After My Rebirth, I Ended Up Happily Ever After with the Saintess - Chapter 33

The heat and scent of blood from the Valley of the Raging Fire Mountain Range had not entirely dissipated when Ye Li’s figure vanished like a phantom behind the rugged, crimson-colored rock formations. She did not immediately leave, but instead found a hidden rock crevice where she swiftly composed herself, recovering the spiritual power consumed during the fierce battle.

The Netherworld Emperor Sutra slowly circulated within her body. The frigid spiritual power flowed through her meridians, effortlessly dissolving the wisps of fire-evil energy that had invaded her body, and even refining and absorbing them, converting them into a minute increase in her cultivation base. The skirmish with the three Raging Fire Earth-Wolfs, though not resulting in serious injury, had significantly depleted both her spiritual power and mental focus.

Moments later, her breathing stabilized. She rose and examined the haul from this mission.

Five pigeon-egg-sized, smooth, crimson-red Fire-Wutong Crystals lay quietly in a jade box, radiating pure fire-attribute energy fluctuations. These were the main materials required for the mission. In addition to these, she had three venom sacs from the mutated Raging Fire Scorpion (more valuable than ordinary scorpion gallbladders) and a Tier 2 demonic core, brimming with violent fire energy, dug from the head of the Raging Fire Earth-Wolf.

The value of these extra spoils even surpassed the three hundred contribution points offered by the mission itself.

She had no intention of lingering. The people from the Blazing Sun Valley could leave at any moment, and the scent of blood in this area could easily attract even more powerful predators. After storing her treasures, she employed the Shadow Step, silently leaving the chaotic valley and speeding toward the sect.

The journey was uneventful. Several days later, the dust-covered Ye Li stepped into the Profound Cloud Sect’s Hall of Merit once more.

The hall was still bustling with disciples coming and going. She headed straight for the mission handover window.

The inner-sect disciple at the window seemed to be a different person, but he had clearly heard about the incident at the West Mountain Abandoned Mine. Seeing Ye Li approach, a hint of respect and curiosity flashed in his eyes, and his attitude became much more deferential: “This Junior Sister, are you here to hand in a mission?”

“D-93, the Fire-Wutong Crystal Collection Mission,” Ye Li handed over her identity token and the jade box containing the crystals.

The disciple took them, carefully inspected the five Fire-Wutong Crystals, confirming they were of superior quality and completely intact. A smile appeared on his face: “Junior Sister, your efficiency is truly high! The mission is complete, and the contribution points will be allocated immediately.”

He swiped her token over a compass-like magical artifact. A faint light flashed on Ye Li’s token, and the contribution point number flickered.

“Junior Sister, your performance evaluation for this mission is ‘Excellent,’ with an additional reward of fifty contribution points, totaling three hundred and fifty points, which have been credited,” the disciple added, his tone even more polite. The higher the mission completion rate and efficiency, the greater the chance of accepting high-reward missions in the future, which made him treat her with seriousness.

Ye Li nodded slightly and put away her token. Three hundred and fifty points, plus the remainder from before and the snake gall exchange, brought her current contribution points to nearly five hundred! This was undoubtedly a massive sum for a newly promoted inner-sect disciple.

She did not leave immediately but turned and walked towards the massive “Resource Exchange” jade wall.

Her gaze quickly swept across the dazzling list. The cultivation technique section was currently unnecessary; in the weapon section, the Mid-grade Human-tier “Autumn Water Sword” still radiated an enticing luster, but the short sword she obtained from the treasury was sufficient for now; the talisman section had a bewildering array of offensive, defensive, and auxiliary spirit talismans, but they were expensive, and she preferred to draw them herself.

Her gaze finally fixed firmly on the “Pill Refining Materials” and “Artifact Forging Auxiliary Materials” sections.

The cultivation of the Netherworld Emperor Sutra demands an extremely high level of physical strength. Relying solely on the technique’s self-refinement and cold spring immersion had gradually slowed the process. She desperately needed to refine stronger body-tempering medicinal liquid or directly consume body-tempering pills. Furthermore, she had a faint feeling that the mysterious ore obtained from the Ye family treasury was not ordinary, and she might need to try to integrate it into a weapon or utilize it in another way.

“Ice Condensation Grass, 10 Contribution Points/stalk.” “Hundred-Year Cold Iron, 80 Contribution Points/catty.” “Tier 2 Water-Attribute Demonic Core, 120 Contribution Points/unit.” “Jade Marrow Fungus, 200 Contribution Points/stalk…” “Lotus Pod of the Earth Core Fire Lotus (Remnant), 300 Contribution Points…”

Names and prices flashed before her eyes, instantly making her newly fattened “wallet” feel inadequate again.

