The fifth elder was extremely anxious, unable to stand, and sat down. He kept looking at the entrance, his heart pounding violently with worry.
All the elders saw him and were saddened by his appearance. After all, the fourth elder was always neutral and actually a kind elder, not participating in any conflicts among the elders.
"Brother Fifth, don't worry. That young girl is strong; she will definitely be fine. There's no need to be like this in front of the children. You should have faith in her."
The third elder tried to comfort the fourth elder, but the fourth elder was on the verge of collapsing from worry.
"Raed hasn't come either, but don't worry; they'll be fine. There are also 50 people who haven't arrived. Although the beasts are dangerous, they will definitely be okay."
The eldest elder spoke calmly, though his eyes showed some concern. Sara and Yamir remained calm from start to finish. Sara knew Raed the best, while Yamir didn't bother to think much. The eldest elder noticed this, which eased his worry.
Everyone waited as time passed and evening came. Then the eldest elder sighed and said, "Alright, everyone, hand in the beast cores for points and to determine the top ten positions."
Everyone sighed; the sadness was not about Raed, but about the beautiful girl, Zahra, and also about the fourth elder whose face had turned pale from fear and worry.
The students approached one by one and handed in the beast cores they had.
"Five cores of the elementary level and three of the intermediate level, totaling two hundred points. Next."
"Six cores of the elementary level, one of the intermediate level, and one of the final level, totaling two hundred and ten points. Next."
"..... Next."
"..... Next."
"....."
People continued to approach one by one with varying scores, and outstanding individuals began to emerge.
"Ten cores of the intermediate level and three of the final level, totaling eight hundred points. Good... Next."
"Ten cores of the intermediate level and five of the final level, totaling one thousand points. Good... Next."
Malik approached after his team members and took out the beast cores. He had twenty of the intermediate first level, ten of the final first level, and four half-step to the second level.
"Very good... Your total score is one thousand points for the intermediate level, one thousand points for the final level, and eight hundred points for the half-step to the second level, making a total of two thousand eight hundred points... Next, Fahmi."
Fahmi approached and took out the beast cores, astonishing everyone with a large number of the elementary first level.
"One thousand points for the elementary level, two thousand for the intermediate level, one thousand for the final level, and only one half-step to the second level with a total of two hundred points, making your total score four thousand two hundred points. Very good... Next, Rami."
Rami approached calmly, his sword sheathed on his back. However, the eldest elder sensed that its edge would reveal itself when drawn. The elder smiled and looked at Rami, saying, "Good," which astonished everyone.
"It was thanks to Raed. He is stronger than you imagine. You don't need to worry; he will definitely bring Zahra back."
Rami said lightly with a grateful look, leaving everyone stunned. The eldest elder laughed heartily and said, "Indeed, that sixth girl's son will not be this simple. The moment he shows his brilliance, he will overshadow everyone. Hahaha."
Aziz was filled with jealousy at the great elder's praise of Raed. "Damn, is this trash that good? Humph... he's just trash at the fifth level of Qi Refining."
Rami took out the beast cores, which were not many since he focused on understanding his sword's intent. He had fifteen of the final first level and five of the half-step to the second level.
"Alright, your total score is two thousand five hundred. Good, next, Aziz."
Aziz approached arrogantly, and despite having stolen these cores from other students, he did not hesitate to display his arrogance and disdain.
He took out many cores, but none were of the half-step level, making the first elder fidget. It seemed he guessed what had happened.
"Your points are three thousand five hundred, second place. Good..."
"Well, the first place is..."
"Wait, Elder, we have arrived..."
A shout came, and from afar, a young man in a gray robe appeared. He had long black hair, a stern face, deep sea-like eyes, and eyebrows like swords. He was about 170 cm tall.
The boy was running very quickly with a beautiful girl, who looked about fifteen, on his back. However, her face was somewhat pale.
"My daughter Zahra, I was worried to death..." The fourth elder pounced on Raed, took Zahra, and tears welled up in his eyes. "Don't worry, Dad. The older brother saved me and gave me an antidote."
Zahra said, comforting her father who looked like a child.
"Thank you this time, Raed, or I would have lost my only daughter."
"It was a small effort, Elder Fourth."
Raed said, then looked at the eldest elder and asked, "Can I count my beast cores?"
"Hahaha, of course, Zahra, you go first."
The eldest elder laughed heartily, and everyone was happy except for one person who looked at Raed with murderous intent. This person was Aziz. When he saw Zahra on Raed's back, he nearly died from jealousy.
Zahra approached and counted her points as two thousand five hundred. Then Raed approached and took out the beast cores.
There were one hundred of the elementary first level, three hundred of the intermediate first level, two hundred of the final first level, and twenty of the half-step to the second level.
"Good... Very good... Your total score is forty thousand, making you the first place by a huge margin..."
Everyone was stunned, even the first elder. Then he laughed loudly. In fact, these cores would be sold, and the family would use the proceeds to buy resources for the coming crisis.
The eldest elder announced the end of the second round and the top ten who would participate in the third round.
Tenth place: One thousand two hundred points, Diaa Al-Najjar.
Ninth place: One thousand four hundred points, Salah Al-Najjar.
Eighth place: One thousand eight hundred points, Akram Al-Najjar.
Seventh place: One thousand nine hundred points, Amjad Al-Najjar.
Sixth place: Two thousand five hundred points, Zahra Al-Najjar.
Fifth place: Two thousand five hundred points, Rami Al-Najjar.
Fourth place: Two thousand eight hundred points, Malik Al-Najjar.
Third place: Three thousand five hundred points, Aziz Al-Najjar.
Second place: Four thousand two hundred points, Fahmi Al-Najjar.
First place: Forty thousand points, Raed Al-Hokm.
"Alright, everyone, the third round will be in a month from now. You can practice with peace of mind. Try to break through to the Blood Refining Realm in this month," said the eldest elder encouragingly.
Raed left, muttering, "It's time to return to the Alchemy Pavilion."