58: Lu Yang, the inner sect awaits you.

After Mu Wanqing's injuries fully healed, she did not return to the Inner Sect,

instead, she stayed by Lu Yang's side as an Outer Sect Disciple and took over daily affairs.

First, she went to the External Affairs Hall to purchase the necessary spirit plant seeds and various Materials for Lu Yang, while also taking the opportunity to gather information inside and outside the Sect, paying special attention to the movements of the Law Enforcement Hall, Xia Yuxuan's recent situation, and any rumors unfavorable to Lu Yang.

Returning in the afternoon, if Lu Yang was drawing Talismans, she would quietly organize Materials or handle chores nearby.

Mu Wanqing once wanted to use her Wood Spirit Root talent to Cultivate some spirit plants for Lu Yang, but the Outer Sect wing room area where Lu Yang lived had limited space and uneven distribution of Spiritual Qi, lacking the conditions to establish a stable spirit field, so she had to regretfully abandon the idea.

At the same time, Lu Yang focused on Alchemy inside the wing room.

He took out the Pill Furnace and several prepared medicinal Materials, circulating his internal spiritual power to ignite the furnace fire.

He continuously adjusted the heat, adding the medicinal Materials in sequence and carefully fusing their medicinal properties.

When his spiritual power consumption was too high, he would take a rejuvenation pill to recover.

Finally, as the Spiritual Qi within the Pill Furnace converged and the lid opened, two round, plump earth spirit pills emitting a fresh fragrance lay quietly at the bottom of the furnace; they were exactly what Gu Yingying had requested.

Lu Yang carefully placed them into a Jade Bottle.

Seeing that it was still early, Lu Yang meditated to recover some Spiritual Qi,

then brought out the Pill Furnace again to begin refining spirit gathering pills.

With the advancement of his Realm, rejuvenation pills could no longer meet his needs.

A single spirit gathering pill recovered far more spiritual power than a rejuvenation pill and was more efficient.

Moreover, it was also a necessity for Martial Uncle Chi.

He indeed needed to refine more.

Lu Yang refined furnace after furnace until there were no more Materials in his Storage Pouch, only then stopping.

Looking at the ten Jade Bottles filled with Medicinal Pills before him, Lu Yang was very satisfied.

These hundred spirit gathering pills should be enough.

Lu Yang put away the Pill Furnace and stored the Medicinal Pills in separate bottles.

He turned to look at Mu Wanqing, who had been quietly standing by his side, responsible for organizing Materials and handling chores.

After waiting for a long time, even for a cultivator, mental fatigue was inevitable; though her eyes remained clear, a hint of weariness was hard to hide between her brows.

"Senior Sister Mu," Lu Yang spoke, his voice calm yet carrying a hint of unquestionable authority, "You've worked hard today; there's no need to keep watch anymore. Come with me to the room to rest."

"Yes, Master," Mu Wanqing replied submissively; this was her duty as a concubine.

Lu Yang was stunned for a moment by this form of address, but he didn't say much and naturally extended his arm.

Mu Wanqing took a step forward and submissively snuggled into his embrace.

Lu Yang wrapped his arm around her waist, easily picking her up in a princess carry, and walked with steady steps toward the inner bedroom.

After gently placing her on the bed, Lu Yang did not leave immediately but also undressed and lay down beside her.

Mu Wanqing naturally pressed close to him.

The night passed in silence, with only their steady breathing and the spiritual power within their bodies flowing slowly like a stream.

The next day,

Just as the appointed time arrived, Gu Yingying indeed appeared punctually outside Lu Yang's small courtyard.

Stepping into the courtyard, she immediately raised her hand to perform a hand seal.

A faint blue spiritual light burst from her fingertips, spreading rapidly and transforming into a simple soundproofing and warning barrier, instantly enveloping and sealing the entire wing room area, isolating all movement from inside and out.

As soon as the barrier was formed, Gu Yingying's figure moved slightly, subconsciously about to dash toward the inner room.

She had originally intended to find Lu Yang for another session of Dual Cultivation to consolidate her cultivation.

Unexpectedly, just as she was about to step forward, her gaze swept across the courtyard, and her movements froze.

Lu Yang was not inside the house but was standing in the courtyard.

The female cultivator Mu Wanqing, whom they had just rescued yesterday, was also standing by Lu Yang's side at this moment.

Gu Yingying's mind raced, and she instantly retracted her previous intention, her face regaining the composure of an Inner Sect elite.

Seeing that Gu Yingying had arrived, Lu Yang took a step forward and took out two Jade Bottles to hand over:

"Senior Sister Gu, the Medicinal Pills you need have been refined; please inspect them.

