There were some things Mu Lingxi hadn't personally experienced…But being raised in the Hehuan Sect, she had certainly heard and seen enough to understand what Wang Jianqiang was implying.
Although his "offer" came out fast and blunt, she understood it instantly—her delicate face flushed bright red.
"Can't we… change the condition?"
"Nope," Wang Jianqiang replied with a grin, his gaze sweeping openly across her fairy-like figure.
Mu Lingxi hesitated, caught off guard.
Wang Jianqiang chuckled. "Why don't you take a little time to think about it? But don't take too long. The pills I used to break through were something I stumbled upon in the Cold Pool Secret Realm—quantity's very limited."
"I already consumed a lot during my own breakthrough. What I have left is only enough for one more person to reach Foundation Establishment."
"Yesterday, Xiaocui came asking for my help too. She offered to stay with me for a full year in exchange. I haven't agreed yet—was thinking of raising my price to two years tonight."
"But you and I go way back, so I'm giving you a special discount. If you decide before nightfall, I'll give you priority."
"Xiaocui?" Mu Lingxi blinked.
Wang Jianqiang looked surprised. "You don't know her? Outer sect's number-one beauty. Gorgeous, really. She begged me all day yesterday, but I still turned her down."
Mu Lingxi fell into thought.
She rarely visited the outer sect and knew little about its people.
The "three great outer-sect beauties" she only knew of from the outer sect's grand tournament.
She had met Su Yutong and Bai Xiruo before—but not the third one.
Could Wang Jianqiang's "Xiaocui" be that missing name?
If so…
Mu Lingxi suddenly felt pressure tighten in her chest.
She prided herself on her looks and talent, but… Wang Jianqiang's offer to Xiaocui was two years.
And for her—just one night.
By the logic of fair trade, he should've preferred the higher bidder.
Yet instead, he was giving her priority.
…He really was being generous.
The thought made guilt bloom in her heart.
Wang Jianqiang was clearly willing to lose out for her sake—and she was still hesitating?
Wasn't that a little ungrateful?
Besides—did she really have a choice?
He was her last hope of forming her foundation.
No matter the price, she had to try!
Taking a deep breath, Mu Lingxi steadied herself and looked him in the eye.
"No need to think about it. I agree."
Wang Jianqiang's smile widened.
"Good. Then it's settled."
"I just finished refining pills and could use some rest myself."
"Let's… go rest together."
There was no denying it—the Three Lives Body technique was utterly heaven-defying.
Not only in combat, but in every aspect.
Three bodies meant triple stamina, triple recovery speed, and triple endurance.
Completely unfair.
Ever since regaining his youth, this was the first time Wang Jianqiang had felt truly outmatched.
Six hours later—
Mu Lingxi stepped out of the room, looking composed once more.
She turned back slightly, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you for the pill, Senior Brother Wang."
Her fingers curled tightly around three small jade bottles.
Perfect Foundation Pills.
She still couldn't believe it.
So this was why Wang Jianqiang had been able to break through despite his five-element waste roots!
Only a Perfect Foundation Pill could make that miracle possible.
"Mm~"
A faint, tired groan came from inside the room after a moment of silence.
Mu Lingxi blushed again, forcing herself to look away.
"I'll take my leave for now. I'll come back to thank you properly once I succeed," she said quickly, her mind already on returning to her chambers for secluded cultivation.
Her figure flashed skyward and disappeared into the distance.
Half an hour later—
Wang Jianqiang finally emerged, his energy fully restored.
He looked… a little gloomy.
He had thought that after regaining his youth, he was unmatched beneath the heavens.
But reality had quickly proven otherwise—
he had met a foe he truly couldn't handle.
This world really never lacked for geniuses.
Buzz!
Suddenly, a fluctuation stirred within his soul sea.
Frowning, Wang Jianqiang's consciousness dove inward.
The chaotic expanse of his spiritual sea was shrouded in faint mist—his soul energy drifting like vapor.
At the center floated two light screens, one large and one small.
The smaller one flickered violently, its solid glow now thin and translucent.
Ever since Wang Jianqiang had stabilized Wang Yuyao's status panel, he could observe her condition at any time—
—and right now, that panel's fading meant only one thing:
Wang Yuyao was in grave danger.
His eyes hardened.
Soul power surged toward the dimming panel—
and instantly, an image flashed into his mind.
He saw what Wang Yuyao was facing in that very moment.
His face darkened, and without a second thought, he shot toward the inner sect.
The Combat Arena was a special training ground built by the Hehuan Sect for inner-sect disciples.
Here, cultivators could enter simulated battle realms to spar, test their arts, and hone their combat experience.
Each participant received a Battle Token that allowed them to withdraw instantly if crushed—
a measure to ensure safety.
But in real combat, nothing was ever truly safe.
Since its founding, there had been few deaths in the arena—but not none.
Knowing this, the sect's elders had decreed that once inside, life and death were determined by fate.
Even killing one's opponent would not result in punishment.
Wang Yuyao, ever since entering the inner sect, came here often to temper her battle arts.
Training combat techniques was not like simply raising one's cultivation.
Progress required real combat—blood, struggle, and pressure.
In just three months, her improvement had been remarkable.
That day, after several days of seclusion, she came again to the arena.
She casually selected a Foundation Establishment–stage opponent.
She thought it would be another routine sparring match.
But the moment she stepped into the battle realm…
she realized—
this time, she was in serious trouble.