According to the principles of Martial Soul enhancement, an incorrect method would lead to quick failure. Yet, as Zhu Tianlan followed Ye Xuan’s instructions, the Martial Artist’s White Tiger Martial Soul showed no signs of resistance. Instead, it gradually began to condense, and waves of rich Soul Power emanated from it.

This...

Everyone was stunned. ’Could Ye Xuan’s method actually be correct?’

In an instant, everyone’s expressions turned serious as they focused their attention on the platform.

As Zhu Tianlan followed Ye Xuan’s method and infused one material after another into the Martial Soul, the Martial Artist’s White Tiger Martial Soul roared continuously. The light emanating from it grew ever brighter, and a dense Soul Power began to radiate outward.

This was the clear sign of a Martial Soul ascending from One-Star to Two-Stars.

"That’s impossible! Soul Light Stone can enhance a Martial Soul’s strength, but it also causes immense damage to its composition. Under normal circumstances, materials like Cold Heart Marrow must be added simultaneously to stabilize the soul’s structure. Yet, none of the materials Ye Xuan provided are meant for stabilization. How has the White Tiger Martial Soul not been destroyed?"

"That’s right! And what about the Doray Leaf? Based on the principles of Martial Souls, it shouldn’t have any effect on a White Tiger Martial Soul. So why did the soul seem to enjoy it when Master Zhu Tianlan added the Doray Leaf?"

"Celestial Orchid, Nine Spirits Stalactite... who’s ever heard of these materials having a special effect on a White Tiger Martial Soul?"

"What on earth is going on?"

As they watched the Martial Artist’s White Tiger Martial Soul continue to solidify and a faint star ring begin to form, the crowd of Soul Refiners was utterly shocked.

Before everyone’s disbelieving eyes, with the addition of the final material, two faint star rings around the White Tiger Martial Soul above the Martial Artist’s head finally took perfect form.

Two pale red star rings pulsed rhythmically on either side of the White Tiger Martial Soul, creating a dazzling spectacle.

"And they’re even red star rings."

"Impossible!"

Many of the Soul Refiners cried out in shock, their jaws agape.

Star rings came in a myriad of colors, but they usually matched the attribute of the Martial Soul itself.

Beyond this, three colors were particularly special and rare: red, silver, and gold.

A red star ring, in particular, signified an advancement where the Martial Soul had absorbed exceptionally pure Soul Power.

However, based on everyone’s knowledge, almost none of the materials Ye Xuan had provided were especially compatible with a White Tiger Martial Soul. For them to produce pale red star rings was a result that no one could believe.

"What on earth is going on?"

Everyone was completely baffled. Even Luan Hong’s expression was frozen in a stupor. For all his worldly experience, he had never anticipated such a result.

Amid the crowd’s astonishment, Ye Xuan remained impassive. He spoke calmly, "Masters, now that the result is in, might I ask if my answer was correct?"

His words struck like a thunderclap, jolting the stunned audience back to their senses.

"Brat, that’s impossible! Soul Light Stone, Doray Leaf, Celestial Orchid... It’s unheard of for these materials to be compatible with a White Tiger Martial Soul! This has to be cheating!" Zuo Yi Alliance cried out, his voice filled with shock and fury.

"Zuo Yi Alliance, don’t tell me you’re a sore loser," Kuchen sneered, his face breaking into a wide, joyous grin.

"Kuchen, what nonsense are you spouting? We’re both Fourth Grade Soul Refiners. Don’t you know whether what I said is true or not?" Zuo Yi Alliance roared.

"Heh heh." Kuchen’s expression was pure mockery as he chuckled smugly. "The world is a vast and wondrous place. Who’s to say Soul Light Stone can’t enhance a White Tiger Martial Soul? Perhaps there’s a unique principle at work that you and I are simply unaware of."

"You...! I won’t waste my breath on you. Master Zhu Tianlan," Zuo Yi Alliance said, turning to him urgently, "I’m certain Ye Xuan’s answer is wrong. There was definitely something fishy about that test."

At this moment, Zhu Tianlan, who had just verified the answer, was still in a state of shock.

Of everyone present, only he, having personally verified the method, had felt the touch of magic in Ye Xuan’s solution.

’Truly incredible. Soul Light Stone, Doray Leaf, Celestial Orchid... These materials seem chaotic and mismatched, useless for a White Tiger Martial Soul. But to think that combined, they could produce such an effect...’

During the verification process, while he hadn’t understood the specific principles behind the material reactions, he had clearly felt the effect of their fusion and been profoundly shaken by it.

If he hadn’t performed the procedure himself, he never would have believed these materials could yield such a result.

"Master Zhu Tianlan." Seeing that Zhu Tianlan was still lost in thought, several of the other masters called out to him.

Zhu Tianlan finally snapped out of it. "Hm? What were you saying?"

