CHAPTER 876: CHAPTER 876: REFINING TOWER

"Was it really this guy who did it?"

Lu Liancheng, who emerged from the inner hall, eyed that black-clad Yun Xing subtly. Thinking of the message he received last night, he felt a sense of uncertainty and doubt.

If it were a normal day, the Meridian Refining Master Guild would not rest until they turned Lushan City upside down to find the murderer of the two Great Elders. Even without evidence, they would likely capture someone for questioning.

However, because Wu Jia and Liang Li’s deaths were so peculiar, Lu Liancheng wasn’t sure if Yun Xing had some powerful backer. Besides, those two had acted disgracefully the previous night, and if word got out, the guild might not be in a favorable position.

Moreover, because Yun Xiao demonstrated exceptional Meridian Refining skills that day, Lu Liancheng had taken great interest in him. If Yun Xing could show similar talent at Lianyun Mountain, it would only reflect well on the Meridian Refining Master Guild in Lushan City.

Thus, at that moment, Lu Liancheng suppressed his urge to delve deeper. Everything would have to wait until this examination concluded. If Yun Xing was just a flash in the pan, Lu Liancheng would have no further qualms, as on this Continent, everything had to be proven with strength.

"Has this old guy discovered anything?"

Glanced over repeatedly by Lu Liancheng and the others, Yun Xiao was secretly on guard, as he wasn’t familiar with these people from the Meridian Refining Master Guild and didn’t know if they would act under such circumstances.

That day, Yun Xiao could easily handle Liang Li and Wu Jia, as he had prepared in advance and poisoned them beforehand. If he faced an unharmed Seeking Origin Realm Late Stage expert, his only plan would be to turn and flee.

Yun Xiao felt no pressure about escaping. Not only did he have the Golden Snake Worm Xiao Wu and Red Feather by his side, but once he activated the Thunder Dragon’s Wings, those Earth Rank Third Realm cultivators would be left in shock.

Fortunately, Lu Liancheng made no move in the end. He retracted his gaze and shifted it to the other twenty-odd people, regaining his composure.

"Firstly, congratulations to all of you for making it here through the first three days’ assessments. However, to secure the final three spots for the grand selection at Lianyun Mountain, you must demonstrate exceptional skills. Everything hinges on your Meridian Refining prowess!"

Without wasting words, Lu Liancheng waved his hand and continued, "Follow me; the examination location is elsewhere!"

With that, Lu Liancheng strode forward, followed swiftly by several Great Elders. Then, the two who might be Earth-rank Pulse Refining Masters sprang forward, already exuding a touch of battle spirit.

The group of over twenty followed the elders of the Meridian Refining Master Guild out of the grand hall on the first floor. Immediately, their eyes were drawn to a seven-story pagoda appearing before them.

"Everyone, this is the ’Refining Tower.’ Today’s assessment is inside this tower, and the first three to reach the top will secure the final spots!"

Stopping in his tracks, Lu Liancheng pointed to the seven-story pagoda, giving the crowd a brief explanation of the Refining Tower’s essence. However, the exact trials inside remained a mystery to all.

"Each level of the Refining Tower presents different challenges, such as healing the sick, alchemy and medicine, resisting poisons, and identifying herbs. Only by meeting the requirements of each level will one be transported to the next."

The Great Elder seemed very familiar with the Refining Tower and, following Lu Liancheng’s words, provided further explanation, offering everyone a clearer understanding.

"Could it be that this so-called Refining Tower is actually a Space Artifact?"

Recalling his memories from the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, Yun Xiao was sensitive to such things. Thinking back to the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference when Meng Liyang revealed the Demon Realm, he had a deeper understanding of the Refining Tower than those around him.

"Everyone, let’s begin. I hope you all achieve good results!"

Once the Great Elder finished speaking, Lu Liancheng interjected again. Simultaneously, with a wave of his sleeve, an unseen force burst forth, and the lowest entrance of the seven-story tower opened.

However, as everyone peered inside, it appeared chaotic, obscuring the view of what lay within. Naturally, no one could discern the first level’s contents.

"I’ll go first!"

"I will!"

Two voices rang out almost simultaneously. The two Earth-rank Low-Level Pulse Refining Masters were eager not to lag and vied to be the first to enter the Refining Tower.

In the end, the two nearly dashed in at the same time. Seeing this, the others didn’t tarry long either. Moments later, as Yun Xiao also stepped inside, the tower door slowly shut.

