Name: Mu LingxiGender: FemaleCultivation: Qi Refining, Great PerfectionAge: 15Spiritual Root: Thunder-element Heavenly Spiritual RootVirtue/Malice Value: 0
Fifteen years old—and already at the peak of Qi Refining!
A thunder-element Heavenly Spiritual Root!
Upon seeing the girl's information, Wang Jianqiang couldn't help but widen his eyes.
He had originally thought she was an adult who had cultivated some special technique to freeze her appearance, making her look so young.
But to his astonishment, she really was just a young girl!
A fifteen-year-old at Qi Refining Great Perfection—if word of this spread, countless jaws would surely drop.
Even more shocking—
She possessed one of the rarest constitutions: a thunder-element Heavenly Spiritual Root!
"This outer sect is truly full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers…"
Coming back to his senses, Wang Jianqiang let out a quiet sigh of amazement.
After Mu Lingxi's challenge, the competition was not yet finished.
Those defeated by her and Bai Xiruo each had one more chance to fight.
Only after their attempts did the tournament finally come to an end.
In the end—
Bai Xiruo claimed first place.Mu Lingxi, second.Wang Yuyao, ninth.
After announcing the top fifty names, Elder Yun Zhongque couldn't help but glance at Wang Jianqiang.
This time, the one who left the deepest impression on him was not Ye Lingyun, nor the Heavenly Root prodigy Su Yutong, nor any of the contestants.
It was Wang Jianqiang.
From the chatter of the audience, he had already learned some things about this man.
A "good-for-nothing," nearing the end of his life.
Seventy years of cultivation, yet only at Qi Refining third stage.
But the rumors didn't quite match reality.
In truth, Wang Jianqiang had reached the tenth stage of Qi Refining.
Still, the faint deathly aura leaking from him was indeed a sign that his time was nearly up.
Withdrawing his gaze, Yun Zhongque shook his head silently.
Just a man on the brink of death.
If not for his scheming mind that had repeatedly placed the elder in awkward positions, Yun Zhongque would never have paid any attention to such an ordinary outer-sect disciple.
After that, he announced the end of the competition, then departed with the two other inner-sect elders.
With the elders gone, the outer sect tournament was officially over.
And in no time, everything that had happened spread throughout the sect.
The elimination of the newcomer prodigy Su Yutong…
The top contender Ye Lingyun failing to even reach the top ten…
And the rise of the true instigator behind it all—the greatest dark horse of this tournament, Wang Yuyao.
Each event was shocking.
Even Bai Xiruo's sudden eruption of strength and the mysterious appearance of Mu Lingxi were beyond anyone's expectations.
On top of that, the farcical stories of Bu Yueban and the burly man spread as well, providing endless amusement for disciples in their spare time.
Compared to previous years, this tournament might not have been the fiercest, but it was certainly the most dramatic and entertaining one yet.
…
Three days later.
Wang Jianqiang was deep in cultivation when Wang Yuyao arrived.
After the tournament ended, she had returned straight to her quarters to heal.
This was the first time he had seen her since then.
The grand tournament had been like a whetstone, tempering her whole demeanor.
If she had once been a timid, self-effacing duckling, now she had transformed into a swan with its head held high.
"Senior brother, the tournament rewards have already been distributed. I've secured the quota to enter the Cold Pool Secret Realm."
"And I also prepared two gifts for you."
With a wave of her hand, two items appeared.
A jade vial. A jade slip.
"The vial holds a Foundation Establishment Pill."
"This jade slip contains an offensive technique I specially chose for you."
Hearing her gentle introduction, Wang Jianqiang's heart warmed.
After the competition, he had casually mentioned wanting to buy an offensive technique.
He hadn't expected her to remember it so clearly.
As far as he knew—
The rewards for fourth to tenth place were the same: one Foundation Establishment Pill, three hundred thousand spirit stones, and the chance to select one treasure from the outer sect's vault.
Of these, the Foundation Establishment Pill was the most precious.
Next came the vault treasure selection.
This Minor Five Elements Sword Formation must have been her chosen treasure.
The Foundation Pill and the vault selection—her two greatest rewards from the tournament. Yet she had given them to him without hesitation!
Especially the Foundation Establishment Pill!
It was the dream of every Qi Refining cultivator!
Looking softly at Wang Yuyao, Wang Jianqiang accepted the jade slip of the Minor Five Elements Sword Formation.
The Hall of External Affairs did sell some techniques, but most were low-grade, far inferior to the treasures housed in the vault.
And combat techniques were exactly what he lacked, so there was no need to refuse.
As for the jade vial with the Foundation Pill, he pushed it back to her.
"I'll take the Sword Formation, but the pill is useless to me. You keep it."
"But—?"
"No buts. I said keep it, so keep it." He shook his head firmly.
"…Oh."
Seeing his hint of displeasure, Wang Yuyao quickly nodded and put it away.
Her obedient expression made Wang Jianqiang chuckle.
"Now that business is done, let's discuss something serious."
Before she could react, he scooped her into his arms with a playful grin.
"Ah!"
But just as he turned, his body froze, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
"What's wrong?"
Wang Yuyao's eyes widened in worry as she saw his pale face.
"My back… I pulled my waist!" he grimaced, setting her back down.
She relaxed a little, then scolded gently, "Honestly, at your age, why must you still fool around? Can you even continue like this?"
"Of course I can."
"But your waist—?"
"No problem. If I can't move, then… you can."
…
More than ten minutes later.
Wang Yuyao emerged from the inner room, blushing furiously as she supported Wang Jianqiang.
Just as she was about to leave, his expression shifted.
"That Foundation Pill—don't take it yet."
"Why?"
"The Cold Pool Secret Realm only allows Qi Refining cultivators to enter. If you break through to Foundation Establishment beforehand, you'll lose the chance. But once inside, there are no restrictions. You can take it then."
"…Got it." Wang Yuyao nodded.
After she left, Wang Jianqiang sat in thought.
Since he had already decided to enter the Cold Pool Secret Realm, how could he not prepare?
The secret realm opened once every thirty years, timed to coincide with the outer sect's grand tournament. This time, it would open in a month.
It was not owned solely by the Hehuan Sect, but jointly managed by the four great cultivation powers of the northern region.
Nor would only Hehuan Sect disciples enter—the outer disciples of all four powers would compete inside.
The struggle for resources there would be far more brutal than mere internal rivalries.
Deaths were inevitable.
Even the Hehuan Sect alone had Bai Xiruo, Mu Lingxi, and Ye Lingyun—formidable talents. The other three sects, being equals, surely possessed disciples no less extraordinary.
If he wanted this expedition to be foolproof, the Minor Five Elements Sword Formation would not be enough. He would need to make further preparations.
With that thought, he rose and walked out the door.