Chapter 266: Treasure Competition (For Silver Alliance! )
Chapter 266: Treasure Competition (For Silver Alliance! )
It was another day of brilliant sunshine.
Zhong Hong Yu gazed up at the sun, her eyes a little lost: "A third-order formation, capable of spatial translocation, could it truly reach this extent?"
She could clearly see the sun, moon, and stars, yet she was utterly unable to leave. Whether ascending, moving in any direction, or even burrowing underground, once she exited the confines of Dragon Fish Island, she would encounter a "membrane" impossible to cross.
She also knew that to cultivators on the outside, the entire Dragon Fish Island was enveloped by a vast, pitch-black dome.
Such a method of void transformation was simply unbelievable.
"If you can thoroughly comprehend it, you'll be a third-order formation master. . ."
A streak of light landed beside Zhong Hong Yu; it was Tai Shu Hong. He looked much more mature, appearing far calmer: "Today is the 'Treasure Competition,' isn't it? All those Qi Refinement cultivators have waited here for ten years, precisely for this, haven't they?"
"Indeed. . ."
After sealing off Dragon Fish Island, Fang Xi occasionally showed himself for a period, but then entered a state of secluded cultivation. Even maidservants like Yan Ying found it impossible to know his situation.
He had even entrusted all island affairs to their three Foundation Establishment cultivators, not even bothering to preside over the long-planned "Treasure Competition."
Their streaks of light landed in an arena, where a high platform had already been erected. Surrounding it were numerous cultivators, and several low-tier formation masters were holding formation flags and arrays, reinforcing the platform to prevent collateral damage from future battles.
As the sun gradually reached its zenith, an even more powerful streak of light flew in, settling mid-air.
The spiritual energy fluctuations, unique to a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, immediately swept across the entire venue.
"Guest Elder Hong's spiritual energy, it's almost at Foundation Establishment Perfected, isn't it?"
Tai Shu Hong stepped forward, greeting him with a smile.
"Oh, no, no. . . I'm only at the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment. . ."
Yuan Fei Hong waved his hand, appearing very humble.
He cultivated the new method, which had nine layers for Foundation Establishment, but in reality, the division of realms wasn't significantly different from the old method.
After reaching Foundation Establishment, realms were still categorized by the quantity of liquid spiritual energy, just with more detailed subdivisions.
'If I cultivate diligently for a few more years. . . I can probably break through to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, right? '
Yuan Fei Hong mused inwardly.
He cultivated a top-tier cultivation method; his liquid spiritual energy at Foundation Establishment Perfected would exceed three hundred drops. This required more time and spiritual energy than what Foundation Establishment cultivators practicing ordinary methods would consume!
It was said that some ordinary cultivation methods, known for easy spiritual energy cultivation, might not even reach two hundred and fifty drops of liquid spiritual energy even at Foundation Establishment Perfected. Even if they were Foundation Establishment Perfected, Yuan Fei Hong wasn't particularly afraid of them at the moment; he even felt confident he could defeat them.
"Guest Elder Hong, have you collected that baleful qi?"
Zhong Hong Yu, however, asked another crucial question.
Fang Xi had previously assigned Yuan Fei Hong the duty of guarding the Earthly Baleful Lake and collecting the Black Wind Baleful Qi, which had left her secretly frustrated for a long time.
She always felt as if the Island Master didn't trust her, though. . . that was just an illusion.
"Fortunately, I didn't fail my mission!"
Yuan Fei Hong smiled faintly, flicked his sleeve, and a surge of spiritual energy gently carried a white jade bottle, slowly flying to the center of the three Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Inside the white jade bottle was a layer of liquid as black as ink; this was, in fact, the essence of the Black Wind Baleful Qi!
After being refined by a Foundation Establishment cultivator's spiritual energy, it became even purer and more effective.
Seeing this item, the Qi Refinement cultivators below had their eyes light up.
"A Foundation Establishment Spiritual Item!"
"The Foundation Establishment Spiritual Item must be mine!"
