Chapter 0629: A New Seven Astral Pillar, A New Legend

The battle ended the moment the reversal occurred. The floating platforms descended into utter silence for a brief moment, taken aback by the spectacle in front of them. But it was not long before deafening cheers resounded throughout the college.

All of Jiang Qing'e's supporters were in a state of euphoria, completely moved by the series of events.

Even those that were usually calm and collected were hollering as though their lives depended on it. Why? A legend had been created in the long annals of the Astral Sage College’s history. This was the first time a Three Star Hall student had attained the position of a Seven Astral Pillar.

Furthermore, it wasn't the lowest ranked position of the pillars!

In terms of strength, Zhong Taiqiu was only weaker than Gong Shenjun and Gong Luanyu. No one doubted his strength and thus, Jiang Qing'e's victory was gold.

Furthermore, the battle had been upfront and direct with no underhanded moves. Both parties had thrown their ultimate arts at each other and the fight was a battle to behold.

"Senior Jiang is the strongest Three Star Hall student in the Astral Sage College's history! No one can surpass her! This victory will be inscribed upon the records of the college!" Some of Jiang Qing'e's most ardent fans were effusing constant praise and idolatry.

Yet in the face of such exaggeration, no one deigned to stop them. Why? The scene before them was unbelievable! The result of the battle had shocked them senseless.

A Quasi Pearl Stage had triumphed over a six-pearl Heavenly Pearl Stage. This was insanity coming to life.

Their horizons had been broadened this day.

"Junior Jiang is amazing." The rest of the Seven Astral Pillars were seated atop a viewing platform, and Wang Chao's voice piped up. "The quality of the students joining the college has only improved each year. Your Royal Highnesses, once Junior Jiang properly steps into the Heavenly Pearl Stage, I'm afraid you will have to give way to her as well." He glanced over at the First Princess and Gong Shenjun.

The First Princess smiled lightly. "Qing'e's potential and talent are evident for all to see. I do believe that the title of the Xia Kingdom's youngest Duke will belong to her in a couple of years."

Gong Shenjun nodded in agreement. "Junior Jiang is the most radiant star amongst those in the Astral Sage College. Still, she might have beaten Zhong Taiqiu, but there seems to have been a little trick behind her win. She must have practiced a secret art that allowed her resonant power to skyrocket temporarily upon entering the Quasi Pearl Stage. This is why her strength faded so quickly. If Zhong Taiqiu had been able to drag the battle a while longer, she would have fallen into a disadvantage very quickly. Additionally, the situation was reversed because Zhong Taiqiu had never expected that another resonance art was hidden within the Sacred Flamelight Lotus. Looking at the power of the ability, it should have been the high-grade dragon-general resonance art Sacred Spirit Sword Art. It’s very clear that she has thoroughly studied Zhong Taiqiu's abilities, and the execution of her resonance arts was intended to specifically counter his Python's Abyssal Suppression."

Gong Shenjun's analysis seemed logical, and the rest of the Seven Astral Pillars also nodded in agreement.

"Don't you think that being able to fuse two high-grade dragon-general resonance arts is extraordinary? Even we were unable to discern that the Sacred Flamelight Lotus held the Sacred Spirit Sword Art within." The First Princess smiled.

"Brother, you’re sweating the details with your analysis. The gap in cultivation between the two is not small, and for a weaker individual to triumph, certain tricks must be employed to even the gap."

Gong Shenjun beamed generously in response. "I was merely commenting on the battle objectively. Sister Luanyu, could you not unfairly label me so? I am personally exuberant that Junior Jiang has managed to set a new record as we all are." The rest of the pillars laughed at his sheepish response.

As they continued to chat, Li Luo was also awash with relief. He looked towards Jiang Qing'e and happily gave her a thumbs up.

"Senior Jiang is too awesome!" Bai Mengmeng who already idolized her, could not help but to continue sighing.

"Mm. Senior Jiang is the target we have to surpass. I have to continue to cultivate with everything I have so that a small part of her brilliance might rub off on me..." the heroic-looking Bai Doudou commented as she restrained her usual arrogance, a fire burning within her eyes.

After which, she turned to face Li Luo. "Li Luo, you live a charmed life. To think you managed to snag such a wonderful fiance."

