Chapter 85: Establishing a Duel Club
Weasley's Black Gold Store… The name echoed in Fred's ears, and his eyes immediately lit up, as if struck by lightning.
He excitedly widened his eyes, as if seeing the brilliant future of the store.
Scenes of a continuous stream of customers and a bustling, lively store kept appearing in his mind.
"I have no objections either," George followed closely, expressing his opinion concisely and affirmatively.
Seeing that neither of them had any objections, Ron smiled and nodded: "Alright, then it's decided."
As he spoke, he put the talismans one by one into a bag, then carefully tucked it into Fred's schoolbag.
"Remember, don't get the pricing wrong," Ron reminded him again, a hint of seriousness in his tone.
He knew that the accuracy of the pricing directly related to the success or failure of the store, so there was no room for error.
After speaking, Ron picked up his schoolbag and turned to walk towards the classroom.
Monday's classes ended quickly, and Ron attended class diligently as usual, not distracted by the upcoming business plan.
He knew that only by maintaining a calm mind could he perform at his best.
After class, Ron and Hermione went to the library to study together.
...
Meanwhile, in Professor Dumbledore's Principal's office, another crucial matter was quietly unfolding, like an undercurrent, silently affecting the future of the entire magic world.
"Lucius came to the school today, and he didn't come with good intentions…"
Professor Dumbledore sat in his leather chair, his brows tightly furrowed, his tone revealing a hint of solemnity.
His gaze was profound, as if he could see through all conspiracies.
Severus sat on a nearby bench, with one leg crossed, his brows also tightly furrowed.
He spoke coldly:
"It seems the Death Eaters are making a move again. Lucius also revealed some information to me today; they seem to be searching for some Round Table Knight, and they even want me to secretly help them search within the school."
Dumbledore gestured for Severus to relax, but his eyes revealed a hint of worry.
He knew that Severus, as an undercover agent, bore immense pressure and risk.
Severus couldn't help but sigh, his leg shaking, appearing somewhat anxious.
He asked doubtfully: "Round Table Knight? Isn't that a myth? Why do the Death Eaters believe in such things?"
Dumbledore's expression suddenly became serious, and he said in a deep voice: "No, the Round Table Knight are not merely mythical legends. In fact, they truly existed."
Upon hearing this, Severus couldn't help but gasp, an expression of disbelief on his face.
"Ah? The Round Table Knight are real?" he asked in astonishment, his voice revealing a hint of doubt and unease.
Dumbledore nodded and said faintly:
"That's right, just last night, my Phoenix spoke in human language."
Upon hearing this, Severus immediately stood up and quickly walked to the Phoenix, examining it carefully.
His heart was filled with doubt and curiosity, wanting to find more clues from this magical creature.
Dumbledore looked at Severus's reaction, smiled softly, and said:
"The Phoenix said the Round Table Knight have descended. Would I lie to you, Severus?"
Severus did not speak, but merely observed the Phoenix silently, seemingly contemplating the meaning of it all.
After a while, he sat back down on the bench, crossing his legs again, but by now his expression had returned to calm.
"Alright, I understand," he took a deep breath and said, "So Lucius and the others also got this news from somewhere, and they want to use this opportunity to stir up some trouble."
"It seems someone in our school or elsewhere has summoned the Round Table Knight. The Death Eaters are about to launch large-scale attacks and small-scale incursions. We must deeply understand the meaning of the Round Table Knight and the power behind them."
Dumbledore tapped his temple, his brows tightly furrowed, as if thinking about how to unravel this mystery.
Severus's expression was solemn; he deeply understood the seriousness of this news.
He was silent for a moment, then slowly said:
"Indeed, we must strengthen the students' magic abilities; this is a matter of urgency. We cannot protect them forever, especially Harry. As the 'Chosen One,' he will be key to our fight against the Death Eaters."
Dumbledore nodded; he deeply understood Severus's worries and expectations.
He continued tapping his temple, seemingly searching for the best solution.
"So, do you have any ideas, Severus?" Dumbledore asked.
Severus pondered for a while, then replied:
"Hmm… I think we could establish a Duel Club. These young boys and girls indeed lack practical experience. Through dueling, they can train their magic abilities and improve their crisis response skills."
Upon hearing this, Dumbledore's eyes lit up, and he nodded in agreement:
"Good idea, I think so too. We can set up corresponding reward measures to encourage students to actively participate."
Severus added:
"Yes, both rewards and punishments are necessary. Students who win matches can receive corresponding rewards, and students who lose matches should also have corresponding punishments, so as to ensure they take every duel seriously."
Dumbledore smiled and said:
"Alright, Severus, you decide these things. Tomorrow morning I want to see the relevant draft of the system, and tomorrow evening, which is Tuesday evening, I will announce this decision to all students in the Great Hall."
...
Time flew by, and Tuesday arrived as scheduled.
In the early morning, Severus submitted the detailed draft of the Duel Club to Dumbledore early.
After careful review and discussion, the two quickly reached a consensus, and the draft was smoothly approved.
In the afternoon, sunlight streamed onto the Quidditch Pitch, and Ron, dressed in his flying uniform, spiritedly participated in Quidditch training.
His flying skills were superb; every aerial maneuver and dive seemed effortless.
Gryffindor Quidditch Captain Oliver witnessed Ron's performance, and his doubts instantly vanished.
He expressed his sincere respect to Ron and deeply apologized for his previous suspicions about him.
After training, Ron and his teammates, sweating profusely, returned to the Castle.
However, as they stepped into the Great Hall, a loud voice suddenly echoed throughout the entire school:
"Tonight, all students of all grades, after dinner, gather in the school Great Hall!"
It was Dumbledore's voice, reverberating in every corner of the Castle.
Harry curiously turned his head and asked Ron: "What's happening? Why are we suddenly called to gather?"
Ron shrugged, a thoughtful expression on his face: "Who knows?"
But he thought to himself, it might be about the Duel Club; Principal and Severus are really fast!
For the Duel Club, Ron was already prepared.
The Duel Club must have set up rewards, and Ron wanted to take first place!
Chapter 86: Rules of the Duel Club
Night fell.
After a quick dinner, all the students of the school rushed towards the Great Hall.
The Great Hall's lights were warm and bright, illuminating everyone's faces and reflecting a variety of expressions.
Hermione glanced at Ron beside her, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Ron, do you think something's going to happen?" She gently nudged Ron's shoulder, trying to get some clues from him.
Ron shrugged, an innocent expression on his face.
"How would I know?" He spread his hands, his gaze turning to the front of the Great Hall.
There, Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape both stood at the front, their faces bearing an elusive, serious expression.
