Half an hour later, the elders of the Dao Court publicly announced the results of the first round of competition. The eldest sister, Xuebing Xuan, unsurprisingly claimed the first place, and her advantage over the second place was significant.
Despite nine more rounds to go, unless she made a major mistake, it was unlikely anyone could catch up to her, and securing the overall first place seemed a foregone conclusion.
At the same time, the results of the first round for Cheng Yulan and Luo Huan also came through. They too dominated their peers, triumphing in the opening battle.
This outcome was beyond the expectations of many cultivators observing from the stands. Some who had great confidence in their fellow sect members couldn't help but feel disheartened:
"…What's going on? Have the female cultivators of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace outdone us again? I thought our Brother Yun would show his prowess, he's been preparing for this grand event for a long time!"
"It's strange, wasn't Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace in decline? How come they suddenly have so many formidable individuals? It's one thing for Xuebing Xuan to win in the sword-fighting competition, but who would have thought her accomplishments in the Dao of Alchemy were equally terrifying!"
"Don't celebrate too soon, this is only the first round. There are nine more to go, and I refuse to believe she won't make any mistakes!"
"Forget it, have you seen what realm of cultivation she's in now? Elemental Immortal peak, do any of your brothers and sisters have cultivation comparable to hers? The gap is too wide!"
"What a pity! That postnatal Spirit Treasure level cauldron and the three ancient alchemy manuals will all belong to Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace. They've gained too many benefits this time."
***
Qing Muling leisurely sipped his spirit wine, waiting for the next round to begin with a relaxed demeanor. His innate divine abilities quietly activated, not missing a single word of the surrounding cultivators' discussions.
Not everyone was willing to accept the results graciously. Complaints, mockery, doubts, and curses were endless, especially from those forces bordering the territory of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, their words filled with malice.
But that was to be expected. They had lost, after all. Were they not even allowed to vent a little?
However, the sisters' performance was indeed too eye-catching. In all the past gatherings of immortals, there had never been a Dao Lineage force like Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace that had stolen the show so completely. Envy was inevitable.
Qing Muling thought for a moment and then sent a divine thought to Yu Lingzhou: "We should inform the Sect Master in advance and have more elders come over, right? I'm worried some forces won't be able to restrain themselves from causing trouble, especially on the way back after the gathering of immortals ends. That's likely to be the most dangerous time for us."
Yu Lingzhou looked slightly stunned, then nodded: "Certainly, we should not only bring more people but also bring the Li Feng Star Cloud Tower. It will definitely make those who try to steal from us come up empty-handed!"
It wasn't hard to guess. Seeing the disciples of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace gaining such benefits, any force that bore grudges against Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace and didn't want to see its resurgence would surely take action at this critical time if they weren't too foolish. Otherwise, finding another opportunity later would be even harder.
***
As they communicated, the second round of alchemy began. This time, the elders posed the challenge of refining Pure Yuan Life Snow Pills, a grade higher than the Spirit Replenishing Pills, naturally increasing the difficulty.
The rules remained the same: whoever produced the most pills of the best quality would win.
Qing Muling leisurely enjoyed his spirit wine and occasionally caught snowberries peeled by Yu Binghua. Fine wine, delicious food, and beautiful company—all of life's greatest pleasures were his.
In the distance, within the area occupied by the Divine Maiden Sect, a pair of slightly melancholic eyes watched the handsome youth from afar, silent.
Dragon Ritual Princess was wrapped in a green robe, her face veiled by the hood of her cloak, concealing her peerless beauty, so no one knew her true identity, assuming she was just a trusted maid accompanying Su Yuanzhen.
Su Yuanzhen sat beside her, frequently toasting with the elders of the Divine Maiden Sect, her laughter bright and cheerful.
With a soft sigh, the princess picked up the wine cup in front of her and sipped silently. She longed to talk to the youth, just like in the past, but remembering her mother's warning, she ultimately didn't dare to act.
If Qing Muling was indeed that legendary item, the karma would be too great to involve oneself with. Not just for her, but even the Qinghuan Emperor was wary, and some plans had to be put on hold.
So, if no opportunity arose, perhaps she and he would never have anything to do with each other again?
Upon further reflection, she felt a sense of unwillingness in her heart, as if she had missed the most important thing in her path of cultivation.
"Your Highness…"
Su Yuanzhen turned her head slightly, understanding the princess's thoughts from her reaction, and whispered through divine thought: "If Your Highness truly wishes, it's actually possible. Just don't become enemies with him, maintain a good relationship, and there may still be opportunities in the future."
Dragon Ritual Princess seemed tempted and after thinking, she responded: "No rush, let's see how things go. If I'm not mistaken, when the secret realm of the ancient and mysterious Dao Ancestor opens, he will surely perform beyond expectations."
Su Yuanzhen had no objections to this. She looked back at the youth deeply, not just the princess, but she herself was also harboring intentions. Such an extraordinary opportunity was not to be missed.
