Chapter 25: Spiritual Root Transformation

Just what was the true effect of the Immortal Rice? Tong Shishi spent the entire night researching it.

After consuming a large amount of Immortal Rice, she was unable to break through to Late Foundation Establishment again. However, she knew this wasn’t the limit of the rice’s effects. The rice’s primary function wasn’t simply to boost her cultivation; it served another purpose. Her previous breakthrough had been merely a fortunate coincidence.

So, what was the Immortal Rice’s true purpose?

After her research, Tong Shishi finally understood.

The Immortal Rice could actually enhance one’s Spiritual Root!

Not long ago, Tong Shishi had gone to the warehouse storing the Five Elements Orbs and tested her Spiritual Root. She discovered that all her spiritual roots had improved.

Originally, she had an eighteen percent affinity with her Water Spirit Root, with her other roots having an affinity below fifteen percent.

But now, her Water Spirit Root affinity had actually surpassed twenty percent, an increase of two percent!

Her other roots had also improved, within a range of one to two percent.

Such an improvement undoubtedly shocked Tong Shishi. As others had said, in the entire Cultivation World, no one had ever heard of a person’s Spiritual Root being changeable after it was set. Yet, this precise situation had happened to her.

Was this the blessing of the Heavenly Maiden?

Because Tong Shishi’s Spiritual Root test was discovered by others, and her previous affinity levels were no secret, the news of her Spiritual Root transformation spread like wildfire. In a short period, it swept through the entire Qixi Festival Sect, drawing countless disciples to witness her.

Everyone desperately wanted to know how a Spiritual Root could change.

The people here were all individuals whose low-grade Spiritual Roots had barred them from entering other Immortal Cultivation Sects. They were the lowest rung of the Cultivation World, so they naturally cared deeply about a change in Spiritual Root potential.

Facing everyone’s hopeful gazes, Tong Shishi smiled apologetically. “All of this comes from the blessing of the Heavenly Maiden.”

The blessing of the Heavenly Maiden?

Hearing this, everyone subconsciously looked up toward the sky.

At that very moment, Su Xiaoyu’s voice descended from above. “Tong Shishi, have you figured out the effect?”

Su Xiaoyu did not appear, only her voice came down.

But just hearing her voice was enough. People all across the Qixi Festival Sect dropped to their knees with a series of thuds, each face etched with profound reverence.

As Tong Shishi knelt, she replied, “Heavenly Maiden, the Immortal Rice’s effect is to improve the Spiritual Root! The first consumption has the best effect, and the benefit decreases with further uses. However, it still works for me now. The upper limit of how much it can improve the Spiritual Root is still unclear.”

Su Xiaoyu nodded in understanding.

So a grain of rice could improve the Spiritual Root. This was something she hadn’t guessed before. After all, it was the same rice she ate every day. Who knew that placing it inside the Diorama Box would cause such a drastic transformation?

However, since Tong Shishi mentioned the effect decreases, the improvement range must be finite. The upper limit could only be determined later.

At the moment, Su Xiaoyu gave her instructions. “Since this rice can improve your Spiritual Roots, I will bestow another grain. In the upcoming Sect Grand Competition, those who perform exceptionally well will earn the qualification to consume Immortal Rice. Furthermore, for each victory, a person may use the Youth Restoring Facial Cleanser once.”

Upon hearing Su Xiaoyu’s words, a stir of excitement rippled through the Qixi Festival Sect.

People who perform well in the Sect Grand Competition get Immortal Rice?

That rice which can improve their Spiritual Roots?

In an instant, everyone’s eyes lit up with fierce determination. That was Immortal Rice capable of enhancing their Spiritual Roots! They had suffered greatly because of their inferior Spiritual Roots and knew the problem was fundamental. Previously, they had been helpless, but now that an opportunity presented itself, who would be willing to miss it?

“Thank you, Heavenly Maiden.”

The crowd expressed their thanks in unison, their hearts surging with excitement.

Su Xiaoyu said nothing more, as if she had already departed.

Seeing this, the Qixi Festival Sect members rose to their feet one after another.

“Sect Master, I’m going to prepare for the competition.”

“I will definitely shine in this Grand Competition! No one can stop me, I mean it!”

“I’ll fight you all with everything I have!”

“I must get that Immortal Rice! If I don’t, I’ll… I’ll cry right in front of you all!”

The numerous disciples steeled their resolve, ready to head off and prepare.

At that moment, Li Yidan, the strongest Alchemy Master in the Qixi Festival Sect, fixed her gaze on Tong Shishi’s face with a hint of puzzlement.

After thinking for a moment, she asked, “Sect Master, I feel as if you’ve grown more beautiful. This… this isn’t just my imagination, is it?”

As an Alchemy Master, she occasionally concocted appearance-nourishing elixirs and had some knowledge in this area. She indeed felt Tong Shishi had become prettier, and it wasn’t the kind of beauty from make-up, but a pure, natural radiance.

But a person shouldn’t become better-looking for no reason, right?

Hearing this question, the Qixi Festival Sect members who were about to leave all turned their gazes onto Tong Shishi’s face.

They had been so focused on the matter of her Spiritual Root that even if they noticed she seemed more beautiful, they didn’t have the mind to care. But now, no one could ignore the question.

Seeing everyone staring at her again, Tong Shishi couldn’t help but laugh. “I have indeed become more beautiful. This is also thanks to the Heavenly Maiden’s gift. The facial cleanser she bestowed has the effect of improving one’s appearance. It provides permanent beautification.”

Permanent beautification?

Hearing this, the eyes of every woman present lit up instantly.

As women, the majority hoped to look more attractive. The pursuit of beauty could be called an instinct.

And it wasn’t just the women; even among men, many wished they were more handsome. After all, good looks made one more popular, and who wouldn’t want to be better liked?

Li Yidan couldn’t help but ask, “Sect Master, this facial cleanser you’re talking about—is it the one the Heavenly Maiden just mentioned?”

She remembered Su Xiaoyu’s earlier words. The Heavenly Maiden had listed the Sect Grand Competition rewards, mentioning not only Immortal Rice but also something called Youth Restoring Facial Cleanser.

She hadn’t known what it was before, but now, looking at Tong Shishi’s face, she felt she had a clue.

Tong Shishi smiled and nodded. “Exactly. It’s the Youth Restoring Facial Cleanser the Heavenly Maiden spoke of. I only used that facial cleanser once, and I immediately became prettier. Everyone can obtain this facial cleanser. The Heavenly Maiden already said that for every victory gained in the Sect Grand Competition, you get to use the Youth Restoring Facial Cleanser once.”

These words sent another jolt of fervor through the crowd.

They wanted the Immortal Rice.

And they wanted the facial cleanser.

For this Sect Grand Competition, they would give it their absolute all!