C23 An Unexpected Gain

The oppressive terror was fleeting, yet it silenced everyone in an instant, particularly the Purple Lightning Lizard facing Liu Yangshuo. Its pupils dilated wildly before it succumbed to unconsciousness under the overwhelming force.

"Is... Is that the pressure emanating from that kid?"

The rotund patriarch of the Ouyang family uttered in disbelief. Could such a force even be humanly possible?

Sect Master Mu and the Ouyang patriarch were beyond words, utterly dumbstruck.

And Hsu Chengqiu, he too hadn't foreseen that Liu Yangshuo, who appeared so unremarkable, harbored such formidable energy.

"City Lord, would you consider this a pass?"

Liu Yangshuo turned to inquire of the City Lord.

The City Lord, his face a portrait of astonishment, glanced at the fainted Purple Lightning Lizard at Liu Yangshuo's feet and the other demonic beasts cowering in the corners of their cages, and gave a faint nod.

If this wasn't a pass, what was?

The contestants stared at Liu Yangshuo as though he were a creature from another realm, particularly the trio whose backs were now slick with cold sweat. Who exactly had they intended to ambush that night?

Unconcerned with the onlookers' stares, Liu Yangshuo casually dusted off his clothing and strode out of the hall with confidence. He beckoned to his still-stunned companions from Fragrance Tower and departed.

"Um, City Lord, what's our next move?"

The first to snap out of the shock, a young contestant yet to complete his challenge, asked the City Lord in a hushed tone.

"... The competition must go on, of course."

The City Lord, regaining his composure, responded.

"But... the demonic beasts have all..."

The youth timidly gestured toward the beasts before him, which had been scared to the point of wetting themselves.

How could the contest continue? Even if they opened the cages now, the beasts might refuse to emerge.

"Someone, bring up a new set of demonic beasts!"

"City Lord, all the beasts have reacted just like these," reported a guard, rushing up and whispering in the City Lord's ear.

"Then... those who haven't finished will be disqualified."

After much deliberation and finding no better solution, the City Lord had no choice but to make this announcement.

"Ah? We won't stand for this! Why are we being eliminated just like that? The time isn't even up yet!"

A chorus of protests erupted from the young contestants who hadn't completed the test.

"Silence! If you're struggling with just the first round, how do you expect to outperform them in the later ones?"

The City Lord's brow furrowed, his previously gentle demeanor giving way to irritation.

His words were a slap in the face to the young competitors. Deep down, they knew they were outmatched, particularly Liu Yangshuo.

And so, the first round, initially slated to last half a day, concluded in under half an hour. Liu Yangshuo, the rising star of Fragrance Tower, became an overnight sensation in Hagan Bay, his fame spreading like wildfire.

Upon his return to Fragrance Tower, Liu Yangshuo's complexion blanched, and he stumbled forward.

Had Hsu Chengqiu not caught him swiftly, he would have hit the ground.

"Are you okay? You're looking awfully pale," Hsu Chengqiu inquired with concern.

Liu Yangshuo, however, just chuckled and gestured reassuringly.

"It's nothing serious. Just a bit of fatigue. I'll recover with a little rest and be ready for tonight's competition."

"Alright, but don't push yourself too hard. Someone, please escort Miracle Doctor Liu to his room for some rest."

Hsu Chengqiu refrained from further comment, knowing that this man defied conventional wisdom.

Once the two girls had assisted Liu Yangshuo to his room and left, he was alone.

"I may not know how you managed to exert such formidable pressure, but the force you used to snuff out that little lizard's soul fire pushed you beyond your body's limits. You'll need to be more cautious in the future."

The Primordial Thunder Dragon glided from Liu Yangshuo's wrist to face him, exhaling a breath of dragon qi onto him.

Instantly, a soothing warmth flowed through Liu Yangshuo's aching body, revitalizing his flesh, while his long-stagnant spiritual sea began to stir once more.

Boom!

An explosive sound resonated from within. Liu Yangshuo had at last crossed the first milestone of the cultivator's journey, advancing from the Dispersed Spirit Stage to the Spirit Communication Stage. Suddenly, he could feel the spiritual force of the universe naturally seeping into his body through every pore. As long as he breathed, his cultivation would continue to rise, bit by bit.

The Primordial Thunder Dragon's dragon qi certainly had more than just a minor effect. Liu Yangshuo's spiritual force surged until it reached the Third Layer of the Spirit Communication realm before it finally plateaued.

"Not bad, you understand the value of staying grounded."

The Primordial Thunder Dragon looked on with approval as Liu Yangshuo voluntarily kept his cultivation at the Third Layer. The dragon qi he'd received was potent enough to propel him to the Fifth or even the Sixth Layer of Spirit Communication.

Yet, doing so would risk an unstable foundation. It was better to remain grounded and reinforce his base, ensuring he could leverage his full strength against formidable foes.

Without a word, Liu Yangshuo sat cross-legged on his bed, channeling the surplus spiritual force through the Myriad Beasts Mantra. Wisps of white smoke curled from his head.

Observing this, the Primordial Thunder Dragon used his spiritual force to shroud the room in a protective cocoon.

With the Primordial Thunder Dragon as his guardian, Liu Yangshuo enjoyed a privilege few others could claim.

Meanwhile, Hsu Chengqiu, after ensuring Liu Yangshuo had sustained no internal injuries, wasted no time. She left with a cold huff, leading her followers out the door, heading straight for the City Lord's Mansion.

With a resounding "Clang!" the City Lord's door flew open from her kick. The City Lord nearly leaped from his chair in alarm.

"Who could it be but Pavilion Master Hsu, making such an entrance? What brings you here with such urgency?"

The City Lord inquired hastily, clearly wary of offending Fragrance Tower.

"City Lord, your memory seems to fail you. Must I remind you of your own deeds?"

Hsu Chengqiu's expression was icy, her gaze sharp enough to cut through steel.

"Pavilion Master Hsu, you've caught me off guard. Please, enlighten me."

The City Lord gestured with a bow, seeking clarification.

"Very well, I'll ask you directly. Why are all the demonic beasts wounded, yet those from my Fragrance Tower are unscathed? Their madness exceeds the others by far, to the point of burning their soul's fire in the final moments. How do you explain this?"

Hsu Chengqiu and Liu Yangshuo had both sensed something amiss at the same time. But due to the crowd, they had refrained from revealing it. When the Purple Lightning Lizard ignited its soul fire, she was on the verge of intervening.

"I truly didn't foresee their decision to release that individual; it was a complete surprise. Trust me, I assure you there won't be a repeat of this incident in the upcoming competition."

The City Lord paused, yet maintained a smile as he spoke.