Taking Action

"Even if you can't go to the Outer Realm Battlefield or become a spirit guard, merits can still be exchanged for treasures and spirit pills."

"As a Prince, do you think I lack treasures and spirit pills, Fifteenth Uncle?"

Chu Honglin snorted. "You're a Prince, but spirit pills and treasures aren't things you can possess whenever you please. They require Imperial Brother's bestowal... Are you expecting Imperial Brother to reward you with them?"

"Can merits be exchanged for spirit pills that raise one's cultivation?"

"They can," Chu Honglin said.

Chu Zhiyuan's spirits lifted.

"But those spirit pills are inferior to the exotic flowers and wondrous fruits in the Cave Heaven."

"Do they have lingering drawbacks?"

"Those spirit pills differ from those exotic flowers and wondrous fruits. They all work by stimulating one's potential."

Chu Zhiyuan fell thoughtful.

Chu Honglin continued, "They merely let you advance a step earlier."

"They only move the time forward?"

"Exactly!" Chu Honglin nodded approvingly. "It seems you understand the principle... For example, taking a spirit pill might let you enter the Second Turn a year early, but the time needed for the Third Turn will be extended. You'll need two years to make up for that year gained in advance."

"...For spirit guards in the Outer Realm Battlefield, that really isn't too bad." Chu Zhiyuan thought for a moment. "Raising their cultivation earlier gives them a better chance of surviving there... If they encounter a fortuitous opportunity on the Outer Realm Battlefield, they can make up for that lost time as well."

"Mm. They're suitable for spirit guards, but unsuitable and unnecessary for you."

Calculated over the total span of time, using such spirit pills would instead waste time and slow one's cultivation.

"What about treasures?"

"What treasure do you want?" Chu Honglin said. "The