BXBX NOVEL Chapter 295 Winner
However, this mindset was clearly not shared by all the other disciples. James Endoro for instance disliked how much attention Elder Lo was showing Ezra Zephyr. Although Pele appeared to be the mastermind, James was likely sparing no effort to support the former.
Mubarak also knew that his junior brother James did not truly acknowledge him as the first disciple because the latter's talent was greater than his own. Although James had joined later, he was fast catching up with his senior brother. Hence, he was usually not too respectful either when they met.
"Junior brother James, junior brother Ezra has great potential, and it can be said to be our fortune that he has come to Alchemic Rune Peak and Elder Lo's faction. The cultivation resources we give him now will surely be returned manyfold in the future." Said Mubarak.
James maintained his smiling appearance, though a sneer flashed in his eyes. "Senior Brother Mubarak's words may be slightly exaggerated. I do not deny that he does have potential, but I'm afraid that he is not qualified to be considered our fortune.
So what if he's the champion of the peak selection ceremony, would it cement his gradual ascent to one of the ranked disciples? It's not like we haven't seen any champions of the peak selection ceremony before, and quite a few of them only end up as diamond belt disciples after entering the inner mountains, making them slightly better than any of us."
Mubarak frowned and said, "Elder Lo naturally has his reasons for placing such high hopes in Ezra Zephyr."
"Then we'll wait and see." James did not comment, his eyes narrowing slightly as he gazed at Ezra's figure on the stone stage and said in neither hurried nor slow manner, "I hope that you can still have such a mindset after this match.
No matter how much potential he has, it is irrelevant till the day he turns that potential into strength. As for now… I feel that it would be best for him to behave a little better. A little suffering may not always be a bad thing for youngsters."
While they were conversing, Elder Lo's gaze swept across the stone stage as he said in a solemn voice, "Begin."
The ingredients were already there placed on a table not far from the cauldron, the competition was simple. The one who would concoct the Youth Refreshing Pill first is the winner.
As soon as the match began, Pele poured his spiritual energy into the cauldron and the gold cauldron bottom stand ignited a blaze.
Pele wasted no time and inserted the ingredients. Ever Lasting Leaves, Scales of Glowing Mermaid, Mud Berry and Rainbow Tears.
These were the ingredients necessary for the concoction of the Youth Refreshing Pill.
Pele was doing his utmost best, even the watchers were admiring his talent. One by one he refined and break the ingredients.
"Look, he also activated the cauldron." Yelled a disciple and the eyes of the masses turned towards the man named Ezra Zephyr.
The pyre roared beneath the cauldron and the prince of Bloodfang Kingdom sent the two ingredients into the gold cauldron.
Yes, just two. Some leaves and water.
"What is he doing?" Bob asked Blaze, to which the latter shook his head and replied. "Beats me."
At the same time, James laughed loudly. "He didn't even read the ingredient scroll that Elder Lo gave him and you are putting your hopes on him."
There was no one who could answer to James's mock, not Mubarak nor Elder Lo.
Ezra did nothing and calmly watched the cauldron with a satisfied smile. Anticipation could be seen in the eyes of spectators.
Soon, the cauldron's fire was extinguished and Ezra took out a cup from his bracelet.
And slowly he poured the outcome of his actions into the cup.
"Is that… tea?"
"Did he make tea?"
"What the hell is wrong with him?"
These were the remarks of many disciples who watched.
"Ezra… you have failed me." Said Elder Lo with gritted teeth.
~SURP~
Ezra sipped the tea in an unmannered way, he did know the mannerism of a noble but what he wanted to do at this moment was to irritate his haters as much as he can.
Only after he finished taking his tea the werewolf prince moved, he gradually took his steps towards the table that had ingredients on it and threw it towards the cauldron from a distance.
"What! How dare he threw the ingredients. That can cause damage to them and eventually lead to a failed pill."
"Arrogant! Just too arrogant."
On the other hand, the competitor of Ezra grinned at the sight. He was sure of his victory, there was no one in both realms who could convince him at this moment that he could lose.
