87: Chapter 87 High-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill

"Brother Hu, please look!" Chen Erniu handed the jade bottle to Hu Nan.

Hu Nan slowly uncorked the jade bottle, and a dense wave of Spiritual Qi and medicinal fragrance rushed out, nearly filling the entire small room.

He tilted the jade bottle slightly, and a round, full, crimson Medicinal Pill slowly rolled out, landing in his palm.

The Medicinal Pill felt warm in his hand, its Spiritual Qi pure and heavy. Its surface shimmered with a faint luster, and subtle patterns of Spiritual Qi swirled around it.

"It really is a High Grade foundation establishment pill." There was a hint of barely perceptible emotion in Hu Nan's voice.

Seeing Hu Nan's moved expression, Chen Erniu added, "Brother Hu, besides this High Grade foundation establishment pill, I have another treasure that can lend you a helping hand to easily take the championship of the Sect Competition."

As his voice fell, Chen Erniu raised his hand again. With a flash of spiritual light from his fingertips, a forest-green jade pendant appeared out of thin air in his hand.

The jade pendant was circular and translucent, its surface carved with complex runes that flickered with a faint green light. It was surrounded by a dense defensive Spiritual Qi; one look was enough to tell it was no ordinary treasure.

He placed the jade pendant gently on the stone table and pushed it toward Hu Nan, his tone steady and certain: "This jade pendant is a defensive treasure called the 'bixia pendant'."

"It contains the defensive spiritual power I refined in my previous life, enough to defend against the High-level Secret Techniques of the Blood Demon Sect. Even when facing a full-strength strike from a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, it can steadily block it and keep you unscathed."

Hearing Chen Erniu's words, Qin Changsheng, far away in the small courtyard, was also somewhat tempted.

After all, Li Hu was the Young Lord of the Blood Demon Sect.

Furthermore, Li Hu knew many Spells.

If he had this defensive item, it would be much easier for Hu Nan to win the championship of the Sect Competition.

Qin Changsheng pondered for a long time and decided that he could cooperate with Chen Erniu this time.

After all, even if he won the championship, he would only choose the foundation establishment pill, the prayer mat, and the spirit suppressing pearl.

Moreover, the foundation establishment pill obtained from the Sect Competition was only a Low Grade foundation establishment pill.

Receiving Qin Changsheng's instruction, Hu Nan did not hesitate at all: "Brother Chen, it's a deal. I agree to cooperate with you."

"Good! Good! Good!" Hearing Hu Nan's reply, Chen Erniu could no longer suppress his eagerness and joy, saying "good" three times in a row.

"Brother Hu is indeed straightforward!" Chen Erniu stood up with a smile. "Let us clap hands to seal the oath!"

After saying that, Chen Erniu raised his right hand.

Without the slightest hesitation, Hu Nan slowly stood up, raised his right palm, and struck it against Chen Erniu's palm.

"Clap—" Three crisp hand-clapping sounds echoed in succession.

Chen Erniu withdrew his palm and said, "Brother Hu, there is one matter I have been quite puzzled about. I venture to ask today."

"Brother Chen, feel free to speak!" Hu Nan said.

"Three years ago, was that golden light on the technique stele you, Brother Hu?" Chen Erniu's expression held a hint of certainty. Clearly, he had already guessed this in his heart and was only seeking confirmation today.

Hearing Chen Erniu's words, Qin Changsheng was silent for a moment before letting Hu Nan admit it.

Only after receiving Qin Changsheng's permission did Hu Nan say, "That's right, it was me!"

Hearing Hu Nan admit it personally, Chen Erniu's face showed no surprise; he just shook his head gently. "Brother Hu, oh Brother Hu, how could you not know to hide the light a little?"

Hearing Chen Erniu's words, Qin Changsheng was also somewhat surprised.

He hadn't expected that the light on the technique stele could be hidden.

At the same time, a thought flashed through Qin Changsheng's mind like lightning.

