Interstellar Farming: I Make Potions and Climb to the Top

Noticing Ning Xuan’s unhappy expression after he spoke, Ying Yaoshi quickly added, "Your natural aptitude and bloodline are both outstanding, but you awakened too recently—less than a year ago, all told. Besides, female Spirit Controllers are naturally weaker in terms of physique and Combat Power. Er, I don’t mean anything by it, just an objective analysis of the facts." Seeing her look of displeasure, Ying Yaoshi trailed off.

Ying Yaoshi had lived for many years. He had a complex background, possessed an exceptionally high Bloodline Talent and immense Combat Power. He had fought on the most dangerous battlefields, weathered both open and hidden schemes, and now wielded supreme military authority.

In his youth, he had been targeted by powerful female Spirit Controllers who tried to control him by establishing a spiritual power link. Some used force, while others feigned deep affection to get close to him one step at a time. In the years after he first made a name for himself and rose to a high position, even more women used various means to approach and seduce him. At the time, his only goal was to climb higher. With his mind completely focused on the battlefield, he would throw those female Spirit Controllers into the fray without batting an eye, leaving them to their fate.

His heart was like a stone, completely unshakable.

But ever since he last met Ning Xuan, he had started to act strangely.

He would find himself thinking of her from time to time. He felt an irresistible urge to see her, worried about her safety, and found himself asking about her. He even felt a pang of disappointment when new women were brought to his side.

In the past, he never had to consider anyone’s feelings before he spoke. But now, seeing the displeasure on Ning Xuan’s face, Ying Yaoshi immediately began to wonder, ’Did I say something wrong?’

Ning Xuan was indeed unhappy with Ying Yaoshi’s objective analysis, but she knew he was right.

The last time in the Lingxiao Secret Realm, she had been able to safely acquire resources and win the competition largely thanks to Yan Fuzhen’s protection. Of course, a competition of that scale was always a test of comprehensive strength—a combination of personal ability and powerful backing—not just a trial of individuals.

This time, there was an age limit, so Yan Fuzhen couldn’t participate. However, besides Yan Fuzhen, everyone else around her was under the age of 25.

"How long until the official exploration and development of the New Star Body begins?" Ning Xuan asked.

"A year at most, six months at the soonest. The preliminary plan is to structure it as a joint graduation examination for university graduates, but the specific rules are still being deliberated," Ying Yaoshi answered.

"And you’re one of the people drawing up these rules, I presume," Ning Xuan said, smiling at the man across from her.

"I am." Seeing her smile, Ying Yaoshi felt his own mood lighten.

"In that case, when you’re drawing up the rules, why not just allow us ’naturally weaker’ women to bring along Contractors or Half-beastman slaves who meet the age requirement?" Ning Xuan deliberately put emphasis on the two words "naturally weaker"—the very words Ying Yaoshi had just used.

Ying Yaoshi’s expression changed. Even if Yan Fuzhen wouldn’t pass information about Ning Xuan directly to him in order to avoid suspicion, Ying Yaoshi still had other channels to get his news.

That was how he knew, with perfect clarity, about everyone who had recently appeared by her side: the two Half-beastmen from the Controller Protection Association, Di Youlin, and Yun Han of the Seven Star Divine Mountain.

"I’ll do my best to push for that rule, but I can’t make any guarantees. And I still think you shouldn’t risk it," Ying Yaoshi urged.

"As long as you can make that rule happen, I won’t be in any danger." Ning Xuan knew from his explanation that the fight for the New Star Body wasn’t just a scramble for resources, but a gambit that would shape the future balance of power. She wanted to increase her strength and build her own faction—how could she not join the fray?

"Di Youlin’s condition is unstable. In a place like Light City, which is filled with wards, he might be controllable. But in an unfamiliar environment like the New Star Body, there’s no telling what could happen," Ying Yaoshi blurted out in his anxiety.

"Marshal Ying seems to know a lot about what goes on around me," Ning Xuan said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"Protecting my Contractor’s safety is my responsibility." As Ying Yaoshi said this, the few officers who had just finished adjusting the parameters and were about to leave all looked as if they had seen a ghost.

"If there’s nothing else, let’s end it here." Ning Xuan wanted to use the time she had left to focus on her Cultivation.

"Wait. I’ve prepared some resources for you: two crates of high-purity Fire Element Energy Stones, two crates of rare medicinal ingredients, and one crate of top-tier Spiritual Power Potions. I had them prepared for you a while ago. They can help you break through your bottleneck, and the ingredients and potions will also boost your strength. They’ll be delivered in a few days, so be sure to look out for them," Ying Yaoshi said with a sigh, realizing he couldn’t dissuade her.

Normally, given her Cultivation speed, Ning Xuan wouldn’t need any supplementary resources at all. But if she wanted to participate in the joint graduation examination in six months, she could no longer afford to proceed at a slow and steady pace. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Ning Xuan declined. "There’s no need. I have all of that here. You’re on the battlefield; you don’t need to worry about me."

"If you know I’m on the battlefield, then don’t refuse me. It’s up to you whether you use them or not. Just let me have some peace of mind, all right?" Ying Yaoshi said, resigned.

"Fine," Ning Xuan could only acquiesce.

After ending the video call, she turned and walked toward the Array in the center of the Cultivation Room. She then sat down cross-legged, closed her eyes to focus, and began to circulate the Guiding Spirit Scripture Cultivation Technique, drawing the energy from her blood into her meridians little by little.

Several hours passed. As her breathing gradually slowed, the surrounding energy seemed to be drawn toward her, flowing into her body like a trickling stream. A small, fiery red bird appeared on Ning Xuan’s shoulder, and the energy in the air grew dense, shrouding the entire Cultivation Room in a thin layer of mist.

The energy swirled around Ning Xuan, forming faint vortexes that flowed gently with the rhythm of her breath. A faint red glow began to emanate from her skin, as if she were gently wrapped in a gossamer-thin veil of fire. The light flickered with the influx of energy, making it seem as if flames were truly burning within her.

The plump, fiery red bird on Ning Xuan’s shoulder gradually grew more distinct. Its feathers resembled burning flames, radiating a scorching light. The bird’s eyes were bright and spirited, as if it were sentient. As the energy continued to pour in, its form became more solid, and the flame-like patterns on its feathers grew sharper, looking as if it could spread its wings and take flight at any moment.

The energy fluctuations within the Cultivation Room grew increasingly intense. Enveloped in this power, Ning Xuan’s body seemed to be shrouded in a sacred halo.