Eternal Life: Hundredfold Rewards-Chapter 370 - 216: Battle of Song Dan and Qing Jianzi! (Part 2)
"In fact, there’s a reason why the Three Sects don’t extract the Flame Sun Ore here. The emergence of Celestial Heart Flame Marrow is due to the concentration of power from the entire Flame Marrow Earth Vein. If too much Flame Sun Ore is mined, it will inevitably affect the output of Celestial Heart Flame Marrow, making it unworthy for the Three Sects."
Hearing Hu Tianying’s words, Qi Chuan finally learned some information about the production of Celestial Heart Flame Marrow.
Yet, he still wondered how the Celestial Heart Flame Marrow below was to be extracted and distributed?
Just as this doubt rose in Qi Chuan’s heart, it was soon resolved.
He saw Zhao Ming and the other two Sect Leaders swiftly rise, casting spells together. Three spells struck the small pool of brilliant, crystalline liquid at the bottom of the Glazed Lake.
Soon after, the Celestial Heart Flame Marrow began to rise drop by drop, emerging from the Glazed Lake and floating in the void not far in front of everyone.
Time slowly passed.
After two more quarter-hours, the small pool of brilliant crystalline liquid at the bottom of the Glazed Lake had completely disappeared.
In its place, ninety distinct drops of Celestial Heart Flame Marrow floated in the void.
"This time, the Celestial Heart Flame Marrow produced amounts to ninety drops, similar to the previous outputs. Everyone, take thirty drops each," Mu Cangtian said lightly, and with a wave of his hand, he had already taken thirty drops of the Celestial Heart Jade Marrow.
Zhao Ming and Liu Xi had no objections, as this was the usual procedure.
So, they each took thirty drops of Celestial Heart Flame Marrow, placed them into a prepared Jade Bottle, and stored them in their respective Spatial Artifacts.
At this point, no side would leave with their Core Formation True Masters yet, as the magical combat hadn’t occurred, and each believed they had a chance to secure the top position.
"Next is the magical combat competition. Let’s leave here first; we don’t want to damage this Flame Marrow Earth Vein. It would be unfortunate if we couldn’t produce Celestial Heart Flame Marrow in the future," Liu Xi said with a gentle smile.
"Let’s go, we’ll leave first," Zhao Ming glanced at Liu Xi, not interested in saying more and just spoke to Qi Chuan and the others.
Qi Chuan and the others naturally responded in agreement.
Then Zhao Ming led Qi Chuan’s group towards the stone chamber’s exit, while Liu Xi and Mu Cangtian also didn’t linger to avoid other sects’ suspicions, each taking their Core Formation True Masters with them.
The three groups followed the path they came from, walked out of the Flame Marrow Earth Vein’s outskirts, passed through the magma illusion, flew all the way, and once again arrived at the entrance where the light door to this space had disappeared.
Afterward, the three Sect Leaders took out their Black Tokens, activated them, and three beams of light shot out, causing the light door to reappear.
Then the three groups followed the light door and exited the array.
Once out of the array, the light door behind slowly dissipated.
As the array returned to its original state, the scorching and crimson magma realm disappeared, restoring the appearance of the small, ordinary mountain range.
Liu Xi glanced back at the mountain range, then turned around, his gaze sweeping over the faces of Mu Cangtian, Zhao Ming, and the competitors from Cangjian Pavilion and Myriad Flowers Immortal Sect, and with a slight smile said, "Next is the phase for the Three Sects competition. I suppose both your sects have been eagerly anticipating this?"
"Liu Xi, it seems you’re quite confident in Yin Yang Mansion’s results this time?" Mu Cangtian glanced at him and said.
"We can’t start with a losing mindset before the competition begins; that’s not ideal. Since we aren’t embracing a losing mentality, then we can only adopt a winning attitude," Liu Xi shrugged and said with a smile.
"Since you all can’t wait, let’s start. Waiting longer won’t change the outcome, right? Better to start early," Zhao Ming said nonchalantly.
After all, the competitors from all three sides were set, and although the future hadn’t arrived, only one inevitable outcome awaited. Here, half-hearted attempts or strategic talk wouldn’t change anything.
