Chapter 228: Turning the Tide, Gratitude from Tens of Thousands! (Part 1)

Chapter 228: Turning the Tide, Gratitude from Tens of Thousands! (Part 1)



"What?!"

Ao Langtian was the first to shoot to his feet, his face incredulous. In an instant, he appeared beside the middle-aged Confucian, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Ao Xuan, standing beside the middle-aged man, looked equally stunned. His face turned red with anger, and then pale, his eyes burning with fury.

"Impossible!!!" Ao Xuan shouted, his voice shaking. "He didn't even know the basics of smelting and forging just now. How could he possibly refine something with such high purity?!"

The middle-aged Confucian's face darkened as he glared at Ao Xuan, then handed the materials to Ao Langtian. "Friend Ao, you are also an expert in artifact refining. Why don't you take a look?"

Ao Langtian eagerly took the materials from the Confucian's hand, his eyes narrowing as he inspected them.

At that moment, Yu Changge's voice rang out. "Friends Chen and the others have already examined the results and declared the winner. Friend Ao, don't try to destroy the evidence or tamper with it. Don't treat everyone here as fools."

Ao Langtian humphed in response, his eyes never leaving the materials in his hands.

Gelu Yang and the others exchanged delighted glances, their faces alight with joy as they looked at Chu Ning, who stood calmly in the arena. Their hearts were filled with elation.

Chu Ning had actually achieved such high purity in his refinement! It was completely unexpected, even for the members of the Ji Hua Zong.

Even when they saw Chu Ning's improved proficiency with the Ji Luo Refining Technique, no one could have imagined that he would be able to produce materials of such exceptional purity.

When the middle-aged Confucian announced the results, everyone had resigned themselves to their fate. But now, his words seemed too good to be true, and the crowd remained silent, still processing this unexpected turn of events.

Most of the Ji Hua Zong disciples were too stunned to react. Even Lu Jiakan stood there with his mouth agape, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

"Is this true? Did Brother Chu really achieve a purity of 98% in his refinement, surpassing Ao Xuan? This is unbelievable!" Lu Jiakan exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.

In the hushed silence that followed, Ao Langtian finished examining the materials. His eyes narrowed further as he fixed his gaze on Chu Ning.

"Good! Good! I never expected to misjudge someone so badly." Ao Langtian's words confirmed the results announced by the middle-aged Confucian.

"Hooooray!!!"

The disciples of Ji Hua Zong, who had been filled with doubt and uncertainty just moments ago, erupted in a cheer that shook the entire arena. The roar of their voices reached the clouds above Ji Hua Peak!

"We won! Elder Chu actually won the artifact refining competition!"

"Four rounds! We've won four rounds, just like the Da Luo Zong!"

The eyes of the Ji Hua Zong disciples blazed with enthusiasm. For the first time since the start of the competition, they truly believed that their sect had a chance to emerge victorious.

Even with Yu Changge's rousing speech before the competition, there had still been a sense of trepidation in their hearts. And after Lu Jiakan and Yuan Rongzhang's consecutive losses, everyone had thought that winning the competition was nothing but a pipe dream.

It was only the sect's longstanding philosophy that had kept their hopes alive, a belief that miracles could happen.

And now, with Chu Ning's back-to-back wins in the pill concoction and artifact refining rounds, they finally saw a glimmer of hope.

Lu Jiakan and Yuan Rongzhang, who had just finished his meditation, were undoubtedly the most excited among them.

With Chu Ning's completion of the Ji Luo Refining Technique, the elderly Peng withdrew the isolation barrier.

"Elder Chu!" Lu Jiakan and Yuan Rongzhang exclaimed, their faces filled with elation. They were so overcome with emotion that they didn't know what else to say.

Before they could gather their thoughts, Yu Changge and Gelu Yang approached Chu Ning.

Yu Changge used divine sense to transmit his words to Chu Ning. "Chu Ning, you just emerged from seclusion and didn't have time to prepare any artifacts. Brother Gelu and I have a few artifacts here. Let me give you a brief introduction, and you can choose one."

Although Yu Changge knew that even if they gave Chu Ning an artifact now, he wouldn't have the time to adapt to it and bring out its full potential, it was their only option.

They had indeed prepared several artifacts in advance, but with Chu Ning in seclusion, they hadn't had the opportunity to let him choose.

Chu Ning shook his head and transmitted his reply to Yu Changge. "No need, Sect Master. I have one."

He didn't know what kind of artifacts Yu Changge and Gelu Yang had prepared, but he figured that they probably wouldn't be as easy to use as the Double Fire Rings.

Since that was the case, there was no need for him to burden himself with another unfamiliar artifact.

Yu Changge nodded slightly upon hearing Chu Ning's response. Although he didn't say anything further, he had a vague idea that Chu Ning might have obtained not only ancient pill concoction techniques but also other treasures from the ancient sect.

At that moment, Ao Langtian seemed to realize something. He urged, "Friend Peng, isn't it time to start the next round of the competition?"

The white-haired Elder Peng nodded and turned to Yu Changge. "What do you think, Sect Master Yu?"