Even if she couldn't grasp it fully, it was still excellent to get a touch of it.
***
Time passed quietly, and several hours later, the second round of competition came to an end. The eldest sister, Xuebing Xuan, smoothly completed her task, producing over one hundred and fifty pills of excellent quality, far surpassing the other cultivators. Naturally, the Dao Court elders declared her the winner.
And so it went, round after round. Yin Yang Essence Foundation Pills, Purple Citrus Revival Pills, Upper Yuan Marrow Cleansing Pills… The challenges set by the elders grew increasingly difficult, causing many cultivators to drop out due to failed alchemy attempts.
But for Xuebing Xuan, with her cultivation, these were but trivial tasks. She completed each challenge with ease, leaving everyone far behind.
***
After ten days and nights, the alchemy competition finally reached its last stage.
The final challenge was to refine the Quenching Spirit God Pills. In this world, pills were classified into seven grades: Mortal, Human, Earth, Spirit, True, Heaven, and Immortal, each with three sub-grades of superior, intermediate, and inferior. The Quenching Spirit God Pills belonged to the superior grade of Spirit-level pills.
By this time, more than half of the cultivators had dropped out, with fewer than six hundred remaining, and only a handful still had the energy to continue.
Alchemy was both a technical and physical endeavor. Although the participants were allowed some rest after each round and provided with pills to replenish their mana, the loss of their vital energy and spirit was not so easily recovered, especially under such pressure. Thus, the results were not surprising.
Only Xuebing Xuan remained calm and composed. The innate Dao Rhyme from her Harmony Spirit Root kept her in peak condition, making her performance thus far nothing short of perfect.
Due to the difficulty, this round took especially long, and it wasn't until three days and nights later that the results were decided.
As the moment of pill emergence approached, the passage beneath the cauldron was filled with bright and dark blue spirit flames, the intense heat almost unbearable.
Xuebing Xuan sat in front of the cauldron, her deep black eyes filled with concentration, cautiously casting the final few spiritual seals, delicately controlling the changes in the fire's intensity.
Soon, with a deep humming sound, billowing mist continuously emerged, gathering into a large cloud above the cauldron, spreading a heady medicinal fragrance.
Xuebing Xuan silently cast the last spiritual seal, and the heavy lid of the cauldron slowly rose, revealing over twenty thumb-sized golden pills floating amidst the clouds.
These pills were highly effective for healing and commonly used by mid-level cultivators. They were in great demand in the market and quite expensive, an essential resource for the core disciples of major sects and forces.
The Dao boys immediately stepped forward, carefully collecting the pills into jade bottles, then presenting them to the Dao Court elders for evaluation and to announce the results.
Xuebing Xuan looked around and noticed that in this final challenge, less than half of the cultivators successfully refined the pills. The rest either ran out of mana partway and had to withdraw in silence, or they made control errors that destroyed their cauldrons, or their herbal materials were completely ruined.
Even among those who succeeded in alchemy, the quality and quantity of their pills were not impressive. The best among them only produced about a dozen pills, and the quality was mediocre, incomparable to Xuebing Xuan's.
***
Moments later, the Dao Court elder presiding over the event publicly announced the results, and Xuebing Xuan unsurprisingly took first place.
The rewards were then distributed: a postnatal Spirit Treasure level cauldron, three ancient alchemy manuals from the Dao Court's secret library, three hundred divine herbs, and seven Tai Yi Liang Yi Pills.
The effect of these Heaven-grade superior pills was to extend life. Each pill could add ten thousand years of lifespan and could be used multiple times. Even for a True Immortal, seventy thousand years was not a small number.
At that moment, good news also came from Cheng Yulan and Luo Huan, who each secured the first place in their respective groups.
Second sister Cheng Yulan received a postnatal Spirit Treasure level array flag, three volumes of array manuals from the Dao Court's collection, a pile of heavenly and earthly treasures for refining array tools, and seven Tai Yi Liang Yi Pills; fifth sister Luo Huan received a set of postnatal Spirit Treasure level talismans, three volumes of ancient talisman manuals, with the other rewards being the same.
Finally, the envoy of the Dao Court announced a ten-day rest, followed by the most important part of the gathering of immortals: the opening of the ancient and mysterious Dao Ancestor's secret realm, allowing cultivators to enter and seek their fortunes. All gains within could be kept without the Dao Court taking a share.
***
"I can finally participate."
Qing Muling said with a slight sense of emotion. Since the beginning of the gathering of immortals, he had been merely a spectator, and now he finally had the chance to make an appearance.
Xuebing Xuan smiled: "There's no rush, we'll discuss it after we go back."
So, everyone returned to their lodgings. Along the way, there were attempts by cultivators from other sects to strike up conversations, but they were all blocked by the people sent by Yueyi Heavenly Lord.
At this time, it was naturally inappropriate to stir up trouble, regardless of whether the other party had good or bad intentions.
Inside the chamber, Xuebing Xuan and the other sisters began to study the map of the secret realm of the ancient and mysterious Dao Ancestor with Qing Muling.
