Zining'er

After arriving at Tianheng Peak, Ye Chuan noticed that the number of disciples here far exceeded those at Flying Sword Peak. Not only that, but every individual possessed considerable strength. From a quick assessment, most were at least at the Crystal Core stage, with some even reaching the Golden Core level.

However, Ye Chuan didn’t find their talents particularly impressive. Though they all wore the attire of disciples, some might already be over a hundred years old. So, having Golden Core strength wasn’t all that surprising.

Far inferior to Qianshuang back home. Hmph.

“So, you’re the new disciple Elder Ziyun took in?” Just as Ye Chuan landed at the foot of the mountain, intending to gather some information, a woman’s voice sounded beside him.

He turned and saw a woman dressed in green robes, appearing to be in her twenties, with a graceful figure and a crescent-shaped mark on her forehead.

Ye Chuan paused, his gaze settling on her. “I am Huang Haotian. And you are…?”

“Zi Ning’er, your senior sister.” The woman’s peach-blossom eyes glimmered as a faint smile curved her lips. “I heard Master took in a talented new disciple, someone who reached Foundation Establishment before the age of twenty.”

She grinned. “Seems like you’ll be an interesting junior brother.”

“Senior sister?” Ye Chuan gave Zi Ning’er a quick once-over before averting his gaze. “Greetings, Senior Sister. I’ve only just joined the sect and haven’t met many people yet. I heard you were participating in the sect’s grand competition, so I didn’t get the chance to pay my respects earlier.”

“No need for formalities.” As Zi Ning’er spoke, a male disciple approached. “Ning’er, what are you discussing?”

“Senior Brother Qin Heng, this is Huang Haotian, Master’s new disciple.” Zi Ning’er introduced him before turning back to Ye Chuan. “This is Senior Brother Qin Heng—also the sect leader’s son.”

“No need for such introductions, Ning’er. We’re all fellow disciples here.” Qin Heng chuckled lightly, though his gaze lingered on Ye Chuan with a hint of amusement. “Junior Brother, what’s your current cultivation level? How about I give you some pointers?”

“Me?” Ye Chuan pointed at himself. “I’m at the early Crystal Core stage.”

Of course, Ye Chuan wasn’t foolish enough to reveal his true strength. With his current combat power, he could easily take on even a Nascent Soul cultivator like Ziyun without breaking a sweat—his magic immunity, high physical resistance, and transformation armor made crossing two major realms a trivial matter.

And now, with the revival armor and infinite mana buff from Lilith, Ye Chuan felt even more unrestrained.

“Crystal Core already?” Qin Heng’s eyes flickered with surprise. Reaching Crystal Core before twenty was rare even in the Qingyun Sect.

“Did you use a Crystal Core Pill?” Zi Ning’er asked. She recalled that Ye Chuan hadn’t been in the sect for long and had previously been a rogue cultivator without systematic training.

Ye Chuan nodded. “Yes. Master gave me a ninth-grade Crystal Core Pill, and I successfully condensed my core.”

His words left Zi Ning’er and Qin Heng momentarily stunned.

Ninth-grade?

“Junior Brother, are you sure Master gave you a ninth-grade pill?” Zi Ning’er pressed.

“Yes.” Ye Chuan smiled.

Of course, he hadn’t used that trash-tier ninth-grade pill—how could it compare to his supreme-grade Crystal Core Pill?

“It seems Elder Ziyun has his own considerations.” Qin Heng remarked meaningfully, while Zi Ning’er’s expression darkened, tinged with awkwardness.

She hadn’t expected Ziyun to give Ye Chuan only a ninth-grade pill. By convention, even the least favored disciples could exchange a small amount of sect contribution points for at least a fifth-grade Crystal Core Pill.

Ninth-grade pills were usually reserved for disciples who struggled for centuries to break through to Crystal Core.

“Is something wrong?” Ye Chuan feigned ignorance.

“...” Zi Ning’er seemed eager to drop the subject. Her gaze toward Ye Chuan grew more complex before she suddenly turned to Qin Heng.

“Senior Brother, the rewards from this year’s grand competition can be transferred, right?”

“Oh?” Qin Heng seemed to understand her intention but reminded her, “Ning’er, the reward this time is entry into the Qingyun Holy Land trial—it’s extremely beneficial for your breakthrough to Nascent Soul.”

“...” Zi Ning’er fell silent, as if realizing the gravity of the matter. She sighed softly, suppressing her impulsive thoughts.

“Junior Brother Huang, if you ever need my help in the future, feel free to visit my cave abode.”

Ye Chuan responded casually before asking, “Where is Master? He told me to meet him.”

Zi Ning’er explained, “Master is in the conference hall discussing important matters with the sect leader. He won’t be free for a while.”

Then, as if remembering something, she added, “Oh, right, Junior Brother. Since you’ve been in the sect for a while now, how about I take you to complete a few missions?”

Missions?

“Yes. Shall I take you to the Mission Hall?” Seeing Ye Chuan’s confusion, Zi Ning’er seemed enthusiastic.

“...” Ye Chuan hesitated for a few seconds. He was still preoccupied with the pill formulas and had no interest in taking on missions.

But then it occurred to him—

Building a good relationship with this senior sister Zi Ning’er might help me gather more intel.

A direct disciple would surely know more than a mere servant like Jiu’er, right?

“Alright.”

Hearing his agreement, Zi Ning’er visibly relaxed and led Ye Chuan on her flying sword to a large building on a neighboring peak.

The structure was massive, with disciples constantly coming and going.

“This is the Mission Hall, where disciples accept tasks,” Zi Ning’er explained. “Completing them earns contribution points, which can be exchanged for treasures within the sect.”

It was the standard cycle—missions, points, rewards.

“Treasures?” Ye Chuan’s interest was piqued.

Where?

Who needs contribution points? A single glance, and those treasures would vanish—straight into his pocket!

Before Zi Ning’er could elaborate, the sound of an argument reached them. They turned toward the commotion and saw a crowd gathered nearby.

“Junior Brother, let’s go take a look.”

“Sure.”

As they approached, Ye Chuan noticed the group wore the robes of servant disciples. At the center stood a familiar girl—

Jiu’er.

His personal maid.

Right now, she seemed to be arguing fiercely with another disciple, her face flushed with anger.