"It's up to Elder Peng to decide," Yu Changge replied as he returned to his seat.

If Chu Ning had taken one of their artifacts, Yu Changge would have definitely dragged out the time to give Chu Ning a chance to familiarize himself with it.

But since Chu Ning didn't need their artifacts, there was no need for him to delay any further.

Realizing this, Ao Langtian immediately transmitted his thoughts to Ao Xuan.

"Go, Elder Chu!!" "Beat him!!" "Ji Hua Zong, victory!!" The disciples of Ji Hua Zong cheered loudly in unison. Hearing their enthusiastic shouts, Ao Xuan's eyes glinted with a cold light, and he flew up to face Chu Ning, landing opposite him.

Ao Xuan looked up at Chu Ning, and his gaze unexpectedly calmed. "I admit, you have far exceeded my expectations. I never imagined Ji Hua Zong would find someone like you, with such outstanding talent in pill concoction and artifact refining. However, in the path of cultivation, strength is what matters in the end. Let's see what else you can do!"

Before the elderly Peng could announce the start of the match, Ao Xuan waved his hand, and a scarlet flame longsword appeared in his grip. In the next moment, an extremely sharp sword beam shot towards Chu Ning.

"Shameless!" "A sneak attack!" Seeing this, the disciples of Ji Hua Zong shouted in protest. The white-haired Elder Peng frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure in his eyes, and he was about to stop the match.

But at that moment, Chu Ning raised his hand, and a tiger made of flames leaped out. It opened its mouth wide in mid-air and devoured the incoming sword beam. As the two spells collided in the air, they seemed about to burst and scatter.

Then, Chu Ning waved his hand again, and an invisible wind spell shot out, landing below the tiger demon. With the wind fanning the flames, the tiger demon grew larger! The tiger, which had seemed about to scatter, solidified and pounced towards Ao Xuan.

Ao Xuan's expression changed, and he swung his scarlet flame longsword, sending out several sword beams that struck the tiger demon in the air.

However, over the past six years, Chu Ning had already mastered the art of combining the Wind and Fire Spell with the Fiery Flame Technique to perfection. The tiger demon devoured the sword beams one after another, and its pouncing momentum became increasingly fierce.

In the blink of an eye, it reached Ao Xuan and pounced on him. Ao Xuan immediately activated a defensive barrier. The fire tiger slammed into the white barrier, and in the next moment, both the tiger and the barrier dissipated.

At the same time, a long spear appeared in Chu Ning's hand. As he swung the spear, a flame beast that was a circle larger than the previous fire tiger appeared. "A Scarlet Flame Beast?!" Many cultivators exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the flame beast that Chu Ning had attacked with.

This beast was native to the Cloudsoar Mountain Range and was usually a fourth or even fifth-stage demon beast. It had appeared from Chu Ning's spear, its body several feet long and burning with fierce flames. Even its eyes held a realistic crimson gleam. It was the fourth type of demon beast form that Chu Ning had cultivated using the Fiery Flame Technique, the Scarlet Flame Beast!

Ao Xuan, who had just blocked the attack of the tiger demon, saw the Scarlet Flame Beast rushing towards him, and his eyes narrowed. In the next moment, a white feather fan appeared in his hand. As he waved it, waves of white chill spread out, soon forming a small wall of ice that swept the Scarlet Flame Beast away.

This fan was a relatively rare ice-attribute artifact. Then, Ao Xuan once again brandished his scarlet flame longsword, but this time, instead of sword beams, he sent out extremely fine needles made of flames.

Chu Ning responded by summoning another Scarlet Flame Beast to meet the attack. However, to his surprise, these scarlet needles had strong piercing power. The Scarlet Flame Beast was unable to block them, and more than ten needles reached a spot three feet away from Chu Ning.

At this moment, Chu Ning used talismans one after another to cast several layers of defensive barriers. As the fourth layer of the talisman barrier shattered, the scarlet needles were finally stopped.

"These needle attacks are quite powerful, and they're being shot from a longsword. I suspect it's some kind of spell," Chu Ning mused to himself, but his hands didn't pause. He had a lot of tricks and treasures up his sleeve, but at this moment, with so many people watching, he didn't want to expose items like the Reincarnation Ancient Plate or the Ice Shadow Sword Talisman.

Of course, he didn't need to use such items against Ao Xuan. Chu Ning's figure flashed several times as he flew straight towards Ao Xuan. At the same time, the spear in his hand flickered with flames, and a Scarlet Flame Beast took form once again! After much experimentation, Chu Ning had discovered that the Scarlet Flame Beasts formed with the help of this spear were much stronger!

Chu Ning didn't want to drag things out; he wanted to force his opponent to use his treasure and start the final battle. Seeing Chu Ning's aggressive approach, Ao Xuan cast another defensive barrier.

The fierce flames even surged forward, as if to completely engulf the Scarlet Flame Beast and Chu Ning.

Seeing this, Chu Ning's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

He waved his left hand vigorously, casting Wind and Fire Rampage!

