Chapter 0625: Jiang Qing'e's Challenge

As Xin Fu and Bai Mengmeng made their way to change out of their disheveled clothes, Li Luo had been dragged by mentor Chi Chan to the basement as he was subject to a battery of tests. Only after Li Luo had successfully proven his newfound capabilities, the satisfaction in her gaze only grew more intense.

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Not bad. Your resonant power is sufficiently dense and there is no signs of weakness. It seems that you did not utilize some sort of over drafting art to breakthrough." Mentor Chi Chan heaved a sigh of relief.

"Mentor! Where is the trust in me?" Li Luo lamented.

Mentor Chi Chan's initial suspicions were that Li Luo had been shortsighted, utilizing some secret arts to breakthrough at the expense of his future potential, leading to a flawed breakthrough. However how could he do so? These sort of methods would also harm his foundation and once utilized, would prevent any future progress. This was unacceptable to Li Luo as well.

It was no wonder that mentor had sent the duo away. She did not wish for his prestige and adoration to be ruined by the reality of such a situation.

Mentor Chi Chan calmly continued speaking. "Although I trust that you're not foolish enough to do so, you'll never know what one will do in the heat of the moment."

Li Luo understood that what she referred to was the tenuous Housemeet that was ahead of them.

"Mentor please rest assured. As I have long promised, although House Luolan is the culmination of my parents' efforts, I'm sure they'd rather it be destroyed than for us to lose our lives over it. I might work hard but I would never be so foolish as to live and die with the house... Plus I have many backup plans anyways. Even if House Luolan is gone, Sister Qing'e and I are still around. We'll find an opportunity to rebuild it in future." He explained.

Mentor Chi Chan nodded slightly in appreciation. Li Luo had a clear understanding of the situation which was heartening.

"Since you've broken into the Fiend Palace tier and set a new record, I will reach out to vice principal Su Xin and request for a few Fiend Origin Pills." she continued.

"Fiend Origin Pills?!" Li Luo's eyes were like saucers as he couldn't believe his ears. This Fiend Origin Pill was refined specifically for Earth Fiend General stage cultivators. Consuming this pill would allow one to obtain a wisp of earth fiend energy that had been tempered by its medicinal properties. As a result the earth fiend energy was extremely gentle and easy to refine. Thus it was a favorite cultivation resource for Earth Fiend cultivators, allowing them to increase the speed at which they improved.

These Fiend Origin Pills were ones refined by the college and were even better in quality than those found in common markets. Usually only the top students within the Three Star Hall were able to exchange for them as they were few in quantity. The rest could only look on in envy.

"As I understand, there aren't enough Fiend Origin Pills to go around. Not even the average Three Star Hall student can have access to them! Are you sure?" Li Luo asked eagerly.

"You are right. Normally speaking, Three Star Hall students won't even be able to enjoy these pills, but you're different. You have demonstrated your excellence by breaking into the Earth Fiend General stage before the Three Star Hall and the college will reward the two of you as further motivation."

"The two of us?" Mentor Chi Chan seemed to be smiling. "Mmm. As Zhu Xuan has broken into the quasi General stage, he made a request for a Fiend Origin Pill as well. However their supply is limited and probably only one of you will get it."

"Does this mean I still have to fight Zhu Xuan for it?" Li Luo had a sympathetic look on his face. "It looks like things are going to be difficult for Senior Zhu Xuan once again... you know, it really pains my heart to do so!"

Mentor Chi Chan's eyes seemed a little amused at Li Luo's exaggerated act. Zhu Xuan had to be the unluckiest person in the world. He might have originally thought that by breaking into the quasi General stage, he would be able to raise eyebrows and demonstrate his worth. Alas he had the misfortune of meeting Li Luo who had even surpassed him, going directly into the Fiend Palace tier.

When comparing the two, the gap was massive. It looked like Zhu Xuan was about to be roused from his beautiful dreams.

The duo sighed in sympathy for the poor soul. After which they left the basement and met the other duo who had finished changing.

After which they all headed towards the square in the center of the college.

Along the way, a sea of people had gathered and were all ambling in the same direction in various states of excitement, using this opportunity to chat about their predictions for this event. Everyone was bubbling with anticipation.

"If Senior Jiang is able to attain the seat of a Seven Astral Pillar, she might even become more famous than the First Princess!" Bai Mengmeng couldn't help but to comment.