That we were able to successfully rescue Senior Sister Mu this time is all thanks to your help, Senior Sister. Lu Yang is endlessly grateful."

Mu Wanqing, standing to the side, immediately bowed and said in a sincere tone, "Mu Wanqing thanks Senior Sister Gu for her life-saving grace!"

She then added, "Senior Sister Gu's cultivation is profound, and her mastery of Formations is superb. Wanqing will never forget this kindness."

This praise precisely struck Gu Yingying's soft spot; the corners of her mouth curled up uncontrollably, and a flash of pride appeared in her eyes.

Her primary goal for this trip was to take the opportunity to Dual Cultivate with Lu Yang and stabilize her cultivation.

However, being so highly praised by the two of them, while putting her in a great mood, made her blunt request seem untimely and beneath her status as an Inner Sect elite.

After weighing her options, Gu Yingying suppressed her thoughts, reservedly took the Medicinal Pills, and gave Lu Yang a slight nod:

"The pills are correct; I'll take them." She maintained her poise, her voice carrying a hint of expectation:

"Junior Brother Lu, Cultivate diligently. I will wait for you in the Inner Sect."

With that, she said no more, waved her hand to remove the Restriction, and turned to drift away.

After Gu Yingying left,

Mu Wanqing, following Lu Yang's orders, took three bottles of spirit gathering pills to the External Affairs Hall to exchange for some Spirit Stones.

She then used the Spirit Stones to purchase some spirit plants needed for Medicinal Pills.

She also gathered some news along the way before hurrying back.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, Mu Wanqing stepped forward and said, "Master, as you instructed, I have exchanged the three bottles of spirit gathering pills for spirit plants at the External Affairs Hall.

On this trip, I also gathered key information regarding the upcoming Outer Sect Grand Competition."

Lu Yang turned his gaze toward her: "Oh?"

"This competition is open to Disciples from the Qi Refining Third Layer to Great Perfection. The rules are drawing lots for matches; winners advance and losers are eliminated until the top ten are decided,"

Mu Wanqing spoke clearly, "The top ten will not only gain the qualification to participate in the Inner Sect selection, but the Sect will also reward each person with a precious foundation establishment pill.

The first-place winner of the competition will receive a Medium Grade Magical Artifact, the second place will get a Low Grade Magical Artifact, and the third place can receive five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones and a bottle of High Grade spirit gathering pills.

Conventional Magical Artifacts, Talismans, and Medicinal Pills are allowed in the matches, but the use of one-time high-level Talismans or forbidden artifacts that far exceed one's own Realm is strictly prohibited.

The Law Enforcement Hall will supervise the entire process; violators will have their cultivation abolished and be expelled from the Sect."

"As for the opponents to watch out for..." Mu Wanqing's tone grew heavier, "The primary one is Zhai Lingtian.

He is currently at the Qi Refinement Stage Great Perfection, possesses a Metal-type Heavenly Spiritual Root, and primarily practices the 'Gengjin Sword Art.' His offensive power is extremely formidable, and his speed is also very fast.

The first-tier High Grade Magical Artifact, the liejin sword, in his hand, combined with his sword art, has astonishing power.

This person is cold, arrogant, and aloof, and his strikes are ruthless and heartless; he is considered the top favorite to win the championship."

"Furthermore," Mu Wanqing continued, "there is Zhao Hu with a Fire-type True Spiritual Root, who is at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer Peak. He is born with Divine Power and a robust physique, practices the 'Blazing Flame Body Tempering Art,' and has extremely strong close-combat capabilities; his Fire-type techniques are also quite overbearing.

Another is the female cultivator Chen Yu with a Wood-type True Spiritual Root, at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer. She is meticulous and excels at prolonged fighting and control. Her Magical Artifact is a Green Vine Whip, which, combined with Wood-type entanglement, poisonous mist techniques, and agile movement, makes her very difficult to deal with.

Besides these three, there are several other Disciples at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining Peak and Ninth Layer who are quite powerful, such as Sun Mang, who is skilled in Earth-type defense, and Liu Yingying, who is proficient in Water-type illusions."

After Lu Yang finished listening, a cold light flashed in his eyes and vanished; especially upon hearing the name Zhai Lingtian, a surge of icy killing intent almost uncontrollably welled up, but it was suppressed in an instant.

"Zhai Lingtian... good. This Grand Competition is a perfect opportunity to eliminate him."

He stood up, his aura becoming heavy and condensed: "I am determined to take the position of the champion.

That foundation establishment pill and the Magical Artifact will serve as my first resources for stepping into the Inner Sect.

As for Zhai Lingtian..." Lu Yang did not finish, but his icy tone already said everything.