After returning to her residence, Su Yutong immediately began her seclusion.
Twenty days later.
Ten Common Cloudmist Pills had been completely refined.
Su Yutong opened her eyes, frowning deeply.
Even though her cultivation had progressed after refining ten Cloudmist Pills, she was still far from breaking through to the ninth level of Qi Refining.
There were only six months left until the Outer Sect Grand Competition.
Hoping to break through before the competition seemed bleak.
But if she couldn't break through and had to compete with just the eighth level of Qi Refining, even if her combat power was impressive, it would be unrealistic to expect a good ranking.
Before entering the Hehuan Sect, she was already a direct descendant of a cultivation clan.
From a young age, she displayed a strong talent for cultivation, receiving treatment as if she were the center of attention.
After entering the Hehuan Sect, her talent and appearance continued to place her above almost all new disciples.
Her superior experiences had made her extremely proud.
Upon learning about the Outer Sect Grand Competition, she resolved to make a stunning impression.
She even set a goal to reach the ninth level of Qi Refining before the competition began.
But now, it seemed highly unlikely that she would achieve this goal.
Thinking of this, her heart was filled with unwillingness.
Yet, she had no solution.
"I can only take it one step at a time."
With this thought, she took out her last Cloudmist Pill.
This Cloudmist Pill was the expensive elixir recommended by Elder Dong.
She had never studied the Dao of Alchemy, but she could vaguely sense that the medicinal power of the Perfect Cloudmist Pill was purer than that of a Common Cloudmist Pill.
But what did higher quality matter? It was still a Cloudmist Pill; could it possibly be miraculous?
Five thousand Spirit Stones for one!
Ten times the price!
Elder Dong clearly took her for a fool.
With a hint of dissatisfaction on her face, she casually tossed the Perfect Cloudmist Pill into her mouth.
In the next moment, an incredibly pure medicinal power spread throughout her body.
This medicinal power was not only pure but also extremely vast, far beyond what a regular Cloudmist Pill could compare to.
Moreover, the medicinal power was extremely gentle. Despite its vastness, it was easier to refine than a regular Cloudmist Pill. It brought her no discomfort, instead making her feel warm and incredibly comfortable.
What surprised her even more was that this Cloudmist Pill contained no Pill Poison!
This meant that, if conditions allowed, this type of Cloudmist Pill could be used without any concerns!
An hour later.
Su Yutong's entire body trembled, and her aura surged.
She had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining!
Just one pill had allowed her to break through to the ninth level of Qi Refining. If she had a few more...
***
At the Hall of External Affairs.
Dong Rou sat behind the counter, staring blankly outside.
Her mind was filled with the image of an elderly figure.
At that moment.
A figure hurriedly rushed into the Hall of External Affairs.
"Elder Dong, give me three more Perfect Cloudmist Pills."
Before the person even stopped, an urgent voice had already reached Dong Rou's ears.
Dong Rou looked up.
It was Su Yutong.
Dong Rou had anticipated this scene and wasn't surprised. She shook her head lightly, "There are none left."
"None left?"
Su Yutong was stunned, "How could there be none? Doesn't the Hall of External Affairs have dedicated alchemists supplying them?"
Dong Rou glanced at her, "Those Perfect Cloudmist Pills weren't made by alchemists under the Hall of External Affairs; they were purchased, and there were only five in total."
Su Yutong bit her red lip, a trace of unwillingness flashing across her face.
If she could get enough Perfect Cloudmist Pills, she was confident she could reach the tenth level of Qi Refining, or even perfection, before the Outer Sect Grand Competition began.
At that point, she wouldn't just aim for the top hundred; she would have confidence in reaching the top ten.
Becoming one of the top ten in the Outer Sect as a newcomer would be an astonishing feat.
If she succeeded, she would surely attract the attention of the Inner Sect Elders.
With some luck, she might even be taken as a disciple by an Inner Sect Elder.
In that case, she would soar to great heights!
How could she easily let go of this opportunity to change her fate?
"Elder Dong, could you tell me who sold those Perfect Cloudmist Pills?"
Hearing Su Yutong's inquiry, Dong Rou was silent for a moment, then said, "Even if I don't tell you, you probably won't give up and will find other ways to investigate, right?"
Su Yutong remained silent.
She did have some connections in the Outer Sect.
Moreover, the Hall of External Affairs had many people coming and going, and the transactions weren't particularly confidential. Even if Dong Rou didn't say, it wouldn't be hard for her to find out who sold the Perfect Cloudmist Pills.
Seeing this, Dong Rou's expression didn't change at all, and she continued, "In that case, there's no harm in telling you. The person who sold the Perfect Cloudmist Pills is named Wang Jianqiang."
Upon hearing the name "Wang Jianqiang," Su Yutong almost thought she was hearing things.
If she remembered correctly, wasn't the only person named Wang Jianqiang in the Outer Sect that well-known good-for-nothing?
She confirmed with Dong Rou again.
Although it was still hard to believe, she had to accept it.
The one who sold the Perfect Cloudmist Pills was indeed that notorious good-for-nothing of the Outer Sect!
***
Wang Jianqiang was unaware of what had transpired at the Hall of External Affairs.
After repaying his debt that day, he hadn't left his residence. This story is hosted at novelping.com.
For twenty-five days straight, aside from spending some time in deep conversation with Chen Jiaojiao, he had devoted almost all his time to pill refining.
Now, his spirit herbs had been completely consumed, replaced by over a hundred Perfect Dragon Yang Pills, more than two hundred Perfect Cloudmist Pills, and over three hundred Perfect Azure Spirit Pills.
Their combined value was over a million Spirit Stones!
Now, Wang Jianqiang finally felt somewhat wealthy.
"Next, it's time to improve my cultivation."
Just as Wang Jianqiang was about to begin cultivating, there was a knock on the door.
Wang Jianqiang was taken aback.
His reputation as a good-for-nothing had spread throughout the Outer Sect, and the outer disciples were ashamed to associate with him. Usually, only Chen Jiaojiao would come to see him.
But didn't Chen Jiaojiao leave earlier this morning?
Why was she back?
With a hint of curiosity, he went to open the door.
A beautiful face appeared in his sight.
Seeing the person outside, Wang Jianqiang was stunned.
At the same time, information about the visitor appeared in his mind.
[Name: Su Yutong]
[Gender: Female]
[Cultivation: Ninth level of Qi Refining]
[Age: 21]
[Spiritual Root: Dual Roots of Metal and Water]
[Favorability: -48]
Su Yutong?
Why is she here to see me??
In recent years, Wang Jianqiang had heard the name Su Yutong countless times.
New Prodigy.
One of the Three Great Beauties of the Outer Sect.
Either of these titles was impressive.
In the past, he had seen her from afar, but they were from two different worlds—one a good-for-nothing, the other a prodigy—and had never interacted.
This was the first time they were in such close proximity.
While Wang Jianqiang was puzzled by Su Yutong's visit, Su Yutong's brows slowly furrowed.
This ugly, old man was staring at her, making her feel disgusted, a trace of aversion flashing in her eyes.
But remembering her purpose today, she smoothed her furrowed brows.
A faint smile appeared on her exquisite face.
"Senior Brother Wang, aren't you going to invite me in?"
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