After returning to Small Bamboo Peak, Ning Huanhuan felt utterly dejected.

  Her cultivation had been stuck at the ninth level of the Spirit Platform Realm for a long time, and she had been searching for a way to break through.

  Tonight, while bathing in the river, she accidentally discovered a blooming Blazing Red Lotus, which filled her with immense joy.

  If she could obtain the Blazing Red Lotus and refine it, she would have a high chance of breaking her shackles and achieving the Dao Palace Realm she had always dreamed of!

  However, the outcome was far beyond her expectations.

  She never imagined she would encounter that lewd scoundrel again tonight!

  What surprised her even more was that in just three short months, the scoundrel's strength had risen to match her own!

  In their confrontation tonight, not only was she once again seen naked by the scoundrel, but the Blazing Red Lotus was also snatched away by him!

  Thinking about it made Ning Huanhuan feel utterly exhausted, to the point where she even had thoughts of dying!

  "Do I really have no choice but to take the Three Primordial Pill that Senior Sister gave me?"

  Ning Huanhuan took out an elixir exuding a rich fragrance and murmured to herself, her eyes filled with conflict.

  This Three Primordial Pill was a gift from Senior Sister, capable of helping her break through to the Dao Palace Realm!

  However, the Three Primordial Pill was incredibly precious!

  Spiritual pills and treasures are divided into nine grades, with the first grade being the lowest and the ninth grade the highest.

  This Three Primordial Pill had already reached the fourth grade!

  Throughout the entire Supreme Mystical Sect, aside from Alchemy Peak, few could produce such a pill!

  Therefore, this favor was enormous, so much so that she wasn't sure if she could ever repay it!

  She had been hesitating whether to take it or not.

  "I thought I could break through by obtaining the Blazing Red Lotus tonight, but I didn't expect that scoundrel to snatch it away!

  There's less than half a year left until the Sect Tournament, which occurs every five years. Disciples from all peaks will participate to earn good rankings for their peaks, thereby securing more sect resources. Small Bamboo Peak has ranked at the bottom for three consecutive tournaments. If we don't secure a good ranking this year, all of Small Bamboo Peak's resources might be taken by other peaks!"

  With this in mind, Ning Huanhuan made her decision!

  "Forget it! I'll repay the favor later! The urgent task is to break through to the Dao Palace Realm and help Senior Sister and the others secure a better ranking for Small Bamboo Peak."

  She opened her mouth, ready to take the Three Primordial Pill and break through to the Dao Palace Realm!

  However, just at that moment, a figure suddenly flashed by and snatched the Three Primordial Pill from her hand.

  Startled, Ning Huanhuan quickly got up to pursue.

  But as she raised her head, she saw several figures standing in front of her.

  The leading female disciple wore a sharp and sarcastic expression: "Ning Huanhuan, how dare you hide such a treasure as the Three Primordial Pill! Tell me, where did you steal it from?"

  This person was named Liu Yue, also a female disciple of Small Bamboo Peak.

  Relying on her early entry into the sect and higher cultivation, she often bullied her fellow junior sisters.

  Ning Huanhuan, with her beautiful face and unfortunate background, had become a frequent target.

  Facing the accusation, Ning Huanhuan immediately retorted: "I didn't steal it! It was a gift from Senior Sister!"

  "Nonsense!"

  Liu Yue interrupted her as soon as she spoke: "The Three Primordial Pill is a fourth-grade spiritual pill. Even Senior Sister might not have one, so how could she give it to you?

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  You must have stolen it from somewhere!"

  At this moment, another female disciple beside her spoke up: "Senior Sister Liu, didn't you just get a Three Primordial Pill from a Secret Realm a few days ago? Could this be yours?"

  With this "reminder," Liu Yue suddenly remembered something.

  "That's right! I was wondering where my Three Primordial Pill went.

  So you stole my Three Primordial Pill!

  Ning Huanhuan, you have some nerve!"

  Ning Huanhuan could clearly see that Liu Yue and the others intended to claim her Three Primordial Pill as their own.

  Furious, she shouted: "Liu Yue, you're talking nonsense!

