Chapter 376: Complete Transformation
The torrential downpour froze in an instant, as if someone had hit pause.
Immediately after, Blood Lotuses burst into bloom one after another, filling the entire sky in the blink of an eye.
Beneath the darkened heavens, the endless crimson seared everyone’s vision.
The disciples of the Ancient Cold Sect all looked up, their faces etched with shock...
Those on Chasing Cloud Peak felt the impact most directly. Their eyes widened in shock. Though their expressions varied, every single one of them was stunned.
"What a bizarre phenomenon!!"
someone exclaimed.
Everyone silently agreed. Most peerless geniuses would trigger a celestial phenomenon upon a breakthrough, but these visions usually involved auspicious beasts, sometimes even divine ones.
But this phenomenon... was a sky full of blood-red lotuses.
It was utterly unprecedented.
Qin Ming and the other two knew exactly what was happening, and it left them speechless.
’This martial niece of ours... is... not just... outstanding!’
The phenomenon lasted a full three minutes before slowly dissipating.
The dark clouds scattered in an instant, and light returned to the sky, as if everything that had just happened was merely an illusion.
The disciples broke into fervent discussion, all trying to guess who had triggered the phenomenon.
But not a single person made the connection to Song Wanning. After all, she had only just ascended. The fact that she could already challenge those at higher cultivation levels was heaven-defying enough.
Meanwhile, on Chasing Cloud Peak, as the dust settled, a glint appeared in the eyes of the onlookers.
"I wonder if Junior Sister Leng broke through? To cause a phenomenon like this, her gains must have been enormous!"
Someone was trying to probe for information, eager to know what kind of heaven-sent opportunity Leng Qingzhu had received to make them so envious.
Qin Ming’s brow twitched. He was about to respond when the Sect Master cut in, "Junior Sister Leng is still cultivating. Whether she broke through or not, she still needs time."
"Junior Brother Qin and his group probably don’t know the full situation either. We should all head back for now, lest we disturb Junior Sister Leng."
He was smiling, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
’Probing in secret is one thing, but to be this impatient in front of so many people... They really have no sense of shame.’
’Still, I’ll have to remind Leng Qingzhu to be careful. An opportunity that can trigger a celestial phenomenon is no small matter. She can’t let someone backstab her for it.’
’I just hope no one tries to kill her for her treasure.’
"Heh, the Sect Master is right. We should all get going."
Someone immediately seconded the Sect Master’s words. After all, they belonged to the same faction as Leng Qingzhu, and their relationships were generally much better.
With someone taking the lead, it was no longer appropriate for the others to remain, even if they wanted to linger and fish for information.
And so, the crowd slowly dispersed.
Jiang Cen glanced at the courtyard a few more times. Not seeing Song Wanning, she felt a pang of unease.
’But then again,’ she thought, ’Song Wanning only just ascended. The phenomenon must have been Leng Qingzhu’s doing. Song Wanning is probably cowering in some corner right now!’
Reassured, she turned and flew away as well.
Only when everyone was gone did Qin Ming and the other two finally breathe a sigh of relief.
They had successfully completed their mission of not exposing their little martial niece.
The three of them turned and walked back into the courtyard, where they saw Leng Qingzhu standing under a tree, gazing at the house.
"Junior Sister, that disciple of yours is something else. Causing such a huge commotion... You’ll have to be more careful when you go out from now on!"
"There’s no telling who might be secretly plotting against her."
Opportunities were far too important in the Cultivation World. Plenty of people were willing to risk it all for them.
"I know."
Leng Qingzhu nodded, inwardly thanking her lucky stars for the decision she’d made. Otherwise, with Song Wanning’s true Cultivation, there was no telling how many people would have their eyes on her.
’I just wonder how the little one is doing.’
The four of them stood in the courtyard, waiting for Song Wanning to emerge from her seclusion.
...
An hour later, Song Wanning finally opened her eyes.
The moment she opened her eyes, a Twin Blood Lotus flashed on her brow before quickly disappearing from view.
Her body radiated a faint glow, and as she sat there quietly, a lustrous light seemed to flow over her skin.
Song Wanning looked inward and was stunned to find that her bones had turned a translucent red, with something faintly flowing within them.
Looking at her Sea of Consciousness, she saw a Twin Blood Lotus blooming right in the center, casting a blood-red hue over the entire space.
She let out a long breath. Her aura had already stabilized at the Mid-stage Void Refining realm.
Everything had fallen into place.
"Big Sister, this Blood Lotus is so mysterious! I can’t see through it at all..."
The Dragon Spirit flew circles around the Blood Lotus. A Spiritual Object of this caliber now belonged completely to its master.
Hearing this, Song Wanning instantly retracted her powerful aura and stood up.
"I don’t know the origin of this Blood Lotus either, but it has changed my physique!"
"I feel like I’m overflowing with power right now!"
As she spoke, she took out a piece of extremely hard refining sand. With a light pinch, it instantly turned to dust.
Song Wanning froze, staring at her fingers in a daze.
Refining sand was a material used in Artifact Refining. Even with Dan Fire, it took a long time to smelt.
And she had just... pinched it.
A theory formed in her mind. She took out another material and squeezed it hard. It shattered again!
"Big Sister, that Blood Lotus is totally overpowered!"
the Dragon Spirit exclaimed, then drifted closer with a cute look. "Why don’t you try pinching me?"
Its expression was an adorable yet cheeky, drawing a smile from Song Wanning.
Of her three little companions, the Golden Small Sword was the most talkative and hyperactive. The Dragon Spirit had started out innocent and clueless, but under the Golden Small Sword’s influence, it was gradually being led astray.
Only the Divine Nether Profound Fire, perhaps because it couldn’t speak yet, was always quiet.
But it was very obedient and considerate. Song Wanning was fond of all of them.
She reached out and pinched. The moment she applied a bit of force, the Dragon Spirit let out a pitiful "AOW!" and quickly struggled free.
It stared at Song Wanning’s hand in terror. "Big Sister, how did you get so strong?"
"Even a Body Refiner probably couldn’t match you!"
’If Master were to suddenly punch someone, they might just die on the spot.’
Hearing this, Song Wanning looked at her own fists. She was brimming with power. Her body had been completely transformed. Now, if some Cultivators were to attack her, they’d probably just end up with sore hands even if she stood perfectly still.
She never expected a single lotus could bring such a massive reward. A bright light shone in her eyes, her confidence in the future soaring.
’This time, in the Secret Realm, Jiang Cen can forget about getting her way!’
She glanced at her greatly changed Dantian. The four colors were jarring, yet they held a strange, unique harmony.
Song Wanning raised an eyebrow. At this very moment, she really wanted to pick a fight.
’I want to see just how much I’ve changed.’
’But... I’m in the spotlight right now. It’s better to keep a low profile and focus on preparing for the Secret Realm.’
After quickly washing off the bloodstains and changing into a black magical dress, Song Wanning headed out of the house.
She pushed open the door, and the people in the courtyard instantly turned to look at her.
A gentle breeze swept by, causing the hem of her dress to flutter.
For a moment, they were dazed. In a trance, they seemed to see not a person, but an incredibly sharp, unsheathed sword.