Jiang Qingwan held the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Tribulation Wood, which emitted a faint purple-gold glow, feeling the surging ancient thunder source pulsing in her palm.
She originally planned to seal her cave dwelling immediately and enter a deep seclusion to completely refine this peerless divine object into her body.
However, when she turned around with full expectations and looked around, the urge to go into seclusion was instantly and ruthlessly extinguished by reality.
The spacious cave dwelling presented a miserable and chaotic scene.
The destructive lightning that had escaped during her previous seclusion to comprehend thunder techniques had long since blasted the place beyond recognition.
In this dilapidated environment with drafts everywhere and the ground covered in black ash, how could she calm her mind for seclusion?
Jiang Qingwan let out a long, helpless sigh and carefully stored the precious tribulation wood into her storage ring.
It seems I need to go to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion in Xuandu for some shopping and completely refurnish this cave dwelling inside and out, she calculated to herself.
It just so happened that she was holding the purple-gold VIP card recently given by the wealthy Jin Buhuan.
It would be a waste not to use such a free top-tier discount.
Just as she was about to turn and leave.
The image of Bai Fengqiu's always chattering, energetic, and pretty face inexplicably flashed through Jiang Qingwan's mind.
Thinking about it carefully, this inner sect competition had been turbulent and full of crises.
She had been busy fighting in the secret realm and had not seen the girl for several days.
Since she was going down the mountain to buy furniture anyway, she might as well invite her along to get some fresh air and relax her tense nerves.
Jiang Qingwan smoothed out her brand-new Flowing Cloud Immortal Robe and followed the mountain path to the front of Bai Fengqiu's cave dwelling.
Fengqiu. She stopped in her tracks, her cold and clear voice penetrating the heavy stone door as she called out softly.
Before half a breath had even passed after her words fell.
With a swish, the sturdy stone door was pulled open from the inside.
A brisk figure in a pale yellow dress darted out from the door like a skylark released from its cage.
Bai Fengqiu's face was filled with unconcealed immense surprise. Her large eyes blinked at her as she asked eagerly:
Senior Sister! You are finally back!
How is it? How is it? What were the results of the competition?
Facing her junior sister's expectant gaze, Jiang Qingwan's expression was as calm as water.
She slightly raised her fair and delicate chin, placed her hands behind her back, and nodded very reservedly and indifferently:
It was alright. I just got first place, that is all.
Hearing this understated sentence, Bai Fengqiu froze for half a second.
Then she sharply gasped and let out an incredibly exaggerated Wow!
Immediately after, the girl transformed into a master flatterer, unleashing a dizzying barrage of crazy compliments.
I knew it! Senior Sister, you are the best!
What Taibai Peak Chief, what peerless geniuses from all over, in front of our Lord Ziwei, they are all just vulnerable chickens and dogs!
With Senior Sister's immortal beauty and divine thunder techniques, you are simply a peerless genius rarely seen in the five thousand years of the Tianyuan Sect!
To be Senior Sister's junior sister, my ancestors' graves must be smoking with green smoke; it is a blessing cultivated over eight lifetimes!
Various gorgeous, complex, and non-repetitive words of praise smashed over like a barrage of cannon fire.
They forcibly made Jiang Qingwan, who usually would not change her expression even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of her, feel her ears burn slightly.
A faint blush involuntarily appeared on her stunningly beautiful face.
After wildly outputting a round of earth-shattering flattery, Bai Fengqiu suddenly closed her mouth.
She said nothing, just stood there with her hands behind her back, her bright eyes staring straight at Jiang Qingwan with full expectation.
Like a well-behaved kitten that had done a good deed and was waiting for its owner to stroke and praise it.
Jiang Qingwan was a bit puzzled by her burning gaze.
She focused slightly, releasing a wisp of divine sense to briefly sweep over Bai Fengqiu's body.
With this sweep, a trace of surprise instantly flashed through Jiang Qingwan's cold purple eyes.
She saw that the spiritual energy aura within Bai Fengqiu's body was incredibly thick and solid, with a faint glimmer flowing around her, indicating an exceptionally solid foundation.
The girl's cultivation had actually quietly reached the peak of the ninth level of Qi Condensation during the short few days she was participating in the competition.
She was truly just one step away from the Foundation Establishment stage that so many disciples dreamed of.
Faced with such stunning progress, she generously extended her right hand, gave Bai Fengqiu a big thumbs-up, and sincerely praised:
A single day apart feels like three autumns.
Hearing such a heavyweight compliment from her idol senior sister, the invisible tail behind Bai Fengqiu was practically pointing up to the sky.
