Ch. 54
Lu Xueqi knew well that if the True Intent of Nirvana within her body were to undergo a complete transformation, it would have to rely on bloodline as a catalyst.
She stared intently at the droplet of crystal-clear Phoenix Blood before her. Though it was only a trace, it was enough to become the crucial opportunity.
Immediately after, she opened her mouth and inhaled, swallowing the blood essence into her body. She then activated the Dao of Creation she had comprehended, immersing herself completely in sensing the genetic essence of the bloodline within the Phoenix Blood, attempting to use it to alter her own bloodline power and accelerate the transformation process.
As the Dao of Creation continued to circulate and was further guided by the Phoenix Blood, the bloodline within her began to shift toward an unknown direction.
In an instant, a cluster of orange-red flames erupted from all around her, completely enveloping her body in a flash.
Lu Xueqi seemed to have fallen into an endless slumber, descending into a realm of chaos. Her thoughts also became slow and blurry.
During this process, the True Intent of Annihilation and Nirvana Rebirth she had comprehended also began to subtly transform.
At the same time, a layer of crystal-clear cocoon formed around her, wrapping her in multiple layers until her aura was completely concealed.
Two days passed. Within Xiaozhu Peak, a sudden “thump, thump, thump” sound came from the giant cocoon that encased Lu Xueqi.
It was the sound of a heartbeat—strong and powerful—as though some immensely mighty being was gestating within the cocoon.
After a long while, Lu Xueqi slowly awakened, a trace of confusion flickering in her eyes.
It was as if she had experienced an endless and distant dream—as if she had turned into a phoenix, undergoing a transformation from death to rebirth.
Once fully awake and sensing the changes in her body, she was filled with astonishment.
She found her meridians had become more resilient and widened, her dantian more expansive, and the power within her had undergone a complete metamorphosis.
What shocked her most was that her cultivation had directly soared from the Ninth Level of the Upper Purity Realm to the First Level of the Supreme Purity Realm.
At the same time, she also sensed that she was in a confined space, seemingly wrapped in something.
Lu Xueqi gently raised her hand, and the massive cocoon enveloping her shattered with a boom.
She stepped out slowly. The sudden exposure to sunlight felt a bit blinding, causing her to squint slightly and raise her hand to block the glaring rays. Her wrist was as white as jade, and her skin glowed with the soft luster of mutton-fat jade. Every gesture exuded elegance.
Once her eyes adjusted to the light, Lu Xueqi lowered her hand. As her gaze flickered, it seemed as though a galaxy sparkled in her pupils.
In front of her, water vapor condensed under the wave of her finger into a crystal-clear water mirror.
Reflected in the mirror was a face so perfect it took one’s breath away.
Her appearance, already breathtakingly beautiful, now looked as though it had been meticulously sculpted by the hands of a divine creator.
She noticed that although her height had not changed much, her skin had become even smoother and softer, like creamy jade.
Her originally stunning face had now reached a state of perfection. If previously she could score a 9.4 out of 10, now she was unquestionably a perfect 10.
Her skin was delicate and radiant, her black hair smooth and flowing. There wasn’t a single flaw in her entire being—like a flawless work of art.
Most striking of all was a faint, fiery red flame-shaped mark that had appeared on her forehead, adding a layer of mystery and nobility to her already divine beauty. She looked like an immortal descending upon the mortal world.
At the same time, besides the changes in her appearance and the boost in cultivation, Lu Xueqi also sensed a slight improvement in her comprehension of the True Intent of Creation.
The bloodline within her had undergone a tremendous transformation, and the True Intent of Nirvana had become significantly denser.
Lu Xueqi believed that even if she were to suffer fatal injuries in the future, she now had the potential to be reborn like a phoenix.
However, the Nirvana power she currently comprehended was still relatively weak, and the chances of successfully undergoing rebirth remained low.
But Lu Xueqi firmly believed that as her cultivation improved and her understanding of the True Intent of Nirvana deepened, the probability of Nirvana rebirth would greatly increase.
At the same time, she also noticed that her affinity with the flame element had grown much stronger.
She extended a finger, and instantly a flame radiating terrifying heat appeared at its tip.
This flame was several times more powerful than the True Essence Flame she had previously summoned.
Now, the firepower she could unleash with a mere flick of her hand possessed tremendous destructive force.
After sensing all the changes in her body, Lu Xueqi was just about to return and rest.
At that moment, her ears twitched slightly. She heard a series of hurried footsteps.
This caused Lu Xueqi to pause in surprise.
She glanced at the messy surroundings, then gently waved her hand.
The scattered fragments of crystal walls instantly turned to ashes and vanished without a trace.
Just then, an anxious voice suddenly called out,
“Junior Sister Xueqi, Junior Sister Xueqi, are you there?”
Upon hearing the voice, Lu Xueqi turned her head and saw that it was Senior Sister Wen Min. She responded,
“Senior Sister, I’m here.”
As Lu Xueqi spoke, she also noticed that her voice had become even more pleasant to the ear, causing a flicker of surprise in her heart.
Wen Min, upon hearing Lu Xueqi’s voice, was also slightly taken aback.
Though she hadn’t seen Lu Xueqi in many days, she knew her junior sister well.
However, she didn’t dwell on it, thinking that perhaps Lu Xueqi was still growing, and voice changes were normal.
Wen Min then quickly ran toward Lu Xueqi.
When Wen Min saw Lu Xueqi, she froze in place.
Lu Xueqi’s general appearance hadn’t changed much from her memories, but upon closer inspection, she had undergone a tremendous transformation.
