It is worth mentioning that, since the refining process has only just begun.
Within the territory of Yushan.
Everyone except Ye Li was struggling to move forward in this place under the influence of the two Venerable Ones' energies.
Even now, they haven't ventured too far into Jade Mountain, and the distance between them isn't even that great. At this moment, they all look at each other, their mouths slightly agape.
At this moment, the heavens and earth boiled, and energy surged back like a tidal wave, all flowing into that magnificent, pitch-black tornado!
This change was far too obvious within the Yushan area, like a pool of water that was scalding hot one second and turned icy cold the next.
Those of them who were part of the refinement process had no choice but to discover it!
Fortunately, while such a scene is indeed awe-inspiring, it is not particularly difficult to understand.
"Someone is hoarding the refined energy for themselves?!"
The deputy general of Zhenxi County was the first to shout out, and the Xuan Tie heavy armor clanged loudly amidst the violently fluctuating Spiritual Energy.
This valiant warrior, rumored to have torn apart Great Demon with his bare hands, now had bloodshot eyes.
He was, after all, a young and promising talent with extensive experience. Now that things had come to this, how could he not realize that the opportunity he had been waiting for was being snatched away by someone else!
"Who did this?!"
"Who else could it be! There were only twelve people involved in this cleansing, and we can see eleven of them here. Whoever is missing is the one who did it!"
"..." Su Yongye was slightly dazed. As the strongest cultivator in this area, he had also traveled the farthest distance.
With just a slight turn of the head, even from thousands of feet away, one can take in the faces of everyone.
Lian Jing ([Summer Sky Bow]), Gu Le ([Abyss Splitter]), and other top contenders for the championship before the refinement process began were all still there, their faces showing obvious anger.
The only thing missing was Ye Li from Longtan.
Now that things have come to this, the answer is obvious.
"Brother Ye... do you really intend to be so shocking?"
Su Yongye's breathing quickened slightly. He believed he had overestimated the other party enough, and had been exceptionally polite these past few days in an attempt to cultivate a relationship.
He was initially somewhat dissatisfied with the other party's attitude, but now it seems that this deputy general of Longtan is much more formidable than he imagined!
He alone absorbed all the refined energy of the entire Jade Mountain.
Such a feat has never been seen even once in the entire history of the Immortal Xianjing Continent!
Could he possibly accomplish such a thing with his cultivation at the fourth level of the Dao Evolution Realm?
This question is highly questionable, especially considering the distance between the tornado and this location, the difference in their performance during their training here is already quite significant!
"I never expected there to be a contestant like this."
Lian Jing, the young lieutenant general renowned for his "Summer Sky Bow," frowned slightly, his captivating eyes fixed on the distant black tornado, and asked in a deep voice:
"It must be the first person to come in... Does anyone here recognize him?"
Logically speaking, Yao Xuan Envoy the Xianjing Continent with such abilities should be renowned regardless of which prefecture he holds or what position he holds.
Even though he usually loved to gather information, he had only met the other party once before the training.
That overwhelming, mountain-like aura of a saint could not possibly belong to a domain lord... If that's the case, how could he possibly accomplish such a thing?
"I don't know him."
A man who looked younger than Lian Jing spoke slowly, "But he's wearing Silver Fish black robe, so he should also be a lieutenant general, though I wonder which major prefecture he comes from."
"What I'm concerned about is how he, a mere saint, managed to absorb the refined energy of the entire Jade Mountain?"
"Brother Gu Le, to be honest, this is also what I'm concerned about." Lian Jing looked up and asked:
How do you think he did it?
"Secret techniques, Treasured Artifacts," Gu Le said calmly.
"To accomplish such a feat beyond his own level, there are only two methods. Unless his ability to conceal his presence is stronger than my perception, otherwise..."
He didn't continue, but anyone could hear the confidence in his tone, clearly indicating that he didn't believe such a possibility existed.
"A secret technique or Treasured Artifacts...?"
Lian Jing nodded thoughtfully. The Jade Mountain Refinement would not prohibit any methods used by cultivators, after all, the original intention was to allow participants to adapt to the energy as much as possible and stay in this place for a longer period of time.
However, the Treasured Artifacts and secret techniques that can be used in the refinement process are all rare items, and it is extremely difficult to collect them.
