Chapter 2, This Heart Remains Unchanged

Although Shen Xinyi is arrogant and overbearing, she is not a fool. Everyone can see the potential of Qu Ningxuan, and sending her to Qianyang Sect would be more promising. Perhaps in a few hundred years, the Shen family will gain a powerful ally, which is evidently a significant matter for the long-term development of the family. In this situation, however, the ancestor of the Shen family does not allow Qu Ningxuan to join Qianyang Sect, clearly indicating that she can bring even greater benefits. ... The fact that the Shen family is willing to invest in this historically unparalleled genius must be of considerable importance. Yet, out of jealousy, one merely learns a bit of information and comes to flaunt it, aiming to undermine Qu Ningxuan. This action is truly ... In this situation, however, the ancestor of the Shen family does not allow Qu Ningxuan to join Qianyang Sect, clearly indicating that she can bring even greater benefits. ... The fact that the Shen family is willing to invest in this historically unparalleled genius must be of considerable importance. Yet, out of jealousy, one merely learns a bit of information and comes to flaunt it, aiming to undermine Qu Ningxuan. This action is truly ...

Holding two books in her arms, Qu Ningxuan couldn't help but feel relieved. Thanks to the numerous protective barriers she had set up, and the fact that the most important secret manual was not here, the library had no means of surveillance or eavesdropping. Therefore, her conversation with Shen Xinyi was known only to the two of them; otherwise, she feared she would soon be monitored or even controlled.

A mere half an hour of relaxation can keep her in a good mood for the entire day. Qu Ningxuan vaguely feels that her rapid progress in cultivation is closely related to her persistence over the past seven years. If it were not for her inability to overcome the hurdle of her "previous life," and her failure to cruelly kill the illusions of her parents in the illusionary realm, she might have already ascended from the peak of Xuanzhao to the early stage of fusion.

Only when Qu Ningxuan confirmed that Shen Xinyi's behavior was as she had anticipated from beginning to end did she finally breathe a sigh of relief

As the beloved daughter of the family head, Shen Xinyi is well aware of the various intrigues within the Shen family. The treatment that Qu Ningxuan receives is merely the surface-level support from the elders, while the hidden gray income has never touched her. Shen Xinyi is certain that she has consumed far more medicinal pills than Qu Ningxuan, and those she has received are of a higher quality. Nevertheless, she remains stuck at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, lagging a full six levels behind Qu Ningxuan. Such a vast disparity is enough to incite her jealousy and frustration.

In fact, even Qu Ningxuan herself was unclear about what kind of deal the ancestor of the Shen family had made with her... However, she was wholeheartedly seeking immortality and did not wish to live her life according to her family's arrangements. Moreover, if she were truly to become a concubine, it would be better to die. As for being a furnace... ? ... If she did not run now, would she wait for death instead

"If this matter becomes public, what benefit would it bring me?" Qu Ningxuan suppressed the sharp pain in her meridians, striving to appear calm and composed, and smiled as she said, "Shen Xinyi, let us each take a step back and refrain from interfering with one another, shall we?"

Her actions just now were all a gamble, betting that Shen Xinyi, despite knowing many dark aspects of the Shen family due to her status, had never personally experienced them. Moreover, Shen Xinyi had originally eavesdropped on secrets to flaunt them in front of her. Even if she did not understand, she did not dare to ask others, fearing for her own position, and thus was intimidated by herself.

Shen Xinyi stamped her foot in frustration, thinking that it was not certain that she would be married off; perhaps she would be given to someone as a furnace for alchemy? What was there to be proud of? With this thought, she felt much better and, after giving Qu Ningxuan a defiant glare, turned and left

I believe this matter must have been overheard by you, right?" Qu Ningxuan took a deep breath, slowly raised her head. Her face remained pale, yet she had regained her usual calm composure. "To flaunt a secret in front of the person involved... If the ancestor finds out, will you have good days ahead?"

Her gaze was clear, yet her brows were filled with determination and an air of undeniable authority, which made Shen Xinyi feel a sense of fear

In a world dominated by cultivators, the constraints of ethics and morality are naturally not as severe as in a purely feudal society, where the principle of "profit" has become a widely accepted rule. It must be said that women in the realm of cultivation are still at a disadvantage; for them, beauty is a rare asset. Women of higher status often engage in dual cultivation with others, while those of lower status tend to rely on the strong, which is a common phenomenon in society. Even Shen Xinyi, the beloved daughter of the family head, is likely to marry an outstanding collateral descendant of the Shen family in the end. This marriage serves not only as a means for the family to firmly bind talent but also as a method for her father to consolidate power.

The tingling sensation in her meridians grew increasingly intense. Qu Ningxuan knew that if she did not calm down quickly, the chaotic spiritual energy within her would surely damage her meridians. Therefore, she had to hasten to send Shen Xinyi away. Thus, she asked with the most normal demeanor, "Do you have any other matters to discuss?"

The place she chose was merely a trial ground for Qi Refinement stage disciples, posing no danger to her. Therefore, the senior members of the Shen family turned a blind eye. Even the fact that she set up an illusion array each time to prevent both humans and beasts from detecting her presence was seen by the Shen family as merely her desire for solitude, receiving little attention. As the saying goes, loose cultivators hold the lowest status in the cultivation world, facing the most perilous situations, and find it the hardest to advance in their cultivation. Thus, people are eager to join sects or families; who would be foolish enough to venture outside?

Even though she knew she had done something foolish, Shen Xinyi still stubbornly replied: "So what if you know? You can't do anything about it..."

This time it was just her good luck, but what about in the future? ... People's hearts cannot be held in her grasp forever; if Shen Xinyi suddenly loses her temper ... . ... Qu Ningxuan was about to bite her lower lip, but then she realized she had to act as if nothing was wrong, to avoid being discovered by others, so she forcibly suppressed this little habit of hers.

After taking out forty-nine medium-grade spirit stones and setting up a simple illusion array, Qu Ningxuan let out a long breath, leaned against a willow tree, and gazed at the shimmering surface of the lake. She thought of nothing, did nothing, and even seemed to forget the injuries within her body, completely immersed in this harmonious and picturesque scenery.

She deliberately emphasized the word "secret," and the implication was exceedingly clear. Shen Xinyi's expression immediately changed, leaving her at a loss for words

Therefore, when Qu Ningxuan spoke her first sentence, Shen Xinyi felt such jealousy, whether it was to marry Qu Ningxuan off to someone who could bring benefits to the Shen family or to give her to a high-level cultivator as a concubine, both were considered remarkable opportunities in the eyes of women in this social class

I truly cannot contend with the Shen family. " Qu Ningxuan smiled faintly, appearing ethereal and unreal, " but I can destroy myself.

Regardless of the mainstream of this world, she still insists on her views. Practitioners should distance themselves from the mundane, draw close to nature, embody the ethereal spirit of immortals, and remain untainted by dust. Instead of the current state, where people are bold and ruthless, consumed by calculations of profit, flattering the strong while trampling on the weak, it seems that there is no sight of brightness and beauty, only lingering darkness and filth.

Due to her steadfast adherence to her beliefs, Qu Ningxuan has never considered intervening in the affairs of the Shen family, nor has she paid attention to their overt and covert conflicts. Instead, she has devoted herself entirely to cultivation. After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, she found this exceptionally beautiful place, where she spends half an hour each day, clearing her mind, thinking of nothing, relaxing her body and mind, and merging with nature

Do not underestimate this minor elevation in rank; in fact, the peak of Xuan Zhao represents the final stage of refining essence into qi, while the initial stage of fusion serves as the threshold for refining qi into spirit. This means that this juncture is a watershed between two major tiers. Countless talents have been stuck here, only to end in regret, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that this is one of the top five bottlenecks on the path of cultivation.

Shen Xinyi did not believe that Qu Ningxuan would be so kind. Just as she was about to say something, Qu Ningxuan walked up to her and softly said: "If I am not mistaken, the ancestor might be thinking of marrying me off to someone, or giving me as a concubine to a certain lord..."

