Chapter 123: Chapter 123: 18 Years Old, A-level Spiritual Power
Ning Xuan’s victory was well-deserved, and the moment the results were announced, the entire Star Network erupted.
At the same time, countless posts detailing Ning Xuan’s personal background began to circulate on the Star Network.
On D618 Star, in a classroom of the Xingluowan Advanced Academy’s Fighting Department, Luo Meng stared blankly at the video of Ning Xuan performing alchemy. He suddenly couldn’t recall what the girl who had chased after him and confessed her feelings more than half a year ago even looked like.
’She couldn’t have looked like this back then, right? If she did, who could have had the heart to reject her?’
’But... it seems she’s always been beautiful. It’s just that she used to be so timid, lacking the commanding presence she has now.’
’She’s grown so much taller. Who would have thought that just over half a year ago, she was just an ordinary person? This is all like a dream... no, it’s a change so drastic you couldn’t even dream it up.’
According to speculation on the Star Network, to be able to concoct Star-grade Medicine, her Spiritual Power Level had to be at least A-level.
"Brother Luo, do you think this Ning Xuan is the same one we know? Her registered school is listed as being here on D618 Star, at Xingluowan Advanced Academy. It has to be her," said a classmate who was close to Luo Meng.
"It’s definitely her. Look, isn’t that Instructor Chen next to her? He’s been here before," another classmate chimed in.
"Luo Meng, I heard she used to like you. Wanted to start a family with you and have your kids, even. Now that she’s so amazing, why don’t you go look for her? If you can get with her, you won’t have to work hard for the rest of your life. You could move straight to the Central Star and enjoy the best resources," someone in the classroom said maliciously, instantly drawing a roar of laughter.
Although in Contracted relationships on Low-class Stars, it was mostly women with low-level or no spiritual power who were responsible for childbirth, the men who could get these women to willingly bear their children were usually those with higher Spiritual Power Levels. It was a source of pride that such men could show off.
In the past, Luo Meng had often used this very fact as proof to boast about his own strength.
Luo Meng’s face instantly flushed with shame and indignation. Ning Xuan had indeed said those things, and she had been very serious and sincere at the time. He hadn’t been lying. But now, when the topic was brought up again, they all thought he had fabricated the story.
It got to the point where even Luo Meng himself began to wonder if it was all a figment of his imagination rather than something that had actually happened.
"Hey, stop laughing! They say you never forget your first love. Luo Meng, why don’t you go and give it a shot? Maybe she’ll still give you a chance." The classroom erupted in another wave of laughter.
Luo Meng’s face was filled with humiliation. For him, a real part of his past had now become nothing more than a joke for others to laugh at. He opened his mouth to say something, but upon seeing Ning Xuan in the video, he instantly lost the courage to explain himself.
On the central plaza of the Alchemist Association, Ning Xuan accepted the champion’s medal. Standing to her right was the second-place contestant from the Myriad Phenomena Star River, and on her other side was the third-place contestant from the Starry Sky Academy.
The reason the Guiding Key to the Chaotic Divine Domain became a prize for the Federal Alchemist Competition was that, at this particular time, only one key had been created by the Chaotic Divine Domain. The five major powers of Transcendents thus decided to offer the key as a prize in this competition, allowing the younger generation from each faction to win it based on their own abilities.
They just never expected that, despite each of their organizations sending participants, the key would end up in the hands of an outsider.
Ning Xuan won the championship of the Federal Alchemist Competition’s unlimited division and received the grand prize: the Guiding Key to the Chaotic Divine Domain. It was a palm-length key made of a bronze-like material. The key floated above Ning Xuan’s palm; its spiral shaft was formed from seven nested, counter-rotating bronze rings. The runes carved into each ring projected stellar glows of different colors into the air, and its surface shimmered with a dark light, like liquid metal. It looked utterly mystical.
The key was already bound to her; Ning Xuan’s Divine Soul could feel it. The reason she had worked so hard to obtain it was because the key was a life-saving treasure. If she ever encountered danger, she could use the key to escape to the Chaotic Divine Domain. Even if she were to die unexpectedly, her Divine Soul would automatically enter the Chaotic Divine Domain.
Of course, the key had a limited number of uses.
’Besides that reason,’ she thought, ’at my current Cultivation speed, it might not take many years to reach SSS-level. I’ll need this thing then, too. Since I had the chance to get it now, I naturally had to do everything I could to win it.’
Along with the championship, she also received a One-star Alchemy Master certification issued by the Alchemist Association headquarters and an admission notice from the Federal Central Star Military Academy.
A One-star Alchemy Master who had just turned eighteen, who was also an extremely rare Female Controller, and a commoner from a Low-class Star at that—all this news combined instantly sent the entire Federation into a frenzy.
"Family Head, the Controller Protection Association has sent a detached villa and two well-trained young slaves as a congratulatory gift for your victory in the Federal Alchemist Competition."
"Family Head, the Alchemist Association has sent an Earth Fire Crystal Stone Qilin Offering Blessings Alchemy Furnace to congratulate you on your victory in the Federal Alchemist Competition."
"Family Head, the Federal Central Star Military Academy has sent a Mystic Iron Sword to congratulate you on your victory in the Federal Alchemist Competition."
"..."
Listening to the endless stream of congratulations and looking at the gifts, Ning Xuan felt a sense of unreality.
These gifts were all from official organizations, the kind of standard rewards she had no choice but to accept. As for the many others who came bearing gifts on behalf of families or individuals, Ning Xuan had Yan Fuzhen refuse them all.
’Ning Xuan had been in this strange world for over half a year. In the beginning, her personal power had suddenly dropped to an unacceptable level, filling her with a constant, severe sense of crisis and urgency. This feeling prevented her from slacking off for even a moment. She had been desperately cultivating and studying, her nerves stretched taut without a second’s rest.’
’Now, she could finally relax a little, mentally.’
Ning Xuan made time to visit a testing center for a re-evaluation of her Spiritual Power Level. Afterward, her personal information was updated.
Profile
Ordinary Citizen (Minor)
Name: Ning Xuan
Gender: Female
Age: 17
Mother: Ning Zilan (Deceased)
Father: Bai Xiwen (Deceased)
Registered Domicile: D-level Star, D618 Planet, Zone 4 Residence, Xingluo Bay
Current Address: Central Star, Zone A Residence, No. A189
School Attending: Federal Central Star Military Academy (Enrollment Registered)
Major: Alchemy
Professional Qualifications: One-star Alchemy Master Certification; 51st Federal Alchemist Competition Unlimited Division Champion
Spiritual Power: A-level (Value: 5758)
Brain Domain Width: SSS-level
Companion Spirit (Superpower Body): Legendary Fire Spirit Vermilion Bird (Unformed)
Superpower Talent: Unawakened
