"It was sheer luck that I managed to secure first place." Xiao Ling'er gently shook her head, "Moreover, despite my youth, I understand that winning this title may not necessarily be a good thing for our Moon Grasping Sect. Just as the saying goes, 'A man is innocent, but harboring a jade ring puts him in jeopardy'..."
"Nonsense!" Su Xinghai sternly interrupted, "Winning the top spot is due to your exceptional talent and the results of your continuous hard work in cultivation and alchemy. How can it be considered mere luck?! As for it not being a good thing, that's the sect's burden, not yours! If our Moon Grasping Sect were as strong as it used to be, who would dare have such thoughts, and who would dare to criticize us?"
His expression grew colder.
"But you don't need to worry too much about this. Although our Moon Grasping Sect has declined over the years, us old folks are still here! As long as we old folks are alive, no one can harm you. Go and cultivate!"
Duan Qingyao gently stroked Xiao Ling'er's smooth hair and smiled.
"The Grand Elder has a tough exterior but a soft heart, don't take it to heart. Don't feel any pressure. It is our duty to nurture outstanding successors for the sect. As long as you can rise, that is the greatest fortune. We old folks are incapable of many things. But we have never been afraid for the sake of the sect. This is not for you, but for the principles we hold dear in our hearts."
Hearing these words, Xiao Ling'er choked up.
How could she not understand that the elders were also uncertain?!
Although this reward might not attract too powerful individuals, her talent in alchemy was very likely to be noticed by the strong!
Everyone knew this clearly.
Therefore, Xiao Ling'er could not sit back and do nothing.
Even if any elder were to get hurt or killed because of her impulsiveness, she would never forgive herself.
"Sigh." She took a deep breath, then lightly patted her storage bag, took out a jade bottle, and respectfully handed it to Su Xinghai, "Grand Elder, this is one of the rewards from the alchemy competition, a fifth-grade Profound Path Realm Pill."
Seeing Su Xinghai about to scold her, she quickly said, "Grand Elder, please don't be quick to refuse! The Zhi Xuan Pill is indeed valuable, but I am currently only at the Condensation Realm. Who knows when I will be able to use it? Wouldn't it be a waste to have it but not use it?! Moreover, we all know that there will be a fierce battle soon. It would be better to make full use of the resources and let you take it, Grand Elder. If you can break through to the Profound Path Realm, we will have a better chance of winning. Furthermore, if you and the others fall, or even if the sect is gone, how can I survive?"
Su Xinghai's expression kept changing.
Seeing him hesitate, Xiao Ling'er seized the opportunity and said, "Moreover, it's just a fifth-grade Profound Path Realm. I am now only in the second level of the Condensation Realm but can already refine a ninth-grade Profound Origin Realm Pill!"
"When I reach the third or fourth level, what is a mere fifth-realm grade pill?! Even a ninth-grade Profound Path Realm Pill might not be out of my reach! For me, I don't even want to take this mere fifth-grade pill."
Upon hearing this, the four elders' expressions became extremely complex...
This is a fifth-grade pill!!!
A fifth-grade pill!
A third-grade pill is considered passable, and a fifth-grade one is of quite a high standard.
We can neither afford nor have the resources to buy such pills!
Even a third-grade one is beyond our reach.
But here you are, a small cultivator at the Condensation Realm, looking down on it???
Yet every word Xiao Ling'er said was true, reasonable, and without any falsehood.
How are we supposed to react to this?!
Seeing the Grand Elder's lips trembling and unable to speak, Xiao Ling'er quickly placed the pill in his hand and said, "If you feel bad about it, Grand Elder, consider it a loan from me. In the future... just help me gather some more spiritual herbs and materials."
Seeing her sincerity, Su Xinghai took a deep breath, his face no longer twitching, and said solemnly, "Since the words have come to this point, if I don't accept it, I would be too foolish. In that case, I will accept this Profound Path Realm Pill. In the future... I will repay you double!"
"Actually, Elder, you are being too kind." Xiao Ling'er smiled bitterly. "Since I joined the sect, all the elders have taken special care of me, tirelessly searching for spiritual herbs outside. Perhaps their value cannot compare to this Profound Path Realm Pill, but affection is priceless! Could it be that in your eyes, our bond as fellow disciples, our feelings, are so unfamiliar?"
Her words left Su Xinghai feeling utterly ashamed.
It wasn't that he was unreasonable, but...
As an elder of the sect, especially as an older one, he had some pride.
Moreover, he was upright and believed that supporting the younger generation, especially the outstanding ones, was reasonable. But to take something from the younger ones? How would that look?
Besides, a fifth-grade Profound Path Realm Pill was too valuable. He couldn't afford it!
At this moment, he couldn't say another word.
Seeing this, Xiao Ling'er finally smiled and turned to Duan Qingyao, Li Changshou, and Chen Erzhu.
"You don't need to worry either. The furnace obtained from this alchemy conference is quite extraordinary. Once I advance further and have the appropriate spiritual herbs, I can start refining Cave Heaven Realm Pill. Ninth grade might be difficult, but anything above fifth grade should be within reach!" To save their face, she blinked and added, "If you feel indebted, you can trade a set of materials for a Cave Heaven Realm Pill. And when you reach the peak of the Cave Heaven Realm and need the Profound Path Realm Pill, it will be the same."
With these words, Duan Qingyao and the others had no reason to refuse and nodded immediately.
At the same time…
They secretly felt delighted.
Although they hadn't received the pills yet, at least they experienced the feeling of belonging to a prestigious sect.
Need pills?
The sect will provide!
And the quality is excellent!
However, the premise is that they must survive this crisis...
"I won't say more. I will retreat and attempt to break through the fifth realm! Changshou, inform the sect master and others when they return."
"Got it!" Li Changshou nodded.
Su Xinghai then strode away, entering his cave abode, closing the stone door, and began his cultivation.
The three elders went to check the formations for any flaws and started preparing talismans and other items.
Xiao Ling'er returned to her residence, her face still tense. "Teacher, my mind is troubled. What should I do?"
"Too much concern leads to chaos. You have come to see the Moon Grasping Sect as your home, which is good. The Moon Grasping Sect may not be strong now, but it has warmth and camaraderie. In this aspect, perhaps no other place in the Immortal Martial Continent can compare." Liang Danxia smiled and comforted her, "Fortune favors the good. What you need to do is what you've always done. Alchemy, cultivation. The sooner you grow stronger, the better you can help the Moon Grasping Sect."
But there was one thing Liang Danxia didn't say, only thinking to herself.
Besides, as long as I'm here… After all, it's hard to find a place so suitable for you, one even I can't fully see through...
For a special mass release of 10 chapters, let's get 10 reviews and 50 ratings!