Tyrant Sky Martial Soul

Chapter 1281: Chapter 1281: Breaking Through Shackles

”Are you talking about the woman who was defeated by you in medical prowess and later committed suicide?”

Ji Qing asked.

”That’s correct. It was her. Back then, the title of Medicine King in the White Tiger Continent was contested only between us. She lost and chose to end her life. I didn’t expect her to return.”

Medicine King Sun Ran said darkly, ”Dan Changle, stop the alchemy tournament immediately. No one can win against her, unless I personally intervene.”

”Wait a moment!”

Ji Qing shook his head and said, ”Perhaps it is not as catastrophic as you imagine. No matter how powerful she is, when she died, she was merely a Xuan Grade Low-Level alchemist at best, capable of producing Xuan Grade Low-Level pills. But her success rate wouldn’t be very high.

So, if my guess is correct, she will likely choose a pill of similar rank as the Three Parts Return to Origin Pill.

As long as Ling Xiao doesn’t lose outright, even if it’s a draw, by relying on his advantage from the previous two rounds, he should be able to win.”

Sun Ran roared, ”Do you truly believe that Ling Xiao can refine the Three Parts Return to Origin Pill? Do you truly trust that boy?”

”There’s no other way but to trust him. Remember, our rules do not prohibit assistance from the Martial Soul.”

Ji Qing reminded him, ”In the case of Tianhai Zhen Zhu, that woman has already become her Martial Soul. We cannot block this; otherwise, we would become the laughingstock when word spreads.”

”Ji Qing is right. We can’t afford to tarnish Changle Immortal Island’s honor.”

Jackson Le Grandmaster also shook his head.

”Hmph, if that wretch ends up winning the championship, your Changle Immortal Island would lose face in an even bigger way. Are you really planning to continue?”

Sun Ran asked coldly.

”Of course, we will continue.”

Jackson Le Grandmaster nodded firmly and said, ”I trust Ling Xiao. If he could cure my poison, he can definitely refine the Three Parts Return to Origin Pill!”

Bang!

At this moment, black smoke suddenly billowed out from Ling Xiao’s alchemy platform.

Although the three pills weren’t shattered, they simultaneously cracked and fell onto the bluestone platform.

Failed?

Jackson Le Grandmaster’s and Ji Qing’s faces instantly turned ashen.

Ling Xiao had actually failed just like that?

Medicine King Sun Ran sneered, ”I said it before. Fusion alchemy is not something a mere kid can attempt. Even I can’t say I have a fifty percent chance of success. He’s practically leading himself towards his own demise.”

”Perhaps he already knew Tianhai Zhen Zhu would refine a pill of equivalent quality. To win, he had no other option but to take this risk.”

Ji Qing sighed, ”The boy has good observational skills, but he’s unlucky and fell short at the last step.”

Jackson Le Grandmaster shook his head helplessly. Would they really end up being mocked by the Sea Race today?

”Hahaha, boy, I had a little bit of expectation for you, but I never thought you’d be this useless. Looks like the championship of this alchemy tournament is destined to be mine!”

Tianhai Zhen Zhu burst out into jubilant, almost manic laughter.

Seeing Ling Xiao fail brought her the greatest satisfaction.

After all, Ling Xiao had already squandered three chances. With this failure, he was directly disqualified and had no opportunity left to stage a comeback.

”Ling Xiao, you idiot! Failing at the crucial moment—since you can’t do it, let me show my skill instead.”

Dan Qing seemed somewhat thrilled.

Ling Xiao’s failure provided him with the perfect opportunity to showcase his abilities.

”Sigh.”

Ji Luoyu could only sigh.

She hadn’t expected the situation to turn out this way but could only focus on her own alchemy.

Time passed, minute by minute.

Ling Xiao stood there, resting his right hand against his cheek, seemingly lost in thought.

”Over ten minutes now. That guy’s done for. And yet he thinks we’re being harsh on him? He’s the one who can’t deliver.”

”Exactly. He’s even worse than Dan Qing and the Little Medicine King; let alone Tianhai Zhen Zhu.”

”What a pity—a hero has turned into a laughingstock in an instant.”

The crowd’s whispers grew louder, as though nobody remembered the man whose tongue had been severed earlier.

But this time, Ling Xiao didn’t say anything, nor did he retaliate. He simply wasn’t in the mood.

The final round was particularly unique. As long as Ling Xiao didn’t choose to leave, he couldn’t be forcibly eliminated. So, technically, he still had a chance to turn things around.

But as for how exactly to do that—he needed more time to think.

”It worked!”

Ji Luoyu cried out excitedly.

The Top-level Yellow-grade pill she had refined was finally completed, emanating a tantalizing fragrance.

”As expected of the Little Medicine King! Under immense pressure, she still managed to refine a Top-level Yellow-grade pill!”

”She’s far superior to Ling Xiao!”

At this point, there were only four contestants left in the arena: Ling Xiao, Tianhai Zhen Zhu, Dan Qing, and Ji Luoyu.

The others had either successfully refined pills but only Advanced Yellow-grade ones mismatched in quality, or their Top-level Yellow-grade pills failed to meet Ji Luoyu’s standards.

Still others had failed all three attempts and voluntarily left the alchemy platform.

Ji Luoyu, having completed her refinement, breathed a sigh of relief and walked off the platform to enjoy the rest of the competition from the VIP seats.

Another ten minutes passed.

Dan Qing also successfully refined a Top-level Yellow-grade pill.

Unfortunately, he didn’t feel particularly happy—it took him ten minutes longer than Ji Luoyu, and the efficacy was likely comparable. First place was clearly out of reach for him.

Frustrated, he stepped off the platform, muttering angrily, ”Ling Xiao, you’re the reason I wasted so much time. If you don’t defeat Tianhai Zhen Zhu, then just die.”

”Defeat me? With him?”

Tianhai Zhen Zhu sneered dismissively.

Although her refinement had taken far longer than Dan Qing’s, the quality and rank of her pills were notably higher.

Everything was on track.

She was certain she would claim today’s championship.

”Young one, need your Master’s help? After all, that little girl over there is also cheating.”

At that moment, Yuan Venerate’s voice resonated in Ling Xiao’s mind.

”No need. Even if I lose, I want to rely on my own abilities to complete this trial. Otherwise, it would be meaningless.”

Ling Xiao shook his head lightly. He understood Yuan Venerate’s good intentions and knew with his Master’s intervention, he could reverse his fortune and successfully refine the pills.

But he couldn’t accept such assistance.

Turning to others for help whenever faced with hardship would only lead him to stagnate on his path.

This time, he had to confront the challenge head-on. To fail would mean being ridiculed, branded a pitiable fool, forced to swallow humiliation and continue striving onward!

To succeed would mean to break the barriers, elevate his alchemy skills, and strengthen his resilience.

This was a threshold.

If he crossed it, he would triumph.

If he couldn’t, he would simply have to accept the result.

”Hahaha, it’s over. Everything is over. In fifteen minutes at most, my pill will be complete. You will all be my defeated rivals. Such pathetic land-dwellers—a group of worthless fools!”

Having passed the most challenging moments, Tianhai Zhen Zhu cackled triumphantly.

Medicine King Sun Ran was just about to say something when suddenly, a crisp, clear voice interrupted him.

”Celebrating now might be a bit premature.”

The voice belonged to the person Tianhai Zhen Zhu despised the most.

It was Ling Xiao.