Celestial Refining Divine Scripture

Boom!

The Celestial Destiny List and its overwhelming, supreme might vanished in an instant without a trace, making Xu Yang feel as though he had just experienced an illusion.

When he regained his senses, Xu Yang’s expression grew solemn, his heart utterly unable to calm.

The summons of destiny!

Refusing destiny...

He did not know what consequences might come of it.

But as to whom to trust, he had his own judgment.

"I must quickly find news regarding the Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Rain Days."

Xu Yang sighed inwardly, suppressing stray thoughts.

Immediately, a sensation like thorns upon his back arose.

He turned around and caught, from the corner of his eye, Yang Yuan’s face, full of shock and twisted with displeasure.

Xu Yang grinned at Yang Yuan, then shifted his gaze, meeting a pair of cold, piercing eyes.

The source of that sensation like thorns was exactly those eyes.

Seeing the other standing beside Tongmin, Xu Yang’s heart gave a sudden jolt.

Elder Golden Immortal!

Could this be Duan Tianyang’s master?

Just now, without a moment’s hesitation, he had sent Duan Tianyang flying out of the field; clearly he held no regard for this Elder Golden Immortal, paying him not the slightest respect.

To be watched by a Golden Immortal expert was no trivial matter.

But soon, he noticed another powerful figure nearby looking at him with a gentle expression; when their eyes met, the man even nodded at him.

At that, Xu Yang instantly recalled Hong Wei, and his own expression turned even more peculiar.

"Forget it, this cannot be blamed on me; any trouble, let Master handle it."

Xu Yang quickly averted his gaze, looking around.

The free-for-all seemed to have ended.

No one was making a move now.

Everyone around was still in shock.

The quarter-hour swiftly elapsed.

Xu Yang glanced at Tongmin, his heart stirred suddenly.

Two seed disciple quotas!

No one could contend with him now; could he sweep up both quotas alone?

And then add Dan Feng’s quota, making three.

Three shares of seed disciple resources!

Hua!

Beneath the Immortal Radiance Barrier, an immense surge of Immortal Spirit Qi poured forth, as boundless as the ocean, cascading down below.

The mood surged; unable to dwell any longer on Xu Yang’s strength and feats, everyone scrambled madly to devour the Immortal Spirit Qi.

Of the four thousand new disciples, nearly half remained due to prior disturbances.

For the vast majority, just this Immortal Spirit Baptism was worth months of arduous cultivation.

Suppressing all distractions, Xu Yang sat cross-legged right away, devouring massive amounts of Immortal Spirit Qi.

"This one’s degree of devouring is simply terrifying—he’s not the least inferior even to those in the Late Stage of True Immortal!"

"Unbelievable; with such profound foundations, is he aiming to forge which grade of Immortal Foundation?"

The powerful figures were astounded as they watched Xu Yang, who by himself absorbed nearly one percent of all the Immortal Spirit Qi.

The baptism lasted half an hour.

When it ended, everyone’s faces were suffused with intense joy.

Those who were eliminated, along with Duan Tianyang and others, were in utter misery.

They should have made it to the end.

Xu Yang felt the essence inside his cauldron, revealing a look of satisfaction.

Once the grand competition concluded, he could immediately begin the Thousand Refinings.

"The first stage is complete!"

"For this newcomer competition, one of the seed disciple quotas is now withdrawn!"

Tongmin’s pronouncement dropped, and the entire place was in an uproar!

Originally, with Duan Tianyang and others eliminated, a few disciples just behind them thought fortune was smiling upon them, expecting to pick up a stray quota; but Tongmin closed that loophole instantly.

To the Immortal Sect, seed disciples must be genuine!

If one’s strength was lacking, snatching up a free quota would bring shame upon the sect!

Such a thing must never be allowed.

So even at the risk of embarrassment and becoming a laughingstock, Tongmin had to act.

Yet no one could blame Xu Yang.

You took the initiative; does it mean others can’t respond in kind?

Privately, Tongmin was slightly displeased with Yang Yuan.

An utter mess!

At this moment, all eyes were on Xu Yang, marveling and still stunned!

Only one quota remained, and without question, it belonged to Xu Yang.

Who would dare contend with him anymore?

With such prowess, utterly unscathed, even most of the senior disciples would fall short.

"The second stage begins now—it will last one day!"

Tongmin announced loudly.

A pathway of immortal light appeared from nowhere, linking the field to a distant and towering giant peak.

After a moment of silence, the crowd swarmed onto the pathway.

