Amid the stunned gazes of the crowd, Gu Qingli's lips curved into a faint smile as she spoke serenely, "Whatever rank the instructors assign me shall suffice."
In truth, Gu Qingli had already reached the level of an eight-star Great Warrior. Yet once again, she chose to conceal her true strength—for in her heart, no matter who she faced, it was always wise to keep a trump card in reserve.
Revealing the prowess of a five-star Great Warrior was more than enough. She wanted all those who had once looked down on her, who had mocked her parents, to open their eyes wide and see clearly who the true genius was. Before the eyes of all, she delivered a resounding slap to the Gu family's face.
"This young lady is quite remarkable—to conceal her power even before us! Then let it be settled: five-star Great Warrior. With diligence, you will surely become the leader among this year's new students!"
The instructor's voice trembled with excitement. To recruit such a prodigious talent was a stroke of fortune indeed.
The crowd was astounded—even the instructors of the prestigious Fengyun Academy could not discern her full strength. And she had still held something back?
Now, the gazes fixed upon Gu Qingli across the square were no longer casual—they brimmed with awe and reverence.
"Fifth Miss!"
Suddenly, Elder Mu let out a startled cry. All eyes turned to see Gu Qinglin, gravely wounded, now completely unconscious.
The gap between a five-star Great Warrior and an eight-star Spirit Master was no small chasm.
Beside her, Li Ke'er's expression grew even darker. She had assumed Gu Qingli was merely around the third star, still within reach—but now that this girl had revealed herself to be a five-star Great Warrior, that hope dimmed. Closing such a gap would be no easy feat.
The only one overjoyed—free from envy or doubt—was undoubtedly Gu Qingche.
Delight lit his face. To think, his younger sister had surpassed even him. Who would dare call her a useless waste ever again?
In time, if the Gu family wished to retain its place as the foremost among the Eight Great Houses, they might well need to curry favor with her.
From now on, no one in the Gu family would dare make things difficult for Xiaoli again.
Just then, a strikingly beautiful youth emerged from the crowd, followed by a small entourage of young cultivators.
He looked around fifteen, with snow-pale skin that rivaled Gu Qingli's in fairness. Despite his age, his features were dazzlingly exquisite—rosy lips, pearly teeth—his beauty even surpassing that of most maidens. Yet his face bore an expression of proud detachment, tinged with cold arrogance.
"Young Master Sikong!"
Voices rose from the crowd as people greeted him, their eyes filled with both admiration and deference.
Leaning close, Gu Qingche whispered, "That's Sikong Ran, the city lord's youngest son. His talent is astonishing—fifteen years old and already a two-star Grand Spirit Master. Among the younger generation near Loulan City, he stands unmatched."
Gu Qingli's eyes narrowed slightly in surprise. A two-star Grand Spirit Master? If he commanded a powerful beast, he might very well be a match for her.
"No need to be so astonished," Gu Qingche added. "The City Lord's residence houses a renowned royal-grade alchemist. With pills as abundant as beans, it's no wonder they raise prodigies."
"Royal-grade alchemist?"
Gu Qingli recalled that the Gu family also had an alchemist—but only a second-grade one, still revered within the clan. Yet potent elixirs were beyond his capabilities.
A thought stirred in her mind. The final scroll of the Windfire Codex surfaced in her memory—a compendium of alchemical knowledge containing countless herbs and formulas. She had never delved into it.
On the Divine Valley Continent, if spiritual illusionists were one in a hundred, alchemists were one in ten thousand. High-grade alchemists were even rarer, for the path demanded an immensely powerful soul.
The alchemist's path was divided into six tiers: First, Second, Third, Royal, Saint, Sovereign, and Imperial—each further subdivided into upper, middle, and lower ranks.
A glimmer of interest flickered in Gu Qingli's eyes—for the first time, she found herself intrigued by the art of alchemy.