At the Golden Core stage, the final round was essentially a challenge match. Shao Yumiao had already challenged Lei Zhenzi, who had no right to refuse. In other words, if he refused, it would be considered an automatic loss for him. Thus, with no other choice, Lei Zhenzi stepped onto the stage. Although he knew he had no chance against Shao Yumiao, he couldn’t just retreat without a fight.
After Lei Zhenzi stepped onto the stage, Shao Yumiao’s sword intent struck him before he could even counterattack, knocking him off the platform. After being knocked down, he breathed a sigh of relief internally. At least he wasn’t injured, and although being defeated in one move was somewhat embarrassing, many at the peak of the Golden Core stage had been defeated by Shao Yumiao in the same manner, so it was not unacceptable to him.
Song Cha, watching from below, was at a loss for words. Now that Lei Zhenzi had been easily defeated, the match was down to just two people. So… could she take second place? The second-place prize was three thousand high-grade spirit stones and three top-grade spirit stones, a very generous reward indeed. With this in mind, Song Cha approached the stage. Now that it was down to just two people, there was no need for further challenges; they could just finish the match.
Soon, Song Cha was on the stage. Standing face to face with Shao Yumiao, the referee announced the start of the match from below. Hearing the referee, Song Cha was already mentally prepared to be knocked off the stage by Shao Yumiao. Shao Yumiao was incredibly powerful, capable of defeating cultivators at the peak of the Golden Core stage with a single strike, let alone her. So at this point, Song Cha had no intention of fighting back. She would let Shao Yumiao defeat her and simply take the second-place reward.
But… something surprising happened to Song Cha.
The Shao Yumiao standing face to face with Song Cha didn’t attack with her energy sword.
“Beautiful sister?” Song Cha looked at Shao Yumiao with some confusion, not understanding why she would do such a thing.
Being looked at by Song Cha like this, Shao Yumiao had no intention of attacking, instead, her face turned slightly red.
“Beautiful sister, why aren’t you attacking?” Song Cha asked Shao Yumiao.
Shao Yumiao: “……”
Hearing Song Cha’s words, Shao Yumiao finally drew her sword.
Song Cha just looked at Shao Yumiao, and because they had a good relationship, Song Cha wasn’t too worried.
But… even after drawing her sword, Shao Yumiao still didn’t make a move.
“Beautiful sister, you…” Song Cha hesitated.
Shao Yumiao looked at Song Cha seriously and explained, “I can’t bring myself to do it.”
Song Cha: “……”
Shao Yumiao looked at Song Cha with a gentle gaze: “As soon as I think about attacking you, I just can’t go through with it.”
Song Cha: “……”
Hearing Shao Yumiao’s words, Song Cha was a bit stunned.
Was Shao Yumiao’s friendship with her so deep? So deep that the thought of her made her unable to act?
Song Cha felt a little happy, sensing that the peak of her life was approaching.
“Beautiful sister, so I’m more important than I thought.” Song Cha’s voice was sweet, “Then, can I admit defeat?”
After saying this, Song Cha looked at Shao Yumiao, waiting for her reaction.
Hearing Song Cha say she wanted to concede, Shao Yumiao’s brows furrowed.
“Cha Cha, be good,” Shao Yumiao said. “I’m the one who lost.”
“I want you to win.” After saying this, Shao Yumiao finally spoke seriously: “I concede.”
After saying this, Shao Yumiao directly walked towards the edge of the stage.
Dressed in white, her demeanor was cold. Even as she walked down the stage, she didn’t show any sign of weakness, instead, she exuded a different kind of charm.
Since Shao Yumiao was already at the edge, it only took her a few steps to reach the bottom of the arena.
According to the rules of the Cultivation Competition, whoever reaches the bottom of the arena first, loses.
Song Cha was stunned.
The referee was stunned.
The entire audience was stunned.
In everyone’s eyes, the battle between Song Cha and Shao Yumiao was undoubtedly a win for Shao Yumiao and a loss for Song Cha.
Whether it was cultivation level or combat power, Shao Yumiao was far superior to Song Cha.
She couldn’t possibly lose to Song Cha.
But she did.
The referee was stunned for a while before he came up from below the stage and began to announce the result: “In this match, Song Cha wins.”
After saying this, he continued: “Now, please welcome the Sect Master of the Number One Sect in the Cultivation World, Shaolan Feng, to present the awards to the winners.”
