Su Wanqing placed the Dawn Fire Cloud Fruit directly into Xiao Chen’s hand. "Of course I’ve already had one. This thing only has the best effect the first time you eat it."
"Besides, something big is going to happen in a few months. I can’t tell you the specifics right now."
"In any case, Senior Brother, just take the Spirit Fruit for now. You’ll definitely thank me for it later."
’As expected, the Su Family got the news too.’
"Since that’s the case, I happen to have a jug of Spirit Wine here that also has its best effect the first time you drink it."
Xiao Chen waved his hand and took out the Moonlight Wine. "I’ll accept the Spirit Fruit, but not for free. I’ll give you a jug of wine in return, Junior Sister."
Hearing this, Su Wanqing’s brow furrowed slightly.
She hadn’t wanted it to be a simple exchange of one item for another.
Instead, she had hoped Xiao Chen would simply accept the Spirit Fruit, leaving him indebted to her when he learned the truth in three months’ time.
Su Wanqing gave a light laugh and demurred, "Oh, but I don’t really like to drink."
Although Xiao Chen did want the Dawn Fire Cloud Fruit, he already possessed Magic to counter Fire Qi and didn’t want to owe another favor that would be difficult to repay in the future.
So, he held the Spirit Fruit back out to her. "If you don’t like it, Junior Sister, then never mind."
"You’re no fun, Senior Brother." Su Wanqing snatched the wine jug from him. "But I have an older brother at home who loves to drink, so I’ll begrudgingly accept it on his behalf."
’Excellent. Trading some spare wine for a Spirit Fruit.’ Xiao Chen was very satisfied with this deal.
After putting away the Spirit Fruit, the two sat down again and chatted for a bit.
Seeing that it was getting late, Xiao Chen spoke up, "Junior Sister, it’s getting late. I haven’t gotten much cultivation in today, so I should get back to it."
Su Wanqing was stunned. "But it’s the Lantern Festival today! You’re actually going to cultivate tonight, Senior Brother?"
Then, as if she suddenly thought of something, she let out a small laugh.
She then began to console him in a sincere and heartfelt tone, "Senior Brother, you shouldn’t put so much pressure on yourself just because I broke through. Even if you push yourself this hard..."
Xiao Chen didn’t say a word. He simply released the aura of his cultivation.
"Eighth level of Qi Refining!"
Su Wanqing shot up like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on.
"You... you..."
Remembering how she had stood there with her hands on her hips, gloating, and the comforting words she had just spoken, Su Wanqing felt her face burn hot.
Even her slender neck flushed pink. "Senior Brother, when did you break through again? Why didn’t you tell me?"
Xiao Chen spread his hands. "You never asked if I had, Junior Sister."
’I’m so doomed!’
Hearing those somewhat familiar words, Su Wanqing’s vision momentarily went black.
Not only had she failed to show off in front of Xiao Chen, but she had also made a fool of herself.
’He must have been laughing at me in his head this whole time! He must have!’
She pointed a finger at Xiao Chen. "You did that on purpose just to see me make a fool of myself... I’m not talking to you anymore! Goodbye!"
With that, she bolted out the door and vanished in a flash.
...
After leaving Bishui Peak, Su Wanqing calmed herself down. She was in no mood to see the lantern displays anymore and headed straight for home.
Originally, after her cultivation breakthrough, she had relaxed a little.
The gloom brought on by the many troubles within the Su Clan had been somewhat dispelled by the joy of her breakthrough.
But in all honesty, seeing Xiao Chen break through another Minor Realm so quickly made Su Wanqing’s heart tense up all over again.
His cultivation speed was simply too fast!
Although Su Wanqing couldn’t understand why Xiao Chen seemed to face no bottlenecks in his cultivation, if this trend continued, Foundation Establishment definitely wouldn’t be able to stop him.
With his Celestial Level Cultivation Technique, once Xiao Chen successfully reached Foundation Establishment, he would absolutely be head and shoulders above other Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
For now, it seemed only the Chen Family and she herself were actively trying to get close to Xiao Chen.
But that was because the other families, for one, had not yet guessed Xiao Chen’s true strength, and for another, they disdained to compete with the Chen Family for talent.
They wouldn’t even have to wait until he reached Foundation Establishment. As long as Xiao Chen broke through to the ninth level of Qi Refining within the year, everyone would realize his incredible potential.
The Song Family and the Liu Family would definitely extend an olive branch and try to win Xiao Chen over, just as they had preemptively recruited every Foundation Establishment prospect in the past.
Only the Jiang Family’s situation was likely beyond repair.
A sense of crisis welled up in Su Wanqing. ’No, I have to lock him down quickly, before any complications arise.’
Whether by luring him with benefits or binding him with favors, she had to tie Xiao Chen to her side as soon as possible. This would gain her a powerful Guardian to face the future crises of her family.
Fortunately, she would become an Inner Sect Disciple after the new year.
Then she could directly join Bishui Peak and move in as Xiao Chen’s neighbor.
At that point, they’d be seeing each other all the time. She would naturally have more opportunities to get close to him. She refused to believe she couldn’t win him over.