Chapter 1890 — 1890: Heaven Refining Crystal's Result

After arriving at the Hunting Grounds, instead of going straight to the core, Yuan began hunting the magical beasts in the outer region instead. He wanted to test out the Heaven Refining Physique, but since he wasn't sure he actually had it, he decided to test it with weaker monster cores.

On his seventh kill, Yuan acquired a 5th-level Spirit Apprentice monster core.

"Even if my Heaven Refining Physique doesn't work, consuming this won't instantly kill me…" Yuan mumbled as he held the monster core before his lips.

A moment later, Yuan consumed the monster core. When the monster core entered his mouth and touched his tongue, it instantly melted.

'It worked!' Yuan thought to himself as he swallowed the liquid and absorbed the spiritual energy within.

However, he quickly noticed something was amiss. Although he'd managed to consume the monster core and absorb its spiritual energy, it wasn't perfect.

"I'd only managed to refine a portion of the spiritual energy… about ten percent?" Yuan mumbled.

His original body and Heaven Refining Physique allowed him to refine all of the monster core's spiritual energy even before it was awakened. Yet, the Heaven Refining Physique he'd attained in this world only managed to refine 10 percent of the monster core's spiritual energy.

"Even though they'd managed to recreate the Heaven Refining Crystal and its powers, they are unable to completely replicate all of its power, huh?"

Yuan wasn't too surprised by this outcome. In fact, he was pretty satisfied by it. After all, he thought it wasn't going to work at all.

"Even if it's only a tenth of its original strength, that is more than enough for me to completely surpass everyone in cultivation."

After confirming the Heaven Refining Physique was working, Yuan went straight to the deepest region and began slaughtering the Spirit Master magical beasts there.

Two weeks later, Yuan left the Hunting Ground with his cultivation at the 3rd level Spirit Master.

On his way out, he noticed a familiar face. It was Yingzi, and she was hunting magical beasts by herself.

Not wanting to disturb her, Yuan waited for her to finish her hunt and silently watched her from the shadows.

'She's gotten pretty good with a sword…'

Although Yingzi was not at the level of a swordmaster, she managed to reach a respectable level of sword mastery by herself.

Once Yingzi finished her hunt, Yuan approached her.

"Yingzi."

"Yuan?" Yingzi's expression remained calm when she saw Yuan, but her eyes were noticeably brighter than before.

"Did you forget? I'm Xiao Yang right now," Yuan corrected her.

"Oh, right. When did you finish your punishment?" she asked.

"Two weeks ago. I heard you only arrived at the Immortal Monastery recently, but you're already at the first level of Spirit Warrior. Did you stay at the Bamboo Garden until you reached Spirit Warrior?" Yuan noticed her cultivation was too high for someone who'd just qualified to enter the Immortal Monastery, suggesting that Yingzi had become a cultivator long ago but didn't leave the Bamboo Garden on purpose for some reason.

She nodded and confirmed, "I left when I reached Spirit Warrior."

"Why did you choose to stay there for so long?" Yuan asked with a puzzled face.

What came out of Yingzi's mouth left Yuan dumbfounded.

"The food there was too good, and I was worried that I would no longer be able to taste it again once I left, so I decided to stay until I couldn't," she calmly said.

Yuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry after hearing her ridiculous reason for staying in the Bamboo Garden for almost four whole years. However, it was definitely befitting of her character.

"I don't even know how to respond to that… but you must be relieved to know that the food in the sect is just as good if not even better than the food in the Bamboo Garden."

Yingzi nodded, "Yes, I would've come here sooner if I knew the food here was just as good."

"What do you think of the trial so far? It must be difficult for someone like you, right? Especially the physical labor," Yuan asked, glancing at her with curiosity.

Yingzi shook her head slightly before responding, her expression calm. "At first, I was more puzzled than anything. It's not as bad as the others made it out to be. Once I became a cultivator, it became incredibly easy, almost effortless."

Unlike the others, who struggled with the demands of physical labor due to their privileged backgrounds, Yingzi was a Predator from the Primal Expanse. Chopping bamboo and fetching water didn't hurt her pride. It was nothing more than a slight inconvenience.

"I see…"

"Are you heading back now?" Yingzi then asked.

Yuan nodded.

"Yes. You want to return with me?"

She nodded.

"It's almost time for breakfast."

Unbeknownst to Yuan, Yingzi would eat three meals a day without fail—even while training inside the Hunting Grounds. Surprisingly, the sect's food delivery system extended beyond the residential area and even reached the Hunting Grounds. That said, they would only deliver the food to the entrance of the Hunting Grounds.

Upon returning to the residential area, Yingzi wasted no time and immediately ordered food. As for Yuan, he planned on taking a shower, but he noticed someone standing by his doorstep, and it was someone he wasn't familiar with.

"How can I help you?" Yuan spoke as he approached this individual who was wearing the robes of an Inner Court disciple.

This male disciple narrowed his gaze at Yuan and asked, "Are you Disciple Xiao Yang?"

"That sounds like me. Who's asking?"

"I am here on behalf of Grand Elder Bai. He wants you to visit him whenever you're available."

"Sure. I'll give him a visit as soon as I clean myself up."

The Inner Court disciple nodded before leaving.

"That disciple has been waiting on your doorsteps for four days now."

Lan Yingying said to him through her opened window.

"He sure has a lot of free time as an Inner Court disciple," Yuan smiled.