  This Three Primordial Pill was a gift from Senior Sister! If you don't believe me, let's go find Senior Sister to verify!"

  Liu Yue sneered: "Senior Sister? Everyone on Small Bamboo Peak knows that Senior Sister is currently in seclusion. How can she testify for you?

  Are you saying this on purpose to find an opportunity to steal my Three Primordial Pill back?"

  Ning Huanhuan was at a loss for words.

  Indeed, Senior Sister was in seclusion, preparing for the Sect Tournament in half a year and couldn't come out to testify for her.

  But why should she have to prove it? The Three Primordial Pill was clearly hers!!!

  Liu Yue had stolen her Three Primordial Pill!!!

  Just as she was about to speak, Liu Yue coldly laughed: "Forget it. For the sake of our fellow discipleship, I won't hold it against you this time.

  If it happens again, I'll report you to the Enforcement Hall and have the Enforcement Elder expel you from the sect!"

  With that, Liu Yue couldn't be bothered to look at Ning Huanhuan again and turned to leave with the other female disciples.

  Ning Huanhuan couldn't let them leave. That was the Three Primordial Pill given to her by Senior Sister to help her break through to the Dao Palace Realm!

  "Stop! Give me back the Three Primordial Pill!"

  As she spoke, Ning Huanhuan channeled her spiritual power and charged at Liu Yue with her sword.

  "Foolish!"

  A fierce look flashed in Liu Yue's eyes.

  She easily sidestepped Ning Huanhuan's attack.

  In the next moment, her Dao Palace Realm cultivation erupted!

  With a wave of her hand, she sent Ning Huanhuan flying, causing her to spit blood on the ground!

  This was the difference between the Dao Palace Realm and the Spirit Platform Realm.

  Even though Ning Huanhuan was at the peak of the ninth level of the Spirit Platform Realm, she couldn't withstand a single blow from Liu Yue, who was in the Dao Palace Realm!

  "Trash!"

  "Go eat dirt!"

  "Hahaha!!!"

  Liu Yue sneered and left with her group.

  Watching them leave, Ning Huanhuan, in her sorry state, clenched her fists and gritted her teeth.

  At this moment, she wished she could kill Liu Yue with a single strike!

  But then a sense of helplessness washed over her.

  "I'm still too weak."

  The gap between the Spirit Platform Realm and the Dao Palace Realm was like heaven and earth! Even ten of her couldn't match Liu Yue!

  Let alone kill Liu Yue.

  "Get stronger! I must become stronger!!!"

  At this moment!

  The desire to become stronger reached its peak in Ning Huanhuan's heart!

  If she became strong enough, she wouldn't be bullied like this! The Three Primordial Pill wouldn't be taken.

  If she became strong enough, even killing Liu Yue with a single strike wouldn't be a problem!

  At this moment, Ning Huanhuan silently planted a determination to become stronger in her heart.

  ***

  Meanwhile, Xiao Lingchen was unaware of the events on Small Bamboo Peak.

  After obtaining the Blazing Red Lotus, Xiao Lingchen used the Divine Movement Step to return to the Back Mountain.

  He then took out the Treasure Mirror, and with a thought, entered the Void Space.

  Upon entering, Xiao Lingchen saw three shadows automatically cultivating divine powers.

  This filled Xiao Lingchen with an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

  Others had to personally cultivate divine powers, expending a lot of energy and time.

  But he only needed to enter the Void Space of this Treasure Mirror to automatically cultivate divine powers.

  It didn't even affect his own cultivation, which was simply too satisfying!

  How was this not like having a cheat?

  Then, Xiao Lingchen took out the Blazing Red Lotus and sat cross-legged.

  He prepared to devour and refine the Blazing Red Lotus to enhance his cultivation.

  If others wanted to refine such a heavenly treasure, they would typically need to invite an alchemist to incorporate it into a medicine.

  This would temper the medicinal effects, making it gentler and easier for the body to absorb.

  However, Xiao Lingchen didn't need such trouble!

  The strength of the Pure Yang Sacred Body was evident here.

