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In the upper section of the audience, Yun Lan Sect's Sect Master, Yun Yun, sat with a stoic expression, her gaze deep and thoughtful, as if contemplating something.
"Sect Master, look at Yanran's growing strength!" Elder Guhe beside her said, his eyes flashing with excitement and admiration.
Yun Yun nodded slightly but did not show much joy. "Indeed, Yanran is a true pride of our Yun Lan Sect."
"That's right! The Sect Master's disciple is truly extraordinary! Having a genius like her in our sect is a great fortune!" Elder Guhe continued to praise her enthusiastically.
Hearing this, Yun Yun let out a light sigh. Her eyes revealed a deep concern, as if burdened with something unspeakable.
In the past, she would have been pleased and proud of her disciple's achievements. But now, she could not feel even a shred of joy, only worry.
This was because she had seen Xiao Yan's strength and knew that, no matter how hard Nalan Yanran worked, she could never compare to Xiao Yan.
After winning first place, Nalan Yanran approached her master, Yun Yun, with a proud expression on her face, her eyes gleaming with self-satisfaction. She did not hide her pride and said directly to Yun Yun, "Master, how did I do in the match just now?"
Yun Yun forced a smile. Despite her inner anxiety, she still praised Nalan Yanran, "Yanran, you performed excellently. You fought very well!"
Upon hearing her master's praise, Nalan Yanran's heart swelled with joy, a brilliant smile spreading across her face as she felt an overwhelming sense of pride and happiness.
However, she had no idea what Yun Yun was truly thinking.
At that moment, Elder Guhe also revealed a satisfied smile.
"Yanran, your performance was truly outstanding. You have not disappointed Sect Master Yun Yun's training," Elder Guhe praised, his voice filled with encouragement and admiration. He firmly believed that Nalan Yanran's future would be even more brilliant.
Upon hearing Elder Guhe's compliment, Nalan Yanran smiled proudly, her heart filled with joy. "Thank you, Elder. This is all thanks to the guidance and teaching of you and Master."
"Don't be modest. You truly are the pride of Yun Lan Sect, one of the best of the younger generation," other elders chimed in with approving smiles.
Hearing their praise, Nalan Yanran felt even more pleased with herself. She knew this would solidify her position within the sect.
"Thank you, Elders. I will continue to work hard," she responded with sincere gratitude.
At this point, Elder Guhe took out a precious pill from his robes.
The pill, called the Ling Xiao Spiritual Qi Pill, was a high-level pill he had personally refined. It could greatly enhance one's Dou Qi.
He handed the pill to Nalan Yanran. "This is a reward for you. I hope you will continue to strive for excellence and become an even greater cultivator."
"Elder Guhe, you are too kind. Thank you for this reward!" Nalan Yanran was taken aback, quickly kneeling to express her heartfelt thanks as she took the pill, her eyes filled with gratitude.
To her, this pill, personally refined by the Pill King, was of extraordinary value. It was a rare honor and opportunity.
"Make sure to cherish this reward and continue to work hard in your cultivation," Elder Guhe said kindly, smiling at Nalan Yanran, eagerly anticipating her future growth.
"Yes, Elder!" Nalan Yanran nodded earnestly, carefully placing the pill in her robes. She was determined to make the most of this reward, pushing herself to work even harder in her cultivation to live up to the expectations and kindness of her elders.
Meanwhile, upon seeing Elder Guhe present Nalan Yanran with the rare high-level pill he had personally crafted, the disciples of Yun Lan Sect were filled with envy.
After all, receiving a pill personally refined by Elder Guhe was an honor that few could ever claim.
Yun Yun looked at the pill that Elder Guhe had given to Nalan Yanran. Her heart remained calm, but there was a faint hint of disappointment in her gaze.
"Elder Guhe, thank you for your care and support for Nalan Yanran," she said, her voice even and composed.
Elder Guhe nodded slightly. "Sect Master Yun, this is just a small token from me. I hope that Nalan Yanran will continue to grow."
Yun Yun smiled faintly and said no more, though internally, she let out a quiet sigh.
Her thoughts drifted to the young man who had once stirred her heart, the one she had first encountered in the cave, where she had seen that extraordinary pill. That was truly a supreme elixir, and compared to it, the pill Elder Guhe had crafted could only be considered a mere imitation.
Yun Yun's heart stirred as memories of that mutated Imperial Pill in the cave resurfaced. She could almost feel the immense aura it had emanated, reverberating through her mind.
That pill had helped Bo Hai Dong break through two levels of Dou Huang strength in one go.
Every time she thought of it, Yun Yun was left in awe.
She vividly remembered the scene: Bo Hai Dong, under the influence of the pill, had felt his energy surge, as if an invisible force was rushing through his body, helping him break through his boundaries.
The path of cultivation was always fraught with difficulty and challenge, but that mutated Imperial Pill was so miraculous, so mind-blowing.
Returning to the present, Yun Yun sighed deeply. She knew that, even with Elder Guhe's immense skill as a Pill King, no matter how hard he tried, he would likely never be able to craft a pill of that caliber.
Elder Guhe, noticing the melancholy expression on Yun Yun's face, furrowed his brows. He walked over to her and asked softly, "Sect Master, what's wrong?" His voice was filled with concern and care.
Yun Yun paused for a moment, then lifted her head, forcing a smile. "It's nothing, just a moment of reflection," she replied gently.
However, her eyes betrayed a subtle exhaustion and unease that she could not hide.
Elder Guhe watched her, confusion filling his heart, but knowing that Yun Yun did not wish to discuss it, he did not press further. He smiled slightly and shifted the conversation, casually chatting with Nalan Yanran about cultivation insights. The atmosphere lightened as their conversation grew more relaxed and cheerful.
Yun Yun stood quietly to the side, her expression one of contemplation.
She silently observed Elder Guhe and Nalan Yanran, a swirl of complicated emotions rising within her.
They could laugh and talk so easily because they did not know what she had witnessed that day.
They did not know that there were people more powerful than they could imagine, realms beyond their understanding, while she had deeply felt the weight and pressure of it all.
In that moment, she felt the isolation and helplessness, as though standing on a desolate island, completely out of sync with those around her.
Elder Guhe and Nalan Yanran continued to laugh joyfully, sipping tea as they chatted.
Elder Guhe was in high spirits and noted that not only had Nalan Yanran made breakthroughs in her cultivation, but she had also become more graceful in appearance, inspiring him to reflect.
"Haha, Nalan Yanran, not only has your cultivation improved, but you've also become even more of a breathtaking beauty!" Elder Guhe laughed, his eyes full of admiration.
(End of Chapter)