Chapter 165 Hua Beiqian

Everyone could naturally see that Luo Tian was cultivating fire elemental energy.

Having just secured first place and earned the reward of a single visit to the Enlightenment Chamber, it was generally expected that one would reap some rewards. After all, they were all youthful prodigies; entering and leaving empty-handed would truly defy reason.

However, judging by the situation, a slight problem seemed to have occurred.

Jin Xishan frowned slightly. Having originally come from a sect, he used to harbor a certain ineffable awe toward Jiang Zihe and the Jiang family to which he belonged. But now, after gaining some understanding of the situation in Wanfeng City, he immediately felt his horizons broaden significantly.

While the Jiang family was undoubtedly the Lord's clan, the Wind and Cloud Guard was beyond doubt a genuine base for cultivating talent. In other words, as long as one was outstanding enough, no one would casually move against them.

Moreover, upon their arrival, Hua Beiqian had explicitly stated that within the Wind and Cloud Guard, everyone's background was treated equally; merits were rewarded and transgressions punished without the slightest partiality. Initially, Jin Xishan had wondered if those were merely polite words for the occasion. Yet now, having had some slight contact with Hua Beiqian and heard tales regarding the Wind and Cloud Guard, he instantly felt reassured.

Even if the sect faction and the Wanfeng City clan faction maintained a vague opposition within the Wind and Cloud Guard, it mattered little. As long as you were outstanding enough, someone would naturally protect you, and no one would bring such antagonism out into the open—at most, it amounted to nothing more than a mischievous, unreliable sense of collective pride.

Now, Luo Tian, the bona fide first-place finisher in the assessments, was being taunted like this by Jiang Zihe. Jin Xishan found it somewhat unbearable to watch.

It was not because he wanted to forge any deep connection with Luo Tian, but simply because he could not stomach Jiang Zihe's arrogant demeanor.

"Luo Tian gained some insights in the Enlightenment Chamber, but did not fully succeed, which is why he left early. That is entirely normal; there is no need to take it to heart."

Jin Xishan stepped forward and said in a deep voice.

This Jiang Zihe...

Hmph!

Luo Tian couldn't be bothered to waste words with him; he merely nodded toward Jin Xishan.

This Junior Brother Jin is not bad; it might be wise to look after him a bit more in the future.

"You must be Luo Tian?"

Hua Beiqian nodded slightly. "How were your gains in the Enlightenment Chamber?"

Hearing words that should have naturally been spoken by Ling Qinghe now issue from the mouth of the man before him, Luo Tian only paused for a brief moment before replying naturally, " Reporting to the Commander, I have made slight progress."

"Progress?"

Jiang Zihe let out a sneer, though the jealousy burning in his heart blazed like a rising flame that he simply could not suppress.

It was this very Luo Tian who had not only stolen the honor, resources, and reputation that rightfully belonged to him, but had also snatched away Hua Beiqian's regard for him.

And now, having returned empty-handed from the Enlightenment Chamber, he actually dared to spout nonsense and claim he had made progress?

Did he truly think everyone else was blind?

"Junior Brother Luo changed his clothes after entering; could it be to celebrate something?"

Jiang Zihe mocked him unceremoniously. "Well, that is hardly surprising. After all, coming from the Divine Sun Sect, regardless of what methods were used to achieve victory, it is still worth celebrating after a fashion."

"If you have the courage, you can challenge me. However, when it comes to verbal sparring, I suppose I am no match for you."

Luo Tian cast a cold glance at Jiang Zihe. If this fellow's feelings stemmed purely from jealousy, so be it; but if he harbored murderous intent because of it, Luo Tian wouldn't mind sending him off to keep Jiang Zhenglong company.

They were all part of the same camp, so they ought to have plenty of common topics to discuss down below.

"You—"

Jiang Zihe choked instantly. With Hua Beiqian present, he naturally dared not do such a thing.

As a member of the Jiang family, he was well aware of the status Hua Beiqian held in the City Lord's heart. Regarding the Wind and Cloud Guard, if Hua Beiqian made a decision, even the City Lord would think twice before expressing dissenting opinions, rather than casually negating it.

To issue a challenge right in front of Hua Beiqian was truly a poor idea.

Hmph, just wait until I find an opportunity; I will certainly teach you a harsh lesson!