This map was naturally issued by the Dao Court, but it was incomplete, limited to the outer areas of the secret realm and rather rough, barely usable for reference. Navigating inside would mainly rely on the cultivators themselves.
"It seems quite dangerous, no less than the Misty Illusion Secret Realm!"
Qi Yalan pondered, and the other sisters agreed. In fact, this was a rather understated way of putting it. The Misty Illusion Secret Realm had been explored by generations of cultivators over countless years, and the rules of heaven and earth, as well as information on many regions, were quite well-documented. Thus, survival inside wasn't as exaggeratedly difficult as one might imagine.
But the secret realm of the ancient and mysterious Dao Ancestor was opening for the first time, and who knew what deadly things were inside? It wouldn't be too surprising if they were wiped out by provoking some formidable entity.
Especially because the laws of heaven and earth within limited all cultivators to maintain only the peak level of the Feather Transformation Realm. If one exceeded this level, they might be wiped out by the mysterious forces inside, with no chance to escape.
"Actually, it's nothing to worry about. As long as we meet up with Junior Brother quickly after entering, his supreme fortune will protect us, and we won't have any problems," Luo Wanqing said.
Qing Muling nodded: "That won't be a problem. Even if we get separated, I can now protect myself. Even if I can't win, I can still escape safely."
With his experience from the Misty Illusion Secret Realm and his current strength far surpassing the past, he indeed had much more confidence.
"Alright, there are still ten days until the secret realm opens, so let's continue cultivating," Cheng Yulan said, eager for the enlightenment that came from cultivating with their Junior Brother, unwilling to waste a moment.
The other sisters had no objections. Yu Binghua looked at Qing Muling and suggested, "Since we're cultivating, why don't we do it together?"
Luo Wanqing frowned slightly, but Xuebing Xuan discreetly tugged at her sleeve and turned to say, "Sure, come with us to change clothes."
"Change clothes?"
Yu Binghua was somewhat puzzled. She didn't know that cultivating with their Junior Brother required special attire. Could this be his particular preference?
When they entered the boudoir and saw the pile of colorful, bizarre clothes that the eldest sister brought out, the new sister was immediately taken aback.
Especially some of the clothes, which were scandalously revealing, barely more than a few straps and ribbons, unable to cover anything. There were also some strange props she couldn't recognize at all.
"Don't hesitate, hurry up and change. If you want to 'cultivate' with Junior Brother, you'll have to dress like this every day," Luo Huan said with a suppressed smile. Yu Binghua agreed hesitantly, urged by her sisters, and shyly removed her garments, revealing her flawless, beautiful body.
Luo Huan skillfully undressed and put on a gold necklace studded with gems in front of the exquisite mirror, the necklace connected to delicate chains, followed by blood drop earrings, and pure black lace long garter stockings. Yu Binghua felt quite embarrassed; she had not expected her sisters to dress so boldly and shamelessly… it was just too embarrassing.
But the thought of being close to Junior Brother made the resistance in Yu Binghua's heart less pronounced, her shyness mixed with eager anticipation.
Then, she was held down by her sisters and dressed up in the same shameful and exciting attire, and half-pushed, half-pulled onto the luxurious bed, where Qing Muling was already sitting.
However, what Yu Binghua eagerly anticipated did not happen next. Junior Brother did not make any inappropriate moves on her; the cultivation was the serious kind.
It wasn't until the profound and serene enlightenment aura emerged from Junior Brother that Yu Binghua understood the reason, feeling shocked and inexplicably angry.
No wonder these flirtatious sisters had been so secretive, guarding against other sisters as if they were guarding against thieves. No wonder their cultivation had advanced so rapidly; it was all because of Junior Brother.
"The benefits are clear in your heart, don't speak of it outside. If you don't want those vixens out there to fight over Junior Brother!" Xuebing Xuan warned.
"Alright."
Yu Binghua nodded vigorously, sitting next to Qing Muling and entering a state of cultivation with an extremely excited mood.
***
The ten days passed in a blink of an eye. When Qing Muling and the sisters finished their cultivation, a maid came to report that the Dragon Ritual Princess had come to visit and specifically asked to see him.
"What does she want this time?"
Qi Yalan's tone was clearly wary, and the other sisters felt the same.
Qing Muling was unconcerned: "I'll go talk to her. You can stay in the inner room. I don't think she'll have any ill intentions."
From their previous encounters, he had a good impression of the princess, and this visit should be no problem.
In the reception hall, the Dragon Ritual Princess stood by the window, her brows slightly furrowed, dressed in a gorgeous bright yellow palace dress, her figure shrouded in a hazy glow, her beauty ethereal.
"Your Highness."
Qing Muling's warm and magnetic voice came from behind.
The Dragon Ritual Princess turned slightly, a hint of a smile appearing in her lustrous eyes: "Tomorrow is the day the secret realm opens, so I came to see you…"
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan