Thinking of this, she looked at Li Bailuo, her tone revealing a hint of gratitude.
"Thank you, Sect Master Li!"
Li Bailuo heard this and suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
"You little... kid are quite clever, actually borrowing this Sect Master's influence. Your talent is not bad. You stinking brat, it seems I didn't misjudge you!"
Suddenly being praised by her own father, Li Qingjiu felt very proud! It was as if he was being praised for his talent.
At this moment, a white figure walked out.
"Junior Sister, are you alright? It's all my fault for having low cultivation, I couldn't help much. I was so worried just now! Fortunately, Sect Master Li helped. I have some spirit pills here, eat them quickly, perhaps your injuries will heal faster."
The girl's concerned voice sounded, quickly attracting the attention of many. Her beautiful little face was full of worry and heartache, as if she herself were the one injured. Anyone who didn't know would think they were good friends!
Su Xianzhi chose to come out at this time for a few reasons: first, to get Li Bailuo's attention, as he was the renowned Sect Master of Longhu Sect; second, to show her kindness, as everyone in their group knew Jin Bao'er was her fellow disciple! Third, she calculated that Jin Bao'er, who disliked her, would definitely not accept the pills she offered, and would ideally retort with sarcasm, drawing everyone's disgust.
Three birds with one stone! Even if it was a bit abrupt, she still benefited.
Who knew that in the next second, the pills in her hand were gone! Jin Bao'er unceremoniously ate the only three Spirit Gathering Pills in her bottle!
The reality differed from her imagination, and Su Xianzhi's smile almost faltered.
Jin Bao'er, however, smiled reassuringly.
"Little Senior Sister, you don't need to blame yourself. I don't blame you for not helping just now. After all, you're only at the early Foundation Establishment stage. Coming out would have been suicide. Isn't it enough that Li Qingjiu stood up for me? Although he's only at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, your intention is sufficient! Spirit Gathering Pills were given to you by the Immortal Venerable, right? I'm sorry, I ate them all. Thank you, Little Senior Sister!"
In one sentence, Su Xianzhi's face turned black. Her words clearly implied she was timid and cowardly, with low strength, not even as good as a stranger she had only met a few months ago. What's more, she had just eaten her remaining three Spirit Gathering Pills! Even she herself was reluctant to eat them!
There were not many alchemists in the cultivation world, most of them below Grade Five. As a Grade Five pill, Su Xianzhi had painstakingly obtained the Spirit Gathering Pills from Immortal Venerable Lou Yun, and now Jin Bao'er had eaten them all in one go! How could she be calm! It was a testament to her strong forbearance that she didn't tear Jin Bao'er apart on the spot!
However, at this moment, she could only maintain a stiff smile.
"Not at all, it's good that Junior Sister is alright, I..."
Before she could continue speaking, Jin Bao'er stood up directly. After consuming the three Spirit Gathering Pills, she indeed felt much better, her internal organs rapidly repairing.
"I am seriously injured and need to recuperate. Little Senior Sister, you should go back soon, lest the Immortal Venerable worry."
Seeing her about to leave, Su Xianzhi, whose objective had not yet been achieved, would not give up. Just as she was about to stop her, Li Qingjiu beat her to it and grabbed Jin Bao'er, his face full of shock!
"Junior Sister? You... you're a woman?"
Jin Bao'er nodded, then looked at Li Bailuo.
"I was on an outward trial, so I was dressed as a man. Sect Master Li, please don't misunderstand."
Li Bailuo nodded. As a mighty cultivator in the middle stage of Nascent Soul transformation, he had seen through Jin Bao'er's female identity at first glance, not to mention her name, which clearly sounded like a woman's. Only his own stinking brat couldn't see it.
Seeing Li Qingjiu appear greatly dejected, Li Bailuo felt immensely satisfied. Stinking brat, you have your day! Then he waved his hand magnanimously!
"Since you need to recuperate, why not stay at my Longhu Sect for a few days? Consider it thanks for taking care of that brat these past few days."
Jin Bao'er nodded. She had nowhere else to go anyway. If she continued to train with her injuries, she might get into trouble. Moreover, Mo Ganyan was still watching her. Staying at Longhu Sect for a while was the best option.
How could Su Xianzhi let her leave so quickly? She directly walked over, smiling gently and demurely.
"This must be Sect Master Li. I am Su Xianzhi, a junior disciple who received guidance from Immortal Venerable Lou Yun of the Misty Sect. Since Junior Sister had the good fortune to meet you, it is also her good fortune. Thank you for your timely assistance."
Her every move was humble and polite. Those who didn't know would think she cared deeply for Jin Bao'er!
Li Bailuo heard this and looked at Jin Bao'er, then at Su Xianzhi, and said in surprise.
"You are Immortal Venerable Lou Yun's disciple?"
Su Xianzhi nodded, a hint of pride in her eyes. However, she saw Li Bailuo's face light up with sudden realization!
"Oh... no wonder! I was wondering why your cultivation was inferior to Jin Bao'er's, yet you kept calling her 'Junior Sister'. So it's because your master's status is high!"
"Pfft!"
Compared to Su Xianzhi's stiff smile and embarrassed expression, Li Qingjiu burst out laughing!
"Father, you're still so sharp with your words! Hahaha!"
Su Xianzhi was extremely embarrassed, but no one present spoke up for her. Zhu Pingchuan and An Zelin, among others, found it difficult to speak. Not to mention the fact that the other party was the dignified Sect Master of Longhu Sect, their mere identity as mighty cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage was not something they could interfere with.
In the end, they could only watch as Jin Bao'er departed on the Longhu Sect's flying boat.
After three days of flight, the flying boat finally landed at Longhu Sect. Jin Bao'er was arranged to rest in a guest room and stayed there for more than a month...
During this month, the little cub had been in a deep sleep due to premature birth. She stayed in her room, learning alchemy and making talismans, while also recuperating. Only when her cultivation began to subtly loosen and she finally entered the late Foundation Establishment stage did she stop, in order to consolidate her foundation.
"Hmph, you were so heavily injured by even a partially crippled Nascent Soul stage cultivator, how can you hope to regain my power!"
Nascent Soul stage? Crippled?
A low, sarcastic voice came. Jin Bao'er opened her eyes, filled with surprise and helplessness.
"Senior, you are right. That's why I will cultivate diligently and recover your power as soon as possible."
What greeted her were various expressions of disdain and scorn... Recalling half a month ago, Jin Bao'er was intently refining pills. This time, she was refining a Grade Three Tan Ning Pill. After her immortal mansion contracted with her last time, she discovered that the entire secret realm was the true immortal mansion, and the only way to become its master was to obtain the recognition of the Golden Phoenix Egg...
So, after the little cub accidentally formed a contract, she became the true owner of the immortal mansion! All the demonic beasts within were released, the sea of flowers became her private property, and there were countless spiritual plants, allowing her the luxury of refining pills!
At the same time, she candidly told this mysterious person that she bore his contract and would help him regain his power. As for the reason, for some unknown reason, he did not ask, so Jin Bao'er did not explain.
Just as she was about to blow up the pill furnace, another disdainful instruction echoed in her mind.
"The fire is too strong. Seal the right furnace opening. Add one more stalk of Mu Ling Hua!" Jin Bao'er had no time to be surprised and quickly did as he said. Fortunately, she managed to save the Tan Ning Pill in the end! Looking at the pure white pill radiating spiritual energy in her hand, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. A Grade Three pill!