Chapter Seventeen: An An Is Our Only Treasure

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Only then did Xu Ning'an realize what Huo Shiqing had been looking at.

Following his gaze, she saw Jiang Heng and Han Jie standing at the back of the crowd.

The two of them did not seem particularly interested in the Fiery Yama Sparrow. They had neither joined the discussion nor offered an opinion, merely standing there in silence.

Xu Ning'an called Huo Shiqing back to himself. “What is it, An'an? What did you just say?”

A trace of discomfort flickered through Xu Ning'an's heart, but her face remained bright with smiles. “Second Senior Brother, I want to take this demon beast as my spirit pet.”

Huo Shiqing paused, recalling what he had just seen, and said lazily, “All right. I'll go discuss it with them.”

Xu Ning'an cheered, then turned toward Xia Zhiyu with a pout. “Second Senior Brother is the one who truly dotes on me. Fourth Senior Brother, you've changed.”

Xia Zhiyu sighed and ruffled Xu Ning'an's hair with a grin. “Not at all. I've always doted on you, An'an.”

An'an was the apple of his eye. He had always regarded her as his own little sister, so how could he not cherish her?

It was just that, for some reason, Xia Zhiyu had recently begun to feel that they might be indulging An'an a little too much, making her spoiled and inconsiderate.

That would not do in the long run, which was why he had tried to dissuade her so tactfully.

He was only trying to protect An'an. He did not want her to suffer because excessive favor had provoked the envy and jealousy of others, bringing disaster upon her.

Xu Ning'an did not understand Xia Zhiyu's good intentions and merely gave him another disdainful hum.

No one knew how Huo Shiqing had negotiated with the Core Formation cultivators. They were somewhat surprised at first, but in the end, all agreed to work together to capture the demon beast and make it Xu Ning'an's spirit pet.

In the cultivation world, the strong had always been obeyed. The opinions of those at the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refinement stages need not be considered; all that mattered was persuading every Core Formation cultivator.

In the end, Huo Shiqing walked up to Han Jie and Jiang Heng, explained the purpose of his visit, and offered generous terms.

He did not look at Jiang Heng, instead fixing his gaze on Han Jie as he said, “An'an is the only treasure of our sect. Our master and fellow disciples cannot bear to see even the slightest crease between her brows. I hope Junior Brother Han will understand.”

As Jiang Heng listened, not the slightest ripple crossed her face. She looked like a complete stranger to whom none of this had anything to do.

Han Jie considered the matter, then said, “Since everyone else has agreed, there would be no point in refusing on my own. Do as you please. However, you needn't give me any spirit stones, because I have no intention of helping.”

Huo Shiqing's brows drew together slightly.

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Before he could ask why, Han Jie turned to Jiang Heng. “Let's go back. There is nothing worthwhile left in this minor grotto-heaven.”

Jiang Heng nodded without hesitation and followed Han Jie away.

Watching their retreating figures, Huo Shiqing clenched his fists, his expression turning cold and grim...

After leaving the minor grotto-heaven and returning to her cave dwelling, Jiang Heng inventoried the gains from the two storage bags, and her brows relaxed slightly.

This time, she had truly made a fortune.

She selected the finest batch of demon beast materials and spirit herbs, then went to the Medicine Hall to find Uncle-Master Ji and repay him for the spirit talismans and pills he had previously supplied.

Uncle-Master Ji accepted only the spirit herbs, refusing the materials. “Keep these. They will come in handy when you forge your natal spirit sword in the future. Oh, and your Senior Brother Han said that storage bag was a gift to you. You needn't return it.”

Jiang Heng was taken aback. “But...”

Uncle-Master Ji chuckled warmly. “There's no need to be so polite with that boy. He has plenty of good things. What does one storage bag matter?”

“Oh, by the way, I heard he plans to take you along on missions in the future?”

Jiang Heng lowered her head slightly. “Yes. I don't know whether this will cause trouble for the Medicine Hall or for you, Uncle-Master Ji.”

Uncle-Master Ji waved his hands repeatedly. “How could it? I was worried that we had too few disciples to make up the numbers. It's fortunate that you are willing to come. You have been a great help.”