After careful consideration, she made a decision. The most urgent needs were to enhance her physical strength and increase the power of the short sword.

She walked to the exchange window and said in a low voice: “Exchange: Two catties of Hundred-Year Cold Iron; one Tier 2 Water-Attribute Demonic Core; one stalk of Jade Marrow Fungus; and ten portions of the materials for ‘Clear Heart Pill’ refining.”

The Clear Heart Pill is a Grade 1 pill, relatively simple to refine with a high success rate, which she planned to use for practice and to exchange for stable contribution points. Hundred-Year Cold Iron is a common artifact-forging auxiliary material with an icy nature, which might pair well with the ore. The Tier 2 Water-Attribute Demonic Core contains pure energy and can be used to refine higher-grade body-tempering medicinal liquid. The Jade Marrow Fungus is one of the main ingredients for the Grade 2 “Jade Marrow Body Tempering Pill.” Although expensive, it was a necessary investment.

The disciple quickly calculated: “Two catties of Hundred-Year Cold Iron, 160 points; one Tier 2 Water-Attribute Demonic Core, 120 points; one stalk of Jade Marrow Fungus, 200 points; ten portions of Clear Heart Pill materials, 50 points. A total of 530 contribution points.”

Ye Li frowned slightly, she was short by thirty points. Without hesitation, she took out the three venom sacs of the mutated Raging Fire Scorpion and the Raging Fire Earth-Wolf’s demonic core: “Use these as a discount.”

The disciple examined them, surprise flashing in his eyes. The mutated venom sacs and Tier 2 demonic core were valuable items: “The venom sacs are of superior quality, valued at 40 points each, totaling 120 points for three. The Tier 2 demonic core is valued at 150 points. A total of 270 points. Deducting the 530 points, you need to pay 260 points. Junior Sister, your contribution point balance is 487 points. After payment, you will have 227 points remaining.”

“Agreed,” Ye Li nodded. With this, she not only exchanged for all the urgently needed resources but also had over two hundred points left in reserve.

Soon, several jade boxes and packages were brought out. The Hundred-Year Cold Iron was heavy and icy to the touch; the Water-Attribute Demonic Core was sapphire blue like a water drop, radiating a soft fluctuation; the Jade Marrow Fungus was warm and smooth like jade, with a refreshing herbal scent; and the ten portions of Clear Heart Pill materials were neatly organized.

Carefully storing these items in her spatial ring, Ye Li felt a long-lost sense of satisfaction. Resources—this was one of the most crucial cornerstones on the path of cultivation.

She did not return to Cloud Pill Peak, but instead headed directly to the Hundred Refinements Hall. Refining body-tempering medicinal liquid and attempting to process the ore both required underground fire.

She rented the lowest-grade underground fire chamber (ten contribution points daily) and activated the protective formation. The temperature in the room instantly rose, and the central fire vent spewed scorching flames.

Ye Li did not rush to deal with the ore. Instead, she took out the newly exchanged medicinal materials and the Tier 2 Water-Attribute Demonic Core. She planned to first refine the “Cold Marrow Body Tempering Liquid”—another basic medicinal liquid detailed in the Netherworld Emperor Sutra. Its effects were several times stronger than the self-concocted liquid she used previously, perfectly suited for her current physique.

Following the recipe in her memory, she placed stalk after stalk of Yin-cold attribute auxiliary herbs into a heat-resistant jade cauldron, carefully controlling the underground fire’s temperature with her spiritual power, slowly extracting the medicinal liquid. The process was tedious and monotonous, requiring extremely precise control over the heat.

Thanks to her powerful divine sense and the subtle enhancement in perception occasionally brought by the fragment of the Wheel of Reincarnation, she did not experience any major mishaps like an exploding cauldron, despite this being her first attempt. However, an unexpected instability in the underground fire caused one auxiliary herb to fail in its refinement, turning to ash.

Her expression unchanged, she put in another stalk and became even more cautious.

Several hours later, all the auxiliary herbs were refined, transforming into a pool of deep blue, viscous liquid. Next was the most crucial step—integrating the Tier 2 Demonic Core’s energy.

She placed the sapphire-blue core into the center of the medicinal liquid, clenched her hands into seals, and fully circulated the Netherworld Emperor Sutra, drawing a thread of extreme cold spiritual power as a guide. Simultaneously, she cautiously manipulated the underground fire to increase its intensity and began refining the demonic core!

“Buzz…”

The demonic core vibrated violently. Its pure water-attribute energy was forcibly drawn out and began to fuse with the deep blue medicinal liquid! A frigid and moist aura permeated the entire stone chamber, momentarily overpowering even the scorching heat of the underground fire.