She immediately put her hands on her hips triumphantly, raised her chin, and stood there laughing heartily without any ladylike image.
After laughing, Bai Fengqiu restrained the playfulness on her face, and her eyes became exceptionally serious.
She stared straight at Jiang Qingwan, her eyes burning with an unyielding fighting spirit:
Senior Sister, although I know I am definitely no match for you right now.
I still want to spar with you, so you can see with your own eyes the progress I have made during my seclusion!
Looking at the girl full of fighting spirit in front of her, Jiang Qingwan immediately chuckled and nodded.
She casually took half a step back, placed one hand behind her back, and assumed a sparring stance, her tone full of encouragement:
Come.
Here I come, Senior Sister! Watch out!
As soon as Bai Fengqiu finished speaking, the hand seals in her hands changed rapidly like a butterfly fluttering through flowers.
Her opening move was a formation flashing with dazzling light and containing violent lightning power, instantly taking shape in midair.
The formation, carrying a swift and fierce momentum, directly enveloped Jiang Qingwan's face.
A glimmer of appreciation flashed in Jiang Qingwan's eyes.
The seal-forming speed and spiritual energy control of this formation were indeed far beyond that of ordinary Qi Condensation disciples.
She did not use any spells; she just casually raised her right hand, formed a fist, and threw an unpretentious punch at the open formation.
Her powerful physical strength erupted instantly, forcibly smashing the lightning formation rushing towards her into pieces, turning it into a sky full of flowing light.
But at the moment the formation shattered and the light obscured her vision.
Bai Fengqiu had already quietly approached using this excellent cover.
She keenly seized this fleeting opportunity. The longsword in her hand was unsheathed, bringing a sharp cold gleam as she decisively slashed towards Jiang Qingwan's shoulder.
Such combat awareness and combo chaining made the smile on Jiang Qingwan's lips grow a bit deeper.
With a slight movement of her mind, a clear and resonant sword cry rang out as the Purple Thunder Sword automatically flew out of its sheath.
Like a bolt of purple lightning, it blocked Bai Fengqiu's fierce attack with a steady clang.
Then, Jiang Qingwan reached out and grasped the hilt.
Not only did she not use her profound Foundation Establishment cultivation to forcibly suppress her opponent, but she also deliberately maintained her spiritual energy at a level similar to Bai Fengqiu's.
She patiently began to guide her junior sister through moves in actual combat.
The two of them engaged in an intense sparring match on the spacious open ground outside the cave dwelling.
For a time, lightning flashed in the field, formation patterns intertwined, and purple and white sword shadows fluttered up and down.
Bai Fengqiu gritted her teeth, unleashing absolutely everything she had learned during her recent period of secluded cultivation.
Whether it was talismans, formations, or sword techniques, she poured them all out without reservation.
She found the battle incredibly exhilarating, crying out in deep satisfaction.
A moment later, however, the high-intensity combat finally exhausted Bai Fengqiu's last trace of spiritual energy.
Drenched in sweat, her chest heaving violently, her stamina was completely spent.
With a loud clang, her longsword dropped to the ground.
Unable to hold on any longer, Bai Fengqiu's legs gave way. She plopped right down onto the cold stone floor, waving her hands repeatedly as she panted:
"Oh man... no more fighting, I give up."
"I am exhausted. I simply cannot beat you at all, Senior Sister!"
Jiang Qingwan's aura remained steady; her breathing hadn't faltered in the slightest.
With a light flick of her wrist, she gracefully sheathed her Purple Thunder Sword. Walking over to the slumped Bai Fengqiu, a gentle smile graced her lips:
"You really have made great progress. The timing of those combo attacks just now was quite precise."
Receiving the praise, Bai Fengqiu chuckled and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Jiang Qingwan changed the subject, asking softly:
"I am heading to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion in the Profound Capital to purchase a few items. Would you like to come with me to get some fresh air?"
Hearing the words Myriad Treasures Pavilion, Bai Fengqiu, who had just been sprawled on the ground like a puddle of mud, instantly bounced up.
Her eyes sparkling, all her exhaustion swept away, she shouted excitedly:
"Senior Sister, we are going shopping? Yay! I want to go too!"
Looking at her junior sister covered in dirt and sweat, Jiang Qingwan could not help but smile and shake her head.
She reached out and gently patted the dust off Bai Fengqiu's shoulder, speaking in a warm tone:
"Yes, but there is no rush."
"Go back to your cave dwelling first to wash up and change into some clean clothes. I will wait for you outside."
