Chapter 30: Greatfulness

"Winning first place was just a fluke," Xiao Ling'er said with a slight shake of her head. "Besides, even though I'm young, I know that taking the top spot might not be a good thing for our Moon Embracing Sect."

"As the saying goes, 'A man's wealth is his own ruin'—"

"Nonsense!" Su Xinghai cut her off sternly. "You won first place because of your extraordinary talent and hard work in alchemy. How can you call that a fluke?! If it's not a good thing, it's only because our sect isn't strong enough to protect you yet! If the Moon Embracing Sect were still as powerful as it once was, who would dare to even think about targeting you?"

His expression darkened. "But you don't need to worry about this. Even though our sect has declined over the years, old folks like me are still here! As long as we're alive, no one can touch you."

Fifth Elder Duan Qingyao gently stroked Xiao Ling'er's hair and chuckled. "The Supreme Elder has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Don't take his words to heart. You shouldn't feel pressured. Nurturing outstanding disciples is our duty as elders. Your success is our greatest blessing. Old folks like me might not be capable of much anymore, but when it comes to protecting the sect, we've never been afraid. This isn't just for you—it's for the principles we stand for."

Xiao Ling'er's throat tightened. How could she not understand what the elders were implying?

While the rewards from the alchemy conference might not attract the strongest cultivators, her alchemical talent alone would make her a target. The elders knew this perfectly well, yet they were willing to stand in harm's way for her.

If any of them were hurt or killed because of her actions, she would never forgive herself.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled a jade vial from her storage bag and presented it respectfully to Su Xinghai. "Supreme Elder, this is one of the rewards from the conference—a fifth-grade Mystic Finger Pill."

Seeing Su Xinghai's eyes widen and his mouth open, likely to refuse, she quickly added, "Please don't say no yet! The Mystic Finger Pill is valuable, but I'm only in the Condensing Yuan Realm right now. Who knows how long it'll be before I can use it? Keeping it unused would be a waste. Besides, we all know a fierce battle is coming. Wouldn't it be better to put it to use now? If you can break through to the Mystic Finger Realm with it, our chances of winning will be much higher. And if you all fall, or if the sect is destroyed, what hope would I have of surviving?"

Su Xinghai's expression shifted through a range of emotions.

Seizing the moment, Xiao Ling'er pressed on. "Besides, it's just a fifth-grade Mystic Finger Pill. Right now, at the second level of the Condensing Yuan Realm, I can already refine a ninth-grade Profound Yuan Pill! Once I reach the third or fourth realm, fifth-grade pills will be nothing special. I might even be able to refine ninth-grade Mystic Finger Pills! Honestly, I don't even care much for this fifth-grade pill."

The expressions of the four elders twisted into a mix of awe and disbelief.

'A fifth-grade Mystic Finger Pill?! And she's dismissing it so casually?!'

For most cultivators, even a third-grade pill of this tier would be a treasure beyond reach. Yet here she was, a young Condensing Yuan Realm cultivator, treating it like a common trinket.

Every word she said was true and reasonable, but it still left them feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Seeing the Supreme Elder speechless, Xiao Ling'er deftly placed the pill in his hand. "If you really feel indebted, consider it a loan. In the future, you can just find me some rare alchemy materials to repay me."

Her sincerity left Su Xinghai no room to refuse. He took a deep breath, his face settling into resolve. "Fine. If I don't accept this now, I'd be a fool. I'll take this Mystic Finger Pill. But I swear I'll repay you twofold in the future!"

"Supreme Elder, you're being too formal." Xiao Ling'er smiled wryly. "Since I joined the sect, all of you elders have gone out of your way to take care of me, even exhausting yourselves to gather materials for me. Maybe those materials weren't as valuable as this pill, but your kindness is priceless! Do you really think so little of our bond that you'd treat it as a transaction?"

Su Xinghai's face flushed with shame. It wasn't that he was ungrateful—it was just that, as an elder and an older generation cultivator, he had a stubborn sense of pride. In his mind, it was his duty to provide for the younger generation, especially talented disciples like Xiao Ling'er. Taking something from her felt wrong, especially something as precious as a fifth-grade Mystic Finger Pill.

But now, he couldn't bring himself to argue further.

Noticing his silence, Xiao Ling'er turned to Fifth Elder Duan Qingyao, Third Elder Li Changshou, and Fourth Elder Chen Erzhu with a bright smile. "Don't worry, the alchemy furnace I won from the conference is extraordinary. Once I reach a higher realm, I'll start refining Cave Heaven Pills. Ninth-grade might be a stretch at first, but fifth-grade should be easy!"

To spare their pride, she added playfully, "If you really feel indebted, you can just trade me some materials for the pills. And when you or the other Cave Heaven Realm experts need Mystic Finger Pills, we can do the same."

The three elders exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. Internally, they sighed in relief.

Though they hadn't received the pills yet, the mere possibility was exhilarating. 'Having a personal alchemist in the sect—this is the kind of privilege only major sects enjoy!'

Of course, all of this hinged on surviving the coming storm.

"I won't waste any more time," Su Xinghai declared. "I'll enter seclusion immediately and attempt to break through to the fifth realm. Third Brother, inform me when the Sect Master returns."

Li Changshou nodded. "Understood."

With that, Su Xinghai strode off to his cave, sealing the stone door behind him as he began his cultivation.

The other three elders dispersed to inspect the sect's defensive formations and prepare talismans and other supplies.

Xiao Ling'er returned to her quarters, her expression still troubled. "Teacher, my mind is in turmoil. What should I do?"

"Worry leads to confusion," Liang Danxia replied gently. "It's good that you see the Moon Embracing Sect as your home. Though the sect isn't strong now, its humanity is unmatched in the Divine Martial Continent. Good people have their own fortunes. Just keep doing what you've always done—refining pills and cultivating. Your rapid growth will be the greatest boon to the Moon Embracing Sect."

What she left unspoken, however, was her own resolve, 'Besides, I'm here. It's not easy to find a place so suited to you, and even an old woman like me can't see through its depths. How could I let anything happen to it?'