The next morning, the much-anticipated "New Talents Tournament" began as scheduled...
More than 3,000 new talents participated in the tournament, but after five days of screening, only a hundred remained. These contestants would enter the final round, where only one ultimate victor would emerge to claim the Earth-grade low-tier treasure pill, the "Soul Gathering Pill."
During these five days, instead of joining the crowd, Xing Jue secluded himself in his room to focus on training. After five days of practice, he had almost completely mastered soul healing.
To verify the effectiveness of soul healing, Xing Jue had even inflicted self-harm, and the results were impressive. With this ability, he could heal himself during battles, which was undoubtedly a powerful advantage.
During these days, Zhao Liang visited Xing Jue every day, updating him on the tournament's progress. Their relationship grew increasingly close over time.
Today, as usual, Zhao Liang came to Xing Jue's pavilion to discuss the tournament.
"Brother Xing, the finals are tomorrow. You need to participate," Zhao Liang said with a smile after taking a sip of tea.
"Yes, I know. I owe this peaceful time to you, Brother Zhao," Xing Jue replied with a smile. While others were fighting hard to advance in the tournament, he had been relaxing in his room, training—a privilege sure to enrage the other contestants if they knew about it.
"Come on, Brother. We're like family; no need to be so formal," Zhao Liang responded with a slightly displeased look.
Seeing Zhao Liang's demeanor, Xing Jue could only chuckle. Zhao Liang was straightforward but very loyal.
"Brother Xing, there are three people you must watch out for in tomorrow's finals," Zhao Liang suddenly said seriously.
"Oh? Who are they?" Xing Jue asked.
"One is a disciple of the Nangong family, and the other two are disciples of the Phantom Hall. All three are very powerful, especially Wu Jun from the Phantom Hall. He is said to be the strongest disciple within the inner hall and is known for his ruthless techniques. Be very careful if you face him," Zhao Liang warned.
"Thank you for the warning, Brother Zhao. I didn't expect the Nangong family to participate," Xing Jue remarked with a smile. For Xing Jue, as long as his opponents weren't Martial Lords or higher, he had no fear. Currently, he was invincible among his peers.
Xing Jue had learned that the highest level participants this time were only advanced Martial Masters, so he naturally wasn't too concerned.
"The disciple from the Nangong family originally came to buy pills but decided to test his skills since he happened upon this grand event," Zhao Liang explained.
"I see," Xing Jue nodded in understanding. He had thought the Nangong family had specially sent a disciple for this tournament.
Everyone knew that the Nangong family was regarded as the strongest force in the eastern Tianwu Continent. They undoubtedly had no shortage of talented disciples. If the Wind Pavilion had rising stars like Li Xiaohan, the Nangong family surely had equally powerful newcomers.
"Alright, Brother Xing. I came today specifically to tell you this. It's getting late, so rest early. I wish you success in the finals," Zhao Liang said with a smile.
"Thank you for your kind wishes, Brother Zhao," Xing Jue replied respectfully, clasping his hands.
After seeing Zhao Liang off, Xing Jue resumed practicing soul healing before drifting off to sleep.
The next day, in the Inner City of Cangyao Villa, a massive crowd of tens of thousands gathered. At the top of the audience stands sat five dignified elders, their robes adorned with three-star emblems, indicating their leadership roles in Cangyao Villa.
Through his chats with Zhao Liang, Xing Jue had learned a lot about alchemists. Alchemists were ranked by stars, with four levels in total:
A two-star alchemist like Zhao Liang could refine upper, middle, and lower-grade Profound-grade pills, though upper-grade pills were extremely challenging to make. Three-star alchemists, however, could refine Earth-grade pills, which were highly potent and incredibly valuable. The Earth-grade low-tier "Soul Gathering Pill," the prize of the tournament, was testament to this.
As for four-star alchemists, they specialized in refining Heaven-grade pills. These pills were said to have terrifying potency, capable of elevating Xing Jue from a Martial Master to a Martial God almost instantly. However, such pills existed only in legends.
