Chapter 58: Sevenfold Spirit Refining

Jiang Yulong soon met with First Elder Jiang Tao, and through a brief conversation, he learned the rules of the fifth floor.

"Take one blow from me. If you are still standing after that single strike, you pass."

Jiang Tao stroked his beard and smiled gently.

Hearing this, Qin Liang almost vomited blood. That was certainly not what the old man had told him earlier!

What were the three blows he had taken supposed to mean? Did they mean he was just that exceptional?

Busy tending to his injuries, Qin Liang chose to ignore the thought. After all, he had already secured the spiritual herb, and his priority was to prepare for the seventh spiritual refinement.

"Please make your move, Elder!"

Jiang Yulong readied himself, gripping an iron-forged staff tightly. Facing a master of the Condensing Origin Realm, he dared not show the slightest negligence.

Jiang Tao directly unleashed a Yellow-grade intermediate martial technique, delivering a rather formidable strike.

At this, Qin Liang felt completely vindicated.

Although it was only a single blow—different from his own trial—it was obvious that Jiang Tao had gone easy on Jiang Yulong.

If the First Elder had unleashed three successive Yellow-grade intermediate martial techniques against him, Qin Liang would have found it exceedingly difficult to endure all of them.

Bang!

With a violent collision and a resounding boom, Jiang Yulong was sent flying by the immense force, coughing up a mouthful of fresh blood.

"As expected of a Condensing Origin Realm expert, the First Elder is truly formidable."

Lying on the ground, Jiang Yulong could not help but exclaim in admiration. After a dozen breaths, he leaned heavily on his iron staff and slowly hauled himself up, swaying slightly as he asked, "Elder, does this mean I have passed?"

"You have passed."

Jiang Tao nodded, then added, "Regrettably, the second-grade spiritual herb has already been claimed by Qin Liang. He was a step faster than you."

"This..."

Jiang Yulong was utterly dumbfounded. He shot a deep, piercing look at Qin Liang, a profound sense of shock gripping his heart.

He had previously assumed that Qin Liang had failed, only to be told now that the spiritual herb had already been taken.

"Then... why didn't you say so earlier, Elder? You made me take this beating for nothing!"

Jiang Yulong rolled his eyes. How could this First Elder be so unreliable? Was this how one treated the prodigies of their own clan?

"Do not be impatient!"

Jiang Tao laughed. "Anyone who reaches the fifth floor is a prodigy of our clan. Even though you missed out on the second-grade spiritual herb, there is still a first-grade spiritual herb as an incentive prize. I hope you will continue to strive for excellence."

With that, he produced a first-grade spiritual herb and handed it over, as if he had prepared it all along.

"That's more like it."

Jiang Yulong accepted the spiritual herb and sat cross-legged to heal his wounds.

At the same time, Jiang Tao walked over to the stairwell. Seeing that no one else was coming up, he spoke up, "Listen to me while you mend your injuries. There is another primary reason why I chose the Arena Pavilion for this trial."

At these words, both Qin Liang and Jiang Yulong pricked up their ears. It seemed that what the First Elder was about to say was the true crux of this trial.

Jiang Tao stroked his beard and said, "I have already learned that there is likely a traitor within the Jiang family. My presence on the fifth floor was precisely to discuss certain matters with the most outstanding prodigies of our clan, as this place is entirely secure."

"Later, after the two of you leave the Arena Pavilion, do not spread word about the final victor. I will handle this matter in due time."

"You are both the young prodigies of our clan, and both capable of dealing with those who have undergone nine spiritual refinements. If things truly reach that point of confrontation with the Wang and Feng families, you will undoubtedly be the Jiang family's hidden trump cards, and we must proceed with the utmost caution."

"I trust you understand."

Pausing briefly, Jiang Tao continued, "Over the next few days, the Patriarch and I will investigate all suspicious individuals within the clan, and I believe we will have results soon."

Qin Liang had finished healing and opened his eyes.

The Supreme-grade cultivation technique was immensely powerful, and coupled with his myriad nine-grade Dao roots, healing was hardly a difficult task as long as his foundational roots remained undamaged. In just half an incense stick's time, he was brimming with life and vigor once more.

"May I ask what you need us to do, Elder?"

Qin Liang asked as he shoved the second-grade spiritual herb into his mouth and chewed, treating it much like a simple fruit.

Resembling a sweet potato and brimming with spiritual essence, the second-grade spiritual herb made Qin Liang's mouth water as he chewed.

