Chapter 205: Chapter 205
The fifth-grade spiritual pill was truly extraordinary.
The moment the furnace opened, a unique medicinal fragrance swirled upward like a dancing dragon before dispersing at its peak.
Just the pill's aroma alone instantly relaxed the previously exhausted nerves of those present.
Some cultivators who had suffered spiritual awareness damage earlier even felt an unprecedented comfort.
At this moment, no verification was needed.
Every discerning eye could see that this batch of pills contained at least one medium-grade product, possibly even superior-grade.
Refining Spirit Pills? From a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator?
Many judges had already risen from their seats.
Carefully placing all four pills into a jade box, the examiner didn't dare bend his arm the entire way.
And two of them at that...
As these words fell, the audience erupted.
Greed, admiration, jealousy - all eyes involuntarily turned toward the young woman on stage.
Among them, the gazes from Xuqing Sect members stood out most prominently. One white-haired but youthful-looking elder looked particularly displeased:
"Wait - West Flame City. Could this be that outer disciple taken by the city lord several years ago?"
A nearby disciple who vaguely remembered the incident nodded regretfully.
It wasn't that An Ning had been particularly remarkable back then, but rather that the city lord himself had personally requested an average female outer disciple - a bizarre enough occurrence to remain memorable.
Many had wondered about it at the time!
Now it seemed the city lord had truly spotted a gem!
Even Elder Ye from Danyang Peak forgot about his troublesome disciple's mess, feeling heart palpitations as he looked at the girl:
"To miss nurturing such talent is the regret of my lifetime! And you're telling me she was right under our noses?"
"She was our sect's disciple! How could you just give her away when asked?"
Without even understanding the reason! The old man trembled with outrage, barely restraining himself from calling them fools to their faces.
Though only at Golden Core stage, Elder Ye was one of the few existing grandmasters, just one step from becoming a great grandmaster - his status undeniable.
The chastised elders could only stiffen their faces in silence despite their displeasure.
Nearby, Shangguan Ling grew even paler upon hearing her master's words, though no one knew what thoughts crossed her mind.
When she turned to seek comfort from her senior brother, she found Sikong Jing's expression equally grim, his usual cool demeanor turning icy.
Shangguan Ling instinctively closed her mouth - even the finest feathered robe couldn't dispel the sudden chill surrounding them...
With the appearance of superior-grade Refining Spirit Pills, the competition's outcome became indisputable.
Under countless gazes, An Ning calmly accepted her prize, selecting the "Nascent Soul Grass" from among the rare spiritual herbs.
The audience collectively gasped - but this time, no one doubted her. Any observer could tell she only lacked the cultivation level to officially become a great grandmaster.
Once this fairy reached Golden Core stage, the cultivation world would gain another great grandmaster.
Undoubtedly, this day would cement her name across Xuanzhen Continent.
From stage to seating area took only moments, yet many already covertly extended olive branches along the way.
Even high-level cultivators regarded her with genuine goodwill, while others eyed the remaining Refining Spirit Pills...
The offers rivaled even those for Nascent Soul Pills earlier.
For cultivators, physical injuries could be mended through various means, but spiritual damage remained taboo. Once the primordial spirit suffered, further advancement became nearly impossible.
Moreover, powerful spiritual awareness alone could significantly increase breakthrough success rates - reason enough for any cultivator's fervent pursuit.
Politely declining their enthusiasm, An Ning pleaded fatigue and need for rest. The crowd immediately parted ways:
"Our apologies - the fairy has labored long and deserves rest!"
"My thoughtless interruption!"
"Indeed, we've troubled the fairy overlong!"
Even Huo Cheng, who came to escort her, grew more deferential, while the system couldn't help marveling:
"Truly, real skill commands respect in the cultivation world!"
"Naturally!" After comfortably bathing in her room, An Ning finally sighed:
"The cultivation world is cruel, but not without merits..." At least here, ability mattered more than background or innate talent!
This display would buy her peaceful cultivation time.
Recalling Shangguan Ling's expression today, An Ning felt increasingly relieved her gamble hadn't failed.
Speaking of Shangguan Ling, the system suddenly chuckled in her mind: "Host, know what? Those two aren't broken up yet, but their conflicts are mounting!"
"You should've seen how frosty Sikong's been looking at his dear junior sister lately."
"Just days apart, and the sweet little sister's practically become his nemesis!"
The system gloated momentarily before sighing:
"Even if Shangguan Ling has flaws, she's helped him so much, even her own father..."
"That's perfectly normal!" Sipping premium spirit tea, An Ning remained noncommittal:
"Most people focus more on what they've lost than what they've gained."
If she guessed right, Shangguan Ling's secrets had already been exposed to her dear senior brother.
The question remained how long Sikong would maintain this charade, or when she'd realize the truth and escape his honeyed trap...
Either way, it promised quite the spectacle. Their eventual confrontation might yield even more interesting developments...
Pity she couldn't witness it firsthand!
She then warned her system sternly: "Didn't I tell you not to wander off?"
Getting addicted to drama, weren't we?
"N-no!" The system shook its head frantically: "Just glanced over when you left the competition area."
Whether from disdain or trauma, Sikong Jing hadn't even bothered hiding his expression toward his unfortunate junior sister.
"Host, did you show off today just for them?"
At most, she'd dug a convenient pit. How many demons would stumble in remained to be seen!
Rolling her eyes, An Ning returned to her unfinished notes.
Reviewing the original host's previous lives - why had each ended so quickly, without choice or chance to resist?
While operating from the shadows gave enemies advantage, the deeper issue was the original host's lack of value beyond being a cultivation cauldron.
Thus, each capture immediately led to complete cultivation loss without negotiation.
Nearing Golden Core stage, she had to prepare.
Even if captured someday, retaining some cultivation would provide bargaining chips for survival or counterattack...
Both Nascent Soul Pills and today's Refining Spirit Pills were significant bargaining chips for impacting Nascent Soul stage.
But An Ning knew these were ultimately supplementary.
True security lay in her own strength.
Moreover, unlike subtle schemes in other worlds, recalling the original host's experiences darkened her gaze:
Here, she wanted to publicly execute those scum with her own hands...
After declining numerous earnest invitations, she returned to the estate. The next day, seeing Xiao Tan's significantly stabilized spiritual energy after taking medicine, feeling more assured, she proposed continuing their sparring sessions.
Under Huo Cheng's thunderstruck gaze, Xiao Tan studied the girl before unexpectedly agreeing: