The legendary warrior novel Chapter 36

Once Master Lambert of Lion King Castle appeared, Harold's attempts at provoking a fight became futile.

Even if he was a high-ranking core disciple of the Snow Sect, when faced with this powerful demi-immortal, he had to behave himself. Unless he were a demi-immortal as well, or an innate spirit, he had to show respect.

It was known that the Lion King Castle was one greatest power of the Snow Sect. All this was thanks to Master Lambert, whose demi-immortal status reinforced the Castle's strength.

The young contestants who would enter the Sacred Blood Pond were announced. To no-one's surprise, they were Ricky, Heather and Agnes.

The Sacred Blood Pond, situated in the Lion King Castle, was in a secluded spot in Castle Master's stronghold.

Ushered in by Benson, the three participants arrived at a small grove inside the palace walls. In the center of this grove was a large pond of bloody water, deep maroon and thick.

The three participant's ears began to hear the sound of bubbling water become nearer and nearer, and more and more distinct. As they stood there, taking in the blood pond, they could immediately feel the immense heat emitted by its water. The heat was so intense that they knew being too near the pond could very well melt them.

'This must be the Sacred Blood Pond!' Ricky thought to himself.

His intuition told him that his cultivation would ascend to another level if he could manage to absorb the great power of the pond. There was even a possibility for him to achieve the second degree of the Nine-degree Body Refining Formula.

"If you are ready, you may begin! The energy of blood essence of the Sacred Blood Lion has been completely infused into the Sacred Blood Pond. Whether you can obtain the Sacred Blood Crystal from this pond will rest on your shoulders! It all depends on the level of your own ability!" Benson proclaimed.

After a fleeting glance at each other, Ricky and the other participants sprinted for the pond and plunged right into it.

Agnes, who had once been so prideful and haughty, hadn't thought of Ricky as a rival before this.

Aside from the staggering accomplishment of reaching the eighth grade of Skin Refinement in so short a time, Ricky had even managed to kill a beast at the first grade of Blood Purification. He had fairly won the title of champion of the trial cultivation. Considering he made all of those accomplishments without a spiritual meridian, Agnes began to feel a grudging respect for him.

The beast, even if it had been severely injured, was still considerably powerful. And Ricky's triumph at slaying it suggested at the capacity of his strength.

In addition to that, as she found out about Ricky's prior sufferings in the Snow Sect, her admiration for him continued to grow.

...

The moment Ricky's body touched the waters of the Sacred Blood Pond, he an extremely searing, scorching pain. This feeling spread all throughout his body in no time, and he felt as if he would be fully roasted soon.

He pushed at the spiritual energy within him, sighing with relief once he felt the scorching feeling alleviate slightly.

"The Sacred Blood Lion originates from fire, which is the very reason that the blood essence is rendered in such a burning form. So you must be extremely careful during the whole course of cultivation. If it becomes intolerable for you to withstand the heat, just leave and don't force yourself to undergo this!" Benson advised, smiling as he watched the three youngsters struggling and grimacing in the unbearable heat of the pond.

"Don't sweat it, father! I know I can do it!" Heather answered determinedly.

"Well then! I will await the good news of your success!" Benson said, pleased to see his daughter's strong will. With that, he strode out of the grove, leaving the three youngsters practicing undisturbed.

Soon, they entered the refining stage. Given such scorching conditions, their practicing was a race against time.

The Sacred Blood Crystal was a concentration of the energy of the blood essence in the Sacred Blood Pond, which required the cultivator to exert his full spiritual energy and absorb the former energy.

Soon enough, a small bloody ball appeared on each of their palms. This was the very initial form of the Sacred Blood Crystal.

The three kept going at it. However, their bodies began to tremble and sweat streamed down their faces. Everyone's faces began to contort in ferocious grimaces.

Undoubtedly, they were suffering in the extreme heat.

On top of it all, they needed all the powers of concentration to practice.

After six hours, Heather and Agnes gave up, jumping onto the bank to catch their breath.