In Yuzhou City, within the sect, Ning Qianqian closed her eyes, resting her spirit as she absorbed the spiritual power from the spirit stones before her.
A moment later, she opened her eyes with a calm expression.
Feeling the spiritual power within her body circulating so subtly it was almost imperceptible, as if it would completely dissipate at any moment.
This was the result of her long, arduous efforts.
Just as her father had said, she had no talent for cultivation... her spiritual root was the most inferior kind, practically nonexistent.
Her sect master, Chu Xingchen, had long ago given her a cultivation method and spirit stones. After matters in the sect were settled, she would begin her cultivation.
The sect master's disciples typically didn't need spirit stones for cultivation here. According to them, the spiritual energy concentration in this place was already high enough for their group of geniuses.
But Ning Qianqian couldn't perceive any difference inside or outside the sect... at most, breathing seemed to feel more pleasant.
Therefore, Ning Qianqian's path in cultivation could never be separated from spirit stones, or rather, her entire cultivation path would depend on them.
To cultivate, she had to use the spirit stone spirit-gathering array specially built for her by Chu Xingchen, because only there could she capture the subtle spiritual energy.
Ning Qianqian knew spirit stones were expensive, and she knew she had no talent.
But she looked at those who had stepped onto the path of immortality.
Whether it was Senior Sister Li Yingling or Second Senior Brother Li Xingtian.
Even Cui Hao, who was often scolded by Bai Qing, had that dazzling radiance.
Ning Qianqian understood she shouldn't harbor such desires, because she had already received so much.
Perhaps she should have died in the mines of Qingfeng Sect.
But... there was always a longing in her heart. If she could cultivate too, if she could see the magnificent immortal realm, if she could do something for this sect...
Ning Qianqian didn't know when her longing gaze was noticed by Chu Xingchen, or perhaps she revealed an envious expression every day without realizing it herself.
But regardless, Ning Qianqian had already prepared to dedicate her mediocre life to this sect.
She never dared to covet things that didn't belong to her, such as the path to immortality.
But one day, after finishing her sect duties and preparing to rest for a moment, Ning Qianqian found that Chu Xingchen had already prepared everything she needed.
Chu Xingchen didn't say much, only leaving an encouraging phrase—"Where there's a will, there's a way."
Ning Qianqian had always been grateful to Chu Xingchen—for saving her life, and for allowing her to cultivate.
But the truth was cruel.
Talent wouldn't change just because one was determined to improve.
It would only repeatedly tell you—you are just not as good as others.
Ning Qianqian forced a smile, reaching out to collect the spirit stones from the spirit-gathering array.
Chu Xingchen had actually given her some elixirs too.
It wasn't that Ning Qianqian didn't dare to take them, but these elixirs were extremely precious. If Chu Xingchen knew they had some effect on her, he surely wouldn't be so sparing.
Ning Qianqian just felt... she shouldn't occupy so many useless resources.
Those elixirs could be sold for many spirit stones, could be used to build the Zhenwu Hall, could build many structures.
And she wasn't worth that much.
"Don't think too much..."
Ning Qianqian whispered, as if comforting herself, as if warning herself.
The sect master had said... where there's a will, there's a way.
She had gone from not knowing a single word to being able to read books.
Li Yingling had taught her, and Li Xingtian would occasionally remind her.
Bai Qing had taught her the most and was the most patient.
Cultivation... would probably be the same way, right? Even if it's slower, she would still grow gradually.
After collecting the spirit stones, Ning Qianqian pushed open the door to her room and began today's tasks.
The sect's construction was complete, and there was little to do. Her father, who couldn't stand being idle, would go see where he could help, even if it just meant paving roads.
They had also made many tables, chairs, and benches.
She first walked straight to the spirit plant garden at the back of the mountain.
Each different spirit plant garden had different water requirements, and Ning Qianqian had memorized the planting methods and precautions for all different spirit plants.
But before starting work each time, she would still first carefully read the wooden stake planted in the nearby ground, filled with planting instructions.
Chu Xingchen hadn't told her to do this, but Ning Qianqian did it every time.
Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, she didn't want to mess things up.
Different spirit plants required different environments, some of which were simply not habitable for humans.
But Chu Xingchen had prepared a spirit treasure necklace for Ning Qianqian, specifically to protect her when watering the plants.
This task wasn't too strenuous, because many spirit plants didn't need watering every day.
After watering, Ning Qianqian would record the situation on a wooden board used for keeping track of time.
This ensured no mistakes would occur, such as missing a day or watering an extra day.
After watering, Ning Qianqian would go to the deep pond to start scattering fish food.
After feeding that group of spirit fish, Ning Qianqian's gaze naturally fell upon the stone chair beside her.
Looking at the empty stone chair, Ning Qianqian suddenly chuckled lightly, speaking to herself:
"Master Bai Qing... good morning."
In the past, she would get a response in the form of preserved fruits, but now all that returned was silence.
The sect master had taken all the disciples to Zhongzhou, saying it was for a trip.
Before leaving, he had left this massive sect to be looked after by her and her father... a mortal and a low-level Qi Refining cultivator looking after such a huge sect... truly, only their sect master could do something like this.
After Li Yingling left to travel, the sect had indeed become much quieter, but there was still Cui Hao's activity.
But after everyone had left, the entire sect had fallen silent.
Her father was also rather taciturn.
At this moment, Ning Qianqian suddenly felt a sense of daze.
The sect master and the others had been in Zhongzhou for so long... how much longer would they be back?
She kind of missed Bai Qing's preserved fruits.
Taking a deep breath, Ning Qianqian walked toward a side hall.
Pushing open the door, in the pool array constructed from spirit stones, a huge egg lay quietly within.
Ning Qianqian carefully observed the condition of the spirit stones, reached out to feel the water temperature, and after confirming everything was normal, she picked up a cloth and gently wiped the large egg.
This was the last task of her day.
This egg was something the sect master said he had picked up, but it wasn't easy to hatch.
The sect master had also joked—this egg is too difficult to hatch, let's just have it for a feast.
After wiping the egg, Ning Qianqian suddenly remembered these words, so she smiled and touched the unknown large egg, then teasingly said:
"Hurry up and hatch, or you'll be eaten~"
As her voice fell, this large egg suddenly rolled.
Ning Qianqian was startled and quickly took two steps back, looking at the large egg with a slightly terrified expression.
After staring for a moment, she found the egg had fallen silent again.
Ning Qianqian asked in a small voice:
"You... are you about to hatch?"
The response was silence.
Ning Qianqian stayed for a while longer, confirming that the egg showed no signs of hatching, before sighing in relief and turning to leave.
Since the sect master had predicted the hatching time for this egg to be very far in the future, he hadn't told Ning Qianqian how to feed a hatched egg.
She had raised chickens... but fed them things people couldn't eat.
But this egg was clearly not a chicken egg, and was extremely precious. Whatever hatched from it would surely be valuable too.
What if she accidentally fed this precious thing to death...
Fortunately, it hadn't hatched yet.
Ning Qianqian sighed in relief and turned to leave.
Suddenly, a vigorous sound came from behind her.
"Roar..."
Ning Qianqian quickly turned around, her gaze falling upon that egg once more.
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