This process was extremely draining on her mind and spiritual power. Fine beads of sweat appeared on Ye Li’s forehead, and her face turned slightly pale, but her eyes remained utterly focused.

Another hour passed.

“Condense!”

She gave a soft shout, and the hand seal changed!

The light in the jade cauldron suddenly retracted. All the energy perfectly fused, transforming into a small cauldron of medicinal liquid that was as clear as a blue gem, radiating a shocking chill!

The Cold Marrow Body Tempering Liquid was a success!

Although the success rate was less than perfect due to her inexperience, and the medicinal effect might be slightly diminished, it was undoubtedly a successful refinement!

Ye Li let out a long breath, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes. She carefully poured the medicinal liquid into several jade bottles.

After resting and recovering for half an hour, her gaze turned to the gray, mysterious ore obtained from the Ye family treasury and the two catties of Hundred-Year Cold Iron she had just exchanged for.

She placed the ore and the cold iron by the underground fire but did not immediately toss them in. Instead, she first tried to slowly inject the spiritual power of the Netherworld Emperor Sutra into the ore.

This time, the ore’s reaction was even more noticeable! The gray on its surface gradually faded, revealing a dark blue interior that seemed to absorb all light! An extremely ancient, cold, and heavy aura emanated from it, causing even the surrounding underground fire to momentarily stall!

“As expected, it’s extraordinary!” Ye Li’s heart trembled. The quality of this item was definitely far superior to the Hundred-Year Cold Iron!

She attempted to use the short sword she got from the treasury to chip at the edge of the ore. The short sword left only a shallow white scratch, while the ore remained completely unscathed!

She then tried injecting a thread of spiritual power into the Hundred-Year Cold Iron. The cold iron merely emitted a normal icy aura. Compared to the ore’s profound ancientness, it was like a firefly next to a bright moon.

“It seems that using it to reinforce the short sword won’t be easy. Perhaps… it should be the main material?” A bold idea arose in her mind.

However, with her current level of artifact forging and cultivation, she was simply incapable of melting and forging this mysterious ore.

After a moment of contemplation, she changed her mind. She threw the Hundred-Year Cold Iron into the underground fire, manipulating the flames to begin melting it. Since she couldn’t move the ore, she would enhance the short sword first.

The Hundred-Year Cold Iron gradually softened and melted in the underground fire, turning into a silver-gray liquid. Ye Li put the short sword into it, using her spiritual power to guide the cold iron liquid to evenly cover and permeate the short sword’s blade.

This was a gradual and meticulous process, requiring extreme patience and precise control over the flames. She focused entirely, slowly purging impurities from the short sword and integrating the essence of the Hundred-Year Cold Iron.

Time ticked by. Just as the rental period for the underground fire chamber was about to end, the short sword let out a crisp hum! The previously dull sheen on the blade became reserved and profound, exuding a chilling coldness. Its sharpness and toughness had clearly increased by a level! Although it hadn’t attained a Grade yet, it was now far superior to ordinary mortal weapons.

Ye Li collected the short sword with satisfaction. Although she failed to process the mysterious ore, the objective of this trip had been achieved.

She walked out of the underground fire chamber, and outside, the sky was full of stars.

Returning to her small courtyard on Cloud Pill Peak, she couldn’t wait to pour out a bottle of the Cold Marrow Body Tempering Liquid, mix it with clear water, and immerse herself in it.

An agonizing chill instantly enveloped her entire body, as if a thousand ice needles were stabbing into her pores, penetrating deep into her bones! The pain was several times more intense than the previous medicinal liquid!

But Ye Li gritted her teeth, silently circulating the Netherworld Emperor Sutra, guiding the powerful medicinal force to scour her limbs and bones, refining every inch of muscle and every meridian.

She could clearly feel her body undergoing subtle yet profound changes in the extreme cold, becoming tougher and more capable of containing and circulating powerful spiritual power.

Several hours later, the medicinal power was gradually absorbed. Ye Li stood up from the wooden tub, her skin smooth and lustrous, faintly radiating a precious light, and her aura growing increasingly condensed.

“The effect is significant!” She felt the growth in her strength, her heart surging with excitement. At this rate, breaking through the physical barrier of the Coalescing Meridian Stage was just around the corner.

She looked at the Jade Marrow Fungus and other materials in her spatial ring, her eyes burning. The next step was to attempt to refine a genuine Grade 2 pill—the Jade Marrow Body Tempering Pill!

The resources were ready, and the path ahead was clear.

Ye Li sat cross-legged and began her daily, unyielding cultivation. The spiritual energy vortex in her Dantian slowly rotated, constantly expanding, drawing ever closer to that realm barrier.

The Sect’s contribution points had transformed into tangible strength, propelling her steadily forward on this path against the heavens.