Chapter 17: Xiao Ning'er's Awe and the Celestial Ore

Ao Yetian was silent, intensely focused on the Sky Poison Pearl as he channeled his Profound Energy to locate the scattered mineral wealth.

The immediate crisis was over, and the clock was no longer ticking. Yetian, now standing on a foundation of seemingly limitless fuel, was ready to leverage his advantage.

"We need capital, not local currency, but concentrated energy matter,"

Ao Yetian stated, pointing toward the mountains surrounding the Shattered Cliff.

"The Pearl is a world-class detector and purifier. We are hunting for Celestial Profound Ores—the purest Profound Energy crystals."

While Yetian directed the complex search, Xiao Ning'er was positioned on guard duty.

She stood on the mountain ridge, the cold, powerful energy of the Blue Pole Star rushing over her.

The profound transformation in her own body was staggering; her Dragon Bloodline technique was advancing so rapidly that she could feel the true power of her inherited form stirring.

Her gaze remained fixed on Ao Yetian—the calm, calculating figure who had reshaped her entire destiny.

In Glory City, she had been trapped by her family's weakness and the constraints of a failing tradition.

Ao Yetian hadn't merely offered a better cultivation technique; he had offered escape and the ultimate path to strength.

He had recognized her potential and deemed her worthy of being essential to his survival.

‘He is a creature of absolute efficiency,’ she mused.

Everything he does is for the highest possible outcome, and he chose me to be a part of that.

She felt a powerful, undeniable sense of obligation and awe toward him.

He was a force of nature, a brilliant master who solved problems of multiversal scale.

Her focus was not yet centered on romance, but on earning the elevated position he had given her.

She was determined to prove her worth as his most capable partner, his most reliable shield.

Her internal desire was to become strong enough that he would never deem her expendable.

Yet, a new, warmer feeling was stirring. It was the thrill of shared secrets—the knowledge that only she, Ye Ziyun, and Yang Xin understood the true depth of his existence.

It was the thrill of watching him perform the impossible.

When his eyes momentarily met hers, a complex mix of intense focus and a strange, protective acknowledgement flashed within them.

That protective regard was the first seed of affection, an unexpected warmth that contrasted sharply with his otherwise cold, calculated genius.

‘I will be the strongest weapon in your arsenal, she silently vowed, channeling her surging Profound Energy. I will ensure your plans succeed, whatever reality you decide to conquer next.’

Suddenly, a brilliant, pulsating silver light erupted from the base of a nearby crag.

Ao Yetian and Yang Xin raced over, guided by the Pearl.

"Found it!"

Yang Xin cried, her voice ringing with excitement.

"A concentrated vein of Celestial Profound Ore! The purity... it's beyond anything in our previous realm!"

Ao Yetian used his Profound Energy to melt the surrounding stone, revealing a massive cluster of shimmering, crystalline silver ore. The pure Profound Energy radiating from it was staggering.

"This is better than gold,"

Ao Yetian stated, his eyes calculating the value.

"This is concentrated power."

He plunged the Sky Poison Pearl into the cluster.

The Pearl instantly began its work, purifying the ore to an even higher grade, stripping away all impurities, and making it perfect for immediate cultivation or, crucially, multiversal trade.

[SYSTEM ALERT: RAW ENERGY CONVERTED. UNIVERSAL CREDIT VALUE: 50,000,000.]

In a single, massive find, Ao Yetian had amassed fifty million Universal Credit—the true currency of the multiverse.

"Yang Xin, utilize your storage inscription," Ao Yetian commanded.

"Collect every gram. We use this to fund our next major steps."

He looked back at Ning'er, who was watching him with a calm, focused intensity.

He felt the silent connection of shared purpose—a reliance on her unwavering nature.