Upon hearing Wang Ruoxie's words, Chu Li couldn't help but be slightly taken aback, a look of astonishment appearing in his eyes.

The reason he wanted to take Wang Ruoxie as a direct disciple was not only because of his Nine-Star Swordsmanship Talent but mainly because of his status as a Third Grade Alchemist.

In fact, compared to Wang Ruoxie's Martial Arts Talent, he valued his status as a Pill Master more.

After all, although Wang Ruoxie possessed a Nine-Star Swordsmanship Talent, his bloodline was only of Yellow Level Third Grade.

And the importance of bloodline to a Martial Cultivator even surpasses talent, determining a person's potential and future achievements.

However, Wang Ruoxie, being so young yet already a Third Grade Alchemist, would likely achieve astonishing accomplishments in the Alchemy Dao in the future.

It seems that in the near future, Wang Ruoxie could advance to a Fourth Grade Alchemist, by which time even someone like him, at the Innate Realm, would have to seek his favor.

If he were to take him as a disciple now, the future rewards for both the Celestial Sword Sect and himself would surely be beyond imagination.

Originally, in Chu Li's eyes, even with Wang Ruoxie's cultivation at the Third Layer of the Element Transformation Realm, making it into the top ten of the Hidden Dragon List would not be easy, let alone securing a higher rank.

He even secretly decided that even if Wang Ruoxie couldn't make it into the top ten, he would find an appropriate reason to let him train once in the Dragon Transformation Pool.

Chu Li did not anticipate Wang Ruoxie's confidence, not being satisfied with just a top ten ranking.

"Ignorant, even getting into the top ten might be beyond your reach, yet you dare to dream of a higher rank."

Yang Honglie scoffed, his eyes showing a mocking expression as he spoke.

Wang Ruoxie glanced at Yang Honglie indifferently and said, "Is it funny? If I take the first place you consider already in your pocket, I wonder if you'll still be smiling then?"

"With just your Third Layer of the Element Transformation Realm cultivation, aiming to take first place in the Hidden Dragon Assembly? It's utterly ridiculous."

Yang Honglie looked at Wang Ruoxie with eyes as if looking at an idiot, disdainfully saying.

"Wang Ruoxie, although only young heroes under the age of twenty-five can participate in the Hidden Dragon Assembly, there are many young talents across the East Victory Kingdom. Even in our Celestial Sword Sect, several have broken through to the Late Stage of the Element Transformation Realm before the age of twenty-five."

This time, Chu Li also spoke, "Even though you possess a Nine-Star Swordsmanship Talent, and are not inferior in aptitude to them, your cultivation level is too low, and your bloodline is much inferior, so there is a significant gap in strength compared to them."

"If you can break through your cultivation realm to the Middle Stage of the Element Transformation Realm within these three months, perhaps there is some hope of entering the top ten, but as for a higher rank or even first place, I'm afraid there's almost no possibility."

"Sect Leader, since you all think I can't achieve a higher rank, why not make a bet with me?"

Wang Ruoxie chuckled lightly, addressing Chu Li.

"Such insolence! Who do you think you are to match wits with the Sect Leader?"

Yang Honglie snapped harshly.

"Enough, Yang Honglie, you may leave now."

Before Wang Ruoxie could respond, Chu Li spoke lightly to Yang Honglie.

Hearing Chu Li's words, Yang Honglie's expression involuntarily stiffened.

"Yes, Sect Leader."

Though unwilling, Yang Honglie dared not contradict Chu Li and could only turn and leave the Sect Master's Hall.

"Wang Ruoxie, the Hidden Dragon Assembly will be your death period."

Yang Honglie's eyes flashed with a sinister look, muttering resentfully to himself.

After Yang Honglie left, Chu Li smiled at Wang Ruoxie and said, "Wang Ruoxie, what kind of bet are you proposing?"

"The bet is whether I can win first place in the Hidden Dragon Assembly."

Wang Ruoxie smiled slightly and replied, "If I win first place, grant me ten times the opportunity to enter the Dragon Transformation Pool. If I fail to win first place, I will refine pills for the Celestial Sword Sect for three years, how about that?"

"Good, it's a deal."

Without any hesitation, Chu Li nodded in agreement.

In his view, Wang Ruoxie has no chance of winning first place in the Hidden Dragon Assembly, meaning he wouldn't lose this bet.

Wang Ruoxie is a Third Grade Alchemist and still such a young one, with mastery of many rare Ancient Pill Formulas. If he refines pills wholeheartedly for three years, it would surely greatly enhance the overall strength of the Celestial Sword Sect.

After leaving the Sect Master's Hall, Wang Ruoxie returned to the Pill and Artifact Hall.

He did not continue refining pills but instead returned directly to his room, preparing to use the pills he had refined to embark on a secluded cultivation.

Two months passed swiftly.

During these two months, Wang Ruoxie barely stepped out of his room, fully committed to cultivation.

Upon refining hundreds of pills, as well as two thousand lower-grade Spirit Stones and the majority of the Demon Beast Essence Blood he possessed, his cultivation successfully broke through to the Seventh Layer of the Element Transformation Realm.

From the Third Layer to the Seventh Layer of the Element Transformation Realm - spanning a total of four minor realms - Wang Ruoxie's strength had increased by several tens of times.

His Sea of Qi alone had expanded at least a hundredfold.

For Martial Cultivators, with each minor realm they ascend to, their Sea of Qi correspondingly expands.

When Wang Ruoxie initially opened his Sea of Qi, it was already five times larger than the average person's. Every subsequent breakthrough his cultivation realm achieved expanded his Sea of Qi by about five times.

During this particular breakthrough, for each minor realm he achieved, his Sea of Qi expanded tenfold.

The larger the Sea of Qi, the more True Qi it can contain.

This means, even with the same cultivation level, Wang Ruoxie's True Qi is at least several tens of times that of the average person.

One must realize, in battles among the strong, even minute differences can determine the final outcome, let alone such a considerable advantage.

The reason for this, Wang Ruoxie guessed, had to do with the trace of Yin-Yang Power inside himself.

While helping Xiao Ningyue integrate the Nine Yin Profound Body, he himself had benefited greatly, not only advancing his cultivation to the Third Layer of the Element Transformation Realm but also gaining the Yin-Yang Power.

The mysteries of the Yin-Yang Power were such that even in his past life, he was unable to fully comprehend them.

However, he could feel that the thread of Yin-Yang Power within him was continuously nurturing his body.

It seems that Yin-Yang Power can not only nourish the physical body but also aid in expanding the space of the Sea of Qi.

"With my current strength, even facing the Ninth Layer of the Element Transformation Realm, or even Half-Step Innate experts, I can stand my ground."

Wang Ruoxie's eyes revealed a faint smile, his cultivation smoothly breaking through to the Seventh Layer of the Element Transformation Realm, reaching the Late Stage, naturally elevating his mood.

With his present strength, he's confident that he can secure first place in the upcoming Hidden Dragon Assembly.

"Brother Wang, are you in?"

At this moment, a voice suddenly came from outside the room, carrying a hint of urgency.

Rising to his feet, Wang Ruoxie opened the door and found a tall, slender young man dressed in the Inner Sect Disciple's Attire.

"What's the matter?"

Wang Ruoxie asked.

"Brother Wang, come with me quickly... Brother Song Qing was seriously injured."

The young man spoke hastily.

"Take me to him."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruoxie's eyes narrowed, and he promptly said to the young man.

Song Qing was counted among the few friends he had in the Celestial Sword Sect, and whoever harmed Song Qing would not be let off by him.

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