It's unknown how long she waited before a golden inner core slowly condensed in her dantian, seemingly intertwined with thousands of threads, spiritual energy surging into all her meridians!
She had advanced! Golden Core stage initial phase! And completely unharmed!
The young man in black opened his eyes and looked at the filth forced out of his body with a complex expression. He casually drew out a purifying talisman and quickly regained his cleanness.
The last time she advanced to the Golden Core stage, she had gone to great lengths to find a safe place to hide, only to be struck by tribulation clouds until she was covered in burns. Even after successfully advancing, she had lost half her life… She never expected to be completely unharmed this time.
Not long after, the young man in black walked out of the courtyard but couldn't find the usual chirping voice anywhere.
"Looking for that brat? What? Miss him after just a month?"
A slightly teasing voice echoed in her sea of consciousness. Realizing that this arrogant and sharp-tongued great power had misunderstood again, Jin Bao'er could only say helplessly.
"Senior, we are truly just friends!"
"Oh, please! I couldn't be bothered with you two! He's behind the tree to your right."
Whether it was an illusion or not, Jin Bao'er felt that the dragon's tone seemed to improve significantly after she finished explaining.
Must be an illusion… Jin Bao'er's gaze shifted slightly, and she cleared her throat.
"Fine! Since he's not here, that's good. It saves me from his constant chatter…"
Before she could finish speaking, a figure clad in light green darted out from behind the tree. Her eyes blazed like fire, wide and round! Her voice was full of grievance and anger.
"Good for you! I knew you found me annoying! I didn't expect you to detest me this much! Fine! I'm telling you! You still owe me twelve hundred mid-grade spirit stones! If you don't pay up, I'll stick with you!"
Jin Bao'er: "Oh… Let's go then."
Her indifferent tone only made the young man behind her even more indignant and wronged. He slumped, his steps, however, closely following.
Jin Bao'er noticed the young man's dispirited mood, a hint of a smile flashed in her eyes. When she looked up again, her gaze was filled with complexity!
Calculating the time, she had been out for almost half a year. The sect competition would be starting soon…
The two quickly headed towards the Misty Sect, only to receive different news.
"The beast tide in the Seven Desolation Forest receded early, and the sect trials have begun. The Immortal Venerable has already gone with many disciples from the sect. It's likely that other sects will also go this time. Doesn't Junior Sister Jin know?"
Yu Chengjing looked at the young woman in black disguise before him and spoke with surprise after a flicker of emotion.
Jin Bao'er blinked and quickly took out the communication talisman her master had given her. She had kept it in her spatial dimension after leaving last time, and had completely forgotten about it due to the passage of time.
When she opened it, the deluge of information that flooded her mind almost made her tear the talisman apart…
"Good disciple, I miss you. Huaming Peak is becoming more and more boring!"
"Good disciple, when did you get another name? Jin Bao'er?"
"Good disciple, you're already a fourth-grade alchemist? Haha, worthy of being my disciple! You have no idea how envious that old man Qian Fu Zi is of me! Haha!"
Jin Bao'er rubbed her forehead, skipping over a large chunk of greetings, and finally saw the important part.
"Good disciple, the Seven Desolation Forest trial has started early. Third Brother, Fourth Brother, and Fifth Brother have all gone. If you see this message, hurry over!"
As expected, Master had sent a message!
"Thank you, Senior Brother Yu, for informing me!"
With that, she turned to leave. Fortunately, Li Qingjiu was still waiting for her at the door.
The young woman turned around crisply, unaware of the complex gaze and hesitant movements of the youth behind her.
Jin Bao'er, however, was greatly surprised. In her previous life, the beast tide in the Seven Desolation Forest had been severe at this time! How could it have suddenly stopped? There must be something fishy going on!
Not long after!
"To the Seven Desolation Forest!"
The young man, who had been idly complaining about Jin Bao'er abandoning him, suddenly heard this and sprang up, only to see the retreating figure of the black-clad young man flying on his sword.
"Hey! Wait for me~"
At the same time, far away around the Seven Desolation Forest, numerous young disciples had gathered. As the largest demon beast forest in the entire cultivation world, the Seven Desolation Forest was naturally filled with various levels of demon beasts, beast cores, and rare heavenly treasures!
Therefore, major sects would lead their promising disciples into the forest to seek opportunities and contract demon beasts after avoiding the peak of the beast tide!
"Greetings, Immortal Venerable! With you leading this time, we are at ease!"
An elder from an unknown sect stepped forward to greet Immortal Venerable Lou Yun, his tone filled with respect, also hinting at cooperation and mutual benefit between the two sects.
However, the proud and indifferent Immortal Venerable merely cast a casual glance.
"Opportunities are personal. I will not interfere."
These few words clearly conveyed his refusal, causing the elder's expression to change. He was, after all, at the late stage of Nascent Soul, and his tone became considerably colder.
"If that's the case, then good luck. Hmph!"
Seeing this, other sects had to abandon their thoughts of currying favor.
The handsome Immortal Venerable stood with his hands clasped, his gaze distant and divinely unassailable! Making others dare not approach!
However…
"Master, is the Seven Desolation Forest really that dangerous?"
The beautiful young girl, dressed in white and with an innocent demeanor, blinked her large, innocent eyes and spoke softly, quickly attracting everyone's attention. They couldn't help but exclaim! What a good girl, she would likely be scared away by the Immortal Venerable's indifferent attitude!
Who would have thought that the aloof man would lower his gaze and sigh slightly.
"Have you forgotten what Master taught you? If you can't win, run. Don't push yourself! However, the Seven Desolation Forest is not without high-level demon beasts. If you can contract one or two, it will greatly benefit your cultivation! I can rest a little easier then."
Such a gentle tone was completely different from his previous cold refusal of others, instantly drawing everyone's scrutiny! They began to speculate about the girl's identity.
"This must be Immortal Venerable Lou Yun's only disciple, right? She has reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment before the age of fourteen, truly worthy of being the Immortal Venerable's disciple!"
"Fairy Su has both looks and a master, and her strength is outstanding. She truly makes us feel inadequate!"
"Yes, yes! If only I could be like her…"
As envious whispers reached her ears, the girl's cheeks flushed slightly, appearing delectable and beautiful, making her fellow disciples immensely proud!
The next second…
"Tch! If you ask me, Junior Sister is the most beautiful, and her strength is much greater than hers!"
A sudden retort quickly surprised everyone. Their eyes turned to the speaker~ a fair and plump young man! Early Golden Core stage cultivation!
Upon hearing this, Su Xianzhi's face turned pale, causing other disciples to feel sympathetic.
"What do you mean by that? Fairy Su is truly deserving of her reputation. And who is your Junior Sister? Who knows her? Why doesn't she dare to show herself?"
Luo Nanshan had merely muttered casually, but being challenged like this, he immediately became displeased!
"My Junior Sister will definitely come! She's just been delayed by some matters. Besides, I'm not wrong, am I? My Junior Sister defeated Senior Sister Su in the sect competition, which was witnessed by all! And who are you to interfere in our sect's affairs?"