Lu Xueqi’s skin had become more lustrous, her face softer and more refined, her features more delicate—like a masterpiece sculpted by the heavens.
Wen Min, who was very familiar with Lu Xueqi, felt a booming sensation in her head the moment she saw her.
At that moment, only one thought echoed in her mind.
‘So beautiful.’
Seeing Wen Min dazed, Lu Xueqi softly called out,
“Senior Sister Wen Min, what’s wrong?”
Wen Min slowly returned to her senses after hearing Lu Xueqi’s voice. She stared at Lu Xueqi, momentarily unsure of how to speak.
Fixing her gaze directly on Lu Xueqi, Wen Min couldn’t help but say,
“Junior Sister, why do I feel like you’ve changed?”
Lu Xueqi paused slightly, instantly understanding the reason—clearly, the effects of this transformation were simply too noticeable.
Still, she feigned calm and said,
“Senior Sister, it must be your imagination. What could possibly be different?”
But Wen Min pressed on relentlessly.
“Junior Sister, you really have changed—you’re even more beautiful now! You were already stunning before, but now I don’t even know how to describe it. It’s like a fairy descended to the mortal world. Even I, as a fellow woman, can’t help feeling my heart skip a beat!”
Lu Xueqi couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Senior Sister, isn’t that a bit much? It’s probably just that I’ve been growing recently, so there’ve been some subtle changes in my appearance.”
Wen Min shook her head exaggeratedly.
“Subtle? This is earth-shattering! Junior Sister Xueqi, if you go out looking like this, won’t all the male disciples in the Qingyun Sect go crazy? What about us average-looking girls—how are we supposed to live?”
As she spoke, she even pretended to wipe her eyes sadly.
Lu Xueqi quickly comforted her.
“Senior Sister is also very beautiful. There aren’t many in Qingyun Sect with your looks.”
Though Wen Min had some confidence in her appearance, she still sighed when compared with Lu Xueqi.
“Compared to you, I’m just too plain. You’re a masterpiece carefully crafted by the heavens, and I’m just something kneaded together casually.”
Lu Xueqi shook her head and changed the topic.
“Senior Sister, what brought you here in such a rush?”
Only then did Wen Min exclaim,
“Ah! Junior Sister, I was so stunned by your beauty I almost forgot why I came! Don’t forget, tomorrow is the Seven Peaks Tournament. Master sent me to remind you to be ready.”
Lu Xueqi was surprised.
“Senior Sister, isn’t it still two or three days away?”
Wen Min looked astonished, stepped forward, and gently touched Lu Xueqi’s smooth forehead.
“Junior Sister, have you been so deep in cultivation you forgot the passage of time? The tournament is tomorrow! Good thing Master sent me, or you would’ve missed it!”
Realization dawned on Lu Xueqi—her divine sense must have fallen into chaos during her transformation, causing her to lose track of time.
She had thought only a moment had passed, but in reality, two days had gone by.
She quickly gave thanks.
“I’m grateful for your reminder, Senior Sister. Otherwise, I really would’ve messed up.”
Wen Min waved her hand, her eyes full of anticipation.
“Junior Sister Xueqi, I’ve long heard of your talent. Whether Xiaozhu Peak can win the championship this time depends entirely on you!”
Lu Xueqi smiled confidently.
“Rest assured, Senior Sister. With my current strength, taking first place in the Seven Peaks Tournament is no problem.”
That smile left Wen Min dazed once again, her whole body in a trance.
Seeing this, Lu Xueqi waved her hand in front of her.
“Senior Sister, what’s wrong?”
Wen Min snapped back to reality, looking at Lu Xueqi strangely.
“Junior Sister, you mustn’t smile at people so easily! Do you even know how lethal your smile is? Even I almost lost myself, and I’m a girl! Those male disciples—won’t they lose their souls on the spot?”
Lu Xueqi felt a bit embarrassed.
“Senior Sister, aren’t you exaggerating a little?”
But Wen Min nodded seriously.
“I’m not exaggerating at all! Maybe you should wear a face veil for the tournament. Otherwise, your opponents might just forfeit after one look at you!”
Seeing Lu Xueqi’s slightly awkward expression, Wen Min quickly laughed and said,
“Just teasing! This beauty of yours is a gift from the heavens—why hide it? Go boldly into the tournament. You’ll surely amaze everyone!”
Lu Xueqi considered Wen Min’s words and found some truth in them. In the end, she nodded and said,
“Alright, Senior Sister Wen Min. I’ll remember that.”
Seeing that Lu Xueqi had abandoned the idea of wearing a face veil, Wen Min secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Deep down, she was still looking forward to the moment when, during the Seven Peaks Tournament, all the senior brothers of Qingyun Sect would fall into stunned silence the instant they saw Lu Xueqi’s beauty.
With the matter settled, Wen Min said to Lu Xueqi,
“Junior Sister, if that’s all, I’ll take my leave now.”
Lu Xueqi nodded in reply.
“Alright, Senior Sister.”
Only then did Wen Min reluctantly leave the back mountain.
As the senior disciple of Xiaozhu Peak and with the tournament so near, she was swamped with responsibilities.
Although only nine female disciples from Xiaozhu Peak were competing, many others would head to Tongtian Peak to cheer them on. She needed to quickly reach the front mountain to arrange lodging, ensure everyone’s safety, and repeatedly remind them not to commit any serious violations during the event.
Once Wen Min was gone, Lu Xueqi murmured softly to herself,
“Is my appearance really that powerful?”
She subconsciously raised her hand and stared at her finger, momentarily lost in thought.
A moment later, she shook her head quickly, casting away the stray thoughts.
At this moment, she was certain—she truly had become even more perfect...