Xuanwu War Sovereign

Chapter 380: Chapter 379: Prelude to the Grand Tournament

Within the sect, a Sealed Marquis held a status no lower than that of a True Disciple!

However, the title of Sealed Marquis wasn’t awarded at every Star Martial Arts Assembly.

According to Star Sect tradition, the opportunity to earn the title of Sealed Marquis only came during the Twenty-eight Peaks Martial Arts Assembly, an Inner Sect event held once every ten years.

A glint appeared in Qin Feng’s eyes.

...

「Four days later, at the Alchemy Villa.」

Outside the Alchemy Villa, a crowd of Alchemist Apprentices had gathered, all buzzing with discussion.

"It’s incredible! In just four days, the Peak Master has refined nearly forty gourds of elixirs!"

"That alchemy speed is terrifying! I heard that most of them are Second-Grade, and there are even Third-Grade Elixirs!"

"He’s averaging ten gourds a day! A typical Fourth Grade Alchemist would max out at around three. The Peak Master is refining over three times as much as an ordinary alchemist!"

"This proves our Peak Master’s skill in alchemy is far superior to that of a typical Fourth Grade Alchemist! He can’t be far from becoming a Fifth-Grade Alchemist!"

"It’s terrifying. To have achieved such a high level of skill in alchemy at only fifteen... No wonder the Medicine King Hall was willing to pass on several Fifth and Sixth Grade Alchemists just to hire our Peak Master as their chief alchemist!"

"We’re so lucky. We’ve benefited immensely these past four days!"

"Yeah, these four days have been worth half a year of our usual comprehension. I can already feel that I’m not far from becoming a First-grade Alchemist. I can probably take the assessment in half a year at most!"

"Really? Congratulations!"

"Congratulations to you, too!"

...

Inside the Alchemy Villa, the Alchemist Apprentices were all beaming with joy.

Inside the villa, two Elders from the Sea of Reincarnation Realm were accepting several gourds, their faces filled with delighted surprise.

"Second-Grade Essence Pills, Second Grade Soul Refining Pills, Third Grade Primordial Fire Divine Pills, Third Grade Wood God Pills... And they’re all Upper Grade, with some even being Small Top Grade!"

After taking the ten gourds, they uncapped them and took a whiff. The two Elders’ faces flushed, and they grinned so widely they couldn’t close their mouths.

"Junior Brother Qin is a true prodigy! These alchemy techniques are simply divine. Junior Brother Qin Feng alone is worth more than ten alchemists of the same rank!"

"Good, this is great! With these elixirs, let’s see if those people from the Alchemy Hall still dare to throw their weight around in our Medicine King Hall!"

The two Elders were filled with amazement.

Qin Feng waved his hand. "You two senior brothers flatter me."

The two Elders exchanged a look, their gazes communicating their shared astonishment. They looked down at the gourds in their hands and clicked their tongues in wonder.

’He’s incredible. The Hall Master truly has a keen eye. Such skilled alchemy techniques, such a high success rate... The most terrifying part is that every single batch he refines is Upper Grade. Only a true Alchemy Grandmaster can achieve that!’

’That’s right. As far as I know, not even some Fifth or Sixth Grade Alchemists can guarantee every batch is Upper Grade. That’s an ability only a Great Alchemy Master possesses—someone who has reached the peak of perfection in their mastery of medicinal properties, ingredients, and refining techniques!’

’Amazing. It seems this Junior Brother Qin could become a Great Alchemy Master before he even turns thirty!’

’We should get closer to this junior brother. If we can form a good relationship with a future Great Alchemy Master, our chances of breaking through to the Nirvana Realm will increase by at least thirty percent!’

’You have a point, senior brother. Next time we visit, we must bring a generous gift!’

The two Elders grew secretly excited, their gazes toward Qin Feng filling with even greater admiration.

After seeing off the two Elders with their gleaming eyes, in the afternoon, Qin Feng began preparing to head to All Stars Academy.

