Jiu Shen took the three kitchen tools and placed them inside his spatial sword earring. Though the three tools were not that important to him, he still had uses for them.

At least he didn't have to use his Baleful Dragon Sacred Sword in chopping savage beast's meat or use his Heaven Trampling cauldron to cook food, right?

- Ding!

- You received x2 Fruit of Cultivation!

Jiu Shen squinted his eyes as he looked at the two golden palm-size fruits in his hands. The two fruits were emitting a sacred light that glowed with a golden luster.

Just from the fact that the fruits were releasing a golden brilliance, even a layman could tell that these fruits were not ordinary.

"System, this fruit... Each of these two contains a huge amount of true essence and I can even feel that they can enhance my cultivation if I consume them..." Jiu Shen muttered as he studied the fruits from every angle.

- Ding!

- Host, the fruits in your hands is called the Fruit of Cultivation. Anyone who consumes it will have their cultivation advance by leaps and bounds without receiving any kind of backlash. Furthermore, it can also solidify one's cultivation making their strength stable and consolidated.

- The two fruits will be able to help the host advance to the late stage 9th-rank Saint realm in both physical body and spirit!

Jiu Shen's eyes slightly trembled when he heard the system's reply.

He had been finding ways on how to breakthrough since the first day he had transmigrated in Nuar. But to no avail, his cultivation remained the same.

Now that he saw the solution that he had been looking for, Jiu Shen could help but let out a smile. A smile so dazzling that it could make even the most detached immortal goddesses to blush in adoration. Just that, no woman was there to enjoy the scene...

Without hesitation, Jiu Shen ate the two fruits in an instant.

'It tastes like a pear but with a much stronger aftertaste...' Jiu Shen thought to himself as he munched on the two fruits.

After eating the two fruits, Jiu Shen felt his slumbering cultivation level to slowly rise. He also sensed the changes in every fiber of his body.

Initial 9th-rank Saint realm...

Mid stage 9th-rank Saint realm...

The increase in his strength slowed down but it did not stop right there. It continued to grow steadily albeit at a much slower pace.

Jiu Shen remained calm throughout the process. He shut his eyes tight as he checked the changes happening in his dantian through his spiritual power.

Late stage 9th-rank Saint realm...

Jiu Shen's eyes sprung open, emitting an intense glow that generated several mini electric sparks around him.

He then stood up from his spot and clenched his fists tightly producing a crackling sound of bones filled with unhidden monstrous strength.

"Not bad... Although I didn't reach the 10th-rank God realm, at least I now have a clue on how to increase my strength..." Jiu Shen said as he opened the window of his room to get a look at the outside scenery.

It was late in the afternoon, the brilliance of the sun subsided a bit. At the moment, the light it illuminated was crimson in color.

Jiu Shen coldly glanced at the sky as if he was looking at a certain person.

"Wait for my return, my dear friend Lao Gou..." He muttered with unbridled killing intent raging to come out of his silver eyes.

* * *

Inside the Silver Wing Empire's imperial palace.

Defender Duanmu walked towards the throne room with hurried footsteps. He ignored the respectful glances of the imperial guards and knelt in front of the throne room's entrance.

"Your Majesty, your humble servant requests an audience with you." His aged but vigorous voice echoed within the palace.

"Granted..."

The huge door of the throne room sprung open allowing Defender Duanmu to see the man that he had been serving for more than a century. The emperor of the Silver Wing Empire and one of the top experts in the whole Profound Dragon Continent. Emperor Elyk Silveria...

Emperor Elyk was able to stabilize the fate of their empire for several decades with his monstrous power and charisma, but the very man in front of him no longer looked the same as his glorious past.

Elyk Silveria's once dignified countenance now had a tinge of tiredness and exhaustion. Although his physical strength remained the same, the man's emotional state was the exact opposite.

Defender Duanmu sighed in his heart as he glanced at the emperor. He felt sad when he saw the man he revered being reduced to such a state.

Defender Duanmu walked towards the emperor with steady steps. He then stopped and knelt down on one knee.

"Your Majesty, I wish to speak with you alone." He said while looking at the imperial guards inside the throne room.

Although all the imperial guards were carefully chosen, he didn't want to take a risk in having other people hearing what he'd tell the emperor.

Emperor Elyk understood his concern so he signaled the imperial guards to leave the throne room with a wave of his hands.

The imperial guards followed the order without protest.

After seeing that only he and the emperor were left inside the throne room, Defender Duanmu released a sigh.

"I apologize, your Majesty. It's not that I don't trust our imperial guards, I just don't want any mishaps to happen." Defender Duanmu voiced out his concerns.

"Are you talking about my three eldest sons, Duanmu?" Emperor Elyk glanced at Defender Duanmu with a calm look, but the latter saw the sadness in the former's eyes.

Defender Duanmu didn't reply and just released a heavy sigh.

Emperor Elyk took in a deep breath and stabilized his emotions. He then gazed at Defender Duanmu and said. "Speak. What did you come here for?"

Defender Duanmu's expression turned serious as he replied. "Your Majesty, Wine Master Jiu is already back in his store, but there is one person he brought with him."

Emperor Elyk's eyebrows knitted closely together at those words.

"And who is this person?" The emperor asked.

Defender Duanmu glanced at the emperor and replied. "The sect mistress of the Ice Cloud Sword Sect, Lu Sulan."

"Why is it her?!" Emperor Elyk's voice contained a hint of inexplicable emotion as he exclaimed in surprise.

Defender Duanmu shook his head. "Not just that. She also appears to be subservient to Wine Master Jiu. I think the relationship of the two is not shallow..."