Hermione couldn't help but look forward as well, a strange sense of tension rising within her.
The atmosphere in the Great Hall seemed to grow heavier, with students whispering and speculating about what was about to happen.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Great Hall.
The Slytherin students sat in their area, their leader, Malfoy, chatting animatedly with his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.
"Yesterday, my father came to see me," Malfoy said to Crabbe and Goyle in a low voice, a mysterious gleam in his eyes.
"What? What did Uncle say?" Crabbe and Goyle both widened their eyes, leaning in curiously.
Malfoy smiled slightly, deliberately keeping them in suspense.
"My father didn't say anything specific, but he wants us to keep a close eye on Harry Potter and them."
His gaze unconsciously shifted towards Harry Potter, a flicker of hatred in his eyes.
Crabbe and Goyle exchanged glances, both revealing sinister smiles.
"No problem, we have plenty of ways to deal with Harry," Crabbe said, a malicious excitement in his voice.
Malfoy nodded, a smug smile on his face.
"That's right, when Ron isn't next to him, I have plenty of methods," he whispered.
This time, his father had left him some Dark Arts tools, and he vowed to make Harry Potter's life extremely uncomfortable.
Malfoy secretly plotted in his mind, preparing to deliver a fatal blow to Harry at the opportune moment.
Seeing that all the students in the Great Hall had arrived, Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat and said loudly, "Quiet, quiet!"
His voice was full of authority, quickly quieting the noise in the Great Hall.
The students sat up straight, their gaze focused on Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape.
Professor Snape's face remained grim as he slowly scanned every face in the Great Hall, lingering for a moment on Harry, Ron, and Malfoy.
Harry felt Snape's gaze like cold arrows piercing his body, causing him to shiver involuntarily.
"I always feel like Snape doesn't like me," Harry quietly said to Ron, a hint of unease in his voice.
Ron nodded, responding in a low voice, "You're right, he's not exactly friendly to you."
Professor Snape finally spoke, his voice low and powerful:
"After discussion between Headmaster Dumbledore and myself, we have decided to open a Duel Club."
The students were clearly somewhat surprised by this sudden decision.
They wanted to discuss this newly opened club, but under Professor Snape's stern gaze, they dared not utter a single word.
Professor Snape continued:
"Duel Club matches will begin this Friday, held once a week, concluding on Saturday and Sunday. The rules are simple: from first year to seventh year, there will be a draw for matches within each year and between the various Houses. The top five in each year will receive rewards, while the bottom five will be punished."
He paused, then continued:
"Next, the top two from each year will compete against contestants from other years, and ultimately, the first-place winner from all years will receive generous rewards. More match details and rules are on this parchment; you can check them yourselves after class."
Saying this, he held up the parchment in his hand.
Professor Dumbledore added:
"Alright, now everyone can discuss freely. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to raise them."
Soon, the entire Great Hall became as lively as boiling water, with students engaging in heated discussions.
Ron, Harry, and Hermione, among others, gathered together and began to meticulously discuss the rules of the Duel Club.
Harry scratched his head, looking a bit confused:
"Ron, what do you think of these rules? I feel a bit lost."
Ron stroked his chin, and after a moment of thought, replied:
"Firstly, we have four Houses in first year, with about twenty-five people in each, making a total of one hundred in the entire year. To stand out among so many and get into the top twenty shouldn't be too difficult. But the key lies in the subsequent matches."
Hermione and Harry both nodded seriously, agreeing with Ron's analysis.
Ron continued:
"Next, the top two from each year will duel students from other years, and that's the real test. Think about it, if a first-year contestant draws a seventh-year opponent, what then? The strength gap is too wide; there's almost no chance of winning."
Hermione also frowned, expressing her confusion:
"That's right, I also don't understand why the Principal and Professor Snape would set such rules. It seems a bit unfair."
Meanwhile, in the area where the Slytherin students were, Malfoy seemed exceptionally excited.
He slapped the table and laughed, "Hahaha, I finally have a chance to openly defeat Harry! Maybe I can even go against Ron. My father gave me a lot of good stuff; this time, I'm definitely going to make them pay!"
His two little cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, quickly echoed:
"Hahaha, that's right! This way, Harry will be like a dead dog in front of everyone, subservient at the feet of Lord Malfoy!"
Hearing these praises, Malfoy became even more smug, as if he could already see Harry kneeling at his feet, begging for mercy.
Soon, the clamor in the Great Hall gradually subsided, and students began to pose their questions and suggestions to Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Snape.
They hoped that the Duel Club's rules could be further improved to ensure the fairness and safety of the matches.
Professor Snape coldly scanned the room, then replied:
"The rules will not be easily changed. Some students are concerned that lower-year students will be at a disadvantage when encountering higher-year students, but I want to tell you, what would you do if you encountered a powerful Dark Wizard outside? The Duel Club is meant to help you adapt to such challenges in advance and learn how to protect yourselves in unfavorable situations."
After hearing Snape's words, Ron fell into deep thought.
He realized that he must improve his strength as soon as possible, otherwise he would likely be at a disadvantage in duels.
Tonight, he was going to the Forbidden Forest's cave to advance to Foundation Establishment. Roncould already feel himself vaguely touching upon Foundation Establishment.
Chapter 87 Nine-fold Thunder Tribulation!
After listening to Professor Snape, the small wizards, though somewhat unwilling, could only helplessly accept this reality.
After all, Professor Snape's decision had already been approved by Headmaster Dumbledore, and they couldn't change it.
The meeting quickly ended, and the students rose one after another to leave the Great Hall.
Ron and his roommates walked back to their dormitory, discussing the upcoming Duel Club.
"Ron, what exactly should we do about this Duel Club?" Seamus asked with some worry.
Ron took a deep breath and said in a low voice:
"All we can do now is to improve our strength as quickly as possible. Only with enough strength can we stand undefeated in the competition."
Dean nodded, frowning:
"You're right. But we don't know the strength of the other houses, what if we encounter strong opponents?"
Harry stroked his chin, pondering:
"Indeed, we need to understand the strength of the other houses. However, this is not easy to do."
Ron smiled slightly and said:
"Actually, we don't need to ask them directly. We can infer their strength by observing their performance in class and their words and actions in daily life."
His roommates all nodded after hearing this, feeling that Ron made a lot of sense.
Ron continued:
"Of course, the most important thing is to improve our own strength. Every night, you must persist in cultivating the cultivation technique I taught you and drawing talismans. This way, we can exert our maximum strength during the competition."
Harry nodded and said:
"With the blessing of talismans, our chances of winning will definitely be greater. However, Ron, only the top 20 get rewards, which puts some pressure on us."