Hearing this, all the winners walked back onto the stage, waiting for the award ceremony.
Shao Yumiao also walked up, standing upright next to Song Cha, waiting for the awards.
A man with a commanding presence walked up from below the stage. Starting from the fifth place, he began to hand out prizes, giving each person a storage bag.
Song Cha noticed the man handing out the prizes when he reached Shao Yumiao.
At that moment, he seemed to take a few extra glances at Shao Yumiao. However, Song Cha was not surprised.
Song Cha knew this Sword Sect Master, Shao Lanfeng, was Shao Yumiao’s father. It was normal for a father to take a few extra looks at his daughter.
Soon, it was Song Cha’s turn to receive her prize from Shao Lanfeng.
Shao Lanfeng placed a storage bag into Song Cha’s hands and, after taking another look at Song Cha, he even smiled at her.
Although the cold aura surrounding him and his stern face made his smile seem a bit stiff, Song Cha was certain he was smiling.
After the prize distribution, Shao Lanfeng returned to the audience.
The contestants also made their way down.
Standing at the edge of the arena, Song Cha started talking to Shao Yumiao.
“Beautiful sister, why did you concede?” Song Cha asked innocently, looking at Shao Yumiao.
“I couldn’t bring myself to fight, so naturally, I lost,” Shao Yumiao said softly, looking at Song Cha. “But I will concede without a fight only to you.”
Song Cha: “…”
For some reason, Song Cha felt that Shao Yumiao seemed a bit flirtatious.
It must be an illusion.
“Beautiful sister, you’re so kind to me.” Song Cha looked at Shao Yumiao, moved, and then handed the storage bag to her. “But having the title of first place is enough for me, you can have these spirit stones .”
Shao Yumiao shook her head in refusal: “Cha Cha, no need. I have spirit stones.”
“But… this is the prize,” Song Cha hesitated.
“It’s precisely because it’s a prize that you should keep it,” Shao Yumiao said. “Cha Cha, this is your reward for winning the Golden Core stage, it’s your glory. You honor your glory by using these spirit stones for cultivation.”
“Be good, listen to me.”
“Okay, I’ll listen to beautiful sister.” The kind and not greedy Song Cha, wanting to please Shao Yumiao, reluctantly accepted the spirit stones.
“Cha Cha is the best,” Shao Yumiao said.
Song Cha’s face turned slightly red.
Seeing Song Cha blush, Shao Yumiao felt even more delighted.
Cha Cha is really too good.
It’s just that sometimes being too kind isn’t such a good thing.
For example, that Long Aotian whom she had told Song Cha to stop dealing with before, had actually come to find Cha Cha again after her victory.
Previously, when Long Aotian came to Song Cha asking for top-grade spirit stones, Shao Yumiao saw it.
But at that time, because she didn’t want to upset Song Cha, Shao Yumiao didn’t do anything.
However, she already disliked Long Aotian very much in her heart.
So, last time she even told Song Cha to stay away from Long Aotian, but unexpectedly, Long Aotian came to find Song Cha again.
Shao Yumiao knows Song Cha’s character; after she spoke ill of Long Aotian, Song Cha would definitely not associate with Long Aotian.
But unexpectedly, Long Aotian came to find Song Cha again.
It seems this matter…
“Cha Cha, go back to your cave dwelling to rest early.” Shao Yumiao looked at Song Cha and said, “You’ve worked hard in the battles these past few days.”
“Okay, thank you, beautiful sister.” Song Cha said.
After saying goodbye to Shao Yumiao, Song Cha returned to her cave dwelling.
After returning to her cave dwelling, Song Cha’s mood was very good.
A few days ago, she went shopping with Wu Longyue and obtained three thousand high-grade spirit stones and pills worth more than ten thousand high-grade spirit stones. And in the Golden Core period battle, she won first place, receiving five thousand high-grade spirit stones and ten top-grade spirit stones.
The most important were the top-grade spirit stones; thousands of high-grade spirit stones couldn’t be exchanged for a single top-grade spirit stone. Song Cha also heard from disciples of Qingfeng Sect that someone in the black market offered a high price of ten thousand high-grade spirit stones, but still couldn’t get a single top-grade spirit stone.
This shows the importance of top-grade spirit stones.
Such precious top-grade spirit stones naturally don’t need much explanation for their effects.
Therefore, Song Cha decided that for her future cultivation, she would first use these top-grade spirit stones. Although she didn’t know how beneficial these top-grade spirit stones really were, as long as she used them, their benefits would be hers.
