Chapter 73-Part 3

After a fifteen minute rest, the second round began.

The second dan was simpler and required less spirit grass, but the refining technique was more involved than the first dan.

More plop-pop-pops sounded out, as people watched their efforts turn to ash.

Lin Xiao had refined this particular dan before, although he needed to finish it quicker now. This round, he finished the refining second.

He glanced over at Ling Luo, and caught Ling Luo looking back at him. Ling Luo gave him an amused smile, and silently mouthed: “Keep going!” Then Ling Luo turned his head.

But Lin Xiao felt some indescribable warmth.

Yu Weiwei, Cheng Yan and some others were eliminated. Ling Luo, Lin Xiao, Huangfu Ling, Murong Xue, Yu Zheng, Huangfu Jiquan, and Huangfu Jixuan all stayed. There were a few Lin Xiao didn’t know, but he knew they must not be ordinary to had made it this far.

Another rest break, the atmosphere laden with nervousness, and the next round began.

By the end of the third and final round, a champion would be crowned. The dan to be refined could not be simple. Still, when Lin Xiao read the name, a deep frown etched into his face.

It was the most difficult dan Lin Xiao had ever tried refining. In order to refine it, one should necessarily be a master.

His brow furrowed, Lin Xiao pondered the expertise required. Was Baili Dongfeng not worried that no one would accomplish it?

Lin Xiao peered up at the platform where Baili Dongfeng sat. That old face was devoid of emotion.

Pressing his lips together, Lin Xiao focused back on the task at hand. Picking up spirit grass, he resolved to give his best effort. No matter the complexity.

…Most everyone started refining, just their jaws clenched, and they worried. Just making the dan was problem enough, ensuring high quality was a whole other hurdle.

And the length of the refining process was double that of the two previous dans.

Finally, even after much struggle, Lin Xiao’s furnace emitted that plop-pop-pop sound. He had botched the refining. Despite his disappointment, he knew he had done his best.

But scanning around, it appeared everyone else had failed too. At least he hadn’t been the worst one, thought Lin Xiao. There was just one person still refining. Ling Luo.

They all watched Ling Luo intently, no one leaving. Would he also fail, or…

The light flared and the bells chimed. Ling Luo’s dan was finished. Out of the furnace, the dan’s appearance was somewhat ugly. Yet Ling Luo was only one to successfully refine it. He truly was extraordinary, and the others around him were studying him with various degrees of envy, hate, and regret. Ling Luo stared a little blankly, however. He hadn’t expected to be the only one left standing. If he had known earlier, he might have done things a little differently.

Sensing the unabashedly jealous stares boring into him, Ling Luo guessed that when he left Xuan Huang, he would encounter troublesome things.

Yet…He was the champion. Pure and simple.

Now he would receive treasures and the chance to join the Xuan Huang’s pavilion.

Baili Dongfeng, after consulting with others, gave Lin Xiao second place. Huangfu Jiquan placed third. Then Huangfu Ling came in fourth. Meanwhile, Baili Dongfeng took Ling Luo away. Probably to discuss Ling Luo joining the pavilion, Lin Xiao thought.

The assembly was over. It was time for him to tell Ling Luo the truth. Yet, apparently he wasn’t the only one waiting for Ling Luo. Yu Weiwei and others were hopefully lurking. He would have to wait to get Ling Luo alone?

No. After just a little while, Ling Luo appeared right in front of Lin Xiao, grinning broadly, and obviously happy. He yanked at Lin Xiao’s sleeves. He had become the champion, Ling Luo thought, it was time to confess. He would take Lin Xiao to a secluded place and pour out his heart.

If Lin Xiao rejected him, Ling Luo might be sad, but he wouldn’t give up. They were still young, Ling Luo would have plenty of time to pursue Lin Xiao.

So even if their motives didn’t coincide, they both wanted to be alone with the other.

Yu Weiwei, and everyone else, rushed to congratulate Ling Luo.

Even though Ling Luo was pulling at his arm, Lin Xiao still found himself crowded aside.

Then Lin Xiao noticed Huangfu Jiquan standing not far away, bemusedly beaming at him. Lin Xiao freed his sleeve from Ling Luo’s fingers and went over to Huangfu Jiquan.

“Congratulations.” Huangfu Jiquan told Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao shook his head: “You’re also quite awesome.”

Losing his hold on Lin Xiao, Ling Luo’s gaze followed him. When he saw Lin Xiao peacefully conversing with a handsome young man, his mood immediately blackened.

Making his excuses, Ling Luo broke away from the throng surrounding him. Striding up to Lin Xiao, he said: “Lin Xiao, I have matters to discuss with you.”

Lin Xiao, a little surprised, nodded after a moment. He gave an apologetic smile to Huangfu Jiquan, then he and Ling Luo disappeared in front of everyone.