Chapter 1318 - 1318: Sweeping the Top 5 Spots

After Brother Cheng cleared the scene, the original plan was to wait for all five contestants to finish.

But after waiting for a while, he found their ascension speed was just too slow.

At this pace, Venerable Juqiu would need at least four or five hours.

And the last two might not even make it to the top at all because they lacked the power.

So he decided not to wait and just bring them up directly.

When he approached Venerable Juqiu, the latter was puzzled as to why he appeared again.

"Elder Jiang, is there an unexpected incident?"

"No unexpected incidents, just came to speed you up."

After saying this, Brother Cheng directly grabbed him and charged upward.

Now that he's the Dominator of the Refining Heart Dao, if it were just him, there wouldn't be any trials in the Jade River.

However, after bringing Venerable Juqiu, they did encounter some challenges.

After ascending half a mile, a whirlpool appeared ahead.

"Careful!"

Venerable Juqiu had encountered such whirlpools on the riverbed several times before.

Each time, he needed to cautiously maneuver, not only requiring combat power but also correct positioning and judgment.

Otherwise, there was a risk of being sucked in and eliminated.

Yet this time, before his exclamation had ended, Brother Cheng charged right through it.

Crash!

As they dashed through the whirlpool, it trembled violently, erupting like a sudden volcanic explosion, showcasing its formidable power.

Venerable Juqiu was so startled he closed his eyes.

But in the next moment, he found himself unharmed.

As for the whirlpool just now, they had already left it far behind.

Looking back, he saw the previously fierce whirlpool had been dispersed, gradually turning into bubbles.

This...

What is this?

Is it possible to pass the trial like this?

Even with over ten thousand combat power, the whirlpool shouldn't be touched lightly!

Who wouldn't avoid it when passing, to avoid the impact?

Elder Jiang didn't just dodge it, he actually nullified the whirlpool?

Venerable Juqiu was bewildered, feeling his understanding had been rewritten.

Before he could react, a figure appeared ahead, the actual Jade River Puppet had arrived.

"This puppet is hard to handle..."

Venerable Juqiu intended to ask Elder Jiang to put him down, so he could better respond.

But reality proved his thoughts were unnecessary.

Brother Cheng had no intention of stopping, he charged straight at the puppet.

Just as he approached the puppet, he casually threw a punch.

Boom!

The puppet, with combat power of at least four thousand, crumbled into nothingness, leaving no trace.

Venerable Juqiu shut his mouth.

He was completely convinced.

Brother Cheng's method of passing the trial made his previous attempts seem like a joke.

He couldn't imagine how strong Elder Jiang truly was, but the gap was unfathomable.

Seconds later, he smoothly reached the top of the Jade River.

At this point, Brother Cheng finally released his grip.

"Go up yourself."

Continuing upwards leads to the Shao Guang Hall, and once on top, he would be first.

"This... isn't our cheating too blatant?"

Venerable Juqiu's mouth twitched.

The speed was overwhelmingly fast; even a fool could see there was an issue, right?

Brother Cheng replied casually, "So what?"

Venerable Juqiu was defeated by this strong retort.

Cheating so confidently?

Aren't you afraid other sects will jump out and accuse?

But thinking about it, given Elder Jiang's impressive combat power just demonstrated, no one in the field could match it.

Does he need to worry about others' accusations?

"Alright, hurry up, I have to pick up the next one!"

Brother Cheng indeed didn't care if the cheating would be discovered.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have spoken when encountering Venerable Luo Yun earlier.

Furthermore, he didn't intend to hide it forever.

When Venerable Juqiu truly leaped out of the Jade River and reached the Shao Guang Hall, the entire venue erupted.

"Did he really make it up?"

"Wow, what just happened?"

"How did he suddenly become so fast?"

"Not only Venerable Juqiu, even Daoist Venerable Chengshan couldn't be that fast, right?"

"Cheating, absolute cheating!"

"But how was it done?"

Everyone exchanged looks, and a suspicion gradually arose in their minds.

"Could the ultra-strong puppet in the Jade River have helped him?"

"No way?"

"Is that even possible?"

Though their words expressed disbelief, upon deep thought, it seemed like the only possibility.

To ascend so quickly in the Jade River, only that puppet could manage it.

"Hahaha, our Celestial Pill Department is number one!"

"A celebration for all!"

Taiheng Daoist Venerable and Beihe Daoist Venerable beamed with joy.

Whether it was cheating or not, at least Celestial Pill Department wasn't overshadowed this time, the honor remained intact.

Other sects were displeased.

"Why so smug, Celestial Pill Department?"

"With the puppet's help, does that count?"

"We'd rather not have such a title!"

"Hahahaha…"

Seeing them so sour, Venerable Jinpi and Venerable Zhengxu laughed heartily.

"Didn't you say the Refining Heart Dao's rules couldn't recognize our Celestial Pill Department, only familiar with yours, so it ignored us?"

"Wasn't it said we were lucky, escaping the puppet's notice?"

"What's happening now?"

"Seems that puppet can indeed recognize the Celestial Pill Department!"

"Hehe, seems the rules here not only recognize us but favor us warmly!"

This speech left elders from various sects red-faced and speechless.

They were puzzled too—why didn't the puppet eliminate Celestial Pill Department but helped instead?

No matter how you look at it, it seemed absurd.

Completely incomprehensible!

And more confusion awaited them.

In the Jade River, another disciple from Celestial Pill Department sped up rapidly, ascending as if on a fast track.

Along the way, as if facing no difficulties or dangers, ascending in a straight line.

Everyone watched, stunned.

"What on earth is this?"

"Did the puppet not only help Venerable Juqiu but also other Celestial Pill Department disciples?"

"That's too outrageous!"

"Truly bizarre; is that even the puppet conjured by the rules of heaven and earth?"

"If not a puppet, could it be a real person? Can a real person have such combat power?"

Amidst their lively discussions, the remaining four Celestial Pill Department disciples were one by one brought up by Brother Cheng.

The entire process was easy and enjoyable.

As the dust settled, Celestial Pill Department successfully achieved the feat of occupying the top five spots.

Instantly, the entire venue was in uproar inside and out.