Thunderous cheers erupted across the mountain like crashing waves, shaking the sky itself. Even the rolling thunderclouds above seed to pale in comparison to the roar of the crowd. Within the massive plaza atop Thunder Mountain, the dust of chaos had finally settled. After the fierce lee, the top eight contenders each stood proudly in their respective corners, faces sharp with focus and fighting spirit.
Venerable Lei slowly rose from his seat, hands clasped behind his back. His expression turned solemn, and lightning flickered faintly within his eyes as his gaze swept across the field. Under that overwhelming pressure, the roaring audience instantly fell silent. The eight remaining competitors straightened their backs, holding themselves tall as if to prove their worth before a god of thunder.
"After a long and fierce battle, the top eight have been chosen," Venerable Lei's deep voice resounded through the mountain, calm but commanding. "You have one hour to recover your Dou Qi and heal your wounds. One hour later, the next stage will begin — the duels to determine the champion!"
A hint of satisfaction touched his face as he sat back down. In the arena, Feng Qing'er and the other seven imdiately found spots to sit cross-legged. Bottles of pills were opened, the air filling with faint dicinal fragrance as they swallowed elixirs to restore their strength. The next round would pit them against the strongest — no one dared take it lightly.
Venerable Lei leaned sideways in his seat, resting one arm on the armrest. His tone softened, eyes gleaming with restrained eagerness. "Master Liu," he began, voice tinged with expectation, "I've emptied every vault of the main and branch halls of my Wind Lightning Pavilion. Even half the Northern Region's auction houses and dicinal stores — all searched. Finally, I've gathered the materials for three batches of the Zun Shi Pill."
His stern tone suddenly faltered, replaced by an almost sheepish grin as he rubbed his hands together. "Hehe… I'd like to ask Master Liu to refine one for . What do you think — when might you be free?"
The mont he spoke, Venerable Jian and Venerable Huang both looked shocked, though Venerable Feng rely smiled faintly. Of course they knew of the Zun Shi Pill — the 8th Tier Pill capable of raising a Dou Zun's strength by an entire star — but none had been able to invite an 8th Tier Alchemist to refine it.
Across the entire Central Plains, true 8th Tier Alchemists were as rare as phoenix feathers. Aside from a few recluses like the Old Monster Qing Hua and Elder Mu Gu, the only others were the three great Pill Masters of the Pill Tower — figures nearly impossible for ordinary Dou Zun to approach.
Yet judging from Venerable Lei's words, Liu Xi had already reached that level. The other three Venerables couldn't help but lean slightly closer, listening intently.
Liu Xi, however, rely twitched his lips. 'Here he goes again — trying to get sothing for nothing.' His fingers tapped the armrest lazily as he replied with an indifferent smile, "When I have the ti, I'll refine it for you."
Venerable Lei's eyes glead. Sharp as ever, he imdiately understood — Liu Xi was hinting at paynt. But of course. An 8th Tier Alchemist's ti was priceless, and his Zun Shi Pill was the key to breaking through his long-stalled cultivation.
Venerable Lei chuckled heartily. "No rush, no rush! While I was sorting through my stockpiles, I ca across a batch of rare high-grade herbs — too precious to waste in my hands. So, I've decided to gift them to you, Master Liu. Treasures like Ten Thousand Year Spiritwood Heart and Corrosive Yin Fruit are among them."
Hearing those nas, Liu Xi's eyes brightened slightly. 'As expected of the fad Wind Lightning Pavilion — their reserves truly run deep.' Straightening in his seat, he smiled. "Then I'll accept them with thanks. It so happens I'm free these days — I can begin refining at any ti."
Venerable Lei's face lit up with excitent. He slapped the armrest with a loud bang. "Excellent! Once this Four Pavilion Grand eting ends, I'll have all the materials delivered to you imdiately!"
Watching the two co to an agreent, Venerable Jian and Venerable Huang both felt a surge of envy. A pill that could elevate a Dou Zun's power by an entire star — who wouldn't covet it? Unfortunately, neither had the materials nor suitable paynt ready. They silently cursed Venerable Lei for keeping this opportunity to himself.
Only Venerable Feng remained composed, the faintest sigh slipping past his lips. He had once taken such a pill himself — which was why, among the Four Pavilion masters, he stood at the peak. 'So many years have passed… Yao Chen, where are you now? I refuse to believe you truly perished — not you, the fad dicine Sovereign.'
Ti passed quickly in quiet conversation. Before long, the hour was up. Venerable Lei stood, his voice booming once again. "The next round begins! Prepare for the draw!"
A middle-aged elder wearing a silver lightning robe stepped forward. His face was calm and stern, his movents steady as he soared into the arena. With a flip of his palm, a wooden box appeared — faintly shimring with arcs of lightning.
"This box," Venerable Lei explained, "was crafted from the heart of a thousand-year Thunderwood tree. The lightning infused within it is not powerful, but it prevents any Spiritual Power from probing the contents. No cheating will occur."
The eight participants finished their ditation and flew forward one by one, each drawing a wooden plaque from the box.
Feng Qing'er was the last. Her long, jade-white fingers reached into the box, retrieving the final plaque with casual grace. Her elegant face, beautiful as a phoenix reborn, carried her signature aloofness — as though no opponent was worth her concern.
Mu Qingluan of the Falling Star Pavilion blinked mischievously as her eyes swept across the others. "Mine says number three. I wonder who my opponent will be? Don't forget to go easy on a girl, alright?" she said with a teasing smile.
Feng Qing'er flipped her plaque over and spoke simply. "Number four."
Imdiately, a tall man wielding a long spear stiffened — clearly, he held the sa number.
Venerable Huang's disciple, Wang Chen, licked his lips and fixed his sinister gaze on Mu Qingluan. "Number three for too. I won't be going easy. If you don't want to get hurt, just surrender now."
The silver-robed elder gathered the plaques and announced loudly, his voice echoing through Thunder Mountain:
"First match — Tang Ying versus Han Li! Second match — Xiang Liuyun versus Zhang Nan! Third match — Mu Qingluan versus Wang Chen! Fourth match — Feng Qing'er versus Wang Yi!"
(End of Chapter)
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