Chapter 126
Nan Gongling’s Power Mode boasted incredible stamina, but without Duanmu Yao’s regenerative abilities, she still couldn’t outlast Ning Chen in a prolonged battle.
She lost—just like everyone else.
The only difference was that, compared to her other forms’ swift defeats, this armor at least let her put up a decent fight before surrendering.
Finally, after three consecutive losses, Ning Chen delivered the finishing blow.
A shimmering arc streaked across the sky as the symphony reached its climax.
The armor had long since dissolved.
It took Nan Gongling a while to recover.
Holding the Primordial Secret Realm, she pulled free with a wet pop.
Barefoot, she swayed slightly before stopping in front of Chu Ning.
The sudden shadow made the latter snap back to reality, her face burning.
She immediately stopped ringing the doorbell of an empty house.
“S-Senior Sister!”
Chu Ning was at a loss for words.
But Nan Gongling simply coated her finger in spiritual energy, scraping off a bit of the spilled nectar, and held it to Chu Ning’s lips.
Looking down with composed grace, her voice husky from exertion, she said:
“This might be the divine medicine that can cure you. Want a taste?”
A… taste?
Of what?!
Chu Ning’s mind blanked.
From her angle, she’d seen exactly where that liquid came from.
That was the spiritual essence from senior sister’s… bottle!
Given by that man!
And she’s offering it to me to drink?!
Her expression twisted in revulsion—but then her eyes landed on Liu Ruyan, who was meditating on the bed with visible satisfaction.
…Apparently, it is drinkable.
But how could something like that possibly help her?
Chu Ning didn’t believe it.
She’d been cultivating for three months now and knew a thing or two.
She’d heard of dual cultivation—where male and female cultivators practiced together in the same way mortal couples coupled.
Rumors said it was slightly faster than normal cultivation, but nothing extraordinary.
If it were truly miraculous, wouldn’t all of the cultivation world be dominated by dual cultivation sects by now?
She wanted to refuse.
But under Nan Gongling’s steady gaze, the words died in her throat.
Without senior sister, I’d still be a nobody—struggling alone, waiting to die forgotten.
Now, despite my problems, I have a chance at immortality, with fellow disciples walking the same path.
This life… it’s like something out of a dream.
And back when senior sister had taught her sword arts, she’d been so patient.
She’d cared deeply about the side effects of her divine ability.
*Maybe… she isn’t lying to me.
Perhaps… it really works?
Chu Ning couldn’t help but think, despite her lingering resistance.
But in the end—whether it was her trust in Nan Gongling or the fire raging inside her—she leaned forward, her tongue lightly brushing against the offered nectar.
Her taste buds instantly relayed the sensation, and her emerald-green eyes brightened in surprise.
Sweet and tangy—it was delicious!
Most of her hesitation melted away as she eagerly drank every last drop.
Qi Refining – 8th Layer!
Qi Refining – 9th Layer!
Qi Refining – 10th Layer!
Crack!
An invisible bottleneck shattered.
Foundation Establishment – 1st Layer!
Foundation Establishment – 2nd Layer!
Her momentum only stabilized when she reached the threshold of the 4th Layer.
So powerful!
Chu Ning’s eyes widened in disbelief.
How could something so small contain such immense energy?!
If she had relied on her normal cultivation, how long would it have taken?
A year? Two?
She couldn’t even guarantee she’d ever reach this level on her own.
But most importantly—
The Eldest Senior Sister hadn’t lied to her!
Given enough time, Chu Ning was confident her Nether Furnace Devourer could incinerate almost anything.
Even that brief contact earlier had nearly set Nan Gongling’s spiritual energy ablaze.
Yet this nectar remained completely unaffected!
Once catalyzed by her spiritual power, it flowed through her body like falling snow, extinguishing the scorching heat in her very core—if only for a fleeting moment.
Unfortunately, the amount was far too small.
The flames quickly reignited.
“Eldest Senior Sister… is there more?” she blurted out, her voice thick with desperation.
This cooling relief, spreading from the inside out, was the first true comfort she’d felt in thirty years.
But no response came.
Confused, Chu Ning looked up—only to see Nan Gongling now sitting cross-legged on the bed, engaged in dual cultivation with the sect master.
Having just experienced it herself, she understood why.
From the slight curve of Nan Gongling’s abdomen, it was clear she’d had her fill—and would need time to refine it.
Chu Ning’s gaze shifted back to the man reclining against the headboard.
His entire being exuded a lazy, wicked charm—the kind that screamed “not a good man.”
In the past, Ning Chen had been restrained, his aura delicate, almost melancholic.
But after years of unleashed indulgence, his presence had subtly transformed.
Longtime companions might not notice, but to newcomers like Chu Ning, the difference was stark.
Just like Danyu Ruo had once immediately pegged him as evil.
Yet, when it came to sheer allure, this version was undeniably superior.
Noticing her cautious scrutiny, Ning Chen met her gaze without hesitation.
His lips curled slightly, his tone teasing.
“Sorry, no ready-made stock here. That was just a free sample. If you want more, you’ll have to extract it yourself.”
Chu Ning’s cheeks flushed a deep honey-gold.
She understood—he was telling her to dual cultivate with him.
But… she’d never done this before!
It wasn’t that she was opposed to the idea.
Had she been an ordinary village girl, she likely would’ve married and borne children long ago.
Growing up, she’d seen wealthy men take multiple wives and concubines as a matter of course.
And if she were to compare—
This man was easily the most perfect she’d ever seen.
His face and body were flawless.
His status was mysterious, but it clearly surpassed even the sect master’s.
As for wives and concubines?
The sect master and Eldest Senior Sister were already his. She had no right to demand anything.
And in terms of cultivation?
A nobody like her had no place to judge.
If just his nectar surpassed the best pills she’d ever heard of—like the Qinglian Sun Pills—how strong must he be?
Most importantly, it suppressed her ability’s side effects!
He was practically tailor-made for her.
But jumping straight to the final step upon first meeting—wasn’t that too rash?
Then there was one last concern.
Her face burned as she forced out the words, blunt but unavoidable.
“I… I’m afraid I might turn that into a burnt stick.”
Ning Chen: “???”