Qin Feng was an Elder of Cyan Dragon Academy, and the first event was the inter-year competition.

When Qin Feng arrived at Cyan Dragon Academy, an Elder in charge of the first-year students was already waiting in front of the main hall with the nine other participants.

The surrounding area was packed with Cyan Dragon Academy students who had come to cheer them on.

Dressed in black, Qin Feng immediately became the center of attention the moment he appeared.

WHOOSH!

Nine pairs of eyes on the square instantly locked onto Qin Feng.

Among them, the gazes of Yuan Daozhen, Liu Canyang, Xiao Yuchan, Qian Kai, and Zhou Yuhe burned with intense fighting spirit.

Each of them had recently had a major fortuitous encounter, allowing them to rise again with formidable auras.

If not for the rules, they probably would have stepped forward to challenge him on the spot.

Lu Qingxue, holding her yaoqin, secretly sized up Qin Feng with her lovely, limpid eyes.

"Senior Brother Qin!"

"Senior Brother Qin!"

...

At the side, some students greeted him excitedly. Qin Feng glanced their way and gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

’The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be blown down by the wind,’ Qin Feng sighed to himself. ’If I lose in the competition today, all of this enthusiasm and respect will instantly turn into a monstrous wave that will crush me to pieces.’

Sighing inwardly, Qin Feng walked toward the group of nine.

Leading the team was a middle-aged elder of about forty. Dressed in a green robe, he exuded a refined aura; he too was a powerful expert of the Sea of Reincarnation Realm.

Qin Feng recognized him. This was Elder Nanfeng of Cyan Dragon Academy who, along with Elder Qiufeng and the North Wind Elder, oversaw the academy’s first-year students.

Elder Nanfeng, who was usually stern, allowed a rare smile to appear on his plain face. "So, Junior Brother Qin has arrived!"

Hearing how the elder addressed him, many of the Cyan Dragon Academy students were secretly shocked.

Qin Feng, however, wasn’t surprised. Since becoming the chief alchemist of the Medicine King Hall, he was now an Inner Sect Disciple, a status on par with an ordinary elder.

The elders would naturally no longer address him as a "junior" of a lower generation.

Qin Feng returned the greeting. "Senior Brother Nanfeng!"

"Junior Brother Qin, you’re truly something else! I heard from a few senior brothers at the Medicine King Hall that you refined nearly twenty gourds of Second-Grade Spirit Medicine in just two days, and every single batch was Upper Grade. That’s astounding!"

Elder Nanfeng exclaimed in amazement.

Still marveling, Elder Nanfeng glanced at the disciples and immediately led the group toward Demon God Square, where the four great academies were gathering.

By the time they reached Demon God Square, the place was already buzzing with a cacophony of voices. Three other groups had already arrived.

"Vermilion Bird Academy, Xuanwu Academy, and White Tiger Academy..." Nanfeng grunted under his breath.

"Brother Nanfeng, why so late this time? Afraid you’re going to lose?" a loud voice boomed from a distance.

"Wouldn’t you be? Cyan Dragon Academy hasn’t had a new prodigy make it to the finals for a hundred years straight. You can just imagine how Brother Nanfeng must feel!"

Another light chuckle followed, tinged with mockery.

Qin Feng glanced at Elder Nanfeng. The green-robed man’s face was grim as he let out a cold snort.

"Chi Feng! Qingfeng! Don’t you two get ahead of yourselves. Winning or losing once doesn’t mean a thing!"

After speaking, Elder Nanfeng glanced at the black-robed youth beside him and chuckled slyly.

Elder Chi Feng smiled faintly. "That’s not necessarily true. As the saying goes, it takes more than one cold day for a river to freeze three feet deep. Besides, this year, our three academies have produced several exceptionally brilliant prodigies!"

"With their strength, they could even put up a fight against an expert of the Sea of Reincarnation Realm. I’m afraid no one in your Cyan Dragon Academy is their match!"