Tianxiang Pavilion,
having just eaten some cakes, Yu Qingtan began her cultivation.
"These cakes are quite delicious; no wonder the original owner had hoarded so many in her room."
In the past few days, Yu Qingtan had been very diligent, and her Dance Artistry was continuously improving in front of others, earning her another compliment from the instructor.
[Cultivation Level: Qi Cultivation Stage 1 93/100]
[Cultivation Technique: Clear Water Technique]
[Spells: Cleansing Spell Beginner 64/100]
[Skills: Exquisite Dance Intermediate 92/200, Zither Art Beginner 67/100]
[Charm Points: 1]
[Affection Value: 0]
Opening the System Panel, she glanced at the Cultivation Level's progress, which hadn't budged, and sighed.
After using the Cleansing Spell to consume some Spiritual Power, Yu Qingtan adjusted her state and took out the small jade bottle Fang Ling had given her, pouring a drop of Spirit Dew into her mouth and swallowing it.
She then hurriedly started to cultivate using the Clear Water Technique.
Once the Spirit Dew entered her belly, pure Spiritual Energy emanated and seeped into Yu Qingtan's body, easily being guided into the circulation of the Cultivation Technique.
One cycle.
Two cycles.
...
Yu Qingtan could feel that each cycle was fast and the efficiency of absorbing and refining the Spiritual Energy was extremely high.
After a dozen cycles, Yu Qingtan didn't feel any discomfort.
Instead, at a certain moment, her Dantian trembled slightly and seemed to have expanded a bit.
A previously inactive branch in the cycle of the Cultivation Technique was opened and joined the circulatory cycle, specifically the new route for the circulation of energy recorded in the second layer of the Clear Water Technique.
That is to say, the second layer of the Qi Cultivation Stage was achieved.
Yu Qingtan continued to cultivate according to the new circulation route until her meridians felt slightly sore.
At that time, the Spiritual Energy of the Spirit Dew had just about been consumed.
[Cultivation Level: Qi Cultivation Stage 2 3/200]
"As expected of one of the best auxiliary substances for cultivation at the Qi Cultivation Stage."
...
"Have you heard? Today the reserve Protecting Disciples who went to the Yunhua Mountain Range for the trial returned, but sadly only eighty percent made it back."
"This batch of reserve Protecting Disciples isn't up to the mark, eh? In previous years, it seems more than ninety-five percent would come back alive!"
In the dining hall, Yu Qingtan was eating dinner with Shen Wanning and happened to hear two young girls at the next table discussing.
This was the first time recently that Yu Qingtan had come to the dining hall for dinner.
"Is that little brother of yours also participating in the trial?" Shen Wanning asked Yu Qingtan in a soft voice.
"What little brother? He's just a reserve Protecting Disciple I know!" Yu Qingtan's mood was complicated, feeling both turbulent emotions and a loss of appetite for her dinner at the thought of the young man.
"I've seen you giving him cakes, hee hee, don't you try to deny it."
"Hmph, so even such delicious food can't keep your mouth shut~"
Shen Wanning actually thought it probably wasn't a big deal; after all, the boy was much younger, and there was a significant difference in status between them. A Protecting Disciple is only slightly better off than a servant, and Tianxiang Pavilion wouldn't allow a Protecting Disciple to behave recklessly.
However, Yu Qingtan was indeed a bit worried.
After all, just when she had started to think about looking after him, if he was gone just like that...
"That kid managed to get Spirit Dew, he mustn't be simple. The trials shouldn't be a big problem for him!" Yu Qingtan thought to herself.
Before going back to her courtyard, Yu Qingtan deliberately found an excuse to linger outside for a while longer.
Unfortunately, no one came looking for her.
The next day, Yu Qingtan went specifically to the courtyard where the reserve Protecting Disciples lived to inquire.
Then, she heard some bad news.
Fang Ling hadn't returned.
On the last day of the trial, Fang Ling's identifying markers suddenly vanished, and he didn't come back.
Yu Qingtan returned to her own room somewhat stunned.
"Could it really be that something has happened?"
Yu Qingtan took out the small bottle that contained the Spirit Dew, thought for a moment, and then placed it back into the storage space of the System.
