"How high? Fifth tier, 2-star??"
"You're cheating, aren't you, Senior?!" Zhou Fan was stunned.
Xia Qingran's cultivation had only been at fourth tier, five stars before, but even that was already incredibly strong, far beyond others her age.
Yet after she refined the Xiaoyang Fruit's power, her cultivation had actually shot up!
In just a few short days, she had risen from fourth tier, five stars to fifth tier, 2-star!
It might have seemed like an increase of only two stars.
But a vast gulf lay between the fourth tier and the fifth tier.
Even advancing from fourth tier, five stars to fifth tier one star was a greater leap than going from fourth tier, one star to fourth tier, five stars.
"Well? Jealous?" Xia Qingran looked proud and pleased with herself.
"Don't forget, I'm your senior, and a genius through and through. Even those old fossils from the families in the Imperial Capital call me a 'heaven-blessed prodigy.'"
"All I need to do is put in a little effort. Getting stronger is a piece of cake!"
"That's my senior for you! Amazing!" Zhou Fan cheered in agreement.
In truth, he knew Xia Qingran only made it sound easy. It hadn't been simple at all.
Before obtaining the Xiaoyang Fruit, she had constantly endured the ravages of her Ice Spirit Body, to the point that even her life had been in danger.
After obtaining the Xiaoyang Fruit, she had endured the scorching heat of its power, along with all the torment and pain it brought.
Her journey had never been as easy as she made it look.
But Zhou Fan knew Xia Qingran was strong inside. Pain wouldn't break her; it would only make her tougher and stronger.
"Xiaofan, you've been cultivating here for days. How's it going?" Now it