Chen Erniu must have also obtained something from the technique stele!

And he had hidden that light.

"It was just a bit of light, why hide it?" Hu Nan said dismissively, while also asking, "Brother Chen must have also obtained an Ancient Divine Ability!"

Hearing this, Chen Erniu shook his head slightly, with a trace of imperceptible melancholy. "Brother Hu, you joke. I do not have a Heaven-Defying talent like yours."

"I merely comprehended a High-level Secret Technique."

"Congratulations, Brother Chen!" Hu Nan cupped his hands.

Chen Erniu waved his hand, his tone flat: "It was just a small Opportunity, not worth mentioning. Compared to the Ancient Divine Ability you obtained, my High-level Secret Technique is ultimately inferior."

At this point, he slowly stood up, his expression becoming solemn again as he looked at Hu Nan, his tone sincere: "Brother Hu, it is getting late, I won't disturb you any longer."

After saying this, Chen Erniu got up and left.

In the Outer Sect courtyard far away, Qin Changsheng also slowly stood up.

"Chen Erniu... a Soul Transformation Reincarnation..." Qin Changsheng murmured in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of imperceptible shock and realization.

He hadn't expected that he would actually encounter a Soul Transformation Reincarnation.

You should know that previously, he had always believed Chen Erniu was the Young Lord of the Blood Demon Sect.

Qin Changsheng didn't fully believe Chen Erniu's words.

However, he could still cooperate with Chen Erniu for a bit.

After all, the treasures Chen Erniu gave were truly excellent.

Whether it was the High Grade foundation establishment pill or that jade pendant, both were good treasures.

...

Early the next morning.

The sky had just brightened.

The square of the Heavenly Sword Sect was packed with Heavenly Sword Sect Disciples who had come to watch the matches.

"I didn't expect Hu Nan to be so formidable!"

"He defeated the heavy favorite Lin Hao in a single move!"

"That was because Senior Brother Lin was momentarily careless!"

"Today, Hu Nan will definitely be stopped at the top sixteen!"

"Correct, today's champion will definitely be Senior Brother Wu Yong!"

"I think today's champion is Jiang Lijuan!"

"That Li Hu's strength is also very formidable!"

These Disciples were all discussing yesterday's competition.

At the same time, they were guessing the favorites to win the championship.

However, the crowd didn't think much of Hu Nan.

They all believed Hu Nan was just lucky, allowing him to pick up a ring leader spot for nothing.

Hu Nan's luck couldn't possibly be that good again today.

Zhang Han was also in the crowd. Hearing everyone's opinions of Hu Nan, he strongly agreed.

After all, he was extremely jealous of Hu Nan.

Originally, his strength was similar to Hu Nan's, and their Spiritual Roots were similar too.

They had both been stuck at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining.

But now, Hu Nan's cultivation had reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, and he had even broken into the top sixteen of the competition.

So, whenever he heard someone speaking ill of Hu Nan, he would rush forward to add a few words.

More than an hour later, a dozen sword lights suddenly flew across the sky.

In the next instant, Sect Head Xuanyangzi, Elder Qingxuan, Fairy Qingling, Lin Zhentian, and others all arrived on the high platform.

"Junior Brother Lin, you should host this drawing ceremony again!" Xuanyangzi looked toward Lin Zhentian.

"As you command!" Lin Zhentian cupped his hands to Xuanyangzi and walked to the very front of the high platform.

"Silence!" Lin Zhentian shouted softly.

This voice instantly drowned out all the noisy discussions.

The many Disciples stopped their chatter and turned their gaze toward Lin Zhentian on the high platform.

Lin Zhentian's gaze slowly swept across the square, and he spoke: "Today is the day of our Heavenly Sword Sect's Sect Competition top sixteen battle. Congratulations to the sixteen Disciples who stood out and made it to today's arena. You are all the elite of the Sect and the future hope of the Heavenly Sword Sect!"