"Quite right, Zhao Ming. I happen to think the same, so I declare the Three Sects competition officially begins!" Liu Xi announced with a smile.
"Is it your place to announce?" Mu Cangtian showed a hint of displeasure.
However, he just said that and didn’t elaborate further. Then he looked at the stern, diminutive swordswoman representing Cangjian Pavilion, and calmly said, "Qing Jianzi, it’s your turn to take the stage. Remember, you must bring a victory for our Cangjian Pavilion."
In past Three Sects competitions, it almost always started with the Core Formation Early Stage.
After all, the most important battle always comes last.
They couldn’t let the Core Formation Late Stage True Masters begin and have the Core Formation Early Stage True Masters finish, right?
"Yes, Sect Leader!"
In response, Qing Jianzi clasped her hands, replying solemnly.
Soon after, her eyes flashed sharply as she glanced at Qi Chuan and Song Dan, before she transformed into an Escape Light and shot toward the distant void.
"Heh, I’ve been waiting for this!"
Seeing this, Song Dan was unwilling to be outdone, and also immediately transformed into an Escape Light, shooting out and chasing after Qing Jianzi.
Before leaving, he cast a provoking glance at Qi Chuan.
"Qi Chuan, go ahead; don’t feel too pressured, just do your best," Zhao Ming said softly to Qi Chuan at this moment, patting his shoulder.
"Yes, Sect Leader, I’m going," Qi Chuan nodded, clasped his hands toward Zhao Ming, and then also transformed into an Escape Light, departing.
"Hehe, Zhao Ming, you don’t seem too confident in your newly promoted Core Formation True Master, do you? You even said such things as ’do your best,’ ’don’t feel pressured,’" Liu Xi said warmly with a smile, looking at Zhao Ming in a friendly conversational manner.
"After all, he’s new. If something unexpected happens, Zhao Ming probably can’t guarantee anything either, right? It’s better to say that, as too much pressure makes it easier for the newcomer to make mistakes, doesn’t it?" Mu Cangtian said calmly, seemingly giving Zhao Ming an out, but anyone could tell their words were meant to unsettle Zhao Ming.
"I hope when the results come out, you’ll still be saying that," Zhao Ming looked at the two with a peculiar expression, then withdrew his gaze, waved his hand, and led Qu Xuanlei and Hu Tianying in the direction where Qi Chuan and the others had departed.
"Could Qi Chuan possess some extraordinary abilities?"
Seeing Zhao Ming’s behavior, Liu Xi and Mu Cangtian exchanged glances, and such a thought inadvertently passed through their minds.
Though their previous words were intended to irk Zhao Ming, they were not at all careless in their mindset, having repeatedly warned their Core Formation Early Stage representatives to be cautious of Qi Chuan.
"Even if he’s extraordinary, I’d like to see how he is so unique! A newly promoted True Master..."
Withdrawing their gaze, Liu Xi and Mu Cangtian, each with different thoughts, refrained from speaking further and led their respective Core Formation True Masters to follow.
In the void, Qi Chuan, Qing Jianzi, and Song Dan stood at distinct distances from each other, forming a triangular standoff, continuously scrutinizing their opponents.
In the distant void, Zhao Ming, Mu Cangtian, and Liu Xi observed, each leading their own Core Formation True Masters, their gazes focused in this direction.
Especially the latter two, whose eyes, besides falling on their own Core Formation Early Stage competitors, were primarily fixed on Qi Chuan’s figure, observing his every move meticulously.
As "old friends" of Zhao Ming, with whom they had numerous encounters, they understood his character all too well.
In their view, Zhao Ming wouldn’t act without reason.
Therefore, this Core Formation True Master named Qi Chuan must possess unique abilities, which prompted Zhao Ming to ultimately abandon Wang Tong and bring Qi Chuan instead.
Even if Qi Chuan cannot secure first place in the competition, he surely possesses the methods or strength to contend with Qing Jianzi and Song Dan.
They were eager to see what was so special about this Qi Chuan!
