Chapter 149

Liu Ruyan reached out with her pale, slender hand and took the jade slip, immediately probing it with her spiritual sense.

But soon, a look of astonishment crossed her face.

“Sister Qianyue, what’s wrong with Sect Master Liu?” Ji Yunjing asked curiously, not wanting to disturb her, so she sent a voice transmission instead.

Ji Qianyue crossed her arms, her expression smug.

“What else? She’s undoubtedly overwhelmed by the profound techniques she’s never encountered before.”

Of course a frog at the bottom of a well, who’s never seen the Void Refinement stage, would be shocked by the vastness of the world.

However, the truth for Liu Ruyan was…

What is this garbage?

Her eyelid twitched.

It wasn’t that the technique was too abstruse—on the contrary, it was too simple.

The meridians it described, the effects, the principles—everything was crude.

Compared to the foundational cultivation methods recorded in Yu Hua’s divine book, this was like comparing a flickering candle to the blazing sun.

The gap only widened at higher realms. Even the sections on Nascent Soul, Void Refinement, and Divine Transformation were worlds apart.

In short, they weren’t even in the same league.

When Liu Ruyan finally looked up, Ji Qianyue smirked triumphantly.

“Well, Sect Master Liu? Any insights?”

“None.” Liu Ruyan answered honestly.

But she quickly added, “Perhaps my comprehension is lacking. I may need more time to grasp its profundity.”

“As expected.” Ji Qianyue nodded sagely, never considering any other possibility.

Of course a Nascent Soul cultivator from this backwater wouldn’t understand such advanced techniques!

“No matter. You may keep this manual for the next few years. Study it at your leisure. And any disciple qualified for the Hundred Dynasties War may also borrow it.” She spoke magnanimously.

Seeing this, Ji Yunjing also slipped a ring from her finger and sent it floating toward Liu Ruyan with a pulse of spiritual energy.

“These are cultivation-aiding pills for your disciples. Please accept them, Sect Master Liu. You may test their effects—I’ve already erased the soul印记, so they can be used freely.”

Liu Ruyan took the ring and probed it with her spiritual sense.

Inside were rows upon rows of bottles and jars, each clearly labeled with the pill’s name and effects.

All of them were fourth or fifth-grade pills suitable for Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators—some even designed to aid in breaking through to Void Refinement.

Liu Ruyan took out one of the cultivation-boosting pills and swallowed it.

Closing her eyes, she began circulating her energy to assess its effects.

But soon, she frowned.

This pill… was… was… terrible!

It only increased cultivation speed by fifty percent?!

While the best Nascent Soul pills in the Southern Domain typically only offered a twenty percent boost, that was for other sects—not the Qinglian Sect!

Had they never heard of the Qinglian Sunfire Pill (Nascent Soul Edition)?

Ten times the speed.

Still not satisfied? A sip from A’Chen could easily multiply that by a hundred or even a thousand.

Even Elder Ji from the Alchemy Pavilion, without using any divine elixirs, could refine pills that doubled or tripled cultivation speed through her skills alone.

By Qinglian Sect standards, this pill was so bad even a dog would sniff it and walk away.

Liu Ruyan pretended to cultivate for a short while before stopping, allowing the pill’s effects to dissipate unused.

What a waste of time.

“We are truly grateful for your generosity, honored guests. With these, our Qinglian Sect will be much more prepared for the Hundred Dynasties War.” Liu Ruyan stood and cupped her hands in thanks.

Honestly, who doesn’t know how to spout pleasantries?

“I’ve prepared the finest cultivation abodes in our sect for your stay…”

……

Meanwhile, Tantai Yuruo had arrived at the Locked Demon Tower and headed straight for the top floor.

Ignoring Li Yiya, who was tempering her spear inside a gourd, she approached the man lounging on the bed, being fed fruit by peach attendants.

“Husband, the Ji Clan members have arrived. Both are women.”

Ning Chen lazily opened his eyes, momentarily confused before remembering—

Ah, the outsiders.

Both women?

Hmm.

That meant extreme measures wouldn’t be necessary.

As the current top sect of Great Xia and a major participant in the war, it was inevitable that the extraterrestrial clans would send inspectors.

He and Liu Ruyan had discussed several contingency plans, including solutions for male visitors.

