LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 131: A Beast-Taming Genius
Zhou Xiu nodded at Tan Wei's response, a satisfied smile on his face. "Good! Regarding the competition… 110 points! You are undoubtedly in the first place."
Cui Da, who had collapsed earlier, managed to stagger back to his feet.
He quickly circulated his cultivation technique to mend his internal injuries. Though he reluctantly acknowledged that the White Crow Sect disciple had outperformed him, he was determined to salvage his performance in the second stage.
'I still have four attempts left,' Cui Da thought, trying to bolster his confidence. 'And the alchemy stage isn't even that crucial. Even if the White Crow Sect gets lucky here, how could they possibly excel in all the other three categories?'
His mind replayed the stern words of his elders before departing for the Dao Seeking School: they could afford to lose to anyone—anyone but the White Crow Sect!
The categories weren't balanced equally.
Although the Dao Seeking School elder hadn't explicitly stated it this year, everyone knew. The Beast-Taming, Alchemy, and Array categories combined made up 50% of the total score, while the Combat category alone accounted for the other half.
Still, if the White Crow Sect could secure first place in both the Alchemy and Array categories, it would already mark a significant improvement compared to their performance in previous years.
After the initial excitement over Tan Wei's performance subsided, the competition proceeded without further incidents.
"Time's up! Everyone, stop," Zhou Xiu announced, signaling the end of the alchemy competition.
The Dao Seeking School disciples gathered in a separate room to compile the results for the second stage.
As expected, the results mirrored the first stage, with many participants receiving zero points. Among them was Cui Da—the only tier 3 alchemist to score a zero!
Even some tier 2 alchemists managed to earn a few points, despite failing to form a pill. The reason for Cui Da's failure was clear: the setback he had faced earlier had shattered his mental state, leaving him unable to recover in time. Continue reading on My Virtual Library Empire
At the announcement of his zero score, the color drained from Cui Da's face, leaving him as pale as a sheet of paper. The disdainful gazes of those around him were like daggers, and the confidence he'd flaunted after securing third place in the first stage now came back to haunt him.
"Second place, Qian Shu of the Qian Family, with 57 points," Zhou Xiu announced.
Qian Shu had managed to form two pills on her fifth attempt, a feat that set her apart from everyone except Tan Wei.
If not for Tan Wei's monster talent, Qian Shu would have been the undisputed star of this competition. Still, no one could deny her solid foundation in the Alchemy Dao.
Zhou Xiu didn't bother to announce first place again, there was no need.
For years to come, everyone present would remember the monstrous talent who had emerged in the Qian Empire that day.
"With this, the Alchemy category is officially concluded. Everyone, please return to the main plaza. Elder Yin Bao will soon announce the next section," said Zhou Xiu
The remaining fifty participants promptly left the stage and made their way back to the plaza. As they arrived, the shimmering screens vanished, and Elder Yin Bao appeared before the crowd, his presence commanding immediate attention.
In the area reserved for the White Crow Sect, Elder Jiang and Sect Master Yin Jian watched Tan Wei approach, their faces glowing with pride, as if he were a priceless gem.
"Well done, my good disciple!" Yin Jian declared with a wide smile. "When we return to the sect, I'll personally prepare a reward worthy of your achievement."
Tan Wei bowed respectfully, his voice steady and humble. "Thank you, Sect Master. I simply did my duty."
Yin Jian nodded in approval. "Talented and humble—a perfect disciple. Truly worth teaching."
"Indeed," Elder Jiang agreed, his tone thoughtful.
Then, with a sharp glance at a certain disciple nearby, Elder Jiang's expression turned wry.
Feng Fan, grinning mischievously at Tan Wei, caught his attention. "Unlike a certain other disciple here who seems to find humor in everything…"
Feng Fan, fully aware that Elder Jiang's remark was directed at him, chose to ignore it entirely. Instead, he strode over to Tan Wei with a grin.
"Well done, my good brother!" Feng Fan exclaimed, extending his hand for a handshake.
Tan Wei returned the smile, his demeanor gently, and clasped Feng Fan's hand. "Thank you, Brother Feng. I have no doubt you'll perform just as brilliantly in the Array category."
Feng Fan nodded confidently, puffing out his chest. "Of course! No one in the younger generation of the Qian Empire can match me!" His voice rang loud, as though he wanted the whole plaza to hear.
Nearby, cultivators from other sects shot irritated glances toward him.
A disciple from the Blue Dragon Sect snorted in disdain, crossing his arms. "Hmph, just another frog in a well."
Elder Jiang opened his mouth, ready to question Feng Fan about the source of his overconfidence, but before he could speak, Yin Bao's voice echoed across the plaza.
"The next section is the Beast-Taming category. Each sect may send up to five participants. Step forward now and follow me," Yin Bao announced, his tone firm and commanding.
Without waiting for a response, Yin Bao turned and began walking in a different direction than the path he had taken for the Alchemy category, his robes billowing slightly as he led the way.
Five disciples from the White Crow Sect stepped forward to follow Yin Bao. Among them was someone Feng Fan immediately recognized.
"Cao Zhu?" Feng Fan called out, his tone filled with skepticism.
Cao Zhu was a familiar face from Feng Fan's class, the same guy who had once boldly proclaimed he would kill the Demon King after transmigrating to Red Pole.
Hearing his name, Cao Zhu turned to face Feng Fan, a confident smile stretching across his lips.
"That's right! I, Cao Zhu, am a beast-taming genius!" he declared, his chest puffed out with pride. "Wait here, and watch me secure first place for our sect!"
Without waiting for a response, Cao Zhu strode off toward the competition grounds, his self-assured air leaving Feng Fan momentarily speechless.