Everyone watching the battle was completely silent. Although it was true that Hei fengjue was at the peak of the body tempering stage. Who thought that he would waste his ability to have a stable foundation by breaking through with the power of the circulation pool just for the number one title. Nevertheless, he had already done so and now the favor, in the battle, had tilted greatly towards him.
"He really is a cunning fox, he forced the breakthrough since he knew that the bronze circulation pool would be able to repair the damage he had done to his foundation." Qin gong thought to himself.
Zhou xinqiu's calm heart began to tremble in fear, she was truly scared. However there was no other option. She either faced Hei fengjue or admitted defeat and showed everyone that the Zhou family was inferior. She stood up and pushed through the pressure and faced Hei Fengjue once again.
"Admit defeat now or die." Hei Fengjue plainly said while staring at her.
Zhou xinqiu swallowed her saliva before speaking "I'd rather die than admit defeat to you"
"Alright. Yin martial plasma technique - low earth tier"
Streaks of lightning and plasma revolved around the dark purplish sphere nestled in Hei fengjue's palm. Crackling noises silenced the entire arena before the sphere was sent flying towards Zhou xinqiu.
Zhou He suddenly stood up and began dashing towards the arena frantically. However, Hei xie also came to the arena front and blocked Zhou He from doing anything and interfering.
Zhou Xinqiu took in a deep breath and placed both of her hands against each other. Ten imprints revolved around her body before slamming into each other. A huge resistance appeared between the imprints but in time the 10 imprints merged into each other and a huge bronze imprint emerged. "Ten bronze soul imprint"
The huge bronze rune drifted into the air and met with the plasma sphere and a blinding light arose when the two met each other. Along with the blinding light an ear breaking boom rang out and smoke filled the arena. Right afterwards, another cracking noise sounded, the rune had shattered.
Although the purple plasma sphere had lost 50% of its power, the rest of the power was still enough to kill a peak 9th stage body tempering expert. The remaining attack slammed onto Zhou xinqiu's body as she closed her eyes and a tear fell from her eye. "I sacrifice my life here to gain the ability to ask the gods to help the Zhou sect rid itself of its cancerous cells.."
Her body rose to the sky and began cracking. On the inside however, a strong red glow appeared sealing the cracks shut and her eyes suddenly opened. When they did, a blinding red light almost like a beacon rose into the sky. Red shockwaves spread out from her body over and over again. An enormous illusory red dragon stood behind her at this moment with its wings slowly unfolding.
"Holy shit, her bloodline is so pure it's going to destroy this whole valley." Qin gong entered the place where Zhou xinqiu's bloodline originated in her body and began throwing wisps of his soul qi onto it in hopes of delaying the awakening.
On the outside, her body's glow slowly began to fade and she slowly started to fall back to the ground. Qin gong had successfully sealed her bloodline temporarily but now her Qi had all been used up and she completely collapsed.
——
The next morning she woke up on a bed in her room with Zhou He applying medicine onto her wounds. "Qiu'er you're awake. What great news." Zhou xinqiu smiled at the sight of her father taking care of her like before. she sat up on her bed and hugged her father before asked what happened.
"You used up too much of your energy while you were fighting and ended up fainting which is an immediate defeat. However, I don't you want to feel sad or disappointed. You did more than good enough. Tomorrow you will enter the pool with the others and hopefully breakthrough."
"Ah, I understand, and you also don't worry, I am not affected too much by this defeat. After all he was already in the qi circulation realm when I lost! So it doesn't prove anything!" She stuck her tongue out and smiled.
"Good Good, also I have to tell you something important after the event tomorrow"
"Okay"
—-
"Welcome all! Welcome all! Today, I, Zhou ye the third elder will host the celebration of the bronze circulation pool!" Zhou ye smiled at all the people watching along with the four people standing in front of the pool, Yu Qingsu, Huo mingliang, Liu yan, and Hei Fengjue. At the entrance, the door opened and Zhou xinqiu entered the ceremony wearing a beautiful red dress.
"Ah, there she is!" Zhou Ye had a comforting smile and directed Zhou xinqiu to her spot. "You disciples have become the top 5 experts in this generation of the Zhou sect! You have faced challenges and duels from throughout the past few days and came out victorious. Today you will enter the bronze circulation pool to complete this journey. When inside, you must absorb as much Qi as possible and harden your Qi pathways as to allow the Qi to flow effortlessly throughout your entire body. One this is achieved you will have reached the Qi circulation stage!"
All the other audience members stared at the five in envy and desire. How nice would it be if they could soak in it instead. "I now begin the ceremony, please enter!"
One by one the five of them began jumping into the pool ready to continue their cultivation journey. As Zhou xinqiu was about to head inside she shot a smile at Zhou He who was sitting on the side and gave a thumbs up. One man from the golden pupil faction suddenly stood up and cleared his throat, "Impossible! This has gone too far, We CANNOT let a DEMON enter our prized bronze circulation pool!"
Zhou He's eyes immediately turned red in extreme rage. His body swelled up and the roar of a lion sounded out from his throat.