Ron smiled and said:
"Don't worry, as long as you cultivate according to the cultivation technique I taught you and persist in drawing talismans, I believe you will definitely enter the top 20. Moreover, as long as you achieve this goal, I will give each of you an additional cultivation technique as a reward."
After hearing Ron's promise, several roommates showed shocked and excited expressions.
Harry was especially happy; he patted Ron's shoulder and excitedly said:
"Phew, we can finally start truly improving our strength, Ron, don't worry, we will definitely work hard!"
Ron smiled and nodded, he knew his roommates' potential and believed they could achieve good results in the Duel Club.
He whispered, "It's alright, I believe in you. I still have some things to handle tonight, so I won't be returning to the dormitory."
His roommates all nodded in understanding, they knew Ron always had many secrets and plans, but they never doubted his abilities.
Afterward, Ron bypassed the teachers' sight and quietly arrived at the school's main gate.
He did not alarm anyone, and skillfully bypassed Hagrid's sight, entering the Forbidden Forest.
The Forbidden Forest was still as dark and mysterious.
Ron whistled, and soon, Thestral trotted over with joyful hooves, its two wings also happily flapping.
Ron stroked Thestral's head, and Thestral snorted happily, seemingly excited for the upcoming adventure. Ron flipped onto Thestral's back, and they quickly passed through the depths of the Forbidden Forest, arriving at Ron's secret cave dwelling.
The area around the cave dwelling was still shrouded in mist, but it was already very familiar with Ron's aura and quickly opened its door automatically for him.
Looking at this scene before him, Ron couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
His Acromantula construction team had already begun their industrialized workflow, with every member arranged in an orderly manner.
Soon, Ron arrived at the center of his Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation, and he decisively issued an instruction in his mind, telling all his summoned beasts to temporarily stop working and go to guard the surroundings of the cave dwelling closely.
Ron knew that the breakthrough to foundation building was no small matter and could not tolerate any interference or disturbance.
He had to ensure that his cultivation process could proceed smoothly, unaffected by external troublemakers.
Ron sat cross-legged on the ground, closed his eyes tightly, and began to concentrate on absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy.
The cave dwelling, meticulously arranged by him, had now gathered a rich spiritual energy.
The Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation, combined with the surrounding spider webs, formed a unique protective and nourishing system, making Ron's location seem like a blessed land.
The originally somewhat thin magic power gradually became thicker under Ron's arrangement.
The spiritual energy here was nourished to be purer and more abundant, as if it were a fairyland.
Outside the cave dwelling, the Forbidden Forest remained dim and mysterious, but here, it was a peaceful world.
Ron began to breathe in the surrounding spiritual energy, his breathing like a whale swallowing, drawing a large amount of spiritual energy into his body, and then guiding them to his dantian.
As the spiritual energy continuously poured in, Ron's body gradually emitted a faint light, enveloped by a layer of brilliance.
Bane, the Centaur, who was silently observing from the side, watched all this, his heart filled with surprise and shock.
He had seen many magical animals use magic to improve their strength, but he had never seen a human like Ron, able to absorb spiritual energy and improve his abilities in such an exaggerated way.
This was simply too exaggerated!
Ron sat quietly on the ground, fully immersed in feeling the flow of spiritual energy around him, his heart filled with exhilaration.
He could clearly sense that he was about to cross the threshold of foundation building, just one step away.
So, he accelerated the speed of absorbing spiritual energy, and the spiritual energy between heaven and earth seemed to be summoned, gathering even more rapidly and flowing endlessly.
Just then, the world changed color, the originally clear sky suddenly turned gloomy, covered with dark clouds, as if foreshadowing the coming wind, rain, and thunder.
Bane, the Centaur, observed Ron's reaction curiously from the side, worried whether Ron could cope with the impending lightning.
Although Ron's eyes were closed, he was fully aware of everything around him.
He felt the power of lightning in the sky gradually accumulating, as if to devour him.
But he showed no fear; instead, a strong fighting spirit surged in his heart.
He thought: This means that as long as he can successfully break through foundation building, he will become even stronger.
So, he began to use the Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art, and the Dragon Elephant tattoo gradually appeared on Ron's body, emitting a powerful aura.
Soon, the first bolt of lightning flashed in the sky, moving like a silver serpent.
Bane, the Centaur, squinted at the sky and muttered, "One bolt of lightning, it seems master can still hold on."
However, the next scene made him panic.
Bolts of lightning accumulated one after another in the sky, their number increasing, and their power growing stronger.
As many as nine bolts of lightning hung in the air, not yet striking; the longer they accumulated, the more terrifying their power became.
Bane, the Centaur, watched this scene, and couldn't help but feel a cold sweat for Ron.
Ron also noticed the lightning in the sky.
He thought: Is this the Nine Heavens Lightning Tribulation?
Chapter 88 Advanced Foundation Building
Facing the impending Nine-Fold Lightning Tribulation, Ron's eyes gleamed with anticipation and excitement.
His heart swelled with heroic spirit, and he thought to himself, "What's a Nine-Fold Lightning Tribulation? It's precisely these challenging moments that make life more vibrant and colorful, isn't it?"
At this moment, thunderclouds rolled in the sky, and purple electric lights leaped and flashed within them, like furious giant dragons churning in the clouds.
The might of the lightning was heart-stopping.
"The first layer of the Lightning Tribulation is coming." Bane, the Centaur standing beside Ron, nervously broke into a cold sweat; his gaze was fixed on the sky, afraid to miss any movement.
However, Ron seemed fearless; his whole body emitted a red glow, a sign that he was operating the Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art to its extreme.
A powerful force seemed to surge within him, as if he were ready to embrace the baptism of the lightning at any moment.
Finally, the first bolt of purple lightning streaked across the sky and struck Ron fiercely.
Bane's heart was in his throat, but to his surprise, the power of that lightning bolt seemed not as strong as he had imagined.
Ron also felt the aura of that lightning bolt and thought to himself:
The power of this first lightning bolt is only equivalent to the strength of the Early Qi Refining Stage.
It seems that this Nine-Fold Lightning Tribulation should get stronger with each successive layer.
Wouldn't the ninth layer of the Lightning Tribulation require the power of the Early Core Formation Stage then?
However,
Heaven never seals off all exits!
After a thrilling experience, Ron had successfully endured the baptism of the first three layers of the Lightning Tribulation.
Each strike of lightning was like a double test of his will and strength.
During this process, Ron's Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art was also continuously advancing in stages.
From the third layer to the fourth, and then to the fifth, each breakthrough was accompanied by a significant increase in his physical strength.
He felt as if his body had been reforged, becoming tougher and stronger.
Bane, the Centaur nearby, witnessed all of this, his heart filled with shock and awe.
The power of the fourth layer of the Lightning Tribulation was already equivalent to the strength of the Foundation Establishment Initial Stage, and the lightning was purple, making its power even more extraordinary.
He knew that if it were him facing such lightning, even if he tried his best, he could only barely save his life.
What kind of great perseverance, great courage, and great mindset would that require!
Ron's spiritual sense keenly captured the incoming fourth layer of lightning; it was like a furious lightning dragon, carrying world-destroying power, rapidly striking him.
Facing this astonishingly powerful lightning, Ron was fearless, thinking to himself: It's a good thing it's here!
With a thought, the dragon and elephant tattoos on Ron's body instantly materialized from illusion, becoming lifelike.
Five giant dragons coiled and danced on his body, exuding a powerful dragon's might.
Five giant elephants guarded him, as if forming an indestructible defense line for him.
The fourth layer of lightning finally struck; it was like a full-force blow from the Foundation Establishment Initial Stage, fiercely hitting Ron's body.
Under the lightning's impact, Ron's skin instantly split open, blood seeped out, and the spider demon robe he had personally sewn was completely damaged by the lightning's power.
However, despite Ron's skin being torn and flesh exposed, these were merely superficial wounds.
His physical strength was so formidable that it was enough to withstand the lightning's impact.
He felt his physical body continuously growing stronger; after this lightning baptism, his Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art advanced even further!
The fifth, sixth, and seventh layers of the Lightning Tribulation!
Ron endured these three storm-like trials with his tenacious willpower.
Each layer of the Lightning Tribulation was a cleansing of his body and mind, making him stronger through continuous breakthroughs.
When the seventh layer of the Lightning Tribulation struck, its power had already reached the full-force strike of the Foundation Establishment Completion Stage, enough to make any foundation buildingcultivator tremble with fear.
However, Ron, relying on the formidable power of the Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art, directly withstood this blow.
His physical body had been reshaped, becoming tougher and stronger.
Soon, the oppressive might of the eighth layer of the Lightning Tribulation also began to permeate the air.
Ron took a deep breath, calmed himself, and prepared to face this even more powerful challenge.
At this moment, his Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art had already advanced to the ninth layer, and his physical strength had reached a new height.
With the successful cultivation of the ninth layer of the Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art, Ron not only possessed greater strength but also gained a miraculous recovery ability.
His severe injuries rapidly healed under the nourishment of the ninth layer of the Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art, as if he had never been injured.
At this moment, even the spiders that had always faithfully guarded the periphery of the cave mansion felt an unprecedented fear.
Their bodies trembled, as if every nerve was transmitting strong signals of panic.
Aragog, the leader of the Acromantula, was now trembling uncontrollably; his huge body shook incessantly, and his eight eyes flashed with fear.
As the overlord of this area, he had once been fearless, but now, facing the impending lightning tribulation, he felt a fear he had never experienced before.
This fear stemmed from the animals' instinctive perception of the lightning tribulation.
It was a fear that penetrated deep into their bones and reached their souls, as if an innate instinct told them that this power was something they could not resist.
In ancient times, animals learned to seek refuge when lightning struck, whether in underground caves or deep valleys, all serving as their shelters from the lightning tribulation.
This instinct has continued to this day, deeply etched into their genes.
Aragog couldn't help but feel a surge of doubt and worry.
He secretly wondered: What kind of existence has master provoked to trigger such a terrifying lightning tribulation?
Ron took a deep breath, ready to face the eighth layer of the Lightning Tribulation.
His gaze was firm, and his heart was filled with fearlessness.
This lightning bolt was like a giant whale churning in the deep sea, or a long flood dragon soaring into the sky, sweeping in with world-destroying power.
Around Ron, nine dragons and nine giant elephants condensed from spiritual energy and vital blood, as if they were his guardians, fighting alongside him.
The giant whale and long flood dragon formed by lightning engaged in a fierce battle with Ron's giant dragons and giant elephants formed by spiritual energy and vital blood.
Initially, Ron's vital blood and spiritual energy seemed slightly inferior, almost like a firefly competing with the bright moon compared to the power of the lightning.
The lightning, fierce like a storm, relentlessly pounded Ron's defenses again and again, as if to engulf him in an endless sea of thunder.
Facing such powerful lightning, Ron felt no retreat or fear.
He gritted his teeth, his eyes firm, as if to swallow all fear and difficulty within his gaze.
An indomitable fighting spirit burned fiercely in Ron's heart.
He roared, "Open for me!!!"
His voice exploded like a clap of thunder, shaking the entire space.
Instantly, Ron mobilized all his spiritual energy and vital blood, surging out like a raging torrent, going all out in the final showdown with the lightning.
His vital blood and spiritual energy met the lightning in the air, like the collision of raging fire and freezing ice, erupting into dazzling sparks.
The sparks were like meteors streaking across the night sky, brilliant yet fleeting, yet carrying endless power, as if to tear apart the entire world, making everything around tremble in this violent energy.
This was a thrilling battle; the confrontation between Ron and the lightning had reached a fever pitch.
He was fully immersed in it, constantly adjusting his state, pushing his spiritual energy and vital blood to the extreme.
His giant dragons and giant elephants engaged in a desperate struggle with the giant whale and long flood dragon formed by lightning; each collision and each strangulation made hearts pound faster and blood boil.
After a thrilling contest, the giant whale and long flood dragon formed by lightning finally fell.
Its form began to dissipate, turning into tiny currents of electricity, leaping in the air, and finally disappearing into nothingness.
Ron's giant dragons and giant elephants, on the other hand, frantically strangled the remaining lightning power; like hungry beasts, they devoured the lightning bit by bit, ultimately dissipating it completely.
In this fierce battle, Ron not only overcame the trial of lightning but also felt his strength rapidly increasing.
He was surprised to discover that his Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art had actually reached the astonishing realm of eleven dragons and eleven elephants!
This meant that he now possessed the formidable strength of eleven giant dragons and eleven giant elephants, which was undoubtedly a great leap forward in his cultivation journey.
A surge of heroic spirit welled up in Ron's heart; he knew that all of this was the result of his continuous efforts and breakthroughs.
Recalling the difficult process of just passing the eighth layer of the Lightning Tribulation, Ron felt it was not easy, but more so, a sense of accomplishment.
He understood that it was precisely these trials and sharpening that allowed his Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art to reach new heights.
At this moment, Ron couldn't help but look forward to the arrival of the ninth layer of the Lightning Tribulation.
He thought to himself, if he could successfully pass the ninth lightning tribulation, wouldn't he be able to possess an even more powerful thirteenth-level Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art?
That would be the strength of thirteen dragons and thirteen elephants, enough to make him stand out among the crowd and become a true powerhouse.
Ron knew that for an ordinary person to reach the thirteenth level of the Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art, it would require thousands of years of physical tempering, a slow and meticulous process that allowed for no slack.
However, he was able to rapidly improve his strength through the baptism of the lightning tribulation, which was undoubtedly a rare opportunity.
Therefore, Ron even began to hope that the ninth lightning tribulation would be even more powerful, allowing him to break through himself again in this trial and reach a higher realm.
Ron, although the process was extremely difficult, he finally managed to pass the eighth lightning tribulation.
He did not slack off in the slightest because of this.
Because he knew that the real challenge was still ahead.
The ninth lightning tribulation, that was the most difficult hurdle and the key to whether he could truly break through.
But Ron's heart was not filled with any fear or retreat; instead, it was full of anticipation and fighting spirit.
He recalled a saying he had heard in his previous life that had encouraged him to this day:
"The greater the storm, the more valuable the fish!"
This allowed him to always remain calm when facing difficulties.
Ron watched as the ninth lightning tribulation was slow to arrive,
He understood in his heart that the power of this ninth lightning tribulation must be extraordinary.
But he was not afraid because of this; instead, he looked forward to confronting it even more.
After all, he was only a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, and compared to those true powerhouses, he was still a small character.
To cope with the upcoming ninth lightning tribulation, Ron quickly pulled out several pill bottles from beside him.
Those were the rejuvenation pills he had refined earlier, capable of quickly restoring physical strength and spiritual energy.
Ron swallowed a few without hesitation; he wanted to quickly recover his physical strength during this time to prepare fully for the upcoming challenge.
The power of the ninth lightning tribulation accumulated more and more as time passed, as if it wanted to tear apart the entire world.
Streaks of purple lightning wildly intertwined in the air, flashing with heart-stopping light.
Ron stood on the ground and could even feel his hair completely explode from this powerful electricity, standing on end like a hedgehog.
Bane stood nearby, looking at the purple lightning churning in the sky, his heart filled with fear.
He didn't dare to breathe loudly, afraid that a slight carelessness would incur the wrath of the lightning.
Recalling when he faced his master, Merlin, during his transformation, that powerful might made him feel like a tiny ant trying to shake a towering tree—it was simply overestimating himself.
And now, his master, Ron, was facing even more terrifying high-altitude lightning.
Bane couldn't help but start to worry; he didn't know if Ron could withstand this powerful lightning force.
His heart was filled with anxiety and unease, as if he himself was being affected by this lightning force.
Suddenly, Bane remembered that he still possessed the innate skill of astrology.
He looked up, trying to peer into the mysteries of the high-altitude lightning through astrology.
However, when he looked at the sky, he could only see churning purple lightning dragons; the powerful electricity seemed to have dyed the entire sky purple, making it impossible to discern its mysteries.
Bane had no choice but to give up on astrology.
He knew that his abilities were not yet sufficient to probe the essence of this lightning.
He could only stand silently by, praying that Ron would safely pass this tribulation.
The purple lightning dragon churned in the air, emitting a deafening roar, as if it wanted to swallow the entire world.
"Boom!"
A deafening roar, as if the whole world was trembling.
Ron felt that the cooldown for his shapeshifting skill had ended, and a strong fighting spirit immediately surged within him.
He knew that this was his moment of decisive battle with the purple lightning dragon.
Ron did not hesitate and immediately transformed into a Azure Dragon.
His figure instantly became enormous, a true giant dragon descending upon the world.
The aura of the Azure Dragon instantly spread, its power overwhelming and awe-inspiring.
As Ron transformed into an Azure Dragon, the power within him continuously grew stronger.
That powerful force seemed endless, making him feel as if he could control everything.
His eyes gleamed with sharp light, as if they could pierce through all illusions.
Bane stood by, watching all of this, and a strong sense of submission surged within him.
He knew that his master, Ron, had become incredibly powerful, capable of facing any challenge.
Although there was still a hint of worry in his heart, there was more joy.
He believed that Ron would definitely overcome this hurdle.
"Boom—"
Another deafening roar echoed in the sky, and the entire space trembled because of it.
Ron looked up, only to see that the purple lightning dragon had completely erupted in fury.
Its body churned in the thunder, releasing an immense force, like a purple bolt of lightning, sweeping towards Ron.
Ron was also full of fighting spirit at this moment; the Azure Dragon he transformed into also displayed an astonishing aura.
He met the lightning dragon, fearlessly crashing into it, his eyes gleaming with determination.
"Let's see who is the true Dragon in this world!"
Ron roared, his voice filled with resolve.
As if hearing Ron's provocation.
The lightning dragon grew even angrier; purple lightning coiled around its body, emitting an even more terrifying aura.
Two powerful forces collided fiercely in the air, erupting in dazzling light and deafening roars.
The bystander, Bane, was completely shaken by the scene before him; he felt as if he were in the midst of a battle between gods and demons.
The Azure Dragon that Ron had transformed into was surrounded by clear qi, like a finely carved jade pendant, crisp and unstoppable.
And the lightning dragon, formed by lightning, represented the most primal force of nature; its every roar seemed capable of changing the color of the sky.
At this moment, a fierce storm raged, and heavy rain poured down, as if cheering for this earth-shattering duel.
"Pain! So much pain!"
In his first collision with the lightning dragon, Ron felt an unprecedented pain.
His body at this moment felt as if it were being cut by countless sharp blades; every inch of his skin and every bone transmitted a deeply etched pain.
Ron looked down, only to see that his body was covered in wounds, mottled with blood.
He couldn't help but feel fortunate that he had transformed into an Azure Dragon in time, otherwise he would probably have died on the spot at this moment.
However, this pain was not alleviated by the transformation.
On the contrary, every collision with the lightning dragon made Ron feel as if he was about to fall apart.
He gritted his teeth, desperately resisting the lightning dragon's attacks, but the despair in his heart grew deeper and deeper.
"Boom!"
The lightning dragon roared again, making Ron's eardrums buzz.
It seemed to have already seen Ron's death, and its eyes gleamed with cruel light.
What to do? What exactly should I do?
Ron's brain frantically thought, trying to find a glimmer of hope.
Just then, a flash of inspiration struck Ron's mind.
He remembered that he still possessed the powerful Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation.
This formation, though unable to defeat the terrifying lightning dragon with a single blow.
But at least it could block some of its power, allowing him to struggle for a sliver of life on the brink of death.