Lin Zhentian continued: "Without further ado, today's matches will still follow the rules of the Sect Competition: stop when the point is made, and no lives must be harmed. Before the matches, a draw must be conducted to determine the match order for the top sixteen and the potential opponents for the subsequent top eight. The draw is fair and just, depending entirely on Opportunity. Now, I invite the sixteen advancing Disciples to come forward and draw!"

As his voice fell, Lin Zhentian waved his hand. With a flash of spiritual light from his fingertips, an ancient wooden box appeared out of thin air in his hand.

The wooden box was pitch black, its surface carved with simple runes. Inside were sixteen wooden slips carved with numbers, corresponding to the match positions for the top sixteen.

Following Lin Zhentian's words, sixteen Disciples, including Hu Nan, Li Hu, Jiang Lijuan, and Zhao Lei, stepped onto the arena one after another.

"Let the draw begin!" With a wave of Lin Zhentian's hand, the wooden box flew in front of Jiang Lijuan.

After Jiang Lijuan drew a number, it flew to the next person.

In just a few minutes, Hu Nan and the others had all completed the drawing ceremony.

Hu Nan gently unfolded his wooden slip and saw a small number "3" carved on it.

Hu Nan's luck in the draw was very good.

His opponents for the top sixteen and top eight were not very strong.

Only in the top four might he encounter Jiang Lijuan.

Meanwhile, Li Hu was placed in the opposite half of the bracket.

After the announcement, Lin Zhentian raised his hand, signaling the Disciples who drew the corresponding numbers to come forward and prepare: "Now, will all Disciples please take the stage in order of their matches. The top sixteen battle officially begins!"

As Lin Zhentian announced the start, the knockout rounds of the Outer Sect Competition also officially began.

Because Hu Nan's opponents were not very strong and had not Cultivated any profound techniques,

In less than an hour, Hu Nan had defeated his opponents in the top sixteen and top eight, becoming the first to enter the top four.

"How is Hu Nan so powerful?"

"He actually entered the top four first?"

"That's impossible, right?"

"Hmph, Hu Nan is just lucky. His opponent for the top four is Jiang Lijuan!"

"Senior Sister Jiang will definitely be able to defeat Hu Nan!"

Seeing Hu Nan enter the top four so easily, many Disciples were extremely astonished.

They had originally thought it would be difficult for Hu Nan to enter the top four, but they hadn't expected his strength to be so great.

With just a few moves, he had settled his opponents in the top eight and top sixteen.

Especially Zhang Han; his face had already turned terrifyingly dark.

Zhang Han had always thought Hu Nan relied on luck to enter the top sixteen.

He thought that after entering the top sixteen, Hu Nan's good luck would come to an end.

But he hadn't expected Hu Nan to continue with such a strong performance, actually being the first to enter the top four.

This made Zhang Han feel extremely miserable.

Especially seeing the way Lin Yao looked at Hu Nan, it made Zhang Han feel even worse.

On the high platform, a glint flashed in Xuanyangzi's eyes as he nodded slightly, while several Elders also revealed surprised expressions and began to converse in low voices.

Not far away, Li Hu looked at Hu Nan's back, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes.

He had clearly used blood demon powder on Hu Nan.

How did Hu Nan's appearance not look like he had been affected by blood demon powder at all?

At the same time, Jiang Lijuan also defeated her opponent, and her gaze turned toward Hu Nan.

Jiang Lijuan was also somewhat puzzled.

Before the Outer Sect Competition, she had never heard of Hu Nan's name.

But she hadn't expected that this unremarkable person would defeat Lin Hao, be the first to enter the top four, and even become her opponent for the top four.

However, Jiang Lijuan was not overly worried.

She believed that with her strength, she could definitely defeat Hu Nan, enter the finals, and then seize the championship of the Sect Competition.

More than an hour later, all the matches for the top eight had concluded.

The final top four were also decided: Hu Nan, Jiang Lijuan, Li Hu, and Wu Yong.