Yan Jiaojiao had just returned to her room when Wei Congling, having rushed back from outside, embraced her the moment she saw her, her voice choked with sobs, "You're back."
Yan Jiaojiao hugged Wei Congling back, patting her shoulder, "Yes, it seems you missed me a lot."
Wei Congling released her, her eyes still glistening with tears, "I really missed you, I wasn't joking."
Yan Jiaojiao smiled and wiped away her tears, "I know, with that wronged look on your face, you must have suffered quite a bit in my absence."
A trace of unnaturalness flashed across Wei Congling's face as she turned to tidy the bedding for Yan Jiaojiao, feigning nonchalance, "Nothing much, what trouble could I be in? I have everything here, except for being wronged."
Despite what Wei Congling said, Yan Jiaojiao understood she was putting on a brave face.
Given the narrow-minded nature of Yan Ruxue and Tang Xiye, Yan Jiaojiao, the culprit, had been confined. Their pent-up fury would surely seek an outlet, and Wei Congling, being closest to her, would naturally be the prime target.
Knowing she had implicated Wei Congling, Yan Jiaojiao reached out to pat her shoulder in comfort, but Wei Congling let out a small cry and her shoulder quickly recoiled.
"Are you injured?" Yan Jiaojiao grabbed the dodging Wei Congling, and without further ado, pulled aside her shoulder clothes. Her fair skin was revealed, marred by a bloody, gruesome mess!
Yan Jiaojiao's pupils constricted, and she asked in a deep voice, "How did they injure you?"
Wei Congling hastily pulled her collar back, her lips sealed, refusing to speak.
Yan Jiaojiao turned to leave, "I'll go ask them."
Wei Congling quickly stopped her, "Tang Xiye deliberately poured hot soup on my shoulder."
"Vile! I will certainly settle this score," Yan Jiaojiao said furiously, then asked, "Why didn't you seek help from a disciple of the Wood Faction to treat you?"
Wei Congling couldn't help but give a bitter smile, "Who would dare?"
Yan Jiaojiao fell silent. Of course. Ever since Xuan Chen confined her to Guling Peak for Tang Xiye, Tang Xiye's arrogance must have grown, and who would dare offend her to help Wei Congling?
"I'll treat you."
Yan Jiaojiao pursed her lips and carefully, ever so gently, pulled down Wei Congling's collar again. Looking at the large scald, she sighed deeply and flicked her hand, scattering a patch of green light onto the wound.
Green light dots flickered on the wound, and Wei Congling couldn't help but look closely. She realized it was pure wood element. The burning sensation of the wound turned cool and then began to heal at a visible speed.
In less than fifteen minutes, only a faint scar remained. Yan Jiaojiao then retracted the green light and casually reached out, a white medicinal bottle appearing in her palm. She handed it to Wei Congling, "Apply this morning and night every day, and the scar will gradually fade."
As Wei Congling buttoned up her clothes, she took the bottle, her eyes wide with shock, "Jiaojiao, you can actually control pure elements?"
Having lived in the wind cave for the past six months, where the air was constantly biting cold, Yan Jiaojiao had begun to try controlling the humid air directly after mastering water element to warm it. Over time, she gradually learned how to directly refine various elements.
Wood element was the most effective for treating external wounds, so Yan Jiaojiao naturally used it. However, she didn't realize that even in Gonan Academy, a place teeming with cultivators, very few could perform such a feat.
Therefore, Yan Jiaojiao nodded dismissively, "This heals quickly. Now that I'm back, I won't let them bully you again."
Wei Congling smiled gratefully, "You seem stronger than before. Could it be that your cultivation has surpassed mine?"
Yan Jiaojiao wasn't aware of how fast she was cultivating. After all, she had been exceptionally talented in her previous life, guided by a master and with the aid of spiritual elixirs. It was possible to advance three tiers in a year during the introductory stages. The true difficulty lay after ascension; once past the Purple level, advancing further became considerably harder.
Yan Jiaojiao replied, "I should be at Yellow tier two now."
Wei Congling was utterly stunned. She widened her eyes, examining Yan Jiaojiao from head to toe, then counted on her fingers. "I've cultivated for over three years, and only managed to advance from Red tier eight to Orange tier eight, a total of just one level. You, having cultivated for less than a year, have already advanced nearly two levels. This speed is faster than flying on a sword!"
Yan Jiaojiao gave an embarrassed smile. She didn't even want to mention that in her previous life, she had not only surpassed the Great Perfection of Purple tier but had even fully ascended. Her current cultivation level was truly not worth mentioning.
Wei Congling drooped her head, lamenting the difference between geniuses and mortals for a while, then added, "Tang Xiye seems to be only at Yellow tier one. Her master had to repeatedly pull strings for her to forcefully elevate her cultivation to this level. By that logic, you should be more talented than her."
Talent or not, in Gonan Academy, it all depended on who Xuan Chen noticed.
Yan Jiaojiao said, "If anyone asks, just say I'm only at Orange tier four."
Wei Congling naturally agreed.
After all, even in a real spar, opponents might not be able to discern the exact cultivation level. Yan Jiaojiao didn't need to show off; her strength was her own.
The two of them had nothing more to say that night. Yan Jiaojiao, no longer having to sleep amidst the howling winds of the wind cave, felt a bit unaccustomed. She sat up and meditated until the next morning.
She had to admit, she used to think the spiritual energy in Gonan Academy was abundant. But after her trip to Guling Peak, she realized it was merely passable.
With nothing else to do, Yan Jiaojiao pushed open her door and walked out. The other disciples in the courtyard immediately stopped, turning to look at Yan Jiaojiao with curiosity.
Yan Jiaojiao ignored them, her back straight, and walked through their gazes towards Chiyun Hall.
When Yan Jiaojiao was confined, she had been studying mental cultivation techniques in Lianyun Hall. This was her first time entering Chiyun Hall to learn water faction cultivation techniques.
Shangguan Yuan was seated at the front of the hall, observing the disciples' moves and occasionally offering pointers.
As Yan Jiaojiao entered, many were distracted. Shangguan Yuan naturally saw her but showed no change in demeanor. As usual, he called the nearby sect master over to teach Yan Jiaojiao the introductory moves.
Yan Jiaojiao didn't say much. After watching the sect master demonstrate the basic water ball technique, she held her breath, raised her hand, and formed a perfectly round water ball, manipulating it with ease just as the sect master had shown.
At first, everyone paid little mind. After all, everyone entering had a foundation, and the introductory method for controlling a water ball was not difficult.
However, as the sect master continued with more advanced teachings, and Yan Jiaojiao consistently mastered each step without any mistakes, an expression of disbelief gradually appeared on everyone's faces.