"Haha, where do you place the geniuses of the Zhong family and the three prominent clans, sirs? These two clans are backed by Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivators. . . with just a little guidance or a powerful artifact bestowed upon them, how could there be a share for the likes of us?"
"I don't believe the assembly won't regulate this. . . after all, there's Guest Elder Hong; he's a grand master at late-stage Foundation Establishment! He's one of us rogue cultivators!"
...
"So many people. . ."
Long Qin, the young woman from the Long family who had escaped with her clan, looked around at the cultivators, a hint of curiosity on her face: "Could it be. . . that all the Qi Refinement cultivators on Dragon Fish Island have come?"
"After all, it's a chance to contend for a Foundation Establishment opportunity. . ."
Long Feng wore a tight-fitting outfit, exuding a hint of baleful aura.
His cultivation had also reached around the ninth layer of Qi Refinement, making him a formidable expert among the many Qi Refinement cultivators.
"Cousin Feng. . . don't push yourself too hard. . . while consuming the 'Fierce Wind Pill' is beneficial for breakthrough, it can also destabilize your foundation and leave hidden issues."
Long Qin said worriedly.
She and Senior Cousin Feng had led a group of Long family disciples to settle on Dragon Fish Island, and initially, they lived carefree lives.
Although the three kingdoms outside were embroiled in war, Dragon Fish Island had been like a paradise, always peaceful.
Until that night. . .
The words of the Core Formation True Immortal, like thunder, caused even her to cough up blood. At that time, she and Long Feng almost thought everyone would die there.
Fortunately, not long after, an even more shocking piece of news spread – You Kun, the Grand Elder of the Ethereal Valley Sect, had died in battle!
Dragon Fish Island immediately fell into an eerie silence, followed by numerous rogue cultivators frantically seeking to join the Dragon Fish Island Master's command.
Senior Cousin Feng had made the same decision.
Even before participating in the Treasure Competition, he had told Long Qin: "The Treasure Competition will be filled with hidden talents, perhaps even experts at Qi Refinement Perfected. I don't aim to win, only to perform brilliantly enough to catch the eye of the island's Foundation Establishment cultivators, or even the Dragon Fish Old Ancestor. That will be enough. . ."
For this, Long Feng had not hesitated to consume the 'Fierce Wind Pill,' forcibly breaking through to the ninth layer of Qi Refinement, even damaging some of his meridians in the process.
"Now is the time to strive!"
Long Feng shook his head: "You know the clan's situation. Although we fortunately survived the great battle, our Foundation Establishment Old Ancestor died in combat. . . the situation is truly dire. . . If I can distinguish myself, even if I don't win the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Item, just truly joining Dragon Fish Island would be highly beneficial to the clan. . . After all, the Dragon Fish Island Master is a major figure comparable to a Core Formation cultivator!"
'Perhaps. . . this Old Ancestor is about to achieve Core Formation! '
Long Feng added inwardly.
"Oh?"
At this moment, Long Qin's eyes shifted, and she saw another person. With a simple, honest face, she couldn't help but wave: "Brother Da Niu!"
"Hmm? So it's the Long family siblings. . ."
Hai Da Niu walked over, smiling as he clasped his hands: "Long time no see. . ."
Since his last visit to the island, he had followed his Peach Blossom Island clan's orders, remaining on Dragon Fish Island to await the Island Master's command.
By now, his cultivation had surprisingly broken through again, entering the tenth layer of Qi Refinement Perfected!
"Congratulations, Brother Da Niu, on your new breakthrough in cultivation. . ."
Long Qin curtsied with a smile, then speculated: "Brother Da Niu, have you come here also for the Treasure Competition?"
"Naturally!"
Hai Da Niu said, "But I'm just here for the ride. . . Guan Feng and the other experts from the Qi Refinement families are the ones with high hopes placed on them. . ."
"My brother also plans to participate in the competition. Brother Da Niu, why don't you tell us about these formidable characters? That way, my brother can know when to retreat and avoid serious injury from a hard fight. . ."