Men naturally had stronger territorial instincts, and Ning Chen was no exception.

The entire sect was now his personal domain—his harem, so to speak.

If another man were to set foot here, Ning Chen would be deeply displeased.

His initial plan had been to observe first. If the visitors behaved, all would be well.

But if they tried to throw their weight around, he’d lure them into the Locked Demon Tower and eliminate them.

As for the clans themselves?

Annoying, yes, but fear was out of the question.

Worst case scenario, he’d just end his seclusion early.

His system allowed him to bypass the Five Elements Divine Seal Formation’s restrictions. Once unleashed, he’d immediately ascend to Mahayana within the Southern Domain.

No matter how strong his opponents were, they’d be suppressed to Nascent Soul level in his presence—he could kill them with a glance.

But since the visitors were women, there was no need for concern.

He’d treat them well, keep them comfortable, and send them off politely when the time came.

Still, he was curious about these outsiders.

“Where are they now?” he asked.

“Discussing matters with the Sect Master in the main hall.” Tantai Yuruo replied.

She had come quickly—the meeting likely wasn’t over yet.

Ning Chen activated his surveillance ability, locking onto Liu Ruyan’s first-person perspective just as she faced the two women.

The taller one had her black hair tied in a high ponytail, wearing a tight black outfit that accentuated her curvaceous figure—ample bosom on full display. Her face was stunningly beautiful but carried an arrogant, dismissive air.

The smaller one sported twin buns tied with red ribbons, her face slightly round with a hint of baby fat, giving her an innocent, doll-like appearance.

But the most striking feature was her enormous chest—completely disproportionate to her petite frame, easily a D-cup.

One tall and voluptuous, the other petite yet absurdly stacked—both were rare, peerless beauties.

But Ning Chen wasn’t just looking at their appearances.

A translucent screen materialized before him.

[Ji Qianyue].

[Identity: Elite of the Ji Clan, Protector].

[Age: 361].

[Cultivation: Void Refinement, 6th Layer].

[Talent 1: Formation Mastery (Blue Grade)].

[Talent 2: Natural Spell Affinity (Purple Grade, suited for magic cultivators)].

[Physique: Ji Clan Divine Physique—Legs (Gold Grade, Awakened. A bloodline heritage where higher purity unlocks more body parts, each granting unique abilities.)].

[Divine Ability: Heaven-Trampling Stomp (Gold Grade, Innate. Allows one kick to shatter all laws.)].

[Beauty: 98].

…

So this is an outsider?

Two gold, one purple, one blue. Aside from higher cultivation due to age, she’s nothing special—can’t compare to our personal disciples.

Ning Chen mused.

Recently, his surveillance ability had upgraded, allowing him to remotely inspect targets.

Shifting his gaze to the youthful, busty girl, another screen appeared.

[Ji Yunjing].

[Identity: Third Daughter of the Ji Clan Patriarch].

[Age: 29].

Ah, a legal loli.

Ning Chen nodded slightly and continued reading.

[Cultivation: Nascent Soul, 3rd Layer].

[Talent: Pure Heart (Gold Grade. Innocent nature allows rapid mastery of interests and immunity to demonic influences.)].

[Physique 1: Ji Clan Divine Physique—Heart (Gold Grade, Awakened.)].

[Physique 2: World Tree Longevity Body (Red Grade, Awakened. One of the most famed physiques in the Azure Wave Realm. Each breakthrough extends lifespan tenfold peers. Even mortals can live a millennium. Locks appearance at awakening age.)].

[Divine Ability: Heart’s Abyss (Gold Grade, Innate. Drags targets’ souls into an inner realm, paralyzing their bodies. Requires allies to finish them off.)].

[Special Condition: A seal exists on her body. Details require breaking it.].

[Beauty: 99].

One red, three golds.

While impressive, it wasn’t what caught his attention.

His eyes locked onto the special note.

A slow smile spread across his face.

Excellent.

The wood spirit delivers itself to our doorstep!

World Tree—wood attribute.

Longevity—vitality essence.

She’s practically wearing a sign!

The fifth elemental spirit, hand-delivered.

Well then, even if she’s a woman… he’d have to lure her in now.

After all, he had no choice but to devour her!