The Hehuan Sect Was Squeezed Dry for Ten Thousand Years, but It Became a Sacred Ground?

Chapter 17: Master and Disciples Ride the Mighty Horse, Thousand-Liter Achievement!

The efforts of the three women did not go to waste.

Liu Ruyan advanced her cultivation to the mid-stage of the first level of the Nascent Soul Realm.

At first glance, this might seem like a minor improvement. However, in reality, such progress was astonishing!

In the Nascent Soul Realm, spending centuries to advance even a small sub-stage was considered normal.

To achieve such rapid growth, who wouldn’t call her a genius?

Xu Qingyao, who broke through a bottleneck of twenty years, also reaped significant benefits. Although the frequency and total amount she absorbed were slightly less than Liu Ruyan’s, her cultivation soared to the late stage of the second level of the Core Formation Realm. Her unique “Azure Water Serene Physique,” with its 100% spiritual essence utilization, proved invaluable.

The greatest gains, however, went to Nangong Ling, who possessed the divine “Sun-Moon Eyes.”

After a year of effort, although her cultivation level didn’t improve, her mastery of divine abilities deepened significantly.

Now, she could freely control her Sun-Moon Eyes and even activate their radiance.

While her attack methods remained simple, their power far exceeded the Core Formation Realm. The most terrifying part was their ability to bypass most defensive artifacts.

Still, Nangong Ling had long been accustomed to her habit of wearing black silk over her eyes. Only within the Demon Suppression Prison did she reveal her true self.

The modified wooden bed had a distinct advantage—it eliminated noise. No matter how much it shook, there was no creaking, leaving only the indescribable sounds more pronounced.

As another dose was injected, Liu Ruyan finally succumbed.

Even the most resilient talent can falter when faced with the unstoppable. Yet, she remembered her top priority.@@novelbin@@

With a flick of her wrist, she retrieved a familiar spherical jade plug and sealed the path as quickly as possible.

Liu Ruyan knew her junior sister had crafted a sealing formation that allowed only absorption, not release.

While this method maximized intake, she was fond of the jade plug, an artifact she had used for centuries, imbued with nostalgia.

Over time, the artifact, enriched with both Liu Ruyan’s and Ning Chen’s spiritual essence, had naturally evolved into a spiritual tool coveted by low-level cultivators.

After Liu Ruyan stepped aside, Nangong Ling immediately stepped up. She skillfully wielded the jade flute, fully aware of the value of every drop of spiritual rain. Even consuming it could cleanse the meridians and strengthen the body.

After thoroughly absorbing it, her body, already prepared, transitioned seamlessly into action. With her hair tied into a high ponytail using a silk ribbon, she exuded the aura of a heroic warrior, ready for battle.

The determined expression on her delicate face resembled a gallant swordswoman on horseback.

“Hyah!” she urged, fully immersed in the momentum.

Meanwhile, Ning Chen, now devoid of initial excitement, simply lay there, unmoving, like a tamed stallion being freely ridden.

When Liu Ruyan noticed Nangong Ling had taken over her finishing task, she was infuriated.

However, Nangong Ling’s swift actions left her no time to react. Frustrated, Liu Ruyan muttered under her breath, calling Nangong Ling a rebellious disciple. As her legs regained some strength, she promptly sat down to cultivate.

Xu Qingyao, resting against Ning Chen, observed the scene with a charming smile. She showed no intention of competing.

Her task was to stay behind at the sect, as her Core Formation level was insufficient to represent the sect before the top-tier sects of the Xia Dynasty.

Feeling the warmth from her chest, Xu Qingyao’s eyes sparkled with determination.

“I’m still too weak,” she thought to herself.

With the trip lasting at least half a month, she resolved to use this time to strengthen herself by monopolizing her master’s nephew.

***

While Ning Chen was enjoying the attention from both ends, a sudden interruption caught him off guard.

Ding! [Liu Ruyan has achieved the milestone of absorbing 1,000 liters of the host’s spiritual essence (excluding losses). Her body, constantly optimized by the Supreme Yang Holy Physique, has now awakened a subordinate physique based on her specific condition.].

Ning Chen froze.

It had been ages since the system had spoken outside of its nightly updates.

But as he read the notification, he was dumbfounded.

“A thousand liters?”

“Am I really that impressive?”

“And what exactly is this subordinate physique?”

He couldn’t make sense of it.

The system offered no further explanation. Instinctively, Ning Chen looked toward Liu Ruyan, who was seated cross-legged in meditation. Her porcelain-like body now emitted a faint glow—something that had never happened before during her cultivation.

The other two women noticed it as well. Following Ning Chen’s gaze, their expressions turned curious.

“Master… uh, what’s happening to her?” Nangong Ling asked breathlessly, not forgetting her current task.

Xu Qingyao snapped back to her senses and rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Just wait and see. Who knows? Judging by her glowing expression, it’s clearly not a bad thing.”

Although Liu Ruyan had shared some secrets, Xu Qingyao still harbored resentment about being kept in the dark for so long.

She felt her occasional jabs were already lenient.

She thought to herself, “Why should I care what happens to that woman?”

Smiling mischievously, she picked up a fresh fruit slice from a jade platter and offered it to Ning Chen with a radiant grin.

The trio continued their respective activities while observing Liu Ruyan’s cultivation.

Finally, after an indeterminate amount of time, the system spoke again.

Ding! [Awakening complete. Liu Ruyan has acquired the subordinate Heavenly Ice Spirit Physique.].