The Art of Subduing Dragons

Chapter 77

Though she was mentally grumbling, Luo Qingci still let go of Su Yu upon hearing the announcement.

Su Yu looked a bit dazed again as she glanced at Ruan Li. She was tempted to ask Ruan Li if she had ever noticed any similarity between Chiqing and their master given their long acquaintance. However, Ruan Li was focused on Chiqing and did not seem to notice her.

Meanwhile, after letting go of Su Yu, Luo Qingci casually glanced at Xi Feng and Lue Yun. "Do you two have any other questions?"

Despite their reluctance, they knew Luo Qingci's strength was unmatched among those present, so they had no choice but to endure.

"Your cultivation far exceeds ours. We dare not ask further. We're merely curious about who you are, as we've never seen you before," Lue Yun asked, unable to hide his frustration.

Luo Qingci looked at him and replied with a faint smile, "I am Chiqing, an idle person. I'm not a noteworthy figure. If you wish to inquire further, I'm always available."

The disciples of the Nan Hua Immortal Sect, unable to find any trace of the dragon and having encountered a formidable opponent, lost face and could only leave in frustration with the Wind Control Envoys.

"Ah Li, I just noticed there's a tribulation cloud here. Have you reached the Golden Core stage?" Su Yu, filled with excitement, looked at Ruan Li with joy, as if she were happier than if she had advanced herself.

Ruan Li nodded. "By chance, I managed to overcome the barriers and break through."

At this moment, Hua Xuwan and the others arrived. Upon hearing this, they were both surprised and delighted, and they congratulated Ruan Li.

Su Yu, thinking of Luo Qingci, couldn't help but say, "I'll send a message back right away. I'm not sure if our master has left seclusion yet. If she knew that Ah Li has advanced, she would be very happy."

Ruan Li couldn't help but think of Luo Qingci's face and wondered what her reaction would be if she were truly happy. But noticing Chiqing's presence, she quickly refocused, feeling it odd to be concerned about how Chiqing would feel.

Ruan Li was somewhat distracted and didn't notice the mixed expressions of the other sects' disciples, including Ye Kong and others.

Among the crowd, there were various reactions—envy, disbelief, and jealousy.

These people offered congratulations out of courtesy, but their sincerity couldn't compare to Su Yu's.

Ye Kong, who had always had issues with Ruan Li, merely said congratulations and said nothing more. Previously, the gap between them had only been between Foundation Establishment stages, but now, the gap between Golden Core and Foundation Establishment was like heaven and earth.

This point was evident from the fact that there were only three Golden Core cultivators in the Tian Yan Sect's current generation. Many cultivators would spend their entire lives stuck at this stage.

Therefore, when one achieves Golden Core, it's the most direct and accurate measure of one's talent.

Ruan Li, having achieved Golden Core at less than fifty years old, had entered the Tian Yan Sect at the lowest starting point among them and hadn't even cultivated Qi yet. In other words, she achieved Golden Core in just twenty-three years of cultivation. Such talent, even compared to the outstanding Luo Qingci, was impressive.

Although Luo Qingci had also achieved Golden Core before fifty, she had cultivated for over thirty years. Comparatively, Ruan Li clearly had a slight edge.