Chapter 319: The First Battle, Painting a Semi-Saint
Lin Qingying didn't wait for Li Hao and Lin Shanhai; she went ahead to the Holy Land as a disciple to gather and participate in the competition.
Meanwhile, Li Hao and Lin Shanhai took their time preparing before slowly making their way there.
On their journey, they encountered Zhao Yingzhen and Shi Huajin, both dressed in luxurious attire, along with others. They were also heading to watch the competition together. Even though they were alchemists, such grand events only happened once every hundred years, and no one wanted to miss them.
"Old Lin, the competition for the Sword God title is fierce this time. Does Qingying have a chance to make it into the top five?" Zhao Yingzhen asked with a smile after they met.
Lin Shanhai shook his head and said, "Who can say for sure? The other Holy Sons and Daughters aren't easy to deal with either. Just the number of Holy Sons and Daughters alone exceeds a dozen. Even making it into the top ten will be a brutal fight!"
The Sword Ancestor Holy Land had countless disciples, with over a million outer disciples and more than ten thousand inner disciples, all carefully selected prodigies.
The vast Canglan Realm, home to many dynasties and billions of people, was not only dominated by the three great Holy Lands but also by many other first-class forces.
Even becoming a disciple of the Holy Land, whether as an outer disciple or not, in those first-class forces, one had a chance to enter the inner sect. As for the inner disciples, they were all top-tier prodigies of the same rank, starting with ninth-level combat body qualifications.
Lin Shanhai asked the alchemist, "Hmm?"
A graceful Holy Son, his face veiled, with eyes like autumn water, glanced at a white-robed figure beside him.
The eight gathered together, and while the alchemist observed and painted, it wasn't easy to depict these formidable figures. Despite his extensive experience in painting, the alchemist had to focus intensely on observing, depleting his mental energy as if navigating a labyrinth.
For most of the Holy Sons and Daughters, their competitive gaze was focused on each other, with little interest in the inner disciples, who were a tier below them.
Though there were many Holy Sons, some stood out, like the renowned Holy Son of Bright Moon.
But even such outstanding figures were only a small part of the many inner disciples within the Sword Ancestor Holy Land.
"Of course, I never interfere with your cultivation. No matter what rank you achieve, you're always number one in your heart. Even if you stop cultivating and choose a different path, your old man can still take care of you," Shi Huajin said.
"Go, go, don't drag Qingfeng into this," Shi Huajin replied in mock anger.
Ke Hou thought with a smile.
Lin Qingying said to Shi Huajin.
If a million people gathered, even if they all spoke softly, the collective noise would still be deafening and chaotic.
"I don't know him well. How about a beginner-level alchemy formula?" Shi Huajin joined in.
"Half-Saint over there." "Qingfeng, what's this?"
In their homeland, they were famous top-tier prodigies, but within the Holy Land, they were just ordinary members among millions of outer disciples.
Ke Hou silently noted that even among the inner disciples, the strength displayed by Zhao Yingzhen was a testament to the depth of the Holy Land's foundation.
The Holy Sons and Daughters drew a lot of attention, and as they left, many disciples in the audience took notice and began to discuss them.
Li Hao's aura was deep and restrained, making him difficult to depict accurately in painting.
"Who is that disciple? Recently, there's been talk of a Qingfeng alchemist who possesses an extraordinary ability to refine medicinal ingredients. It hasn't been long since I've heard of him, right? He sits with Shi Huajin, and if I recall correctly, his name is Qingfeng."
Behind the ten arenas stood a burly, towering middle-aged man whose broad shoulders seemed to carry the weight of the heavens. His gaze was intense as he looked at the dozen Holy Sons and Daughters behind him. The refinement of medicinal ingredients took place outside.
The alchemist smiled, "It's a rare spectacle. I'm painting it for posterity." The alchemist had been here for nearly a year now, and during this time, he had gotten to know these people well. Besides painting and carving, he really didn't do much else.
"I heard the Bone Mirror test revealed he's only seventy-one years old, the oldest among us, right?"
The initial selection for the Sword God battle had just concluded.
"In your family, you have a beginner-level alchemist who is practically worshipped. Even your father has to heed his words. A top-tier alchemist can help nurture a powerful prodigy like Zhao Yingzhen!" Lin Qingying noticed the alchemist's unusual behavior and was a bit surprised.
At that moment, they saw clouds and mist surrounding the mountainside. In a vast, open area, there were ten massive arenas, each surrounded by a law barrier.
"It's probably not an offense. I used my divine sense to check, and he's painting us. Perhaps it's out of admiration, wanting to capture us in his work, and it seems he's doing a good job."
These seats were prepared for Ke Hou and other alchemists, as well as the artifact refiners of the Holy Land, managers, and enforcers of the dynasties, along with other figures of influence and power.
The preliminary selection arena was located on the mountainside, a vast area with ten arenas competing simultaneously.
Lin Qingying rolled her eyes at him, knowing how much Old Lin doted on his grandson. They had always depended on each other, so she knew not to mention certain topics.