So, Ron immediately activated the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation; streaks of sharp sword qi instantly condensed into a formation, circling around him.
With a thought, four dazzling sword lights shot out from the formation, tightly protecting Ron within them like guardian deities.
Although the lightning dragon's attacks were still incredibly fierce, under the resilient defense of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation, its attacks could no longer cause fatal damage to Ron.
Instead, the power of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation continuously counterattacked the lightning dragon, forming a balanced offensive and defensive posture.
Ron couldn't help but secretly rejoice, it seemed his Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation could not only defend but also actively launch attacks!
This gave him a deeper understanding of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation's power.
"This is it!"
Ron roared, deciding to go all out and have a final decisive battle with the lightning dragon.
He left a portion of his energy to maintain the defense of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation, while concentrating most of his energy and charging fiercely towards the lightning dragon.
"Bang!"
With a loud bang, Ron's attack collided violently with the lightning dragon.
This collision completely shattered the lightning dragon, and streaks of lightning overflowed during the impact, eventually being absorbed into Ron's body.
As the lightning dragon was destroyed, the barriers that had been hindering Ron's progress instantly crumbled.
He felt a powerful force surging within him, pushing his cultivation to a new height.
foundation building, advancement!
Chapter 89 Chaos God and Demon Body!
Ron deeply felt the surging power within him.
It was like an endless torrent, swirling and rolling within his body.
He gently exhaled a breath of turbid air, as if this power was also brought out of his body, forming an invisible ripple that spread through the air.
Immediately after, Ron's body began to change.
The scales on him gradually disappeared, replaced by soft skin; his dragon head transformed into a human head, his dragon claws into hands, and his Azure Dragon form completely receded in a short period.
Ron returned to his human form.
He slowly raised his head and looked at the boundless night sky.
The thunderclouds from earlier had vanished without a trace.
A bright full moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft silver glow that enveloped the entire world in peace and harmony.
Ron's state of mind at this moment was also as clear as this bright moon.
"The moonlight tonight is truly beautiful."
Ron clenched his fists, feeling every trace of power from his fingertips to his heart surging.
"Indeed, is this the power of the foundation building?"
Ron murmured softly to himself, his voice revealing a hint of excitement and curiosity that was hard to conceal.
He slowly closed his eyes, feeling this power flowing within his body.
When he opened his eyes again, a few subtle flashes of lightning flickered within them.
However, Ron's brow furrowed slightly, and a hint of confusion appeared on his face.
He found that he seemed to have become taller and more imposing, his height appearing to have increased by a few inches.
Even more peculiar was that the Dragon Elephant tattoo on his body had also changed, increasing from its original layers to an astonishing thirteen!
This meant that his Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art had reached the thirteenth layer!
This speed was simply astonishing; a realm that others would need a thousand years of painstaking effort to achieve, Ron had accomplished in just a few days!
A mechanical voice sounded in Ron's mind.
["Your comprehension is heaven-defying. You have passed the thirteenth layer of the Dragon Elephant Body Refining Art and obtained the Chaotic God and Demon Body!"]
Ron felt a surge of excitement in his heart.
Chaotic God and Demon Body!
This term echoed in his mind, bringing endless shock and anticipation.
[Chaotic God and Demon Body: This physique is not suppressed by the laws of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth. It can evolve all things at will, transform into all things, and can even enhance the bloodline and spiritual roots of others.]
Not being suppressed by the laws of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth meant that he would be unconstrained on his future cultivation path, no longer needing to worry about the tribulations during advancement.
In this world, he would be like a fish in water, soaring freely.
Evolving all things, transforming into all things.
This ability made Ron feel an inexplicable resonance with the Great Dao. He could feel the pulse of the Great Dao more clearly.
However, Ron also understood that to truly unleash the full power of the Chaotic God and Demon Body, he still needed to reach a higher realm—the Golden Core stage.
Only at that level could he truly begin to evolve all things, transform into all things, and bring this supreme power to its utmost potential.
What shocked Ron the most was undoubtedly the last ability of the Chaotic God and Demon Body.
He was pleasantly surprised to discover that as long as he had the nourishment of spiritual energy, he could easily enhance the bloodline aptitude of others.
This discovery was like opening the door to a new world, filling Ron's heart with infinite anticipation.
This meant that as long as he had enough time and resources, his subordinates would all have the opportunity to gradually transform into beings comparable to gods.
The potential of this power was simply beyond words.
Ron felt as if he was standing on the shoulders of a Giant, overlooking a world that was about to undergo earth-shattering changes because of him.
What made Ron even happier was that he also had several like-minded roommates.
Although they were currently just embarking on the path of cultivation, as long as Ron could provide them with enough spiritual energy and opportunities, their spiritual roots would also be enhanced, allowing them to truly embark on the path of cultivation.
However, they would need to pay a sufficient price.
Ron entered a nearby cave dwelling, carefully selected a set of fitting clothes to change into, and then walked out calmly.
His gaze fell upon Bane, who was still faithfully guarding the big tree, like a resolute statue.
Bane's eyes swept over Ron, instantly catching the unusual aura emanating from him.
That aura was deep and vast, seemingly even more powerful than before, filling Bane with an ineffable sense of awe.
Bane secretly marveled, "This is... an aura even stronger than mine?"
He couldn't imagine that after this advancement, his master's strength could multiply, which was simply beyond his comprehension.
He bowed his head deeply towards Ron, his voice filled with respect:
"Congratulations, Master, on reaching a new level of strength! Your might has surpassed the limits of what I can imagine!"
Ron smiled faintly, waved his hand, and said, "No need for such courtesy, Bane."
Ron's heart was surging; he longed to verify the powerful abilities of the Chaotic God and Demon Bodyand see if he could use this power to help Bane enhance his bloodline.
After all, ever since he subjugated the Centaur, Bane had been like his shadow, constantly busy in his cave dwelling, handling all matters, big or small, in an orderly manner.
Most importantly, the Centaur Bane already bore his mark.
His life and death were at his whim.
So Ron didn't need to worry about the Centaur Bane betraying him.
Ron already had a clear plan in mind; he intended to further enhance Bane's strength and bloodline.
Before that, he first decided to check Bane's current status.
Name: Bane
Race: Centaur
Level: Foundation Establishment Initial Stage
Bloodline: Centaur Chiron Bloodline 0.002%
Ron carefully scrutinized Bane's panel, a satisfied glint in his eyes.
It seemed that the delicious food bestowed last time had already significantly improved Bane's bloodline.
Although the increase was not large, it was a good start.
Imagining Bane's majestic appearance after his transformation, a hint of fanaticism flashed in Ron's eyes.
