With the immense energy of the Core Quenching Body Milk, Yun Tianming broke through to the realm of 3 Star Dou King in one go, leaping three star levels at once. Inevitably, his Dou Qi was somewhat unstable.
To refine his Dou Qi, Yun Tianming spent almost every day of the next three months in the lowest level of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, where he rented the top-grade cultivation room.
Under the tempering of Heart Fire, not only did he consolidate his Dou Qi, but he also advanced further to become a 4 Star Dou King!
"Mentor Yun, the annual Strong Ranking Contest of the inner academy will be held in three days. Could we invite you to serve as a judge?"
Su Qian discussed with him politely.
"Grand Elder, as a new mentor, isn't it inappropriate for me to serve as a judge?"
Yun Tianming expressed his concerns.
"Hehe, Mentor Yun, there's no need to be modest. From your aura, it seems you've broken through to the Dou King realm, right? Plus, you're also an Alchemist with keen Soul Perception. Even if any unexpected situations arise during the contest, you can react immediately. No one is more suitable to be a judge than you."
Su Qian patted his shoulder with a smile and added, "Of course, you won't be judging for nothing. After the event, you'll receive five hundred days' worth of Fire Energy. How about that?"
"Alright then."
Yun Tianming pretended to hesitate before reluctantly nodding. In his heart, however, he thought dismissively, considering the impending eruption of the Fallen Heart Flame in the next few months, what use would Fire Energy be then?
Su Qian assigned the judging task to him, a newcomer, probably because he was secretly gathering all the high-ranking members of the inner academy to focus on dealing with the Fallen Heart Flame, leaving no time for anything else.
——————
As the Strong Ranking Grand Competition approached, the atmosphere in the inner academy gradually intensified. In almost every corner, the topic of discussion revolved around the Strong Ranking Grand Competition.
In the preliminary rounds, competitors could freely challenge opponents, with the winners able to take the strong ranking position of the losers. Only the top fifty could participate in the final round of the strong ranking.
The newly established faction, Pan's Gate, emerged as a dark horse in this competition. Five members successfully made it to the finals. They were: Xiao Xun'er, ranked twenty-ninth; Xiao Yu, ranked thirty-third; Xiao Mei, ranked thirty-ninth; Wu Hao, ranked forty-first; and Hu Jia, ranked forty-third.
"This year's newcomers are truly remarkable."
"Especially Xiao Xun'er, I feel her strength is far beyond this."
"Hmph! We'll find out exactly how strong she is when we meet in the finals."
"I just hope I don't encounter Senior Sister Zi Yan in the finals. It seems she has grown much stronger."
Lin Xiuya, Han Yue, Liu Qing, and Yan Hao, several top-ranking experts, were assessing the rising newcomers.
"I think we should be grateful that he is a mentor and doesn't have to participate in the Strong Ranking Grand Competition."
Having been cleansed of the Fire Poison, Lin Yan's strength had improved significantly, yet he couldn't help but show a respectful expression as he looked at the figure standing high on the stage before him.
"Yeah, Mentor Yun looks about the same age as us... oh no, he seems even younger than me."
Han Yue immediately gave a wry smile.
"After the Strong Ranking Grand Competition, it's possible to freely challenge opponents. It seems there's no rule against challenging a mentor."
Liu Qing stared intently at Yun Tianming with a face full of fighting spirit. Although he had heard of Yun Tianming's strength, he hadn't witnessed it personally, which left him with an inexplicable sense of dissatisfaction.
"That bold idea of yours is simply asking for trouble."
Lin Xiuya, standing nearby, had a strange expression on his face. Yun Tianming had barehandedly crushed the head of a Fifth Rank Magic Beast, with combat power approaching that of a Dou Emperor. A peak Dou Spirit challenging him would probably get beaten to a pulp!
"The next match, Wu Hao versus Bai Shan."
As the judge, Yun Tianming lazily announced the match list.
"Bai Shan, you traitor!"
"What traitor? Don't talk nonsense. Is there anything wrong with joining my cousin's White Gang?"
This year's newcomers to the inner academy were mostly recruited by Xun'er into Pan's Gate. Only Bai Shan did not favor this newly established faction and joined his cousin's White Gang. Due to Pan's Gate's rapid expansion, many conflicts arose with White Gang, leading to a highly antagonistic relationship between the two sides.
"Enough talk, take this!"
Wu Hao, eyes red, drew the blood-colored broadsword from his waist and charged forward.
Yun Tianming glanced indifferently at the two fighting on the stage, instantly assessing their strengths and the likely outcome. Wu Hao's strength was at 1 Star Dou Spirit, while Bai Shan was at the peak of Dou Grandmaster. Additionally, Wu Hao's equipment was quite luxurious, with top-notch weapons and armor. In less than ten minutes, Wu Hao slashed Bai Shan off the stage.
"Winner, Wu Hao. Ranked thirty-eighth on the strong ranking!"
"The next match, Hu Jia versus Bai Cheng."
As soon as the match was announced, members of Pan's Gate couldn't help but sigh in regret.
"She's actually up against the leader of White Gang. How unlucky for Hu Jia!"
"Cut the crap. Just fight. What's there to be afraid of?"
Hu Jia remained resolute, showing no sign of fear on her face.
"Hu Jia, if you find yourself in a critical situation, you can use this."
Xun'er handed her a delicate small wooden box.
"Hehe, Xun'er always takes good care of me!"
Hu Jia beamed with joy.
On the stage, Bai Cheng stood with a long staff in hand, his eyes fixed intently on Hu Jia.
"Pan's Gate, you injured my brother. Today, I'm going to settle this score with you!"
Bai Cheng immediately unleashed his 6 Star Dou Spirit strength.
"Enough talk, if you're not convinced, let's fight!"
Hu Jia had only the strength of a 1 Star Dou Spirit. Despite her commendable courage, it couldn't make up for the gap in their levels.
Within a few rounds, Hu Jia fell into a disadvantage, being thoroughly overpowered by Bai Cheng.
"Is that all the strength you have, you Pan's Gate weakling?" Bai Cheng taunted mercilessly.
"Don't you dare insult Pan's Gate!"
Hu Jia, now enraged, took out the pill from the box.
Yun Tianming glanced at it, his mouth twitching slightly. It was the very Fifth Grade Pill he had refined: the Dragon Strength Pill, which could greatly enhance the user's physical strength for a short period. As part of his deal with Xun'er for obtaining an Earth Rank Dou Technique, Yun Tianming regularly supplied pills to Pan's Gate.
"Damn! She's using drugs to cheat!"
"Watch your language! Pills are the weapons of Alchemists. What's wrong with using them? Isn't it common practice to take pills in real combat?"
Led by Han Xian, the Alchemist students immediately retorted. As pampered Alchemists, if they were not allowed to use pills, were they supposed to engage in hand-to-hand combat?
Thus, after taking the Dragon Strength Pill, Hu Jia's combat power soared to that of a high-level Dou Spirit. In the end, during a fierce clash of Dou Techniques, both she and Bai Cheng fell out of the arena.
"A draw, Hu Jia and Bai Cheng are tied for thirty-fourth place on the strong ranking."
"The next match, Xiao Mei versus Liu Fei!"
Yun Tianming announced the match list nonchalantly.
****
Support me on Patreon and get advanced chapters up to 50 so far patreon.com/Sakurai45