  No matter how domineering the spiritual herbs and medicines were, he could directly refine them, and the absorption would far exceed the effects of refining them into an elixir.

  This was the experience gained from previous cultivation.

  Sitting cross-legged, Xiao Lingchen directly put the Blazing Red Lotus into his mouth, crunching it down in a few bites.

  Once swallowed, the violent fire attribute medicinal effects instantly filled Xiao Lingchen's entire body.

  If it were anyone else, they might have exploded and died from the overwhelming medicinal effects.

  But in the next second, the Pure Yang Sacred Body took effect, easily suppressing and devouring the medicinal effects.

  Finally, it transformed into spiritual power and flowed into Xiao Lingchen's Spirit Sea.

  Boom!

  In an instant, Xiao Lingchen's cultivation surged.

  He directly broke through to the fourth level of the Spirit Platform Realm!

  And it wasn't over yet.

  Xiao Lingchen could feel the continuous medicinal effects of the Blazing Red Lotus being devoured by the Pure Yang Sacred Body.

  Then, it was fed back.

  Without wasting time, he closed his eyes and began to operate the Yin-Yang Creation Method.

  He was determined to extract every last drop of the Blazing Red Lotus's medicinal effects!

  Boom!

  The medicinal effects of the Blazing Red Lotus exceeded Xiao Lingchen's expectations.

  In no time at all, he broke through again.

  Reaching the fifth level of the Spirit Platform Realm!

  Then, the sixth level, the seventh level...

  Three days later, Xiao Lingchen's cultivation broke through to the eighth level of the Spirit Platform Realm.

  The medicinal effects of the Blazing Red Lotus were completely absorbed.

  However, upon opening his eyes, Xiao Lingchen didn't feel happy about his breakthrough.

  Instead, his eyes were bloodshot, and his whole body was unbearably hot!

  The full medicinal effects of the Blazing Red Lotus seemed to ignite the evil fire that had been accumulating in Xiao Lingchen's body for so long.

  At this moment, his face was flushed, and he was panting heavily, desperately wanting to vent.

  ***

  He quickly exited the Void Space and ran down the mountain!

  This time, Xiao Lingchen was more cautious and specifically went to the upper reaches of the river to avoid encountering Ning Huanhuan again!

  To prevent being entangled by her.

  However, fate works in mysterious ways.

  The moment Xiao Lingchen jumped into the river, a figure happened to stand up from the water.

  That familiar, stunning face, that familiar, perfect figure.

  Who else could it be but Ning Huanhuan?

  Ning Huanhuan clearly recognized Xiao Lingchen as well. After a brief moment of shock, a blush of anger appeared on her cheeks.

  "Lewd scoundrel! It's you again!!!

  Give me back the Blazing Red Lotus!!!"

  As she shouted, she gripped a long sword in her hand and charged at Xiao Lingchen!

  "Don't provoke me!!!"

  This time, facing Ning Huanhuan's attack, Xiao Lingchen merely waved his arm lightly, deflecting her sword.

  "How is this possible!"

  Ning Huanhuan was stunned.

  Three days ago, she had fought on equal terms with this scoundrel.

  Why today, he easily broke her attack?

  Upon closer inspection of Xiao Lingchen, she was completely dumbfounded.

  "You... you're already at the eighth level of the Spirit Platform Realm?"

  Xiao Lingchen had no intention of responding to her.

  He realized that this time, the cold river water seemed unable to suppress the evil fire within him.

  His whole body was burning, as if consumed by the evil fire, in unbearable pain.

  He then walked towards Ning Huanhuan.

  "What... what do you want?"

  Ning Huanhuan also noticed Xiao Lingchen's state.

  For some reason, she suddenly felt nervous and quickly raised her sword in warning:

  "Don't come any closer!"

  Seeing Xiao Lingchen gradually approaching, Ning Huanhuan swung her sword at him without hesitation!

  However, Xiao Lingchen merely waved his hand.

  In an instant, he dismantled her attack, sending her long sword flying!

  Without a sword, she was like a tiger without teeth.

  At this moment, Ning Huanhuan was completely panicked.

  She instinctively turned to run.

  But it was too late!