Chapter 1817: The Slot

"Hey, Song Ting's really lucky. With Qian Ye taken out by Ye Yuan, he got to fill in and earn a spot in the Huangling Tournament."

"He's too weak. He'll just be a benchwarmer there. If you ask me, they should've let Ye Yuan go!"

"Too bad. Ye Yuan definitely has the strength for the Huangling Tournament, but he can't break through to the Divine Deity realm."

…

On the square before the main peak's great hall, the entire sect was seeing off the disciples heading to the Huangling Tournament.

Four disciples were going: Bai Liqingyan, Jiang Xueyan, Yi Qingxiang, and Song Ting.

Originally, Song Ting had no chance to participate, but Qian Ye's death opened the door for him.

Within the age limit, picking the best of a bad lot, only Song Ting remained.

Song Ting had broken through to the first level of the Divine Deity realm over a hundred years ago, and his strength was now far from what it used to be.

At this moment, Song Ting looked elated. No matter what, being able to join the Huangling Tournament was a great honor.

At the very least, the Elephant Demon lineage would rise with him.

"Hey, so what if Ye Yuan has extraordinary talent? At least this time, he has no hope of participating in the Huangling Tournament!"

Song Ting felt a surge of smugness.

He knew his participation was hard to justify, but if Ye Yuan couldn't measure up, who could he blame?

Over there, Bai Liqingyan's beautiful eyes scanned the crowd, as if searching for someone.

Jiang Xueyan sneered, "Stop looking. That kid won't show up. Breaking through to the Divine Deity realm in ten years—no one can do that. Or do you think he'll come to see you off?"

Bai Liqingyan said softly, "He said he would break through!"

For some reason, even though Bai Liqingyan herself didn't believe it, she still hoped Ye Yuan would succeed.

Sometimes, human psychology is just that strange.

Jiang Xueyan curled her lip dismissively, "That kid's law comprehension is impressive, but his cultivation speed isn't that fast. With his pace, there's no way he can go from the ninth level of the Divine Lord realm to the first level of the Divine Deity realm. Don't you know that?"

But Bai Liqingyan insisted, "Others can't, but maybe… he really can?"

Jiang Xueyan couldn't help rolling her eyes, "You silly girl, you're hopeless!"

This time, the team was led by Xu Yan, the teaching elder of Tianpeng Peak.

With two disciples from Tianpeng Peak participating, he naturally felt honored.

He gave a few words of encouragement, then waved his sleeve and said, "Let's go!"

Bai Liqingyan's expression dimmed, and she sighed softly, "He didn't come after all."

With that, she followed Xu Yan into the sky.

"Wait!"

Just then, a figure soared up and blocked their path.

"It's Ye Yuan! He… he actually broke through to the Divine Deity realm!"

"Unbelievable! In ten years, he broke through two levels and reached the Divine Deity realm!"

"Heh, Song Ting must be feeling bitter now. The bird in hand just flew away."

"Serves him right! Ever since he got the spot, he's been strutting around like a smug little man."

…

Song Ting's face turned ugly. He hadn't expected Ye Yuan to break through at the last moment!

Now, his spot in the Huangling Tournament would surely be taken away.

That was hard for him to accept.

Jiang Xueyan's expression was no better than Song Ting's.

She had just mocked Ye Yuan, saying he couldn't break through to the Divine Deity realm.

And before her words even faded, Ye Yuan appeared before her as a Divine Deity.

Bai Liqingyan's face lit up with surprise. She hadn't expected Ye Yuan to actually do it.

Ten years ago, when Ye Yuan said he could break through to the Divine Deity realm, she hadn't believed him.

This guy was simply a monster!

The hurdle from the Divine Lord realm to the Divine Deity realm was one that many couldn't cross even after tens of thousands of years.

But Ye Yuan had done it in ten years.

Ye Yuan looked at Xu Yan and said, "Elder Xu, I want to participate in the Huangling Tournament."

Xu Yan stared at Ye Yuan in shock and nodded, "I didn't expect you to break through at the last moment. This old man is truly amazed! Since you've broken through to the Divine Deity realm, everything is fine. With your strength, you naturally deserve a spot."

Hearing this, Song Ting's expression turned extremely sour.

He had obtained this spot through fierce battles, eliminating many of his peers.

And now, with one word from Xu Yan, it was taken away.

Now that he had already soared into the air, he would have to return to the main peak. Those below were probably laughing at him, weren't they?

What a huge loss of face!

Ye Yuan smiled and cupped his hands, "Thank you, Elder Xu. But I actually broke through earlier; I just went to the Alchemy Hall and got delayed."

Xu Yan was slightly surprised, "You just broke through; you shouldn't need any pills. What were you doing at the Alchemy Hall?"

Ye Yuan smiled, "I heard that this Huangling Tournament is full of geniuses, and some disciples from other sects have even reached the second level of the Divine Deity realm. So I specially refined a pill for Senior Sister Bai."

Bai Liqingyan was astonished. Ye Yuan had actually refined a pill for her!

Xu Yan exclaimed in surprise, "You know alchemy?"

Ye Yuan smiled, "I know a little."

With that, Ye Yuan handed a small bottle to Bai Liqingyan, "With your talent, Senior Sister, taking this Yurong Purple Heart Pill should let you break through to the second level of the Divine Deity realm."

At these words, the crowd erupted!

Although Bai Liqingyan was exceptionally talented, her cultivation speed had slowed significantly after breaking through to the Divine Deity realm.

In the past two hundred years, she had only barely reached the late stage of the first level, still far from the peak.

Yet Ye Yuan claimed this pill could directly push her to the second level of the Divine Deity realm.

Was this pill really that miraculous?

Bai Liqingyan opened the bottle doubtfully, and a surge of medicinal fragrance shot into the air. Her mouth fell open in disbelief, "A… a divine-grade Yurong Purple Heart Pill!"

Ye Yuan smiled, "Take it quickly. If you keep staring, the potency will fade!"

Startled, Bai Liqingyan quickly swallowed the pill.

Xu Yan looked at Ye Yuan in shock, unable to find words to describe his feelings.

This kid was not only powerful and talented but also an incredible alchemist!

Soon after taking the pill, Bai Liqingyan's aura began to surge wildly, rushing toward the second level of the Divine Deity realm.

"She broke through! She really broke through! My god, the pill's effect is too strong!"

"Now Senior Sister Bai's strength will skyrocket, and our Shadow Moon Sect's chances of securing a spot have greatly increased!"

"This Ye Yuan keeps surprising us! He's truly remarkable."

Under everyone's gaze, Bai Liqingyan really did break through to the second level of the Divine Deity realm!