Free Web NovelChapter 281: Chapter 276: The Grand Assembly Ends
"The second reward... a spot to enter the Senluo Ruins."
"!!!!"
In an instant, nearly everyone erupted in a frenzy. The Senluo Ruins! It was one of the few Saint’s Relics known to exist, and one left behind by a Saint, a Great Power from Ancient Times, no less.
"The Senluo Ruins! Are they talking about the one in the High-class Blood Python Empire?"
"It has to be. Those are the Ancient Ruins controlled by the Blood Python Family. I heard they only open once every twenty years, and only thirty people can enter each time. Heavens, every single one of those spots is incredibly precious. Some people spend their entire lives without even getting a sniff of the Senluo Ruins. I can’t believe our Empire got a spot this year. This kid’s luck is simply defying the heavens."
"Senluo... Ruins..."
Mu Chen repeated the two words. ’Experience... I really need so much more of it. Without Master’s guidance, my understanding of the continent’s finer points is pitifully lacking. I don’t even recognize places people mention offhand. I’ll have to ask Brother Xu about it when I get down. As a local, he should know something.’ fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
The certificate for the spot was actually a small, crimson snake carved from wood. The snake was coiled into a double-S shape, its purple forked tongue sticking out. A pair of blood-red eyes stared so intently that a single glance was enough to make one mistake the carving for a living Magical Beast.
"A Blood Python?" A corner of Mu Chen’s lip twitched. ’What a terrifying Noble Family... This kind of Magical Beast is not something an ordinary person can afford to mess with.’
While Mu Chen’s knowledge of the continent’s affairs was pitifully lacking, when it came to Magical Beasts and Medicinal Herbs, he was practically a walking encyclopedia. There were things he had never seen, but nothing he could not describe.
The Blood Python was a ferocious, venomous, serpentine creature. As a Magical Beast, its rank started at Level 4 and could reach as high as Level 7. Each Blood Python was capable of claiming a vast territory for itself within the Demon Beast Forest. Even the lowest of its kind, a Level 4 Blood Python, would dare to fight any Level 5 Magical Beast. It could ambush and kill an opponent in an instant, even if that opponent was its natural predator!
But that only spoke to the Blood Python’s Attack Power. The true horror of the beast, and the origin of its name, stemmed from something else entirely: its poison. Poison was the most feared thing on the continent, which was why Poison Cauldron Masters and venomous Magical Beasts were ostracized by both humans and the Magic Beast Realm. The Blood Python’s venom was different. It could rapidly transform a victim’s blood into a potent toxin. While this substance circulated through their body, the victim wouldn’t die. On the contrary, they would actually grow stronger. However, once afflicted with this Blood Poison, one’s life and death rested entirely on the whim of the Blood Python. If the Blood Python willed you to die before dawn, you would never live to see the sunrise. It was no different from being bound by a Master-Servant Contract.
’This unique trait destined the Blood Python to be a regional Overlord. So, upon hearing of a family called the Blood Python Family, Mu Chen felt a deep sense of caution. It was highly probable that this family had subdued a high-level Blood Python. They could then use it as a source to control even more Blood Pythons, forcing them into Master-Servant Contracts with the family members.’
His eyes flickered as he made a mental note. ’If the Senluo Ruins are really the Ancient Ruins controlled by the Blood Python Family, then conflict will be unavoidable once I’m inside. My situation then will be far from safe.’
"Father! What are you afraid of? Don’t you still have me?"
Just as Mu Chen’s brow furrowed in thought, an ethereal, low growl echoed in his mind. It was the voice of the Snow Qilin, Xiaobai. Mu Chen froze for a second, then cursed himself inwardly. ’How could I have forgotten? Xiaobai is the Land Beast God! The Blood Python may be a snake, but it’s a terrestrial creature. As long as it lives on land, it will be completely immobilized by Xiaobai’s divine pressure.’
’Before, I would never have been certain that the Snow Qilin could suppress it. But now, after several months of growth and evolution, Xiaobai is already equivalent to a Third-level Magical Beast. And though it’s only Level 3, a Divine Beast’s Level 3 is not the same as an ordinary Magical Beast’s. In a direct comparison, the Snow Qilin’s current strength could easily crush any Level 4 Magical Beast. If the opponent is land-based, even a Level 5 Magical Beast wouldn’t dare to face the Snow Qilin head-on. The dignity of a Divine Beast is sacred and inviolable!’
’Alright then. This time, Xiaobai and I will fight together!’
After making this resolution, the deep furrow in Mu Chen’s brow instantly smoothed out. Beside him, Elder Lin Xiao paid no mind to the change in his expression. After all, he was a Spirit Selector and wasn’t particularly interested in relics for Martial Artists.
"Haha, Master Mu Chen, don’t just stand there daydreaming. I’m about to give you your third reward." With that, Lin Xiao waved his hand, and an Original Stone materialized out of thin air. This stone, however, was covered in a lustrous green halo. The glow wasn’t artificial; it was the life force released by a creature of immense vitality that had grown within the Original Stone for countless years and was still alive. This life force had already assimilated the stone itself. It was no exaggeration to say that if you were to crush this Original Stone and swallow it, you could extend your lifespan.
