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Chapter 54: Chapter 54: The Finals
The appearance of the Azure Scale Shield undisputedly claimed the first place in the Artifact Refining Competition.
It can be said that Li Quanqing developed a brand-new track for the family’s Green Scale Shield, greatly reducing the difficulty of its refinement.
This is the true path of artifact refinement. It is not about following rigid rules or remaining unchanged for all eternity, but rather about evolving with the times and pursuing innovation.
All Artifact Refiners were thoroughly convinced by their defeat, truly outclassed in skill.
The Third Elder took out the Jade Bottle containing the Tonghua Pill, smiling as he said, "Here you go, make sure not to drop and shatter it."
"No worries, I can still eat it even if it’s shattered. I don’t mind the dirt."
Li Quanqing replied with a chuckle. His hands were trembling slightly as he received the Jade Bottle.
He wasn’t trembling from excitement, but from sheer exhaustion.
After all, that was a full six Magic Artifacts, the difficulty of refining them was extraordinary, and it had taken a toll on him.
The onlooking crowd, clueless about what a combination-type Magic Artifact was, still felt incredibly impressed and burst into fervent applause.
Amidst the attention of thousands, Li Quanqing accepted this honor that belonged to him.
...
"Tonghua Pill!"
Sitting by his own fish pond, Li Quanqing had heard of this famed Breaking Stage Spirit Pill and was now touching it with his own hands for the first time.
He broke the Sealing Spirit Magic covering the mouth of the bottle, and instantly, a misty elixir essence emerged from the Jade Bottle, almost visible to the naked eye.
He took a whiff with his nose. Initially, there was a peculiar bitter taste that unconsciously reminded one of the Bitter Heart Lotus Seed, which invigorated the spirit.
After the bitterness, it was followed by the fresh scent of myriad herbs, refreshing and delightful as though taking a walk after rain. Finally, only a thread of Tonghua fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose, refusing to dissipate.
Merely a whiff of the spirit pill’s essence caused the Mana within his Dantian to stir, hastening the pace of the Great and Small Circulation.
"Truly extraordinary!"
Li Quanqing exclaimed in admiration, tilting the Jade Bottle and pouring out a green-white, dual-colored Spirit Pill.
Bathed in sunlight, the pill’s color was flawless and pure, plump and round, clear as glass.
Moo moo~
Ao Qing wagged its tail around, also attracted by the fragrance of the Elixir, raising its big head and bellowing, its fish eyes both large and cute.
[Green Jade Carp "I Want to Be a Dragon"]: "Is there something delicious again? Mine, mine, all mine! Nobody is allowed to snatch it from me!"
[Cultivation: Qi Refining Second Layer (88%)]
Li Quanqing rubbed the fish’s large head, putting away the Tonghua Pill: "This cannot be given to you to eat."
His eyes flashed with surprise. Ao Qing’s cultivation speed was indeed not slow.
In such a short period of time, it was almost at the brink of breaking through to the Qi Refining Third Layer.
Compared to the Human Clan, Demon Beasts indeed have a considerable natural advantage, easily surmounting breakthroughs until they encounter the shackles of their bloodline.
Demon Beasts in the Qi Refinement Realm grow like wild weeds in the fields, one batch following another seemingly without end.
Moo! Moo!
Failing to get the tasty treat, Ao Qing was obviously unhappy, flapping its fins before going on to beat up some of its smaller minions that had come too close.
The fish pond was now home to a total of one hundred and three Green Jade Carps, along with creatures like the Azure Water Python and Copper-armored Crabs, which made it quite crowded due to their daily swallowing and cultivation.
The Spiritual Energy within the pond had already reached its limit.
This also caused intense competition among the third batch of Green Jade Carps, fighting with each other even during feeding times to seize the spirit baits.
[Green Jade Carp "King of Eating"]: "Eat, eat, eat! I must cultivate diligently, snatch all the baits, and become so strong that no fish would dare to compete with me!"