Under the sweep of this spell, all the fierce flames on the wall of fire seemed to obey a command, gathering onto the Scarlet Flame Beast.

Wind and Fire Rampage is ranked as a top-tier spell precisely because it can gather all fire-attribute spiritual energy within its range, empowering fire-attribute spells! The wall of fire created by Ao Xuan's longsword was also composed of fire-attribute spiritual energy.

Ao Xuan was greatly alarmed when he witnessed this scene. The secret art he employed with this blazing longsword had always been infallible.

But who would have thought that today, facing Chu Ning, his attacks would be thwarted time and again, proving utterly ineffective.

At this moment, seeing the Scarlet Flame Beast, empowered by the swept-up fire wall, charging at him, Ao Xuan's face darkened, even though he had already gathered a defensive shield around his body.

However, after sensing the formidable power of the beast, he dared not take the blow head-on and instead flew backward to evade.

"Elder Chu is so strong!"

At this moment, the numerous Ji Hua Zong disciples watching the battle were overjoyed to see Chu Ning's overwhelming display of strength. Even though their own cultivation levels were not particularly high, they could tell that Ao Xuan's attacks were completely ineffective against Chu Ning.

On the contrary, Chu Ning's successive attacks had forced Ao Xuan into a defensive position.

As for the people of Da Luo Zong, they were all stunned, their mouths hanging slightly open.

They were well aware of Ao Xuan's prowess, and the several types of attacks unleashed by his blazing longsword were all top-tier spells of Da Luo Zong.

Many of them had suffered greatly from these very attacks.

But what they never expected was that these spells would be rendered useless against Chu Ning, who didn't even need to mount a significant defense.

"His spell attacks seem to be more advanced than our sect's spells!"

With this thought, the members of Da Luo Zong shifted their gazes uneasily.

"Unbelievable! I never expected Ji Hua Zong to have so many hidden treasures."

They subconsciously assumed that Chu Ning's spells were part of Ji Hua Zong's repertoire.

However, Ao Xuan, in the heat of the battle, had no time to ponder these things.

He retreated at a fast speed, but Chu Ning was even faster! In an instant, Chu Ning closed the distance to within twenty feet of Ao Xuan.

The Fire Phoenix Feather Spear in his hand thrust forward.

The Scarlet Flame Beast, like a ravenous demon beast, pounced toward Ao Xuan.

Ao Xuan's external defensive shield was not weak, but under the searing flames, it dissipated without a trace.

Just as the Scarlet Flame Beast was about to strike Ao Xuan...

A dazzling five-colored radiance burst forth from Ao Xuan's body.

This radiance was dazzling and extremely powerful.

As soon as the Scarlet Flame Beast came into contact with it, it disintegrated.

Then, the five-colored radiance surged toward Chu Ning.

"He's finally brought out a treasure!"

Recognizing that Ao Xuan had unleashed the power of a treasure, Chu Ning remained calm. He dodged with two quick movements, easily evading the attack.

At the same time, he retracted his spear, and a pair of fire rings appeared in his hands.

"Good! I must admit, I underestimated you. Now, let's see whose treasure is more formidable!"

Ao Xuan shouted loudly.

The three-foot-long Five-Colored Crystal Staff in his hand, which had emitted the five-colored radiance earlier, was brandished vigorously.

The next moment, he pointed it at Chu Ning, and a beam of five-colored light shot out like lightning, speeding toward Chu Ning.

Unfazed, Chu Ning infused his left hand's mother ring with spiritual power, then released the son ring from his right hand. It flew straight toward the five-colored light.

Instantly, the fire ring and the five-colored light locked onto each other in mid-air.

Ao Xuan, seeing this, coldly snorted, and the Five-Colored Crystal Staff pointed forward again.

The five-colored radiance continuously poured into the beam of light, making it extremely dazzling.

It seemed that the fire ring, enveloped in scarlet flames, would soon be overwhelmed.

The Ji Hua Zong disciples watching from the arena couldn't help but tense up at this sight.

Many of them clenched their fists tightly, holding their breath.

Everyone knew that this treasure showdown would determine the outcome of the battle.

Seeing Chu Ning's treasure about to be overwhelmed, they naturally felt anxious.

However, Chu Ning remained calm and collected, continuously infusing spiritual power into the mother ring, enhancing the power of the son ring.

No matter how dazzling the five-colored radiance was, the scarlet fire ring stood firm!

"Elder Chu's treasure is quite powerful. No wonder he didn't want our treasures," Yu Changge commented, nodding slightly.

As a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, he could discern that the situation on the field would not change unless something unexpected happened.

What followed would be a contest of spiritual power between the two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

This made the Ji Hua Zong's sect master feel a bit worried.

After all, Chu Ning had just emerged from seclusion and entered the late Foundation Establishment stage, while Ao Xuan had been at this stage for many years.

In terms of spiritual power, among the entire Cloudsoaring Alliance, aside from those who had been in the late Foundation Establishment stage for a long time and were unable to advance to the Golden Core stage, there were very few young cultivators who could match him.

With the additional power of the staff treasure, Ao Xuan might even have some spiritual power to spare.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end