After taking stock of her treasury, Song Cha finally fell asleep.
The next morning, Song Cha woke up very late.
By the time she left the cave, it was already noon.
Reaching the Golden Core stage is truly a delightful matter, a realm Song Cha had always desired.
In the past, Song Cha had wanted to break through to the Golden Core stage.
Besides the higher cultivation level and longer lifespan of the Golden Core stage, Song Cha also wanted to find a master. In this way, the master would provide her with additional resources.
But now, Song Cha no longer neede a master as much, since she was no longer lacking in resources. Even if she found a master, she might not even value the resources provided by them.
Therefore, at this time, Song Cha did not apply for a master but planned to look for Long Aotian.
Among the pills Wu Longyue gave to Song Cha, there was one called the Body Tempering Pill, which she didn’t consume because it would make her stronger, and she felt she didn’t need it.
Such an expensive pill that she didn’t need would be a good gift for Long Aotian.
Coincidentally, Long Aotian had come to find her yesterday, telling her to look for him after the competition, making it the perfect time to find Long Aotian.
Song Cha quickly arrived at the residence of the outer sect disciples.
Perhaps because Long Aotian had won first place in the Qi Refining stage competition, the living environment around Long Aotian had improved a lot. It was no longer a thatched hut but a solid wooden house.
Song Cha knocked on the door a few times.
The door was quickly opened.
The person who opened the door was a male cultivator living with Long Aotian, whom Song Cha recognized.
Seeing Song Cha, the male cultivator showed a diligent smile: “Fairy Song Cha, are you here to find Long Aotian?”
Song Cha nodded slightly: “Yes.”
“I’ll go find it for you right now.” After saying that, the male cultivator took another look at Song Cha and couldn’t help but say, “Fairy Song Cha, I watched your competition. You won first place in the Golden Core stage competition, your match was really exciting!”
“Thank you.” Song Cha smiled softly.
The male cultivator, fearing that Song Cha would be annoyed, did not stay any longer and quickly went back to find Long Aotian.
The male cultivator was fast, and Long Aotian soon came out of the room.
“Fairy Song Cha.” Long Aotian, who had just come out of the room, was somewhat happy, “You came to find me.”
“Yes, I came to find you.” Song Cha took out three bottles of elixirs from her spatial ring, “Here are nine Body Tempering Pills for you, all of top quality, I specially bought them for you.”
Hearing that Song Cha was giving him Body Tempering Pills, Long Aotian was somewhat happy: “Thank you, Fairy Song Cha.”
After talking with Long Aotian and feeling that she had gained Long Aotian’s favor, Song Cha was in a good mood.
But at this moment, Long Aotian suddenly spoke again.
“Fairy Song Cha, congratulations on winning first place in the Golden Core stage competition.”
Song Cha smiled gently: “It’s just luck, not worth mentioning.”
“Luck is also a kind of strength.” Long Aotian said, looking at Song Cha: “The first place in the Golden Core stage competition comes with a reward of top-quality spirit stones, could you lend me some?”
Song Cha: “……”
The conversation with Long Aotian took an unexpected turn, and Song Cha had not anticipated that Long Aotian would directly jump to asking to borrow her top-quality spirit stones.
Lending top-quality spirit stones was definitely something Song Cha would not agree to.
In fact, Song Cha had mixed feelings about Long Aotian.
She approached Long Aotian wanting his luck. But besides that, Song Cha really looked down on Long Aotian’s character.
She remembered reading in novels that Long Aotian had once promised many of his harem “a lifetime, a pair of people,” but he never fulfilled a single word.
From this, it was clear that Long Aotian’s character was not good.
Although Song Cha was getting close to Long Aotian, it was only to mooch off his opportunities and luck. If it meant developing deeper feelings with Long Aotian, she was unwilling.
Besides, keeping the top-grade spirit stones to enhance her cultivation was much better, as it was a fast way without any side effects. She couldn’t bear to just lend them to Long Aotian out of the blue.
But… Long Aotian had already asked to borrow them.
If she didn’t lend them to Long Aotian, he would definitely be displeased and have a bad impression of her.
Song Cha frowned slightly.
Long Aotian’s eyes were fixed on Song Cha. The current Long Aotian was eager to become stronger and change his current Qi Refining stage.
And the fastest and safest way to become stronger was to use top-grade spirit stones.