Their arrival naturally caught the attention of some disciples. For many inner disciples, alchemists were figures they longed to curry favor with but never had the opportunity to approach. Now, they finally had a chance to glimpse them.
After all, they would eventually become stepping stones for others.
In addition to the inner disciples' audience seats, there were floating seats in mid-air with even better views, allowing a full view of all ten arenas simultaneously.
Ke Hou gazed at Li Hao, someone second only to a Saint. Though the gap between Li Hao and a Saint was vast, compared to Ke Hou, Li Hao was an absolute force with undeniable dominion.
Ke Hou knew the alchemist loved painting and was highly skilled at it, so he smiled and said, "Feel free to paint. We won't disturb you. Qingfeng's paintings are exceptional." Lin Qingying pointed to the opposite side of the ten arenas, where eight figures stood together. Around them were many influential figures of the Holy Land, but behind those eight figures were more than a dozen people with extraordinary auras, all of them exuding a transcendent, untouchable presence like distant stars.
The man's eyes shifted slightly, evidently recognizing the name. His gaze softened a bit, and when he scanned with his divine sense, he immediately noticed that the painting board had captured his own figure, with an exceptionally beautiful portrayal...
"Eighty years since we last met, I wonder how far you've come now. This will be interesting to see."
Shi Huajin introduced Ke Hou.
"If Qingfeng wants to become an alchemist, I can teach him, and it doesn't count as taking him as a disciple." Ke Hou immediately offered.
Lin Shanhai was taken aback, then smiled bitterly.
His mind was heavy, and he vaguely sensed that, with his current strength, even though he could easily defeat those in the Dao Law realm, if he were to face Ke Hou, the outcome would be uncertain, with a high possibility of defeat.
"I plan to wait for the hundred-strong battle before making an appearance. There's no point in wasting time with these lower-tier battles."
"Holy Son of Bright Moon isn't here. He must be in seclusion."
They chatted casually, revealing their confidence and composure, unconcerned about offending or provoking others.
As for any other hidden figures like Zhao Yingzhen, that remains unknown, but even if there are any, they would be no more than one or two at most.
"We'll see, it's a beginner-level alchemy formula!"
"How about it, same as always? You go first. I'll bet with a mid-level formula, the Purifying Fire Pill, which can cleanse the body of pill toxins. Though it leaves some residual toxins, it's much better than nothing."
"This time, there are many dark horses. Don't just focus on the Holy Son of Bright Moon, or you might get overtaken by others."
Just like in stories, even if mortals can strive to ascend, they often end up as one of the many soldiers in the heavenly army.
Ke Hou's face darkened, "Who are you an incarnation of? You're playing with yourself!"
Some of these figures, with radiant auras and dazzling presence, rivaled Zhao Yingzhen in strength. Their restrained yet sharp auras were both subtle and potent.
For the inner disciples, these swordsmanship duels among the prodigies were rare learning opportunities.
Shi Huajin led the alchemist, Ke Hou, and others to the alchemists' seating area.
Ke Hou's gaze fell on the ten arenas, where many inner disciples had gathered. The alchemist noticed that these inner disciples had deep, restrained auras, with the strongest among them at the Seventh Realm!
Li Hao's state was a unique source of inspiration, offering vast experience in painting, and the alchemist felt a surge of excitement.
The alchemist noticed, but only felt amused that, despite never practicing alchemy, he had become the famous Qingfeng alchemist—a rather strange twist of fate.
After flying for several thousand miles, they finally arrived at the Holy Mountain after half a day. Despite being Holy Sons, there was only one Sword Saint position available in the Sword Ancestor Holy Land, making them all competitors, unless someone willingly stepped back from the fight.
Among the inner disciples, those who shone like the sun still paled slightly in comparison to those around them.
Hearing this, the other Holy Sons and Holy Daughters turned their gazes, some with intense focus, others with indifference.
Meanwhile, those participating in the defending battles had already gathered around the central arena.
"Who is this disciple, daring to be so presumptuous?" The man's eyes were deep and cold.
"Is that young man in the center one of them? That's unlikely." The alchemist immersed himself in painting with full concentration.
As more people arrived, their eyes gleamed with interest, "Well, since it's not intentional disrespect, let's let it pass."
"It's not that exaggerated. Once you reach the Seventh Realm, the effectiveness of pills on the body decreases."
In the floating seats, Ke Hou and the others finally took their places.
Another Holy Son spoke with enthusiasm, "Oh?"
Hearing his words, many wore thoughtful expressions, standing quietly with their robes fluttering, eager to see the caliber of these inner disciples.
The alchemist shook his head, "I don't understand much of this, so I'll leave it to you."
The painting board obscured the alchemist's face, but for some reason, the sight of the setup filled them with a sense of unease, as if the blood in their veins began to stir.
"I recently asked you to refine some Dao Condensation Pills. Qingfeng, do you remember assisting with that?"
"He ranks among the top inner disciples and has chosen to defend the arena, which is unusual."