Upon hearing this, Long Qin immediately stepped forward, gently tugging at Hai Da Niu's sleeve, pleading.
"That. . . naturally, is no problem."
Hai Da Niu scratched the back of his head, chuckling with simple honesty: "I don't know much about the many cultivators on Dragon Fish Island. . . First, there's my friend Mo Guan Feng. His wind-attribute cultivation method is truly ethereal and elusive, hard to guard against. . . Besides him, among the rogue cultivators, there's a 'Cloud-Grabbing Child. ' Although his cultivation is only at the ninth layer of Qi Refinement, he possesses an exotic treasure – the 'Cloud Moon Hook,' said to have power comparable to a top-grade artifact."
"Aside from those, the most noteworthy is Xiahou Lie from the three prominent clans. These three prominent clans are remnants of the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance from a long time ago. Although they were once destroyed, they have risen again. . . There were even rumors that the Earthly Baleful Qi in the Earthly Baleful Lake was reserved for the genius of the three prominent clans. . ."
Hai Da Niu pursed his lips, pointing to Tai Shu Hong in mid-air, lowering his voice: "It's just that circumstances changed later, which led to the Treasure Competition. The three prominent clans have also declared their intent to win this Treasure Competition, and they've put forward Xiahou Lie. . . Although this person isn't as good as 'that' one, he possesses dual mid-grade spiritual roots of metal and water. Coupled with a large number of pills and talismans for enhancement, his combat prowess is truly considerable. . ."
"And then there's Zhong Ling Xiu of the Zhong family. . . It's amusing, actually. The two major powers that once dominated Myriad Islands Lake have now established themselves on Dragon Fish Island, and they are still at odds. . . This Zhong Ling Xiu is a member of the Zhong family, innately endowed with spiritual elegance. If the Island Master hadn't been in seclusion these past few years, she might have been sent to Changqing Pavilion to ascend to greatness in one step. . . It's said that her spiritual root aptitude is superior, and with Old Ancestor Hong Yu supporting her from behind the scenes, her chances of winning this competition are also very high. . ."
Hai Da Niu mentioned several other individuals, either those who had cultivated their basic cultivation methods to the tenth layer Perfected, or those who had mastered powerful spells, causing Long Qin's expression to change repeatedly.
Compared to them, Long Feng truly seemed unremarkable, without any advantage whatsoever.
"Thank you, Brother Da Niu. . ."
Long Feng's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this, subtly growing even more resolute.
Clang!
At that moment, a gong resounded.
Three streaks of Foundation Establishment light landed on the high platform. Yuan Fei Hong took a step forward, his voice resonating in the ears of every Qi Refinement cultivator: "This year's Dragon Fish Island Treasure Competition officially begins! This old man will announce a few rules. . ."
"First, on the stage, in battle, life or death, bear no resentment!"
"Second, no second-order talismans or powerful single-use artifacts are allowed!"
"Third. . ."
Yuan Fei Hong's words, as if echoing in the ears of every Qi Refinement cultivator, displayed his exceedingly profound cultivation and spiritual energy.
After finishing the rules, he stepped back.
Tai Shu Hong stepped forward, his gaze chilling as he swept across the entire venue:
"Now. . . the two whose names I call, please come to the stage first. Tu Sha, Zhong Hong Ding!"
Two Qi Refinement cultivators hurriedly ascended the stage.
Among them, Tu Sha was a rogue cultivator in his thirties, with a cultivation around the seventh or eighth layer of Qi Refinement.
Zhong Hong Ding was also from the Zhong family. He smiled ingratiatingly at Zhong Hong Yu, who was serving as the referee, but it only caused Zhong Hong Yu's face to turn frosty: "Begin the combat!"
Moments later, Zhong Hong Ding was sent flying off the arena.
Had Tu Sha not held back, his injuries would have been even more severe.
"Victor – Tu Sha!"
Zhong Hong Yu announced the result expressionlessly, then called up the second group of participants.
This time, it was Yuan Fei Hong who served as the referee. . .
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