Xin Fu also nodded his head in agreement. Ever since Jiang Qing'e had attained the title of the strongest Three Star Hall student, her already lofty reputation had grown to be on par with the First Princess. With the record, she'd officially be the most outstanding individual in the entire college!

"Leader, do you know who Senior Jiang is planning to challenge?" Bai Mengmeng asked curiously.

At this point, even mentor Chi Chan gave a meaningful look at Li Luo, indicating that even she was interested in this topic.

Li Luo helplessly shook his head. "Nope. She didn't want to tell me."

"If she had to choose an opponent with the highest chances of succeeding, it would likely be either Seven Astral Pillars or Ye Chengying. Amongst the Seven Astral Pillars, other than Gong Shenjun and Gong Luanyu, these are the only two Four Star Hall students. The other three belong to a previous batch of students. Although these three may be a little weaker than the two from the royal court, they should not be underestimated either." Mentor Chi Chan explained.

Bai Mengmeng and Xin Fu nodded as they agreed with this assessment.

Li Luo did not say anything in response. Although in terms of chances of success, Si Tianming and Ye Chengying were the best choices, he knew Qing'e very well. She would never choose to do something just because it was easier.

"Mentor, what are the approximate placements within the Seven Astral Pillars?" Li Luo asked.

"Amongst them, Gong Shenjun is undoubtedly the strongest followed by Gong Luanyu. In third place should be Zhong Taiqiu, fourth Wang Chao and fifth Qiao Yu." Mentor Chi Chan spoke after thinking it through.

Li Luo nodded his head meaningfully.

They continued to chatter on their way over until the square filled with bustling life was finally before them. With a wave of mentor Chi Chan's sleeves, the group was swept off the ground onto a high platform above the square.

At this time, all of the One Star Hall Violet Vibrance mentors had been gathered. Li Luo even saw Qin Zhulu, Lu Qing'er, Yu Lang and the rest of the mentees!

Lu Qing'er immediately noticed Li Luo and beckoned in a friendly manner.

Li Luo returned the gesture with a genuine smile before turning to focus onto the square. Seven stone pillars were erected upon the square, each one engraved with carvings of the heavens and the stars. Mystifying light circulated throughout the engravings, bequeathing an extraordinary appearance to these simple pillars.

Atop each pillar sat a cross-legged silhouette.

These were the current batch of Seven Astral Pillars.

The seven were quietly sitting by with calm expressions, robes rippling with the wind, emitting a suppressive presence demonstrating their uncanny might.

In the square were countless students staring at them with utmost reverence and respect. These were the seven most outstanding students of the sage college. This was a title not obtained through background but wrenched away with their own might.

Atop the high platform, Vice principal Su Xin had finally made her appearance, raising her slender arm lightly to indicate the start of the event.

A beam of light crashed down from the sky, landing in the middle of the square, becoming the center of attention.

She strode out gallantly, her beautiful figure and matchless features inciting overwhelming cheers from the crowd.

"Today, Three Star Hall's Jiang Qing'e will challenge the Seven Astral Pillars." Vice principal Su Xin announced with her heart-warming voice, resounding within every individuals' ears. Yet this only seemed to excite the crowd further with cheers getting increasingly louder.

"Everyone should know the rules of the battle. I will not comment further." Vice principal Su Xin turned to face the enchanting beauty, a look of undisguised satisfaction and appreciation within her eyes. "Jiang Qing'e. Declare your opponent."

The square immediately turned silent as the countless gazes focused upon Jiang Qing'e's next words.

This was the moment of truth.

She was a Three Star Hall student and in the Fiend Finisher tier, compared to all of the Seven Astral Pillars who had stepped into Heavenly Pearl stage. The gap between them was significant, even with a ninth-grade light resonance. Thus it was unlikely she could defeat an opponent beyond her stage. These opponents weren't just ordinary individuals either, every single one was an elite with immense potential.

Thus most of the crowd speculated that if she were to try to unseat one, it would be the weakest member such as Si Tianming.

Yet her piercing golden eyes swept across each of the Seven Astral Pillars, finally pausing on one. The next moment, a cold voice resounded calmly throughout the square. "My opponent will be... Zhong Taiqiu."

This declaration of war caused the entire square to burst out in a frenzy.