At least in the Eastern Xuan Continent, no one has yet been able to refine Heaven-grade treasure pills. Thus, the five elders on the stage represented the pinnacle of alchemical skills.
In stark contrast to the highly respected five elders, an old man devouring fruit on the sidelines drew disdainful glances. People wondered how such a sloppy elder managed to sneak in. But the old man seemed impervious to their judgment, continuing to eat heartily.
Finally, with an announcement from a Cangyao Villa elder, the finals of the New Talents Tournament began amidst the crowd's cheers.
Xing Jue confidently stepped onto the stage. To make his opponents drop their guard, he deliberately held back his true strength. Even against weak initial-stage Martial Masters, he prolonged the fight before defeating them. When facing higher-level Martial Masters, he made it look like a grim struggle before narrowly winning. His low profile meant he didn't draw much attention. Notably, the old man on the sidelines took notice when Xing Jue used the Gale Palm technique, smiling as he stroked his long beard before returning to his feast.
In contrast, the disciples from the Nangong family and the two from Phantom Hall stole the spotlight with their impressive performances, earning cheers from the crowd. Clearly, they enjoyed the admiration.
After more than half a day of matches, the finals reached their climax with only four contestants remaining: one from the Nangong family, two from Phantom Hall, and the low-key Xing Jue.
The proud-looking disciple from the Nangong family faced Wu Jun, known as the strongest disciple within the inner halls of Phantom Hall, on one stage. Meanwhile, Xing Jue faced another Phantom Hall disciple on the other.
Naturally, the match between the Nangong family disciple and Wu Jun drew 95% of the audience's attention. They were eager to see who was stronger: a disciple from the most powerful force in the eastern Tianwu Continent or the top disciple of Phantom Hall.
Xing Jue's stage, by comparison, seemed deserted.
"Sigh, people just love the spotlight," Xing Jue muttered to himself.
"Y-y-y-you...w-w-wait and s-s-s-see, I-I-I'll m-m-make y-y-you s-s-s-stop m'm-m-mumbling," stammered his Phantom Hall opponent.
"You care about my sighs? Look at you, can't even talk properly and you want to boss me around? Even if I don't beat you today, someone else surely will," Xing Jue sarcastically retorted with a derisive look.
"Y-you're asking for it!" Enraged, the stuttering disciple gathered a powerful martial energy in his palm, forming a one-meter-long, rapidly spinning blade, and hurled it at Xing Jue.
The spinning blade emitted sharp sounds and powerful energy waves, indicating it was a mid-level Profound-grade martial technique. "This guy's out for blood," Xing Jue thought, dodging it just in time.
The blade crashed into the ground, creating a deep pit.
"You missed," Xing Jue teased, sticking out his tongue.
"You, you, you..." The stuttering disciple, already frustrated, became even more enraged but couldn't finish his sentence. Biting his teeth, he launched a series of vigorous attacks at Xing Jue.
However, Xing Jue easily dodged all the attacks, seeming perilously close but always evading.
"This kid is definitely from the Wind Pavilion," the messy old man in the corner smiled, watching Xing Jue with interest.
During the fight, Xing Jue occasionally glanced at the adjacent stage, curious about the techniques used by the Nangong family's disciple, reputed to be from the strongest force in the eastern Tianwu Continent.
To Xing Jue's surprise, the Nangong disciple's techniques were indeed powerful and magnificent. He dominated the early sparring rounds, but as time passed, his energy waned, and he began to lose ground.
In the end, he was defeated by Wu Jun in a powerful clash that shook the arena.
Watching the fallen Nangong disciple, Xing Jue became more cautious of Wu Jun. His ability to sustain high-level techniques indicated hidden strengths.
With the other match concluded, Xing Jue steadied himself, a serious expression replacing his playful demeanor. Facing the stuttering disciple, he declared, "It's time to end this."