"Hmph, really, I've been cultivating for several years, yet I still can't compare to Tang San's skills in a single day. Isn't that just too discouraging?" Ning Rongrong pouted.
Qi Ling smiled slightly, thinking to herself that it was about time to hand that thing over to Rongrong. So she said to her, "Since you think so, do you want me to help you?"
"Ah? How can I help? Qi Ling, do you have any good ideas?" Ning Rongrong asked excitedly. "I knew you'd have a way, Qi Ling! I want to become as powerful as Zhu Zhuqing!"
Zhu Zhuqing has now become the strongest fighter in one-on-one combat among them. Even Tang San rarely loses against her.
The reason she possesses such strength, besides her own efforts, is primarily due to Qi Ling. Both the cultivation techniques Qi Ling taught her and her Life-Bound Divine Artifact were key factors in greatly increasing her power.
Ning Rongrong saw everything and felt an indescribable envy in her heart, but she couldn't bring herself to ask Qi Ling for these things, because she was afraid that Qi Ling would look down on her because of it.
Qi Ling smiled slightly and said, "Of course. How about this, after your competition tomorrow, come to my room. I can teach you how to become stronger."
Ning Rongrong blushed and said shyly, "W-why did we have to go to your room? Qi Ling, let me tell you, we're too young to do that kind of thing! And if my dad finds out, he'll definitely be angry."
Qi Ling said helplessly, "You silly girl, am I really that untrustworthy? You came to my room only because what I'm going to teach you isn't suitable for others to see, and needs to be kept secret."
"Oh~" Ning Rongrong replied, but she felt a hint of disappointment.
That very night, just as Qi Ling was about to begin her cultivation, a knock sounded at the door. When Qi Ling opened the door, she found it was none other than Ning Rongrong standing outside.
" Qi Ling, I really can't wait that long. Please teach me now!" Ning Rongrong said. "I don't want to be someone who holds everyone back. I want to strive to become stronger even if it's just a day sooner."
Qi Ling smiled slightly. It seemed that Tang San had indeed given her a big enough stimulus today, making her, who was usually playful, so enthusiastic.
"Alright, in that case, let's begin now," Qi Ling said, gesturing for Ning Rongrong to enter.
What Qi Ling needs to do is actually quite simple: sign a contract with Ning Rongrong, activate the " Character Cultivation System " for her, and allow her to strengthen herself.
So far, only Dugu Yan and Zhu Zhuqing have signed the highest-level contract with Qi Ling, which allows him to give away his Life-Bound Divine Artifact. All the others can only be considered to have a contract of the next level.
Now, Qi Ling is about to sign the third highest-level contract.
[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have signed a contract with Ning Rongrong and have received the following rewards: Thousand-Li Divine Escape Talisman, Special Soul Tool, Faction Points +1, and Soul Bone ]
Seeing that the rewards included another special Soul Tool, Qi Ling was overjoyed. This special Soul Tool was the high-energy bomb that had saved her life. She wondered what it would be this time.
However, the most important thing right now is Ning Rongrong's cultivation system, so Qi Ling said, "Alright, Rongrong, now I'll give you something. With this, you can greatly accelerate your cultivation speed."
As Qi Ling spoke, she took out a heart-shaped gemstone. The gemstone shimmered with different colors, and even a faint glimmer of light could make it look dazzling and beautiful.
"Wow, it's so beautiful, Qi Ling!" Ning Rongrong took the heart-shaped gemstone with shining eyes. Sure enough, women have no resistance to this kind of thing.
"But Qi Ling, what does this have to do with my cultivation?"
Qi Ling smiled and explained, "Don't underestimate this thing. It's your own Life-Bound Divine Artifact, the Seven-Apertured Exquisite Heart! It's incredibly powerful. If you can completely refine it, its effects will be far greater than a few Soul Bone."
"So powerful?" Ning Rongrong exclaimed in surprise. How could such a small gem be stronger than several Soul Bone?
Seeing Ning Rongrong's disbelieving expression, Qi Ling felt helpless. After all, it would be hard for anyone to believe such a thing unless they had experienced it firsthand.
Under Qi Ling's guidance, Ning Rongrong successfully established a connection with the Seven-Apertured Exquisite Heart, felt the immense energy contained within it, and was deeply shocked by it.
"From now on, as long as you carry this Seven-Apertured Exquisite Heart with you during your cultivation, it will greatly increase your cultivation efficiency and also increase your opportunities, making your cultivation process smoother," Qi Ling said.
"From now on, when you practice the method of Heart Separation Control, your speed should be much faster, which can be considered as fulfilling your wish."
Ning Rongrong exclaimed with delight, "Really? Thank you, Qi Ling!"
"Don't be too happy yet. You're progressing much faster in your cultivation, but refining the Seven-Apertured Exquisite Heart is an even more difficult task! If you continue to slack off, you'll never catch up with Zhu Zhuqing," Qi Ling said with a smile.
Ning Rongrong patted her chest and assured Qi Ling, "Don't worry, Qi Ling, I, Ning Rongrong, have my own pride, and I will never let you down!"
"Hehe, that's good." Qi Ling smiled, "To give you a mental preparation and a direct understanding of just how difficult this stuff is to absorb, I'll give you some reference data."
" Zhu Zhuqing also has a Life-Bound Divine Artifact similar to yours, which I gave her about a year ago. Since receiving it, she has been cultivating day and night, striving to refine it as soon as possible. You know how hard she works, but do you know how much she has refined in all this time?"
Ning Rongrong blinked her big eyes and asked, "How much?"
Qi Ling didn't speak, but smiled and held up three fingers.
Upon seeing this, Ning Rongrong exclaimed in surprise, "Three percent? Three percent? My God, how could it be so difficult? Zhu Zhuqing spent a whole year and only refined three percent?"
"No, you misunderstood. I didn't say three percent," Qi Ling said. " Zhu Zhuqing has already refined three ten-thousandths of the divine artifact."
Upon hearing this number, Ning Rongrong was stunned. Even with Zhu Zhuqing's diligence, she had only refined three ten-thousandths of it so far?
If this pace continues, wouldn't it mean that it would take a full three thousand years to completely refine this Life-Bound Divine Artifact?
Seeing Ning Rongrong's surprised expression, Qi Ling smiled and said, "Of course, the refining of this Life-Bound Divine Artifact becomes easier as you progress; the early stages are actually the most difficult."
"So Rongrong, if you don't work hard now, you might never catch up with Zhu Zhuqing in your entire life."
"No, Qi Ling, don't worry!" Ning Rongrong said confidently, "I will definitely make you look at me in a new light!"