Chapter 29: Possessing a Portable Realm

Su Yunqing also noticed an abnormality in her body; it seemed as though a new force had taken root at her spiritual foundation. She tentatively tried to channel it, only to find an incredibly gentle spiritual energy emerging from within her.

Her eyes widened in surprise. As she attempted to draw the energy out, she discovered that wherever this spiritual power flowed, her damaged meridians were being nourished and healed. When the energy finally gathered in her palm, it manifested as a vibrant green glow.

"Wood!"

That overbearing force from before was actually Wood spiritual energy! Now that it had been absorbed by her spiritual roots, it had manifested a Wood attribute. This meant she now possessed dual Fire and Wood spiritual roots. Could this mean she was suited to become an alchemist?

At this realization, a spark of excitement ignited within her. She knew that Wood spiritual roots were essential for an alchemist, and those possessing both Wood and Fire were rare—they were naturally gifted for the craft. However, her joy was quickly tempered by reason; talent still depended on the quality of one's spiritual roots, so it was too early to celebrate. Moreover, she remained wary of this sudden power. While it appeared harmless for now, it was best to remain cautious.

She quickly sat up. Aside from a faint lingering ache in her meridians, her body felt unscathed; even the injuries she had sustained while fighting the giant serpent had vanished. She had truly experienced the miraculous benefits of Wood spiritual energy. For now, she decided to set it aside and study it properly once she returned to the academy.

Standing up, she finally took in her surroundings. The waterfall was gone. She was now standing in a grassy meadow facing a small, water-filled pond. The spiritual energy here was remarkably dense; just by standing there, she could feel the Wood and Fire elements in the air rushing into her body.

Beyond the pond, a thick layer of white mist obscured the view. The same mist stretched for a kilometer in every direction, enclosing her, though she noticed a small thatched cottage had appeared behind her. She was bewildered. She was certain of where she had collapsed, so why was she here?

Thinking it over, she suspected it had to do with that jade pendant. After all, this new Wood spiritual energy had appeared only after she touched it. She had seen with her own eyes the pendant dissolve into light and merge with her body. Was she now inside the pendant itself?

How was she to get out? No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than a flash of white light blinded her, and she found herself back in front of the waterfall.

She realized what had happened and couldn't help but smile. A space! She possessed a portable dimension! The jade pendant had been a vessel for the space, and after absorbing it, her own body had become the new carrier. To verify this, she picked up her satchel and focused her mind. The bag vanished instantly, and upon checking her inner perception, she found it sitting inside the space.

She smiled with satisfaction. It seemed "Little Mist" had found a treasure this time; not only had the creature leveled up, but it had brought her along for the ride, granting her a portable dimension.

Having understood the situation, she didn't rush to leave. Instead, she released Little Mist and Little Cloud from their contract space and sent them into her new dimension. The contract space was pitch-black and devoid of energy, whereas this new space was rich with spiritual essence—far more suitable for their cultivation and well-being.

As for the thatched cottage, she was curious, but she was still in the middle of a trial. Points were being tallied, and she couldn't afford a low ranking; she still had her heart set on the Qingwu Sect. Furthermore, she wanted to see what state Xiao Jinghuai and his companions had been reduced to by the wolves.

She retraced her steps and arrived just as the woman in red, Hong Yi, was finishing off the wolves with a wave of her hand.

Xiao Jinghuai, his face dark with rage, questioned her: "Elder Hong, if you had arrived any later, we would be dead!"

His tone was clearly accusatory. Having nearly lost his life, his temper had flared, and he was taking his frustration out on the slow-moving elder. Su Yunqi, unable to maintain her usual poised smile, stood to the side, neither questioning nor intervening. Su Yunyue had already fainted from exhaustion the moment help arrived. The remaining two students exchanged uneasy glances and quickly interjected, "Many thanks for your intervention, Elder Hong. Are we still eligible to continue the trial?" They moved away from Xiao Jinghuai, desperate to signal that they were not associated with him and hoped not to be implicated.

Hong Yi sneered at Xiao Jinghuai, her eyes filled with impatience. "How dare you? When did I ever need your guidance on how to do my job? If you lack the ability, don't provoke so many spirit beasts. Greed has blinded you! Useless!"

Xiao Jinghuai’s teeth gritted together as he struggled to suppress his fury.

"You fail, yet you blame the path! Someone who refuses to reflect on their own shortcomings is, in my opinion, unfit for the Qingwu Sect!" With that, she turned away, as if looking at him a moment longer would be an insult to her eyes.

She then addressed the other two disciples: "Since I have intervened, the beasts you kill from here on will not count toward your points. Whether you continue the trial is entirely up to you." She departed without a second thought.

Xiao Jinghuai’s face turned ghastly. It was only after hearing the words "Qingwu Sect" that he realized the gravity of his mistake, but it was too late—he had offended her. He was now consumed with anxiety, fearing his chances of entering the sect were ruined. The others were equally distressed, knowing their efforts would no longer be rewarded with points.

Hidden in the shadows, Su Yunqing watched it all with a mix of emotions. She had gained a new perspective on Xiao Jinghuai: he was a fool. To openly insult an elder? He clearly still thought he was the high-and-mighty prince, but that status meant nothing here. Still, the fact that no more points would be recorded was a blessing—it would thin out the competition.

With that thought, she strolled out from the bushes. The noise immediately put the group on edge, and they scrambled into a defensive stance. Upon seeing who it was, they let out a collective sigh of relief; as long as it wasn't a beast, they could manage—their bodies were too battered for another fight.

"We meet again," she said with a faint, cheerful smile, waving a hand.

Xiao Jinghuai’s face darkened as he stared at her. "Su Yunqing? Why are you here? Don't tell me you were here the whole time?"

The thought that she might have been watching them struggle from the shadows without lifting a finger made his blood boil.