After Wang Yuyao left, Wang Jianqiang took a deep breath and focused his consciousness inward.
A month ago, optimizing and upgrading pill formulas and blueprints had cost him 150 cultivation points.
Over the past month, through diligent alchemy, he had replenished all the spent points.
Now, his cultivation points had reached 580.
With a thought,
a shimmering screen appeared, displaying the "Techniques and Spells" page.
Under the "Cultivation Techniques" section, only two entries remained:
"Spirit Refining Art: (Mastered—reached peak level. 500 cultivation points required to optimize and upgrade this technique.)"
"Blazing Sun Lock Essence Scripture: (Transcendent Perfection)"
Upgrading the Spirit Refining Art would cost 500 points.
If he wished, he could obtain a higher-tier technique at any time.
However, improving cultivation techniques affected long-term growth rather than immediate combat prowess.
For now, boosting his battle strength was the priority.
His gaze shifted downward.
Below the techniques section, the previously empty "Spells" column now displayed a new line:
"Minor Five Elements Sword Array: (Uninitiated)"
Wang Jianqiang focused his attention on the Minor Five Elements Sword Array. "Advance the Minor Five Elements Sword Array to its highest level."
"Ding. The Minor Five Elements Sword Array has been upgraded."
As the system's feedback echoed in his mind, a surge of cultivation knowledge materialized, seamlessly merging into his memories.
When he looked back at the screen, the spell's description had changed:
"Minor Five Elements Sword Array: (Mastered)"
"Mastering a spell in an instant—this is the bliss of being a cheater," Wang Jianqiang mused with satisfaction.
But when his eyes flicked to his remaining cultivation points, he froze.
"80."
His heart clenched.
Damn it!
What kind of ridiculous spell was this?
Reaching mastery had cost him a staggering 500 cultivation points!
Did this mean that, without the system, his mediocre talent would require 500 years of nonstop seclusion to achieve the same result?
Then again,
the harder something was to master, the more formidable its power.
With that thought, his frustration eased.
An urge to test the spell's might surged within him, but the sect was crowded and prying eyes were everywhere.
Acting recklessly would draw unwanted attention.
Unless one possessed concealment artifacts, only cultivators a full major realm higher could discern another's true cultivation level.
Though Wang Jianqiang had long reached the 10th layer of Qi Refining, unless he deliberately revealed his aura, only Foundation Establishment experts could see through him.
To the outer sect disciples, he remained a "good-for-nothing."
Even if rumors of his alchemy talent had spread, this world revered strength above all. It wouldn’t stop others from treating him like a minor nuisance.
With the Frost Abyss Secret Realm opening soon,
laying low and playing the fool was the wisest move.
The more others underestimated him, the easier it would be to fish in troubled waters—or at least stay safer.
With that in mind, Wang Jianqiang suppressed the urge to test the sword array.
Opportunities to try it out would come later.
There was no need to expose himself prematurely.
Three days later,
at dawn,
as the morning sun crested the horizon,
Wang Jianqiang and Wang Yuyao arrived at the gathering point, where dozens of figures had already assembled.
Scanning the crowd, Wang Jianqiang paused.
Niu Shouren and Chen Jiaojiao?
Why were these two here? How had they secured slots for the secret realm?
"Ha! A top-ten ranking earned solely by relying on magical artifacts, paired with a trash cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining—are you two sure you’re not going into the secret realm to commit suicide?"
A mocking voice rang out abruptly, loud and unrestrained, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. Countless gazes instantly turned toward Wang Jianqiang and Wang Yuyao.
Peals of laughter soon followed.
"Truly the King of Trash! Wang Yuyao actually gave her attendant slot to him!"
"That waste is only at the third level of Qi Refining. What’s he doing entering the secret realm? Trying to die faster?"
"Ha! Doesn’t he have Wang Yuyao to protect him? Maybe she’s got daddy issues—dragging this old man along gives her a sense of security."
...
As the jeers echoed around them, Wang Yuyao’s face flushed with alternating shades of green and white.
Wang Jianqiang ignored the crowd, his gaze cutting through the throng to lock onto a single figure.
Ye Lingyun!
The first taunt had come from him.
Now, Ye Lingyun stood with his arms crossed, a sneer on his face as he watched the spectacle unfold.
"However I made it into the top ten, it’s still better than being eliminated outright."
Lately, Ye Lingyun had been stewing over his defeat in the outer sect competition. Wang Jianqiang’s words struck a nerve.
His smirk vanished, replaced by a dark scowl.
"Keep talking, old man. Just pray you don’t run into me inside the secret realm."
"Otherwise..."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Wang Jianqiang scoffed, brushing off the threat with a dismissive glance before letting his gaze linger briefly on Su Yutong, who stood beside Ye Lingyun.
Noticing his stare, Su Yutong snorted and shot a venomous look at Wang Yuyao.
"Senior Brother, they..." Wang Yuyao frowned.
"Don’t mind them."
Wang Jianqiang shook his head, and the two retreated to a quiet corner.
Not long after, two figures streaked through the sky from the depths of the Joy Union Sect.