At the edge of the arena, Yang Xiao and five others were like mourners, utterly despondent.

Looking at Xu Yang, their hatred ran deep—yet fear seized them!

Even Duan Tianyang felt his scalp prickle.

Xu Yang’s display was simply terrifying.

Envy?

What use is it?

He had a Golden Immortal master, but Xu Yang too had caught the eye of a Golden Immortal. Once the newcomer competition ended, it was certain—he would be chosen as a direct disciple!

Same background!

If they wanted to compete, it would have to be above-board!

Even Yang Yuan dared not act rashly now.

But even if they acted above-board, was there any hope of matching him?

"Damn bastard!"

"This grudge is far from over!"

Yang Xiao suddenly growled through gritted teeth, his eyes brimming with venom.

Duan Tianyang, Wang Li, and the others all looked over, their expressions dark, hearts drinking deep of regret.

If only they had refused.

But at the thought of Yang Yuan, they could only feel despair.

With Yang Yuan personally stepping in, how could they dare refuse?

Stuck between two perils!

"This one has First Grade Immortal Soldier cultivation, yet such astonishing combat power; his foundation is simply unfathomable. Should he break through to True Immortal, he could at least forge a seventh- or eighth-grade Immortal Foundation."

"Still, it’s a surprise he hasn’t made the Immortal Pride List after such a triumph."

Based on the results from those who made the list from Black White Star Heaven, he should surely surpass them!

"Perhaps the Immortal Pride List is still watching; what if something unexpected happens when he breaks through to True Immortal?"

"Hmph, what of a deep foundation? It’s not like there’s no precedent for failing at the critical moment in history." The Fourth Elder laughed coldly, face gloomy.

Hong Wei retorted without mercy: "With such potential and talent, if he fails to even become a True Immortal, I’ll voluntarily relinquish my elder’s seat!"

Well now, to resign his elder position.

He was already openly treating Xu Yang as his personal direct disciple.

The Fourth Elder was forced to take a deep breath, silent, inwardly furious at Duan Tianyang—what a useless wretch!

At that moment, a figure drifted in gracefully.

"Dan Qi, old brother, you’ve arrived."

"Dan Qi, why so late?"

The elders greeted him fervently as Dan Qi appeared.

Dan Qi was an elder too, but took no part in the affairs of the sect, focusing only on alchemy.

Thus, among Black Fire Immortal Mountain’s elders, it was the seven who were best known; Dan Qi, the eighth elder, was mostly a figurehead.

Yet no one dared look down upon Dan Qi.

In Alchemy Dao, all Northern Province considered him among the very best!

Even the Elder Golden Immortals frequently sought Dan Qi to refine pills for them.

And in terms of strength, Dan Qi was not weaker than several among them!

"Ah, I was delayed by some trivial matters."

"How about it? How are this year’s prospects?"

Dan Qi asked, smiling brightly.

The group’s expressions instantly turned odd.

"Not bad at all—the second stage has started, Dan Qi, see for yourself."

Tongmin turned and smiled at him. "That seed of yours at Dan Feng—why didn’t you bring them over, so mysterious? Could it be you found a good prospect outside the mountain?"

"Dan Feng’s seed?"

All was shock at this, for the seven elders were completely unaware of the matter.

Dan Qi laughed heartily, "Dan Feng hasn’t produced good seedlings in years; of course I have to keep it secret. Sect Leader, bear with it a bit longer—you’ll know soon enough."

"Heh, even keeping it from the sect leader—must be something remarkable, then."

"If Dan Qi went to the trouble of applying for a seed disciple, he must be confident. Could his candidate’s talent actually surpass the other two?"

"That does inspire some anticipation!"

Dan Feng was special!

Though it seldom had seeds, when a prodigy in Alchemy Dao came forth, giving them seed disciple status was only proper, in their eyes.

All present were thoroughly intrigued by Dan Qi’s words.

Dan Qi said nothing more, forcing them to wait.

With a mysterious smile, Dan Qi shot Hong Wei a sidelong glance and teased, "I heard Hong Wei, you’ve found a promising candidate yourself?"

Hong Wei laughed cheerfully, "Indeed; this year’s class produced a gem."

"I meant to test him, but he brought me an enormous surprise in just three short months!"

He made no effort to hide it.

Dan Qi feigned surprise, "If you’re so impressed, it must be something remarkable. Who is it?"

Hong Wei pointed, "That boy right there."

Dan Qi followed his gesture.

On the great mountain, among the thousand figures darting about, one figure stood out above all, leading by far.

It was Xu Yang!