Zuo Yi Alliance quickly repeated, "Master Zhu Tianlan, there must be a problem with Ye Xuan’s answer. Something about it is definitely strange."

Zhu Tianlan’s expression immediately darkened. "Zuo Yi Alliance, are you suggesting my verification process was flawed?"

"No, no, that’s not what I mean, it’s just..."

"Enough. There’s no need to say more. The results of the verification are in, so what else is there to discuss? In my opinion, for this second assessment, all five of Ye Xuan’s answers are correct. He receives a perfect score of one hundred points."

"I trust Master Zhu Tianlan’s verification process, and I agree with his conclusion."

"I agree as well."

Although the other masters didn’t understand the underlying principles, the results forced them to admit that Ye Xuan’s solution could indeed enhance the White Tiger Martial Soul. It was, in fact, one of the best methods they had ever seen.

After all, very few of the other five methods they knew of could produce red star rings while elevating a White Tiger Martial Soul to Two-Stars.

"This..." Zuo Yi Alliance’s expression was grim. He was resentful, but with so many people agreeing that Ye Xuan deserved a perfect score, he was helpless.

"Thank you, Masters, for your fair assessment." Ye Xuan cupped his hands in a salute, smiled, and sat back down.

’Damn it.’ Luan Hong clenched his fists, his expression dark.

In the Celestial Gold Kingdom’s seating area, a pair of captivating eyes was fixed on Ye Xuan. The owner’s ample chest rose and fell gently as waves of emotion churned within her.

As the crown jewel and foremost genius of the Celestial Gold Kingdom, Xia Qixi had always considered herself the greatest prodigy in the Thirteen Nations Alliance.

Haughty and aloof, she was known in the Celestial Gold Kingdom for her sharp tongue and cold demeanor, earning her the title of "Ice Beauty."

But this year’s Floating Light Assembly had taught her a harsh lesson, showing her that there was always a higher mountain to climb, always someone better.

Luan Hong’s sheer dominance had been nearly suffocating.

Though she never let it show, she felt a profound sense of defeat.

But unlike the overbearing Luan Hong, Ye Xuan’s understated manner made Xia Qixi’s heart flutter.

His calm demeanor, his unruffled attitude in the face of everything—it made Xia Qixi realize that a young man could be so captivating.

Ye Xuan’s indifference to both praise and ridicule, in particular, filled her with curiosity.

It was as if Ye Xuan possessed a kind of Magic Power that was gradually drawing her in, giving Xia Qixi the urge to understand him completely.

While Xia Qixi was lost in her turbulent thoughts, back on the competition platform...

"Hahaha! Zuo Yi Alliance, have you anything more to say? Who was it that was so sure Ye Xuan from my Liuyun Kingdom had to be wrong, that his answer wasn’t even worth verifying?" Kuchen roared with laughter, his delight plain for all to see.

"Hmph. The competition isn’t over yet. What’s there to be smug about? That Ye Xuan is only ahead by ninety points. Let’s see if you’re still laughing after the third assessment is finished," Zuo Yi Alliance sneered through gritted teeth.

The second assessment soon concluded. In the end, Ye Xuan and Luan Hong led the field with two hundred points apiece. The next highest scorer among the remaining contestants was Ye Fanxing with one hundred and sixty points.

After a short break, the third round of assessment began.

Throughout the valley, a palpable tension settled in, and everyone’s breathing grew shallow and quick.

The competition had reached its final stage. Once the third assessment was complete, the final rankings of this year’s Floating Light Assembly would be set in stone.

Nearly all eyes were fixed on Ye Xuan and Luan Hong. Thus far, the two of them had thoroughly dominated the competition. If there was to be a champion, it would undoubtedly be one of them.

A massive piece of equipment was carried onto the platform. The contestants’ Martial Souls were then brought forth one by one to be tested by the device.

"Flying Eagle Martial Soul, Medium Grade!"

"Swift Martial Soul, Low Grade!"

"Thorn Wolf Martial Soul, structural damage, ungradeable!"

"Giant Bear Martial Soul, Medium Grade!"

As the Martial Souls were tested by the device one by one, each contestant’s score was announced clearly.

Once the third assessment was complete, the total scores for all three rounds would be tallied. Based on their scores so far, many contestants could already make a rough guess as to whether they would make the top fifty.

Those with a chance of placing waited with bated breath, while those with lower scores looked on in dejection, their expressions grim.

Of course, most eyes were still fixed on the Martial Souls belonging to Ye Xuan and Luan Hong.

After the previous rounds, Ye Xuan still held a ninety-point lead over Luan Hong. This third assessment would decide their final scores.

Normally, a ninety-point lead would give Ye Xuan a very high chance of winning the championship. But fate had a cruel twist: the Martial Soul he had refined for the third assessment was a Blue Star Grass.

Historically, the most perfect Blue Star Grass Martial Soul ever refined had only achieved a Medium Grade.