Chapter 16: Watch Me Pull Off Something Big for You

In the span of a short tea break, the disciple token was back in Ji Ning’s hand. A quick scan of the spiritual energy within revealed it was even cleaner than her face. Ji Ning lifted her gaze to sweep over the group, determined to remember their faces well so she could keep her distance from them in the future.

The one who had just claimed he would only take ten points deliberately avoided Ji Ning’s eyes. Given his and his friend's abilities, the spirit fields they managed were of the lowest grade, earning only twenty points at best. In fact, the two of them had freeloaded sixteen points from Ji Ning. Though they felt guilty, deep down they couldn’t help but feel a bit pleased, even relieved. If they had to associate with those inflexible people, how could they have gotten so many contribution points? It was simply a matter of skill.

Ji Ning smiled faintly, noting the emotions playing across their faces. The path of cultivation was a constant struggle—competing for opportunities against others, challenging fate itself. Seekers of the Dao were often countless ordinary folk who banded together out of shared interests. But once their paths diverged, those who had gathered would splinter, each serving their own master, inevitably leading to brutal conflicts where only one could survive.

Ye Yueqing, relying on her sister’s backing, bullied Ji Ning and her companions who had no such connections, barking orders and suppressing them. Ji Ning didn’t think she was wrong, just lacking in manners and unreasonable. But in this ruthless world, reason was a luxury no one could afford. When faced with desperate situations and vested interests, only strength and cunning spoke.

However, those like the Ye sisters, who rose without a shred of compassion, had to constantly watch their backs for uprisings from those below. When necessary, they would eradicate any threats to secure their position.

Ji Ning knew well that for her, the best strategy was to survive quietly and cultivate in obscurity. But just looking at Ye Yueqing’s arrogant, disdainful expression made her want to twist her head off and kick it around like a ball.

In her past life, she had shrunk to a timid ninja turtle, a dead end. Now, she intended to be a brave and resourceful warrior, clearing her own path.

After tucking away the token, Ji Ning turned and addressed the group loudly: “Senior brothers and sisters, Sister Ye’s words just now have awakened me. The destruction of the spirit fields was caused by me, and even if Master Uncle does not hold it against me, I should make amends.”

“But as you’ve seen, I have no contribution points left.” She paused, meeting their curious or disappointed gazes. “However... I do have one method, though the success rate is low. It exists only in theory and has never been practically tested. If you’re willing to try, I will do my best. If not, I can write IOUs to each of you for ten contribution points, to be repaid within three months.”

The group fell silent, hesitant. The masters were at a loss; no one dared trust a young girl claiming she had a solution.

A snort broke the quiet. Ye Yueqing stepped forward leisurely and sneered mockingly, “Junior Sister Ji, your trick is too crude. Lucky I foresaw this, or everyone would have suffered a loss.”

“In my opinion, ten points, though few, are better than none.” She spoke this to those who had chosen the wrong side.

Hearts wavered, and with some stirring dissent, soon two men and two women stepped forward, opting for the IOUs. Ji Ning didn’t object and promptly issued the IOUs. Forty points in total—if luck was on her side, she could repay them today.

The remaining eight discussed and decided to try Ji Ning’s method. The situation was already dire; they could not imagine it getting worse.

Strong Senior Sister Liu called out, “Junior Sister Ji, no matter the success rate, we’re willing to try. This was never your fault.”

“Yes, ten contribution points are nothing. Work harder next month and you’ll earn them back. But if one’s sense of justice is twisted, how can they call themselves cultivators?”

It turned out many were brave enough to resist; Ji Ning had been too narrow-minded.

She smiled and nodded in response, “I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations.”

“Still boasting? You underestimate us,” Ye Yueqing jeered, blocking Ji Ning’s path, raising her eyebrows and looking at her with contempt.

Ji Ning silently rubbed her forehead, suspecting this world must have some spell that drained intelligence. If she had such a reckless younger sister, she wouldn’t even want to face anyone.

“Please step aside.”

Ji Ning was annoyed. This person had just scraped some contribution points from her and was acting like a big deal. Very well, she thought, she would show her a real show.

Ye Yueqing snorted disdainfully and, with her followers, shifted aside, but her gaze stuck to Ji Ning’s back like glue. Today, she would stand here and watch Ji Ning make a fool of herself. That would be entertaining.

Ji Ning examined the three spirit fields managed by those eight, finding no trace of black energy on any of the spirit herbs. They were simply withered, no different from ordinary dead plants.

The outer sect master had cast a spell earlier, which Ji Ning had thought was just for show. Now it seemed he truly possessed some skill.

After completing the inspection, Ji Ning approached Senior Sister Liu, who had been the first to support her, and whispered a few words.

Senior Sister Liu nodded and left.

Ye Yueqing, unwilling to miss the spectacle, ordered one of her followers, “Follow her. If she tries to ask Master Uncle for help, stop her.”

The follower hesitated, “Senior Sister Ye, she’s at the fourth level of Qi Refining. I’ve heard she’s immensely strong; one strike can kill or maim…”

“Fool! Who said you were to fight her? Can’t you fake an accident on the ground?” Ye Yueqing was exasperated.

The follower immediately understood and quietly trailed behind.

Ye Yueqing turned back to see Ji Ning sitting upright in her spirit field, eyes closed, calmly breathing and refining spiritual energy. She murmured incantations as her hands moved in rapid succession, forming two or three hand seals in a single breath.

Wood-element spiritual energy slowly flowed from Ji Ning’s body into the four spirit fields. After seeping into the soil, it cascaded through the roots like a swarm of bees. Without the obstruction of black energy, the flow was smooth. The spirit herbs revived visibly—their leaves spreading, petals blooming. The surrounding green spiritual energy danced lightly like magical sprites.

Only a few people lingered nearby, some with jaws nearly touching the ground.

Could it really be done this way?

Ji Ning had tested this method before. It consumed a great deal of spiritual awareness and energy but was highly effective.

After the master left, Ji Ning had tried nurturing an eight-petal orchid he had personally handed her. Under the wood energy’s care, it recovered rapidly, its quality even rising to top-grade.

But she kept this quiet. She planned to submit half of the dead herbs and revive the other half to sell in the market. The masters of the Errand Hall wouldn’t scrutinize that closely.

Though the purslane plants were low-grade, they might be excellent specimens, fetching a good price in spirit stones.

She could preserve her strength and earn spirit stones—what was not to like?

Alas, an unexpected troublemaker had appeared halfway.

After half an hour, the circulation of spiritual energy in her dantian slowed, and her awareness grew fatigued. She urgently needed to replenish her energy.

At this critical moment for each spirit herb, concentrating their essence, cutting off the flow would waste all efforts.

Ji Ning bitterly regretted leaving her storage pouch in the room before coming to the Medicine Valley. It contained inferior spirit stones she had scavenged, perfect for emergencies.

Sigh! Senior Sister Liu, please hurry…