[Maturity: 98%]
Li Quanqing caressed several of the largest Green Jade Carps with satisfaction. These were indeed the kind of young fish he liked the most.
He took out a few handfuls of feed for them as encouragement and reward to continue striving.
Half a month had passed since the Cultivation Hundred Arts competition, and Li Quanqing had also rested for half a month.
Finally, the day of the top ten decisive matches had arrived, with all eyes on the event.
Li Quanqing’s mentality was quite calm; the family competition this time had deeper undercurrents, with first place already destined for someone.
His first opponent was a male cultivator at the Qi Refining Fifth Level, born of the direct lineage, with a very decent array of spells and magic artifacts.
Pity that he was still completely overpowered when facing Li Quanqing.
Geng Metal Sword Qi burst forth, a blade from the west like a meteor falling, directly blasting his opponent off the platform, causing him to fall and vomit blood.
5 advancing to 3, someone could luckily get a bye; under the elders’ supervision, lots were drawn to decide.
Li Quanqing once again demonstrated his usual good luck, successfully drawing the bye.
He didn’t even stay to watch the final battles, just dusted himself off and left, returning to his fishpond to continue slacking, playing with snakes, and teasing crabs.
The top three of the family competition were later informed to him by his senior brother Li Quanlin using a Sound Transmission Talisman.
Li Quanyi, Li Quanqing, and the last one was surprisingly Li Quange.
That guy was too lucky, never encountering too strong an opponent.
After Li Quanmo left, he had the highest Body Refinement skills, plus hunting demon beasts all year round, making him rich in experience.
Successfully ranked third with a cultivation at the Qi Refining Fifth Level.
However, Li Quange was quite self-aware. On the eve of the final, he conceded, giving up the chance to compete for the championship.
With a face full of triumph, it was unclear if he had also received money on the side.
Under much anticipation, the final finally arrived.
"Cultivators on both sides, step onto the stage!"
Among the roaring cheers of the clan members, Li Quanqing walked calmly onto the platform, his gaze steady as he saw his opponent.
Qi Refining Sixth Level, Li Quanyi.
The girl was dressed in moon-white garments today, carrying a long sword on her back, with sleeves tightly fastened and a high ponytail, appearing neat and tidy. 𝙣𝒐𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝙤𝙢
The Immortal Qi on her had lessened a lot, making her resemble a worldly female warrior, sharp-edged, chilly and stern as a sword edge.
"Didn’t expect my final opponent to be you."
Li Quanyi spoke softly, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
Many elders felt the same. They originally thought this competition would be a fierce battle between Li Quanmo and Li Quanyi.
No one expected Li Quanqing to emerge as a dark horse.
"Sister has divine flesh and jade bones, an extraordinary aptitude, surely I’m no match."
Li Quanqing smiled brilliantly, though his gaze shifted towards Li Quangeng below.
He nodded imperceptibly, signaling that he would honor their agreement, reassuring the other.
"Begin the match!"
The Qi Refining Ninth Level judge commanded, mana roaring, leaping off the platform as swiftly as a Golden Winged Great Peng.
"It’s time for my younger brother to use those protective talismans, right?"
Li Quanyi tilted her head, a strand of hair fell on her shoulder, swinging by her ear.
"As you wish."
Li Quanqing started by slapping a Copper Armor Talisman on himself, out of respect.
He then donned four layers of the Golden Light Shield and stood there in imposing bronze armor, full of oppressive force.
Li Quanyi’s face grew serious, prepared for battle, ready to take out the high-powered attacking Spirit Talismans her father had prepared for her.
A barely perceptible voice suddenly transmitted secretly, entering her ear.
"Sister, how about a mock fight service? All sorts of losing postures available; I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!"
Li Quanyi: "..."
Her eyes widened slightly, she hesitantly looked around, realizing even the judge hadn’t noticed, then reluctantly asked, "How much do you want?"
Joyful in his heart, Li Quanqing continued his secret message:
"Two thousand Spirit Stones, it’s a fair price, really not expensive at all!"
