CHAPTER 73: LADY MING YUE’S INTEREST

***

One week later.

Ming Yuan Sect.

"The next participant to advance to the main round is Shen Li."

All participants gathered in the sect’s main hall to hear the announcement of the main round participants. They had all gone through three rounds, each with its own difficulties.

In the first round, the participants were required to make a third-level element pill, and Li Shen passed. In the second round, the participants were required to make a cultivation pill above the thirdgrade, and Li Shen passed. In the third round, the participants were required to complete an unfinished pill to make it a perfect above third-level pill, and Li Shen passed.

The number of participants decreased from the first round to the third round. Those who managed to survive until the main round reached 32 participants.

Li Shen was one of them. That made Ming Yue smile from the podium. She did not expect that a wandering cultivator like Shen Li would defeat so many cultivators from other sects and families in the Ming Zhao Kingdom.

Ming Gong glanced briefly when Shen Li’s name was called by the committee. The man felt caught off guard because it was the first time he had seen Ming Yue take an interest in the pill tournament, even though she had clearly said she refused to come.

"Don’t tell me you’re starting to take an interest in this tournament, Yue’er?" Ming Gong asked, surprising Ming Yue.

"N-No. I’m just impressed by all the participants who made it to the main round," Ming Yue replied, trying to deny it.

"Haha! But look on the bright side, that man named Shen Li made it through. He has talent," Ming Gong explained. Ming Yue fell silent and smiled.

"Yes. I think he could be a wild card for the other participants in this pill tournament," replied Ming Yue.

"A wild card, huh? That could be, let’s see who is the best, the cultivators from the Shen Nan Kingdom or the cultivators from the Ming Zhao Kingdom."

Ming Yue nodded in agreement, her attention returning to the podium where the officials were announcing the names of those who had advanced to the main round.

Among those names, there were no names of Bai Zhang or Mo Ni. Bai Zhang was eliminated in the second round, while Mo Ni lost in the third round. Neither of them had the right to be on the main podium, only able to watch from the audience seats.

Li Shen turned his head and saw clearly that there were several cultivators of different stages who had also advanced to the main round. There were only two at the Soul Formation stage, then 18 at the Nascent Soul stage, and 12 at the Core Formation stage.

"Congratulations to the 32 pill tournament participants who have advanced to the main round!" said the head of the committee, greeted by applause and cheers from the audience.

Unlike the previous round, the main round was an public round where everyone had the right to watch the tournament. The participants would refine their pills on this field with their pill cauldrons, watched by many people in the audience stands.

The other participants waved their hands, welcoming the congratulations from their families and friends. However, unlike Li Shen, no one came to congratulate him.

Li Shen glanced around the area, trying to see if he could spot Li Xun or Wang Luqi on the stage. However, he didn’t see anyone.

"Huff."

"The main round will begin tomorrow morning. Therefore, all participants can rest today," explained the committee.

"We have prepared a special place for you, one island per person. This is to ensure your safety," said the committee member.

The participants nodded and began to fly away, leaving the main field and following the staff from the Ming Yuan Sect. Li Shen also followed them.

One by one, the participants arrived at their respective resting places on their own islands. Now it was Li Shen’s turn to receive his island. He was assigned island number 23, matching Li Shen’s number.

"Thank you," said Li Shen.

"There are two outer sect disciples guarding this island. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to tell them," said the male cultivator, someone at the Core Formation stage.

"Alright, I understand."

After escorting Li Shen, they departed from the area. Li Shen watched them fly away because the distance between one participant’s island and another was quite far, which was done to minimize the possibility of cheating.

Li Shen turned around and flew low from the sky to the center of the island. There, he saw a large compound with a large fish pond and a lush flower garden.

’They really provide the best facilities for the participants. No wonder this pill tournament is the most prestigious event in the southern region of the two continents,’ replied Li Shen.

He opened the door; no one was living in the house—only himself. Li Shen continued walking around the house following the floor plan, admiring its luxurious and spacious design, a dream home for anyone.

’At least there’s no one here. So, I don’t have to worry about anything,’ said Li Shen.

After exploring the house, he came and rested on the pool, sitting in a lotus position that seemed to float in the air. Li Shen used his time to meditate.

Several hours passed, day turned into night. Li Shen was still sitting focused with his eyes closed, enjoying the moment of silence that allowed him to focus.

From outside the 23rd island, a woman accompanied by two escorts from the Ming Yuan Sect arrived. She spoke to the outer disciples guarding Li Shen’s island, asking them to let her in.

Not daring to refuse her orders, the two opened the way and allowed her to enter to meet Li Shen.

In meditation mode, Li Shen could still sense someone’s spiritual aura from the outer area of his island. His eyes opened, he stepped back onto the wooden floor of the house and walked out of the room.

The door opened, Li Shen was no longer wearing his Azure Dragon robe, but his own sleeping robe. He looked casual.

"Isn’t it too late to visit me, Lady Ming Yue?" asked Li Shen.

Indeed! Ming Yue had come to visit Li Shen. There was no specific reason why Ming Yue came; she just wanted to visit after seeing that none of Li Shen’s family or friends had come to congratulate him.

"The Shen Nan Kingdom is quite far away. It’s understandable that your family and friends didn’t come," replied Ming Yue.

"But they would be very happy to hear that you made it to the main round," said Ming Yue.

’This is my chance to get closer to her,’ thought Li Shen.

"Thank you, Lady Ming Yue. At least I am not so lonely after you came here."

"Would you mind if I treat you to something? I have some drinks you might like," said Li Shen.

"Of course. I’ve been wanting to get out of the Ocean Palace for a while. Relaxing and having a drink with you doesn’t sound too bad, Daoist Shen."