Hua Beiqian cared little for such friction. If it drove them to overcome their shame and strive harder, or to cultivate diligently in order to protect their status and rankings, he actually viewed it as a positive thing—a form of healthy competition. Therefore, regarding Jiang Zihe, he merely smiled it off.

This had nothing to do with Jiang Zihe's background. Even if it were the City Lord's own flesh and blood like Jiang Zhengfeng from back in the day, they would still behave with utmost obedience in Hua Beiqian's hands, not daring to ruffle their feathers in the slightest.

"In what aspect have you progressed?"

Hua Beiqian pressed further. It wasn't that he insisted on getting to the bottom of every little detail, but rather that he wanted to see whether Luo Tian, the top scorer of this assessment, would inspire the same astonishment in the Enlightenment Chamber.

Luo Tian pondered for a moment and saw no reason to conceal it. "I have achieved mastery in Control and Incarnation."

"Heh..."

Jiang Zihe let out a disdainful snort, filled with contempt for Luo Tian.

On the contrary, Ling Qinghe and Hua Beiqian exchanged glances, a sharp glint flashing simultaneously in both of their eyes.

The True Meaning of Control and the True Meaning of Incarnation were both considered low-tier true meanings within the fire-attribute laws; of that, there was no doubt. However, even so, to have entered the Enlightenment Chamber for only a short while before coming out early, yet achieving mastery in both—that was truly astonishing.

The most crucial point was...

If the newly comprehended ones were low-tier true meanings, then what he had mastered previously probably wasn't simple at all, was it?

Otherwise, how could he have captured first place relying on just a single true meaning?

Hua Beiqian did not believe it.

"Release your elemental energy!"

Hua Beiqian extended his palm forward, aligning it with Luo Tian's, while the elemental energy within his body surged.

Simultaneously, a khaki-colored sword tip abruptly materialized in the center of Hua Beiqian's palm, slowly extending forward. The blade grew broader and broader until the hilt finally formed, at which point Hua Beiqian flipped his hand and grasped it.

It was as if...

This sword had all along been stored within Hua Beiqian's arm, and had now forcefully drilled its way out.

When such a khaki-colored radiance appeared on the body of a cultivator in the Qi Condensation or Meridian Flow realms, it naturally merely represented the specific tier within that realm.

However, the elemental energy radiance of a Core Formation realm cultivator was strictly tied to their attribute.

Without a doubt, Hua Beiqian was an earth-attribute Core Formation realm powerhouse.

Luo Tian nodded inwardly. The elemental energy of a Core Formation realm cultivator was not only ten times more condensed and potent than that of the Meridian Flow stage, but their grasp of control and incarnation true meanings would also be exceptionally profound. Therefore, lacking a suitable weapon, they typically used their corresponding elemental energy to forge a weapon belonging to themselves.

Fire elemental energy surged forth. Luo Tian struggled to control the elemental energy as it transformed; a cluster of flames quickly assumed the shape of a longsword, yet it failed to hold its form for even a moment before instantly sagging, the flickering flames dimming significantly and showing signs of extinguishing.

However, no one burst into mocking laughter; even Jiang Zihe stood there in a slightly dazed stupor.

Unbelievable.

To have just grasped the True Meaning of Control and the True Meaning of Incarnation, yet already be capable of doing this?

Although the comprehension of true meanings could roughly be divided into five stages—Entry, Minor Accomplishment, Enlightenment, Great Accomplishment, and Perfection—even within the initial Entry stage, was there really no difference between someone who had just stepped across the threshold and someone on the verge of reaching Minor Accomplishment?

If comprehending one-tenth of a certain true meaning counted as Minor Accomplishment, then within the Entry stage, the gap between one percent and nine percent was manifold.

Luo Tian's old face flushed slightly, and he quickly regained control of his fire elemental energy, causing it to touch against Hua Beiqian's massive earth-elemental sword.

This was a relatively common method used to sense each other's comprehension of true meanings and their level of elemental cultivation.

However, unless they shared a close relationship or were fellow disciples sparring with one another, no one would casually employ this technique. If the other party harbored malicious intent and launched a sudden ambush, it would be no laughing matter.

The elemental energies of the two intersected, and to their mutual interest, identical expressions surfaced on both of their faces.

Astonishment...