Jiang Heng smiled faintly, her feelings somewhat complicated.

How could she fail to hear that Uncle-Master Ji was deliberately looking after her and offering her comfort?

The Medicine Hall held a lofty position within the Myriad Spirits Sect. Even the sect master had to show it some respect. If they lacked people, all they needed to do was say the word, and countless cultivators would be willing to come lend a hand. Why would they need a Foundation Establishment cultivator like her merely to fill out the numbers?

She suddenly remembered Han Jie's words.

Whether she wished to repay those who had shown her kindness or seek revenge, she had to reach Core Formation as soon as possible.

Once she formed her core, she would not only possess enough lifespan to carry out her plans, but would also be able to refine medicines and artifacts with her core flame. Many matters would no longer be constrained by limitations or require her to beg for help at every turn.

And when she went on missions with Senior Brother Han in the future, she would no longer hold him back.

No matter how eager she was, Jiang Heng did not attempt a breakthrough immediately. Instead, she patiently focused on increasing the number of levels in her Evil Rakshasa Path.

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Sharpening one's blade does not delay the chopping of firewood. Without the heaven-defying ability to remain undefeated, attempting Core Formation recklessly was far too dangerous. If her luck turned sour and she fell all the way back to the Qi Refinement stage, she would not even have a place to weep.

Jiang Heng consumed a large quantity of spirit herbs, sat in meditation with her eyes closed, and began circulating the Evil Rakshasa Art.

The sun rose and the moon set; the tides ebbed and flowed.

Just as Jiang Heng was attempting to break through to the first level of the Evil Rakshasa Path within her cave dwelling, Xu Ning'an once again enjoyed immense success and stole the limelight throughout the Myriad Spirits Sect.

All the Myriad Spirits Sect cultivators in the minor grotto-heaven had exerted themselves to the utmost and endured great hardship to bring down the Fiery Yama Sparrow, which became her spirit pet.

The spirit herbs and inner cores that the three of them had obtained in the minor grotto-heaven were all exchanged for the finest pills for attempting Foundation Establishment.

There were even extremely extravagant auxiliary treasures for aiding advancement—items that should never have been used on Qi Refinement cultivators—which were all lavished upon Xu Ning'an.

And so, surrounded by abundant affection and protection, and escorted by her senior brothers every step of the way, Xu Ning'an finally managed to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Everyone on Snow Crane Peak was overjoyed and deeply excited. They specially held a celebratory banquet exclusively for Xu Ning'an.

This banquet was even more grand and magnificent than her previous birthday celebration.

After all, birthdays came every year, whereas a major advancement such as this might occur only once in many years. It was far more deserving of an elaborate celebration.

As the guest of honor, Xu Ning'an stood smiling in the most conspicuous place, holding Huo Shiqing's hand with her left hand and Jiang Huaisu's arm with her right, accepting everyone's congratulations and blessings.

She wore the Woven-Gold Firefly Immortal Rainbow Dress Huo Shiqing had given her, her hair adorned with dazzling pearls and jade. Perched on her shoulder was the Fiery Yama Sparrow, transformed to the size of an ordinary bird. She resembled a lofty goddess, or perhaps a noble princess who possessed all the world's love and favor.

Xu Ning'an's smile was brilliant beyond compare. Only someone completely surrounded by love could shine with such unrestrained radiance.

Watching his junior sister cling to the two senior brothers without letting go, Xia Zhiyu joked with Shen Yanchu, “Eldest Senior Brother, everyone says that you and I are rare beauties as well. What a pity that we are still slightly inferior to those two, which is why Junior Sister refuses to hold our hands.”

Shen Yanchu smiled faintly. “She has only two hands. How could she hold four people? We are all her closest kin. Don't be jealous for no reason.”

Xia Zhiyu chuckled. “I know. I was only joking. Who would be jealous of his own little sister?”

After they chatted for a while, Xia Zhiyu suddenly sensed that something was amiss. “Eldest Senior Brother, how come you haven't mentioned Jiang Heng lately?”