Chapter 75: Sister Qinghuan, Your Face Is So Red!

Night fell, Jinchen Peak.

The moonlight spilled like water across the refined courtyard.

Five massive golden stones, still arranged in mysterious formations, glowed with a cold, eerie light under the moon.

Jin Hai sat cross-legged among them, golden radiance swirling around his body, his breath slow and deep, already sunk into cultivation.

In a nearby side chamber, a graceful figure tossed and turned on the bed, unable to find peace.

“Mmm... mmm...”

Xu Qinghuan lay with eyes open, staring at the canopy, her alluring, delicate face showing signs of weariness.

For some time now, she had not slept well at night.

Tonight, she was insomnia-struck again.

“It’s all that hateful old bastard’s fault... making me like this...”

She pressed her rosy lips together, letting out a soft, pliant sigh through her straight nose—her voice carrying a mix of grievance, irritation, and a complexity even she couldn’t name.

She had lain on one side too long and was about to turn over.

Beside the bed, a withered, upright figure appeared without a sound.

“Ah...!”

Xu Qinghuan’s slender body jolted violently, her beautiful eyes instantly clouded with a mist of tears.

She instinctively wanted to scream—but at the last moment, she bit it back, emitting only a short, muffled whimper.

She clapped a hand over her mouth, her alluring face filled with shock and tangled emotions.

“You... you’re here again... what do you want now...”

Her voice was barely a whisper; she clamped both hands over her lips, terrified that even a slightly louder sound might alert Jin Hai outside.

Jiang Ye looked down at her from above.

He smiled faintly, the expression inscrutable in the dim light:

“You tell me.”

The next day.

Dawn had not yet broken.

A withered figure slipped soundlessly out of Jinchen Peak.

Jiang Ye felt refreshed, his steps light and brisk.

He gazed toward the pale streak of dawn in the eastern sky, his aged eyes flickering with satisfaction.

He did not linger; with a flick of his form, he vanished into the hazy morning mist.

Outer Sect, Training Ground.

As daylight grew, the training ground was already crowded with disciples practicing their morning drills.

Xu Qinghuan appeared at the edge of the training ground.

Today, her steps were slower than usual, each one deliberate and cautious, as if her feet were injured.

“Xu Shijie, why is your complexion so flushed today!”

A sharp-eyed female disciple stepped forward, staring at Xu Qinghuan’s face in astonishment.

Her already alluring, beautiful face now glowed with an inexplicable radiance—rosy, plump, like a flower drenched in rain.

“Yes, yes, Xu Shijie, your skin looks amazing!”

Several more female disciples gathered around, exclaiming in unison.

“Of course! It must be because Jin Hai Shixiong bought her top-grade tonic herbs!”

“I’m so envious of Xu Shijie—I wish an inner sect true disciple would take an interest in me too.”

“Exactly! I’ve been training so hard lately, my qi and blood are drained, and the sect’s monthly pills aren’t enough. Xu Shijie has Jin Hai Shixiong caring for her—what a difference!”

A group of female disciples clustered around Xu Qinghuan, gazing at her radiant face with envy and longing, chattering endlessly.

Xu Qinghuan forced a smile, slightly unnatural yet still alluring and captivating.

She cleared her throat softly: “Hehe, yes, I’ve been taking some tonic herbs.”

The female disciples around her grew even more envious upon hearing this.

A few sharp-eyed disciples noticed Xu Qinghuan’s unusually slow gait and curiously asked:

“Xu Shijie, did you injure your foot?”

Xu Qinghuan’s expression stiffened slightly, then she smiled brightly: “Yes, during training, I overexerted myself and accidentally hurt my foot...”

“Xu Shijie, you’re making life unbearable for us...”

“With such an outstanding fiancé, you still train so hard...”

“Xu Shijie is the perfect role model for all of us female disciples!”

The surrounding disciples launched into lavish flattery, their sycophantic tones growing more extravagant by the second.

At a distance, a cold, slender figure stood quietly at the edge of the training ground.

It was Liu Yiyi.

Her cold eyes flickered subtly over Xu Qinghuan, who was being lavishly praised, lingering a moment on her overly flushed face—her own delicate features betraying unmistakable disdain.