Of course, only someone like Mu Chen, who was extremely sensitive to the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, could perceive this aura. To everyone else, it was just an ordinary rock.
One of Mu Chen’s eyebrows rose, and he grew excited. ’It’s here.’
’Indeed. Xu Fei had already told him all the rewards for winning the conference: the title of Honorary Elder, the Relic Certificate, a set of Attribute Spirit Crystals, and the one thing that interested him most—the Stone Immortal! The other three had been accounted for, so this Original Stone, brimming with immense life force, had to be the Stone Immortal.’
"As for the third reward, hehe, I won’t be giving it to you just yet. Come find me at the Imperial Spirit Selection Guild after the conference is over, and I’ll give it to you then. Please understand, this is for your own safety." As he spoke, Elder Lin Xiao suddenly looked embarrassed. "Oh, dear. I’ve taken out the wrong item. I’m getting old! The third reward is actually a set of Attribute Spirit Crystals!"
Watching the Original Stone suddenly become a case containing a set of Attribute Spirit Crystals, Mu Chen rubbed his nose, and a corner of his mouth twitched. ’This Elder Lin Xiao is like a magician... incredibly slick and worldly-wise.’ ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
After respectfully accepting this "final reward," Mu Chen was prompted by Elder Lin Xiao to leave the stage. The other Spirit Selectors followed him back to their respective rest areas.
The moment he stepped down, Xu Fei rushed forward and pulled him into a powerful embrace. The sudden bear hug startled Mu Chen. However, with his physical fortitude, even a blow from a common Dead Soldier would struggle to harm him, let alone a simple hug.
"Hahaha! Brother Mu Chen! You’re my savior! I have to thank you properly!"
Xu Fei was clearly overcome with excitement. He never imagined that Mu Chen would not only make it to the finals but also shatter Ma Bi’s three-year winning streak to claim the championship. It was a miraculous upset! Stone City, which had always ranked near the bottom, had suddenly turned the tables and taken first place in a single day. Xu Fei had to pinch his own thigh hard, and only after the sharp sting of pain confirmed he wasn’t dreaming did he leap into the air with joy.
"Er... Brother Xu, can you let me go first? Everyone’s watching." Being held so tightly by another man, Mu Chen’s face instantly flushed red. Of course, it wasn’t a blush born from any romantic sentiment, but from the sheer awkwardness of two grown men embracing so intimately in broad daylight. Countless strange looks were now being cast in his direction.
"Ahem..." Elder Lin Xiao gave a dry cough, looking at Mu Chen with a teasing glint in his eye. "It seems prodigies like him can’t be measured by ordinary standards in any respect."
Xu Fei also realized how unseemly his actions were. He immediately let Mu Chen go and hurried over to the seating area, clearing a spot for him. He scratched his head, saying, "Got a little carried away, I guess."
Mu Chen shrugged and suddenly asked, "Brother Xu, I’ve been wondering. Didn’t Elder Lin Xiao say the first-place prizes would only be announced at the very end? How did you know what they were?"
Xu Fei froze for a moment, then grinned. "Heh, you’ll have to ask that guy over there." He gestured, and Mu Chen followed his gaze to a handsome man of about thirty, who raised an eyebrow at him.
Mu Chen paused. "That’s Brother Da Wei."
Xu Fei nodded with a smile. "Yep. Do you know his family name?"
Mu Chen shook his head.
Xu Fei said, "His family name is Lin. Lin Zhiwei. Now do you understand how I knew what the final rewards were?"
Mu Chen was taken aback. That was the same family name as Elder Lin Xiao. Putting that together with their conversation, understanding dawned on him. "You mean, Brother Da Wei is Elder Lin Xiao’s...?"
Xu Fei said, "Exactly. Da Wei is Elder Lin Xiao’s son. He’s also a Fifth Grade Spirit Selector, you know. And though he’s ’only’ Fifth Grade, he didn’t just inherit his father’s talent; he inherited his mother’s as well. In other words, Zhiwei has both a Pupil Technique and the ability to analyze Original Stones by touch."
"I see..."
Just as they were about to talk more, a cheer that echoed throughout the Fenglan Empire erupted around them. Mu Chen turned to look and realized that while they had been talking, Elder Lin Xiao had already announced the official conclusion of the Spirit Selection Conference. The excitement had yet to fade as the massive crowd began to slowly file out of Fenglan Square, buzzing with discussion. They weren’t heading home, however, but toward the largest hotel in the Imperial Capital. By tradition, the Imperial Capital treated everyone to a lavish feast to celebrate the end of the Spirit Selection Conference.
Mu Chen was about to leave with Xu Fei and the others when a figure in white flashed to his side. In a gentle voice, the person said, "Master Mu Chen, please come with me for a moment..."