Many were surprised to hear the name of Qingfeng Alchemist. Lin Shanhai asked curiously.
Among the top, some were incredibly insightful, others were even more gifted, and a few possessed special constitutions.
The elderly man glanced over, then turned his gaze back, speaking intensely.
Hearing the discussions around him, Bian Rushue remained silent, not paying attention, as she calmly watched the ten arenas ahead.
"Hmm?"
Her brows relaxed as she spoke calmly.
Once the top one hundred are selected, they will gather at the mountain's summit, competing under the watchful eyes of the Saints for the top ten spots.
These eight figures—one woman and seven men—were all middle-aged in appearance. An elder with a restrained yet powerful aura stood among them, seemingly rooted to the ground, like a mountain solidly planted in the earth, unmovable.
Nearby, the Enlightened One remained indifferent, uninterested in the surrounding discussions.
Li Hao presided over the competition, and after the rules of the Sword God battle were explained, the contestants began selecting their opponents.
A tall, sword-eyed youth remarked with interest.
With their long lifespans and formidable strength, it was nearly impossible to defeat Li Hao, who had already established himself as one of the top prodigies of his time. Achieving victory over him was akin to scaling the heavens.
"You've met her before—Lin Qingying. She relied on the Body Forging Pill I refined to accumulate enough power to break through her tribulation."
"Qingfeng Alchemist?"
In the Great Yu Dynasty, besides the Buddha, only one True Person remains as a guardian.
Even the casual aura they emitted created a sense of pressure on the alchemist.
Lin Qingying smiled, "Alright, I'll wager a mid-level formula too: the Purple Gold Pill, which can boost physical strength. Each pill increases strength by seventy thousand pounds, and up to eight pills can be consumed."
In past Sword God battles, the defending battles were always a highlight, as the top inner disciples often chose this more straightforward path.
"He seems to take it easy, but as for that Semi-Saint child, there's no need to push him too hard. You're more diligent than anyone, and rumor has it you've condensed the Softest Dao Body. Could it be that you're the incarnation of the Yin-Yang Sect's Saint?"
Some familiar Holy Sons and Daughters discussed another Holy Son, with a hint of battle intent in their eyes.
"Indeed, don't put too much pressure on the Semi-Saint. Making it into the top ten is enough. Prodigies are rare, and with the Saints no longer using reincarnated avatars to cultivate, the competition among these younger generations has become even more intense."
"Nonsense, this is Qingfeng Alchemist. I met him once when he helped deliver the herbs."
"Qingfeng, are you interested in joining in?"
In the Sword Ancestor Holy Land, outer disciples could only reside in the surrounding mountains of the Sacred Mountain, while inner disciples were allowed to cultivate on the Sacred Mountain itself, where they had the opportunity to listen to the Saint's teachings. As for the Holy Sons and Daughters, they had their own peaks, where they could cultivate for a thousand days within a single day.
"Qingfeng Ke Hou? Could he be Qingfeng Alchemist?"
"After all, being the Sword Saint's personal disciple, like the Holy Son of Bright Moon, he must have reached that level after eighty years."
Though this seemed highly likely, it wasn't certain.
Nearby, the eight Li Haos sensed someone watching them and looked up. Their gaze quickly fell on the floating seats, spotting the familiar painter from years ago.
An elder spoke with a broad smile.
"No wonder Qingfeng's refinement technique is so irreplaceable. These big shots are certainly well-informed."
When the Sword God battle begins, outer disciples will start a new round of inner disciple seat battles, and many will rise to prominence.
In the back of the arena, the inner disciples waiting to compete also noticed, sensing a deep pressure, knowing it was inevitable. The Holy Sons and Daughters were far stronger than them.
"This preliminary round, let's just observe. If you're not interested, we can leave."
A few traveled together, flying past the alchemists' area, heading towards the Sacred Mountain of the Sword Ancestor Holy Land.
The alchemist nodded but had little memory of the previous interactions.
Although many had never met the alchemist, the name Qingfeng Alchemist had become well-known. Everyone knew that the alchemy world had someone named Qingfeng Alchemist, whose connections ran deep, and who had mastered a unique technique for refining medicinal ingredients, making it almost guaranteed to succeed in alchemy.
Some of them bowed slightly to Li Hao before leaving, not interested in staying longer.
The conversations among the eight Li Haos were not hidden, and both the Enlightened One and Bian Rushue heard them. The Enlightened One looked up, noticing that the alchemist had indeed set up a painting board and was sketching Li Hao. He couldn't help but smile, finding it amusing.
The defending battles were for those confident in their strength, while the two-on-two matches provided opportunities for the other inner disciples to spar.
After all, in this Sword God battle, they were all potential competitors.
After some light conversation, the Holy Sons and Daughters gradually left, leaving only seven of them to observe.
In this battle, perhaps no one will benefit as much as me… Ke Hou thought happily as he finished preparing his ink and set up his board, beginning with a sketch of the eight Li Haos.
"See those? These are all top-tier alchemists."