"You... How can anyone consume a second-grade spiritual herb like that? It is a sheer and utter waste!"

Seeing Qin Liang's casual actions, Jiang Tao flew into a rage, his face twitching as he had a sudden impulse to snatch the herb back.

"Then how is it supposed to be consumed?" Qin Liang asked feignedly, pretending ignorance.

Jiang Tao seethed, "This is a second-grade spiritual herb, after all! For ordinary people, consuming it directly risks blocking their meridians. It needs to be placed in a pot and simmered over low heat for half a day until its spiritual properties are fully integrated into the water, and only then should it be drunk."

"You..."

Seeing that Qin Liang paid him no mind and instead took an even larger bite, Jiang Tao was so angry that his mustache twitched in frustration.

On the other side, Jiang Yulong overhearing their conversation nearly spat blood. It was simply too infuriating.

Naturally, Qin Liang knew the proper method, but it was inconvenient to summon the Heaven-Desolation Cauldron here, so he had no choice but to swallow it whole. At the same time, he secretly circulated the Heaven-Desolation Cauldron within his body, refining the herb directly into an essence liquid before absorbing it.

He wanted to test whether this approach was viable, as he might not always have the opportunity to summon the Heaven-Desolation Cauldron in the future.

To his pleasant surprise, the moment he swallowed the spiritual herb, the Heaven-Desolation Cauldron inside him began refining it. By the time he finished chewing, a pure droplet of spiritual essence liquid had naturally materialized within the cauldron.

As he circulated the Heaven-Desolation Art, the spiritual essence was swiftly refined and absorbed.

Simultaneously, a radiant spiritual glow began to emit from his entire body. Cyan-black light coiled around him, faint serpentine light clusters weaving through the radiance, plunging his mind into a state of profound emptiness as he initiated his seventh spiritual refinement.

"This kid..." Jiang Tao was left speechless, entirely unsure of how to evaluate him.

Jiang Yulong had already finished healing with the aid of the first-grade spiritual herb. He looked at the young man with a mixture of helplessness and an unnatural expression. Comparing oneself to others truly could make one die of anger.

Regaining his composure, Jiang Tao continued, "Once you leave the Arena Pavilion, you will inevitably be targeted by the traitor. You must protect yourselves carefully during this period. If you discover anything unusual, report it to me immediately."

"The clan elders and I estimate that within half a year, the Wang and Feng families will undoubtedly make their move."

At this point, Jiang Tao's expression grew even more solemn. "As for our Ancestor's travels, who knows when he will return..."

"Elder, a month from now is the date for the quota contention. Can little Liang truly handle them?" Jiang Yulong worriedly asked. "Would it be permissible for me to step into the arena and secure the quota for him directly?"

Jiang Tao shook his head. "The Hundred Cities War is no trivial matter. Even if you secure the quota for him, could you participate in the Hundred Cities War in his stead? Some battles he must ultimately face himself."

Qin Liang and Jiang Yulong remained on the fifth floor for a full day.

"Whew, it's finally over."

Jiang Yulong breathed a sigh of relief. Gazing at Qin Liang, whose aura had grown even more refined and ethereal, he managed to suppress the urge to spar with him.

"Try not to leave the Jiang family during this period. There may be matters to discuss at any moment," Jiang Tao warned specifically before the two left the Arena Pavilion.

Walking out of the Arena Pavilion side by side, the two youths appeared calm and composed as they stepped into public view.

"Who won in the end? Judging by their expressions, it's obvious Elder Brother Yulong won."

"Why do I feel like Qin Liang won? Look at his spiritual aura... Could it be he achieved the seventh spiritual refinement?"

"Even the seventh spiritual refinement wouldn't be enough to surpass Elder Brother Yulong..."

Many onlookers murmured among themselves, speculating endlessly. Some even stepped forward to inquire, but failed to extract the answers they desired.

Even so, the majority suspected that Jiang Yulong had emerged victorious. As for Qin Liang, the probability of him winning seemed vanishingly small; looking at how full of vitality he was, it was clear he hadn't even truly undergone the trial.

Ignoring the surrounding chatter, Qin Liang walked all the way back to his courtyard.

The moment he arrived, Jiang Chang rushed toward him, his face etched with anxiety. "Son-in-law, you're finally out! Someone from the auction house came by, saying Master Mo is on his last breath and about to kick the bucket."