“Disgusting.”

Her crimson lips parted, whispering two words.

Meanwhile.

Jiang Ye arrived at Juding Peak’s Administrative Hall.

The moment he stepped inside, Gong Sunhong, who had been busy at his desk, sprang to his feet instantly, his lean face beaming with a wide smile.

He hurried forward in three strides, his booming laughter echoing through the hall:

“Jiang Laozhu! Congratulations on successfully forming your Golden Core!”

If before, Gong Sunhong’s courtesy toward Jiang Ye had mostly been out of respect for Wen Yueyao,

now his warmth came from genuine admiration.

An elderly martial artist from a small county, achieving Golden Core in just over ten days.

Such progress demanded his utmost respect.

Jiang Ye politely bowed:

“Thank you, Gong Sun Laozhu.”

He cut straight to the point:

“I’ve come today to collect my Elder badge and robe.”

“Hahaha, Jiang Laozhu, rest assured—I’ve already prepared them!”

Gong Sunhong laughed heartily and turned to instruct a disciple.

The disciple hurried into the back hall and soon returned carrying a tray.

The tray, made of blue jade, held several items neatly arranged.

A dark-blue Elder badge, a neatly folded Elder robe, and three exquisite jade porcelain vials.

“Jiang Laozhu, the sect has already recorded your twenty-thousand contribution points into the badge.”

Gong Sunhong stepped forward himself, offering the badge with both hands to Jiang Ye.

Jiang Ye took the badge—it felt warm and smooth, heavy and substantial, far heavier than his former steward badge.

He nodded slightly and tucked it into his robe.

Gong Sunhong pointed to the three jade vials and explained:

“These three vials are the monthly benefits granted to all Elders.”

He picked up the first vial:

“This is Qi-Replenishing Pill—specifically for Golden Core cultivators, it rapidly restores true qi.”

He picked up the second: “This is Qi-Condensation Pill—helps nurture true qi.”

Jiang Ye nodded slightly.

He had heard of both elixirs—they were expensive, each bottle worth no less than three thousand taels on the open market.

Receiving them monthly showed the sect treated its Elders well.

When Gong Sunhong picked up the third jade vial, his expression grew more solemn.

He gently uncorked it, tilting the mouth slightly.

A single drop of emerald liquid rested quietly at the bottom.

The liquid was crystal-clear, like condensed spring water, emitting a faint, elusive fragrance.

Merely glancing at it brought a sense of calm and refreshment.

“This is...” Jiang Ye blinked in surprise.

“Jiang Laozhu, this is Tianqing Spirit Liquid,” Gong Sunhong said, lowering his voice with solemnity:

“This is the true cornerstone of our Tianqing Sect.”

He paused, then continued:

“Don’t be fooled by its tiny amount—its uses are boundless.”

“It aids cultivation, deepens your foundation, heals injuries, and its life-preserving effect surpasses even the Great Restoration Pill.”

“With prolonged use, it can solidify your root, nourish your essence, and extend your lifespan!”

Hearing this, Jiang Ye’s face showed rare astonishment: “Extend lifespan?!”

That word struck him deeper than any cultivation aid or healing power ever could.

He asked instinctively, “Can this Tianqing Spirit Liquid be bought with silver?”

Gongsun Hong laughed heartily and shook his head. “This is a true non-sale item—only core members of the sect may partake.”

Saying this, Gongsun Hong lowered his voice: “Each Elder receives one drop per month. Each True Disciple receives three drops per month. Each Peak Master receives seven drops per month.”

After hearing this, Jiang Ye gained a clearer understanding of how precious the Tianqing Spirit Liquid was.

He carefully tucked the three jade porcelain vials against his body.

Just as he was about to rise and take his leave, Gongsun Hong suddenly pulled out two vials of elixirs from his sleeve and shoved them into his hands.

“Elder Jiang, congratulations on your successful Pill Condensation. This is my small token—two vials of Qi-Replenishing Pills. Please don’t refuse.”

Jiang Ye had wanted to refuse, but seeing Gongsun Hong’s warm and sincere gaze, he finally smiled and accepted the elixirs, bowing politely:

“Then thank you, Elder Gongsun, for your kindness.”

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, then Jiang Ye took his leave.