before.
“Kid, is that your contract beast? Looks decent. Our young master has taken a liking to it—name your price.” A burly bodyguard, built like a wall, blocked Xia Chao’s path.
“Do you know who our young master is? The heir of the Domination Enterprise Group!”
Even someone as uninformed as Xia Chao had heard of Domination Enterprise—a colossal conglomerate spanning tourism, film, mining, food, real estate, and more. Rumor had it their wealth could buy half a city!
Naturally, Xia Chao had no intention of handing over his companion. “Get lost.”
“Rejecting our kindness? Now you’ll get the hard way!” Several bodyguards unleashed their three-star contract beasts to attack Xia Chao and seize the flood dragon.
The flood dragon prepared to retaliate, but Xia Chao stopped it.
“Let me handle this.”
Xia Chao’s strength was inhuman—his movements godlike as he effortlessly pummeled the supposedly fearsome contract beasts into the ground.
The bodyguards gaped in disbelief. A human defeating contract beasts? And three-star ones at that?
Was this even a person?
Xia Chao didn’t spare the bodyguards either, holding back just enough to leave them battered and bruised.
The bodyguards limped away, supporting each other in their retreat.
“So arrogant?” The Domination Enterprise heir, sitting in his car, was informed that Xia Chao had not only refused to hand over the beast but had also attacked his men.
“A human this strong? There must be a secret.” He considered sending a four-star contract beast after Xia Chao.
*Knock knock knock.*
Someone rapped on his car window. Annoyed, the heir rolled it down. “Who is it?”
A refined, successful-looking man stood there, handing him a business card.
It read: *General Manager, Nine Provinces Group.*
The heir’s heart skipped a beat—Nine Provinces Group was the mysterious conglomerate that had recently risen to prominence, with connections spanning both legal and underground circles. Their financial depth was unfathomable—compared to them, Domination Enterprise was an ant facing an elephant.
True to his polished demeanor, the man spoke politely: “Xia Chao is someone our chairman values. I suggest you refrain from provoking him further.”
The heir nodded frantically, like a chicken pecking at rice.