"Chairman, do you think that guy stands a chance of securing a spot?"

After everyone vanished behind the tower door, the Great Elder finally approached, hinting at a particular someone. He was confident that, with the Chairman’s astuteness, he knew exactly who "that guy" referred to.

"Who can say for sure? The trials in the Refining Tower don’t necessarily favor powerful Meridian Refining techniques alone for passing!"

A glint of cunning flashed in Lu Liancheng’s eyes. If Yun Xiao were here, he might be reminded of the Boundary Tower test, where the cultivator’s own cultivation level was not a factor either.

"If he can secure a spot, then we need not mention this matter again. But if he fails..."

Lu Liancheng did not finish his sentence, yet the several Elders beside him could easily detect the chill in his words, especially the Great Elder, who instantly understood the implication behind them.

In this continent, ultimately, strength speaks. Even Lu Liancheng had to treat Yun Xiao, who had earned his place through the assessment, with a degree of caution.

But if the other party gained nothing, then for the dignity of the Lushan City Meridian Refining Master Guild, Lu Liancheng was not some benevolent gentleman and naturally would need to reclaim face.

...

Swoosh!

With the star shifting, Yun Xiao entered the Refining Tower, feeling a faint dizziness before clarity was restored to his mind. The scene before his eyes was now completely different from what he had seen moments ago.

"It really is a space artifact!"

At this moment, realizing there was no one else around, he confirmed his earlier suspicion. This was indeed a genuine space artifact, transporting each person into different spaces.

Of course, Yun Xiao did not think the people from the Meridian Refining Master Guild would play tricks. He had confidence in his own meridian refining technique. To be among the first three to reach the top might not be all that difficult.

However, if Yun Xiao had heard Lu Liancheng’s words earlier, he perhaps wouldn’t think so lightly of it. Like the Boundary Tower before, the tests offered were not always the same, nor did a higher meridian refining level guarantee greater success.

This involved the issue of talent. For instance, deciding between a two to three-hundred-year-old Earth Rank Low-Level Meridian Refining Master and a twenty to thirty-year-old Spiritual Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master depends on individual judgment.

Though Yun Xiao’s appearance of being in his forties or fifties was merely a disguise, just as the thought crossed his mind, the first test in the Refining Tower suddenly commenced.

"Differentiation of herbs?"

Seeing the rows of wooden shelves appearing out of nowhere, Yun Xiao’s heart stirred. He seemed to understand what the first trial was and felt a sense of relief.

One must know that Yun Xiao was the reincarnation of the Long Xiao Battle God, an esteemed high-level Holy Rank Meridian Refining Master in his past life. When it came to identifying these heavenly materials and earthly treasures, surpassing him was a rarity even in the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud.

Even though Yun Xiao wouldn’t claim he could identify every single heavenly material or earthly treasure on this continent, he believed that if he failed to recognize something within the Refining Tower, it was likely designed to prevent anyone from passing the test.

With these thoughts in mind, Yun Xiao stepped forward to the first kind of herb on the first shelf. With just a glance, he recognized its name.

"Golden Frost Leaf!"

He murmured, and a magical scene ensued. The red light that had originally covered the golden leaf instantly turned green, indicating a change upon the identification of the herb.

"Withered Stone Juice, Fallen Horse Grass, Mysterious Pattern Needle, Heavy Air Water,..."

Smoothing out names of herbs as he moved, Yun Xiao’s steps were unwavering. Many low-tier heavenly materials and earthly treasures were identified with just a brief glance.

Swoosh swoosh swoosh...

Green light emerged continuously as Yun Xiao made his way forward. The number of green light shields increased, while the red ones dwindled, until perhaps, in a moment, all red shields enveloping the herbs would turn green.

"Hmm?"

However, as Yun Xiao reached the last row of shelves, a sharp look flickered in his eyes. He suddenly noticed that something covered by a red light caused a presence in his waist storage to tremble violently.

"What... is this?"

Even with Yun Xiao’s experience and acumen, he couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned at the sight of a palm-sized azure leaf. Yet, due to the disturbance within him, he dared not underestimate this seemingly ordinary leaf.

The cause of the disturbance wasn’t the Golden Snake Worm Xiao Wu or the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix hatchling Red Feather but the Dragon Guiding Tree Spirit Little Dragon, which had never shown interest in anything before. Since Yun Xiao had known Little Dragon, he had never witnessed such an unusual reaction from the little creature.