"Hey, I'm pretty impressive myself, no?" he retorted.

"You might have some good points, but you still have a long way to go before you're comparable with her," Bai Doudou attentively replied.

Li Luo rolled his eyes.

"Sister, your words aren't very appropriate!" Bai Mengmeng suddenly chimed in. "Do you know what stage Leader is at now?"

Bai Mengmeng seemed a little taken aback. Simultaneously, Qin Zhulu, Wang Hejiu, Duze Beixuan, and the rest all shot a glance over.

"What do you mean?" Bai Doudou had an incredulous look plastered over her face when she heard Bai Mengmeng's words. Had Li Luo improved again in the short span of a month?

"Do you mean you've entered the Quasi General Stage?" she ventured.

"You're off by a little bit," Li Luo coolly replied.

This statement left her dumbfounded for a good two seconds before her pupils widened. "You... you've broken into the Fiend Palace Tier!" Even the usually impassive Qin Zhulu was in disbelief, not to mention the rest, who looked like they'd been struck by a bolt of lightning.

This brat had disappeared for a month and had magically broken into the Fiend Palace Tier? What sort of devilish speed was this?

Everyone had predicted that even with the copious amounts of rewards heaped onto Li Luo as a result of the Holy Grail Meet, it would require him at least half a year's worth of time to break into the Fiend Palace Tier. How had it happened so soon?

What did he do? What sort of insane talent did he have?

Looking at their horrified faces, Li Luo smiled. "Don't worry, everyone. Sister Qing'e might have carved out a new legend for the Three Star Hall, but you have me. I'll carve out a reputation for all of us in the One Star Hall. In fact, I'll continue to work hard!"

Meanwhile, Yu Lang could only look on in absolute envy and a tinge of jealousy. Just when could he develop skills equal to Li Luo’s when it came to being smooth and showing off his humbleness? Even Bai Doudou was left speechless at his shamelessness and ambition. However, he had managed to set a new record—no one in the history of the Astral Sage College had managed to reach the Fiend Palace Tier in the One Star Hall.

"House Luolan is going to ascend..." Bai Doudou blurted out in the end.

Now that it was home to two fiendish cultivators, it was likely that two new Dukes would arise in a few years' time.

"Lower your voice. I didn't want to announce it just yet... it's all Mengmeng's fault." Li Luo waved his hands helplessly as he shot Bai Mengmeng a berating gaze. Bai Mengmeng cutely stuck out her tongue at him before she pitifully pleaded, "I'm sorry, Leader..."

Seeing this, Bai Doudou immediately dragged her sister away while fiercely glaring at him. "Don't you dare bully my sister. Even if she hadn't said it, you'd have found a way to announce it in your own shameless fashion!"

"Hey! Do you really think I'm such a superficial person? Only fishing for praise and adoration?" Li Luo painfully refuted.

Of course, this act didn't convince anyone. Everyone conveyed their agreement with Bai Doudou by remaining indifferent.

Seeing the lackluster response, Li Luo was about to explain himself when Vice Principal Su Xin walked out with her usual smile to make the final announcement. "Good day, students of the Astral Sage College. Today, we've witnessed the birth of a new legend in the records of the Astral Sage College’s history. Three Star Hall student Jiang Qing'e has reigned victorious over the Seven Astral Pillar Zhong Taiqiu! As the representative of the college, I now declare that Jiang Qing'e is a member of the Seven Astral Pillars!"

With the announcement echoing throughout every students' ears, cheers resounded throughout the square, causing even the ground to tremble.

Amidst all the attention, Jiang Qing'e's resonant power gradually receded and was contained within her once again. The previously soaring and turbulent resonant power had returned to normal. Faced with the announcement, her charming, golden eyes remained calm like a still lake, deep and unmoving.

The result was all within expectations.

She had everything under control the whole time.

She had spent years suppressing her abilities. This battle for the Seven Astral Pillars was just a sideshow. As she turned her head, her delicate and beautiful cheeks were like the face of a goddess, golden eyes penetrating through the crowd and focusing on a single youth within the One Star Hall students. When they made eye contact, he returned a smile and gave a thumbs up.

The sides of her lips were slightly upturned as she vowed to herself, "Li Luo. I'll definitely protect you with everything I have. No matter the cost."