Chapter 51: Dual Advancement

“The protective formation has been withdrawn as well. With me here, there’s no need to worry.” Qi Shuoyuan examined Ji Jiuxuan’s condition and spoke to Nie Xingyuan.

Once the formation was removed, Nie Xingyuan was astonished to see the surrounding spiritual energy surging toward Ji Jiuxuan with even greater force, even affecting the clouds above, making them wilder.

“This—!” Though Nie Xingyuan often teased his disciple, he was genuinely concerned about her condition. He quickly checked Meng Jiao’s situation and found that apart from the intensifying thunder tribulation, nothing seemed amiss.

Ji Jiuxuan’s state was also within normal bounds, so Nie Xingyuan finally relaxed and stepped aside.

“There are ancestors within the sect. No one dares meddle with such an important event as a disciple’s advancement.” Qi Shuoyuan’s voice carried supreme authority as he gazed into the distance, his sight piercing all barriers to observe the surroundings clearly.

At this moment, Ji Jiuxuan felt overwhelmed by the influx of spiritual energy. Her meridians could not withstand the sudden impact; she felt as though she might burst apart, the discomfort almost unbearable.

Watching her meridians being pushed to their limits, everyone expected her to implode, yet under the effects of her cultivation technique, they expanded further right at the brink.

This was a first. Previously, she’d tried to block some of the incoming spiritual energy to preserve herself, but now she wanted to test her true limits.

Thus, the spiritual energy gathered outside rushed into Ji Jiuxuan’s body with such vigor that even Qi Shuoyuan and Nie Xingyuan were left speechless.

“Master, should we intervene?”

Nie Xingyuan’s cultivation was not insignificant, yet he could not discern the workings of Ji Jiuxuan’s technique.

“Let’s wait a bit longer.” Though Ji Jiuxuan’s face showed discomfort, she was not yet in danger.

Time passed. This time, Ji Jiuxuan’s advancement lasted a full day and night. When she finally opened her eyes, she was shocked to find she had leapt three levels, advancing directly from the fourth to the seventh stage of Qi Refinement, her meridians more than doubled in size, and the spiritual energy within her body was much denser.

What was happening?

Her cultivation had just advanced and was clearly unstable. Still, advancement was a cause for joy, though she would need to find time to stabilize her realm.

Looking up, she saw her grandfather and junior uncle nearby. Then she gazed toward the sky, where the thunderclouds above Xuantian Sect had yet to dissipate, crackling incessantly as they struck downward. Beneath the lightning, she could vaguely see a figure standing tall.

“Is Senior Sister undergoing tribulation?”

Her question was somewhat rhetorical, prompted by worry for her senior sister, who had recently suffered serious injuries. Facing the tribulation now made her anxious; she could only hope for a smooth passage.

“Yes, and it seems nearly complete.” Qi Shuoyuan nodded in affirmation. “Xiao Jiu, after advancing so rapidly, you must take care to stabilize your cultivation!”

Ji Jiuxuan nodded, “Yes!”

Min Chengjun, observing her safe advancement from the side, breathed a sigh of relief. The little girl was the senior brother’s treasured one; if anything happened, it would be disastrous when the senior brother returned.

He recalled the time of her birth, when the normally silent, icy senior brother had carried her around, showing her off, a sight that shocked everyone.

After a thunderous roar in the sky, Ji Jiuxuan quickly looked up toward Meng Jiao’s position.

She saw the black clouds slowly dispersing, and the surrounding spiritual energy was rapidly gathering.

Standing in the Xuanheng Courtyard, Ji Jiuxuan watched the sky, seeing the almost tangible spiritual energy converge toward Meng Jiao’s location, unable to suppress her happiness for her.

Senior Sister had succeeded in advancing!

When the spiritual energy in the sky finally calmed, the fiery figure flew directly toward their location.

“Sect Master, Master.”

Meng Jiao had only just finished her salute and hadn’t yet risen when Nie Xingyuan promptly smacked her down, “Explain yourself! Why did you drink and take your junior sister flying on a sword?”

This was Ji Jiuxuan’s first time seeing her junior uncle act this way—she was stunned.

She wanted to help Meng Jiao up, only to see Meng Jiao rise quickly, spit out some dirt, and complain, “Master, could you use a different method next time?”

Ji Jiuxuan had taken a few steps forward, then stood uncertainly, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

“You know the rules.” The statement was absolute, and Nie Xingyuan’s expression was exceptionally stern.

If he hadn’t discovered it in time, it would have been dangerous.

Meng Jiao was reliable in major matters, but quite the opposite in minor ones. Details determine success or failure; punishment was necessary to teach her a lesson.

“Yes, Master. I’ll go accept my punishment now.” She grinned at Ji Jiuxuan, “Junior Sister, I’ll come find you for fun when I’m free.”

Her carefree demeanor was a stark contrast to her refined, immortal appearance.

At that moment, Ji Jiuxuan felt that Senior Sister Meng’s former heroic appearance probably matched her personality better.

“Master, your disciple is off!”

Her cheerful tone made others want to laugh and cry. Min Chengjun, however, still kept a stern face and nodded, “Mm.”

Ji Jiuxuan had never seen such a dynamic between master and disciple; it was quite unique. Yet Senior Sister Meng’s personality made her inexplicably likable.

“Uncle, what punishment will Senior Sister receive?” She thought over the sect’s rules and found none that seemed applicable.

“Don’t worry, Ah Jiu. The punishment will actually help your senior sister stabilize her cultivation; she’s quite used to it.”

Min Chengjun’s explanation eased Ji Jiuxuan’s mind. If Senior Sister was used to it, did that mean she had often been punished for mistakes? Next time she saw her, she could gossip about it.

That night, lying in bed, she could hardly wait to fall asleep. The system had said that the cultivation technique for challenging higher realms could be won by lottery; no matter how unlucky she was, she had to try. Passing up such an opportunity would be foolish.

“System, how do I obtain the body-forging technique and the realm-surpassing technique you mentioned?”

“Please wait, host.”

As soon as the system spoke, Ji Jiuxuan found her surroundings changed, identical to the space where she’d drawn lots before.

On the screen, it now displayed: Obtain the body-forging technique?

Ji Jiuxuan clicked “Yes” without hesitation. The system’s offerings were truly useful, though she wished it didn’t have that annoying health protector feature.

“Congratulations, host! You’ve obtained the Feathered Petal Body Forge Technique.” She watched as a golden book emerged from the screen and flew into her forehead.

Before she could react, the entire content of the technique was imprinted in her mind.

Previously, the system had said this body-forging technique didn’t require her to change her physique like Senior Sister Meng had; now it seemed true. Her body even became more flexible.

She hadn’t expected that at all.

No wonder it was called the Feathered Petal Body Forge. Upon studying it, she found the key lay in the method itself; the rest was nothing short of brutal training.

Ji Jiuxuan collapsed in frustration. Would her cultivation time be reduced again because of this body forging?

After a round of thoughts, she tried to coax the system, “System, since this body-forging technique is about physical training, it counts as extracurricular activity and shouldn’t be included in the time limit, right?”