The expedition to the Cold Spring Secret Realm was no trivial matter for the sect. To ensure nothing went wrong, the sect had dispatched two inner sect elders—one male, one female—to lead the group.
The man had graying hair and the appearance of an elderly scholar.
The woman wore a crimson dress with a red veil covering her face. Though her features were obscured, her slender, flawless figure and porcelain-like skin left no doubt that she was a peerless beauty.
When Wang Jianqiang got a clear look at the two elders, his expression stiffened.
Both were familiar faces!
The man was none other than Yun Zhongque, who had presided over the outer sect competition.
As for the veiled woman, though her face was hidden, her unmistakable poise and aura instantly confirmed her identity to Wang Jianqiang.
Yan Qingxuan!
"Why them? My luck is just terrible..."
Wang Jianqiang inwardly groaned.
Truly, as the old saying went: enemies and lovers are destined to meet.
He wouldn’t call them enemies, but it wasn’t far off.
Yun Zhongque was manageable—just some bad impressions, nothing too serious.
But Yan Qingxuan? That was another story.
He had offended her deeply once.
Though she had been reasonable at the time, if she saw him now and remembered the past, a moment of impulsiveness...
The consequences didn’t bear thinking about.
With that in mind, Wang Jianqiang quickly lowered his head and shuffled deeper into the crowd.
But fate loved to mock him.
No matter how hard he tried to hide, it was useless.
The moment Yan Qingxuan arrived at the plaza, her gaze locked onto her target with unerring precision.
Her gaze swept past the crowd and landed squarely on Wang Jianqiang.
Noticing her stare, Wang Jianqiang stiffened.
Fortunately, Yan Qingxuan didn’t seem intent on dredging up the past—her eyes lingered on him only briefly before shifting away.
Wang Jianqiang exhaled in quiet relief.
"Senior Brother, why are you sweating so much?"
Just then, Wang Yuyao, standing beside him, noticed the beads of sweat covering his face and frowned in confusion.
"Huh?"
"Ah—it’s just really hot today."
Wang Jianqiang’s expression turned awkward as he hastily wiped his brow, feigning discomfort from the heat.
Wang Yuyao blinked, her puzzlement undiminished.
Hot?
Wasn’t it winter?
Even in summer, shouldn’t a cultivator be unaffected by mere temperature?
She opened her mouth to press further, but Yun Zhongque’s voice cut in, saving Wang Jianqiang from further scrutiny.
"Everyone’s here. Prepare to depart!"
villain is the number one simp for the book's leading female protagonist, Shen Wan'er. As expected, he later becomes a tool for the main character to show off and slap faces, ultimately meeting a tragic end with his family ruined and his life in shambles. Fortunately, he awakens the [Universal Pure Love System], which allows him to earn points by performing acts of pure love. To change his fate, Gu Yan makes a decisive choice to seek warmth and companionship with the book's biggest villain—Cold Qingqiu. ........... My name is Leng Qingqiu. To find the murderer who killed my parents years ago, I deliberately blinded myself so that everyone would lower their guard around me. Just as I was secretly accumulating power and capital according to my initial plan, a man walked into my world. "Lengleng, Qingqing, Qiuqiu, which nickname do you prefer?" I don't like any of them. You'd better leave quickly! "Why aren't you saying anything? How about I call you my baby wife?" Leng Qingqiu thinks to herself, this man is truly annoying! (Stubborn pure love warrior + single female lead + true pure love + 1v1)
ts me of treason?" "Correct. The host must return to the capital and gradually build up influence." "Wait—I have half a million soldiers, and you want me to go back to the capital to 'build influence'?" "Host, you are currently the Northern Garrison General, loyal to the Great Xia Dynasty." "Of course I am loyal to Great Xia! Absolutely loyal!" "But you keep referring to yourself as 'We'..." "Never mind the details! Summon all the regional commanders and military officers! We suspect treacherous officials are manipulating the court! They shall march with Us to the capital and purge the corrupt!" "......"
ey change clothes. Li Chuan contributed all his possessions, only to find that things were not as they seemed. Almost a year after joining, he hadn’t managed to get a single Daoist consort. Thinking he had been deceived, he was approached by a stunning senior fellow disciple who asked if he would like to form a spiritual bond. For those who don’t practice cultivation, they might not know what “forming a spiritual bond” is. Let me put it this way: A long-term relationship is called a “Daoist consort,” while a short-term relationship is known as “forming a spiritual bond.” From then on, Li Chuan discovered the true way to interact with the Yin-Yang Sect’s Daoist consorts. As long as he had enough spirit stones, he could form a spiritual bond with anyone, Whether it’s Senior Sisters, aunts, Daoist consorts of aunts, female elders, Daoist consorts of elders, or even the Daoist consort of the sect leader, anyone can form a spiritual bond as long as there are enough spirit stones.” I've already joined the Yin-Yang Sect, and you're telling me to focus on cultivation? Do you even know what the Yin-Yang Sect is all about?
world slacker. But a genius female disciple just had to get clingy, insisting that he take her as a disciple. Not only that, she was always making advances on him, thoroughly disrupting his peaceful slacker life...