The cauldron was activated by Ezra once again and the blaze came out and covered the cauldron's bottom.
Pele completed half of the concocting process while Ezra had just started.
But the prince did something strange, something that no one understood.
~CRACKLE~
The black bolts of lightning thundered and disturbed the pyre beneath the cauldron. The structure of the blazing fire changed and the fire turned into a tornado. A tornado of fire devoured the whole cauldron inside its belly, seeing that everyone gasped, even Elder Lo stood from his seat. His eyes widened as he asked himself what is he watching. "This… just what is this!?"
Pele who has completed half of the process was also bewildered by the scorching tornado.
~WHOOOOSH~
With a giant got gust, the tornado dispersed and something that floated in the belly of the tornado fell into the cauldron.
The prince stepped forward and took it out, a shining pearl-like round thing was in his hand. He raised it high to show it to Elder Lo.
"A Youth Refreshing Pill!"
"He concocted the pill faster than Pele!?"
"How is this possible, this is unbelievable."
"He must have cheated somehow. Elder Lo, kindly check."
The disciples couldn't believe their eyes, the elder blinked a few times and floated until he reached Ezra. "Ezra, did you cheat?" He asked with a solemn look, his voice was weak.
The prince replied. "No elder, I can do it in front of you."
"Do it," Elder said.
The prince nodded and began the process again, Pele on the other hand was still concocting, he considered Ezra's concoction as fraud and didn't stop his refining.
He was about to finish his pill. "Yes yes, just few more seconds. 9… 8… 7… 6…"
"I finish." He heard Ezra's voice again.
This time, Elder Lo was present, he clearly saw that the tornado was caused by Ezra's spiritual energy.
He quickly at the 2nd pill Ezra made and his eyes widened in shock. "It is indeed the Youth Refreshing Pill."
"No way, Elder are you mistaken?" James yelled.
Elder Lo gave him an angry look and threw 1st concocting pill towards him. "Check yourself."
James gulped and ate it but no response came out of him other than an astounded look on his face. After a while, he looked at Pele and said. "You lose."
"What! How? No way!" He retorted.
"Thanks for letting me win, junior brother." Ezra said calm expression but he said the latter two words slowly and loudly.
Fear and anger interlaced on Pele's face which was not a pretty sight to look at currently. Such an outcome was something he had never even considered.
Around the stone stage, all the disciples stared at Ezra Zephyr in amazement regardless of what faction they hailed from. There were no longer any gazes that questioned his actions, now replaced by a sliver of wariness.
In the past, numerous senior disciples had not thought much of this champion of the peak selection ceremony. The prince was after all just a new disciple, and titles meant little. However, Ezra had now proven his worth to them...
In the silence, Elder Lo stroked his beard, a gratified smile appearing on his strict and aged face. Ezra's victory had also somewhat exceeded his expectations.
He had originally been under the impression that Ezra was merely being rash, especially since youngsters were quite easily provoked. But from what he could see now, it was clear that he had underestimated Ezra.
He was unsure how Ezra created that tornado and what else it could do but he remained silent and thought to ask him in secret. Later, he softly chuckled as his gaze swept towards his disciples.
"Ezra Zephyr had won this battle. In accordance with the agreement, he shall be the third participant in the quarter match next month. Are there any of you who still has objections?"
Numerous disciples shook their heads.
Elder Lo nodded as he looked towards Ezra and said, "Since that is the case, you shall be the third participant. In a month, you shall represent our faction and contest for the Diamond Quarter."
"Understood." Ezra Zephyr bowed slightly and responded.
Elder Lo and the rest of the new disciples cheered in excitement, Gill Subzi started dancing in front of the senior disciples. Ezra's battle made them feel proud as fellow new disciples.
The corners of James' mouth twitched when he saw this. He knew that with this battle, Ezra had established a place for himself in the outer mountains. In the future, it was likely that not many disciples would respond if anyone were to attempt to suppress Ezra Zephyr based on seniority.
After all, the strength Ezra displayed in this battle was enough to convince everyone.