NABC 496. The list is finalized.
496. The list is finalized.
"Enough!" A clear, cold voice rang out, and strangely enough, everyone present heard it clearly, and their bodies trembled involuntarily at the sound.
Xiao Yan's original thoughts seemed to be shattered by this sound. He frowned. To achieve such an effect, the person who came must be a Dou Sheng.
Then a female figure appeared beside Ling Zhuo, and everyone around Ling Zhuo bowed to her. Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly; this person was clearly Sheng Linghe, the Dou Sheng of the Ling Clan. And the person who had made things difficult for him on the Spirit Rank earlier, managing to remain unnoticed by so many experts from the Pill Tower, must undoubtedly be this woman!
Upon seeing this person, the expressions of the three giants of the Dan Tower all changed.
The onlookers were all itching to make a move; this was a Battle Saint!
The title of Saint is the dream of many cultivators. Any Battle Saint can be said to be the top combat power in this Battle Qi Continent. Many people spend their entire lives striving tirelessly towards this realm.
Ling He's cool gaze swept over everyone before finally settling on Xiao Yan.
"Xiao Yan, congratulations. It seems that none of the young people at this Pill Gathering are your match."
Upon hearing this, many people subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. Ling He clearly represented the Ling Clan, and her statement meant there would be no more controversy regarding the final ranking of the Heavenly Talents List. Even Ling Zhuo, though still somewhat unwilling, dared not refute his great-grandmother in front of so many people.
Xiao Yan remained calm. He was certain that he was number one, but Ling He's acceptance of the title so readily suggested that she had a backup plan.
Then Linghe took out an item from her storage ring, and the next moment everyone's attention was drawn to the heavy object.
It was an enormous medicine cauldron, its shape seemingly formed by nature, radiating a faint, eerie blue light, as if containing the power of the stars in the heavens. The cauldron was carved with intricate spiritual patterns, the patterns of which were incredibly profound. Those whose soul power was not strong enough felt dizzy and their souls weakened after just staring at it for a while.
"This is the third-ranked medicine cauldron on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking—the Spirit Fusion Cauldron!"
Xiao Yan automatically recalled Yao Lao's previous introduction to him: the reason why the Fusion Spirit Cauldron ranked third on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking was because its creator had carved over a hundred interconnected magic arrays on it. Furthermore, its body was forged from molten flame steel, capable of withstanding the fire power of its user to the greatest extent.
The array on it can automatically absorb the spiritual energy between heaven and earth on ordinary days. All pills refined through the Spirit Fusion Cauldron will be imbued with an extra trace of spiritual energy, and their quality will be improved on the original basis.
For alchemists, this is truly priceless!
Fortunately, there was a Dou Sheng expert like Ling He here; otherwise, with so many alchemists present, it's hard to guarantee that no one wouldn't have some crooked thoughts of extortion and plunder.
"This is the prize you will receive." Although Ling He said that, she did not yet intend to give the medicine cauldron to Xiao Yan.
"I must thank Senior Linghe," Xiao Yan replied indifferently. He really couldn't bring himself to be friendly to someone who, with the strength of a Dou Sheng, was deliberately making things difficult for him during the trial.
"Xiao Yan, would you be willing to join my Spirit Clan?" Ling He finally revealed her true purpose under the spotlight.
Immediately, many people from the Dan Tower felt a sudden tightness in their hearts, but they immediately relaxed again.
Because Xiao Yan refused without hesitation: "I'm not willing."
Xiao Yan knew that his actions would anger the Spirit Clan, but he truly didn't care anymore. Ling He would try to stop him during the trial, and even if he joined them, there was no guarantee he wouldn't be purged after the Pill Gathering. Moreover, the Spirit Clan's young master, Ling Zhuo, was petty, and Xiao Yan naturally couldn't live a life where he had to be subservient to others.
As for angering the Spirit Clan, even if he chose to settle things peacefully now, Ling Zhuo would definitely not let him have his way. So he simply dared not disregard it, and Xiao Yan himself was not that afraid of the Spirit Clan.
Seeing this, Linghe still refused to give up and continued to persuade her.
"You're still young, you don't know what the support of the Spirit Clan means for you and the Starfall Pavilion, as long as you're willing..."
"So long-winded, it's incredibly annoying!" Lei Jingxiao complained as he saw Ling He preparing a long-winded speech. He then said to Xiao Yan, "Big brother, hurry up and grab your things and leave. If you ever feel like you can't make it here anymore, come join our Lei Clan!"
Then Lei Jingxiao looked at Ling He provocatively: "I can't guarantee anything else, but whatever the Ling Clan can offer you, our Lei Clan will give you double!"
These words shocked the entire audience.
"The Thunder Clan, which faction do you belong to?"
"The one behind Fenglei Pavilion? But Fenglei Pavilion was destroyed by Xiao Yan."
"With such arrogance, do you think the Spirit Clan's Battle Saint will let him go?"
Ling He, as a Dou Sheng, possessed extraordinary strength. If it were anyone else acting this way, she would have already made a move. Only Lei Jingxiao was being utterly mocking, yet she didn't even dare to arrest him and teach him a lesson. The reason was simple: as a reclusive family, the Lei Clan was an existence the Ling Clan couldn't afford to offend.
The Lei Jingxiao before them was no ordinary member of the Lei Clan; if they were to attack him, the Spirit Clan would be in serious trouble.
Xiao Yan smiled slightly and replied, "Okay."
Seeing this, Ling He remained outwardly calm, but a hint of anger flickered in her eyes, which she concealed perfectly, so no one noticed. Within her mind, her soul power also fluctuated slightly; possessing a Heavenly Realm soul, such a subtle movement was naturally undetectable to anyone.
Then, with a flick of her fighting spirit, Linghe placed the medicine cauldron in front of Xiao Yan.
"Since you are unwilling, I will not force you. During the Pill Gathering, if you are willing to join the Spirit Clan, you can come to me at any time. After the Pill Gathering, if you change your mind again, we will no longer accept you."
Xiao Yan seemed not to hear, but excitedly examined the medicine cauldron twice before asking Ling He, "When can I choose my own soul skill and pill formula?"
"Let's wait for news." Ling He's offer was ignored once again, and she left with the Ling Clan group.
Many audience members present were clearly disappointed by Ling He's departure. The scene they had envisioned—a direct conflict between the Spirit Clan's Battle Saint and the Pill Tower, followed by a fierce battle—did not materialize.
The real grand event in Saint Pill City has not yet begun, so neither the Pill Tower nor the Spirit Clan would act rashly at this time.
Today, the biggest winner has emerged: Xiao Yan, the young master of the Starfall Pavilion, who defeated numerous geniuses and topped the Heavenly Talent Ranking!