"Yes, although cultivating while squatting on a brazier was indeed unsightly, as long as it could improve her Cultivation Level, it was still a good thing!"
"Looks like we won't need to have another child after all. Our eldest still has hope."
The old couple exchanged a glance, and both had already formed new plans in their hearts.
Right after that, Wei Qingshan pushed open the door to the Training Hall, startling Wei Qingyu.
"Why are you still awake?"
Wei Qingyu hurriedly stood up from the brazier, terrified that her parents would see her squatting on it.
Liu Yucui wore a kind smile as she said, "Your father and I saw that you were still diligently cultivating at night, and we felt very gratified."
"Daughter, don't exhaust yourself."
Hearing this, Wei Qingyu immediately laughed.
She replied to Liu Yucui on the spot, "Mother, you needn't worry about me at all."
"I am the dignified Empress—ah, no... How could I possibly be unable to endure even this little hardship?"
"Mother, my Cultivation Level has already broken through to the Third Level of the Innate Realm."
"Just wait, Father and Mother. Sooner or later, I'll make our Wei family transform and become the strongest Lineage in all of East Desolation Commandery!"
Hearing their daughter's lofty declaration, Wei Qingshan and Liu Yucui both felt greatly gratified.
Wei Qingshan then said, "Daughter, if you truly have such ambitions, I am truly pleased as your father."
"In that case, I think you can go to Immortal County and participate in the Rookie Competition three days from now."
At the mention of the Rookie Competition, Wei Qingyu's interest was immediately piqued.
She recalled that Immortal County was near East Desolation Commandery. Whether in population or territory, it was somewhat larger than East Desolation Commandery.
The Rookie Competition was a contest jointly held by several major sects from Immortal County and East Desolation Commandery.
The purpose of this competition was for the major sects to spar in martial arts, exchange friendly greetings, and strengthen their friendship.
Besides new disciples from the major sects, Rogue Cultivators from all regions were also allowed to participate.
If a Rogue Cultivator could make a name for themself in a single stroke at the competition, they might even directly receive olive branches extended by the major sects.
In her previous life, Wei Qingyu had once eagerly tagged along behind Gu Chen to participate in this competition.
In the end, she had also received generous rewards alongside Gu Chen.
But Wei Qingyu refused to accept it!
If Gu Chen had not kept teaching her the wrong cultivation methods,
she might have been directly noticed by the major sects back then!
Thinking of this, Wei Qingyu grew even more furious, unable to swallow her anger.
She felt that Gu Chen owed her far too much.
If it had not been for Gu Chen, she would definitely have lived better than before by relying on herself!
Wei Qingyu replied on the spot, "Father, I am definitely joining this Rookie Competition!"
Lingxu Secret Realm, Second Divine Hall.
Shi Mengying was still examining the large pool of blood of unknown origin around her.
A massive shadow had already silently appeared behind her.
The next second, Shi Mengying instantly sensed an overwhelmingly powerful pressure surging from behind her.
Whoosh!
A ball of scorching flames instantly swallowed the spot where Shi Mengying stood.
The blazing firelight even illuminated more than half the valley floor.
The Crimson Mane Fierce Lion was covered in blood, and a horrifying bloody hole had appeared on its head!
Fortunately, Shi Mengying reacted quickly and directly dodged the attack.
At the moment she leaped into the air, she happened to see the Crimson Mane Fierce Lion behind her.
"There's actually a monster like this in this place?"
Shi Mengying stared at the Crimson Mane Fierce Lion and thrust her longsword straight at it.
However, the enraged Crimson Mane Fierce Lion reacted with extreme speed.
In almost the blink of an eye, the Crimson Mane Fierce Lion shifted and spun around, opening its blood-filled maw as it charged toward Shi Mengying.
"Heh, monster, you're quite quick on the draw."
"I'd like to see—"
Before Shi Mengying could finish speaking, the Crimson Mane Fierce Lion instantly spewed hellfire capable of burning everything to ashes!
Shi Mengying had no time to evade and was forcibly engulfed by the flames.
After the firelight faded, the surroundings once again returned to dead silence.
Only the Crimson Mane Fierce Lion's low growls could be heard in the darkness.
It seemed to be mocking Shi Mengying for being far too weak compared to that person from earlier.
But just as the Crimson Mane Fierce Lion had taken only a few steps,
several fleeting sparks suddenly appeared in the darkness behind it.
The firelight caught the Crimson Mane Fierce Lion's attention, making it turn around and stare into the darkness before it with a face full of astonishment.
Then, the sparks gradually brightened, eventually outlining the figure of a woman.
A faint glow of fire flickered around Shi Mengying's body, while her pupils had visibly become much brighter.
The hellfire spat out by the Crimson Mane Fierce Lion moments ago was enough to burn everything between heaven and earth to nothing.
Shi Mengying had been at the very center of the hellfire's burning range, so naturally, she had not escaped unscathed.
But she was a lost pearl of the Phoenix Clan.
Phoenix Spirit Blood flowed through her veins, so she would not die so easily.
Especially after being burned by flames, she would undergo Rebirth in Flames!
At this moment, after being tempered by hellfire, Shi Mengying's Cultivation Level had directly risen by several minor realms.
From the Third Level of the Innate Realm, it had been forcibly raised to the Seventh Level!
Such a shocking breakthrough in her Cultivation Level was not merely because she possessed Phoenix Spirit Blood.
There was an even more important reason: the spiritual energy throughout the Lingxu Secret Realm was exceptionally abundant.
That was what allowed Shi Mengying's Cultivation Level to soar forward in such a meteoric leap!
"As expected of an ancient divine beast. That hellfire has some bite."
"Unfortunately, it's still somewhat lacking before me."
Shi Mengying lightly flicked her right hand, and a streak of blue-flamed light continuously tumbled and danced through the air.
The moment Shi Mengying finished speaking, that blue streak of light gently landed on the Crimson Mane Fierce Lion.
In an instant, the blue flames rapidly spread, directly devouring the Crimson Mane Fierce Lion completely!
Endless wails and furious roars echoed throughout the valley floor.
The Crimson Mane Fierce Lion, an ancient divine beast, was actually burned alive beneath Shi Mengying's Phoenix Spirit Fire!
As she admired the sight of the Spirit Beast before her burning itself to death, a bloodthirsty smile had already appeared on Shi Mengying's lips.
She slowly opened her right hand, sensing every inch of change within her body.
Shi Mengying's Cultivation Level had now reached the Third Level of the Innate Realm, and she was no longer far from Profound Gang.
At the same time, she had unexpectedly obtained one of the Phoenix Clan's divine powers: Phoenix Spirit Fire.
Phoenix Spirit Fire differed from all other flames in the world.
This fire could cling to any object. Unless the object completely perished, it could burn it for generation after generation.
At that moment, boundless killing intent burst forth from Shi Mengying's eyes.
With a bewitchingly sinister expression, she said, "Gu Chen, you'd best enjoy your time on the run."
"Your life will be mine sooner or later."
Lingxu Secret Realm, Third Divine Hall.
Gu Chen stared at the person before him who looked exactly like himself, unable to suppress the doubt in his heart.
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