It seems this person has acquired some little-known method and came specifically for the purification of this place.
That's really sneaky...
Lian Jing gritted his teeth, temporarily suppressing his anger, and turned to look at Su Yongye, whose expression was constantly changing, and asked with a smile:
"Brother Su, as a talented scholar of [Shiguang Academy], what methods do you think should be used to accomplish this?"
Everything must be approached with extreme caution.
If someone can truly accomplish this on their own, then their hidden cultivation level must be unimaginably strong; it's not impossible for them to be a high-level domain lord of the seventh level or above.
"Um?"
Upon hearing this, Su Yongye barely snapped out of his daze, then gave a somewhat stiff smile, "Just as Brother Gu Le said before, let's use some kind of secret technique or Treasured Artifacts."
It wasn't that he looked down on Ye Li's abilities.
Based on his understanding of the Domain Lord rank, he knew that no matter how strong a cultivator's physical body was, it was impossible for them to directly contain the refining energy of the entire Jade Mountain.
Forcibly absorbing it will only result in the body exploding and dying.
Although Ye Li possessed formidable combat strength, capable of overpowering Zeng Fan, who was at the second level of the Dao Evolution Realm, it was impossible for him to accomplish such a feat on his own.
"I see."
Lian Jing's smile immediately became more sincere. Even this aristocrat who came from [Shiguang Academy] had made such a judgment, so he felt much more at ease.
"Brother Gu Le, what do you plan to do?" he asked again.
"What else can I do?" Gu Le scoffed, his clothes fluttering even without wind. "If you want to be a glutton, you should be prepared to be devoured."
"I can't think of a second solution other than driving him out of Yushan territory."
"That's exactly what I was thinking too." Lian Jing raised his hand, and a large bow with a blue and white body appeared.
He then looked at the crowd behind him, the smile in his peach blossom eyes vanishing, replaced by a cold glint:
"As you all should know, fighting is never prohibited during the refining process."
"However, in order to maximize their own benefits, very few people have chosen to engage in sparring within Yushan over the years."
"If I could, I wouldn't want to start a war here either, but some people don't understand the principle of 'leaving room for maneuver in everything.' They eat the meat themselves, but they don't even leave the soup for others."
"I need not elaborate on how precious the opportunity for refinement is. Since this person has acted so decisively, he cannot blame us for taking action without authorization."
"Those who agree with me, come with me now! Only by driving this person out of the Jade Mountain territory can we proceed with the subsequent purification!!"
As he spoke, his voice gradually rose, successfully stirring up the already disgruntled cultivators.
A series of powerful auras rose from the ground!
Lian Jing watched this scene with satisfaction, then turned to Su Yongye, whose expression was complex, and said sincerely:
"Brother Su, you have the strongest cultivation, so how about you lead the charge on this mission?"
"Me?" Su Yongye's eyes widened in surprise. He wasn't even planning to go, yet they wanted him to lead the charge?
That's not how you joke.
Although Brother Ye Li's cultivation level has not yet Dao Initiation, his combat strength is truly formidable. Even Zeng Fan is at the second level of the Dao Evolution Realm, is no match for him. How easy would it be for these people to take him down!
Therefore, he resolutely refused:
"I won't go, and I suggest you don't go either."
In the Jade Mountain Refinement, not only is fighting not prohibited, but so is seizing opportunities for oneself.
Never do anything without a legitimate reason – a slogan on the wall of [Shiguang Academy].
"A pedantic scholar with lofty ideals but empty knowledge."
Before Lian Jing could ask why, Gu Le beside him let out a cold snort.
He abruptly killed the conversation and took the lead in walking towards the dark tornado that stretched from the sky to the ground in the distance.
Seeing this, the Yao Xuan Envoy, who had originally intended to go and demand an explanation, immediately perked up.
If Su Yongye doesn't go, Gu Le will do.
Both were already renowned Xianjing Continent Realm!
Lian Jing could only give Su Yongye an apologetic smile, but the latter didn't seem to care at all and turned to walk back the way he came.
Could there be another hidden story?
A look of seriousness flashed across Lian Jing's eyes, but urged by those around him, he temporarily withdrew his gaze, intending to improvise later.