"Is he really... aiming for one of those ten Immortal Official slots?!"
Once the thought took root, he couldn’t push it away.
’If Chu Bai actually succeeds, what would that mean?’
’It would mean that as a first-year, he’d skip every other grade, graduate early, and receive a White Talisman!’
’If we meet again then...’
Zhang Shan gave a wry smile, his voice tinged with both self-deprecation and admiration. "I’ve been his senior for over a year, but I’m afraid I’ll be the one calling *him* ’Senior’ instead."
It sounded absurd, but as he watched the spirited young man in the arena, Zhang Shan felt a powerful sense of anticipation welling up inside him.
’Go for it, Junior Brother Chu! Let me see just what kind of miracle you can pull off!’
「In a corner of the wasteland, the battle had reached a lull.」
Wang Qingli sat cross-legged atop a large, bluish stone. Her hands were pressed against a massive wooden shield that radiated an ancient aura, while an earthy yellow Spiritual Light flowed ceaselessly around her.
Before her, three thick earthen walls stood in a triangular formation, providing an impenetrable defense.
"Give up."
Wang Qingli’s expression was frigid, her tone as calm as if stating a simple fact. "In another hundred breaths, I’ll have completely refined this shield. With your current attacks, you couldn’t break my defense even if I gave you two hundred."
Opposite her, the girl who specialized in Water Element Techniques flushed red. Her hands shifted through a Spell, and several Water Dragon Tornadoes slammed violently against the earthen walls. But it was like an ant trying to shake a tree; they only managed to splash up a few specks of mud.
"Damn it..."
The girl gritted her teeth, knowing full well that her opponent was right.
’So this is "Iron Wall" Wang Qingli. That turtle shell of hers really lives up to the name. I should just...’
The girl decided to retreat. She was about to give up and search for another Dharma Artifact, lest she end up empty-handed.
Just then, a scorching blast of air whistled past them from the side.
"Hmm?"
Both of them glanced to the side. A crimson streak of light flashed across the edge of the battlefield in a fleeting glimpse. The person was even cradling a small bronze tripod that pulsed with the potent aura of an Upper Grade Dharma Artifact!
’That’s... an opportunity!’
The Water Element girl’s eyes narrowed as a new idea struck her. ’Wang Qingli is too tough a nut to crack, but this person passing by is holding a treasure and running at full tilt. Maybe there’s an opening?’
Almost subconsciously, she abruptly redirected the Water Dragon Tornado she had just formed, launching it at the red streak of light in an attempt to block its path.
"Courting death!"
A cold snort echoed from within the streak of light.
The figure didn’t even pause. A massive hand wreathed in Cloud Qi materialized from thin air. With a seemingly gentle swat, the formidable Water Dragon Tornado burst like a bubble and dissipated.
Then, the Cloud Hand, its momentum unbroken, pressed down.
BAM!
The girl felt a colossal force slam into her. It was as if she’d been struck by lightning; she was smashed into the ground, left completely dazed and disoriented.
Meanwhile, the red streak of light hadn’t slowed in the slightest, leaving only an afterimage as it vanished into the depths of the wasteland in the blink of an eye.
’That was...’
Wang Qingli’s eyes went wide. Staring at the familiar retreating figure, she was filled with shock. ’Junior Brother Chu?!’
She knew that after taking a blow from Chu Bai’s Cloud Hand, the girl wouldn’t be a threat for a while and might even have suffered internal injuries.
’I know better than anyone just how terrifying Chu Bai’s Magic Techniques are.’
Wang Qingli gave a wry smile. ’I just never expected he’d already acquired two Upper Grade Dharma Artifacts so quickly! And from the looks of it, he’s already searching for a third?’
’He’s too fast... This isn’t a competition, it’s a shopping spree.’
Spurred on by Chu Bai’s example, Wang Qingli couldn’t help but accelerate the flow of Spiritual Power from her hands.
’I can’t fall too far behind. I have to refine this Profound Wood Shield, and fast!’
「Deep in the wasteland, Chu Bai rode his Fire Ring, his speed ever-increasing.」
He glanced down at the heavy, small bronze tripod in his arms, a flicker of delight in his heart.
’This Fire Element Ring really gives me a huge advantage. Not only is it fast for travel, but that burst of speed a moment ago was impossible to defend against.’
’As for this Small Tripod...’
Chu Bai extended his Spiritual Sense into the tripod, feeling the Restrictions within, which were as heavy as a mountain. ’This must be the Essence-Bearing Tripod mentioned in the texts.’
’It has the power to suppress and seal. Once activated, it can impose an immense weight on a target. I can use it to smash people or trap enemies—a powerful support artifact.’
’I need to refine it. Quickly!’
For an ordinary Cultivator, refining an ownerless Upper Grade Dharma Artifact would require at least thirty to forty-five minutes of painstaking effort.
But Chu Bai was different.
He possessed the Guiyuan Technique at the Perfection Level and the Little Five Elements Cycle; his control over Spiritual Power had long since reached the Microscopic realm.
In his hands, the once-solid and obscure Restrictions were like butter on a hot knife, melting and dissolving at an astonishing rate.
’This is my advantage.’
A sharp glint flashed in Chu Bai’s eyes. ’The faster I refine it, the sooner I’ll be free to do other things. Maybe... I can afford to be a little greedier?’
His gaze once again swept toward the horizon.
Out there, a few more fine treasures seemed to be radiating an enticing Spiritual Light.

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