The arena was empty, both sides having perished!
Zi Linling smiled, this outcome was within her expectations, yet also beyond them.
She walked slowly to the center of the arena and announced, "Elder Nangong, the Alchemist Guild will provide medicine to help these individuals recover as quickly as possible. In half an hour, we will proceed with the final selection!"
Elder Nangong, receiving the order, hurried with Feng Mo and Nian Youyu to retrieve the medicinal pills and distribute them.
With the aid of the pills, their recovery speed was astonishing.
Those with minor injuries were back to normal within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, while the severely injured were mostly recovered within half an hour.
Soon, over two thousand people returned to the arena.
This, of course, was Zi Linling's decision.
Zi Linling stood on the arena, smiling, "Your performance just now was excellent! I imagine you've all gained some insights from these battles. Now, you have one hour to digest these insights. After one hour, I will announce the list of those entering the Pill Sovereign's Secret Realm!"
"Yes!"
Over two thousand voices echoed in unison.
If previously they might have questioned Zi Linling's orders, now, only obedience remained in their hearts.
Save for that one white lotus, all of them were completely awestruck by Zi Linling.
Time flew by, and only a quarter of an hour remained.
"Pop!"
"Pop!"
"Pop!"
"..."
A string of breakthrough sounds erupted.
Having passed three rounds of selection, these individuals were already possessed of genius.
Now, under Zi Linling's arrangements, each of their wills had strengthened, their Dao hearts had become clearer, making it difficult for them not to break through.
Zi Linling watched those who broke through, a flicker of joy in her eyes.
The quarter-hour passed in an instant, and all over two thousand people slowly opened their eyes.
Those who broke through were overjoyed.
Those who didn't, felt as if they had gained a treasure.
They stood up simultaneously, then simultaneously knelt on one knee, and in perfect unison declared, "We thank Guild Master Zi for her guidance. Henceforth, should you require anything, we will not refuse!"
No matter how proud they had been before, at this moment, they were immensely sincere.
Zi Linling froze in place.
This outcome was truly beyond her expectations.
She asked in surprise, "What are you doing?"
"We are eternally grateful for Guild Master Zi's enlightenment! Though we belong to different factions, as long as Guild Master Zi commands, we will go through fire and water, even unto death!"
The speaker was the young man who had led them before.
"Through fire and water, even unto death!"
"Through fire and water, even unto death!"
"Through fire and water, even unto death!"
"..."
The surging voices, rising one after another, demonstrated their unwavering resolve.
Hidden in a corner, Feng Ruyi's eyes were red with jealousy.
He ground his teeth and said, "Zi Linling, all of this should have been mine! You stole my things, and I will not rest until you are dead!"
That white lotus was also consumed by envy.
She repeatedly cried out in her heart, "Why! How! Why!"
Zi Linling finally regained her senses and smiled, "Actually, I haven't done much. But since you all say so, then I will also state my expectations."
"Personally, I do not need you to do anything for me. But I hope that one day, when the Heavenly Gift Continent needs you, when the Azure Star needs you, you will go through fire and water, even unto death!"
Those two thousand people paused, then once again chanted in unison, "Even unto death!"
"Even unto death!"
"Even unto death!"
"..."
Zi Linling said with relief, "Excellent! Your current state gives me hope for the Heavenly Gift Continent, and hope for the Azure Star. I... thank you!"
As she spoke, she sincerely returned their bow, though her bow was not on one knee, but a deep curtsy.
Having done so, she announced loudly, "Everyone, please rise!"
"Yes!"
The two thousand people rose in unison.
Zi Linling smiled, "Today, everyone's performance has been outstanding. However, the quota for the Pill Sovereign's Secret Realm is limited, and not everyone can enter. Therefore, I can only select sixty-four people from among you. I hope you will understand!"
"We understand, we understand! Whoever Guild Master Zi chooses is who she chooses, we have no objections!"
"Yes, yes! Anyone who objects will be thrown out immediately!"
"That's right! We believe in Guild Master Zi! Guild Master Zi, please announce the list!"
"Yes! Please announce it!"
"Announce it! We absolutely will not have any objections!"
"..."
Zi Linling was pleased with their attitude and said, "Thank you for your understanding! How about this! For those who do not enter the Pill Sovereign's Secret Realm this time, I will make a promise."
"The promise is, after we return from the Pill Sovereign's Secret Realm, I will invite ten Half-Step Divine Kings to preach to everyone. At that time, you can raise any cultivation questions you have!"
As her words fell, both on and off the arena, a commotion erupted.
After all, in the path of cultivation, every realm was a world apart.
Especially as one's realm increased, breakthroughs became even more difficult.
And the Half-Step Divine King realm was the crucial stage between the Great Divine Realm and the Divine King Realm, a bottleneck on the path of cultivation.
Many were stuck at the peak of the Great Divine Realm, with no hope of ever reaching the Half-Step Divine King Realm, let alone the Divine King Realm.
Therefore, if Zi Linling could truly invite Half-Step Divine Kings to preach, then breaking through from the peak of the Great Divine Realm to the Half-Step Divine King Realm would be significantly easier, which would truly benefit the masses.
"That's great! That's great!"
"Guild Master Zi is truly our lucky star!"
"Indeed, selfless and benevolent, only Guild Master Zi is!"
"..."
Zi Linling felt a little embarrassed by their praise and quickly said, "Next, I will announce the list of those entering the Pill Sovereign's Secret Realm."
"Lu Baichuan, Chen Dayuan, Mao Pingsheng..."
Zi Linling read out the names in one breath.
This included the sixteen people besides the white lotus, and forty-eight others selected from the two thousand.
"Alright! Those on the list, please gather at the Alchemist Guild tomorrow morning at the Chen Shi hour. If you miss the time, we will not wait, so please be punctual!"
"Alright, everyone, hurry back and rest!"
After Zi Linling finished speaking, she disappeared from the arena and reappeared beside Ye Lingyuan.
"Lin'er, are you tired?"
Ye Lingyuan gently brushed a few stray hairs from her temples, saying with concern.
Zi Linling shook her head and said, "Ye Lingyuan, we are about to return to the Heavenly Origin Continent. I'm not tired, just a little worried."
Ye Lingyuan put his arm around her waist and pulled her into his embrace, "Don't worry, I will always be by your side!"