The next day, just three days from the assessment.
Yu Qingtan scored a minor success with Exquisite Dance during the class.
Even Instructor Wen couldn't help but smile.
"Not bad, not bad, Qingtan, you've made rapid progress lately. It must be because of the solid foundation you built earlier and your recent dedicated efforts."
"It's all thanks to the instructor's excellent guidance."
Yu Qingtan replied with a smile, pleasing Instructor Wen even more.
Why hadn't he noticed before that this Yu Qingtan was quite charming?
There were sixteen people learning Exquisite Dance along with Yu Qingtan, and four of them had already achieved minor success. Yu Qingtan was the fifth.
At this moment, a round-faced young girl, who had just been praised, watched Yu Qingtan while clenched her right hand tightly inside her sleeve.
Her name was Li Fengniang, and she had been the best dancer of Exquisite Dance beside those four.
Unfortunately, she was just one step short of minor success and couldn't make the leap, so seeing Yu Qingtan overtaking her was something she couldn't accept.
"An ugly hag who doesn't know whether she's coming or going, hmph~" Unfortunately, she could only curse in her heart.
...
"Qingtan, I heard you've achieved minor success in Exquisite Dance; the assessment should be a breeze for you now, congratulations!"
The next day, Shen Wanning congratulated her. Achieving minor success was somewhat newsworthy in their circle, and it wasn't surprising that well-connected Shen Wanning had quickly learned of it.
"Thank you! I just reached it yesterday and hadn't had a chance to tell you." Yu Qingtan also seemed a bit relieved.
"No worries. Plus, I just happened to get some papaya powder yesterday, I'll give it to you tonight as a gift." Shen Wanning said with a smile, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
"Papaya powder... okay, thanks!" Shen Wanning wouldn't need it anyway.
"Wonder if it's actually useful~"
Such were the thoughts of a former male college student who, unbeknownst to himself, was behaving more and more like a true woman.
"Also, I heard some bigwig from Tianxiang Valley is here in the Pavilion, and they will be involved in the assessment. Who knows if being spotted by someone important could lead to being taken back to Tianxiang Valley to cultivate?" Shen Wanning whispered to Yu Qingtan.
"What bigwig?" Yu Qingtan was also curious.
"I'm not sure about that, just perform well when the time comes."
...
Finally, the day of the assessment arrived.
Yu Qingtan got up early.
She styled her hair into an exquisite cloud bun, applied light makeup, and neatly dressed in her gown.
After ten days of acclimation, Yu Qingtan had almost fully inherited the original body's memories and basic skills.
Looking at her reflection with a red long gown, a pleasant face, and flowing hair, Yu Qingtan was very satisfied.
"It's a shame that freckles can only be covered with makeup, but can't do anything about padding, would be cheating."
"Kinda falling in love with myself, what to do? Hehe~"
...
"Wanning, are you ready?" It had always been Shen Wanning coming to call her, but Yu Qingtan felt it was not quite right, so she decided to call on her first today.
However, they would skip breakfast today.
"Yes, ready. You're up so early today, Qingtan!" The door opened, and there was Shen Wanning with her hair in a "fly fairy" bun, slender eyebrows, red lips, wearing a red, off-shoulder long gown with a sheer shawl, hinting at the deep cleavage beneath.
Shen Wanning was studying the Rainbow Robes Dance.
"So beautiful~" Yu Qingtan swallowed involuntarily and blurted out.
"Heehee, Qingtan, you're quite adorable too!"
The two chatted as they arrived at a large courtyard outside the building, with a large square in the center.
This was the exact location of the assessment.
One side of the square was the presiding stand, with audience seats on the other three sides and a large round stage in the middle.
The structure was very similar to some theaters on Blue Star.
In fact, the square was usually used as a performance venue as well.
At the moment, dozens of girls were scattered in a corner of the square, looking around.
Yu Qingtan and Shen Wanning were among them, waiting for the assessment to begin.
There were quite a few people sitting in the audience seats too.
Assessment day was also an important day for Tianxiang Pavilion when it was closed to the public, and the audience was comprised of Tianxiang Pavilion's internal staff.
On the presiding stand sat sixteen elegantly dressed men and women, the judges of the assessment.