Chapter 1091: Not the Same
Pill City was the busiest place in South Peace State; even the dao discussion a few years prior in South Peace City paled in comparison to this pill king tournament. Held once every fifty years, the tournament drew more than ninety percent of South Peace State's pill masters. Naturally, with so many pill kings and masters assembled, discussions of pill dao weren't the only activity. Many set up stalls in the market, transforming the area into a cultivator's paradise for acquiring desired pills. Cultivators with years' worth of spirit stones came to try their luck, while others with rare spirit herbs sought pill masters to refine them or trade for needed remedies.
Large sects wouldn't miss this opportunity to discover and recruit unknown pill kings, vying for their services. Even smaller sects, unable to attract pill kings, targeted high-level pill masters. The tournament thus engaged nearly every cultivator in South Peace State. Pill City, though large, quickly overflowed, forcing many to wait outside the city walls. Ye Mo felt fortunate to have secured lodging.
The presence of numerous sects in Pill City led to interactions among their prodigy members. The Ethereal Immortal Pond, an eight-star sect renowned for its beautiful female disciples, attracted many male core disciples from larger sects seeking dual cultivation partners.
Ning Qingxue initially resisted attending, but her master convinced her that networking with pill masters and other talented cultivators would be beneficial. Knowing her master acted in her best interest, and that nearly all her sect's core disciples were attending, she relented. After arriving, she learned that Luo Ying was in secluded cultivation to form her nascent soul, and Beiwei remained with her, leaving Ning Qingxue with little desire to socialize. Consequently, few saw the third most beautiful woman in South Peace State.
"Sister Qingxue, many pill kings and masters are discussing dao at the Pill Rest Tower. Master wants us to attend and network," Huang Qian announced. Ning Qingxue, only at Golden Core level six due to her recent sect entry, replied, "I don't want to go; you can go."
"But Master said we should go together," Huang Ping said, then added with a laugh, "Sister Qingxue, you won't believe it, but today, while searching for Lu Qianbei with Martial Uncle Tongbing, we met a man asking about you. I called him an ugly toad!"
Ning Qingxue shook her head. "No need to mention it; let's go before Master scolds us." Too many people inquired about her; she couldn't possibly care about them all. Huang Ping's story served as a distraction.
The Pill Rest Tower buzzed with activity. Pill masters sought the power and influence of large sects, while elite sect members aimed to forge connections with pill masters and kings to advance their cultivation. Though sects provided pills, a personal relationship with a pill king offered greater value; simply supplying spirit herbs was more advantageous than exchanging them for sect points.
Upon their arrival at the Pill Rest Tower, Ning Qingxue and her fellow disciples immediately drew attention. Around two hundred pill kings and masters, along with numerous sect cultivators, were present. Fortunately, the tower was spacious enough to accommodate the crowd.
"Martial Sister Qingxue, it's been a while! You were only Golden Core level three last time; now you're at level six. A true prodigy!" A blue-robed young male cultivator, Fang Zhongshi (a core disciple of the Lightning Cloud sect), greeted her. He'd been reprimanded by Susu for addressing her thusly in the past, but Susu's absence emboldened him.
Ning Qingxue frowned. "Do not call me Qingxue; show respect."
A female cultivator from the Ethereal Immortal Pond whispered, "Qingxue, Young Master Fang's master proposed to our master and Martial Uncle Yin yesterday…" She sought to prevent an awkward situation.
Ignoring her, Ning Qingxue sneered at Fang Zhongshi. "Fang Zhongshi, I have a husband. Stop pursuing me or proposing; save your time." While cultivators often disregarded social customs, a female cultivator usually felt embarrassed discussing marriage openly. Ning Qingxue's declaration was bold. Luo Susu had made a similar claim at the Trial Tablet Square, sparking much debate.
Fang Zhongshi, stunned and blushing, stammered, "Martial Sister Qingxue, you know my feelings. I may not be South Peace State's top genius, but I am not inferior."
Ning Qingxue scoffed. "That's your opinion; others disagree. Don't obstruct my path." Unlike his reaction to Luo Susu, Fang Zhongshi felt humiliated by her rejection. Despite his exceptional talent—considered one of South Peace State's greatest after Yuan Guannan's death—his composure faltered. His eyes reddening slightly, he asked, "Then tell me, who is the person you love? I want to know how far I fall short."
Ning Qingxue stared coldly at Fang Zhongshi. "My husband is Ye Mo. I won't compare him to others; you don't deserve it." She was unwavering in her devotion. While she acknowledged stronger cultivators, Ye Mo remained unmatched in her eyes.
Ning Qingxue's eyes briefly lit up with excitement, then dimmed. Without looking at Fang Zhongshi, she walked toward a young Golden Core cultivator, captivating everyone's attention. Why was she approaching a Golden Core cultivator?
Mo Youshen was shocked upon seeing Ning Qingxue, even more so than when he'd seen Xiao Shiyin of the Golden Sword sect. He found her even more beautiful. As she approached, his heart raced. Since his condition was cured, he no longer remained indifferent to women, hence his pursuit of Xiao Shiyun.