Soon, Ron adjusted his mindset, took a deep breath, and began to condense the spiritual energy within his body.
He felt a powerful force surging within him, and he carefully controlled this force, slowly injecting it into Bane's body.
Bane felt a warm current flowing into his body, and his heart was filled with curiosity and anticipation.
He didn't know what Ron was doing, but he could clearly feel that this power was changing him, making him stronger.
As the spiritual energy poured in, Bane's body was gradually enveloped by a purple glow.
The glow was mixed with a few streaks of lightning, and under its illumination, Bane felt his body undergoing earth-shattering changes.
After a while, when the light dissipated, a completely new Bane appeared before Ron.
His entire skin had turned bronze, as hard as forged steel.
Two sharp horns had actually grown on his forehead, gleaming with a cold light.
What surprised Ron even more was that Bane's eyes had a hint of starlight.
Bane was pleasantly surprised by the changes in his body, and he said gratefully:
"Thank you, Master, I feel like the blood in my body is flowing faster, and I can now absorb the spiritual energy in the air more quickly!"
Ron was very pleased; he had only used fifty percent of his spiritual power to make the Centaur Baneso strong.
Then becoming a god was only a matter of time.
Chapter 90 Duel Club First Round!
Deep within the Forbidden Forest, Ron's cave.
Ron stared intently at Bane's panel, his heart filled with anticipation and curiosity.
Name: Bane
Race: Centaur
Level: Foundation Establishment Initial Stage
Bloodline: Chiron Centaur Bloodline 2%
A hint of surprise flashed in Ron's eyes.
He hadn't expected that by using only a portion of his power just now, he had successfully increased Bane's bloodline by 2%.
This small increase had already brought about such significant changes in Bane, making Ron even more awestruck by the power of the Chaotic God and Demon Body.
A strong urge surged within him to continue enhancing Bane's bloodline, to see what heights a Centaurcould truly reach.
Thus, Ron decisively mobilized the surging spiritual energy within him, preparing to once again baptize Bane with bloodline enhancement.
He knew that every increase in bloodline meant a leap in Bane's strength, which would be crucial for their future conquests.
After some effort, Bane's bloodline had successfully increased to 5%.
Ron observed Bane; although his appearance hadn't changed much more, his eyes had become deeper, sparkling like blue gemstones.
Bane felt the surge of his bloodline within him, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.
He suddenly spoke, "Master, I feel like my astrology has grown stronger; I seem to be able to peer into a more distant future."
Ron's heart stirred at the words, and he asked curiously, "What future?"
Bane took a deep breath, slowly raised his head, and looked towards the distant sky.
His eyes gradually became profound, as if they could penetrate the clouds and peer into the secrets of the stars.
Soon, Bane's eyes, which were originally as deep and azure as the ocean, completely transformed into a pitch-black color like night.
Against the dark backdrop, points of starlight twinkled, like the brightest stars in the night sky, brilliant and mysterious.
For this brief moment, Bane seemed to establish an indescribable connection with the endless starry sky.
His gaze became hazy and profound, as if he was communicating some secret with the stars. He murmured dreamily, "The King of the world, only my Lord alone… "
When Ron heard this, a question arose in his mind, and he frowned, asking,
"What does that mean? What did you see?"
Bane recovered from his hazy state, and his eyes regained their clarity.
He shook his head helplessly and said to Ron,
"Master, this is guidance from the stars. I don't know what it specifically means. I am only an astrologer, able to glimpse fragments of the future, but often, these fragments are vague and difficult to interpret."
Ron felt a bit helpless after hearing this.
Ever since he had transmigrated to this mysterious world, he seemed to constantly be plagued by various riddles and prophecies.
Merlin said he was King Arthur, and Bane also said he was a King. What did all this mean? He felt somewhat lost.
Never mind, once he reached the Golden Core stage, many of these mysteries might become clear.
This was Ron's intuition.
At this moment, the sky was gradually turning a pale grey, signaling the dawn of a new day.
After bidding farewell to Bane, before leaving the Forbidden Forest, Ron specifically turned back, deciding to also lend a hand to Aragog, the Acromantula, to enhance his bloodline.
Ron gently beckoned, and Aragog slowly crawled closer.
His massive body looked particularly spectacular in the morning light, each fine hair emanating a faint black aura, as if containing some mysterious power.
Ron gathered the spiritual energy within him and slowly injected it into Aragog's body.
As the spiritual energy surged in, Aragog's body began to undergo subtle changes.
His pincers became even larger, shrouded in black mist, as if they could tear through any obstruction.
And most striking of all were Aragog's fangs.
His already incredibly sharp fangs now became even whiter, gleaming with a chilling light.
The purple venom dripping from them was highly corrosive; each drop scorched the green grass on the ground black.
Looking at Aragog before him, Ron couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
At this moment, he looked more like a terrifying creature that combined the characteristics of an Acromantula and a wolf, possessing both the agility and venom of a spider, and the ferocity and strength of a wolf.
Ron was very pleased with the Acromantula's transformation.
Ron thought to himself that when he had the chance in the future, he must help those little spiders enhance their bloodlines as well, so they could also become stronger.
Ron left the cave. He gently whistled, and the unique melody echoed in the morning air.
Soon, the Thestral's figure appeared in his sight. It moved with light steps, seemingly also looking forward to reuniting with Ron.
Ron walked to the Thestral's side, his palm gently stroking its smooth scales, a feeling of familiarity welling up in his heart.
He mobilized the spiritual energy within him and performed a bloodline enhancement for the Thestral.
As the spiritual energy flowed in, the Thestral's body gradually emitted a faint glow, undergoing a transformation.
When the light faded, Ron was surprised to find that the Thestral's changes were beyond his imagination.
Its wings had become even larger, like the wings of a black dragon from medieval myths, dark and hard, each feather containing powerful energy.
Ron knew that after this bloodline enhancement, the Thestral's strength had greatly increased.
Ron mounted the Thestral, feeling the powerful aura emanating from it, filled with confidence.
They left the Forbidden Forest together, flying towards Hogwarts.
During the flight, Ron enjoyed the morning breeze and sunshine, looking forward to the school life that was about to begin.
When the Thestral carried Ron back to the entrance of the Forbidden Forest, it seemed to bid Ronfarewell with some reluctance.
Ron stroked its head and said softly, "Go back, Thestral, we'll see each other next time."
The Thestral seemed to understand Ron's words. It lowered its head and gently nudged Ron's hand, then turned and left.
Today was Wednesday. After a hearty breakfast, Ron decided to attend his classes.
As the days passed, he felt time moving faster and faster, as if in the blink of an eye it was Friday evening.