"Do you really ... ... ?" Shen Xinyi instinctively pressed for an answer, but feeling somewhat embarrassed, she closed her mouth

As one of the largest vassal families of the Qianyang Sect, the Shen family naturally occupies a small portion of the outermost area of the Chengling Mountain Range, using it as a training ground for their disciples, a place for cultivating medicinal herbs, and a source of raw materials for artifact refining. Qu Ningxuan particularly enjoys one of the scenic spots there, often reading books, occasionally daydreaming, and practicing meditation.

At this point, she paused and seemingly casually remarked: "Just now, I momentarily thought that I would be given to someone as a furnace for alchemy, which is why I mentioned wanting to commit suicide... It truly scared me!"

If Qu Ningxuan truly commits suicide, it would disrupt the Ancestor's plan, and she would inevitably face misfortune! How many members of the Shen family are eyeing her father's position as the head of the family, yet they dare not act rashly due to her father's support from the Ancestor. ... If they lose the Ancestor as their backing, not to mention her status as the head's daughter, even her father might ...

Upon thinking of this, Qu Ningxuan couldn't help but shiver. She forcefully suppressed the increasingly turbulent and chaotic spiritual energy within her, exited the library, and, as usual, leisurely carried two books towards Tongda Residence, choosing the teleportation array that led to the Shen family's trial site in the Chengling Mountain Range.

Even so, I have never regretted it

Although Qu Ningxuan conducts herself in an extremely low-key manner and has never competed with Shen Xinyi for anything, the halo of being the "first genius of the Shen family" has always loomed over her, impossible to shake off. Despite cultivating two attributes simultaneously, which should theoretically slow her progress, Qu Ningxuan astonishingly reached the peak of Xuan Zhao within twelve years, breaking through nearly one barrier each year. Her remarkable cultivation speed has even moved the experienced ancestors and elders.

Upon witnessing this scene, Qu Ningxuan did not show it on her face, yet internally she felt an overwhelming sense of sorrow

As expected from m.hetushu.com, Shen Xinyi's expression changed several times, shifting from initial pride to unabashed jealousy, and finally, as if recalling something, gradually returning to calmness

Even though it felt ironic and tragic, in order to prevent Shen Xinyi from becoming so jealous that she might act out, Qu Ningxuan immediately added a second sentence, redirecting Shen Xinyi's thoughts to the notion that "Shen Yuxuan might also become a furnace, facing a dire fate," thus temporarily alleviating the crisis.

The Chengling Mountain Range stretches for hundreds of thousands of miles, with mountains layered upon one another, majestic and beautiful, yet it harbors endless dangers. Even the Qianyang Sect, which belongs to the ranks of super sects, occupies only seven peaks at the relatively peripheral area of the Chengling Mountain Range, using them as the location of the sect and radiating outward for thousands of miles. In fact, the area that the Qianyang Sect can truly control is merely within a radius of one thousand miles. The farther one goes into the additional regions, the more dangerous it becomes; the so-called thousands of miles are merely areas they have explored, without thorough development, and their control naturally weakens. In fact, the area that the Qianyang Sect can truly control is merely within a radius of one thousand miles. The farther one goes into the additional regions, the more dangerous it becomes; the so-called thousands of miles are merely areas they have explored, without thorough development, and their control naturally weakens. As for beyond a thousand miles, within the mountains, even the Supreme Elders of the Qianyang Sect, who are said to have reached the legendary realm of refining the void and merging with the Dao, do not dare to venture too deeply.

Shen Xinyi saw that Qu Ningxuan's face was pale, half leaning against the wall, unable to stand steadily, and a trace of satisfaction flashed through her heart, causing the corners of her lips to involuntarily rise slightly

However, the actions of Qu Ningxuan have also led to extremely negative consequences. If she had devoted a little effort to vying for power and interests, whether by aligning with a certain faction or forming a coalition of interests with others, she would not find herself today like a rootless water plant, unaware of any intelligence, uninformed about any situation, and lacking any capacity for resistance, merely allowing others to dictate her fate

Upon seeing this, Qu Ningxuan realized that the initiative was now in her hands, and said: "I am feeling very troubled at the moment, please allow me some time to calm down. Furthermore, I will treat this matter as if I am unaware of it."