Su Yutong Pays a Visit

Su Yutong returned to her residence and immediately began her secluded cultivation.

Twenty days later.

Ten ordinary Cloud Mist Pills had been completely refined.

Su Yutong opened her closed eyes, her brows tightly furrowed.

After refining all ten Cloud Mist Pills, her cultivation had progressed, but the breakthrough to the ninth level of Qi Refinement still seemed distant.

There were only six months left until the Outer Sect Grand Competition.

The hope of breaking through before the competition was slim.

But if she couldn’t advance, participating with only the eighth level of Qi Refinement—even with her formidable combat prowess—would make it unrealistic to achieve a high ranking.

Before joining the Joy Union Sect, she had been the direct descendant of a prominent cultivation family.

From a young age, she had displayed extraordinary talent in cultivation, receiving treatment akin to being the center of attention.

Even after entering the Joy Union Sect, her innate talent and striking appearance continued to place her above almost all new disciples.

Her long-standing superiority had instilled an unshakable pride in her heart.

The moment she learned of the Outer Sect Grand Competition, she resolved to make a name for herself.

She had even set a goal to reach the ninth level of Qi Refinement before the competition began.

But now, it seemed that goal would likely remain unfulfilled.

At this thought, her heart swelled with frustration.

Yet, there was nothing she could do.

"I’ll just have to take it one step at a time."

As she pondered, she took out the last Cloud Mist Pill in her possession.

This pill was the exorbitantly priced one recommended by Elder Dong Yue.

She had no expertise in pill refinement, but she could vaguely sense that the medicinal energy within this perfect-grade Cloud Mist Pill was slightly purer than the ordinary ones.

But what difference did a higher quality make? It was still just a Cloud Mist Pill—could this one really be that miraculous?

Five thousand spirit stones for a single pill!

More than ten times the usual price!

Elder Dong Yue was clearly treating her like a fool.

With a hint of displeasure on her face, she casually tossed the perfect Cloud Mist Pill into her mouth.

The next moment, an incredibly pure medicinal energy instantly spread through her limbs and bones.

This energy was not only purer but also far more abundant than that of ordinary Cloud Mist Pills.

Moreover, it was exceptionally gentle. Despite its vast potency, it was easier to refine than a regular Cloud Mist Pill. Instead of causing discomfort, it filled her entire body with a warm, soothing sensation.

What shocked her even more was that this pill contained no trace of pill toxicity!

In other words, if conditions permitted, this type of Cloud Mist Pill could be used without any reservations!

An hour later.

Su Yutong shuddered as her aura surged violently.

The ninth level of Qi Refinement!

Just a single pill had allowed her to break through. If she had a few more…

The thought spurred her into action. After a quick rinse, she rushed to the External Affairs Hall at top speed.

……

External Affairs Hall.

Dong Yue sat behind the counter, staring blankly outside, her mind occupied by the image of an elderly figure.

Just then, a figure hurriedly burst into the hall.

"Elder Dong, give me three more perfect-grade Cloud Mist Pills!"

Before she even came to a stop, the urgent demand reached Dong Yue’s ears.

Dong Yue looked up.

It was Su Yutong.

Dong Yue had anticipated this and showed no surprise, shaking her head faintly. "There are none left."

"None left?"

Su Yutong froze. "How can there be none? Doesn’t the External Affairs Hall have a steady supply from dedicated alchemists?"

Dong Yue glanced at her. "The perfect-grade Cloud Mist Pills weren’t refined by the sect’s alchemists. They were acquired from an outside source, and only five were available in total."

Su Yutong bit her red lips, a flash of unwillingness crossing her face.

If she could obtain enough perfect-grade Cloud Mist Pills, she was confident she could reach the tenth level of Qi Refinement—or even Qi Refinement perfection—before the competition.

With that, not only would she rank in the top hundred, but she might even break into the top ten.

Achieving a top-ten ranking as a newcomer would be an astonishing feat.

If she succeeded, she would undoubtedly catch the attention of the inner sect elders.

With luck, she might even be taken in as a disciple by one of them.

That would be her ticket to soaring heights!

How could she let such an opportunity to change her fate slip away?

"Elder Dong, could you tell me who sold the perfect-grade Cloud Mist Pills?"

Hearing Su Yutong’s persistence, Dong Yue fell silent for a moment before replying, "Even if I don’t tell you, you won’t give up, will you? You’d find another way to investigate."

Su Yutong remained silent.

She had connections within the outer sect.

Moreover, the External Affairs Hall saw a constant flow of people, and transactions weren’t deliberately kept secret. Even if Dong Yue refused, Su Yutong could easily track down the seller on her own.

Seeing this, Dong Yue’s expression remained unchanged as she continued, "In that case, I might as well tell you."

"The person who sold the perfect-grade Cloud Mist Pills is named Wang Jianqiang."

The moment she heard the name "Wang Jianqiang," Su Yutong nearly thought she was hallucinating.

If she recalled correctly, the only person in the outer sect with that name was that good-for-nothing, wasn’t it?

She asked Dong Yue to confirm again.

Though it was still hard to believe, she had no choice but to accept it.

The one who had sold the perfect-grade Cloud Mist Pills to the External Affairs Hall was none other than the infamous outer sect loser!

……

Wang Jianqiang was unaware of what had transpired at the External Affairs Hall.

After repaying his debt that day, he hadn’t left his residence.

For twenty-five straight days, aside from the occasional intimate exchange with Chen Jiaojiao, he had devoted almost all his time to pill refinement.

Now, all his medicinal ingredients had been exhausted, replaced by over a hundred perfect-grade Dragon Sun Pills, more than two hundred perfect-grade Cloud Mist Pills, and over three hundred perfect-grade Verdant Spirit Pills.

Converted, their value exceeded a million spirit stones!

For the first time, Wang Jianqiang felt a sense of financial security.

"Next, it’s time to focus on cultivation."

Just as he was about to begin, a knock sounded at his door.

Wang Jianqiang was taken aback.

His reputation as a loser had long spread throughout the outer sect, and most disciples considered associating with him a disgrace. Normally, only Chen Jiaojiao would visit him.

But hadn’t she left just this morning?

Why was she back already?

Puzzled, he walked over and opened the door.

A beautiful face came into view.

Seeing the person outside, Wang Jianqiang froze.

At the same time, information about the visitor surfaced in his mind.

"Name: Su Yutong

Gender: Female

Cultivation: Qi Refinement, ninth level

Age: 21

Root Bone: Dual Spiritual Roots (Metal-Water)

Alignment Value: -48"

Su Yutong?

What was she doing here?

Over the past few years, Wang Jianqiang had heard Su Yutong’s name countless times.

A prodigy among newcomers.

One of the three great beauties of the outer sect.

Either title alone carried immense prestige.

He had occasionally glimpsed her from afar, but as a loser and a genius, they belonged to entirely different worlds and had never crossed paths.

This was their first close encounter.

While Wang Jianqiang was still processing her unexpected visit, Su Yutong’s brows gradually furrowed.

The way this ugly, old man’s eyes roamed over her body filled her with disgust, and a trace of revulsion flickered deep in her gaze.

Yet as she recalled the purpose of her visit today, the furrow in her brow smoothed away.

A faint smile graced her breathtakingly beautiful face.

"Senior Brother Wang, won't you invite me in for a while?"