“Long Aotian,” Song Cha looked at Long Aotian sadly, “the top-grade spirit stones are no longer with me.”
“Not with you?” Long Aotian’s brows also furrowed, “What exactly happened?”
Song Cha innocently explained, “After the competition ended and the rewards were distributed, I thought that my first place was because of Shao Yumiao, so… I returned the storage bag to her.”
“You returned it to her, and she accepted it?” Long Aotian asked.
Song Cha weakly nodded, “Yes, after I returned it to her, she accepted it.”
Seeing Song Cha’s gentle and weak appearance, Long Aotian’s reason told him that it wasn’t Song Cha’s fault, but he couldn’t help feeling upset.
“When you gave it to her, didn’t you think that I also needed the top-grade spirit stones?”
Song Cha, innocent and upright, replied guiltlessly, “You are so important, of course, I thought about giving the spirit stones to you, but… but… since I was young, my father always taught me never to owe anyone anything. I was confused for a moment, so I gave them to Shao Yumiao.”
Long Aotian: “…”
Looking at Song Cha’s confused appearance, Long Aotian felt a bit of sympathy.
This matter couldn’t be entirely blamed on Song Cha; if anyone was to blame, it was Shao Yumiao.
After giving away the first place, she even took back the prize, truly acting like a saint while being a sinner.
After mentally cursing Shao Yumiao, Long Aotian felt his mood somewhat restored and his voice softened again. He hypocritically said to Song Cha, “Fairy Song Cha, what you did was right. Even your father would be happy to know about it.”
“Um.” Song Cha nodded gently, “Thank you, Long Aotian.”
“You’re welcome.” Long Aotian accepted Song Cha’s thanks as if it were his due.
“Long Aotian, I need to go back to my cultivation, so I’ll take my leave now.”
Song Cha didn’t want to stay any longer and began to say goodbye.
“Take care on your way, Fairy.” Long Aotian said politely.
“Okay, goodbye Long Aotian.” Before leaving, Song Cha gave Long Aotian a sweet smile.
After saying goodbye to Long Aotian, Song Cha quickly left.
It wasn’t until she was far away from Long Aotian that Song Cha managed to recover her mood.
Long Aotian’s sudden request to borrow spirit stones almost suffocated her.
Borrow top-grade spirit stones?
It was only because she was a transmigrator that she knew Long Aotian would achieve great things in the future and would be able to repay her top-grade spirit stones.
But Long Aotian wasn’t a transmigrator and didn’t know about his future achievements.
Under such circumstances, he dared to ask for something he couldn’t repay. Luckily, she was clever enough to dodge the bullet. Otherwise, she really would have to hesitate between catching Long Aotian’s goodwill and keeping her spirit stones.
Thinking of what just happened, Song Cha decided to look for Shao Yumiao.
Song Cha knew where Shao Yumiao lived. Yesterday, when Shao Yumiao was competing on stage, Song Cha heard someone sigh that Shao Yumiao lived in Liuguang Courtyard.
Song Cha quickly arrived at Liuguang Courtyard.
Liuguang Courtyard was an elegant small courtyard, with two stones at the front door each holding a pot of exquisite flowers, clearly indicating the residence of a refined person.
Song Cha knocked on the door.
“Knock, knock.”
The door had barely made a sound before it was opened from the inside.
Shao Yumiao opened the door from within.
Upon seeing that the person knocking was Song Cha, Shao Yumiao’s originally cold demeanor softened immediately.
“Cha Cha, you came to see me.”
“Um, beautiful sister, could I ask you for a favor?” Song Cha asked, looking a bit aggrieved.
“Sure.”
“What do you mean, sure?” Song Cha was a bit puzzled.
Shao Yumiao slightly curved her lips: “I said sure.”
“As long as it’s Cha Cha asking, it’s all good to me.”
Song Cha: “……”
“Beautiful sister, Long Aotian came to borrow my top-grade spirit stones again.” Song Cha’s eyes slightly reddened, and she spoke with a bit of shame: “But… I don’t want to lend them to him, am I being too selfish?”
“Not selfish.” Seeing Song Cha’s eyes reddening, Shao Yumiao panicked immediately, taking out a handkerchief ready to wipe Song Cha’s tears, while comforting her: “Cha Cha is the best, how could not lending to him be considered selfish?”
“But… but… I’ve already refused him once before, and now to refuse him a second time, I really feel so bad, so selfish…”