This evening was the moment when the first round of the Duel Club was about to commence.
The Duel Club's venue was set in the magnificent Great Hall, where students usually ate, but now it had transformed into a tense and exciting dueling arena.
Students took their seats on both sides of the platform, their gazes fixed on the stage above, which was a spacious rectangular corridor in the center of the Great Hall, now meticulously arranged as the dueling stage.
Professor Snape stood in the center of the platform, holding a microphone. His eyes were sharp and deep, as if he could see into the heart of every student.
He raised the microphone, and his voice echoed through the Great Hall: "Our first round of duels is about to begin!"
Chapter 91 Neville vs. Goyle
As Professor Snape's deep, authoritative voice announced the imminent start of the first round of the Duelling Competition, the entire venue seemed enveloped by an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation.
The audience rose to their feet, applause and cheers rising and falling, as if they would tear the roof off the Great Hall.
Professor Snape stood on the stage, his face still grim, as if shrouded in a thick layer of dark clouds.
He spoke slowly, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority: "Tonight marks the first round of the Duelling Competition, and the participants will be the first-year small wizards. The rules are simple: first, a draw will determine your opponents."
In the Great Hall, small wizards from first to seventh year gathered.
Although only the first-year small wizards needed to compete in person, and students from other years were not directly involved, they were all required to attend as spectators.
This was a rare opportunity for them to witness the strength of their peers firsthand and gain experience for future competitions.
The first-year small wizards stood to the side, nervous and excited, whispering among themselves, guessing who their opponents would be.
Some small wizards smiled expectantly, fantasizing about easily defeating their opponents; while others looked worried, fearing they might encounter powerful adversaries.
"I wonder who my opponent will be?" a small Wizard couldn't help but whisper.
"Hehe, I hope it's a noob..." another small Wizard said with a mischievous smile, as if already picturing in his mind the scene of defeating a weaker opponent.
"As long as it's not Ron..." a voice said, trembling slightly.
"Exactly, I don't want to go up against Ron," another voice echoed, clearly wary of Ron's strength.
"Ron, he's really too strong," a small Wizard sighed.
After two weeks of living and studying together, the first-year small wizards had a Preliminaryunderstanding of each other's abilities.
And Ron's name, without a doubt, became the focus of their conversations.
His outstanding performance in Transfiguration Class, Charms Class, and Flying Class made everyone look at him with new eyes.
Whether it was his precise spellcasting, his agile Transfiguration techniques, or his superb skills in Flying Class, all commanded admiration for his strength.
Looking at the several small wizards whispering around him, occasionally casting wary glances his way, Ron couldn't help but feel a little helpless.
He thought: Am I really that scary?
However, to be honest, with his current strength, there really wasn't any first-year small Wizard who could easily defeat him. He wasn't arrogant, but had a clear understanding of himself and sufficient confidence.
Soon, all the small wizards had completed the draw.
This draw only announced the lot numbers, without revealing detailed information about the opponents, which undoubtedly added a sense of mystery and tension to the competition.
There were 100 first-year small wizards participating, so there were 50 lot numbers.
Each small Wizard held their lot slip nervously and expectantly, secretly praying to draw a relatively easy opponent.
Harry eagerly walked over to Ron and asked, "Ron, which lot did you draw? I got number 25. It would be too unlucky if we ran into each other."
Ron picked up his lot slip, glanced at it, and laughed, "I'm number 50, the very last one. Looks like we won't be facing each other."
After speaking, he turned to his other roommates and asked curiously, "What about you guys? What numbers did you draw?"
Dean rubbed his chin and replied, "I'm number 8."
Seamus said with a relaxed expression, "I'm number 26. It seems our lot numbers are all pretty late."
Neville, however, clutched his lot slip nervously, his voice trembling slightly as he said, "I'm number 1. I have to go first. I'm still a bit nervous, after all, this is my first time participating in a competition like this."
Seeing this, Ron smiled and comforted him, "What's there to be nervous about? Remember the divine ability I taught you all last night?"
Last night, Ron had taught each of his roommates a divine ability, which he had simplified and evolved from his own divine abilities when he had nothing else to do.
"Mhm, mhm, not nervous, but luckily, none of us are matched up against each other," Neville said.
"Hermione, what's your lot number?" Ron turned his head and asked Hermione, who had been quietly standing by. He noticed that Hermione hadn't spoken yet.
Hermione hesitated for a moment, then finally replied, "I'm number 50."
Ron was a little surprised to hear that answer.
However, Ron didn't dwell on the issue too much. He chuckled softly and said to Hermione, "It's alright, Hermione, I'll go easy on you when the time comes."
"..."
Hermione was speechless upon hearing that.
She had witnessed Ron's strength these past few days and knew the gap between them.
She knew it was almost impossible for her to defeat Ron, but she didn't want to lose the chance to compete because of it.
She could only do her best.
At this moment, Professor Snape's voice interrupted their conversation: "Alright, everyone, enough chatter. Since you all know your lot numbers, let contestant number 1 step onto the stage!"
As Snape's words fell, the crowd below immediately erupted, cheers and shouts rising and falling.
Neville glanced at Ron, as if seeking a shred of courage, then took a deep breath and stepped onto the competition platform.
He knew that at this moment, he represented not only himself but also the honor of Gryffindor.
And his opponent was Malfoy's minion, Goyle.
Goyle, wearing his Slytherin uniform, was stout and had an arrogant expression.
When he saw Neville walk onto the stage, a disdainful smile appeared on his face.
"It's you, kid, Ron's lackey."
Goyle sneered, his eyes full of contempt. Looking at Neville's slightly timid appearance, he seemed to already see the light of victory.
The Slytherin students below also started to mock him.
They felt that, facing such a clumsy Neville, Goyle's victory was almost a certainty.
The Gryffindor students, however, seemed a bit helpless. Although they wanted to cheer for Neville, deep down they had to admit that Neville had little chance of winning this match.
Professor Snape looked at Neville on the stage, his brow slightly furrowed.
He had always been disappointed with Neville's performance in Potion class.
Now seeing Neville standing in the duelling arena, he was also a bit speechless.
However, he didn't say anything, just quietly waited for the match to begin.
"Alright, begin," Professor Snape announced.
As his words fell, the match officially began. Neville and Goyle simultaneously raised their wands and bowed to each other.
Goyle clearly didn't want to waste time; he immediately cast a spell:
"Serpensortia!"
No sooner had he spoken than a black snake suddenly appeared out of thin air in front of Neville.
The black snake hissed, flicking its tongue, as if ready to attack at any moment.
Neville's heart tightened as he looked at the black snake before him.