Chapter 471: Self-cultivator
"You'd better worry about yourself!"
Zhao Dong grit his teeth, his heart burning as if a hundred worms were gnawing at his bones. The further the trial progressed, the higher the temperature of the flames inside the cage rose. Although the flames supposedly would not harm the human body, their bodies still showed signs of distress while enduring such intense pain. All four of them were glaring, on the verge of collapse.
"This kid has some grit, actually lasting this long?"
"Yeah, his Cultivation Stone barely lit up with a bright white light earlier, yet he's still holding on. It's really not easy."
"Heh, so what if it's not easy? Look at that kid's face; it's starting to lose its color, while Xiao Qitian still has color in his face. There's no way he can last until the end!"
"Indeed. Both seem to be using Body Refinement techniques to hold on, but Xiao Qitian clearly looks to be in better shape."
"Kid, just give up and get down! Don't push yourself until you pass out!"
"HAHAHA!" Xiao Qitian roared with laughter, his eyes bulging. "Zhao Dong! Did you hear what they're saying? Hurry up and get down! You've earned plenty of points just by lasting this long. But winning first place? You're still a long way off!"
"Is that so? Let's wait and see!" Zhao Dong's eyes were bloodshot, the intense pain nearly making him pass out.
He had no doubt about the power of the Body Transformation Technique. Xiao Qitian was merely an eighth-level Great Grandmaster, making him significantly weaker than Zhao Dong. Therefore, Zhao Dong refused to believe that Xiao Qitian could possibly be this relaxed! He had to be faking it!
Idiot! Pretending to be at ease will only drain your energy faster!
Sure enough, another ten minutes passed. When the other two participants could no longer bear the pain and gave up, Xiao Qitian's expression had already begun to contort. He was sprawled on the ground, his body twisted like a snake.
In contrast, Zhao Dong maintained his previous expression. Though in pain, he remained seated in cross-legged meditation as scarlet blood trickled from between the fingers of his tightly clenched fists.
At this, a dead silence fell over the crowd. They couldn't comprehend what they were seeing.
In the crowd, Lin Qingyun's beautiful eyes widened with excitement. Even she couldn't believe Zhao Dong had lasted this long! However, seeing Zhao Dong's pained expression, her own heart ached as if stabbed by a knife.
Brother Dong... are you doing this for me? Brother Dong, keep going... As long as you are true to me, I will be true to you!
Nearby, Lin Rulong's old eyes were equally wide with shock.
This Zhao Dong can actually endure for so long. He truly is a rare talent. What a pity... such a pity...
Lin Rulong glanced sideways at Lin Qingyun. Seeing his daughter's tear-filled, heartbroken expression, his own heart ached. Zhao Dong was indeed very strong. If it weren't for the Xiao Family's immense power, what would be the harm in truly marrying his daughter to Zhao Dong? A pity... what a pity...
While the spectators watched with a myriad of expressions, Zhao Dong, deep within the iron cage, was suddenly overcome with joy! Though the temperature of the Burning Sky Strange Fire was growing more intense, he actually felt his body growing more and more comfortable! It was as if a warm current was flowing through his limbs and bones.
At the same time, his bloodline seemed to be undergoing a transformation! The golden blood grew more dazzling, and his blood-red skin became as hard as steel!
"This... this Burning Sky Strange Fire can actually refine bloodlines?!"
Overjoyed, Zhao Dong hurriedly looked around, but he didn't see such joy on anyone else's face.
I understand! I have to stabilize the circulation of my Spiritual Energy and endure long enough to accumulate sufficient Power of Strange Fire in my body. That way, a quantitative change will trigger a qualitative one!
Realizing this, Zhao Dong immediately began to guide the Power of Strange Fire, which he had been completely resisting, through his limbs and into his body.
"AAARGH!!!"
The flames rushed into him, and an excruciating, soul-tearing pain caused Zhao Dong to let out a roar. However, once the Strange Fire had fully entered his body, the refinement became even more powerful, although the pain intensified.
Behind him, several elders of the Qingyun Sect brightened up, exchanging glances filled with admiration.
"Remarkable. This young man's innate talent may be average, but his insight is exceptional. He actually figured out the true purpose of our trial. Impressive!"
"Indeed. A pity his talent is so poor, otherwise he'd be an excellent candidate."
As they were murmuring in admiration, Xiao Qitian suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. His Spiritual Energy fell into complete chaos, and he was instantly engulfed by the flames.
"Not good! The Strange Fire won't harm the body's surface, but it must not be allowed to enter the body uncontrolled! Get him out of there, quickly!" an elder shouted.
The young man with the folding fan immediately dashed forward and pulled Xiao Qitian out. He stuffed a medicinal pill into Xiao Qitian's mouth, and the latter finally recovered, gasping for breath. He hurriedly looked toward Zhao Dong, and when he saw that Zhao Dong was still inside the cage, Xiao Qitian's eyes bulged as if he had seen a ghost!
"No! Impossible! How is he still enduring?"
"Cheating! He must be cheating!" Xiao Qitian bellowed.
The surrounding crowd also began to show expressions of doubt.
The young man, however, snorted coldly. "What a joke! With so many experts like us presiding here, if he were cheating, would we not know? Are you saying that we of the Qingyun Sect are blind?!"
This heavy accusation nearly left Xiao Qitian speechless. He hastily waved his hands. "No, no, no, that's not what I meant, it's just that he..."
"There are no 'justs'!" the young man said, a trace of admiration in his eyes. "To be honest, Zhao Dong's strength has far exceeded my expectations."
Dead silence returned to the arena.
Another ten minutes passed.
Zhao Dong's mind began to grow faint. From the pain, his fingers had dug so deeply into his palms that he could no longer resist the power of the flames. Only then did he have no choice but to push open the cage and rush out.
He collapsed to the ground, soaked in sweat and gasping for great lungfuls of air, his appearance utterly disheveled!
And yet, not a single person dared to mock him. Although Zhao Dong looked ragged, he was like a general returning from the battlefield in battered armor, commanding solemn respect.
"We really did underestimate him. His talent may be lacking, but his willpower is astonishing, and his cultivation is decent. He can't be taken lightly."
"Hmph! This is only the first trial. What's there to be proud of? He who laughs last, laughs best!"
"That's also true. The first trial is difficult, but with enough willpower, you can last a long time by just gritting your teeth and enduring it."
Xiao Qitian's eyes were practically bursting as he glared venomously at the now-standing Zhao Dong. "Kid, enjoy being smug for a moment. Next time, I won't be holding back!"
Zhao Dong shot Xiao Qitian a look as if he were an idiot, then swallowed several pills to restore his Spiritual Energy and began to meditate cross-legged.
Half an hour later, when everyone had recovered their strength, the young man with the folding fan returned to the front of the stage.
"Everyone, the first trial was even more splendid than I had imagined. We not only saw how the talented and powerful passed the test, but we also saw how determined Self-cultivators—those without innate talent but with astonishing perseverance—cleared it!"